They hadn't been seen out as a couple since last September, when they announced their intentions in front of the cameras and waltzed into their party think-ins as a fully fledged item, writes Miriam Lord
Nothing would come between them. They faced into the future together. Enda Kenny and Pat Rabbitte. Fine Gael and Labour. Joined at the ballot box.
But over Christmas, talk of a third party meddling in the relationship began to surface. There is a history. Labour can be flighty, particularly when Fianna Fáil comes a wooing.
For a time, it looked like Pat might be getting cold feet. While Enda continued to insist they were rock solid, his intended didn't sound so sure. Then Enda got a new hairdo. People began to wonder.
Good news for romantics everywhere. The engagement is still on. Yesterday, on the eve of the new Dáil session, the two party leaders reaffirmed their commitment to each other in a touching display of unity.
They walked side by side from Leinster House to the launch of their joint blueprint for the health services, sharing the occasional joke along the way and giggling for photographers.
In the Georgian Room of Buswells Hotel, there was even a double lectern in the corner if they fancied climbing into it together. Mercifully, they didn't, choosing to sit shoulder to shoulder at the top table.
As they exchanged pleasantries before the press conference, there was a fleeting fear the loved-up pair might start a round of "After you, Enda", "No, after you, Pat". We'd still be there today if that had happened.
Chaperones for the happy event were Fine Gael's health spokesman, Dr Liam Twomey, and his Labour opposite number, Liz McManus. Liam sat beside the Labour leader, and Liz sat beside the Fine Gael boss, just to show they are one and the same on the issue.
"We are concerned about beds," announced Enda, brazen as you like. Pat nodded in agreement, as we tried to figure out which of them was John and which was Yoko.
They took turns to speak, keeping their contributions short and to the point. Brevity blossomed between them in Buswells. If that becomes a lasting product of the rainbow alliance, it is a most welcome one.
Proposals in the plan include a serious reform of the way the health services are managed and run; an increase in hospital bed capacity; greater emphasis on preventive medicine and children's health; better support services for the elderly; extended medical card coverage and free GP cards for the under-fives.
It's not surprising to hear that the two parties want to cut out the curse of waiting. "Waiting has become the word which our people now associate with the health service," said Enda. "It is time for the waiting to stop."
After 10 years in Opposition, you don't have to tell Fine Gael and Labour about the frustration and heartache brought about by years of having to wait.
But it's given them more than enough time to hone their health policy, and perhaps explains why they were well prepared to answer questions on their proposals yesterday, and happy to issue cost breakdowns.
As the general election beckons, both leaders have been out on the road selling their message. In terms of feedback from voters, they say that the health service "shambles" tops the list of concerns. However, they must also be mindful that, while voters say they want health reform, recent opinion polls show they don't necessarily believe their rainbow coalition would be up to the task.
To this end, Enda and Pat, Liam and Liz were at pains during the launch to stress that the Government has had 10 years to get things right in the health service. When asked why voters should believe they can do better, the underlying thrust of their replies was that, at the very least, they couldn't do any worse.
Pat Rabbitte dismissed the recent flurry of activity from Minister for Health Mary Harney as "pistols at dawn on the eve of the general election . . . We are offering the sort of reforms that they shied away from for 10 years." At the moment though, having had neither purse-strings nor power for a decade, all the rainbow can offer are good intentions and fresh eyes.
"We will deliver if the people give us the opportunity," pledged Enda and Pat with feeling. Then the Fine Gael leader held the proposals aloft, with a look that pleaded: "All we are saying is give these a chance".
Very John and Yoko.