The Best of Wives and The Best of Women Part 2

by DeborahSampson1776

Sam's life changed forever when Ainsley Hayes, the future first female POTUS, kicked his a** on National TV. Teaser: "Well if that isn't the biggest pile of bushwa I've ever smelled." Six pairs of shocked eyes turned to Mrs. Landingham.

22. A Time For American Heroes

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to West Wing or Hamilton.

Note: This takes place in the context of 20 Hours In America Parts 1 and 2

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Ainsley's POV

Ainsley poured coffee beans into the coffee grinder as Sam's strong, warm arms wrapped around her from behind. "Hey Sleepyhead."

Sam nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck. "I'm not sleepy." He kissed her cheek.

Ainsley pressed the 'brew and grind' button. "You're supposed to be sleepin'." She turned around to face him as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Someone has to be checking in on those Southern governors. Someone has to be watching the politics." Sam said.

"You know us Southerners. We don't always behave ourselves." Ainsley said.

"So it's not just you?" Sam asked.

'Oh, very funny.' Ainsley raised her eyebrows and gave Sam a look. "…Somebody will be watchin' the politics. The White House Office of Political Affairs. You need to get some sleep." She kissed his cheek.

"But what if they need me?" Sam asked.

Ainsley stroked his rich brown hair. "They need you to sleep. In fact, Leo ordered you to sleep."

"I can't sleep. Not without you in my arms." Sam said.

Ainsley blushed. "You're incredibly sweet, you know that?"

Sam shrugged. "I try to be."

Ainsley smiled. "But I reckon that if I were to stay, you'd find another excuse not to sleep." Her eyes twinkled deviously.

Sam smiled. "Yes, I would."

"You'd probably sweep me off my feet, seduce me, and then fall asleep on top of me." Ainsley said.

"I probably would…. But… you'd enjoy… the process." Sam pressed kisses to her jawline and then her neck.

Ainsley sighed as she tilted her head back and softened under the gentle pressure of his lips. 'Oh… that feels good… keep doin' that.' "…Yes, yes I would."

The kisses continued. "Then… it'd be worth it. … And not for nothing,… but I'd be sleeping." Sam winked.

'Oh, you're good.' Ainsley smiled. "…Good point. And then I'd look at your handsome sleepin' face and think about how much I love you and how utterly happy you make me."

Sam cupped her cheek in his hand. "Not nearly…half… as happy as you make me." He kissed her.

"Hmm…. That's debatable." Ainsley said.

"I don't think so." Sam rubbed his eyes.

'See? Look at you. Babe, you're obviously exhausted.' "Hmmm…. I'll tell you what. You… get some sleep... and then I'll come by tonight and you can show me just how happy I make you." Ainsley's eyes twinkled as she kissed his cheek. "I have to go get dressed and ready for the day." She stroked his hair. "…Please, go get some sleep. I'll try to be as quiet as I can be." She walked towards his bedroom.

"Ehh, I'm up. At least for now. I was gonna watch some TV." Sam turned on the TV.

Ainsley gave him a look. "Sam."

"Seriously, Babe. I'm not tired. I slept really well after last night." Sam winked.

Ainsley quirked an eyebrow as she walked towards Sam. "Oh really."

Sam nodded. "Really."

Ainsley studied him for a moment. "…Hmmm… Maybe watchin' TV will get you to fall asleep." She kissed him. "So, do you promise to try to get some sleep today?" She stepped into his bedroom to get ready.

"…Yes." Sam said as Ainsley washed her diamond-shaped face and put on her SPF moisturizer followed by her foundation.

Ainsley spoke in a warning, firm tone. "Samuel Norman." She applied her blush, mascara, and lip gloss.

"Ainsley Charlotte." Sam said as Ainsley took off her pajamas and put on her underwear.

Ainsley narrowed her eyes as she put on her bra. "Don't you sass me." She put on her navy blue dress pants.

Sam smiled as he watched CNBC. "Yes ma'am. I promise … to … try. … Oh my God." His smile faded.

Ainsley put on a thin nude leather belt as she stepped out of his bedroom with her navy blue v-neck blouse with small polka dots draped over her forearm. "What is it?"

"The Dow. It dropped 200." Sam said.

"This close to Christmas?" Ainsley pulled her blouse over her head.

"Yeah. … Babe, I know I gotta sleep, but-" Sam started.

"But nuthin'. You're sleepin' today." Ainsley said.

"But -" Sam started.

"Samuel Norman." Ainsley warned.

"I know, I know. I'm supposed to sleep. But they're gonna need me." Sam said.

"And what exactly can you do about the Dow droppin' 200 and those misbehavin' Southern governors?" Ainsley stepped back into his room before she put on her hot pink blazer.

"I can advise the President and crack the whip on those Southern Governors." Sam said as Ainsley slipped into her nude flats.

"You can advise the President once you're well rested. They've got it covered. Even the Southern governors." Ainsley put on her pearl drop earrings with a gold knot. "Besides, I don't reckon that whippin' and spankin' those Southern governors'll work the way it does on me."

Sam sighed. "…Fine."

"Good." Ainsley held the matching necklace as she walked out to the sitting area. "Hey Honey, can you do the clasp on my necklace please?"

"Sure thing, Ainse." Sam stepped into his bedroom.

"There should be enough egg bites for breakfast and soup for lunch. That way all you have to think about is restin' that pretty little head of yours." Ainsley said.

"I actually pulled those egg bites out of the fridge. They're in the microwave right now." Sam did the clasp as the microwave beeped.

"Get some sleep. They'll need you fresh and well-rested tomorrow. The Dow dropped 200 and you have that event with the teachers tomorrow." She swept up her layered hair into a relaxed, half up half down with a pearl-encrusted clip.

"Okay, I will. Soon." Sam walked to the black and white kitchen.

Ainsley popped her purse in her tote before she followed Sam. Once in the kitchen, she poured coffee and creamer in a travel mug. "I love you." She grabbed her lunch box with snacks out of the fridge.

Sam smiled. "I love you, too." He pulled her in for a kiss before he handed her the egg bites in a napkin and she left.

Once Ainsley stepped outside his apartment, she pulled out her phone as went down the elevator and walked towards the street as she called Ginger. "Hello, this is the White House Communications Bullpen. How may I help you?" Ginger answered the phone.

"Hey, Ginger. It's me." Ainsley said.

Ginger relaxed. "Oh hey, Ainsley."

"So I'm on my way in right now, and- " Ainsley said.

"You think he's gonna try to come in today?" Ginger asked.

"Yea. He saw the news about the Dow droppin' 200." Ainsley said.

Ginger raised her eyebrows. "Oh, boy. … Okay, I'll let Leo know."

"Thanks." Ainsley said.

"No problem." Ginger hung up the phone.

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Ainsley's POV

Bartlet's voice echoed across the farm where the campaign was hosted on a crisp September morning with blue skies and white clouds in the background. "This isn't a time for people whose doomsday scenario is a little less at the pump for Texaco and Shell. This isn't a time for people who say there aren't any energy alternatives, just because they can't think of any. This is a time for American heroes, and we reach for the stars."

Josh and Ainsley walked with a blue-eyed woman. "He seems a little tense." The blue-eyed woman with shoulder-length strawberry-blonde hair gestured to Toby as he paced.

"Yeah." Josh's hands hung in his light gray dress pants' pockets.

"Why?" The woman asked.

"Because the President's speaking." Josh said.

"Why aren't you there?" The colors of her plaid flannel closely matched her hair.

"It's tough to explain." Toby's dark brown and olive green patterned tie floated in the breeze.

"No, it's not." Josh said.

"Shh." Toby gestured to them to stop walking and talking. "Okay."

Josh let out a chuckle. "The President has his blood pressure taken every morning. On higher blood pressure days, Toby's… not allowed to be in the President's sight line… while he's speaking."

The woman furrowed her low-set brows and laughed. "Why?"

"Stepped on it." Toby walked with one hand in his pocket.

"He has trouble concealing his displeasure." Josh said.

Toby gestured toward the event stage. "Stepped on it, and… he knows it, too."

"Look…" The woman's hair floated in the breeze.

Josh's blue and gray tie with diagonal stripes fluttered. "What do I say to people who ask… why we subsidize farmers… when we don't subsidize plumbers?" He turned to face the woman.

The woman faced Josh. "Tell'em they can pay 7 for a potato." She tucked her hands in her back pockets.

'The Market would work it out without subsidies.' Ainsley tucked her layered blonde hair behind her ears.

Josh chuckled. "Okay."

The woman looked out over the fields. "This is 200 acres of soy fields. It nets my family 30 an acre, which is 6000 a year."

Ainsley looked at the soy fields. 'Don't get me wrong, farmers are important, but the Agriculture Lobby just makes a mess of everythin'.'

Toby paced as he looked towards the stage. "Shh. Okay."

The woman started to speak. "Toby…"

"We worked with the… Conference Committee… to… increase payment limits for small farmers and we'd uh done it too, but no one could agree what 'small' meant." Toby said.

'Toby…" Ainsley thought.

Donna's shoulder-length hair swished back and forth as she walked towards them. "Josh!"

Josh turned to face Donna. "I think we'd better head back." Donna's tall frame and grey pantsuit came into focus.

Donna carried a canvas tote bag over her shoulder. "He's wrapping up."

"You seem pissed that I brought it up." The woman said.

'It's not your fault.' Ainsley walked.

"No, we're jus' talking." Toby said.

"We really gotta go now." Donna gestured her urgency with her hands as they walked back to the campaign site.

Josh turned his head back to the woman. "Donna's a little nervous. A couple a weeks ago, some guys got left behind by the motorcade in Kentucky."

Donna looked over her shoulder back at Josh as she walked a few paces ahead. "It was in Tennessee, and they were never heard from again."

"They took a cab." Josh said.

"Look…" The woman started.

"I think the real point is… whatever Toby and the Conference Committee... whatever definition they came up with… would've just… created more business for the lawyers for the big farm corporations. I wished we coulda had more time to talk, but…" Josh said.

'Yeah, I bet you wish you had more time to talk. She has a boyfriend.' Ainsley thought.

"There's no way you guys could stay a little, meet some people... Maybe catch up with the campaign at the next stop?" The woman asked, her voice eager.

"Nah, we've got one more stump in Unionville, and then we get on the plane. It's a full schedule at the office." Josh said.

We've got some voters here, Josh. Didya forget?" The woman asked.

'They might as well have forgotten.' Ainsley thought.

"...No." Josh had one hand in his pocket.

"They're voting for Ritchie." Toby tucked in his chin.

'Toby!' Ainsley thought.

"What?" The woman asked.

"Indiana's voting for Ritchie… If there was someone… less competent than Ritchie on the ballot, that's who Indiana'd be voting for." Toby said.

'Toby! I'm warnin' you.' Ainsley thought.

"Why'd you come out here?" The woman asked.

Toby gestured. "When somebody can give me an answer to that question, I'll let you know."

