Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to the West Wing, Hamilton, Rocky, or any pop culture reference made in this story.

CW: Mild sexual intimacy and language

This takes place in the context of the Manchester Part 1 and Manchester Part 2 episode.

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Ainsley's POV

Ainsley walked down the stairs to the Manchester Airport baggage claim where Sam was waiting for her with a bouquet of yellow and pink tulips in hand. "Hey, handsome stranger. I feel like I haven't seen you in a month of Sundays!" Ainsley wrapped her arms around him. "I love the flowers, Sam. They're beautiful."

"You like them? The yellow ones are 'Sunshine Tulips' so naturally, I had to get'em for my Sunshine." Sam kissed her temple.

"Oh really."

"Yeah." Sam smiled.

"Your Sunshine? Sunshine tulips? ... Didya just make that up?"

"Yes, my Sunshine. And, no, I did not make that up. I got'em at the Depot Farm Stand in Merrimack on the way here, you can ask the nice lady who rang me up if you don't believe me. …. An' you're right. They're beautiful, but not as beautiful as you."

Ainsley blushed as her face melted into his chest. "Oh Seaborn, you make me weak. I missed you."

"Not as much as I missed you." He squeezed her tight.

She looked up at him. "Oh really? I dunno if I believe you, Seaborn. …. You are,... in fact, a politician."

Sam cupped her cheeks before he slid his fingers slid into her hair and he kissed her so fiercely that she let out a moan that only he could hear and left her breathless. His cornflower blue gaze pierced her emerald green eyes as he held her secure in his embrace, "Now d'ya believe me?" She nodded as she listened to his heartbeat. "Ainsley, always know I'm the one politician you can always trust."

"Even though you're a Democrat. "

"Yes, even though I'm a Democrat." He chuckled.

"Oh, there's my suitcase!" She walked toward a black and cream leather bag.

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Ainsley's POV

Ainsley wore Sam's leather jacket as she and Sam breathed in the late spring, early summer night air and they strolled through the Bartlet Family Farm with their hands intertwined. Sam followed her lead to the fence. "What're you thinking about, Ainse?" He inquired as she rested her arms on the fence.

"Oh, nothin'." Ainsley shrugged.

"Ainsley..." Sam tucked her hair behind her ear.

"Really, Sam. Nothin's the matter." She insisted.

"Ainsley, come on. Don't talk to me like I'm other people."

"Seriously, Sam. I don't wanna talk 'bout it an' stress you out."

"Well, now y'got me worried, Hayes."

"There's nothin' for you to worry 'bout." She insisted.

He looked her in the eye. "Don't get cute with me, and don't even think of calling me the Master. That, and your other little tricks, won't work this time."

Her fingers stroked his chest. "Are you sure 'bout that," She blinked with a flutter of her eyes. "Mas-ter?"

"Yes….. Look at my face right now."

They held each other's gaze until she relented. "Okay, I'll tell you, …. but you have to promise not to get mad or defensive."

"Okay…" His brow furrowed.

She took a deep breath. "First, I want to clarify that I'll respect whatever decision the President makes regarding the MS scandal, an' I'll only offer my opinion if asked. But, since you asked, I reckon he should apologize for hidin' his MS because many people get frustrated when politicians have the 'Laws and ethics are for little people' mentality. The people want their government to understand that they the politicians serve them. We all make mistakes, Sam, but it's expected that when we do, that we say sorry. If he apologizes, the people will appreciate that he accepted personal responsibility for his actions. I'm not sayin' that it'll guarantee his victory. I'm just sayin' that apologizin'll give'im his best chance." 'Also, I know that you've agreed with me on this from the beginning but you jus' don't wanna admit it.' Ainsley rubbed his arm. "Look, Sam, I don't wanna argue 'bout this. I have less than 48 hours to spend with you before I have to fly back on Sunday an' we're goin' ta be asleep for about 12 of those hours-"

"Oh, I don't think we'll be sleeping that much." He adorned the nape of her neck with kisses as his hands caressed her hips.

