Disclaimer: Still not mine.

Author's Note: As always, thanks to JenB for beta reading for me!

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"Good morning," Donna said as she stepped into Josh's office.

Josh smirked. "Now when have I heard that before?"

"Oh I don't know, maybe a couple of hours ago."

After glancing toward the door to make sure that it was firmly closed and the blinds on the windows hadn't been opened, he reached up for her wrist to pull her down to his lap. "How's your day going so far?"

"Good. Mrs. Santos and I went for another tour of the Residence and East Wing. She's finally starting to get over her awe enough to start thinking of decorating. We're taking the kids tomorrow so that they can help with their rooms. I saw Dr. Bartlett while I was there."

He twirled a lock of hair around his finger. "How is everyone doing?"

"Well, Ellie and Vic are expecting their first baby. Both President and Dr. Bartlett are over the moon at the prospect of another grandchild to spoil."

Josh snorted. "As if they're the ones doing the spoiling."

"Abbey invited us to a Christmas party they're holding in the Residence on the 22nd. She said it will be small; just the family, a few members of the Senior Staff, and some friends."

"Zoey and Sam," he said flatly.

"Yes."

"Tell her we have plans."

"Plans." When he nodded, she went on, "Sam is your best friend Josh."

"No, he was my best friend."

"He makes one decision you don't like and that is enough for you to end a close to twenty year friendship. What a wonderful friend you are Joshua Lyman." She stood up, glaring down at him. "So loyal and understanding."

"I've been loyal and understanding. I stood by Sam through how many girlfriends? I even supported him through the hooker – I'm sorry, call girl,fiasco. This I can't support. Even if the rest of you can just sit back and watch while he strokes his ego with Zoey, I can't. She's been through enough. Until Sam decides to go back to his life and leave Zoey alone our friendship is over."

"Oh, right, that's not going to hurt her."

He suddenly stood up, thrusting his hand through his hair. "Damn it, Donna. Of course it'll hurt her. But not as much now as it will in a few months or a year. Sam's relationships never last long term. Even his engagement ended badly."

"Josh, anytime someone opens themselves up completely to another person there is the potential for pain, the potential that it won't work out. There's no guarantee that our relationship is forever. One or both of us could be hurt. Does that mean that we shouldn't try?" As he started to shake his head, she went on. "And don't tell me it's different. It's really not. You don't think Sam has any business dating Zoey. There are a lot of people who don't think it's appropriate for you to date your former assistant. You don't want those people passing judgment on things that they really don't understand. Don't you think that Sam should have that same courtesy?"

Josh started to disagree and then clenched his teeth shut.

"I'm not asking you to approve. I just want you to tolerate it and give them a chance. Sam might just prove you wrong. Maybe Zoey is just what he's been waiting for and the reason all of those other relationships didn't work out was that the women weren't her." She grinned. "I seem to recall another man who went through women like socks until the right one came along."

With a reluctant sigh, Josh nodded. "Tell Abbey that we'll be at the party."

"Thank you." She started to press a kiss to his cheek but he caught her chin in his hand, turning her face so that their mouths were inches apart.

"A kiss to the cheek. What a thank you," he said teasingly. "You can do better than that." With that, his mouth covered hers.

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Zoey stared out the window of Sam's car at the countryside around them. This was their second day on the road and they were somewhere in Texas. It was very different traveling across country without a tour bus or motorcade. For the first time since young childhood, she could actually be anonymous. Riding beside Sam in the car, sun glasses on her face, no one recognized her. That morning they'd even gotten breakfast at a fast food restaurant, the employees completely unaware of whom they were serving.

The agents traveling with them, four in a car ahead of them, four in a car directly behind, seemed to be enjoying the anonymity almost as much as she was. Dressed in blue jeans and t-shirts, no shades in sight, she could barely identify them as federal agents.

She knew from reading that morning's Times that the ruse they'd come up with the day before was working. Grant and Olivia had taken Sam's car to their house, faking problems starting their own vehicle, which they'd left at Sam's. Early the next morning a tow truck, driven by a close friend of Grant's, had come for the car. As far as most of America was concerned, Zoey and Sam were both still holed up in his house. Of course eventually someone would decide that it was strange that Sam's car hadn't been returned and would start to ask questions but she'd worry about that later. With luck maybe they'd be in DC before it happened.

"What'cha thinking about?"

Zoey turned to smile at Sam. "Just how lucky I am to have found you."

Sam chuckled. "I think that's usually the guy's line. I know in this case it is."

Before Zoey could respond her cell phone rang. She glanced at the display and with a roll of her eyes for Sam, answered.

"Good morning Dad."

"Hi baby. How's the trip going?"

"Very well, which I'm sure is the report you've gotten from my agents."

Instead of confirming her suspicion, Jed changed the subject. "I talked to Gus last night. Annie wasn't home." Here Zoey could hear disgust. "Out on a double date."

Zoey grinned. "If her mom okayed the guy I'm sure it was fine. Despite her outward rebellions, Annie's a good kid."

