THE RAREST FAITH I: SPIRITS OF GREAT EVENTS

Classification: Post-Administration, Political
Summary:
"(Friendship) is an exercise of the purest imagination and the rarest faith."
--Henry David Thoreau
"Often do the spirits of great events stride on before the events." --Samuel
Taylor Coleridge

Author's notes are at the end of part 5.



***
November, 2006
***

Not with a bang but a whimper, Toby thought.

He didn't dare utter the words as the 2006 Presidential race was called for
Republican Senator Gregory Schiller, defeating Vice-President John Hoynes by 23
electoral votes.

Leo, Josh, C.J., and Toby had been invited to the Residence to watch with the
President. The six of them sat in absolute, frozen silence as state after state
fell, hardly even letting out sighs when Hoynes made the concession speech or
when Schiller took the podium at his headquarters and began talking about all
the changes - conservative Republican ones - he was going to make in American
government.

It was depressing as hell.

"I really should call John," Bartlet said after a few moments.

"Wait a while, Jed," Abbey advised, reaching for his hand. "He'll need space
between conceding the election and talking to a man who won twice."

Josh was leaning toward the television, wringing his hands as the slow crawl of
the news ticker gave the results of various Congressional races. Toby was
pretending not to pay attention, but did such a bad job of it that C.J. laughed
and pinched his arm. "Just go ahead and look at the results, would you?"

"Where the hell is California?" Josh demanded.

"South of Oregon, last time I looked," Leo replied in a perfect deadpan, but he
too was scanning the lists of names and numbers.

The networks were slow to divulge the results in the Western states even though
polls had been closed for nearly an hour. A couple of the anchors were taking
their time with pundits, locked in discussion of minute pieces of local
legislation that didn't mean anything.

The shrilling of Josh's cellphone made everyone jump. Josh grabbed it out of his
pocket and looked at the Caller ID. "It's Sam," he whispered.

Abbey crossed herself. Bartlet and Leo shared a quick glance. C.J. grabbed
Toby's arm, holding so tightly that he was sure he'd have bruises the next day.

"Josh," Toby muttered, waving his free hand in the air, "are you going to answer
the phone or just stare at the wonder that is Sam Seaborn's phone number?"

Josh flipped the phone open and held it to his ear. "Hey, Sam."

Toby remembered Sam telling him that Josh had the worst poker face in the
history of the world. It wasn't true now. There was no expression, neither a
dimple nor a downward flick of the mouth. Nothing to indicate what Josh was
hearing.

"Josh," C.J. whined, prodding his shin with her toe.

He continued talking into the phone. "Sure, I'll tell them," he said evenly.

"Tell us what?" Leo demanded. Josh waved him to silence.

Bartlet narrowed his eyes. "It's not too late to fire you, Josh, you know that?"

"I'm sorry, Sam," Josh said smoothly as he turned his attention back to the
phone. "I got interrupted. What was it again that you wanted me to tell them?"

Toby's pulse raced, and he felt a lump rising in his throat. Then Josh finally
smiled, just a little bit, and the look in his eyes softened as he said, "Good
night, Senator."

One click as the cell phone was folded up again.

Two members of the First Family holding hands and smiling.

Three seconds of silence.

Four television anchors breaking in with the news that former White House
staffer and current California Lieutenant Governor Samuel Seaborn had been
elected to the United States Senate by a landslide.

Five people demanding that Josh hit "redial" and hand over the cell phone.

Bartlet won. "Give me that," he muttered as he snatched the phone from Josh's
hand and stared at the array of buttons over the rims of his glasses. "Apollo 11
didn't have this many controls."

Leo, smirking just a little, made the appropriate choices and seconds later the
President was talking to the new Senator.

Toby found himself holding C.J. in his arms. She was sobbing a little and
laughing a little and Josh was patting her on the back, a thrilled and more than
slightly goofy smile on his face. "He did it, he did it," C.J. murmured over and
over.

