Chapter 10 – These Meetings, Those Feelings
"It's time." Josh said to Sam, closing the door behind him. "That you get that wounded puppy look off your face and do something. Organize meetings to discuss hiring her. Talk to Leo. Do something. I cannot stand seeing you like this. Would you like me to beat Dani up for you? Maybe it'll push some sense into her brain than to mess with the Senior Staff."
Sam's head jerked up surprised. "No you don't. I'll talk to Leo. But I should have…"
"Okay now I'm going to punch you. Talk to Leo." Sam nodded, getting up as he left Josh in his office.
"We have to hire her."
Leo finished writing the word in the crossword, completely unaffected by Sam's outburst. "Margaret! Can you call Secretary Hutchinson? I'll need to cancel that meeting today." He looked up, finally addressing the writer. "Who?"
"The Poet Laureate. No. Danielle."
"As what? What position do we have? I mean, everyone knew this day would come. She's become part of our group I suppose."
"Our family." Sam corrected.
"Our family. But I don't know what we can offer her."
"Head of the speechwriting team, Mandy's old job, Media Liaison, Press Temperature Taker."
"Press temperature taker?" Leo asked, clearly amused by Sam's rambling musings. "Take the Roosevelt Room, with Toby and C.J. and figure something out. I'll be popping in later."
"Thank you Leo."
"And Sam? From one person to another – try and keep your emotional attachments out of it."
Sam nodded, wondering what other work could be done instead of this meeting. The President wanted everyone to have discussions with different bureaucrats on the budget. It wasn't due until October but things took so much time it was surprising the West Wing staff hadn't started in January. But beside the budget many normal, typical things had to take place just to keep the government running smoothly. However, Sam managed to drag Toby and C.J. to the Roosevelt Room.
"Sam I'm in the middle of a long argument with the Environmental Protection Agency." Toby said, clicking a pen in annoyance.
"And I'm trying to find out what is going on in Bosnia." C.J. said, barely recognizing the flicker of fear in his eyes. Dani's brother was in Bosnia right now.
"We need to discuss hiring Dani." He pulled out four folders, handing one to everyone including himself. "Leo agrees."
"Sam what position is open? She's far too talented to be an assistant."
"I have a few suggestions but you all now have her file. I want to hear your opinions."
Ellie
I made it safely to Bosnia. But you already know that. I wish you could be here; see the pain and misery. And it's not just the adults either. The children are started for attention, affection and security. An almost permanent fear has penetrated their curious gazes. It would break your heart Ellie, as it breaks mine, to see five year olds with no spark. Conditions are…improving. But unfortunately we can only do so much. The U.N. tries but the hurt and conflict is deeper than money can fix.
So I try my best. There's a former reporter who reminds me of you named Elisha. Now she teaches schoolchildren. She invited me to her classroom, asking I come prepared with hugs. At first they were hesitant. With obvious reasons. Uniforms normally mean trouble. But like a typical child they warmed up. Soon I had five or six little girls clinging to my legs. I've started collecting pens and go to the school to deliver them everyday. The children come running and it takes Elisha a good five minutes to get them back to their seats. They are so amazing. If Annie and I ever get married I want to adopt children from here.
The poverty is shocking. Simple gifts like pens or paper are treasured. Do you think you could get a few White House memo pads? Give them to Mom if you can. She knows the secret of getting things to me quickly. I love and miss you so much. Your Brother Dani.
Danielle grinned, thinking of the children running to her brother, Daniel, and attacking him with hugs. It was a comical sight in her mind. She started a reply immediately, ignoring the stack of memos to be read.
Dani –
I'll see what I can do about the memo pads. I think things like that have to be cleared by Security. No joke. Bosnia sounds heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. I wish I could see it, experience it and write about it.
So I told you about Prague – at least the beginning. But something else happened. Samuel took me to the Charles' Bridge at…what was it? Sometime like eleven at night. It was gorgeous and he told me he loved me. Oh Dani it was this extremely scary moment for me! I cannot imagine how scary it was for Samuel. I didn't know what to say. I mean, I'm probably moving to Denver or back to L.A. by the middle of the month.
You know as well as I do that I didn't expect anything from this assignment. But I've found friends. And Samuel. I found an amazing guy who treats me like the princess Daddy always said I was. I've never felt more attached to a place in my life I think. I love him Dani. And while I know you probably don't want to hear about my crazy love life I feel I always can come to you. Honestly, I'm afraid that since I admitted I do love him, I am setting myself up for hurt. Because in about two weeks I am on a plane somewhere else. But don't worry too much about my girlish problems. I miss and love you too.
Your "older" sister Ellie
Danielle grabbed the top memo book to start reading when her cell phone went off. "Danielle Lancer."
"Honey it's Dad. Have you seen the news?"
"Yes Dad. The Dow is down twenty points; the Senate has just approved the Eastern European Trade Agreement with the morning vote…"
"Danielle…"
But she didn't hear. "I've got a meeting with a person from the Office of Management and Budget in an hour to discuss funding in the budget for college. Dad I work at the White House…"
"Danielle Andrea Lancer!"
"What?" She asked, exasperated. She had asked her family not call her during work hours.
"Look at the television screen." Danielle swiveled around, her eyes widening at the sight on CNN.
"Where is he?" She demanded.