'You're not mad?' Ainsley thought.

"But I don't need that much sleep; I got a lotta stamina."

"Sam!" She scolded.

"Yes, I know, I've been –" He teased.

She glared at him as he admired the moonlight's illumination of her porcelain face. "Someone'll hear you!"

"And you're gonna punish me good for it, right?" He gave her a cheeky grin.

"Anyway, I don't wanna waste what little, precious time I have left with you on arguing. But one more thing- I meant it when I promised you that I'm going to do whatever I have to do to get Jed reelected and more importantly, I'm standing by you no matter what happens."

"Hey, I thought we weren't talking about this anymore? I remember something about how in less than 48 hours, 12 of which will be wasted sleeping, my brilliant, sexy girlfriend who loves me so much that she will walk through hell and back with me," His hands slid in her pants. "and who I want to do such naughty things to tonight," He murmured in her ear before he returned to a normal volume. "is going back to DC soon. And this beautiful, amazing woman should also know that I will do the same for her."

"You're right. No more shop talk."

"I think that's the second time in our relationship you've said that to me."

"You should relish this moment."

"Oh Miss Ainsley Hayes, I plan to relish every moment I have with you."

They stood in silence for few moments as Ainsley remained wrapped in his secure embrace when he asked, "Ainsley, how long has that been bothering you?"

"Oh…." She looked down. "Not too long."

"Ainse. Don't bullshit me or shut me out. Bullshit other people. But don't you dare bullshit me."

"After the President announced his reelection campaign."

"Ainsley!" Sam's eyes bugged out of his head. "That was weeks ago! You gotta tell me this stuff."

"You've been dealin' with enough. I didn't wanna burden you."

"Oh, Ainsley." He cradled her in his arms and stroked her hair. "As your boyfriend, I want you to burden me with everything in that beautiful mind that's always at work. I wanna know every thought, so I can share mine with you; every fear, so I can put them to rest; every need, so you will want for nothing; and every hope, wish and dream, so that I can make them come true. You're my sweetheart. I want to give you everything, but I can only do that if you tell me."

"Damn, Seaborn. You could charm the honey right out of the beehive."

"Hey, I pull out all the stops for you."

"I'm your Sweetheart, aaannndd your Sunshine? You must reeeeaaaalllyy love me."

"Damn straight I do."

"I like it. And I promise from now on, I'll share all of that with you as long as you promise me the same thing, oh writer of great oratory." She checked her watch. "Hey it's getting late. We should probably go back to the hotel. You have a big day tomorrow."

"Let's be real, Hayes. That's not the real reason you're anxious to get back." He pulled her to him to kiss the temple of her bright red face.

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Ainsley's POV

Bartlet wore a Notre Dame quarter zip sweatshirt with a bag of carrots in one hand and his other hand his pocket when he entered the stable where Ainsley fed carrots to a thoroughbred after her morning run. "Ziggy likes you. D'ya ride?"

"Not as much as I'd like, but I did in high school."

"Same thing with Zoey and Ziggy." Bartlet stroked Ziggy's muzzle and then his mane. "So why're you up so early?"

"When your daddy's a retired admiral who runs the household like a naval ship, an' you're a retired Naval Fighter Pilot, you get used getting up early. Daddy believes that if something really matters to you, you'll get up at 5 am to pursue it."

"Smart man. And it looks like he raised you well. Look, I was hopin' you could give me some advice on something. Don't worry, nothing you say'll count against you. I want your honest opinion. Why don't we take the horses ou' for a trail ride?"

"Yes sir."

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Ainsley's POV

*CLOP-DUH clip-duh clip-duh clip-duh CLOP-DUH clip-duh clip-duh clip-duh …. CLOP-duh… CLOP-duh… CLOP-duh… CLOP-duh…* They slowed from a trot to a walk as they gazed out at the apple trees that were wet with the morning dew and the sunrise in the background.