"One of us gets to stay here and govern," Leo whispered. "I'm so glad it's Sam."

"He's been in California for the last three years, and two of those were in
Sacramento. Technically he's not 'staying' here," Toby put in, trying to sound
gruff, but his heart was so full of pride that he ended up chuckling instead and
hugging C.J. even tighter.

Abbey had the phone now, talking to Sam and holding her hand over her other ear
so she could hear him better. Bartlet walked over to the others and put his arm
around Josh's shoulder. "Looks like I can go ahead and fire you, since you've
got a job lined up."

Furrows appeared on Josh's forehead. "What job?"

"Chief of Staff."

"For...whom?"

"Nice job, Jed," Abbey shot from across the room, holding her hand over the
mouthpiece. "I think Sam wanted to make that offer himself."

"Whoops." Bartlet shrugged. "He didn't tell me it was a secret."

"The man's a sieve, Sam," Abbey said into the phone. "I don't think Josh can
talk right now - his mouth's flapping open and shut like a beached fish. But I'm
pretty sure that C.J. would like to say a few words." She held the phone to
C.J., who wriggled out of Toby's grasp and took it.

"Senator Samuel Seaborn - I'm glad I only have to say that out loud for a few
more months." She listened for a moment, then laughed. "So I guess I can't call
you 'Spanky' anymore...God, Sam I don't know what to say. And are you really
hiring Josh?" There was another moment of silence followed by more bright
laughter. C.J. muffled the phone on her shoulder. "He says he actually wants
Donna, but the only way she'll work for him is if he takes you."

"Yeah, a laugh riot," Josh groused, but his expression was full of wonder.

"Tell him about the New Year's party," Abbey said in a loud stage whisper.

"Listen, Sam, Dr. Bartlet's throwing a New Year's party and since you're likely
to be in the neighborhood, would you like to drop by? And speaking of
neighborhoods, Toby's been grabbing at the phone and--"

"I have not," Toby protested, then he noticed that he'd risen from the sofa and
was now standing mere inches from C.J. "I have not been grabbing."

"He's looked longingly, so I'm gonna give you over to him. Yeah, I love you too.
Here he is."

Toby's hand trembled a little as he took the phone. "Hey."

"Toby! I wish you were here!"

Sam sounded as exhilarated as Toby had ever heard. More so than when they'd won
the first campaign, and certainly more than when they'd won the second and he'd
begun the process of separating himself from the White House.

"I wish I were there, too. It's no joy being in Washington tonight."

Sam cleared his throat. "Yeah. I bet. Has anyone talked to Hoynes?"

"Not yet. The President's gonna call in a little while." Toby mouthed the name
"Hoynes" to Bartlet and Leo, who nodded, their countenances turning solemn once
again. "Will you be back in D.C. in time for the party?"

"Wouldn't miss it. Listen, Toby, I've got to go make a speech and stuff, but it
was great talking to you."

"Who wrote the speech?" Toby asked, raising an eyebrow at C.J.

"I did," Sam said softly.

"Then you're gonna be okay. Knock 'em dead, Senator." With that, Toby folded the
phone again and handed it back to Josh. "He had to go give his acceptance
speech."

"You could write for him, you know," Leo said as he patted Toby on the shoulder.
"The guy's good, but you're better."

"I don't think so," Toby answered. He glanced at Bartlet, then C.J. "In fact, I
think I'm about written out, speech-wise."

"Don't say that!" Abbey's voice broke through the assorted denials. "I've seen
the drafts of Jed's farewell address and they're some of the most beautiful
words ever assembled on paper!"

"Thank you, ma'am." Toby rubbed his palms together as if his hands were cold. A
million thoughts raced through his mind, which made him speak even slower so
that the words wouldn't collide. "I serve at the pleasure of the President. But
sir, I was wondering - will you really need me around after the speech is
locked?"

