Down Home (Part 2)

This is the second part to Down Home. All the same disclaimers from part 1 still apply. Also, the song is "Look What I Found" by Chris Cagle on Capitol Records. All credit for it goes to them.

So I realized that I mentioned in Part 1 this would be a two parter...gotcha! It will be at least three parts, as this one didn't get me where I wanted so there will be another chapter coming soon.

Love your reviews...they only make me want to write more. Keep 'em coming.


It was only after the President and Leo left the rehearsal room that Ainsley removed herself from the chair in the back corner where could see Sam, but remain unseen by Jed Bartlet.

"You did good." She walked up to him with a smile on her face.

"He took it personally."

"You knew he would."

"But it couldn't be avoided. You were right."

"I love to hear you say that."

She smiled at him with a malicious grin and he rolled his eyes dramatically at her.

"I noticed you were sitting in the back."

"I'm attempting to avoid any potentially career damaging incidents this weekend."

"Good luck with that." Sam noticed Josh headed their way, cell phone at his ear. "What's up?"

"Senator Chambers is causing trouble."

"The welfare package?"

"Yep."

"Crap."

"Vincent Chambers?" Ainsley piped up as she recognized the name of the senator from her home state.

"You know him?"

"He was a good friend of my grandfather."

"Why does that not surprise me?"

"Josh—"

"I'll talk to him."

"We're waiting to hear what the President has to say, Sam. Ainsley, we may need you on this too, seeing that you know the man and you're a member of his party. You'll need to come to the staff meeting this afternoon."

"I…I can't do that."

"We'll hide all the alcohol and bathrobes, I promise."

"That's so kind, Josh."

Her corresponding glare caused Josh to turn away quickly and walk over to CJ.

The Press Secretary glanced toward Sam and Ainsley, and when she was satisfied that they were no longer watching Josh, she slyly nodded to him.

He leaned slightly and whispered in her ear, "Phase one, successful."

CJ smiled and they went their separate ways.


The President's makeshift office was filled with his senior staff and a certain Deputy White House Counselor, who stood fidgeting off to the side. This did not go unnoticed by the President as he entered.

"All right get this over with."

Jed Bartlet caught Josh and CJ's stare and knew that the plan was underway. He had spoken to CJ on his way down, and she had filled him in on the sting. He also knew about "Team Toby" but didn't care that much. Toby and Andy were perfectly capable of figuring out their own lives. It was none of his business. But Sam and Ainsley were a different ballgame.

He knew that they were both brilliant at their jobs, but were clueless when it came to their personal lives. So when CJ suggested that they needed his help, he was quick to get in on the action. The way he figured it could go one of two ways: Sam and Ainsley wind up together for a very long time, or their administration could wind up pissing off yet another Republican. He hoped it would not be the latter. Those two were right for each other.

All it had taken was a few phone calls and the plot had been arranged.

"So how do we take care of this? I thought Chambers was a done deal," the President continued.

"Well, Mr. President," Josh spoke up, "he has some addendums he wants to put in front of committee, most of which are way out of left field."

"Ainsley!"

The blonde in the back of the room suddenly stood very still and looked at a place on the wall as behind the man who had called her name.

"Yes, Mr. President."

"I've been made aware that you have a personal relationship with the senator. What is his deal?"

"I…I can honestly tell you, Mr. President, that I do not understand why Senator Chambers is giving the administration grief. He has always been very moderate on welfare reform. It really doesn't make any sense."

"Do you think he'll move?"

"Given that I am unsure of his demands, I can't say. But he is a reasonable man, and probably could be convinced to compromise under the right circumstances."

The President was well aware of the fact that she was suddenly in business mode, and sounded very sure of herself. She was, at that moment, the antithesis of the woman he met in the steam pipe trunk distribution venue.

"Can you convince him?"

"Sir… I…"

"Mr. President, Ainsley shouldn't be put in that position. We all know that she disagrees with the administration on this issue. I don't think its fair to put her in opposition to her own party, just for our gain."

It was silent in the room, but the looks between Sam and Ainsley and CJ, Josh, and the President were speaking volumes.

Finally Jed Bartlet took back control of his office.

"Sam, you'll go to meet with the senator. He's at his in-law's home in Beaufort on the coast. Ainsley, do you mind going with him, just to make sure that he doesn't severe our ties with the Republican party permanently?"

"That would be fine, Sir. I'll just have to talk to Mr. Babish…"

"Bah, I'll take care of Oliver. If he has a problem with it, I'll show him my Nobel Prize. Josh, have Donna make them hotel reservations in Beaufort. You can all go now."

Sam and Ainsley were the first out of the room, and the President winked at his Deputy Chief of Staff and his Press Secretary. This was working out better than they had hoped.


Deciding that it would be more sensible to drive the five hours, Sam and Ainsley took off in her black sports car the next day an hour before Air Force One was to leave. As they pulled away from Saybrook, CJ and Josh stood watching.

"We did a good thing, Joshua."

"Even if she is a Republican."


"You do know where you're going right?"

"Yes."

"Because if you don't I can drive."

