Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to the West Wing, Hamilton, or the Dire Straits (the song Brothers in Arms, lyrics 'Through the Fields of Destruction, the Baptisms of Fire'.

This takes place within the context of the 18th and Potomac, Two Cathedrals, and Manchester Part 1 ( The very, very beginning).

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An absent-minded, despondent Sam walked past Toby to the Steam Pipe Trunk Distribution Venue from the Oval Office as the fading daylight filtered through the Lobby. 'Surely they've told her by now... that's why she's been working so late.' He descended into the must of the dark labyrinth that led to her office as he felt the pang of the guilt for what this would do to her reputation. The words that the President had recited to him continued to replay in his mind, ' Sam, around ten years ago, for a period of a few months, I was feeling run down and I had a pain in my leg. They both eventually subsided, but then eight years ago, the pain came back, as well as numbness. My vision would be blurry sometimes and I'd get dizzy. During an eye exam, the doctor detected abnormal pupil responses and ordered an MRI. The radiologist found plaque on my brain and spine. I have a relapsing-remitting course of Multiple Sclerosis.' as he stood before Ainsley's office door for a few moments.

Knock knock* His limp hand knocked on the cold metal door.

"Come in." Ainsley organized legal documents on her desk.

"Hey, Sweetheart." 'He knows.' She stood up, and without another word, she hugged him as he stroked her hair.

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Daylight faded outside the Mess window as Bonnie, Donna, and Ginger sat down with their trays.

"Haitian civilians riot in the streets of Port-Au-Prince in the wake of their first free election while newly elected President Dessaline seeks asylum in the US embassy." Foreign Correspondent Christine Amanpour reported.

Ainsley set the ketchup and napkins down on the metal table in the Mess. "So Senior Staff's meeting with Leo and Jed at 9, you said?"

"Yup." Donna answered.

"And then Bonnie and I have a meeting with Toby." Ginger turned to Donna. "Didya have your meeting yet? How long did it take?"

"Not long. Mayyybbeee 15 minutes." Donna made eye contact with Ainsley.

'So they told you?' Ainsley thought before she got up to get napkins.

Toby, C.J., and Sam walked in the Mess when Ainsley put a hand on Sam's arm. "Hey Babe, how are-"

Sam cut her off as he got in line at the register. "Sorry, Ainsley. I only got a few minutes before-"

"Baby, I'm sorry." Ainsley pleaded.

"Before you have to go meet with Leo and Jed." Ainsley finished.

"Yeah." Sam turned to Carl. "I'll have a slice of pizza and a Coke."

"What type, Mr. Seaborn?"

"Whatever ya got already made. I don't have time to wait for a fresh one."

"That'll be 10.50." Carl pulled a slice of pizza out of the warmer and a Coke out of the fridge.

"Thanks." Sam handed Carl a twenty-dollar bill. "Keep the change." He left with his food as C.J. step forward in line.

"I'll have a slice of Supreme pizza and a coke, please." C.J. requested.

"That'll be 10.50." Carl handed C.J. her pizza and soda.

C.J. gathered her napkins, pizza, and soda before she stopped by their table. "Sorry 'bout that, Ainsley. I'll talk to him."

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The rain avalanched from the heavens and penetrated Sam's raincoat while he stood as a mighty presence in the face of the coming storm. The thunder drowned out the sound of the footsteps coming towards him as Ainsley singing 'On Eagles Wings' at the funeral replayed in his mind.

"Hey." Ainsley intertwined her fingers with his as she kissed his shoulder.

"Hey." His half-lidded eyes stared down the storm.

"I'm sorry." Ainsley whispered.

'For what?' He turned towards her as she stood beside him in a red trench coat with an umbrella in her other hand. "Ainse, you're gonna get soaked."

Ainsley shrugged. "If you get soaked, I get soaked." 'We're in this together, Babe.' She squeezed his hand. "And besides, that's why I'm wearing my raincoat an' why I brought a two-person umbrella. …. You an' Charlie both did a lovely job with the Readings at the Service."

"Thanks" He kissed her black and white leather-gloved hand.

They stood there in silence for a minute. "How are you hangin' in there?"

"Fine." Sam chewed his inner cheek.

'Bullshit.' "Is he ready?" Ainsley asked.

"For what? The Press Conference?"