"Toby, I'll always need you around. I hope you know that." Bartlet stood in
front of him, looking up at him with his blue eyes narrowed. Puzzled. "Do you
want to leave?"

"Not want. No, sir. But..." He trailed off, looking at C.J.'s stricken face and
Josh's closed eyes. "I think it's entirely possible that I've done all I can for
your administration and that to overstay my welcome would be...prolonging the
agony."

"Can we talk about this tomorrow?" Bartlet sounded weary. He clasped Toby's
forearms and held on for a few moments. "We've all got a lot to think about in
these next few weeks. If you want to talk to me about it, just step in and see
me. It's not as if I'm going to be doing much other than packing." At last he
smiled, and Toby managed to smile back. "And could someone get Josh to close his
mouth before he gets drool all over the carpet that will only be mine for the
next two months?"

C.J. tugged at Josh's hand. "I think we'd better get down to our offices. Good
night, Mr. President." She smiled as Abbey reached up to hug her. "Good night,
ma'am."

Toby and Josh said their goodnights as well, Josh lagging a little behind until
C.J. yanked him forward. After a moment, the Bartlets and Leo sat down again.

"Schiller. Holy God, Leo, what is wrong with the American people?" Bartlet's
tone was laced with disdain. Abbey snuggled against him as she and her husband
waited for Leo's response.

"I don't know, sir. Perhaps they're revolting against us."

"Or perhaps they're just revolting, full stop." Bartlet leaned his head back.
"You know the one thing I'm not gonna miss about this place, Leo?"

"What's that, sir?"

Bartlet tilted his head up again and met Leo's inquisitive gaze. "You calling me
'sir.'"

They all smiled, then Bartlet grew somber again as he reached for the phone and
told the operator to put him through to John Hoynes' campaign office.

***

"Josh, did you hear?" Donna asked as she met up with C.J., Toby, and Josh en
route to the mess. Her greeting bordered on a shriek and her face was
illuminated by an enormous smile. She tilted her head to one side, watching him.
After a delay and a nudge from C.J., Josh finally smiled back.

"Yeah, I talked to him a few minutes ago."

"You don't sound excited."

"You've been around Josh when he's excited," Toby said mildly, balancing on the
balls of his feet for a moment. "Are you sure you want to repeat the
experience?"

"I'm excited, I'm excited," Josh said, but his voice was still subdued.

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

Josh grabbed a cup of coffee and took a seat at a nearby table. "Two weeks ago I
agreed to be the Chief of Staff for the Minority Leader."

"You didn't think Sam would be elected?" C.J. asked, her voice getting higher
with each word. Toby placed a cup of coffee in front of her and one in front of
Donna before heading back to the sideboard to get his own.

"It's not that." Josh sighed and bent the red plastic stirrer into an uneven
triangle. "Even though it'd be unusual to elect a junior Senator who'd only
served at the state level for part of one term, it's not unheard of. It just
didn't occur to me that Sam would want me as part of his staff."

Toby froze with the carafe in one hand and the empty cup in the other. "Why the
hell not?"

"It's complicated."

"We have lots of time on our hands tonight," C.J. declared with a grateful nod
at Toby.

Donna handed Josh three packets of sugar, which he took and opened without
really looking at them. He started to stir the coffee before he realized that
he'd demolished the stirrer. Donna passed him another before he had a chance to
ask for it.

Josh began hesitantly. "When Sam decided to leave, he was--"

"Pissed?" Toby supplied.

"That, and disillusioned. He said he was particularly disillusioned in me."

"Why?" C.J. took a sip of her coffee and made a face. "This needs booze in it."

"What doesn't?" Donna asked as she handed Josh a napkin. "He's called your
office plenty of times."

"Yeah, for information and stats. But he didn't ask for my help on the
campaign."

"He didn't ask for mine, either," Toby cut in, "but I don't assume that it was
out of some sort of lingering resentment. He knew we were trying to help
Hoynes."