'That's it!' "Toby!" Ainsley scolded.

"Listen, write of Indiana, but don't write off the small farmers. It's getting bad out here. … It is bad out here." The woman said.

"We paid farmers… 67 billion… over the last three years." Josh said.

Ainsley's green eyes blazed. 'Seriously, Josh? You too?' "Tobias Zachary Ziegler! Joshua Lyman! Y'all better go apologize right now!"

"Why would I do that?" Josh peered at Ainsley through his sunglasses.

'Are you serious?' "For the way y'all just talked to Cathy!" Ainsley scolded.

"Sorry for being a pompous jackass." Toby said.

"…Yeah, sorry." Josh said.

"It's okay. Josh... the 67 billion brought this country the least expensive food and the greatest variety of it in the world, and surely that's gotta… register…" Cathy spoke.

Donna looked up from her cell phone and froze, her round blue eyes popping out of her head. "Hang on." She scanned the campaign site.

"And its gotta register wi' the pe-" Cathy continued.

"No…" Josh gestured to Cathy to hold her thought. "She's right. Where is it? … Where's the motorcade?" Josh scanned the campaign site before addressing a teenage girl with a denim vest decked out in political buttons. "Hey, 'scuse me. Where's the… motorcade?"

The teenager pointed to the road in the background. "It's out there."

Josh, Toby, Ainsley, and Donna spun around to see the motorcade driving away. Josh flung his arms in the air as he shouted. "HEY! Hey!" Josh held the base of his head in his hands.

"You guys need a button? 'Bartlet for America'?" The teenager offered. Just then, Donna walked away from the group with her cell phone up to one ear and her finger in her other ear.

Josh followed Donna. "All right, Donna, listen, we gotta get the trailer car."

Ainsley followed Josh. 'That's exactly what she's doin'.'

"Hang on." Donna said.

"Call Campaign Scheduling and Advance and tell 'em…" Josh continued.

Donna turned her head to Josh. "Hang on."

"Josh! She's already doin' that." Ainsley said.

Josh's warm brown eyes darted behind his brown sunglasses. "Oh… Well, I just had to make sure…. and… and… and we can't afford to… you know… wait."

Ainsley stared at him and shook her head. 'You need to calm down. Flyin' off the handle helps no one.'

"Thank you." Donna hung up her cell phone. "There's no trailer car today."

"Really?" Josh asked.

"Yeah." Donna said.

Josh put his hands in his pockets. "Good budget cut. Good item." He turned to Cathy. "Cathy, where's the closest cab?" Josh, Donna, and Ainsley walked closer to Cathy.

"About a 110 ten miles as the crow flies." Cathy said.

"All right." Josh muttered before he turned around.

"What's the best way for me to get these guys to Unionville?" Donna asked.

"We'll take you." Cathy said.

Josh turned around to face Cathy. "Really?"

"Yeah. It'll give me a chance to show you the soy diesel car." Cathy said.

"Okay, this car... it can…" Josh started.

"It's… a regular car." Cathy said.

Ainsley walked over to where Toby stood, which was near the white folding chairs. "Toby! Cathy's givin' us a ride."

"Excuse me?" Toby asked an elderly woman who walked by.

"Yes?" The woman asked.

"You heard the speech, right?" Toby asked.

"Toby! We have to go." Ainsley said.

The woman smiled. "Oh, Yes. … It was very good."

"Toby! Say thank you for comin' so this nice lady can get on with her day." Ainsley said. 'And so we can get goin'.'

"Thank you for coming today. We appreciate your support." Toby said.

"Oh, you're welcome." The woman smiled.

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Ainsley's POV

Cap sat on one of the wheel tubs on the truck bed floor next to Toby. "It's just a regular diesel engine. There's no retrofitting. The glow plugs heat up the fuel, but from there the soy diesel just keeps exploding on itself like any engine." He rested his large elbows on the side of the truck bed.

Josh's elbows rested on the side of the truck bed opposite Cap. "You did it yourself?"

"Oh, it's easy." Cap said.

Toby sat in between the rear panel and Cap, across from Ainsley. "He's out there right now." He leaned forward to check the time on the car's radio. "…He started."

Josh creased his large forehead. "We really need to get this guy to Unionville. He's gonna wig."

"He's out there." Toby checked his watch.

"Take your mind off it. Think about the lovely Cathy…" Josh started.

'Stop before you hurt yourself.' Ainsley thought.

"… farmer's daughter with a Master's Degree. Wholesome but... maybe not too wholesome." Josh smirked. "I think she liked you too." He then turned to Cap, who looked like he could crush Josh with his bare hands.

'Heaven help us.' Ainsley grimaced.

"...How d'you know Cathy?" Josh asked.

Cap looked Josh in the eye. "She's my girlfriend."

'Knew it.' "Josh, you homewrecker!" Ainsley spoke with mock admonishment.

Josh raised his eyebrows and creased his forehead. "What? I didn't know!" His eyes popped.

Ainsley stifled a laugh. "It was obvious to everyone who's not oblivious."

"Well… not that obvious to people in the next state over." Toby said.

"I'm not oblivious." Josh said.

'Oh really.' Ainsley knocked on the cab window. "Hey Donna!"

Donna opened up the window and looked back over her shoulder. "Yeah?"

"Is Josh oblivious?" Ainsley asked.

"We're talking about Josh LemonLyman, right?" Donna asked.

Ainsley closed the window before she turned back to Josh, Toby, and Cap. "Donna wants to know if 'We're talkin' about Josh LemonLyman.'"

"I'm not oblivious. It's just the stress of the campaign. I miss the salient details, cause I'm… you know… tryna win an election." Josh said.

Toby furrowed his bushy brows. "Why'd she call him LemonLyman?"

"It's nothing, Toby. It's nothing. Just a stupid nickname they made up." Josh said.

Ainsley smirked and raised her delicate eyebrows at Josh. "Just a stupid nickname we made up? Oh, come on, Josh. Don't hold out on poor Toby. … So Donna, Ginger, Bonnie, Carol, and Margaret found a website dedicated to Josh's groupies called ' '."

"Josh has groupies?" Toby asked.

"Yeah. They have a blog called . This one-" Ainsley said.

Toby's dark brown eyes popped. "I'm sorry, THIS one?"

Ainsley nodded. "Yeah, there's also the LymanHoes and others too. Anyway, these sites are all things Josh Lyman. Everythin' he says on TV, everythin' he works on, sightin''s around town, fantasy dates that they'd like to have with Josh… Well Josh, in his infinite wisdom and despite Donna beggin' him not to, decided that he should tell his groupies that he 'can order a GAO review on anything he wants'… and then he signed off as Josh LemonLyman."

"Did C.J. rip your throat out?" Toby asked.

"She got close after Josh tried to pull rank." Ainsley laughed.

Toby furrowed his brows. "Pull rank?"

"Yeah, he tried to remind her that he outranked her." Ainsley said.

Toby raised his eyebrows. "Bet that went over well."

Ainsley laughed. "Oh yeah, C.J. left him cowerin' like a little girl." She turned to Cap. "…How long have y'all been together?"

"We've been best friends since middle school, but we didn't start dating until about a year ago." Cap said.

"Awwww… that's so sweet. My boyfriend, Sam, and I've been together for a little over a year, but I swear, it's like we've known each other our whole lives." Ainsley became starry-eyed. "But you better hold tight, cause some city boy's gunna try sweepin' her off her feet."

Josh's eyes popped out of his head and his high forehead creased. "Hey! I'm not a city boy!" His face grew hot and red.

Ainsley laughed. "Josh, you're about as country as Central Park."

Josh grumbled. "Central Park has… you know… nature." He set his square jaw with clenched teeth. Cathy drove the maroon truck past miles of farmland before the engine spluttered and the truck slowed down. "Why are we slowing down?" He looked around.

Cap squinted at the dashboard. "Uh-oh."

Josh's eyes went wide. "Are we outta gas?"

"Diesel." Cap said.

"Are we… out of it?" Josh looked towards the cab as the truck came to a stop.

Cathy hopped out of the cab and walked to the back where Toby, Josh, Ainsley, and Cap were. "We're outta gas."

"Diesel." Cap said.

Toby fiddled with his fingers as his elbow rested on his bent knee. "Nobody cares."

Donna stood on the running board as she squinted. "Cathy says that there's a gas station about a thousand yards down the road." She hopped down.

"They don't have diesel." Cap said.

"They don't have diesel." Toby gestured with his hands.

Donna shielded her eyes from the sun. "Where's the closest diesel?" Her shirt was unbuttoned halfway down with a white camisole underneath.

Cap climbed out of the truck bed. "About ten miles."

"All right, can I suggest this." Donna checked her watch. "We've missed Unionville. We've got a little over an hour till the plane leaves and we can make it if we call a volunteer and have them pick us up at the gas station." She gestured to Cathy and Cap. "You guys can have the tow truck meet you there."

Cathy rested her forearm on the side of the truck bed. "Oh, we're not calling a tow truck. It's just outta gas."

Cap squinted. "Diesel."

Josh stood on the truck bed. "What are you going to do?"

"We'll hitch back to the farm and pick some up." Cathy said.

Josh looked down to where Cathy stood. "Somebody's gonna pick ya up out here?" Just then a black pick-up truck pulled up.

A man in his 50's with glasses slowed to a stop. "You guys run outta diesel?" He rested his forearm on the driver side door.

"Yeah." Cap said.

"Need a lift back to the farm?" The man asked.

"Thanks!" Cap walked around to the other side of the black truck.

"Sy, these guys work for Bartlet." Cathy rested her hands on her hips.

"How you doing?" Josh asked.

"Didn't vote for him the first time. Don't plan to the second time." Sy said.

"Have a good trip back." Cathy waved. "Remember some of that stuff I said, okay?"

"Thanks… for all the help." Josh waved as Cathy climbed into the truck before Sy drove off and Donna dialed her cell phone. "Okay, call the State Office." He scratched his eyebrows. "Tell 'em to send a local volunteer. Tell 'em… we don't have time... You're doing it, right?"

"Yeah." Donna said.

Josh looked around at the corn fields. "…This is fun. We're roughing it." His enthusiasm wavered at the sight of Toby's annoyed face. "…This is fun."

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Ainsley's POV

Josh wore his sunglasses as he stepped out of the gas station and walked up to Donna and Ainsley. "Can we just call ahead and make sure the plane's going to be there when we get there?" He put his hands in his pockets.

Donna flipped through a booklet while Ainsley rested her eyes, her head leaning against the pillar. "It'll be there."

"Can you call ahead?" Josh asked.

"I've been calling. I can't get anyone on their cell. They're in a bad calling area." Donna reached into her tote bag.

"Well… keep trying." Josh tossed his suit onto the soda cooler as Donna dialed her phone. Ainsley dozed off as Donna walked around the corner. A minute or so passed before Ainsley heard a commotion from gravel hitting the metal barrel, which was followed by a couple more commotions before he walked over to Ainsley. "Why are you hellbent on embarrassing me today?" His hands rested just above his hips.

