Part 7

Sam got off the plane at Washington Dulles late that evening. After breakfast, Josh called him with a lie about Toby being sick and refusing to go to the doctor. Sam questioned why he needed to fly out there right away, because Toby wouldn't listen to him anyway. After being unable to get Sam to hop on a plane, Josh made Donna call. She pretended to be crying and mentioned how sick Toby was. Sam was on the next plane out of Orange County.

Josh and Donna were waiting for Sam when he exited. They quickly hugged and departed the crowded airport.

"So, you want to tell me why I'm really here?" Sam asked.

"Okay, this is the story." Josh started. He told Sam all about the Helen scandal, which Sam was aware of since he watched television and read the newspaper. Then Josh explained the whole CJ mess. "She loves him!" Josh ended loudly.

"I'm happy." Sam smiled and nodded. "But where do I come in?"

"You help Toby. Well, we help Toby. Donna helps CJ." Josh shrugged. "Toby and I haven't been on the best of terms lately. Plus, he always listened to you."

"No he didn't."

"Well, he needs our help. I don't like playing cupid, but I couldn't say no to them." Josh mumbled.

"Say no to whom?" Sam inquired.

"Josh has a weakness." Donna smiled.

"They gave me the puppy look." Josh whined.

"What the hell is he talking about?" Sam asked.

"Huck and Molly." Donna answered. "They know how to work Josh."

"Molly has you eating out of her hands with the whole ice cream thing." Josh accused.

"She has Toby's dimples. I can't resist dimples."

"You resist mine."

"That's different."

"Why?"

"It just is."

"Look," Sam jumped in. "I want to help. But I don't see how my being here is going to make a difference."

"You're like Toby's little brother." Josh smiled. "I'm like his annoying little cousin who pops in and out of his life asking for favours. Who would you listen to? Your brother? Or annoying cousin?"

"The hell?" Sam looked at Donna for answers.

"He's on a winning streak with Santos. Let him ride the wave." Donna shook her head.

TOBY'S HOUSE

Toby leaned back on the couch. He looked at the scrabble board and sighed.

"I'm losing." He mumbled.

"Yes you are." Huck smiled. He put out his letters for his next word.

"No Cheese?" Molly questioned. "That's not a word."

"Yes it is." Huck proclaimed. "How else do you order a pizza with no cheese?"

"I have to agree with Molly." Toby nodded.

"See." Molly pointed to her father. "And he's a writer."

"Don't care. This is my word." Huck stood his ground.

"So, dad." Molly ignored her brother and took her time with her next word. "Have you talked to Aunt CJ today?"

"No." Toby mumbled as he waited his turn. "Why?"

"Well, you should say you're sorry." Molly mentioned. "Aunt CJ would love to hear you say that."

"Why?"

"Because she told me you don't ever say it, and she'd love to hear you say it at least once." Huck chimed in. "Hurry up, Molly."

"Don't rush me." Molly glared at Huck.

"Do you need help spelling something?" Huck smiled, smugly.

"You want a word." Molly quickly put down three letters.

"Hey!" Toby read the word and quickly discarded the letters. "Where did you learn that word?" Toby asked.

"Anyone home!" Josh opened the door without knocking.

"That answers my question." Toby moaned and stood up. He noticed Josh walking in with a slight jump in his step. Donna looked annoyed. And Sam looked... "Sam!"

"Hey boss." Sam smiled as he put his suitcase down. He was shocked when Toby embraced him with a hug.

"How are you?" Toby smiled and patted Sam on the back. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm fine." Sam smiled and looked down at the two kids staring up athim. He hadn't met Huck or Molly yet, but he could tell right away they were Toby's kids. "Hi." He waved.

"Hi." Huck and Molly smiled shyly.

"Ooh, scrabble." Josh rushed over and sat next to Huck. "Who's winning."

"Well, if you count, No Cheese, as a word, then Huck." Molly answered.

"Of course, No Cheese, is a word. How else would you order a pizza without cheese?" Josh asked, dumbly.

"Josh." Toby walked over with Sam.

"Yeah?" Josh looked up.

"Stay away from my son." Toby pleaded. Josh only laughed and went back to help Molly with her next word. Toby turned back to Sam, who was trying not to laugh. "He never takes me seriously anymore."

"Did he ever?" Sam smiled. "Huck and Molly?"

"Oh, I'm sorry." Toby quickly pulled Sam down next to the coffee table. "Kids, I want you to meet Sam. He used to work with me for the President." Toby introduced. "Sam, this is Huck and Molly."

"It's nice to finally meet you two." Sam shook hands with the kids. "I'm sorry it took so long to get out here."

"Where do you live?" Huck asked.

"California."

"My mom is out there now." Huck smiled. "Do you know my mom?"

"Yes, I do." Sam smiled.

"Wait," Molly stopped. "Are you the Sam my mom calls a stud muffin?"

"Really?" Sam blushed.

"No. But she did say you had a nice..."

"Molly." Toby warned.

"What?" Molly shrugged.

"My God." Sam stood next to Donna.

"Molly is certainly her father's daughter." Donna nodded.

"We were talking about Aunt CJ." Molly pointed out. "I think dad should say he is sorry."

"We're not talking about CJ." Toby warned and read the word Molly spelled out. "Conjugal?"

"Interesting how you use the words, CJ and Conjugal, so close together." Molly tilted her head and smiled at her glaring father. "You want to talk about it?"

"How about we play Candyland?" Toby asked quickly.

"I like playing this." Huck pouted. "Your turn, dad."

"Okay," Toby reviewed his letters and the board. He smiled and spelled his word.

"Grounded." Sam read with a smirk.

"Maybe Candyland is a good idea." Molly jumped up and ran to get the new game.

"She's just like her mother." Toby mumbled.

"Actually, she's just like her father." Donna smiled. Toby spun around and glared at her. "I should go." She smiled nervously. She looked at everyone quickly. "Bye." She left.

"Sam wanted to know if he could stay here." Josh mentioned.

"No I didn't." Sam looked confused.

"Of course you can." Toby slapped Sam on the back.

"Cool." Huck smiled and grabbed Sam's hand. "I'll show you my room. Well, I share it with Molly, but I got the whole left side..." Huck continued talking and they disappeared upstairs.

"What are you up to?" Toby asked Josh.

"What?" Josh smiled.

"Sam hasn't been here for years. He just happened to visit today, of all days?"

"And what day would that be?" Josh tried to pry.

"You know damn well what day today is. You were here this morning!" Toby snapped.

"Why don't you just tell CJ how you feel."

"What, angry? Confused?"

"Love? Friendship? Sex?"

"Get out." Toby grabbed Josh by the tie and pulled him toward the door. "Do not come back."

"But..."

The door slammed shut. Josh smiled smugly as he walked back to his car, where Donna was waiting for him.

"Am I really grounded?" Molly asked as Toby walked back into the livingroom. "'Cause I was just trying..."

"I know what you were trying to do." Toby nodded. "But right now, I'm very conflicted."

"About Aunt CJ?" Molly sat on Toby's lap.

"Among other things." Toby mumbled as he hugged his daughter.

"Dad?"

"Yes?"

"Between just you and me. Do you love her?"

"Just between you and me?"

"Yep."

"Yes. I think I do."

TBC