Chapter Nine

Wednesday, February 11

With the administration goals speech bearing down on them in under two weeks, the communications department seemed to have buckled down, its members moving about in a strained sort of intensity. Sam was privately of the opinion that an official, full-length State of the Union Address would probably need to be started the week after the administration goals speech if they wanted to finish on time.

As it was, Sam's side trip the day before hadn't done him any favors. Though he didn't regret visiting with Norman, and hadn't been in any shape to string words together for one of the most important speeches in his career, it had still put him behind schedule. That morning had been spent in a flurry of writing, drafting not only the section on fuel consumption and their administration's plans to ease it going forward, but had also included finishing the draft on the internet security section. Both were with Toby awaiting proofing and editing, but Sam was less concerned about that than he was about drafting the next section of the speech. As far as he was concerned, revising was easier than drafting, but only just.

He was deep into his own revisions of the section on veteran care and the main points their administration wanted to fix when someone knocked on his door. Sam lifted his chin at the sound, but kept his eyes on the screen in front of him until he had finished the paragraph.

Zoey was watching him from the doorway. "Is this a bad time?"

Sam smiled, pleasantly surprised, and waved her in. "No, not at all! Come in! What can I do for you?"

Zoey closed the door behind her and sat in the one available chair that Sam had decided to stop using to hold his files. With the increase in visitors to his office in the last couple weeks, it was easier to simply move the stack to another spot in his office.

"I heard you went to the FBI building yesterday, and I wanted to see how you were doing," Zoey replied.

Sam gave her a startled look. "How did you hear that?"

Zoey shrugged. "Your mom called my mom. I was doing homework in the room at the time. Your mom was not happy."

Sam's brow furrowed in confusion. "She wasn't?"

After Hoynes had picked him up at the FBI, he hadn't taken him to work or back to his apartment. Instead, Sam had been whisked home to his mother and brothers who, though concerned about him, didn't appear all that upset.

Sam's thoughts came to a screeching halt: since when did he start thinking of Number One Observatory Circle as home?

Zoey was nodding. "Oh yeah. It was after dinner. I didn't hear the whole story, but I got the impression that it didn't go well. How are you doing?"

After dinner; that would have been when Hoynes arrived home, having been needed back at work after dropping Sam off. He must have filled Suzanne in then.

Zoey's obvious concern warmed Sam. He smiled at her. "I'm, well . . . I'm better than I thought I'd be, actually," he admitted. "I found out that the man who I thought was my dad knew that I wasn't his son all along."

It was a highly sanitized version of events, but there was no way Sam was sharing more than that.

Zoey scowled. "Screw him, anyway," she said. "Your real dad is way better."

Sam chuckled. "I'll have to agree with you on that point."

Zoey's look turned sly. "Are you ready for the big dinner tonight?"

Sam laughed. "I better be; Jake and Jamie spent all of yesterday afternoon talking about it. Suzanne told John last night to make sure to come and get me on his way over to the Executive Residence. I guess your mom told my mom about my habit of working through meals."

Zoey's laugh faded, and she tilted her head to one side. "Still 'John' and 'Suzanne', huh?" she said. "Still not 'mom' and 'dad' yet?"

Sam's eyebrows rose.

Zoey shrugged. "You can tell me to mind my own business, if you want," she offered. "I was just curious."

Sam had to admit that he was expecting that particular question sooner rather than later. He just hadn't expected it at that moment. "No, it's okay," he said. "I think . . . I think I'm beginning to think of them that way more and more. I'm still not sure if I can call them that yet, though."

"You could," Zoey encouraged him. "I bet they wouldn't mind."

Sam nodded. "John told me that, back when we first found out. I guess . . . I will eventually."

Zoey smiled, but it faltered at the light knock on the door. She rolled her eyes.

"That's my five minute warning," she explained. "I have to go finish my homework before dinner tonight. Mom's orders." Her eyes suddenly lit up. "Hey! I have a four-day weekend coming up. Do you want to meet up for lunch on Friday? Talk some more?"

"Sure," Sam replied. "You pick the place and time and let me know."

Zoey stood. "Will do."