"I want your honest opinion 'cause my staff are too blinded by loyalty and Bruno and that Doug are very hard to get along with. But at the same time, I need them, because he's able to understand the public's perspective. Now, as I said, I'm going to be blunt and I expect an honest answer. ….. Ainsley, d'you think I should apologize for concealing my MS from the public?" Jed asked.

"Sir, I want to start off by saying that I think you're in an incredibly difficult position. But since you asked, ... yes, I reckon you should apologize. The people understand that everyone makes mistakes, but they expect you to take responsibility. They want their elected officials to be held to the same standards as they are, if not a higher standard. Politicians aren't Kings, an' they're not Gods. We have no Divine Right of Kings in this country for a reason, and that reason is because our leaders can't just declare their will into law and call it the Word of God."

He pondered this as he held an apple blossom in his hand. "So did you ride competitively in high school?"

'I said my piece, what he does with it is up to him.' "Yes sir, Hunter Jumpers."

"Zoey too." He put his hands in his pockets and smiled as he looked out at the sunrise. "Thank you, Ainsley. That's exactly the type of counsel tha' I've been missing and I could really use someone, besides Hoynes, who understands the South. How would you feel abou' joining my Presidential Campaign as an advisor?"

'Huh?' "I'm honored Mr. President, but I'd have to talk 'bout it with Sam first."

"Of course."

"And Mr. President?"

"Yes?"

"If I do join the campaign, aren't you concerned 'bout people sayin' that you're betraying the Democratic Party or that Bruno and his staff'll think I'm a Republican spy?"

He looked out at the orchard as he stuck his hands back in his pockets before he looked back at her. "No. And anyone who does can go to hell."

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Sam's POV

Ainsley tiptoed back into her bed and laid her head back on Sam's chest as the midsummer sunlight danced on his auburn hair. At the sense of her familiar touch and scent mixed with the smell of horses and carrots, Sam mumbled, "Ainse?"

"Shhhh…. go back to sleep, Baby." She kissed his cheek and stroked his hair.

"What time is it?" He grumbled with half-closed eyes.

"7:20."

"How long have you been up?" He sat up.

"Since 5."

"Since 5?" He reached for his glasses.

"Yeah, an' then I went for a run at 5:15 and then on a trail ride with the President." She answered.

'God, she's gorgeous.' He leaned in and kissed her.

"I know we said no more shop talk this weekend, because I definitely want to be doin' that-"

"Then why don't we?" He rolled her onto her back as one hand slipped under her jeans.

"huuhhh-UUUHHH." She sighed. "Sayyy-umm."

"Can't you see I'm a little busy?" His kisses migrated to her neck.

"Sam." She asserted.

Sam back sat up. "Oh…. I'm sorry." His chin tucked in as he looked down.

"Nothing to apologize for, Babe. An' yes, I did see that, an' it was wonderful. I can't wait to get back to that. ….. But ...I need to talk ta you 'bout something first. Hear me out, but before I continue, I wanna be clear that I'll only go forward with this if you say it's okay."

"Okay…"

"While on the trail ride this mornin', Jed asked for some advice on the MS scandal and the campaign. So I told him basically what I told you last, 'bout how apologizing will give his best chance at reelection. Anyway, Jed offered me a position on the campaign because he needs someone can be objective but who can get along with his staff." Ainsley explained. "So what do you think, Sam? Would it be okay with you if I joined the team? ….Again, I'll only do it if you're okay with it."

"Babe, …. why are you asking for permission to advance your career?"

"We both know that the work we're doing here's bigger than just our careers. We're running the country, so what's best for the country comes before my career. I've also heard stories 'bout all the problems that y'all had when Mandy and Josh were dating while they were on the Campaign Trail. I wouldn't wanna do the same thing. And I reckon part of bein' in a relationship means including your partner in your decisions."

"First off, the fact that you think this way is one of the many reasons why I love you." Sam kissed her knuckles. "And another thing, we're nothing like Josh and Mandy. At all. We would also get to see each other more often. …. And from a campaign strategy point of view, you could help us get Conservatives and the Southern vote."

"Is that a yes?"

