A/N: Thank you all for the reviews!
I wanted to drop a quick note about Josh. I didn't intend for anything to appear as character bashing (I would have tagged if I had), but I can see how it looks. I needed to build some conflict surrounding various aspects in Sam's life, and Josh was the obvious choice. However, I want to clarify that I actually love Josh as a character- he ranks up there as one of my favorites. I promise that he redeems himself by the end. After all, what friendship doesn't have its peaks and valleys?
Also- the scene where Josh comes to Sam's apartment and fails to notice the bruise on his face at the end of chapter seven. I had debated Josh noticing and commenting on it and had drafted a potential reaction, but it just didn't fit. Here's what I had visualized: it was late, it was dim in the apartment, and the bruise was the result of a backhand, so not that big. Josh was consumed with his own issues surrounding 286 and likely didn't really notice then.
Finally: on the season 1 episode Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc, CJ makes a visit to see Hoynes and asks 'Stevie' if Hoynes has a minute to speak. I have tried to find any sign of who this guy is, and was not able to. So I have decided to make him Hoynes' press secretary. FYI.
Thank you for your reviews; only a few chapters left to wrap this up!
Chapter Ten
Saturday, February 14
Sam walked into the West Wing, signing in through the security desk and telling himself it was like any other Saturday that he'd come into work. He even convinced himself that his security detail that had been trailing him for a couple of weeks now was normal.
The overprotective family walking behind him made it difficult for him to believe his own rhetoric, however.
It wasn't until Hoynes had brought him home the day before that Sam fully understood just how restrained they had been behaving. His mother, father, and even both of his brothers had spent the rest of the afternoon fussing over him, barely letting him move for any reason and refusing to let him out of their sight. When the time came that morning for Sam to leave for work, they'd invited themselves along and couldn't be swayed otherwise.
Sam led the group through the half-lit communications bullpen. He spied Toby at his desk in his office and detoured in that direction.
Toby looked up at Sam's entrance, then did a double-take at the rest of the second family behind him. He rose to his feet in deference to Hoynes. "Good morning. I see we've brought an entourage this morning."
Sam glanced at his family, catching Jamie's smirk and Hoynes' small amused smile. "Yeah. I tried to tell them I was just coming in to talk to my friends, but they insisted." He shrugged at Toby.
"Suzanne and I are planning to meet with Steve and CJ about the official press release, along with security measures," Hoynes added.
Toby nodded, eyes flickering over to Jake and Jamie.
"Oh, we have no official purpose here other than to follow Sam around and annoy the shit out of him," Jamie piped up.
Suzanne swatted the back of his head.
Toby snorted in amusement, then turned to Sam. "How are you feeling?" he asked quietly.
"I'm fine, thanks," Sam replied sincerely. "I, uh . . . I was pretty sure everyone would be waiting on the other side of the door to pounce, to be honest."
"They're all in Leo's office," Toby told him. "Waiting to pounce. We decided there would be more room there for everyone, as well as more privacy."
"I guess we should head that way, then," Sam stated, though his expression suggested he would rather do anything but.
Toby nodded. "Before we do, I'd like to take this moment to declare a fully satisfying 'I told you so'."
Sam winced. "Are they mad?"
"Surprised, mostly," Toby answered. "They're looking forward to hearing the details from you, though. Are you ready for this?"
"Does it matter?" Sam asked wryly.
Jake's voice suddenly rang out. "Yes, it does."
Sam and Toby turned to look at him.
Jake had a serious expression on his face. "Sam, if you're not ready to do this, then we're leaving right now and heading back home. You're the one who's having to make entire changes to your whole life. You get to call the shots. Just say the word, and we're out of here."
Sam met the eyes of his brothers, his mother, and his father, seeing their unwavering, unconditional support for whatever he chose. He smiled faintly and turned back to Toby.
"I'm ready," he said, quiet but firm. "I'd like to introduce them to my family."
Toby patted Sam on the back and gestured to the door of his office with his other hand. "Then let's not keep them waiting."