"We don't know. We think he's…"
"Daddy! He's my twin – my other half."
"Don't…" Her father sounded exhausted. "Just ask around. But don't worry. Dani is strong. And you have to keep the government running. I love you honey."
"I love you too Daddy." When Danielle hung up the phone her eyes were still glued to the screen. There had been a bombing in a school in Bosnia. A school near where her brother was stationed. But she would have to deal with it. She was needed here. In-between preparing for her meeting and reading memos Danielle asked around to anyone who knew anything about Bosnia. Apparently C.J. knew everything and she was in a meeting. So after reading and refreshing CNN five times she called her boss in L.A., who had only the bare minimums. Oh Merlin she needed more time. She never…It was time for the meeting.
"I think it's a conflict of interests to put her on the speechwriting team. Plus aren't you the head of that?" C.J. asked, closing her file.
"Yes. Toby?" Sam asked, glancing at his watch. They had been in there for two hours and really weren't any closer.
"I agree. So what does that leave?"
Leo entered the room quietly as Sam said, "Mandy's job."
"Media consultant to the White House and Senior Aide to the President?" C.J. asked, almost shocked.
"Yes C.J. The President has approved. If you, Toby and Sam hash out the details I will have her hired by the end of the night."
"Leo…isn't this a conflict of interest?" Toby asked.
"Sam are you sleeping with Dani?" Leo questioned, a smirk crossing his old face.
"No…but I don't see what…"
"Then no. It is not a conflict of interests Toby. Now does anybody have a cup of coffee?" Leo had always wanted to hire Dani. In fact, he had thought of hiring her before she had even written the article. Mandy's role was missed, giving people more work and less time. He had been looking for the right person and now he had her. Everyone loved her, some naturally more than others. Toby seemed to hate her but Leo knew he was just protecting Sam. Yet Sam was like the President in so many ways. He would stand in front of the bullets, not letting anyone protect him. If he were to go down he would go down alone. Maybe that's why the President and Sam were so close.
"Dani, come eat lunch with me?" Donna asked, holding up salads.
"Sure Donna. What's up?"
"Are you and Sam not talking?" Donna sat down in front of Danielle's desk, putting her own salad on the tabletop.
"Excuse me?"
"Before Prague Sam was on Mount Kilimanjaro. Now he's in Death Valley. What happened?"
"He told me he loved me. I said I did too, but I had no intention of staying in D.C."
"Because of your childhood. It's a small world Dani." Donna responded to Danielle's shocked and confused face. "So you aren't speaking."
"Sort of."
"Damn I hate writers." Danielle nibbled on her salad, waiting for Donna to explain further. "You have to get every word right and when the response isn't what you wanted you freak. Sam, I'm betting, is trying to find the right words to apologize. And I'm sure you are too, so until your brain wraps around those perfect words you won't talk."
"Donna I'm moving to Denver."
"Maybe. But you have to understand Sam would give up his job for you."
"He can't!" Danielle stood up, outraged.
"Exactly Dani. Go and talk to him when he gets back." Donna left, giving Danielle much to think about until she was interrupted by yet another phone call.
"Ellie?" A tired voice asked.
"Dani?"
"Yes sis I'm fine. It was the school on the other side of the town. Elisha was visiting though. She's got a few broken bones, a concussion and some burns. We lost two of our guys in the fire though."
"You're sure?"
"Yes."
"When are you coming home? Mommy and Daddy are frantic"
"I'll be home at the end of the week."
Danielle concluded the phone call, thinking how much she missed spending time with her family. Jenna lived in D.C., her parents hadn't moved and Dani would be coming back to Bethesda, Maryland. She almost regretted taking the dream job in Denver. Doubt had definitely started to fill her mind.
A Few Hours Later
Twilight had fallen on Washington when everyone assembled in the Oval Office. Well, almost everyone, Sam had gone to get Danielle.
"Dani…what's wrong?" He asked, seeing her red eyes.
"I needed you today Samuel."
"What happened? Is your brother okay? Jenna? Your parents?"
"Dani is okay. But he lost two of his good friends. I was so worried. And you weren't there."
"I'm here now." He said, hugging her gently. "Come on. The President wants to see you." When they entered the Oval Office everyone was standing in a horseshoe grinning, which Sam joined. The President was in the middle, holding an official looking file.
"What's going on?"
"Danielle Andrea Lancer I am requesting your service to the United States of America and its people. I am hereby giving you the position of the Media Consultant and Senior Aide to myself. I affix my signature and seal so this fact may not be disputed." The President signed and stamped a piece of paper smiling. Danielle's eyes moved from the President, to Sam, to Toby, to C.J., to Josh to the piece of paper. "You just hired me?" She sounded dumbfounded.
"Yes." They all echoed.
"But I…you all hated me. Josh you called me a traitor."
"Dani I wonder if you know the ending of this quote by Margaret Mead; 'Never doubt the power of a small, committed group of people to change the world.'"
" 'Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.'"
"Welcome to the White House Danielle."
Author's Note: This story is starting to wind down. I have at least one more chapter planned. I am also considering a sequel just focused on the relationship between Sam and Dani if anyone wants to put their hat in for that.
The quote is from Margaret Mead, a famous anthropologist.
Comments, suggestions and questions are always appreciated.
I do not own West Wing by the way. In case you were wondering.
Ann