Chapter 3

Several Public Displays

"Don't worry Donna," Sam assured a nervous Donna as they walked from their cab to the restaurant later that night. "Everyone we are meeting tonight knows the truth. This is just a chance to talk strategy and see if this will even work. And if possible see if pictures of us cuddling land in the tabloids tomorrow. Plus we have this enormous ring to show off." Sam said, picking up her hand as he finished with a wink.

"You want pictures in the tabloids do you?" Donna questioned playfully as she stopped and pulled Sam close to her.

"Is this cuddly enough for you?" Donna put her arms around Sam's neck and whispered in his ear.

"Pretty good for starters, but I think we can do better." Sam answered. He wrapped his arms around her waist and moved his head closer until it was just inches from hers.

"Will they two of you cut that out before people start throwing money at you?" the annoyed voice of Josh Lyman broke into their moment of closeness. Sam moved away from Donna slightly but picked up her left hand protectively.

"Great to see you Josh. Thanks for coming." Sam said warmly giving Donna's cold hand a reassuring squeeze.

"I wasn't sure you'd even come." Donna declared, not meeting Josh's eyes.

"It's not like you gave me a chance to accept before you ran out of my office." Josh responded. He tried to catch Donna gaze but she continually averted her eyes. When Donna didn't respond, Josh continued.

"So the two of you really are serious about this?" Josh questioned.

"I told you we are." Donna responded cagily.

"This is just more stupid that I'd expect from the two of you." Josh threw out slightly bitterly. Donna flinched notably at his tone and pulled closer to Sam instinctively.

"Donna, will you go inside? We'll meet you in a moment." Sam asked Donna but didn't look away from Josh in a measuring way. Sam was regretting not backing up Donna earlier that day and new that he now needed fight his half of this battle.

"Seriously, guys, don't make this into some big macho thing." Donna glanced between the two men and after leaning in to give Sam a kiss that was calculated to make Josh slightly mad but not homicidal she went into the restaurant.

"So what the hell is this Sam?" Josh exploded once Donna was out of hearing range. "Defrauding the American public, making a mockery out of the sanctity of marriage, screwing me over majorly?"

"We're not defrauding anyone. Donna and I really want to get married. Josh, I'm not young anymore; I've given up hope of meeting the perfect person and falling head over heals and so has Donna. But she is as close to perfect as anyone I know and if I can't make it work with her I can't make it work with anyone." Sam answered coolly trying to smooth over Josh's temper, but Josh would have none of it.

"But your not in love! Isn't that what marriage is supposed to be about? Or has everyone except me forgotten that?" Josh blasted at Sam.

"Josh, maybe you aren't the right person to be scolding me for marrying someone I'm not in love with!" Sam retorted.

"Excuse me?"

"Josh, we all thought that you and Donna had been in love for almost 8 years and as soon Barlet was out of office you would make your move. Well you did make a move but it wasn't the one we expected. You asked Amy to marry you damn it! You finally could have had Donna and instead you broke her heart. So think about that before you give me advise about love!" Sam finished strongly.

"You think I broke her heart?" Josh asked, startled.

"If that's really what you think happened, you need to have a talk with the future Mrs. Sam Seaborn." Josh finished.

"Josh..." Sam started but Josh cut him off quickly.

"Yeah, a heart was trampled but it was mine, not hers." Josh answered but after a long pause Sam didn't respond so he continued.

"I'm sick of everyone thinking all these years that I led her on and abused her. You, CJ, Toby, even the Bartlett's all think I screwed her over. I'm not going to say I'm completely innocent, but you need to talk to her about it."

"So what, Josh, are you out?" Sam asked.

"Of the campaign? No, I'm still in. And as long as I don't have to like you and Donna together, if you truly decide to go through with it I'll back you. I mean, I won't be happy, but I'll be there." Josh finished. Sam genuinely smiled at Josh for the first time that night.

"Thanks, man." He said patting Josh on the arm. The small crowd that had started to gather at the height of their confrontation had since dissipated. Somehow Sam was more pleased than he had expected to be with the way the discussion had gone. For one thing they have made it through without throwing punches, which at one point had been a strong possibility. Without another word the two men turned and entered the restaurant where at the very least, a very interesting meal was waiting for them.