From next door, they both heard a deafening "SAM!" followed by a heavy thump on the window that Sam's office shared with Toby's.

Zoey and Sam looked at each other before dissolving into laughter.

"Looks like we both have some work to do before tonight's dinner," Zoey commented through her giggles.

"I'd better see what he wants," Sam said, standing. "He only gets louder if I don't."

Zoey gaped at him. "Louder?"

Sam nodded and ushered Zoey out the door, following her. "See you tonight?"

Zoey nodded. "See you tonight!"

The last time Sam had been in the West Sitting Hall of the Executive Residence, his entire world had been turned on its head. Emotions had been running hot and cold, tempers flaring, and the tension in the air had been thick enough to cut with a dull knife.

Now, two weeks later to the day, it seemed like a completely different room to Sam. Warm laughter drifted to him from the kitchen where Abbey and Suzanne were getting food ready for dinner. Zoey and Jake were talking animatedly about something Zoey was studying in school, while Hoynes was speaking with Jamie on the other side of the room. With the Secret Service standing guard outside of the hall, Sam could almost believe that he was at a dinner party with a regular family.

President Bartlet was the only one missing from their group. He'd sent word with a page that his last meeting was running a little behind, but that he'd join them as soon as he was done. In the meantime, Sam was content to simply be, soaking in the peace and warmth of the family gathering.

The door to their floor was opened by a Secret Service agent, and Bartlet stepped through. Blue eyes swept the room and landed on Sam standing nearby.

"Sam," he greeted. "Just the man I was looking for."

Sam straightened. "What can I do for you, Mr. President?"

Rather than answer right away, Bartlet beckoned for Sam to follow. Sam obeyed, joining Bartlet to the side of the hall some distance away from potential eavesdroppers.

"I just had an enlightening conversation with Leo about the status of 286," Bartlet told Sam. "It seems we've lost Winters' support?"

Sam ducked his head, color rushing to his cheeks. "Yes sir, Mr. President. I'm afraid so. I take full responsibility for that."

Bartlet waved away the apology. "That's not necessary, Sam. I'm sure you did everything you could. I'm just surprised at Congressman Winters' sudden change of heart."

Sam saw an opening to fix the 286 fiasco for Josh, and he seized it. "He was hoping to get your support on that subsidy bill for orchard farmers. Perhaps, sir, if you would reconsider . . . ?"

Bartlet was already shaking his head. "It won't work, Sam."

Sam was undeterred. "Sir, we could get Congressman Winters back on board with the subsidy bill. Maybe he would be amenable to some adjustments to his bill?"

Bartlet studied Sam carefully. "Sam, are you asking me to reconsider because of 286, or are you asking because of Winters?"

Sam started. "Sir?"

Bartlet glanced across the room to where Hoynes was watching them, then turned back to Sam. "Sam, I've had some personal experience with powerful men who are nearly impossible to please, so I recognize them when I see them. So are you asking me to reconsider because you want so badly to see 286 pass? In which case I'd tell you that the government would be paying out more than it would take in from those farmers in the long run. Or are you asking me because Winters has given you some kind of ultimatum? To which I'd say he can kiss my ass."

Sam averted his eyes. "He's family, sir."

Bartlet patted Sam's shoulder. "Believe you me, I understand that feeling." Out of the corner of his eye, he spied Hoynes begin to head in their direction. "But Sam?"

Sam met his gaze.

Bartlet smiled and lifted his hand to point a thumb at Hoynes. "I'd rethink that position carefully."

Hoynes came to a stop beside them. "Everything okay?"

Bartlet's smile broadened. "Everything is just fine, John. Please excuse me, gentlemen; I need to go say hello to my wife or I'll never hear the end of it."

He strode past Hoynes as the vice president looked at his son. "Are you sure you're all right?" he asked, concerned.

Sam nodded, forcing a smile on his face. "Yeah, of course," he replied. "Just great."

Hoynes didn't look fooled by the facade, but he didn't challenge that statement. "Come on," he said, wrapping an arm around Sam's shoulders. "Your mom and Abbey are moving the dishes to the table."