"You're not driving, Sam, for a number of reasons. Not the least of which is that I've been warned never to let you behind the wheel of car when you don't know exactly where you are going. Also, its daytime, so you can't go follow the stars. Finally, I just bought this car, and I'm not taking any chances."

"I'm a good driver."

"I don't care."

"But…Hey! How did you find out about the…"

"Donna."

"Josh needs to wire her mouth shut."

"That's not nice, Sam. It was a cute story. Besides, I happen to know exactly where I'm going. My cousin lived in Morehead City for a while. It's right near Beaufort."

"Oh."

Sam glanced over to the drivers seat and smiled. Despite their differences, he did enjoy spending time with Ainsley. Her self-righteous conservatism drove him crazy, but not as crazy as her million-dollar smile and that honeysuckle sweet drawl. But right now he had to push that thought from his mind. He focused on the ballad playing on the country station, the only station they could pick up in the middle of nowhere.

There's a lot of lonely people out there waiting

There's a lot of lonely people searching too

But if you've got too many expectations

You might miss the one whose right in front of you

No telling when

Not telling why

She'll say hello and you'll know you'll never say goodbye.

Nope, that was a bad idea, too.

"So…you did a very nice job acting like a Republican against the President."

Ainsley's statement pulled him from his thoughts.

"I had a good teacher."

"You should have done it with a Ritchie accent, though."

"Who do you think I am, an actor?"

"You look like you could be," she muttered at a level he couldn't hear. She was still in denial about the attraction she had to Sam. She raised her voice to where he could hear. "I'm just saying that it would've been cute."

"I don't think 'cute' is what the President has in mind for his debate opponent."

"Sorry. I thought you liked the accent." She immediately regretted saying it.

"What do you mean by that."

"Nothing. Nothing at all. See that road right there? That is the road you would take to go to my dad's favorite battlefield."

"Interesting. So what did you mean?"

She glared at him and turned the radio up louder. He responded by turning it back down but not wanting the awkwardness to continue, he changed the subject.

"I have a question for you."

"Okay."

"You said the other day that you'd been approached by the Ritchie campaign. What did they offer you?"

Ainsley sighed at the sudden turn in the conversation.

"Top deputy. I'd be right under Cavanaugh."

"Wow. That'd be a step up."

"Yeah."

A strangled silence fell between them, as neither was willing to talk more on this touchy subject. Sam turned the radio back up, and Ainsley concentrated on the road ahead of her.


Realizing that the car had come to a stop, Sam opened his eyes to see Ainsley staring at him.

"Hey, sleeping beauty."

The uncomfortable feeling that covered their conversations earlier had disappeared, and the playfulness had returned to her voice.

"Don't ever call me that. Where are we?"

"About a half hour from the coast. I had to stop for some food."

Sam looked up to see the Golden Arches on the door of the building in front of them.

"I'm surprised you lasted this long."

"Get out of the car. I'm starving. You're going to buy me a Big Mac."

"I think I might can handle that."

"Thank you."

Over hamburgers and fries, they discussed Senator Chambers's views on welfare, which turned into an all out debate, which almost lead to her walking out and leaving him in a random McDonalds in a three-stoplight town in the middle of North Carolina.

Fortunately he was able to calm her with the promise of a large milkshake before they left. It was an easy sell.

As he waited for Ainsley to return from her trip to the ladies room, Sam called Josh's office to find out where they had room reserved for the night.

"Hey, Donna."

"Hey, Sam."

"They said you were going to make reservations for us at a hotel…"

"Yeah…about that. Couldn't get a hotel. Apparently there is some kind of marine-biology-expo-something-or-other this weekend. All the hotels are full." Knowing he was about to either yell at her or whine like a child, she quickly continued. "But I took care of it."

"Donna…"

"I did. There is a bed and breakfast called the Sailboat Inn, and I got you a room…"

"Donna! Ainsley and I can't share a room. What if a reporter sees?"

"It's a suite. There are two bedrooms. As far as the press goes, which newspaper is going to send a reporter to the Sailboat Inn on the off chance that two White House staffers are going to show up?"

"I don't know, but…"

"Look it was the best I could do, unless you feel up to pissing off a large, and I would venture to say close-knit, group of marine biologists. They're expecting you soon."

"Okay…fine, we'll make do. Thanks, Donna. Tell Josh I'll talk to him soon."

They both hung up. In Washington, Donna received a smile from both Josh and CJ, who had come back to the office after Air Force One landed, just to ensure that the plan continued on its current course.

"You are wonderful Deputy Deputy Moss. Ever thought of going into acting?"

"Quit sucking up, Joshua. You're just lucky my college roommate's great uncle owns that Inn."

"He did promise no press, right?"

"He said it's very isolated. There should be no problems, CJ."

"Wonderful. Boy are we good."


"Okay, it should be right up here."

"I know, Sam. Oh, look, it's beautiful! Donna did well."

Sam and Ainsley parked in front of the Victorian mansion and exited the car, hearing the sound of waves crashing from the other side of the building. The ocean breeze had added a slight chill to the air. Ainsley pulled her pale blue cardigan tighter around her. Sam grabbed their bags from the trunk and they walked up the wide staircase to the open porch.