Ainsley slowly opened her large green eyes."You mean why am I holdin' you accountable? Why am I givin' you a hard time for the jokes that you walked into?"

"You keep humiliating me." Josh ran his fingers through his hair.

"You don't need me to humiliate you. You've been doin' that all on your own. … Toby, are you upset that I called you out earlier and made you apologize? Or that I steered you away from questionin' that lady?" Ainsley asked.

Toby sat with his elbows on his knees. "No."

"And why is that?" Ainsley asked.

"Because I can take criticism and own up to my mistakes … you know… like a man." Toby chewed his gum.

"Why'd you have to make fun of me?" Josh asked.

"It was funny and it smoothed over an awkward situation." Ainsley said.

"Awkward how?" Josh asked.

"You told Cathy's boyfriend that she was 'wholesome but not too wholesome'… Luckily you backed off, but it could have been awkward if we didn't tease you." Ainsley said.

Toby gestured with his index finger. "Exactly."

"So? I made a mistake and backed off." Josh said as Donna rejoined the group.

Ainsley groaned. 'And thank Heavens you did.' "We know that, but it still could've been awkward if we didn't tease you."

Donna put her phone in her tote bag. "It's the only way I can deal with you."

Josh looked at Donna. "But you deal with it anyway."

'Donna's paid to deal with it.' "What's that supposed to mean?" Ainsley asked.

"Donna deals with it, so… everyone else can too." Josh said.

Ainsley half closed her eyes. 'You think mighty highly of yourself, don't you?' "Get over yourself. It's too hot to be actin' like that."

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Ainsley's POV

Donna sat in the passenger seat of a red Jeep as alternative rock music played on the radio. "It's great that you're volunteering, Tyler. You're not even old enough to vote, and here you are working for a campaign. That's great."

"They give us school credit." A lanky boy with shaggy brown hair smirked as he drove through back country roads.

"Well, good for your school." Donna said as Ainsley ate gummy bears in the back middle seat.

"I mean, that's not… the only reason I did it or anything." He scrunched his shoulders.

"You like the President?" Donna asked.

He shrugged and nodded. "…Yeah,… I think he's okay. … I mean, most of my friends are for Ritchie. Not that they're that political or anything, I guess, … but their parents are for Ritchie so, … you know, … I guess…"

"...Yeah." Donna said.

Josh rested one forearm on the car door. "… 'He pretends there are no energy alternatives 'cause he can't think of any.' … That wasn't in the staff copy yesterday. How did that make it into the speech today? 'He pretends… there are no energy alternatives 'cause he can't think of any.'"

"They… They can't think of any." Toby sat on the other side of Ainsley.

"When we were referring to flood damage in Missouri last Thursday, … four times… the President said, 'Emergency management's complex.' " Josh looked at Toby.

Toby looked straight ahead. "It is complex."

Josh raised his voice. "What does that matter to people who just lost their house? Finding a place for their kids to sleep tonight is complex."

'Good point.' Ainsley thought.

"Thanks, 'cause I was having a tough time prioritizing that one." Toby looked over at Josh.

"If y'all don't stop bickerin', I'm gunna have Tyler pull over and leave y'all on the side of the road." Ainsley said.

"You can't do that. I'll be left alone with him." Josh whined.

'Watch me.' "Then, Josh, I suggest that you pull up your big girl panties and stop with this bickerin', or else you're gunna have to find your own way home." Ainsley said, making Donna unsuccessfully suppress a laugh and Toby burst out laughing.

Toby spoke once he caught his breath. "Sorry, Ainsley. I'll stop."

"Thank you. But Josh does have a good point that he's not articulatin' very well." Ainsley said.

"Excuse me, I articulate my points just fine." Josh sneered.

"He does?" Toby asked.

"I think what Josh is tryin' to say is that the speech the President gave in Missouri was a bit aloof to the real issues that everyday Americans deal with. When it comes to hurricanes and floods they just wanna hear that you empathize with them and your plan to fix things." Ainsley turned to Josh. "Did I get that right, Josh?"

Josh clenched his teeth. "…Yeah."

"I have to pull over for a minute." The boy said.

Toby did a double take. "What did he say?"

"This'll just take a minute." The boy stopped the Jeep and hopped out. "Kiki!"

"What the hell...?" Toby said as Tyler ran to catch up with three teenage girls walking their bikes.

"Excuse me." Ainsley said to Toby, who stepped out of the Jeep to let her out. "Tyler, get back in the Jeep." She followed him.

Tyler looked back. "Just a second, Ms. Hayes." He turned back to the three girls. "You don't return phone calls anymore."

Kiki, the petite girl with a brunette bob wearing a red polo shirt and blue jean shorts, turned to face Tyler. "Ugh…" She rolled her eyes. "I return some."

"Thanks a lot." Tyler said.

"You know, we have to get back to school." Kiki said.

Tyler fiddled with his fingers. "What about the stuff I sent to your house?"

Kiki turned to face Tyler. "Yeah, could you stop sending stuff to my house? It's kinda creepy."

'Yeah, that is kinda creepy.' "Tyler, you better get yourself back in the Jeep, cause it's gunna leave one way or another, with or without you." Ainsley said.

Tyler scoffed. "Yeah, you know what?" He threw up his hands and his voice escalated as Josh stood up. "Sue me, I guess… 'cause I love you. Place me under arrest, Kiki. Let's everybody do that. Let everybody get a-a writ of injustice, lock me up and throw the book."

'Oh boy.' Ainsley thought. She shouted "Tyler!" just as Josh said "Tyler…".

Tyler looked back. "Just a second, Ms. Hayes and Mr. Lyman."

"You can't be creepy stalking guy, okay? You're not that guy, Tyler. You're better than that." Kiki said.

"Not that much better." Donna mumbled out of the corner of her mouth with one elbow resting on the dash.

"Would you… get in there?" Josh said before Donna joined Ainsley.

"Tyler, I'm serious. We don't have time for this." Ainsley said.

"You have to move on, Tyler. You have to live in the now. You're totally stressing her." Kiki's friend with curly brown hair said.

"Excuse me. I'm so sorry to interrupt in what obviously is a private moment … between the two of you… and your... two friends. … We came in this morning…" Donna said as Josh and Toby joined them.

Kiki's blonde friend spoke. "We know who you are. We're not rednecks."

"Okay. … Well, I'm Donna Moss … and this is my boss." Donna gestured to Josh.

"Josh Lyman." Josh said.

"Ainsley Hayes." Ainsley said.

"Toby Ziegler." Toby said.

"Anyway, we're very crunched for time and we think that you…" Donna crinkled her forehead as Josh looked at Toby with a smile.

Toby made eye contact with Josh. "I work at the… White House."

"Wow, humongous whoop." Kiki's curly brunette friend said.

"Come on. He's Communications Director. It's a decent-sized whoop." Josh smiled big with his dimples.

"How many unborn babies did you guys kill today?" The curly-haired brunette asked.

"How many unborn babies these people killed today to suit the wants of men is a discussion for another time." Ainsley's diamond face hardened, her cheekbones even more prominent than usual as she turned to Tyler. "We've got 15 minutes to get to a plane 3 miles from here. That plane, Heaven help me, is takin' off at 1 o'clock. So Tyler, I'm not gunna ask you again. If you don't shake a tail feather and get yourself in that Jeep, I WILL take your keys and leave you here on the side of the road." Her green eyes blazed. "Is… that… clear?"

Tyler's eyes popped and his face went white. "… Yes ma'am." He quivered. "…It's … it's taking off a 1:00?"

"Yes it is." Ainsley said.

Kiki checked her watch. "Are-are you guys stupid or something? It's 1:45 right now."

Josh checked his watch. "It's 12:45."

Kiki shook her head. "Nooo, not here it's not."

Donna's eyes went wide. "…Oh, my God, she's right." She went back to the Jeep.

'Oh, Good Lord.' Ainsley thought.

"Seeeee… we… crossed over from Unionville into Dearborn County… which doesn't observe Daylight Saving Time." Tyler grimaced.

"I think it's the other way around, genius." The blonde friend said.

"What'd I ever do to you?" Tyler asked.

Donna read the schedule. "It says on the schedule, 'All times are local.' This is why I couldn't get anyone on their cell." She tucked her blonde hair behind her ear.

"Wait. Wait. Nuh-nuh-no. You're not…" Josh rubbed his forehead. "We changed time zones?" He raised the inner corners of his brows and creased his forehead. "We changed ti-... We changed TIME ZONES?!"

"It's a-a-a common mistake." Tyler said.

Josh threw his hands in the air. "NOT… for the U.S. government!" His rectangular face went red.

Toby gesticulated. "What kind of SCHMUCK-ASS system could this possibly…"

"That's GOOD! That's PERFECT!" Josh shouted as he walked down towards the covered bridge. Meanwhile, Kiki and her friends stared at them in shock.

"How… how did ...? I don't understand. How…" Toby stammered.

"Perfect. Just the break I'm looking for." Josh shouted from down the hill.

"What do...? What do...? People, they just… they just… they… they… they… they reset their watches when they commute?" Toby stammered.

"I CAN'T TAKE WORKING HERE!" Josh shouted from the covered bridge.

"They… they just change their watches every time they uh cross a-a time zone? … What is this, a JOKE?!" Toby meandered down the hill after Josh with his shirt half tucked in.

"SERVING MY COUNTRY!" Josh shouted.

Donna took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment as Josh shouted nonsense. "Okay. … This is a whole new thing now. Our guys are going to need to walk this off a bit… before they can regroup. … Kiki, you and your friends get back to school. Tyler, you, Ainsley, and I are gonna come up with a plan to get us to a commercial airport."

"Do we have… a civilization?!" Josh bellowed as the girls left.

Tyler turned to look at Josh and Toby. "Okay, how long are they gonna be?" He, Donna, and Ainsley watched Toby thwack the guardrail.

"…A couple more minutes." Ainsley said.

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Sam's POV

Sam woke up with a start to Josh shouting "SAAAAMMM!" He nearly fell out of his sleigh bed and knocked over his lamp while he tried to reach for the phone. "Sorry. It's all right. Hang on. No problem…. Hi. … Sorry." He hung off the bed half way in his bedroom with his curtains and blinds drawn.

"Nah, I'm sorry buddy. I know you're supposed to be sleeping today." Josh said.

Sam caught his breath as he sat on the floor with one knee bent. "No, it's no problem. What's going on?"

"I'm with Toby… and Donna… and Ainsley and we are stranded somewhere in Indiana."

Sam's voice perked up. 'Ainsley? She's gonna be exhausted.' "Ainsley's with you?"

"Seriously?" Josh asked.

"She's my girlfriend, Josh. Do you expect me not to care that she's stranded?" Sam asked.

Josh clenched his teeth. "…No."

"Then what's the issue?" Sam asked.

