The Dark
Genre: Slash /drama /AU
Coupling: Josh Lyman & Sam Seaborn
Rating: T
The characters belong to Aaron Sorkin, I am just borrowing them for fun.
Background:
Josh & Sam are in an established relationship and have been together since the first Bartlet campaign (see my other fic 'Putting the Past Behind You' rated M on .net – very dark & violent). Josh was in a car accident 2 years before and was paralysed. He now uses a wheelchair (sorry needed him to be less mobile for part of the plot to work).
Note: I live in the UK and am not a pilot. I apologise to any Americans or aviators if I have got things wrong please take it as poetic licence!
Chapter 1
The journey to Boulder hadn't been too bad. The commercial flight had gone smoothly and Carl, my ever suffering assistant, was a great help on the plane. Colorado was very pretty this time of year, if a little cold. I have to say though I would rather have been at home snuggled up with Sam than arguing environmental issues with an unrealistic bunch of greenies. Don't get me wrong I believe in most of their issues; however I am realistic enough to know that we cannot change the way most Americans think overnight. The fact that I have been sent here to meet with them shows how seriously this administration takes its environmental policy.
The meeting went better than I thought it would. There were some more moderate members of the local party that I had not met with before. We agreed after three hours that I would take a couple of their issues forward for further discussion at the White House. Ideas they had to lower carbon emissions and protect areas such as the Rio Grande Forest, if costly, had merit and would be interesting to investigate further on a larger scale. I was very pleased with the progress we had made as Carl and I made our way to meet Congressman John Myers for an official dinner meeting. After which we would go to the hotel and fly back tomorrow evening following two more meetings.
On our way to the meeting with the Congressman my cell rang – Leo.
"Hey Leo"
"How's it going down there?"
"Good. I think I may be a closet greenie. We're just on our way to meet with Myers"
"You've already come out of the closet once Josh, surely that's enough for one lifetime"
I laughed. "So what can I do for you Leo?"
"I need you to come back tonight. There's a problem with the vote"
"We're going to win, don't sweat it!"
"Josh, Feldman is insisting on meeting with you personally." He won't see anyone else and he's threatening to withdraw his support along with six others"
"I don't believe that guy!" What's his problem?" Josh frowned into the phone.
"He will only tell you and only face to face"
"How am I supposed to get back tonight?" "Myers is going to be pissed"
"I'll deal with Myers. Go pack your stuff and we'll work out how to get you back"
"Yeah ok"
"I'll call you as soon as we have made the arrangements"
"Sure, bye Leo"
Carl looked at me questioningly.
"We're going back to DC tonight. There's a problem with Feldman and the vote" I told him.
"I don't understand. You were only able to come here for this because the vote was a given. Sam and Toby were overseeing it"
"Yeah I know but Feldman is saying he will only talk to me and only face to face. I don't know why"
Carl thought for a moment "How are we getting back?"
"That I also don't know yet"
"Well as we are not having dinner with Myers, we better get something back at the hotel. You haven't eaten much all day"
"You know sometimes it's uncanny how you can channel Sam, Donna and my mother simultaneously!"
"I've been taking lessons!" Carl smiled
Chapter 2
"Senator Feldman as you know Josh is in Colorado. You told him you were with us on this. Please can we meet to discuss what the problem is?"
"I have already told you Sam. I have told Toby and even Leo. I will not back this anymore and nor will my friends until I have met with Josh"
"How about we get him on the phone for you, or linked up with a web-cam. Will that do?"
"No Sam I want to be in the same room as him"
"I know how you feel" Sam muttered under his breath. "Ok Senator we are trying to get him back as it is so important to you"
"Sam you and I both know this vote is important for the President, not for me. I now have reservations."
"I wish you would let me help you. I'll let you know when Josh is due back"
"Thanks Sam. I am sure Josh will be able resolve this issue"
Sam put the phone down went in search of Donna.
"Hey Donna. Have you managed to arrange a flight for Josh?"
"Not yet. There are no commercial flights until his one tomorrow"
"Damn it!" Sam thought for a moment. "What about trains, choppers, boats, private planes, or UFO's?"
Donna shot Sam her best 'Do you think I'm stupid look?'
"Sorry, guess you need me to leave you alone to sort this out uh?" Sam looked appropriately chastised.
"I would be able to do this more easily without you hovering yes. It was crazy to set this trip for him when there was a vote scheduled" Of course Sam if you really want to help you could speak to your friend Bob to see if there are any UFO's that could bring Josh back!"
"Very funny!" Sam snorted as he left Donna to it.
Chapter 3
We had been back at the hotel for an hour. I had showered and packed. I had even eaten under the watchful eye of Carl. I don't seem to be very hungry recently. Sam says I am losing weight. I don't know and it's not like I can stand on the bathroom scales Sam bought. His offer to carry me ended up being fun, but the scales wouldn't register both of us. I am sure he fell on to the bathroom carpet pulling me on top of him on purpose though!
We waited for the call to tell us how we were getting back. Carl didn't think there were any flights until the next day.
"Josh why don't you get some sleep, you look tired."
"Carl, I'm fine. Anyway I would just get to sleep and then Leo will call and I'll have to get up again"
"Ok. You want to play cards?" Carl grinned. He had been playing cards with Josh for a while now and Josh very seldom won but hated to lose.
"Yeah come on then you can wipe the floor with me again. Are you sure you aren't cheating?" I never used to be this bad at cards!"
"You can't bluff Josh. You are terrible at hiding your feelings."
"Sam says I have a terrible poker face. I don't see how that can be I bluff Republicans all the time" Josh wrinkled his nose as he said Republicans.
"That may be, but outside of politics you can be read like a book"
"Whatever. Just deal my cheating friend"
Laughing, Carl dealt the cards and they carried on playing waiting for the phone to ring. Josh losing 3 times as many hands as Carl.
Chapter 4
"Ok Donna what have you managed to sort out?"
"He's not going to like it Leo" Donna handed Leo the details of the arrangements she had made
"Is this the only way?" Leo handed the papers to Sam as Toby read them over his shoulder
Donna was exasperated and it showed in her tone "It's the best we can do. The only way to get him back in time to see Senator Feldman"
Sam had paled slightly. "You can't put him on a small private airplane!" How the hell is he going to get on board a small Cessna?"
"Sam calm down. We have to get him back tonight"
"But Leo!" Sam stared at Leo as the older man held up a hand to silence him. Toby placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
Leo took a deep breath. "Thanks Donna I'll call Josh and give him the details. He's less likely to shout at me" "Toby fill CJ in she'll be finished with her meeting soon"
Looking around the room Leo dismissed the assembled staff.
Walking back to the communications bullpen Sam's body language showed his displeasure.
"Come in to my office Sam"
Sam followed Toby in and shut the door.
"OK what's bothering you Sam?"
Sam paused to gather his thoughts slumping down on the couch. He looked up at Toby who was leaning against his desk. "He hates small planes. Even before the accident. They scare him. Also how is he going to get on the plane? They don't have platforms for those small planes, do they? It's all being done in a hurry, no time to prepare for his needs. You know in all probability he is going to have to be carried on. He'll hate it. It will embarrass him." Sam eyes were wet with unshed tears of frustration that he could do nothing to spare the man he loved such an ordeal.
"You know he will do whatever is required. He serves at the pleasure of the President"
"I know but I also know how it will make him feel. The loss of dignity being carried on a plane in view of others. Can you imagine it Toby? Would you want someone you love to go through that?" Sam sighed, leaned back and closed his eyes
At that moment CJ came in. Toby filled her in on the details. She was also worried how it would affect Josh.