Disclaimer: I own anyone you don't recognize. Everyone else belongs to the people at NBC and TWW

----------TWW--------

"I mean I can see the book title now. The Seaborns: American Royalty." Josh smirked. Sam looked up at him. "I'm sorry Sam it's just... too funny."

"Good. Well when the article, Vice President Joshua Lyman Dead comes out I'll tell Donna, 'I'm sorry Donna. It was just too funny not to kill him." he said. "I'm extremely happy that my marriage is so hilarious to you."

"Sam, you know I didn't mean it like that."

"I think you did. Ever since we got married all people have done is make jokes, put bets on how long we'd last..."

"So you got into a fight." Josh said, handing Sam his suit jacket. "I'm sure she's happy now. Let's just go do this party and then we can talk about it later."

"Yeah." Sam muttered as they walked out of the Oval Office.

"Hey, did you ever think we'd get here?"

"Yes."

"No, really."

"Really."

"Are you glad you picked me to be your VP?"

"Yes. I couldn't do it without you."

"Are you sure you two aren't together?" an amused voice asked from behind them. "I mean what a scandal that would be. President Seaborn and Vice President Lyman are really gay lovers."

"So you decided to come to the party." Sam said, turning around. His daughter smiled up at him and nodded.

"But I bet you that by the end of the night this dress will be ripped and I'll have a broken leg." Gracie said. Josh shook his head and went into the ballroom to find Donna. "Dad, you okay?"

"Yeah. I'm fine. Go... sit down and eat something. I know you're starving."

"When am I not?" Gracie smiled, following Josh. Sam sighed and paced the hallway, waiting to be announced. He heard heels clicking on the floor and he looked up to see his wife coming towards him. 'Time to use the old Seaborn charm.' he though, meeting Ainsley half way.

"You look amazing honey."

"Shut up." Ainsley snapped. "I'm only coming so it looks like I care about this delegate from God only knows where and then afterwards I'm going home, to North Carolina."

"Why?"

"I need some time away from you."

"How long are you going to be gone?"

"I don't know Sam. Whenever you can stop acting like a jackass."

"I said I was sorry."

"Yes you did but if you were sorry we wouldn't fight like this all the time."

"So it's my fault?" Sam asked.

"Yes." Ainsley said. "You started it."

They went silent as a door opened.

"Mr. President, they're ready for you now."

"Thank you." Sam muttered. He extended his arm to Ainsley and she linked her own arm through his. "I said I was sorry Ainse."

"Stop talking about it because you're getting me pissed just thinking about it and we don't want the public to think anything's wrong."

"You don't think they're going to think something's wrong when you're gone?"

"Tell them I had some business to conduct."

"What about Gracie?"

"She's a smart kid. I think she's figured something's wrong." Ainsley said. Two Secret Service agents opened the double doors and Sam and Ainsley made their way into the ballroom.

"Ladies and gentlemen, President and Mrs. Seaborn."

The room erupted into a sea of applause and Ainsley put a fake smile on. Sam smiled half heartedly and led Ainsley towards their table. She sat down, said a few words, then walked off to find Donna.

"So?" Josh asked, leaning over.

"She's still mad at me." Sam replied.

------------TWW-----------

"Ainsley, it was a stupid fight."

"Yes that you started, as always." she said as she threw clothes into a suitcase.

"I did not start it. I made a comment and you blew it out of proportion." Sam said. "Will you just stay so we can talk things out?"

"Sam, we've talked things out too many times."

"So what are you saying? You want a divorce?"

"I'm not there yet."

"But you're considering it."

"Sam, I love you too much to get a divorce. I just need some time away from you." Ainsley said. Sam grabbed her hand and pulled her towards him. "Don't."

"I know what I said was wrong."

"You hurt me Sam. You hurt me a lot."

"I know and you don't know how sorry I am. I just want you to stay."

"I'm not falling for it. Tell C.J to keep this under wraps. Don't want it to hurt your career." Ainsley spat the last sentence out and Sam pulled her into a kiss, which she immediately pulled out of. "No. Don't try getting your way with this. I'm getting Gracie and I'm leaving."

"What about her education?"

"There are schools in North Carolina Sam."

"How long are you planning on being gone?"

"Until I can trust you again." Ainsley said, grabbing the suitcase of their bed. "Bye Sam."

"Ainse, wait." but she closed the door on his pleas.