Sam walked with Hoynes to the dining room where the rest of their group had gathered. Jake, Jamie, and Zoey were already helping to pile food on plates, the actions a mirror of Sam's meals with his family at home. He set aside his disappointment over 286 and moved to help them.

Conversation flowed easily throughout their meal, dotted with ripples of laughter. Stories were exchanged over personal experiences connected to various topics, interspersed with random trivia questions posed by the president. Zoey rolled her eyes at those, but played along good-naturedly. To Sam's surprise, Jake answered most of them and gave as good as he got back to Bartlet.

Towards the end of their meal, Abbey excused herself to go and get their dessert. Sam volunteered to help, joining her in the kitchen.

Abbey directed Sam towards the cupboard with the plates. "So, how's it going?"

Sam smiled as he began pulling pie plates out. "It's going great, actually," he replied easily. "I didn't think I'd get used to the idea of being, well . . . their son, but it's been really good."

Abbey grinned. "I'm glad, Sam," she said sincerely. "I know John and Suzanne are overjoyed to have you back. They've been a lot lighter; happier since it all came out." She set the chocolate cake on the counter and moved to retrieve the serving tools. "Have you given any thought to what I said? About telling your friends?"

"I told Toby," Sam said. "He's been really great with all of this. You were right about finding someone objective."

Abbey nodded. "Jed mentioned you'd told Toby. That's a good first step. You might want to consider telling Josh and CJ next, and soon. You don't want them finding out on their own."

"I know," Sam agreed, setting the dessert forks on top of the plates and lifting the stack. "I'll find the time to tell them. The problem is finding the words."

"You found the words for Toby," Abbey pointed out.

Sam couldn't help the snort. "I can't tell CJ and Josh the way I told Toby; that was a mess!"

The two headed back into the dining room. Bartlet looked up at Sam as he set the plates down and passed one to Abbey.

"Sam, Zoey tells us that you two are planning to get lunch together on Friday," he stated.

Sam glanced at Zoey, who rolled her eyes. Sam turned back to Bartlet. "Yes, sir?"

Bartlet looked at Hoynes. "What do you think, John? Two?"

Sam was completely lost. The amusement on his brothers' faces wasn't helping, either. "Two?"

"Two extra Secret Service details," Bartlet told him.

Sam immediately felt a protest bubble up. "Sir, I don't think-."

"Do you think we can also get them to clear the restaurant?" Hoynes asked.

Sam's head snapped to him, betrayal in his eyes.

"I can make a call," Bartlet agreed.

"All right, you two," Abbey cut in, passing Suzanne a plate of chocolate cake. "Quit teasing them." She took another plate from Sam and continued serving their dessert. "Suzanne, you were telling us about your parents planning a trip up here?"

Friday, February 13

Despite Bartlet and Hoynes' threats of emptying the restaurant- which Sam had been mostly sure they were joking about- Zoey and Sam were seated in a bustling Mexican restaurant during the start of the lunch rush. Elliot, along with Zoey's primary Jill Costas, was seated at the table across the aisle, positioned in such a way as to be able to observe both exits.

"I don't think I've ever heard of this place," Sam told Zoey as he examined the menu.

"I've come here a couple of times with my friends," Zoey replied. "The food is really good, and it's busy enough that no one ever notices me."

Sam glanced at the agents across the aisle, then turned back to his menu. He got the distinct impression that the Secret Service didn't agree, but didn't share the thought. Before he could reply, a waiter arrived to take their orders.

"So," Zoey said, after glasses of water had been delivered and their orders carried to the kitchen, "dinner wasn't so bad, was it? I was expecting way more jokes about security. Not to mention some embarrassing stories from my dad."

Sam chuckled as he took a sip of water. "I have a feeling that Jake and Jamie are hanging around to try and collect some about me, since they have plenty of dirt on each other."

"They seem comfortable calling you Sam and not Charlie," Zoey commented. "Does that mean that you're going to stick with 'Sam'?"

Sam shrugged. "Probably," he said. "I've never really known myself as anything other than 'Sam'. I don't know if I'd ever answer to 'Charlie'."