"Yea, an' what comes next." Ainsley said.

"I guess." Sam said.

"Sam, you are The White House Deputy Director of Communications and a prolific speechwriter, and all you can give me is 'fine' and 'I guess'? Come on Sam, don't bullshit me or shut me out. Bullshit everyone else. But don't you dare bullshit me."

"I'm fine, really. There's no need for you to be worried about me. I don't want you to worry." Sam attempted to reassure her. "I'm sorry that I've dragged you into this."

"An' how did you drag me into this? Did you knowingly conceal the MS?" Ainsley asked.

"No, but-"

"Sam. Look at me. You an' I are a team. We're in this together, no matter what happens. I'll have this administration's back, but more importantly, I have your back. No matter what." Ainsley pledged as he took her in his arms. "It's gonna be okay."

"Ainsley-"

"Sam, I'm serious here. Don't bullshit me." Ainsley touched his cheek.

"To answer your question, I don't know how I feel about the MS scandal yet. I feel hurt and betrayed, but also scared." Sam answered.

"I'm sorry, Babe, I really am."

"Ainsley, it's okay. It's not your fault. I was a jackass, and I shouldn't have blamed you for them not telling me. And as for being ready, no. But I dunno if you're ever ready to tell the American people you've lied like this." Sam took a deep breath. "And, even though we haven't been together long, I was gonna ask you if I told you lately how much I love you."

"Oh." Ainsley tilted her head downward. "Well yes. But a girl could always use a reminder."

"Oh really?" Sam smiled. "That's good to know."

"But I think it's only rivaled by how much I love you."

Sam quirked an eyebrow. "Is that so? Interesting."

"Why do you say that?" Ainsley asked.

" 'Cause it's not possible." Sam said.

"What isn't?" Ainsley asked.

Sam replied. "For anyone to love someone as much as I love you."

"Oh, I beg to differ. Can we agree to share the first place prize for how much we love each other?"

"Ok. Deal." Sam kissed her temple as he held her in his protective embrace for a moment before he checked his watch. "Hey Ainsley, it's time."

Their hands stayed clasped as they joined the rest of the West Wing staff en route to the Presidential Motorcade. Sam held the limo door open for Ainsley and then sat next to her in the back seat.

tah-dah-tuh-duh-tah-dah-tuh-duh-dru-UUUUMMMMMMMMMM* The driver started limousine engine. Their hands clung to each other on their way to the Press Conference for the MS Scandal when Sam finally spoke. "Didya know Mrs. Landingham was the one who made me come to my senses and tell you how I felt about you?"

"I always liked her. I wish I could've gotten to know her better."

"She really liked you. She said, 'Sam you've only got one life to live, so don't your piece of shit father screw it up for you. Now if you really don't want to be with Ainsley because you don't have feelings for her, I respect that. But if you're running from this like a little boy because you're scared that it might be hard or you might screw up, then God, Sam, I don't even want to know you.' "

"Boy, did she hit the nail on the head." She looked at him for a moment. "Sam, it's goin' to be okay. The tigers'll come out, with voices as soft as thunder, but it's nothing we can't handle." When they arrived, he hugged her and then gave her a soft kiss before the driver let them out of the limousine.

"Whatever happens, Babe, I love you."

Ainsley chuckled. 'As if I could ever forget.' "I love you, too."

Sam clung to her hand as they walked in formation with Leo, Josh, Toby, and Charlie with President Bartlet and the Secret Service.

President Bartlet stood to the side of the stage. "Okay, here now, the President of the United States." CJ announced from the podium. "Front row, on your right." She whispered as she passed the President.

The camera flashes lit up the room as if it were a cub scout camping trip where the scouts had just been given their first chance to use their flashlights as the President, drenched from the rain, stepped up to the podium.

"Yes, Sandy." He pointed to a reporter.

"Mr. President, can you tell us right now if you'll be seeking a second term?" The reporter asked.

"I'm sorry, Sandy, there was a little bi' of noise there, can you repeat the question?" Bartlet asked.

"Yes, sir, can you tell us right now if you'll be seeking a second term?" The reporter repeated.

The audience stood in anticipation of his response as he put his hands in his pockets, looked away, and smiled as Ainsley squeezed Sam's hand. "Yeah. And I'm goin' to win." The President of the United States proclaimed.