The West Wing was much quieter on the weekends, leaving very few people to notice the unusual group making its way to Leo's office. Toby entered first, followed closely by Sam.
Leo was seated behind his desk, clad in a sweater in deference to the day off from work he was supposed to have. Josh was sitting across from him, his expression for once unreadable, but his entire frame practically vibrating with tension. Danny was seated next to him, his attention split between Josh and an impatiently pacing CJ, but upon Sam's entrance, his gaze had swung to him.
Sam, however, was staring at Ron Butterfield in surprise. "Agent Butterfield?" he said. "I wasn't expecting you to join us."
Butterfield nodded at Sam from his position next to Leo's desk. "Your father called me."
Josh gave the faintest jerk at the words.
"Agent Butterfield's here to help discuss security expectations once you give the official press release," Leo explained, standing. He moved to shake Hoynes' hand. "John. Suzanne, it's good to see you again."
"Hello, Leo," Suzanne greeted warmly.
Everyone spread out to claim chairs and couches. Sam felt the attention in the room shift to him once everyone was settled, and he nervously cleared his throat. He looked at CJ, then Josh. "I, um, I'm not sure where to start."
CJ did not have the same problem. "How about starting with the fact that you knew that you were Charlie Hoynes for two weeks and didn't bother to tell us?"
"CJ." Toby's tone held a warning.
Which CJ promptly disregarded. "No, Toby, I want to know why. Didn't you trust us?"
Sam winced. "No, it wasn't like that."
"Then what?" CJ demanded.
Sam sighed. "I've been trying to answer that question since I found out. There's no good answer; I just . . . I wasn't ready to tell anyone until now."
"But you were ready to tell Toby two weeks ago," Josh suddenly said.
Sam was stunned at the cold anger and betrayal he found in Josh's eyes. He dropped his gaze.
"All right, that's enough," Jamie cut in sternly. "We didn't agree to have this meeting so you could berate Sam and make an already difficult situation worse. He obviously didn't mean to hurt your feelings, but it's his life, and it was his choice. If you can't understand that, then we're leaving."
Josh's jaw clenched, and his gaze moved to Leo's desk. CJ, on the other hand, softened at the words and apologized to Sam.
Sam met her eyes earnestly. "I never meant to exclude you guys; I swear."
Danny leaned over in his chair. "Toby gave us the general idea of what happened. Do you mind if I ask you some questions? You don't have to answer if it makes you uncomfortable."
Sam nodded.
"We're going to need to go over the timing for publishing your article," Butterfield told him. "You'll get first print, but we need to make sure Sam's safety is secured before then."
"Of course." Danny turned back to Sam. His recorder was in plain view, but not intimidating, given what it represented to Sam. "All right, Sam. I take it you're still going by 'Sam'?"
Sam nodded. "Yes."
"Can you tell us how this discovery came about?" Danny began.
Carefully, haltingly, Sam answered each question Danny posed. The veteran reporter's skill at directing the flow of conversation kept Sam at ease, even as CJ and Josh interjected questions of their own here and there. Questions about the Seaborns, and about Congressman Winters' own encounter with the Secret Service were deflected or outright shut down by Butterfield. Undeterred, Danny found plenty else to ask, going so far as to direct questions at Sam's family as well.
Finally, after nearly two hours had passed, Danny switched off his recorder and pocketed it. "Thanks, Sam," he said. "You did really well."
"So now what?" Jamie asked.
Butterfield took a step forward. "Now we discuss how we're going to handle the release of this information." He turned to Danny. "Mr. Concannon, I'll be in touch with you later today, but I'm going to have to ask you to excuse yourself from the room."
Danny nodded and stood. "I'll be waiting," he promised, then left.
CJ moved into the chair that Danny had vacated. "This story is going to go viral," she stated. She glanced over at Hoynes, then turned back to Sam. "The press are going to want to talk to you." Her gaze swept over the rest of the Hoynes family. "All of you."