"What about 'Seaborn'?" Zoey pressed.

"Actually . . ." Sam slanted a glance at the agents. They didn't appear to be listening, but Sam knew better than to think that they weren't. He turned back to Zoey. "Since meeting with . . . with Norman, I've been giving that some serious thought. I don't know if I want to keep 'Seaborn', especially after speaking with him. I think I might want to change it to 'Hoynes'. Do you . . . do you think John would mind?"

Zoey beamed at him, settling his nerves. "I think he'd be excited! So; Sam Hoynes?"

Sam smiled softly. "Maybe . . . Samuel Charles Hoynes?"

"That's a good name," Zoey agreed. "But you do know what you're going to have to do first, right?"

Sam nodded. "Talk to CJ and Josh," he admitted. "I know. I was actually thinking about doing that this afternoon."

"Do you want me to be there when you do?" Zoey offered.

"I appreciate that," Sam replied. "But I'll be all right. Thanks."

"At least make sure Toby's there when you do," Zoey insisted. "That way, if they give you a hard time, you can sic him on them."

Sam laughed at the mental image that Zoey's words had conjured. "Or he can help them give me a hard time as part of his 'I told you so' threat."

Their laughter was interrupted by sudden shouts coming from the direction of the kitchen. Sam and Zoey looked towards the source in mild confusion and curiosity, but Elliot and Jill were already on their feet and moving to their charges.

Employees were running out of the kitchen being chased by billows of thick, dark smoke. Somewhere amidst the screams, Sam heard the fire alarm sound, but it was too late to serve as a warning. The guests in the dining room were beginning to rise to their feet, everyone moving en masse to the restaurant's entrance in blind panic.

"Let's go!" Elliot yelled, grabbing Sam's arm in an unyielding grip and yanking him to his feet. "We're going out the back!"

Zoey gave him a look of disbelief, having been pulled out of her own seat by Jill. "Towards the fire?"

"Agents outside report that the back door is clear," Jill replied.

"But the smoke . . ." Zoey protested.

"Here!" Sam grabbed the cloth napkins on the table, dunking one in his water glass until it was saturated. He passed it to Zoey as he dunked his own. "Put it over your nose and mouth."

Elliot copied the action for himself and Jill as Jill barked orders into her mic, repeating the information she was given from the agents outside. The two agents quickly tied their napkins over their faces, then Jill turned and led the way to the kitchen. Elliot gripped Sam and Zoey's arms and followed after her.

The smoke was thicker and nearly black, causing Sam's eyes to water. He pressed the napkin closer to his face, sparing a thought to simply tying it in place as Elliot and Jill had done.

Turning a corner, they spied the flames rising from the line of stoves against one wall. The fire had already leaped to the counters, setting towels and aprons alight and growing with each passing minute. Several abandoned fire extinguishers littered the floor, and Sam frowned.

"Why aren't the sprinklers on?" Zoey asked, giving voice to Sam's own thoughts.

"Incoming!" Jill yelled.

Sam barely had time to wonder about the odd warning when he felt a violent shove against his back. He stumbled, his arm tugged free of Elliot's grip. Sam glanced over his shoulder, seeing a crowd of panicked men and women pushing their way after their group.

Sam tried to move closer to Elliot, but he was no match for the mob as they surged past them. Sam felt himself knocked left and right before losing his balance and being pulled to the ground.

"Sam!" Zoey cried.

Coughs rattled Sam's frame, his napkin long since lost in the tumble. He rolled to one side until he crashed into the wall, curling into a tight ball to try and protect himself from the stampede. Miraculously, he'd manage to avoid being trampled, but the danger was far from over.

Hands suddenly grabbed at Sam, hauling him to his feet. Sam blinked up through streaming eyes at Elliot's concerned face.

"Zoey . . ." Sam choked out weakly.

"With Jill, outside." Elliot pressed one hand to his ear, wrapping his other arm around Sam's waist and drawing him close. "I've got Princeton!" he barked. "Exit is blocked on our end. We're moving back to the dining room. Make a door for us!"

Sam found himself being pulled back the way he'd come. "Should've gotten out when you had the chance," he gasped.

