DISCLAIMER: See chapter 1
A/N: Thanks for the review nattieb!
I think my speech went very well. The crowd responded boisterously, which I suppose is always a good thing. I really think we can pass this new budget.
As I walk offstage I notice Josh standing waiting for me. It's not all that unusual for him to do that, but what is weird is that he looks quite gloomy. I wonder what's wrong. It had better not be anything security-related because I really don't feel like going to the Sit Room tonight. "What's wrong? You look like you've just seen the Grim Reaper." I try to force a laugh, although Josh is making me really nervous.
He grabs my arm and whispers, "President Bartlet is dead."
I can't believe my ears. Did Josh really just say that President Bartlet is dead? "What?"
"Leo called Donna a few minutes ago. She's back at the White House." Oh God. President Bartlet is really dead. I can't believe it. "You've got to quickly greet the people and get back. Don't address the press."
I try to tell Josh that I understand, but I don't think the words came out so I nod instead. I have to stay strong right now: for my family, for my friends, and for my nation. I have to lead them through this. I take a deep breath and walk back onstage. The audience is still applauding, not knowing about our nation's great loss yet. I put on a smile and wave, keeping the act up, pretending nothing has happened. There's a growing pain in the pit of my stomach as I realize that I'm not comprehending anything going on around me.
Sam was ushered into the Manchester house by Dr. Bartlet. She was smiling brightly and eagerly asking him about Donna and their two kids. He was brought into the living room, sat down, and refused Dr. Bartlet's offer for a drink. After a few more seconds of small talk, she sighed. "I'll go and get Jed now." She stood up and walked to the door, but turned around in the entrance. "No one has told him yet. We thought it would be best if you told him." With that, she left the room.
Not knowing what to do with himself, Sam paced the room. He was anxious. He had heard that the President's MS has progressed, but he didn't know how far it had gone. Charlie's descriptions to him weren't quite clear. Sam just hoped that the magnitude of the news that he was going to give President Bartlet would register with him. The President was the reason that all this was happening.
A few seconds later, President Bartlet entered the room with his wife by his side, helping him along. He was wearing rather large glasses and walked with a cane, but his face lit into a smile when he saw Sam in the room. Suddenly, his smile dropped into a frown, leaving Sam quite baffled. "You're late."
"I'm sorry Mr. President. My plane was delayed. It's foggy in DC," Sam quickly apologized.
"I don't like to be kept waiting," he said in a stern voice as he gave Sam a hard look. Sam was petrified, he didn't think MS made people mean. Just as that thought popped into his head, though, a smile returned to the President's face again. He was laughing. "I had you." Sam was put at ease, and he laughed too.
Abbey helped Jed into a chair. "Well, I'll leave you two alone now. If you need anything, I'll be in the next room." She left. Sam sat down across from the President.
"And what have I done to deserve this visit from the Governor?"
Sam didn't know what to say. Did the President just slip up, or was this due to the MS? "With all due respect Mr. President, I'm a Senator, not a Governor."
He paused for a moment. "That's what I meant."
Sam decided to brush past the subject. "Mr. President, I have some very big news."
"Oh wait a minute... I forgot to ask. How are Donna and Emily?"
"They're wonderful. They send their love. As does JJ."
"JJ?"
"My son. JJ."
"You have a child?"
"Donna and I have two kids, remember? Emily is the oldest, and then there's JJ. His full name is Joshua Josiah, after you and Josh, but we nicknamed him JJ for less confusion."
The President looked disconcerted. Something in his eyes had turned childlike. He gazed at Sam for a moment before quietly asking, "Who are you?"
Sam was horrified. "I'm Sam. Sam Seaborn. I used to work for you Mr.ā"
"I don't know any Sams! Get out of my house!" Jed stood up with quite an effort.
"Mr. President, Iā"
"ABBEY!" Dr. Bartlet came running into the room. "Why the hell did you let this stranger into our house?!" He pointed to Sam.
She looked back and forth from the President to Sam, quickly assessing the situation. Finally, she addressed Jed. "I think it's time for you to go to bed."
"Abbey!" Dr. Bartlet grabbed Jed's arm and led him out of the room, all the while trying to talk him out of his tantrum. Sam sat in his same spot, mouth wide open, shocked. Josiah Bartlet, the one man he had looked up to more than anyone else, whose guidance he prided above all others, had forgotten who he was. It hurt him deeply.
A couple of minutes later, Abbey came back into the living room. She looked at Sam sympathetically. "I'm really sorry about that. Every once in a while he has memory lapses. They really don't happen that often, and I'm sorry you had to be here when one did."
"It's not your fault," Sam whispered as he stared at the floor, tears burning in his eyes.
Dr. Bartlet gazed at Sam, knowing the pain he was going through. She was going through it too, but she had to stay strong. She was the matriarch of her clan. "Why don't you stay here the night? I hear it's been getting even foggier in DC. I'm sure you're flight will be cancelled."
Sam shook his head. "I have to get back."
"I understand."
Two hours later, Sam was about to leave the house for the airport when the former First Lady came running to him. "Jed wants to see you."
"He remembers me?"
"His memory lapses only last a few hours. He wants to see you before you go. It won't be long, you'll still catch your flight."
"Yes ma'am."
Abbey led the way to the bedroom. Before allowing Sam in, she said, "Keep in mind, he's very tired."
Sam walked into the bedroom. Jed was propped up in bed, his glasses taken off. When he heard Sam walk in, he turned to face him. "I'm sorry about earlier."
"Oh no, Mr. President, don't be." He walked up to the bed and stood beside it.
"You said you had big news before. What is it?"
"It's not that important Mr. President."
"Of course it is. You flew all the way up here to tell me. What is it?"
Sam sighed. "Well, I was thinking about running for President... with your blessing of course."
A smile slowly spread onto Jed's face. "I told you that you were going to be President one day, remember?"
"Yes I do sir."
"Do you think I'd say that without meaning it?" Sam didn't know what to say. "You got your Chief of Staff picked out?"
"Josh."
President Bartlet nodded. "You're going to have to keep him in check."
"Don't worry. I'll keep my eye on him."
Jed let out a chuckle and then gazed silently at Sam. "I can't think of a better person than you to be President, Sam." He reached up and patted Sam's hand before turning over and falling asleep.
I can't take it anymore. I have to get home. I'll break down any moment if I don't. With one last wave, I exit the stage. Josh is still backstage, but now he's on his cell phone. Nevertheless, I still talk to him. "I have to get back! I have to see Donna!" He nods knowingly and continues with his conversation.
I head toward the back door. Ian, my agent, speaks into his hand mike, "Princeton is on the move."
