Author's note: Thanks to those of you who have read my story, and a special thanks to those of you who commented. I really appreciate it

Disclaimer: I don't, and never will, own The West Wing or any of it's characters

Chapter 10

President Bartlet's POV

After Sam left his office, The President couldn't stop smiling, dad Sam had called him dad.

"Are you okay Mr. President?" came a voice from the door.

"Ahh, Leo, yes. Everything is wonderful," The President replied, still smiling.

"Mr. President, may I ask why the smile?"

"Sam," The President stated.

"What about him Mr. President?"

"He called me dad," if at all possible, The President's smile might have gotten a little wider just saying the words out loud.

Sam's POV

Sam had felt insanely uncomfortable addressing The President as dad. He knew it was stupid, but he even felt a little guilty. He knew his parents weren't really his parents; they had kidnapped and lied to him. But still…

Walking down to his office, Sam noticed more than a couple stares coming his way. While the statement may not have been released yet, everyone knew something was going on. Sam had been hauled out of The White House yesterday with no explanations given and now he was being followed around by two secret service men, who Sam might add, didn't even try to blend in. Though Sam had to admit the secret service had macho down pat. Maybe they could give him some advice; he was pretty sure he was going to need it. He would be living with five girls for, at least, the next few weeks. Both of his older sisters were going to be staying for a couple weeks for support they had said, though Sam was pretty sure it was part of some master plan to find him an appropriate future wife; he had heard them whispering last night and the word call-girl was definitely heard more than a few times.

Sam tried to smile at all the people staring. He thought about blatantly calling them out on it, saying something like, 'hey Jeff, what you looking at?' but held back. He knew in, he checked his watch, oh god, less than an hour, there would be a lot more stares.

"Sam!" he heard someone call out to him. He turned to find Josh waving him over from his office. Great, just what Sam needed, he would actually enjoy yelling at Josh a little for his pressing of Sam's panic button.

Sam made his way to Josh's office, weaving around the gawking staffers. He sighed; they could at least try and be a little less obvious when staring. When he got to where Josh was standing, he couldn't help himself, "panic button, really Josh?"

"I was wondering if you were going to be upset about that. Let's talk inside, unless you want a public audience," Sam shook his head and followed Josh into the office, which Josh shut.

"Cool new bodyguards," Josh said.

"Really Josh?" Sam asked in irritation.

Josh just smiled; he knew Sam wasn't really that angry with him. "Why are they following you while you're in The White House though?"

"Well, let's just say, after last night there are some new rules. God, I feel like a five year old, in trouble for writing on the walls," Sam sighed.

"I take it the first lady wasn't happy—wow, did you get stitches?" Josh asked, surprised, as he stared at Sam's lip.

"Yup, that and a broken rib and a few cracked ones; and to answer you're other question, no, I don't think Abbey was too happy. When I first saw her she had crazy eyes and she wouldn't even laugh at any of my jokes."

"Well, Sam someone needs to tell you you're not half as funny as you think you are," Josh said with a smile.

"Zoey laughed at my jokes," Sam stated.

"Did she now? And you don't think they were just pity laughs?"

"No I think I know genuine laughter when I hear it."

"Fine, Sam I'm sure you're very funny. So how mad at me are you, just so I know where we stand?" Josh asked nervously.

"Well," Sam sighed, "I'm not really mad at you. If all of this hadn't happened and I saw what was happening, with those guys and Zoey, I would have probably pressed the stupid panic button too. So what happened to those guys afterwards anyway?" Sam asked curiously.

"Ah, well, what with their assault on the President's children and the copious amounts of pot the secret service found on them, I'd say their nights were worse than yours."

"I don't know, you didn't see Abbey, uhh…and then when we got back…did you know both Abbey and Ellie are doctors?"

Josh smiled, "I'm sorry Sam that sounds horrible, getting to play doctor with a couple girls."

"Eww, Josh, that's my mother and sister you're talking about. As soon as there is blood relation, playing doctor seizes to be any fun. And the whole time they were talking about the girls they were going to set me up with. While I promise I will never sleep with Laurie again, she is a very nice girl, and she's in school to be a lawyer. Really, the way they talk, you'd think I've never been in a relationship before."

Josh was now openly laughing at Sam. "That's hilarious. So you're enjoying you're new found family then?"

"Well…I…I guess, of course…but it's a little…you know awkward."

"What do you mean?" Josh asked, sensing the change in seriousness.

"Well, the girls are great. We get along really well, and I already have a sister…It's not hard to connect, but…I don't know…I spoke to Zoey last night when I was getting checked out and…"

"And?" Josh pressed.

"She suggested I start calling Abbey and Jed…you know…umm…mom and dad," Sam blushed.

Josh's eyebrows rose, "but you've only known about this for less than a day. They have to understand how…how weird that is."

"I know…I think they do, but you know, they've spent twenty-five years thinking I was probably dead…it…it'll probably be awkward and forced for a little while, but if it makes them happy when I…call them that, then I guess I can try, right?"

"Have you spoken to them about it?" Josh asked.

"Umm…I spoke to The…I mean Jed…this morning. He said he understood if it was too hard, but god Josh, he looked so happy when I told him I'd try. When I said, 'goodbye, dad,' when I left it wasn't that weird—"

Sensing how uncomfortable Sam was feeling Josh decided to lighten the mood, "and you know now that you're calling The President and First Lady mom and dad, maybe I can start calling The President Jed."

"Umm…I think Leo might kill you. You know how he is about—"

"And who might we be talking about Sam?" asked a voice from the doorway.

Leo stood awkwardly between the two bodyguards at the door, "umm, we were talking…about…um…Cleo in accounting downstairs," Josh spluttered.

Sam couldn't help himself and burst out laughing, "Cleo from accounting?" Sam asked with a smirk.

"Way to go Sam, now he knows I'm lying—"

"No, Josh, I knew you where lying when you opened you're mouth. And Sam wipe that smile off you're face, Abbey told me to remind you the secret service will make sure you take it easy today." And with those few words, Sam's smile was gone and Josh was laughing.

"Sam, how does it feel to have a mother, who has armed guards at her disposal to make sure you do what she wants?"

"I don't know Josh, maybe we should see how you feel with my foot up your—"

"That's enough you two. Sam I left some work for you one you're desk. Why don't you get to it?"

"But I want to be there for the statement," Sam argued.

"So, you still have half an hour to do some work," Leo stated.

"Yes, sir," Sam nodded frowning at the injustice of the world.