Elliot ripped off his napkin and pressed it to Sam's nose and mouth. Sam sucked in the filtered air, choking and coughing.

"And face your father once he found out?" Elliot retorted, his attention on moving through the dining room towards a line of booths with waist-high windows beside them. "No thanks. I'll take my chances with the fire."

Windows started shattering before Sam's eyes, sending gusts of fresh air into the restaurant. Elliot pushed Sam over one of the booths and into the reaching hands of his security detail. Within minutes, Sam found himself outside, squinting into the afternoon sun.

Sam started to sag, wanting to rest, but his guard detail refused to let him stop. He felt himself be hustled and half-carried to their SUV where Zoey anxiously waited for him with her own detail. Zoey grabbed at Sam, hugging him in relief, but they were quickly separated and shoved into the SUV. As soon as Elliot was pushed in after them, the door slammed and the car took off.

"All right, that's it for now. See you all this evening."

CJ closed her folder and strode away from the podium to where Toby was waiting for her. She opened her mouth to ask him a question when Danny Concannon abruptly joined them. "Hey, CJ."

"Hi Danny," CJ said absently.

Danny nodded at Toby. "I wanted to know what the president plans to do about 286."

CJ stared at him in confusion tinged with irritation. "I just . . . I just told you. Up there." She waved at the podium.

"Well, yeah, but that plan you told us only works if you have Congressman Winters' support," Danny pointed out.

"What makes you think we don't have Congressman Winters' support?" Toby asked.

The three started to walk out of the press room, heading back towards the communications bullpen. Toby absently noted several of the televisions were showing a news report of a burning building, but he was focused on Danny's answer.

"Two sources on the Hill confirmed there was a falling out," Danny replied. "With Hoynes opposing and Waters abstaining, how does the president plan to get the bill on the floor?"

Josh chose that moment to join them, giving CJ and Toby a brief reprieve from Danny's question. "Have any of you guys seen Sam?" he asked. "He's not in his office."

Toby narrowed his eyes at him. "Why?"

Josh's expression creased in annoyance. "I had a question about Winters that I need to run by him. I think he might change his mind if I throw him a bone on some environmental lobbyists he needs."

Toby shook his head. "Give up on Winters," he told Josh. "He's a dead end. We'll find a new way."

"Besides," Danny piped up. "I heard he's got bigger fish to fry. The Secret Service pulled him out of his office yesterday for questioning."

All four of them came to an abrupt halt, the White House staffers staring at Danny in shock.

"What?" Josh cried.

"Why?" CJ demanded, her voice mingling with Josh's.

Danny shrugged. "My sources couldn't tell me. Whatever it is, it's locked down tight. Any time the Secret Service is that tight-lipped, it usually involves one of their protectees."

"Ziegler!"

Toby turned, seeing Hoynes practically running towards him, his detail struggling to keep up. Hoynes reached them and grabbed Toby's arm, his eyes wide with panic. "Where's Sam? Tell me he's come back by now!"

Toby frowned. "As far as I know, he's still at lunch. Mr. Vice President, what's wrong?"

Hoynes released Toby and ran a shaky hand through his hair. "Dammit!" He whirled on his Secret Service detail. "We need to get down there now!"

One of the agents looked sympathetic but firm. "Sir, they both have teams looking after them. You can't go rushing down there. It's not safe; for you or for them."

Hoynes' eyes blazed. "That's my son down there! Don't you tell me that I can't go to him!"

"John!"

Hoynes' head snapped to the side, seeing Bartlet striding quickly down the hall with his own detail. "Jed! What have you heard?"

"They're on their way to GW now," Bartlet told him. "I ordered the Secret Service to get us there. Let's go."

The two took off down the hall, oblivious to the stunned audience they left behind them.

CJ looked at the others. "What the hell was that all about?"

Toby took a closer look at the television news report, paling slightly. "That was the restaurant where Sam and Zoey were going for lunch," he stated in shock.

CJ, Josh, and Danny stood with him, watching the report and listening to the few scant details being shared. No one could find any sign of their friends.