"I know. It's stupid." He couldn't find the words for the empty space he'd held
in his heart for the last three years, for not seeing Sam except on a couple of
quick stops in California. "I wasn't expecting him to offer."

"He didn't so much offer as blab to President Bartlet that he was going to,"
C.J. said matter-of-factly. "Still, you're going to have to make a decision in
the next couple of days."

"Oh, great." Josh drank from his cup and grimaced, then ran his tongue over his
teeth. "This is disgusting. I think we should go get a drink."

"I can't," C.J. said. "I promised to do a late briefing - I'm just waiting for
Carol to get me the rest of the results."

"I have a thing. In fact, I'm late for the thing, so if you'll excuse me, I've
got to run." Donna got up and dumped her cup into the trash. Josh watched her as
she departed, listening with his head cocked until the last click of her heels
could no longer be heard.

"She's got a thing, huh?" C.J. inquired.

Toby's eyes widened. "She's still seeing Calley?"

"Off and on," Josh grumbled. "Lately it's on. I guess she wants to cover her
bases in case of impending unemployment."

"Josh, if you want to get maudlin, then go home or go see Amy. I've got, you
know, stuff to do," Toby said as he grabbed his coffee and stood up.

"Sorry. It's been a weird kind of night. I'm not used to losing."

"You didn't lose, Josh. Hoynes did. If he'd put you on his staff, then--"

"He'd probably have lost anyway, Toby."

"Wow, way to be negative," C.J. said as she stood up as well. "Seriously, Josh,
go home. Get laid or something, would you? And tell the Minority Leader that you
got a better offer from a better man." She leaned over and kissed Josh on the
forehead. "See you in the morning."

"Got it." Josh sat in the dark, his head resting on his folded arms. After a few
minutes, he dragged his cell phone out and pressed two buttons. "Hey, Amy. It's
me. I know it's late, but..."

***

"Did you sleep at all?" C.J. asked the next morning as she entered Toby's office
without knocking.

"A little." He looked up from his laptop, hoping his eyes weren't as red and
bleary as he suspected. "I saw your briefing last night. Very classy."

"Thanks." She took a seat on the sofa and leaned forward. "I got something
after, though. From a couple of people."

"Something about what?"

C.J. was quiet for a few seconds. "Something the Majority Leader said about
'better enforcement of existing laws.'"

"Well, that's something we've never heard," Toby remarked, peering at C.J. from
around the screen. "What's the big deal?"

"The big deal is that the laws he's interested in enforcing are the ones about
sodomy. Anything that might imply sexual relations between two consenting adults
of the same gender."

Toby's laptop made a hiccuping protest as he closed it with a sharp gesture.
"Who gave this to you?"

"Mike said something about it, and Arthur and Katie confirmed. I'm having Carol
check the leads. But, Toby, if this is what he said--"

"We're not thinking about this right now. Not until we know exactly what he said
and to whom he said it."

"What if someone else leaks it?"

"That's their problem, C.J." Toby picked up a pencil and tapped it against the
desk. One-two-three, pause, one-two-three-four. Faster. Louder. "He hasn't been
sworn in yet, and already he's developing athlete's tonsils? This sounds too
good to be true."

"I'll check on it." She stood up, stretched, and went over to his desk. Perching
on the corner, she leaned over and put her hand on his shoulder. "Seriously,
Toby. How're you feeling?"

He looked down at the tapping pencil as if it were moving of its own volition.
Stilled it. Continued looking at the markings - Faber-Castell, no. 2. Swallowed.
"I understand that the Constitution allows for a total of eight years for a
President to be in office. I understand that we got here in '98 and we're
leaving in '06. I guess what I didn't really think about was that this is '06
and we're being evicted."

C.J. sighed. "It didn't seem real to me either, not until last night. When they
called it for Schiller. I mean, we knew Hoynes was going out, but this..."

"It's winding down. We're just figures in a cuckoo clock going 'round and 'round
with no destination. Slower and slower." Without looking at C.J., Toby held out
his hand and she clasped it between both of hers before bringing it to her lips.

