Title: Stay Anyway 3/?

Author: Amber (Ambino1111@prodigy.net)

Disclaimers & other notes found in Prologue

Previously, in Stay Anyway…

… Josh and I are working our butts off on the latest Health Care Package, an amendment to H.R. 206.

… The President, CJ, Toby, and Charlie are in China until Monday evening.

… Josh lets out a snort. He wiggles his index finger in my direction. "You

were engaged to this woman, you haven't seen her in years, and all you can

say is 'she got a haircut'?" "Well, she did," I defend, looking down at my hands briefly. "That, and a baby."

… I can remember Sam leaving as if it were yesterday, yet... it's been over three years and, at times, seems decades longer.

… She shifts in her seat suddenly and thrusts a manicured hand in my direction. "I'm sorry, I didn't introduce myself. I'm Donnatella Moss, Josh Lyman's assistant." I chortle in amused sympathy, which causes Donna to grin. "I somehow doubt Josh's personality has changed much in three years." I pause. "You're a very brave woman."

… The door opens again and I sigh. Gathering my courage I stand, ready to face my ex-fiancee.

*****

You know that true love's hard to find

but it seems it's harder when true love divides

I wanna believe

that we can move on without the pain

and I wanna believe

that we can move on without the blame

-Believe, Julian Lennon

*****

"Between the ages of six and eighteen, approximately 75 to 90 percent of children have some kind of malocclusion," Josh announces matter-of-factly. I roll my eyes at him.

"Josh, I just told you that ten minutes ago. It's all in the file."

"I know, but I like saying 'malocclusion'."

I sigh as I sift through the mound of file folders on the table in the Roosevelt room. "Whatever you say. Can we speed this up, though?"

This time Josh rolls his eyes, and tosses me a sheet of paper. "Read this first, Mr. Deputy Communications Director."

I pick up the paper and lean back in my chair. Across from me, Josh's feet are propped up on the table, precariously close to the edge. He grabs for his cup of coffee and almost falls over in the process. I stifle a laugh while waving the paper in the air.

"What do you want me to do with this?"

"Do what you're paid to do," He informs me, taking a sip of his room-temperature coffee. "Make it sound better."

"Fine."

I snatch my legal pad from the edge of the table and takes notes as I skim the thing, then set to work fixing it. Before I know it Donna knocks on the door and walks in.

"Uh, Sam?" She asks sweetly. I'm in a groove and don't even look up.

"Hmm?"

"I just thought I'd tell you again that Lisa is here."

"What?!?" I jump to my feet, feeling foolish and guilty. "How long has she been waiting?"

Donna looks at her watch, over her shoulder, and then back at me. She answers as I'm shoveling folders and random papers into my briefcase. "Oh, about half an hour."

"Why didn't you tell him earlier?" Josh pipes up. Donna turns to glare at both of us.

"I did. Twice. But both of you were too busy talking to listen to me then, so I'm telling you again."

"Thanks, Donna," I call over my shoulder as I quickly stride out into the hallway. Donna pops her head out of the door before I can round the corner.

"Where are you going, Sam?"

I wave my free hand at her dismissively. "I'm going to go see Lisa."

"Well, I think you're going the wrong way," A new voice calls out, and I stop in my tracks. I spin around and backtrack to the Roosevelt Room, where a smiling Lisa is standing next to a smirking Donna. I grin sheepishly as I approach them.

"Hi."

"Hi."

Lisa and I are staring at each other, and Donna coughs slightly, backing into the Roosevelt Room. "I'll be in here, if you, uh, well, we'll be here." Then she's gone, and it's just Lisa and me... and Alex.

"So... what do you feel like eating tonight?" I ask casually (at least I'm hoping), crossing my arms as we start walking down the hall. Lisa meets my eyes for a second before shyly turning away.

"Oh, whatever you want. I'm not fussy."

I frown slightly, shoving my hands into my pants pockets. "Well, we could go-"

"Sam!"

We both turn to see Josh jogging towards us.

"Sam! I'm glad I caught you."

I groan as my best friend joins my side. He motions back towards the Roosevelt Room.

"What do you want, Josh?" I ask resignedly.

"Kurtzweil is on the phone. She wants to talk with you about the proposal."

I look at Lisa before turning around to face Josh. "What?!? Why can't _you_ talk to her?"

His eyes drop down to the floor. I swear he's blushing. "Uh, you know..." He trails off, still staring at his feet.

I'm not letting him out of this that easily.

"I'm afraid I don't know, Joshua. Please enlighten me."

He's glaring daggers at me right now, but I don't care. I'm supposed to be having dinner with Lisa tonight, dammit.

Josh mumbles something unintelligible to my ears, and Lisa snickers quietly. Josh looks at me, eyes pleading.

"Sam..."

"----"

"Sam -"

"Fine."

Josh takes off towards the Roosevelt Room and I start to follow. I spin around and start walking backwards, hoping I don't trip. If I do, it doesn't really matter - Lisa already knows I'm a klutz.

"I'm so sorry, Lisa. I'd understand if you want to call it off, but hopefully it won't take too long."

"Go on, Sam. I'll wait."

"Thanks. I'm sooo sorry. I'll make it up to you - I promise!" I babble. I turn around and hurry into the room, taking the phone from Donna.

Why does politics always come between Lisa and me?