For months, Adrian Fenty and Vince Gray quarrelled about picking up the phone.

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Who should have called whom, and when: That was a common point of dispute In repeated debates and candidate forums. Why hadn't Mayor Fenty called Council Chairman Gray to discuss topics affecting the city? And why couldn't Gray have done likewise? The back-and-forth on this question lent the campaign the tinge of a personal dispute, one with a certain middle-school resonance.

The telephonic stalemate had legs, too. Last night, even after most news organizations had called the race for Gray, the mayor apparently couldn't bring himself to dial Gray's number.

The two finally connected this morning, with Fenty doing the dialing. Both pledged to continue that connection and work toward a smooth transition in D.C.'s executive branch. Gray even suggested the mayor might be prepared for their first sit-down, face-to-face meeting in months.

The two shared a different connection, as well. Both were reticent to say anything more about the future of the District's polarizing schools chancellor, Michelle Rhee. Her future (if any) in the Gray administration is the topic of the moment, with reporters pressing both candidates for any tidbit.

Appearing at his campaign headquarters on Georgia Avenue at 11 a.m. to applause from his campaign coordinators, Fenty said he had just spoken to Gray, and congratulated him on his victory. When talking to reporters, Fenty said he would support Gray in the general election and ruled out running as a Republican or waging a write-in campaign as an independent.

Fenty pledged his full support for the soon-to-be-mayor. "Washington, D.C., is doing some fantastic things right now, and we both want those fantastic things to continue," he said. The timing of Fenty's press conference itself was a concession to Gray — the mayor started it early to allow reporters to reach a Gray press conference scheduled for noon.

The mayor, who emphasized the 106 days remaining in his term, said he wouldn't speculate on what he might do after his term in office is complete. (TBD, however, already has.) He did say he wanted to follow the advice his mother and father gave him when he was growing up, and continue to give back to the city he was born in.

"I was born and raised in Washington, D.C., and I have no intention of ever leaving," he said.

Fenty said he didn't see a future in elective office, but never ruled out the possibility.

"None of us can ever predict the future," he said, mentioning that he's spent one-quarter of his life as mayor or councilmember. "I feel I've had my turn."

The mayor said he had talked to D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee, briefly, but wouldn't speculate on her uncertain future.

"She will be the ultimate decider in terms of her own personal future," Fenty said. "She and the Democratic nominee will have to determine what their respective roles are for any days after January 2nd."

An hour after Fenty appeared, Gray held a significantly larger press conference outside the Washington Court Hotel near Union Station. Dozens of reporters, onlookers and well-wishers gathered under a bright sun to watch Gray begin preparing for his mayoral tenure.

Despite repeated questions from reporters, he maintained his earlier stance of not making any personnel decisions until after the general election. While he had called Rhee and left a voicemail, he said he had yet to talk to the chancellor. In response to one particularly persistent questioner on Rhee, Gray simply said: "I want to do what is best for the children of our city."

"We will talk," he said. "I'm looking forward to talking to her .. She and I will sit down ASAP."

While his communication with Rhee was delayed, Gray reiterated his support for education reform.

"We're not going to be turning back any clocks," Gray said. "On school reform, we're moving full speed ahead."

Gray said he would reach out to independents and Republicans in the weeks ahead, and would hold a series of town hall meetings across the city. He is also launching a new web site, buildonecity.org. (The site is yet to launch.)

"I realize also that we have a great deal of work ahead of us," Gray said, his voice clearly tired after months of campaigning. "I'm going to spend the next seven weeks . . . reaching out to the voters, especially those who may not have voted for us."

The council chairman reiterated his pledge to hold weekly press conferences, restoring a practice tossed aside by Fenty. He also begged D.C. residents to become more involved in the city's governance.

"I'm going to ask the people of this city: don't sit on the sidelines," Gray said. "We will need the help of everybody to move this city forward."

Gray and Fenty will meet again tomorrow, at the Democratic party's traditional unity breakfast. The meal is scheduled for 8 a.m. at Israel Baptist Church in Northeast. For Gray, who campaigned on the lofty idea of bringing together a city divided over the policies of Rhee and Fenty, the breakfast will be an early proving ground.

"In my heart, I believe in one city," Gray said at the press conference.