Jed sighed. "Yeah, she is, but I still don't love the idea. It seems like you've all just grown up so fast."

"I know but you've still got Gus, and soon you'll have Ellie's baby. What did you and Gus talk about last night?"

"Christmas, Christmas, and more Christmas. He can't wait for Christmas. They've already started decorating their house, his school, and church. Are we decorating the White House yet? He can't wait to see it one more time. When are we going to New Hampshire? Do we get to cut down our own tree again?" Finally he had to pause for breath.

Zoey chuckled at the imitation of her nephew. "Any indication of what he wants?"

"Video games whose names I can't remember. CJ advised me that a Game Crazy gift card works well."

"I'll keep that in mind. Are they coming to the White House and then going to the farm with us or meeting us there?"

"They're coming here day after tomorrow. On the 22nd we're having a Christmas party in the Residence. Just a small group, mostly people who've been with us since the beginning. Then we'll fly out the next morning."

Zoey glanced at Sam. "The family, of course, will be expected to attend this party."

"Of course."

"Will it just be current staffers?"

"If you want to know if Josh is invited, ask."

"Ok. Is he?"

"Invited, and as of twenty minutes ago, RSVPed."

Zoey hesitated. "Certain people, including Josh, aren't exactly thrilled about my relationship with Sam. It might be better if we spend that evening at Sam's place."

"No," Jed said firmly. "Everyone invited knows that this is a family event, not an official one. To be asked to attend means that they are counted as personal friends of this family. If any member of this family, or a guest of any member of this family, is unacceptable to any of them, they are welcome to stay home." He sighed before speaking more softly. "I didn't make a secret of the fact that I was upset about your relationship with Sam at first."

"No, you didn't."

"I have said many times that all that I want for any of my daughters, and now, for my grandchildren, is for them to be happy. If Sam can make you happy, he's acceptable to me and better be acceptable to everyone else."

"Thank you Daddy."

"If he makes you unhappy there isn't anywhere far enough for him to hide from me."

She laughed. "I'll be sure to pass that on but you don't need to worry." She met Sam's eyes for a split second before he turned back to the road. "He makes me happier than I can ever remember being."

Jed swallowed at the sound of his daughter's voice. He'd heard a similar tone twice now. Once several years ago, and then several months ago. The last of his babies was in love. "I know honey, I know." He cleared his throat. "So, you and Sam will attend the party?"

She laughed. "Yes Daddy, you've convinced me."

"Good. Now my next appointment should be arriving so I'll let you go. Tell Sam to make sure he's driving safely with my little girl. I love you."

"I love you too Daddy." She closed the phone and slipped it back into her pocket.

"So, we're attending a party?"

Zoey sighed. "Dad couldn't be convinced that it isn't a good idea. He says that the guests will just have to deal with our relationship or stay home."

"But you're not as convinced as he is?"

"No."

"Neither am I. I'm sure both Josh and Charlie will have been invited. If she thinks Josh might cause a scene, Donna will persuade him into staying home." He hesitated. "Charlie I've been concerned about since the night of the dinner." He met her eyes again. "He's still in love with you."

"I know. After…everything, I really thought about us and how we could make it work. I don't think we ever could. If the shooting hadn't happened, maybe we could have, I don't know. I realized that Charlie was still interested in me and I did everything I could to get him to see that all we will ever be is friends. I don't think I was as successful as I'd hoped." She paused. "You never did tell me much about what happened that night, while I was in the restroom."

"It's more what almost happened. If Will hadn't stepped in, it would have come to blows between Charlie and me, probably with Josh jumping in."

Zoey winced. "Wouldn't the tabloids have loved that?"

"CJ's reaction exactly."

"He's probably been fuming since then, just waiting for the right time for a confrontation. With us gone there hasn't been an opportunity." She thought for a few minutes. "Charlie wouldn't normally do anything that would upset or embarrass my father. He'd go out of his way to keep from making a scene if he thought it would reflect badly on Dad."

"But this isn't a normal situation. If he's as upset as you think, his emotions might take over, especially after a drink or two."

"Maybe we could get lost and not be back in DC by the 22nd?"

He laughed. "The agents have GPS. We're following them."

"We could break into their car in the middle of the night and disable it?"

"Guard outside our room would catch us."

"We could fake a fight so I could ride with them and spill something on the GPS?"

"The two cars would switch positions so the one that still had GPS was leading."

"Oh well. I tried."

He chuckled and reached for her hand, giving it a squeeze. "It won't be that bad Zo. Josh and Charlie will both be on their best behavior and if either of them does decide to make a scene, someone will step in. But if you're concerned, we could just spend the evening at my place. I'll talk to your dad."

"No. It's his last, or at least one of his last, chances to entertain at the White House. He should have his whole family there."

"If it gets to be too much you'll tell me? We can slip away for a while."

She nodded while silently praying that this party would go well and for once she could be the Zoey she'd once been and actually enjoy a party.

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