"I just don't know why you asked about her before us." Josh asked.

"Because she's my girlfriend and the love of my life." Sam said.

Josh flared his nostrils. "Still to be determined."

Sam took a deep breath. "Noooo, that's already been determined. … So you got left behind by the motorcade?"

Josh had one hand on his hip. "Yeah. And then we ran out of gas, and then there was a time zone foul-up, your girlfriend keeps yelling at me and she's making fun of me-"

"Josh!" Sam and Donna shouted.

"What? She keeps yelling at me and she called me a city boy. Can you get her to stop?" Josh walked down the hill.

Sam laughed. "No, because she's right."

"You think I'm a city boy?" Josh asked.

"Elite prep schools… cream of the crop… Harvard undergrad… Yale Law… I think that's the definition of the city boy." Sam rested an elbow on his bent knee as he held up the landline to his ear.

Josh gritted his teeth. "…Shut up."

"And if she's yelling at you, then she's got good reason." Sam chuckled.

"What possible reason could she have?" Josh asked.

'You're not serious.' "Do you really want me to answer that?" Sam asked.

"Yea." Josh said.

"You've probably given her plenty of reasons to yell at you, just by you being you." Sam said.

Josh ran his hands through his hair. "Oh, yeah?"

"Should I ask Toby?" Sam asked.

Josh rubbed his forehead. "No. Maybe."

"I figured." Sam said.

"Anyway, we also got waylaid by some mean schoolgirls… Alpha girls, … you know what I'm sayin'?" Josh asked.

'Dude that makes you sound so lame.' Sam thought.

"Josh." Donna said.

"They were." Josh said to Donna.

'What, did a bunch of schoolgirls kick your ass too? Sorry I missed it.' "So, what are you doing now?" Sam asked.

"We're getting a lift to the Connersville Metro… which is going to take us to Indianapolis… where we're going to get a flight to either Dulles… or BWI… or LaGuardia." Josh said.

'LaGuardia? That's a long way from home.' "Listen, if… you want to give me your call sheets, I can farm out a few memos for you." Sam said.

"I actually… need you to do more than that, Sam. I need you to… staff the President. He's got one of those days." Josh said.

'What?' "I… don't know… what it is you do in there." Sam said.

"Yeah, you do. Anything… ceremonial, security related, or personal,… you leave the room. As it gets later in the day, he's gonna start to talk to you. … You're gonna tell him how the meeting he just had with his Council of Economic advisors relates to the meeting he had with the Agriculture Secretary, relates to his intelligence briefing, relates to the environment, relates to jobs, relates to education, relates to the campaign. You're… his … wide-angle lens." Josh said.

'Holy crap.' "There are going to be… any… number of areas… on which I can't give him expert advice." Sam said.

"Welcome to the club, partner. We got jackets." Josh said.

"…All right." Sam opened his mouth and then clamped it shut. "I'm not gonna let you down."

"You never do." Josh said.

"Can I talk to Ainse?" Sam asked.

"Sure you don't want to keep the mystery between you two?" Josh asked.

Sam creased his forehead. "The mystery?"

"Yeah, the mystery of what Ainsley is like in the Midwest." Josh said.

Sam smiled. "I just wanna hear the sound of her voice."

"Really." Josh said.

Sam laughed. "You can mock me all you want, but one day you'll fall in love like this and you'll understand." 'Well… you have, but that's another story.'

"Yeah right." Josh said.

"You just don't know what it is to love like this." Sam said.

Josh creased his high forehead. "Sam, if I ever 'know what it is to love like this', then put me outta my misery."

Sam laughed sarcastically. "Deal." 'I'm not doing that.'

Josh rubbed his forehead. "I'm serious, Sam."

Sam smirked. "Well, it remains to be seen if I am."

"Sam!" Josh shouted.

"Come on, Josh. I want you to be happy and find true love like I did." Sam said.

"...Thanks… I guess." Josh grimaced.

Sam laughed. "Don't mention it. Can I talk to Ainsley?"

Josh raised his eyebrows. "You really wanna hear the sound of her voice?"

Sam smiled. "Yes, Josh. I really do."

Ainsley spoke once Josh handed her Donna's cell phone. "Hey Honey."

"Hey Ainse. Josh has been making an ass outta himself I presume?" Sam said.

"You bet." Ainsley said.

"How bad?" Sam asked.

"Well… he kept talkin' down to a campaign volunteer, Cathy. And then he kept barkin' orders at Donna even though she was already doin' the things he needed. And, to top it all off, he told a guy who was obviously her boyfriend that Cathy was 'wholesome but not too wholesome'. Toby and I smoothed it over with jokes and teasin', but Josh is pitchin' a fit over the fact that I called him out." Ainsley said.

'Oh God.' "Well you should be calling him out. … You know, he doesn't wanna be in love like we are." Sam said.

"He doesn't? I feel sorry for him." Ainsley said.

"He wants me to put him out of his misery if he ever is." Sam said.

Ainsley laughed. "That might be because he struck out today."

"Yeah." Sam tilted his head back.

"So you have to go in and staff the President. You poor thing. You're gunna be so tired." Ainsley's eyes rounded.

Sam smiled with half-closed eyes. 'So are you.' "Not tired enough for you." 'I need you here to get really tired.'

Ainsley smiled. "I can't wait until I'm home in your arms again."

"Me neither." Sam said.

Ainsley spoke in a firm tone. "Promise me that you'll take a cab in so that you can get a ride or a cab back tonight."

"I promise." 'Well… I promise I'll take one to the airport to pick you up.' Sam said.

"You got this, Honey. I love you." Ainsley said.

Sam smiled. "I love you too." He hung up the phone. His head tilted forward as he took a deep breath. "…Get dressed. … Now."

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Ainsley's POV

Toby spoke to a waitress who stormed off into the kitchen of the wood-paneled roadside restaurant. Meanwhile, Donna put books away in her tote bag as she sat at a restaurant table with Josh, Ainsley, and Tyler. "Out in the parking lot when you said it's Monday, I flashed on the song. A few days ago, someone told me that… a girl… shot up her school one morning and we they asked her why, she said, "I don't like Mondays," and that's where the song comes from."

Josh rested his elbow on the back of his chair and rested the side of his head in his hand. "…Yeah."

"You knew that?" Donna asked.

Josh avoided eye contact. "Yeah."

"That's where the song comes from?" Donna asked.

"Yeah." Josh said.

Donna's eyes went wide. "I'm… sorry… about… the time zones."

"It's not your fault, Donna." Ainsley said as Toby joined them.

Donna averted her eyes as she let out an embarrassed laugh. "It is,... but… thanks for trying anyway."

"How is it your fault?" Ainsley asked.

"I… I don't know." Donna said.

Ainsley put a reassuring hand on Donna's. "Donna, just because Josh thinks it's your fault doesn't mean it is."

Josh's square jaw dropped. "I don't blame her!"

Ainsley turned to Josh. "She seems to think that you blame her. Tell her how and why you don't blame her, with details please."

"Okay." Josh took a deep breath as he tucked his chin under. "You should've known that all times were local before we even landed!" His eyes popped as he raised his eyebrows.

Ainsley quirked a delicate eyebrow. "I thought you didn't blame her."

"I… I dunno how to answer that." Josh said.

''So I was right.' "So you do blame her." Ainsley turned to Donna. "As I said, just because Josh thinks it's your fault, doesn't mean that it's your fault. … In fact, Josh thinkin' anythin' is true doesn't make it so."

Josh raised his eyebrows and set his jaw. "Hey!"

Ainsley turned to Toby. "What do you think Toby? Is the time zone thing Donna's fault?"

Toby raised his eyebrows. "No."

Ainsley continued. "And does Josh thinkin' anythin' is true necessarily make it so?"

"Absolutely not." Toby said.

They sat in awkward silence as Josh fumed, his jaw set. "Why is it… we cite… Ritchie's… advisors… by name? The Milton Friedman economic plan? … The Leonard Tynan education plan? … It's our way of calling him… a puppet, right?" He leaned his head on his hand.

"Josh, he cites them more than we do, which is his way of saying, 'I wanna be President the same way you wanna cold beer.' "

'And y'all wonder why Republicans think we're snobs.' Ainsley thought.

"No. It's his way of saying, "I think it's great… that … Bartlet's a Nobel Prize winner. When I'm elected, I'm gonna hire me some of those." Josh said.

"No, no. … Should be what he's saying. What he's saying is, 'Eastern education isn't for real men, … but don't worry. I'll have Jews… for the money stuff.'" Toby turned to Donna as a Twizzler dangled from her mouth. "…You mind calling C.J. for me?

"That line from the convention speech- 'no challenge is too great for a… Potemkin presidency?' " Josh asked.

Toby chewed his gum as he flipped open his paper. "It… is… true."

Josh raised his eyebrows. "Most people weren't the smartest kid in the class. Most people didn't like… the smartest kid in the class."

Ainsley gestured to Josh. "That's a good point."

Josh turned to Ainsley. "Did you just agree with me for the second time today? Are you worried that the rapture might be coming?"

Ainsley raised her eyebrows at Josh. 'The rapture?' "I agreed with you 'cause you made a good point."

Josh did a double-take. "I did? … I mean… you think I did?"

"Yes, you did. … You're just not used to it 'cause it's not a regular thing." Ainsley said as Toby laughed and Donna tried not to laugh.

Donna handed Toby the phone. "C.J."

"Thank you. Hello." Toby said. After a few moments, he set the phone down on the napkin holder.

"What?" Josh said.

"She'd like you both to … stop by… her… office." Toby chuckled.

Josh put her on speaker. "C.J., it's me, … and Ainsley and Donna are here too. Did you… happen to notice… that… we weren't on the plane?"

"You weren't on the plane?" C.J. asked.

"We missed the plane." Josh said

"What happened between Unionville and the plane?" C.J. asked.

"We missed Unionville. We missed the motorcade." Josh said.

"Bummer." C.J said.

"Yeah." Josh said.

"Dry rub's up!" The waitress shouted in the background as Toby and Tyler got up to get dry rub order.

"I … LOVE… dry rub. … They take the meat and-" C.J. exclaimed.

Josh tried to hang up when Ainsley batted his hand. "Josh, let her talk. Go ahead, C.J."

"Did he just try to hang up on me?" C.J. asked.

"He sure did." Ainsley said.

"Is he being difficult?" C.J. asked.

"Ainsley's got it handled." Toby said as he and Tyler came back with the food.

"She keeps yelling at me and making fun of me." Josh whined as the group got up to go.

"With good reason." Ainsley said.

"You go girl. … So about why I wanted you both to stop by my office- Abbey appeared on a local LA station and was asked about her license. She said 'Right now, I'm just a wife and mother.'" C.J. said.

"And that's been taken as 'just… a wife and mother'?" Ainsley asked as they walked out of the restaurant.

"Yeah." C.J. said.

"Don't touch it." Josh said.