They pushed open the large wooden door and a bell jingled, announcing their entrance. A gray-haired man with a placate look on his face appeared from a room off to the right.

"Ah, you youngsters must be Miss Hayes and Mr. Seaborn. I'm Elias Conrad. You can call me Eli. I've got your keys right here. Your office already gave me all your information, so I'll take you right on up."

"This is a beautiful place, Eli."

"Thank you Miss Hayes. You're William Hayes' grandbaby aren't you?"

The strong, aged, southern accent, even stronger that Ainsley's, reverberated against the walls, as he took one of the bags from Sam and led them up a polished walnut circular staircase.

"One of them."

"He was a good politician. Voted for him twice. Never got the pleasure of meeting him, so it's an honor to meet you."

"Thank you. That's very kind."

Sam was captivated by the ease Ainsley had while talking to Eli. It was like they were kindred spirits. Or maybe it was just common southern hospitality that he wasn't used to, although he felt he could get very much used to it.

The exchange continued until they got to a room at the end of the hallway. Eli put the antique brass key into the lock and opened the door, holding it open for his guests.

Before he left he turned back to address the two White House Staffers.

"Breakfast starts at seven, and I know you have a meeting tomorrow. Will you check out as you leave for your meeting?"

"Yes," Sam replied. "Thank you for everything."

The door shut behind the old man, and Sam and Ainsley looked around the room…suite.

"Well, this is nice."

That was a bit of an understatement. They found themselves in the middle of a round sitting room with a large bay window looking out into the quickly darkening water of the Atlantic. Decorated true to the Victorian Era, the walls were a cream and gold damask paper, accented with cream crown molding. The draperies were rich gold tone fabric, and the hearty furniture was a dark cherry with rose and cobalt upholstery.

Off to either side of the sitting area was a bedroom. Both had the same wallpaper as the common room, but one had more feminine floral bedding while the other lent itself more easily to the masculine eye.

After surveying each room, Sam and Ainsley decided to pick the rooms along gender lines. Each went their separate ways to get settled in.

As Ainsley slipped into her room, Sam's phone rang. He tossed his bag into his room, and grabbed his phone from the coffee table he had put it on a few minutes earlier. He sat on the plush sofa as he answered.

"Sam Seaborn."

"Hey," Josh's voice came from the other end. He had waited until they had gotten the phone call from Eli telling them that Sam and Ainsley were settled in. Only then did he call them with the news.

"What's up?"

"I got a call from the Senator's office. He has to cancel the meeting. Some kind of miscommunication with scheduling."

"What!"

"Sorry Sam. It happens. It's a tactical thing, I think. He was making a point."

"What about the bill?"

"I've got a meeting here in DC with Senator Blanks. I think I can get him to budge, so even if we have trouble with Chambers, we're still okay."

"We couldn't have thought of that earlier?"

"We didn't think it was an option. He came to us."

"So, I'm here at a Bed and Breakfast in North Carolina for no reason?"

"Well, you aren't alone, Sam. Anyway, the President said that he'd give you each time off. It's seven at night, and you've both been up for nearly fourteen hours and working the entire time, so he told me to tell you to relax. Take it as an apology for making you take an unnecessary road trip with a Republican. Not that it seemed to bother you earlier, but…"

"Josh."

"Yeah?"

"Shut up."

"I'm just saying…"

"I know exactly what you are saying."

Sam knew that he was turning a nice shade of pink, so he was glad Ainsley was still in her room.

"Just don't waste this trip, Sam. That's all I'm saying. See you when you get back."

"Yeah."

He hung up the phone as Ainsley exited her room in a long-sleeved and well-worn gray Smith t-shirt and old blue jeans. She perched herself on the arm on the opposite end of the sofa from where Sam was sitting.

"Who was on the phone?"

"Uh, that was Josh. There is no meeting."

"What!?!?"

"Apparently it was a tactical thing to get our attention."

"So we're leaving?" Sam thought he saw a hint of disappointment on her face.

"No...no. The President wanted us to stay, since its already late and we've been working so hard. We'd have to drive all night, and neither of us are up to that right now. We're here. We might as well stick around. With the election coming up, there is no way of knowing when the next time either of us will get a good night sleep."

"Fair point. I just don't understand the Senator."

"Well, he's a Republican, so who can understand anything he does."

She responded by throwing a velvet pillow directly at his head. They both erupted into laughter as he returned the fire. She found herself falling into the seat of the sofa from the giggles. Her legs still hung over the arm, and she was laying on her back, looking up at the man on the other end.

"Sam, I'm hungry."

"What? We left McDonald's an hour ago."

"So. We might as well have a taste of the local flavor since we're stuck here. Please?"

She had this look on her face that he found completely unnerving. He had no choice but to nod and head to his room to change into a Duke t-shirt, navy pullover and jeans.

When he returned she had pulled on a red windbreaker and let her hair fall down her back, out of the clip it had been in most of the day. They headed out into the night towards what, they didn't know.

TBC...