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CRAIG BROOKES, NEWS 9 ANCHOR (ON SET): Matt Cason returns to the campaign trail, just days after a shooting at a community fair that left three people dead and two seriously injured. Casey Cheng is live from Cason’s campaign headquarters with this News 9 exclusive.

CASEY CHENG (EXT. CASON HEADQUARTERS): An emotional day at Cason Headquarters as Congressman Cason visits staff and volunteers for the first time since an attempt was made on his life on Saturday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP: INT. CASON CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS: SERIES OF SHOTS, CASON MAKES THE ROUNDS. TEARY VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF HUG HIM. ANGLE ON SARAH PRICE, WHO STANDS OFF TO ONE SIDE IN THE BULL PEN. CASON SEES HER AND APPROACHES. THEY HUG. CLOSE ON THEIR FACES. BOTH ARE TEARY-EYED.)

PRICE: (inaudible)

CASON (low voice): It’s okay, Sarah. We’re so glad you’re here.

ANGLE ON CASON IN FRONT OF THE BULL PEN, SPEAKING TO THE ASSEMBLED STAFFERS AND VOLUNTEERS.

CASON: This has been a very challenging time, for the families and loved ones of the victims in the park. For our family here. For the city of San Diego. And … it’s going to take some time for us to heal … but … I promise you, I’m here for you. I’m going to work as hard as I possibly can for you and for this community … (WIPES HIS EYES) We’ll get through this.

CHENG (EXT. CASON HEADQUARTERS): But the challenges for the Cason campaign aren’t over. If you look behind me (CAMERA PANS), you’ll see armed security guards guarding the entrance to the headquarters. Given the continuing threats made to Congressman Cason and now to other members of his staff, they feel that they simply have no choice.

BROOKES (IN STUDIO): A very sad state of affairs. We’ll be checking in with the Tegan campaign to see how they’re coping with the situation later in this broadcast.

“Who knows?”

“Angus,” Jane said. “Matt and Lindsey, of course. I’ve pinged Presley, but we haven’t spoken yet.”

Matt knew. He’d known when he’d hugged her.

And Lindsey … as if Lindsey didn’t already hate her enough.

Sarah and Jane huddled in Jane’s office. It had been a crazy morning, with Matt coming in and News 9 covering it, plus the ongoing circus outside.

Matt had left, on his way back to DC. The media left with him, but the headquarters was crowded with volunteers, which surprised Sarah some. “We’re not going to let this scare us,” one of them had said, an older woman with gray hair and a tanned face who looked like she hiked a lot. She was one of the regulars. Rachel, maybe?

Sarah wondered if they came out of loyalty, or out of excitement.

She shivered a little, thinking of how Matt had hugged her, the way his body had felt against hers, the way he smelled: his freshly laundered shirt, the spicy scent he wore that couldn’t quite cover the slight musky tang of his sweat.

“We’re so glad you’re here,” he’d said.

What did he think of her now? What did he see when he looked at her?

“Look, we all feel the same way,” Jane said. “It really is up to you. We’ll support whatever decision you make.”

How did she feel? Could they all see it on her face, the desire?

You’re not allowed to feel that.

“I’d like to stay, for now. If you don’t think it will hurt the campaign.”

Jane’s expression was neutral. “So far, you’ve been an asset.” Now she smiled, as though she’d just remembered she should. “You’re doing a really good job, under really tough circumstances. Just know that you can come to me anytime. Okay? You don’t have to go through this all on your own.”

Sarah nodded. “Thank you,” she said.

She thought Jane was sincere. When she’d told Jane the truth yesterday, Jane had reacted calmly. “Thank you for telling me,” she’d said. “I understand why you kept this a secret. I’m sorry you felt you needed to.”

“Would you have hired me if you’d known?” Sarah had asked.

Jane had paused, seeming to really consider. “That’s a good question. But we did hire you, and you’re not going to be judged on this. What happened to you wasn’t your fault,” she’d said.

She thinks she means it, Sarah thought. But Jane didn’t look at her the same way now, no matter what she said.

Sitting at her desk, Sarah wondered how long she had, before the True Men did whatever it was they had planned. How long could she just be Sarah Price, before everyone would look at her and see Beth Ryder?