"That's what Bruno said." C.J. said.

"I agree. But I get where it's comin' from. Now I don't think we need an official statement, but we should subtly make it clear that we support families." Ainsley said as they stood outside of the jeep and Tyler got in the driver seat.

"That's… not a bad idea." C.J. said.

Ainsley turned to Josh as he opened the jeep door. "What do you think, Josh?"

Josh climbed up and sat down in the backseat as Toby sat in the passenger seat. "…I think it could work." He said as Donna followed suit.

Ainsley slid in next to Donna. "What does Bruno think?"

"He said that my plan to issue a statement that said 'You're annoying, shut up.' was a bad one." C.J. said.

Josh raised his eyebrows. "Smart move."

"Josh." Donna said.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Sam?" C.J.'s voice carried from the Bullpen as Sam sat on the floor of his office as he made edits.

Sam sat with his back to his mini fridge. "Yeah."

C.J. entered. "Whatcha' doin' on the floor?"

Sam looked up. "I don't know. … I think… it was just the closest thing."

"Come on, you'll get your pants all shmutsy." C.J. pulled him up.

"The First Lady's not a lesbian, is she?" Sam asked.

"I dunno. I can ask her." C.J. said.

'I bet that'd go over well.' "Why were there rolling pins?" Sam asked.

C.J. sighed. "Brenda Swetland: … 'At this moment, you're not licensed to practice medicine, correct?' … A. Bartlet:… 'At this moment, I'm just a wife and mother.'"

Sam sat down on the edge of his desk. "I don't see it."

"Well... you gotta want it." C.J. said.

'No…' "… Oh… I see it." Sam said.

"Yeah." C.J. said.

"What are we doing?" Sam asked.

"Well, I wanted my office to issue a statement saying, 'You're annoying, shut up,' but Bruno said to wave at it,... and he's right." C.J. sat down.

"Yeah." Sam said.

C.J. sat down. "Josh said the same thing and Ainsley said that we shouldn't issue a direct statement on it, but we should subtly make it clear that we are pro-family."

Sam stuffed his hands in his pockets. "That'll tick off the left, but she does have a point."

"It depends on how we do it. We just have to be subtle." C.J. said.

Sam shrugged. "I guess so."

"It sounds like she's having to keep Josh in line and Josh keeps whining about it." C.J. said.

Sam nodded. 'That's an understatement.' "Yeah, Ainse said he was talking down to some voters, including a campaign volunteer named Cathy."

"She's the daughter, right? I met her this morning. She's really nice and smart and she has a Master's. Josh was supposed to get her insight about agriculture and farmers." C.J. said.

"Ainsley said he was flirting with her too and he's pissy that he struck out." Sam said.

"She has a boyfriend. A boyfriend who showed up to the rally with her." C.J. said.

"Yeah. It appears that Josh didn't know." Sam said. "Ainsley said that he told her boyfriend that she was 'wholesome but not too wholesome', so she and Toby teased him to smooth it over and he got upset with her over that."

C.J. was shocked. "For what reason?"

"He's upset because they teased him. And at one point she made a joke about him being a city boy." Sam laughed.

"Well, he is a city boy." C.J. said.

Sam raised his eyebrows. 'Exactly.' "That's what I said."

C.J. looked at the bouquet of sunflowers and dahlias on his desk. "Someone got you flowers? Don't tell me that you've got groupies too."

Sam smiled. "I got 'em for Ainsley. I'm gonna surprise her at the airport. I got her a cookie too and I'll probably make her some herbal tea."

C.J. chuckled. "You're a hopeless romantic, you know that?"

Sam shrugged. "I just love Ainsley and I'm gonna do whatever I can to make her happy. I like making her happy."

"Good." C.J. said.

Sam smiled. "I got really lucky, didn't I?"

"Yes, you did." C.J. said. "Listen… I know this is the… last thing you wanna hear right now, but I wanna get… Anthony… a Big Brother… and Charlie said no, and… I thought if it was anything you might be interested in, I could talk to you about it. It's an hour a week. … He doesn't have anybody, … and you know he hasn't gotten over Simon."

Sam tilted his head down. "You asked Charlie first?"

C.J. threw her head back. "...There's no way you have time for this." She shook her head.

Sam tilted his head forward and raised his eyebrows. "I might."

"You don't!" C.J. said.

"Ginger!" Sam said.

"You just worked 48 hours straight." C.J. said.

"Yeah." Sam shrugged.

"And that was the weekend." C.J. said.

Sam took a deep breath as he opened his mouth and clamped it shut. "...Maybe he'd enjoy sitting and watching me work. … I could narrate what I was doing for him. 'Right now I'm… reading… background intelligence on Central America as it relates,... believe it or not,... to textile imports." He gestured with his hands as his excitement built up. "Ooh… intelligence… 007.' See, and right away I've got him going with 007." 'Come on, that sounds exciting!'

C.J. raised her eyebrows. "I'm sitting here listening, and already I've turned to a life of crime."

Sam's heart sank. 'Well I tried.' "...You know I'd do it if I could."

"I do know that shmutsy pants." C.J. smiled before she stood up.

"That's going to be around for a while, right?" Sam asked.

"Just wait till I tell Ainsley about it." C. .

Sam groaned. 'She'll have field day with that one.' "Oh boy."

Ginger poked her head in. "Josh is on the phone."

"Thanks." C.J. left.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Ainsley's POV

Josh sat next to Donna in the back seat as he talked to Sam on Donna's phone. "How's it going? … Just Bryce, right? … Yeah, he doesn't like the appearance… that his staff… is covering for him. … Nothing's not his fault in the Oval Office. …. Anything else before we get on the train? … Yeah. Toby." Josh poked Toby's shoulder. "Sam."

Toby took the phone. "Was Bryce pissed? … Yeah. … Anything else? … Yea." Toby handed the cell phone to Ainsley. "Ainsley. It's Sam."

Ainsley took the cell phone. "Thanks. … Hey Sweetheart. How're you hangin' in there?"

"Don't worry, I'll have Jews-" Josh started when Donna stomped on his foot.

"OW!" Josh yowled.

Toby looked over his shoulder and shot a death glare at Josh as he pointed to Ainsley on Donna's cell phone. "Shh!"

"I'm hanging in there fine, thanks to coffee. How are you hanging in there? How close has Toby gotten to leaving Josh in a ditch? It sounds like Josh just got in trouble." Sam said.

"Close. I actually came close to leavin' both of them in a ditch at one point." Ainsley said.

"What time do you think you'll be getting in?" Sam asked.

"We're not sure yet. Donna and I still need to look at the flight schedule. Probably late though. … You don't have to wait up for me. You need your sleep." Ainsley said.

"I'll sleep better with you here." Sam said.

"I'll be there before you know it." Ainsley pictured herself snuggling into his side once she got home.

"Make sure to touch base once your plans are finalized, okay Babe?" Sam asked.

Ainsley raised her delicate eyebrows. "Hopefully… you'll be asleep. I don't wanna wake you up."

"You won't. Don't worry." Sam said.

"You need your sleep. The fact that you're drinkin' coffee says it all." Ainsley said.

"I'll sleep when you sleep." Sam said.

Ainsley raised the inner corners of her eyebrows. "You're gunna be so tired, like unable to lift your arms and finish sentences tired."

"That's okay." Sam said nonchalantly.

Josh clapped his hand on Tyler's back. "In that case, on behalf of Bartlet for America and the Democratic Party," He turned to face Tyler as Donna and Ainsley caught up with them. He shook Tyler's hand. "I wanna thank you for your help and tell ya that you're a good guy, and good luck to you."

Ainsley smiled. 'I love you so much.' "...You really are the sweetest man ever."

"Anything for you." Sam said.

"Ohhh, Sam. Just when I thought you couldn't get any sweeter. I don't know how I got this lucky." Ainsley said.

"Are you kidding? I'm the one who got lucky." Sam said as Donna spoke to the ticket agent. "I know that sounds dirty, but you know what I mean."

Ainsley blushed. "Well… the dirty part is true too." 'And it's true again and again.'

Sam chuckled. "Well… yeah."

Ainsley smiled. "And you do make me happy, so unbelievably happy."

"Good." Sam said.

"You really want me to call before we fly home?" Ainsley asked as the ticket agent handed Donna pamphlets and a map.

"Yes, I do. I'll be able to rest easy knowing that you're coming home." Sam said.

"Okay. Then I will." Ainsley checked the phone's battery level. "Hey Honey, I'm gonna let you go cause Donna's battery's almost out. I love you." She said as Josh and Toby joined them.

"Love you too." Sam hung up.

Ainsley handed the cell phone back to Donna. "Thanks." Josh and Toby sat in the seats next to theirs.

"No problem. … Sam still won't sleep?" Donna asked.

"He keeps insistin' he can't sleep without me there." Ainsley said.

"Awwww… that's so sweet." Donna said.

"He really is the sweetest. I don't know how I got so lucky." Ainsley said.

"Now if only the rest of the male population could be like Sam." Donna opened the booklets with the flight information and the train route maps.

Josh's eyes popped out of his head as his face looked like he was about ready to burst a blood vessel. "But they're not!"

Donna looked at Josh. "Yeah, that's the problem."

"Does anyone want snacks? I've got everythin' in here. I've got apples, cheddar cheese sticks, goldfish, trail mix, beef jerky, gummies, chocolate-covered pretzels, chocolate coconut almonds, cookies… you name it. I've also got peanut butter and Nutella sandwiches and peanut butter, honey, and potato chip sandwiches and some more of those peanut butter pretzels that you like, Toby." Ainsley said.

"I'll have some. Thanks." Toby said.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Ainsley's POV

A crew member came by with a drink cart. "What would you like to drink, Miss?"

Josh looked over at Ainsley across the aisle, his mahogany brown eyes sharp. "You can't go around saying stuff like that. You represent the White House." His sunglasses were tucked in at his shirt collar.

"Excuse me for just a moment, Sir." Ainsley whipped her head around to face Josh. "Boy, if you interrupt me one more time, I'm gunna tan your hide with your own belt!" She turned back to the crew member, her tone sweet as she left Josh with a shocked expression on his square face. "Sorry about that, Sir. Do y'all happen to have Fresca?"

"Yes, ma'am." The crew member said.

"One Fresca, please." Ainsley said as the crew member handed her the Fresca and a cup with ice. "Thank you."

"And for you, Miss?" The crew member addressed Donna.

"Diet Coke, please." Donna said.

"Here you go." The crew member handed her the Diet Coke and a cup with ice before turning to Josh and Toby.

"Thank you, Sir." Donna said.

The crew member turned to Josh and Toby, who sat in red leather chairs facing each other. "And what would you like to drink?"

"I'll take a Jack Daniels." Josh said.

The crew member handed Josh a Jack Daniels mini and a cup with ice. "Here you go, Sir."

"And you, Sir?" The crew member said to Toby.

Toby raised his eyebrows. "Jack Daniels for me too, please."