"I'll have Steve coordinate with you on arranging the press conference," Hoynes assured her, referring to his own press secretary. "If you don't mind, I'd like for Steve to take the lead, since it's my family involved."
CJ nodded. "I understand. We'll need to meet and make sure that we agree on the message, since I'll likely get my fair share of questions."
"We also need to discuss the timing of the press conference," Butterfield added.
"Wait," Josh said. He looked at Sam. "Are you going to get a Secret Service detail?"
Hoynes gave Sam a pointed look. Sam shrugged sheepishly.
"He's had one since December," Toby spoke up. "You know that big guy at the door to the communications bullpen?"
"Yeah," Josh replied. CJ nodded.
"That's Elliot," Sam said. "Agent Price. He's the head of my detail."
"We're going to continue with the regular detail assignment for now," Butterfield stated. "I would, however, like for Sam to consider moving into Observatory Circle for the meantime."
"What?" Sam blurted out. "Why?"
"We were able to secure your apartment while your identity was concealed from the public," Butterfield told him. "Eventually, you should be able to move back, but as soon as the press conference happens, your public profile is going to be elevated. It'll be safer for you to stay in a more secured location; we can protect you from the press and the public much easier that way."
"It would make your father and I feel better if all three of you boys were where we could keep an eye on you for now," Suzanne said.
Sam relented, nodding.
Hoynes glanced at his watch. "I asked Steve to come into the office this morning," he stated. "He should be here any minute. CJ, if you have the time, would you like to join us?"
"Of course," CJ replied.
"Toby?" Hoynes added. "I'd like for you to handle the organization of the release."
"Of course, sir," Toby replied.
Hoynes, Suzanne, Toby, and CJ all stood and left the office.
Josh rose to his feet as well. "I should get going too. I need to get back to work." He turned to Jake and Jamie. "Good to see you guys again," he said before hurrying out.
Sam abruptly stood and hurried after him. "Josh!"
Josh slowed his pace, allowing Sam to catch up, but didn't stop. "What do you need, Sam?" he asked shortly. "I'm busy."
"I wanted to apologize for not telling you about all this sooner," Sam said.
"You said it yourself," Josh replied. "You weren't ready to tell us. Well, me and CJ, at least."
"I wanted to tell you," Sam insisted. "I mean, how do you say, 'oh by the way, turns out I was kidnapped at birth'?"
"I don't know," Josh said. "That sounds like a good place to start."
Sam put his hand on Josh's arm, stopping their forward movement. "Josh, come on. I'm sorry. I should have told you. You're like my brother."
Josh shook off Sam's hand. "Turns out, you've actually got two real brothers in there," he pointed back towards Leo's office, "that you never thought to mention." He shook his head and let out a bitter laugh. "I should have seen this coming. I mean, the whole thing with Winters backing out? You've been playing both sides from the beginning, probably in on it with Hoynes, sabotaging our chances with 286."
Sam jerked back in shock. "What? Josh, no!"
"Save it, Sam," Josh snapped. "You want someone who buys what you're selling, then go talk to Toby. Clearly he's bought into your excuses hook, line, and sinker."
He stormed away, leaving Sam staring after him, hurt and confused.
With Hoynes and Suzanne tied up planning for the press release, Jake and Jamie managed to convince Sam to go out to lunch before heading over to his apartment to pack what he would need for his temporary move to Observatory Circle.
Sam directed his brothers to a nice restaurant not too far from the White House that tourists tended to ignore. The patrons and wait staff didn't even give them a second glance as they led the brothers and a couple of agents from their Secret Service details to a couple of tables and took their drink order. Sam spared a thought for Elliot, who had been given the day off to recuperate from the fire, and made a mental note to check in with him later to see how he was doing.
"I'm glad you agreed to stay with us at home," Jake said once their waitress had left. "I'm not worried about the press so much as I am about the whackos out there and what they might do."
Sam frowned. "What do you mean?"