"Did the president say GW?" Danny asked.

All four exchanged looks, then spun around and ran for the nearest exit.

Zoey was sitting on the edge of her seat in the waiting room, clasped hands drawn tight and squashed between her knees. The doctors had already cleared her, but she didn't want to leave until she knew for sure that Sam was all right.

"He'll be okay," Jill said gently from the chair beside her. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Zoey nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just really worried about Sam. He had such a hard time breathing on the way here."

Jill wrapped a comforting arm around the teen's shoulders. "I know it looked scary, but that was normal for the amount of smoke he inhaled. The doctors here are the best in the country. They'll take care of him."

Zoey nodded again, glancing once more to the door she'd seen Sam and Elliot whisked behind. Her detail was spread out around the room, keeping an eye on the few people waiting with them.

A sudden influx of suited agents poured into the room, spreading out and ushering everyone out of the room. Zoey watched with wide eyes, standing with Jill as it dawned on her what was happening.

"Oh, crap," she muttered.

Sure enough, Bartlet strode into the room, his face a mask of concern and determination. Hoynes was right on his heels, both men's eyes searching the waiting room. Zoey straightened as they both noticed her and rushed to her side.

"Zoey!" Bartlet grabbed his daughter's arms and pulled her into a bone-cracking hug. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, Dad," Zoey assured him, but she hugged him back just as tight. "Jill got me out fast."

Bartlet pulled back far enough to look Zoey over himself, but didn't release her. "Did the doctors look you over? Did they make sure you were okay?" He looked around the room, then turned to Jill. "Where's the doctor? I want to hear it from them."

Hoynes couldn't wait any longer. "Zoey, where's Sam? Is he okay?"

"We got separated," Zoey admitted, tears filling her eyes. "Elliot went back for him. The doctors haven't come out to tell us anything yet."

"What do you mean, you got separated?" Hoynes asked. "Is he hurt?"

"Sir," Jill spoke up. "Your son is being seen to right now-."

Hoynes spun around and moved to the reception desk, his tone low and even but brooking no argument as he spoke with the nurse on duty there.

"What the hell happened?" Bartlet demanded, shifting his hold on Zoey so he could keep one arm around her. "You two were just supposed to be eating lunch!"

"I don't know!" Zoey cried, her voice tremulous. "There was a fire! Everyone just started panicking!"

A small commotion at the door heralded the arrival of Josh, CJ, Toby, and Danny. The group saw Zoey huddled into her father and hurried to her side.

"Zoey, are you all right?" Josh asked.

Zoey nodded. "I'm fine."

"What happened?" Toby asked, glancing between Zoey, Jill, and Bartlet.

"What do you mean I can't see him? I'm his god-damned father!"

Hoynes' voice boomed around the room, drawing everyone's attention to him.

The nurse stood firm in the face of Hoynes' fury, but she was clearly unsettled. "Sir, I understand you're upset-," she tried to say in a placating tone.

"Upset?" Hoynes thundered. "Upset? You're keeping me from seeing my son! Try enraged!"

CJ leaned closer to Zoey. "His son went to lunch with you and Sam? Which one? Jake? Jamie?"

Zoey shook her head and opened her mouth to reply, but movement at the reception desk stopped her.

Apparently done arguing, Hoynes tried to just brazen his way to the exam rooms. The nurse moved into his path quickly, hands out. "Sir, you can't go back there."

"My son's life was endangered barely an hour ago, and you think you can stop me from seeing for myself that he's okay?" Hoynes cried. "Either you step aside, or-."

"John?"

Utter silence fell over the room as all eyes shifted to a very confused Deputy Communications Director. Sam was completely disheveled, his suit rumpled and sooty, but he was standing steadily on his own two feet as he stared in surprise at the vice president. Behind him stood Elliot, no less unkempt but alert and studying the faces in the room.

Hoynes stared blankly at Sam for a long moment, his eyes sweeping over Sam from head to toe. He took a hesitant step around the nurse, then another. Then, in half a heartbeat, he barreled over to Sam and swept him into a bear hug.

Danny frowned slightly and glanced at CJ, then Toby, then Josh. "Did Sam just call the vice president, 'John'?"