"Here you go." The crew member handed Toby a Jack Daniels mini and a cup with ice.

"Thank you." Toby said as the crew member moved on to the next group of passengers.

"What was so important earlier?" Ainsley asked.

"Oh, now you're gonna let me speak?" Josh asked.

"Yes, because I'm not talkin' to someone else." Ainsley said.

"You can't go around saying stuff like that when you represent the White House." Josh's square jaw was set.

Ainsley furrowed her brow. 'What're you talkin' about?' "Stuff like what?"

"Stuff like what you said earlier. About abortion." Josh slouched in his seat.

'Oh boy. Here we go.' Ainsley raised her eyebrows. "About how abortion exists to suit the wants of men?"

"...Yeah. That." He sipped his Jack Daniels.

'Is that supposed to scare me? Like I'd ever be scared of you.' Ainsley laughed. "Or what? What's the big, scary Josh Lyman gunna do? Get me fired?"

Josh's face was menacing. "Not just that, but I've got enough Republican contacts to ruin you."

Ainsley shrugged. "Go right ahead."

Josh set his jaw. "I mean it."

"Ignorin' the PR nightmare that'd cause y'all, why would I care if I got fired?" Ainsley said.

Josh clenched his teeth. "Cause you work for the White House."

"Yeah… but I care about truth more than workin' in the White House." She said.

"Well, you'll probably change your tune when you're unemployed." Josh said.

"No, I won't. Especially cause if anythin', gettin' fired like that'd make me even more employable and I'd get a great book deal out of it too. I'd be the GOP's poster child for suppressed free speech." Ainsley said.

"Fine!" Josh shouted. "Then maybe you should just go work somewhere else since we clearly don't want you or your politics poisoning the well."

"Who gave you the right to speak for me? Just who do you think you are?!" Toby shouted.

Josh glared at Toby. "I'm the Deputy Chief of Staff! I believe what I'm saying." His rectangular face grew red.

"I bet you believe a lotta things." Toby said.

"Josh, you're the only one who thinks that, at least amongst the President and Senior Staff." Ainsley said.

"Well, I'm sure they'll change their tune once they hear your very public views on women's rights." Josh's nostrils flared.

"There you go again! Will you stop speaking for ME?!" Toby's volume escalated.

"Everyone knows what my views are, and no one but you cares. As you said, my views are very public." Ainsley said.

Josh clenched his teeth. "…Yeah… well… you're not supposed to go public with them when you're representing the President, and I'm sure everyone else will agree."

"The President hired me for my opposin' views, and I wasn't representin' the President back there. I was representin' myself." Ainsley said.

"You don't… represent yourself… when you're on the campaign trail." Josh seethed.

'Oh, you wanna go there, Buddy? Cause I can go there.' Ainsley raised her eyebrows. "Do you really wanna talk about representin' the President on the campaign trail? Why not take a look in the mirror."

"I'm not talking about this anymore. You know I'm right, so arguing won't make a difference." Josh's eyes blazed with fury.

"Josh. That's enough. Let's take a walk." Donna said.

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Sam's POV

Sam walked through the Outer Office and past Charlie's desk as Senator Choate spoke to Bartlet. "Mr. President, in my state… the only ones making inroads into keeping kids in school and off drugs are the churches… and the synagogues and the mosques. They have terrific programs– and until we find a better one… let me fund those." He entered The Oval Office.

Bartlet stood with his back to the Resolute Desk. "We're gonna talk about it around here, but I wouldn't…"

"Yes, sir." Senator Choate said.

"Okay." Bartlet said.

"Thank you, sir." Senator Choate walked towards the Oval Office door.

"Thank you." Senator Fred and the senators' staff followed Senator Choate out.

Sam walked to where the Senators stood as Bartlet made notes. "...How are the interviews going?" He leaned forward.

Bartlet took off his suit. "I met with two women this morning on the plane. I'm meeting another in a little bit." He put the suit on the back of a chair.

"Are either of this morning's women possibilities?" Sam asked.

"Noooo." Bartlet rolled up his sleeves.

Sam furrowed his brows. "Why?"

"Well, the first one isn't easily impressed." Bartlet said.

"What… makes you say that?" Sam asked.

"She told me. The second one wasn't funny." Bartlet said.

"She wasn't funny?" Sam asked.

Bartlet raised his eyebrows. "Or rather, didn't think I was."

'Oh.' Sam raised his eyebrows. "You told a joke."

Bartlet gestured with his hands as he walked to the sofa to pick up folders and paperwork. "She was the secretary… to an Ambassador to France. I told her… that I had dinner with D'Astier at the Elysee Palace. She gently corrected me at that point calling it the … Palais de l'Elysee. For that alone, I wanted to send for a parachute." He walked behind the Resolute Desk. "And I made a joke… to D'Astier… having to do with cheese… and I said that D'Astier was… visibly insulted … and that he was reconsidering my diplomatic status and she said, 'Well, did he?' " He spoke in a mock hoity-toity voice.

'Oh my.' "She didn't get you were joking." Sam said.

Bartlet raised his eyebrows. "It didn't bode well for me."

"Who's this afternoon?" Sam asked.

Bartlet waved it off. "Ehh... a crazy woman that Charlie knows. … Hey, do we have a GPS reading out on Josh and Toby? Have they been sighted?"

Sam chuckled. "I talked to them a little while ago, they're on their way."

"300 IQ points between them- they can't find their way home. I swear to God, if Donna and Ainsley weren't there, they'd have to buy a house." Bartlet sat down.

'Got that right.' Sam walked over to the tray with the coffee pot. "Ainsley's keeping Josh in line."

Bartlet laughed. "Good. Can I hire her to do that full-time?"

"Well, it'd be good for him" Sam poured cream into his coffee.

"Yeah … 'You've gotta be able to keep a lot of names… and numbers… in your head. Can you do that?'… 'Oh, I should think so.' Oh, should you? Okay, well, I'm gonna interview a few more people, and in the meantime, you can get your ass back on the cover of The New Yorker where it belongs."

Sam added a dash of sugar to his coffee. "Was that… Unimpressed One,... or Humorless?"

Bartlet flipped through reports and documents. "A third one. … Charlie said that I don't want anyone to replace her."

Sam pursed his lips. "Is that true?"

"I dunno, Sam. I'm a puzzle." Bartlet read more reports.

"Yes, sir." He sat across from Bartlet just as Leo walked in.

Bartlet looked up. "Sam tells me that Ainsley's giving Josh a run for his money."

"Good. Can we hire her to do that full-time?" Leo asked.

Bartlet raised his eyebrows. "That's what I said."

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Ainsley's POV

Donna referenced a flight schedule in front of her. "All right, we've got a plan…. We're going to switch trains in Bedford. We will then be going in the right direction. … We're not going to make the 6:15. That was a pipe dream. That was folly. Now, there's a 9:30 leaving Indianapolis International with a 45-minute layover in Chicago, although the ticket agent warned that the flight could be delayed due to bad weather."

"What are… the chances of that?" Josh asked.

"Well… for what it's worth,… the… guy in the diner said the reason the picture on the TV was fuzzy…" Donna said.

"No,… no!… Quaint… is quaint,… but we're not Navajo Indian guides, an' if we want weather information, we'll call the White House Operations Center." Donna said.

Donna looked down. "Well, we can do that… when we get to a pay phone,… but we can't do that right now." She looked up.

Josh looked at her. "Why not?"

"Because my…" Donna started. "…cellphone battery's out." Josh and Donna said in unison.

"We can use my phone. I turned my phone off so we'd have a backup once yours died." Ainsley said.

Donna breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks, that'll work."

"I need information. I need… to know… what's happening in the world. … I have no idea… what's happening in the world!" Josh bemoaned.

"I bought you the paper." Donna said.

Josh spoke in a mock hillbilly accent. "I read it! … Preparations are under the way… for the fair. … I'm briefed. Organizers say it's gonna be the best one yet. What else you got?"

"Are you implyin' that anyone who's proud of the county fair is somehow less intelligent than you?" Ainsley asked as Donna looked out the window.

"…I didn't say that." Josh said.

Toby and Donna laughed. "That's exactly what you said." Donna spoke through her laughter.

Ainsley quirked an eyebrow. "That's not what you said?"

Josh tucked his chin under. "Correct. That's not what I said."

"Then what'd you say?" Ainsley asked in a soft voice.

Josh averted his eyes and squirmed. "I just meant that…I can't see the point of the fair is all."

"And why is that?" Ainsley's voice remained soft.

"Because… because looking at farm animals and vegetables isn't my idea of a good time." Josh said.

Ainsley slapped her thigh. "I forgot! If somethin's not Josh Lyman's idea of a good time, then it's not worth our time! Toby, Donna, how do y'all feel about Josh bein' the judge of what's a good time?"

"Josh doesn't know what a good time is." Toby chewed his gum.

"I'd have to agree with Toby." Donna suppressed a laugh.

"I do too!" Josh fired back.

"They're proud of what they grow and the animals they raise. You take pride in what you do. Why shouldn't they?" Ainsley asked.

"I'm just saying… that they shouldn't broadcast it." Josh said.

"Why shouldn't they broadcast it?" Ainsley asked.

"Life just doesn't work that way. You can't broadcast every little thing." Josh said.

'Every little thing?' "There are press releases for 'every little thing' we do, but you think a county or state fair to show off a farmer's apples or the cows that 4-H kid spent the summer raisin' or competin' on a horse that they've spent years trainin' is too much?" Ainsley asked.

Josh chewed his lip. "...Maybe."

"Do you have any idea how much work that takes?" Ainsley asked.

"I assure you, he doesn't." Donna said.

"They don't work that hard." Josh snapped.

"They work as hard as we do, except they do intense physical labor." Ainsley said.

"Farm work isn't as important as what we do." Josh said.

"Without farmers, you'd have nuthin' to eat. You'd have to go huntin' and fishin' and grow crops and raise livestock yourself, and pray that you never had a bad harvest or season or that your livestock never get sick. How is that any less important than what we do?" Ainsley said.

"…I don't know." Josh said.

Toby spoke after an awkward silence. "Frivolous law firms."

Josh turned to Toby. "…What?"

"He meant to say 'frivolous lawsuits'… and he said 'frivolous law firms'." Toby played with his folded-up ticket stub.

"…Who?" Josh asked.

"Benjamin Disraeli." Toby said.

"He… misspeaks." Josh said.

"Yes, he does." Toby unfolded a piece of paper. "He also thinks… Sarajevo and Bosnia are… two different countries, so that's a bit of a setback for the region."

"Yes." Josh said.

" 'Chamberlain led England in World War II'. I don't mind that he doesn't know history, I mind… that he hasn't seen a movie." Toby chewed his gum. " 'Mexico is part of NATO'."

"He meant they were an ally." Josh said.

"What, did they love the chalupa at the Warsaw Pact?" Toby spit out his gum into his wrapper.