"I'm a cop," Jake reminded him. "I've seen all sorts of crazy things. Like this one lady who became so obsessed with this teacher that she was convinced they were in love when he accidentally knocked into her and excused himself. She took to following him around and sending him gifts; by the time we arrested her, she'd been following the poor guy everywhere in a wedding dress. Oh, and there was this other case I worked where this guy, a high-powered executive, real upstanding citizen, would fixate on these interns in his office. First, he'd-."
"Jesus, Jake!" Jamie exclaimed, glancing at Sam. "Give us nightmares, why don't you?"
Jake followed his gaze and saw Sam's pale face. "Sorry, Sam," he said. "I just . . . I'm glad you'll be safe with us."
"And with the Secret Service shadowing you 24/7, you don't need to worry about stuff like that," Jamie added.
Their waitress returned with their drinks and passed them out. The boys gave her their orders, then returned to their conversation.
"So what happened earlier with Josh?" Jamie asked Sam. "You came back to the office looking upset."
Sam let out a heavy sigh. "He's pretty mad at me for not telling him the truth when I first found out. And that I told Toby before him."
"That's not his call," Jake stated firmly.
Sam shrugged. "He's right, though. He's my best friend, and I kept this from him. I think I really hurt him; he's never been this mad at me before."
"I only know Josh in passing, having met him a few times," Jamie stated. "Do you think maybe you kept it from him because he used to work for Dad?"
"I . . . can't say that my reasons were that well-formed," Sam admitted. "Maybe? I mean, I had plenty of chances to come clean. I just . . . couldn't. Till now."
"What changed?" asked Jake.
Sam met Jake's eyes, then Jamie's. I guess . . . I guess it finally clicked that this was real."
Jamie smiled at his brother. "Josh might be mad now, but if he's your best friend as you say, he'll get over it."
Their conversation turned lighter as their food arrived. Feeling slightly guilty for his earlier choice of topic, Jake directed their conversation towards sailing, remembering a throwaway comment from Sam from their first family dinner. It wasn't long before all three were laughing and teasing each other over lunch.
After Sam had won the tussle over the bill, they stood, discussing the items Sam would need to pack when an angry, commanding voice froze everyone in their tracks.
"Samuel!"
Jake and Jamie's confused looks turned to concern at seeing the faint tremors running through Sam. They looked around for the cause, their eyes landing on a tall, broad man with silver hair and blue eyes heading for their group.
The Secret Service agents accompanying them immediately moved to either side of the brothers. Jamie's guard, Elijah, stepped in front of Sam.
"Mr. Winters, you've been ordered by the Secret Service and the FBI to keep your distance from Sam," he stated firmly.
Winters glared at Elijah, not at all cowed. "I was already here for lunch. I simply want a word with my nephew."
"I'm not your nephew," Sam countered. Jake and Jamie could hear the courage in his voice and wondered at the man who had prompted it.
"Sam, who is this guy?" Jake asked, his tone low and his body tensed for action.
Winters fixed a stern look on Sam that brooked no argument. "Samuel, a word. Now."
Around them, patrons and several wait staff had stopped what they were doing to watch the brewing confrontation. Jamie counted no less than six cell phones pointed their way, recording everything. "Maybe we should move this to somewhere private," he suggested.
Elijah was thinking along the same lines. He turned to the other agents, giving them a nod. Jamie tugged on Sam's arm. "Come on."
Winters' face reddened at being denied his opportunity to confront Sam. "Don't you walk away from me!" he yelled, shoving past Elijah to grab Sam's arm.
Elijah moved to stop Winters, but Jake was faster. Grabbing Winters' hand, he expertly dislocated Winter's thumb to break the hold, then twisted his arm up behind his back. Winters howled in pain as Jake slammed him, face down, on their table with a clatter of dishes.
Sam stared in shock at the scene, not even noticing Jamie wrapping an arm around him and urging him away.