"Come over tonight when you're done," she whispered.

They'd done this off and on for a decade. More frequently in the last few years,
especially after Sam had left for California. Comfort, solace, the unknotting of
their increasingly complicated lives.

He loved her, every world-weary inch, from the occasional gray hair that got
pulled out or colored over, down to the bright red polish on the nails of her
long, narrow toes. And everything in between.

"Yes," he said simply, opening his laptop again and beginning to type.

***

Jed Bartlet never puttered around.

He was always reading memos, signing things, making phone calls. Deciding the
fate of the nation. But today he found himself with an empty calendar and
nothing to do but pace the floor of Leo's office.

"If you wear a track in the carpet, they'll charge you for it," Leo remarked
without looking up from the open folder on his desk.

"Nah. I'll just say you did it." Bartlet made a cursory inspection of a painting
he'd seen a million times before, then settled his glasses back on his nose and
sighed loudly.

Leo took his time closing the report, then looked at his old friend. "Can I help
you?"

"I'm good. But thanks. It's just a weird day, you know? I'm about to be
unemployed for the first time since I was fifteen."

"You and a hell of a lot of other people," Leo said. "I'm gonna keep Margaret on
as a personal assistant and Donna will end up working for Josh, but most of
these people are going to be pounding the pavement in two months. Toby's
assistant, Ginger? I had someone send her home because she was bawling her eyes
out in the lobby and scaring the people on the tour."

Bartlet acknowledged Leo's words with a slight shake of the head. "Toby's gonna
bail on us, Leo, can you believe it?"

"He's had about the longest tenure of any Communications Director in anyone's
memory. I'd hardly call leaving in the last few months of the term 'bailing'
under any circumstances."

"I know. And maybe it's best that they leave one at a time instead of in a
clump." He put his hand over his heart. "I love these people, Leo, even the ones
whose names escape me. I don't think I could bear to lose them all at once."

"We survived when Sam went home." Leo recalled all too clearly those first few
days, when Toby had haunted the halls and Jed had stared at Sam's last speech as
if it were a lost chapter of Scripture. "It hurt like hell, but we survived. And
these people aren't dropping off the face of the Earth."

"No, but I will be. Abbey and I are going back to the farm, Leo, out in the
middle of nowhere, still surrounded by guards but not for a good reason."

"Ron's going to be on your detail." Ron Butterfield had requested permission to
leave the White House, citing continuing problems with his hand that had been
damaged by the bullet in Rosslyn.

"But Josh and Sam will be on the Hill, and C.J. will be in some big town making
a splash. And Toby - who knows where he'll end up?" Bartlet rubbed his hands
together and tilted his head up as if inspecting the ceiling. "The worst of it
is that I won't see you."

"I'm moving to Boston, not Bahrain. You'll see me."

"Not like this. I won't be able to open a door and have you there, waiting to
advise me."

Leo had to choke back a sob. The same sorrow had been gnawing at him for days,
set aside in the furor of the last days of the campaign but coming back
full-force today. He cast an involuntary glance at the folder on his desk, then
looked back up at the President. "You'll have Abbey, and the girls will be by
all the time. You won't be lacking in people telling you what to do."

"It won't be the same," Bartlet whispered, looking at Leo as if memorizing the
details of his face.

"No, sir." There was a pause. "But you'll appreciate me more once you've had a
chance to miss me."

"I doubt that's possible, but I'll give it a try. I'm going back to the office
while it's still mine. You want to have dinner with Abbey and me tonight?"

"Thanks, but I'm gonna see Mallory."

"Rain check? Tomorrow night?"

"I'll be happy to. Thank you, Mr. President." Leo smiled at Bartlet as he walked
through the connecting door.

The smile melted when Leo opened the folder again, took out the papers, and ran
his finger over the cadeuceus symbol next to his doctor's name.

***
Part 2