CJ nodded numbly

Hoynes finally pulled back, his hands coming to rest on Sam's shoulders. He ducked his head slightly, catching Sam's eyes. "Are you all right? What did the doctor say?"

"I'm fine," Sam assured him. "They just gave me and Elliot some oxygen for smoke inhalation, but we're free to go."

Elliot snorted. "Actually, the doctor said he wanted Sam to stay for a few more hours for observation, but Sam decided he was fine and that he wasn't about to sit around doing nothing but breathe for a couple hours."

Sam shot him a glare. "You agreed with me!"

"Hey, where you go, I go," Elliot replied.

The worry lingered on Hoynes' face. "Maybe you should listen to the doctor and do as he suggests . . ."

Sam adamantly shook his head. "I'm fine." He turned his attention on the rest of the room, searching for Zoey. "Zoey? Are you . . ." The words died on his tongue when he noticed who else was in the room with them. "Uh . . ."

Toby stepped forward. "What the hell?" he yelled. "It was a simple lunch! How could you turn lunch into a crisis?"

Sam was grateful to Toby for his intervention, but his words still triggered his defensiveness. "Hey, it wasn't my fault! I didn't start the fire!"

Toby rolled his eyes and folded his arms. "Okay, Billy Joel. Next time, though? Order in."

"It was just an accident," Zoey spoke up. "I don't think it was on purpose."

"Even if it was, the sprinklers never activated," Elliot said gently. "A code violation like that requires an investigation."

"I want a full report on what happened today, start to finish," Bartlet ordered, his voice hard. "If there is any sign of criminal activity or negligence, I want it prosecuted."

"Dad," Zoey said.

"I've got some favors I can call in if necessary," Hoynes added darkly, hands slipping from Sam's shoulders to plant on his hips.

Sam startled, looking at him. "That's not-."

"We'll take care of it and keep you both fully informed, sirs," Elliot stated, cutting Sam off.

Bartlet nodded in satisfaction. "Good man." He turned to Hoynes. "Let's get the kids home to rest."

The 'kids' in question immediately began to protest.

"I'm fine, there's nothing wrong-."

". . . not a kid, I'm an adult . . ."

CJ cleared her throat loudly. "Excuse me."

Everyone fell silent and turned to look at her.

CJ pointed at Sam. "Explain."

Sam glanced up at Hoynes, then over at the amused and expectant look on Toby's face. His eyes skipped over the others in the room before landing back on CJ. "Um . . . the Secret Service found out that . . . that I'm actually Charlie Hoynes?"

Blank stares from Josh, CJ, and Danny met the proclamation. Sam tried to find the words to explain further, but nothing that came to mind seemed right. He turned a pleading look on Toby.

Toby rolled his eyes. "Go on, get outta here. I'll give them the basic information, but you're coming in tomorrow to fill in the gaps."

"Tomorrow's Saturday," Zoey pointed out.

Toby nodded. "It is, but a member of the press just got the scoop of the century. We're all coming in tomorrow." He turned back to Sam. "I expect you in the office at nine a.m. sharp."

Sam nodded. Relief colored his expression. "Thanks, Toby."

Bartlet herded his daughter from the room as the Secret Service agents began to clear the way. Wrapping an arm around Sam's shoulders, Hoynes did the same, continuing to pepper Sam with questions about what had happened at lunch. Elliot nodded at Toby, who nodded back, before following his charge from the room.

CJ suddenly whacked Toby on the arm with surprising strength. "You knew?"

Toby stared flatly at her. "Ow?"

The shocking news and the ensuing repercussions began to coalesce into a picture for Danny. He turned stunned eyes to Toby. "Sam . . . Sam is Charlie Hoynes?"

Toby nodded. "I know the basics, but you can get the full story from the horse's mouth in the morning. Let's head back to the office for some privacy and I'll tell you what I know."

Their group started to move towards the exit, CJ and Danny unable to wrap their brains around the new discovery and continued to ask question after question that Toby determinedly ignored. No one paid any notice to how silent Josh had been the entire time.

end chapter 9