Elijah took over from Jake, allowing Jake to hurry to Sam's other side and join the rest of the agents in rushing them out of the restaurant. Winters' pained cries and promises of retribution chased after them.
Sam was trembling and gasping for breath, on the verge of a panic attack as he was pushed into their SUV. His eyes sought out Jake, the last to jump in. "You shouldn't have done that . . . he's . . . you shouldn't have done that . . ."
Jamie gripped Sam's shoulders. "Sam, what's wrong?" He glanced over his shoulder at Jake. "He's really shaken up. Should we take him to the hospital?"
Sam shook his head. "No! I don't need the hospital!"
"You might need one if you don't calm down," Jake told him, leaning against Jamie to reach out and grip Sam's arm. "You're about to hyperventilate."
"We're on our way back to Observatory Circle," Jake's primary agent, Tom, called from the front, one hand pressed to his ear. "Your parents are going to meet us there."
"What?" Sam cried. "No! Why?"
Tom frowned in confusion. Jake and Jamie were incredulous.
"Sam, that guy tried to grab you back there," Jamie said slowly. "We need to tell Mom and Dad. Especially before they hear about it from the press."
"It's not a big deal," Sam insisted. "I'm fine."
"He called you his nephew," Jake recalled. "Who was he?"
"He's my . . . he's Chelsea Seaborn's brother," Sam stammered. Wide, panicked eyes sought out Jake. "He's a very powerful man; he holds grudges against people who embarrass him. You shouldn't have hurt him."
Jake hardened. "It's just a dislocated thumb. He should be grateful it's not worse."
Sam shook his head, his breaths growing shorter again. "No, he won't let this go. He'll do something to ruin you. I've seen it before."
Jake's eyes blazed in anger. "I'd like to see him try."
"We're here," Tom announced from the front as the SUV rolled to a stop.
Jake and Jamie hopped out amid a swarm of Secret Service agents, pulling Sam with them and practically manhandling him into the residence. Jake steered his brothers up the stairs and into the library, which had become Sam's favorite room. A group of sofas were placed near a window in the far corner. Jake and Jamie pushed Sam onto one, then sat on either side of him, arms around his shoulders.
"Your parents are five minutes out," Tom told the trio. "I'm heading into the office to help Elijah process Winters and add the incident to the casefile on him. The rest of your teams are on the grounds, and I'll send some agents to pack a bag for Sam. Send me a list and I'll have it brought over tonight."
"Thanks, Tom," Jake said gratefully. Tom nodded and slipped out the door.
Sam's panicked breaths were all that was left, filling the air between them. Jamie rubbed his back while Jake whispered soothingly to him, but nothing seemed to calm him down.
In no time at all, Hoynes and Suzanne burst into the room, heads turning left and right. Spying their boys, they all but ran to them, crouching before Sam.
"Sam, are you okay?" Suzanne demanded.
"What the hell happened?" Hoynes added.
Sam immediately latched onto his father, hands gripping his arms tight. "Jake was just protecting me!" he told Hoynes. His panic was starting to bubble up into his chest again. "You need to stop him!"
Hoynes' confusion deepened. "Stop who?"
"Winters," Jamie told him. "That's what Tom called him."
"I don't understand," Suzanne said. "The Secret Service just told us that someone tried to grab Sam at lunch, and that they brought you back here."
"This guy came up to us as we were leaving the restaurant and demanded to speak to Sam," Jamie explained. "We tried to leave when he pushed past Tom and grabbed Sam's arm. That's when Jake twisted his arm to make him let go."
"You can't let Chris do anything to Jake," Sam insisted, his eyes pleading. "Please!"
"Okay, okay," Hoynes soothed, gently squeezing Sam's shoulders. "Nothing is going to happen to Jake. I promise."
Sam settled at the words, all but sagging against his parents' hands. Suzanne slid onto the sofa beside him, gently nudging Jamie aside.
"Sam, why are you so worried about that guy?" Jake asked. His eyes were narrowing slightly as the implications began running through his mind.