"If you want to don't mind being stuck with a Democrat shmuck like me-"

"You're not a shmuck-"

"Ainsley, we're all shmucks compared to you."

"Oh, Sam." She kissed his cheek as she straddled his lap. "I seem to recall that I'm in something called a relationship with one of the staffers, so they can't all be that bad." Her kisses continued down his neck.

"Oh, who would that be? Who'd be lucky enough to date you?"

"The really hot, brilliant speechwriter. I think his name is Sam Seaborn. The one who all the junior staffers fantasize about." She took off his glasses.

"Oh, a little jealous, are we?" He murmured into her hair. "Allow me to remedy that, because I only have eyes for you." He flipped her onto her back. "Whoever this Seaborn character is, he's the luckiest bastard alive. You be sure to remind him of that."

"Oh, I think he knows. He should also know that he has made me the luckiest girl alive."

'Hey, I try.'

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Ainsley entered the barn as Jed, Leo, and Bruno reviewed the draft of the speech. "Mr. President, I've decided to join the campaign."

"I'm happy to hear it."

"It really is an honor, Sir. I'm glad to be on the team." She replied. "Anyway, I'll let you get back to your work."

As she turned to go, he said, "You know one day it's gonna be you who runs for President and you'll do great things for this country."

"You really think so?"

"I know so."

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Sam's POV

"...to fall victim to torpor and timidity." "Torpor"... is not a word a lot of people know." Doug read the speech as he sat on the edge of the teacher desk.

"It means apathy." Sam creased his forehead and brow as Ainsley stood in the back.

"And dullness." Toby clasped a rolled-up copy of the speech.

"I know what it means." Doug said.

"Doug means…" Connie started.

Doug cut Connie off. "They know what I mean."

"Hey." C.J. closed the door behind her as Leo and Toby looked up without saying anything.

"If they don't know what the word means…" Doug explained.

"What's the word?" C.J. asked.

Josh sipped his water. "Torpor."

"It means apathy." Sam said.

"And dullness." Toby added.

Doug raised his voice. "I know what the word means... I'm saying if people don't know what the word means…"

Everyone stood up as Bartlet strode through a door. "They can look it up!" He finished Doug's sentence and stopped next to the teacher's desk.

"Good morning, Mr. President." Everyone said.

"It's not our job to appeal to the lowest common denominator, Doug. It's our job to raise it. If you're going to be the "Education President," it'd be nice not to hide that you have an education." Jed gestured to Bruno, Connie, and Doug to leave. "Bruno, wouldya mind?"

Bartlet sighed as he leaned against the teacher's desk with Abraham Lincoln's portrait behind him. "Churchill and FDR: serious men using big words for big purpose. ….." He sighed again. "It occurs to me, I never said "I'm sorry." ... I am. …. For the lawyers, for the press, for the mess, for the fear. And so I've decided that I'm gonna apologize, not just to you, but to the Nation. Bruno, Doug, Connie: these guys are good. They wanna win. So do we. The only thing we want more is to be right. I wonder if you can't do both." He stood up. "There's a new book, and we're gonna write it. You can win if you run a smart, disciplined campaign, if you studiously say nothing - nothing that causes you trouble, nothing that's a gaffe, nothing that shows you might think the wrong thing, nothing that shows you think. But it just isn't worthy of us, is it, Toby?"

"No, sir." Toby said.

"It isn't worthy of us, it isn't worthy of America, it isn't worthy of a great nation. We're gonna write a new book, right here, right now." Jed continued. "And another thing- I am proud to announce that Ainsley's joining the campaign." They all clapped for Ainsley.

'That's my woman.' Sam beamed. 'I'm so proud of you, Babe.'

"Sir?" An aide poked his head in the classroom.

"...it is my pleasure and my great fortune to introduce my husband, our friend, New Hampshire's greatest son, and the President of the United States: Josiah Bartlet." Abbey proclaimed over the crowd's cheers.

President Bartlet marched towards the door as he buttoned his jacket. Charlie followed suit when Bartlet stopped in the doorway to face his staff. "Y'know what? Break's over."