"I agree, it's not impressive but as you pointed out he's going to be surrounded by…" Josh said.

"Do you think he ever disagreed with one of his advisors? Do you think… honestly… do you think he's ever said to one of his advisors 'I've got a different idea?' I-I don't care if he thinks Luxembourg's an uptown stop on the IRT. And I don't care about the Greco-Roman wrestling matches with the language, not that… polished communication skills are an important part of this job. What I care about is when he was asked… if he'd continue the current U.S. policy in China,… and he said,… 'First off, I'm going to send them a message: meet an American leader.'… I don't know what that means, but everybody cheered." Toby ranted.

"Which is one of the reasons that I work full-time for his opponent. I don't know what gave you the impression… that I had to be convinced, but I wanna win. … You wanna beat him,… and that's a problem for me, cause I wanna win." Josh said.

Donna stared out the window. "Can I get approval of my travel plan?"

Josh looked at Donna. "Yeah." He looked back at Toby.

"A rising tide… sinks all boats." Toby said.

Ainsley rested her head on the seat with her eyes closed. "Y'all are givin' me a headache."

"Sorry." Toby said.

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Sam's POV

Mallory walked towards Sam's table in the golden ballroom. "So, you're dating someone and didn't tell me." Her emerald green evening gown contrasted with her red hair.

Sam smiled. "I'm more than dating someone. I'm having a ring designed and I'm proposing soon."

Mallory beamed. "Sam, that's great! Do you know how you're gonna propose?"

"I'm not sure, cause C.J. said we can't find a reason for her to come along on the Paris Summit, so that means no Eiffel Tower proposal. I was thinking either here or somewhere around DC with all the Christmas decorations, or on the set of Capital Beat where we met. … Either way, there will be live music or fireworks." Sam said.

Mallory raised her eyebrows. "Live music or fireworks, huh?"

Sam shrugged. "Yeah, I like to go big."

She smiled. "I'm happy for you."

"Thanks. So how have you been?" Sam asked.

Mallory's face fell. "Richard got traded to the Blackhawks, so… we split up."

"I'm sorry to hear that." Sam said.

Mallory gave a weak smile. "Thanks. … I heard Ainsley got left behind in Indiana with Donna, Toby, and Josh and she's keeping Josh in line."

Sam laughed. "Yes, she is."

Mallory chuckled. "I bet Josh's loving that."

"You've known him longer than I have. What do you think?" Sam asked.

Mallory shrugged. "Well, it's good for him."

"Josh isn't exactly her biggest fan." Sam said.

"He isn't? I'm shocked." Mallory said with mock surprise. "Well, it was good seeing you."

"It was good seeing you too. Have a good night." Sam said.

"You too." Mallory said.

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Ainsley's POV

Donna, Josh, Ainsley, and Toby ran across the street through a torrential downpour with their suits and blazers serving as umbrellas. "I don't understand the two of you." Donna said as they walked through the hotel entrance.

Josh said as they entered the lobby. "We had to get out. He can't read… in a moving car."

"You… can't read in a moving car. He can. He was reading to us." Donna tossed Josh his suit.

Josh wiped rainwater off his face as they walked past a nun sitting on the tan couch. "I need it to come in through my eyes."

"You couldn't wait three blocks?" Donna rifled through her tote for her tan wallet before she set it down on the front desk.

Josh rubbed his face. "685 points."

"Did it say how-how… much the percentage drop was?" Toby asked.

"It did… but by the time I… got there my newspaper no longer had the… molecular structure of a newspaper." Josh said.

"Yes, can I help you?" A desk clerk dressed in a company uniform suit outfit asked.

Donna took out a credit card from her wallet. "Yes, please, we need a room."

"Is that… two rooms?" The clerk asked.

"No, just the one for what did we decide, half an hour?" Donna said.

"Our-our flight… our flight was delayed and we're just looking for someplace… to… dry off… and… watch the news." Josh said as Toby and Ainsley walked over to a TV to watch the news.

'Oh my Lord.' Ainsley thought as she stood with Toby and saw the body bags laid out on a lawn.

"The Nikkei hasn't reacted…" Josh turned around and noticed that Toby and Ainsley were gone and he joined them, with Donna following him soon after.

After a while, Ainsley took her phone out and called Sam but she reached his voicemail. The prerecorded sound of Sam's voice saying "This is Sam Seaborn. I am unable to come to the phone right now, but if you leave your name and number, I will call you back as soon as possible." made Ainsley feel warm inside despite the fact that she was wet and cold from the downpour outside. "Hey Sweetheart, Our flight got delayed due to bad weather, so we're at a Comfort Inn for a bit to dry off and catch up on the news. We just saw the news about the pipe bombin'. We should be back at the airport in about an hour, maybe an hour and a half. I'll touch base again when we're boarding. I love you, and please get some sleep." She hung up and joined Josh, Toby, and Donna in the gift shop.

"Ainsley, pick a sweatshirt. I'm getting one for you and Donna." Josh held the grey sweatshirt that Donna had picked..

'One for me?' "Josh, that is the sweetest thing! Thank you!" Ainsley smiled at him.

"No problem." Josh said as Ainsley handed him an Indiana State sweatshirt off the rack. He handed the sweatshirts to the cashier.

"That'll be 45.50." The cashier said and Josh swiped his credit card. She bagged the sweatshirts and handed the bag to Josh.

"Thanks." Josh said.

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Sam's POV

Sam hung up his cell phone after he listened to Ainsley's voicemail. Just then, he passed C.J. on his way to the Outer Office. "Hey, I'm sorry again about-"

C.J. waved it off. "No worries. Charlie changed his mind and he's gonna do it."

"He is? That's great. I felt so bad earlier about not being able to help." Sam said with Ainsley's dry cleaning in one hand and her flowers and cookie in another.

"Well, have a good night. I have to get Anthony home." C.J. said. "See you tomorrow. And get some sleep." She pointed her finger at him.

"You too. Good night, and I will." Sam said as he entered the Outer Office, where Charlie stood at his desk looking at a framed picture. "Hey. Whenever you're ready."

Charlie looked up. "I'm ready." He walked out to join Sam.

"Thanks for doing this." Sam held a bouquet of flowers in one hand and the cookie in his other hand. "I probably wouldn't make it home on my own."

"It's no problem." Charlie's mind seemed to be elsewhere.

"Well, I appreciate it." Sam said as they walked through the hallways towards the lobby. "Something on your mind?"

Charlie hesitated. "...It's nothing… It's just… Zoey hasn't talked to me in a while."

Sam furrowed his brows. "How often do you guys usually talk?"

"Outside of calling her on behalf of the President to patch a call through or something?" Charlie asked.

Sam nodded. "Yeah."

Charlie shrugged. "Not too often."

"But it's even less frequent than it used to be?" Sam asked.

"Yeah." Charlie said.

"How'd she seem the last few times you talked to her, like when you patched a call through for the President?" Sam asked. "Was she awkward or stiff?"

Charlie shrugged. "Maybe a little."

Sam took a deep breath. "I hate to say this, but…" He clamped his mouth shut.

"But what?" Charlie asked as they entered the lobby.

Sam took another deep breath, his tone and rectangular face empathetic. "I think… I think she might be seeing someone." He turned to the security guard. "Good night, Michelle."

"Good night, Mr. Seaborn and Mr. Young." Michelle said.

Charlie did a double take. "What?"

"Yeah. I might be wrong, and I hope I am. I'm just saying that it could explain her change in behavior around you." Sam said.

Charlie opened the door. "You think so?"

Sam and Charlie stepped out into the crisp night air. "Yeah. I'm sorry, Buddy."

Charlie looked deflated. "It's just that I've been meaning to call her up and ask her out again."

"Not the worst idea in the world. Once she's single again, of course." Sam and Charlie walked towards the parking lot lit with street lamps.

"Yeah, but what idiot would mess things up with a great girl like Zoey?" Charlie asked.

"An idiot who doesn't love her as much you do." Sam said.

" I hope you're right. I obviously want her to be happy, even if it's with someone else, but…" Charlie's voice trailed off.

"You want it to be you." Sam said.

Charlie unlocked his car. "...Yeah. I know that's selfish, but I can't help it."

Sam walked around to the passenger door. "It's not selfish."

Charlie opened the driver side door and sat in the driver seat. "It's not?"

Sam followed suit. "Not if you really love her."

Sam and Charlie buckled their seatbelts. "I do."

"And you said yourself that you want her to be happy, even if it's not with you." Sam said.

"Yeah." Charlie started the car.

"Ergo, not selfish." Sam said.

Charlie looked over his shoulder and backed out. "...I guess you're right." He drove out of the parking lot.

Sam's head leaned back on the nylon headrest. "What's meant to be will work out perfectly in the end. And we're not necessarily meant to know what that is along the way."

"Night, Frank." Charlie waved to the security guard at the gate and he waved back. "When did you get so philosophical?" He drove out of the gate.

Sam shrugged. "Just… life. There've been many times when I thought something, especially someone, was perfect for me and I always tried to make it fit even if it didn't. But now? I'm glad it didn't fit because then I wouldn't have Ainsley."

Charlie put on his turn signal. "Yeah. You guys are great together." He looked over his shoulder to his left and then to his right.

"See? It'll work out the way it should, even if it's not what you planned." Sam said.

Charlie's round eyes drooped with sadness. "I just can't see it with anyone else."

"I know, but sometimes life surprises you. Ainsley coming on Capital Beat was all a last minute thing and the rest is history. … Tomorrow you might meet The One at Starbucks on your way into the office. You never know." Sam said.

"This time I'm just not gonna be an idiot and let Zoey go again, assuming she gives me another chance. … I never shoulda let us fall apart after you know…" Charlie's voice trailed off.

"After Rosslyn?" Sam asked.

Charlie slowed to a stop at a red light. "Yeah. It feels like I let them win."

"Don't beat yourself up. You make lots of mistakes with relationships when you're young under normal circumstances. What you and Zoey went through is beyond what most 18 and 21 year olds deal with."

Charlie gestured to the cookie and flowers. "You're going to the airport to pick up Ainsley?"

Sam smiled. "Yeah… She was supposed to be getting in soon, but the flight got delayed. I'm still gonna surprise her and pick her up though."

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Josh's POV

A Dion and Belmonts song played in the background of the airport hotel bar as disco lights flashed. "Campaigns… aren't about the candidates." Josh's light blue button-down was wrinkled.

Toby raised his eyebrows. "No?"

"They're about the voters. How-how are we going to create jobs? How-how are we going to get healthcare? How are we going to make the lights go on? How are we going to protect ourselves?" Josh leaned forward.

"You're right, Josh. You're absolutely right. Campaigns are about the voters, but you have to practice what you preach." Ainsley said.

Josh's jaw dropped. "I do!" His tie hung draped over his shoulders.

"Obviously you don't, based on how you've interacted with voters all day." Ainsley said.

Josh slumped in his seat, his nostrils flared."I don't have to explain myself to you."