Sam released Hoynes, only to wrap his arms tightly around himself. "Uncle Chris doesn't like it when people take advantage of him," he said vaguely. "He really doesn't like it when you embarrass him."
Warning bells began to ring in Hoynes' ears. "What do you mean?"
Sam tensed at the low tone. "Nothing," he said, trying to backpedal. "Just that . . . he doesn't like it. Who would?"
Pieces were coming together to form a picture that Hoynes didn't like. "You said he grabbed Sam's arm?" he asked Jamie.
Jamie nodded.
Hoynes turned back to Sam. "Has he done anything like that before?"
Sam couldn't meet his father's eyes.
Hoynes felt anger beginning to rumble through him. "Sam," he said, barely keeping the lid on his temper. "Has Winters ever laid a hand on you?"
The tension in the room seemed to build as everyone waited for Sam's answer.
"It . . . It's not like that," Sam replied.
Hoynes cursed under his breath and rose to his feet, pacing back and forth before the couch.
"Then what is it like?" Jake asked.
Sam looked at him. "He just grabs my arm if I'm not paying attention."
"What else?" Suzanne asked quietly.
Sam turned to her, his eyes dropping to the necklace she wore to avoid her eyes. "He, um . . . he's slapped me a couple times. Mostly for mouthing off. He wouldn't have done it if I'd kept my mouth shut."
Jamie looked sick. "How long has this been going on?"
"I don't see him all that much," Sam answered. "He's here in DC most of the time, and he's left me alone for the most part. I mean, I was sixteen the last time he really-."
Whatever Sam had been about to say was abruptly cut off by the sound of shattering glass. Sam jerked in surprise, his eyes flying to the remains of a vase that had met the wall in a grisly end. Standing feet away was Hoynes, panting in anger, eyes ablaze.
"John!" Suzanne said sharply.
Hoynes was beyond listening. "That son of a bitch has the gall to manhandle my son?" he thundered.
"Dad," Jamie tried.
"He laid a hand on my child?" Hoynes continued. "He has no idea the hellfire I'm about to rain down on his head!"
Even Jake began to look disturbed. "Dad," he said.
Hoynes began pacing furiously once more. "He thinks he can get away with hurting you, he's got another thing coming! When I get my hands on him-!"
"Dad!" Sam cried.
Hoynes froze, along with everyone else in the room.
Unmindful of the shock that his address had caused, Sam continued on. "It's not worth it," he insisted. "It's not that bad. Today was a freak occurrence, and he won't do it again. I don't want him to do anything to you over something so inconsequential."
Hoynes crossed the room to kneel before Sam once more. He pressed a palm to Sam's cheek, looking into his eyes. "You're wrong," he said firmly. "You are worth it. No one has the right to lay a hand on you, and it'll be a cold day in hell before I sit back and let anyone get away with doing it. And you're damn right he won't do it again, because I'm going to make sure of that."
Sam blinked at him, speechless.
Hoynes pulled Sam forward into a tight hug, dropping a kiss on his temple before passing him over to Suzanne's waiting arms. Suzanne pressed a kiss to Sam's forehead. "Your father and I have to go destroy someone's political career. Do you think you and your brothers can find something to occupy your time?"
Sam let out a startled laugh.
"We've got that covered," Jamie assured her.
Suzanne nodded. "Good," she said, her eyes glinting with a fierce determination Sam had never seen before. "Sam, be sure to give CJ a call sometime today, too. She has some questions for you."
Sam nodded as Hoynes and Suzanne hugged his brothers farewell, then left.
Jake stood. "Come on," he said. "Let's get that list together for Tom, then we can introduce Sam to the Hoynes family Valentine's Day tradition."
"What's that?" Sam asked, his curiosity settling his nerves.
Jamie grinned. "Murder movie marathon!"
"Nothing says 'I love you' like jealous, homicidal rage," Jake added.
Sam laughed, allowing himself to be pulled to his feet by his brothers.
end chapter 10