Ainsley shrugged. 'I thought you wanted to win.' "Fine. You're the one hurtin' the Bartlet Campaign. If we lose in November, this, THIS'll be why. I wouldn't be surprised if Cathy voted for Ritchie after this."

'What're you talking about?' "Why would she do that?" Josh asked.

Ainsley let out an exasperated laugh. "Bless your heart. You think the sun comes up just to hear you crow, don't you?"

Josh looked at Ainsley, bewildered. "What does that mean?"

"Roosters get up at sunrise and they crow. They tend to be very cocky." Donna said.

Josh clenched his teeth. 'I'm not cocky. I'm confident and I have a right to be.' "And you guys are proud of knowing this?"

"And why wouldn't we be proud of knowin' that? What possible reason would we have for not bein' proud to know that?" Ainsley asked.

Josh tucked his chin under and creased his forehead. "Cause… it says that you guys are a bunch of hillbilly farmers who… have toothpicks in their mouths."

Donna's hair was fluffy and frizzy from the long day as her eyes blazed with a cold fury. "Alright, that's IT! I can't take it. Josh, you've been making an absolute jackass fool of yourself all day long. Ainsley has called you on it many times and even saved your sorry ass from time to time. And how do you repay her? You threatened her job and called her a hillbilly! You didn't just call Ainsley a hillbilly. You called me one too! This whole day you've been superior and full of yourself and acted like you were so much better than everyone else. … Cathy needed to take a second job so her dad could be covered by her insurance. She tried to tell you how bad things were for family farmers. You told her we already lost Indiana. And you wonder why she might vote for Ritchie. … You made fun of the fair but you didn't see they have… livestock exhibitions and give prizes for the biggest tomato and the best heirloom apple, as if you're better than them because you work at the White House. They're proud of what they grow, just like Ainsley and I are proud to know how roosters behave! … Eight modes of transportation, the kindness of six strangers,… random conversations with twelve more, and nobody brought up Bartlet versus Ritchie but you. ... I'm writing letters on your behalf to the parents of the kids who were killed today. Can I have the table, please?"

"You want some help? I edit Sam's stuff all the time." Ainsley said as Josh and Toby got up.

'Say no.' Josh's nostrils flared.

Donna's oblong face lit up as she raised her eyebrows. "Really? You wanna help?"

"Yeah… I mean… only if you want me to." Ainsley said.

Donna smiled bashfully as she averted her eyes. "Oh, of course, I want the help, but… I'm just… I'm just not used to it."

Ainsley got up as Josh and Toby approached the connecting doorway to the bar. "I'm just gunna go order some food. Do you want anythin'?" She followed Josh and Toby.

"Nah, I'm good." Donna said.

Ainsley walked past arcade games as she approached the bar in the adjoining room. "What desserts do y'all have?" She asked the bartender as Josh and Toby sat with a middle-aged man on the stool between them.

The man turned to Toby. "…Flight's delayed?"

The bartender handed her a menu. "Here you go, ma'am."

"...Yeah." A bleary-eyed Toby said.

Ainsley looked up after scanning the menu. "I'll have a fudge brownie skillet sundae, please."

The man nodded. "Me, too. I'm going to St. Louis."

The bartender took her order. "Fudge sauce and whipped cream?"

"Yes please." Ainsley said.

"Washington." Toby said.

"I'm with my daughter. She's upstairs in the room, but we were out here looking at Notre Dame." The man said.

The bartender entered her order into the computer. "Your total is 7.95 and it'll go on your tab. That'll be ready in 10 minutes."

"Thank you!" Ainsley said before she walked back to help Donna.

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Sam's POV

Sam picked up the phone. "Hey Babe. Are you about to board?" He looked at the vase with her bouquet in it.

"Yeah. And how about you? Are you finally home?" Ainsley asked.

"Yup. I had to stay for a bit longer to rework the speech cause of the pipe bombing." Sam leaned his back against the white cabinet.

"Yeah, we just saw the footage on TV. I just heard the tail end of the President's speech. 'The streets are too crowded with angels tonight.' That's some beautiful writin', Sam. Sad, but beautiful. Inspirin' too." Ainsley said.

"That's what I was going for." Sam said.

"I wish I could've heard the speech. Anythin' you write is beautiful." Ainsley said.

"But still not as beautiful as you." Sam said.

"Ohhh, Sam… I also wish I were home in your arms so you could melt me into a puddle at your touch with your words." Ainsley said.

Sam imagined the feel of Ainsley in his arms. "Me too."

"I love you." Ainsley said.

"I love you too, Babe. See you soon." Sam hung up.

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Josh's POV

Ainsley's jaw dropped at the sight of a weary Sam as he stood in the baggage claim area near the door that led out to the curb, flowers, cookie, and tea in hand. "...Sam! I thought… You're supposed to be sleepin'!"

'Yeah, you were supposed to be sleeping.' Josh grimaced.

Sam smiled. "I told you that I couldn't sleep well without you in my arms."

Ainsley melted into his chest. "Good. Because neither can I."

'You think that's GOOD?! You selfish BITCH.' Josh's jaw set as Sam pulled her in close and held her for a minute before he kissed her.

"...But Honey, you must be so exhausted. You should at least be restin'." Ainsley said.

'Yeah, no kidding.' Josh thought.

Sam waved it off. "I'll rest in the car."

Ainsley's heart melted. "You even got me flowers and a cookie and a hot tea. You thought of everythin'."

"I knew you've had a long day and that you'd be hungry. And I figured hot tea would be good after a long day too." Sam said.

'Oh, come on. A long day? She doesn't need to be pampered.' Josh thought.

Ainsley nodded. "I am very hungry."

'HOW?! YOU JUST ATE! AND YOU'VE BEEN EATING ALL DAY!" Josh internally screamed.

"Exactly. I can't let my girl go hungry. I almost went for double chocolate chip, but they were out, which is just as well cause that'd keep you up." Sam said.

Ainsley beamed. "Your girl?"

Sam smiled. "My girl,... my love,... my everything." He tucked her hair behind her ear.

"You're my everythin', too." Ainsley kissed Sam.

'Yeah right. Your everything? More like your servant.' Josh clenched his teeth as the group walked out to the curb to get on the airport bus.

Sam and Ainsley took seats towards the back and Josh sat diagonal from them but closer to the front. Ainsley immediately snuggled into Sam's side and rested on his chest with his arm wrapped around her waist. Donna sat right behind the driver and Toby sat across from Donna.

The shuttle drove for a while as Josh stewed. 'It's just… too much. He does too much. It's not good… And do they have to do that… you know… around us?' Josh glanced over his shoulder at Sam and Ainsley and then rested his head on the headrest and thought about how nice it would be to have Donna snuggled into his side like that. "You're tellin' me, we couldn't have just gone to the nearest Chinese restaurant, picked up some Kikkoman, an' poured it in the soy diesel thing?"

Donna was half asleep. "I don't think it works like that. Plus… how close do you think the nearest Chinese restaurant was?" The street was lit by streetlights.

Josh's eyes were half open. "Well… we should start making cars that run on ketchup."

"...When I get home, I'm taking the longest hot bath of my life." Donna dozed offf.

Josh imagined Donna taking that hot bath and then looked over at Sam and Ainsley as Sam planted a kiss to Ainsley's temple. 'Okay… That's enough. I can't take this.' He turned back to the airport limo driver. "Excuse me, would you mind letting me off up there at the bridge?"

"Are you sure?" The driver asked.

'Oh yeah, I'm sure.' "Yeah. I can walk to work from there." Josh asked.

Donna groaned. "Please, not this again."

"Hey, you're the one who did the number back at the bar." 'Well, you and Ainsley. But I can't blame her, you know, with Sam right here.' Josh thought.

"It didn't have anything to do with eliminating modern conveniences." Donna said.

"She can… drop you off at home." Josh said.

"...Yeah, I'll hop out there, too." Toby added.

Donna groaned again. "I'll get out with them up here." The cab slowed to a stop to let Josh, Donna, and Toby out of the shuttle.

Ainsley stirred, her eyes half closed. "Are we home?"

"Shhh… Not yet, Babe. Josh, Donna, and Toby are just getting off early." Sam kissed and stroked her hair as Donna, Josh, and Toby got out. "Go back to sleep."

"Mmmm... Love you." Ainsley murmured into his chest.

Sam smiled. "I love you, too." The shuttle doors closed.

'Yeah, too much.' Josh thought.

"That is just the sweetest thing. Men should be taking notes." Donna said once the shuttle drove off.

'Seriously?' Josh groaned. "Gag me, please."

"Josh." Toby said.

"What? They're cute." Donna said.

"Too cute." Josh said. 'They could at least wait to do that in private.'

"No, they're not. They're in love. That's what you do when you love someone. … If only more men would be like Sam." Donna said.

'Oh, come on. Not everyone has to be like him.' Josh clenched his teeth. "Yeah."

"Donna's right." Toby said.

'Of course you'd say that.' Josh thought.

"What's your problem, Josh?" Donna asked.

Josh's suit hung over his forearm with his hand in his pocket. "I don't like this."

Donna furrowed her brow. "You don't like what?"

"Them being together." Josh said.

Donna raised her eyebrows. "Sam and Ainsley?"

"It's almost hard to believe Sam didn't consult you." Toby said.

"Sam doesn't need to consult me but it'd be nice if he listened to my opinion." Josh said. 'I'm his best friend. It's my job to look out for Sam, especially cause he's Sam.'

"How is that any different from consulting you?" Toby asked.

"Because he's not asking for my opinion. I'm just offering it." Josh said.

"Sam is a grown man. You're delusional if you think that Sam would listen to your opinion just because you offered it." Toby said.

"Well then that's GREAT! I guess he doesn't need me anymore now that he's got Ainsley." 'And she's gonna be his undoing.' Josh said.

"All I said is that Sam and Ainsley are the only ones who get a say, not any of us. You're still his best friend, but now he has the woman he loves. … Look, Sam isn't trying to force you to be in a serious relationship with anyone, right?" Toby asked.

Josh shrugged. "...I guess."

"And why is that?" Toby asked.

"Because it's my life, my choice." Josh said.

"Exactly. He's not forcing his input on you. Don't force your input on him." Toby said.

'It's not forced if it's for his own good.' Josh thought.

"They've been serious for a year and Sam's been thinking about proposing since they got together. The only reason he hasn't proposed sooner is because of the campaign, and you're just now saying something?" Donna asked.

'Wait… WHAT?! What are you talking about?' "Yes." Josh said.

"Okay… Well, I dunno what your problem is, and I'm too tired right now to even begin to work through it, but the bottom line is that women are looking for men who treat them like Sam treats Ainsley. We deserve to be treated like queens." Donna said.

'That's such a stupid idea, men treating women like queens. I can't do that!' Josh thought.

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Does Josh's behavior surprise you?

What do you think is going on in Josh's head in this chapter?

How does Josh's behavior compare to Toby's?