Bipartisanship
Title: Bipartisanship
Author: ScarlettMithruiel
Classification: R
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Doesn't belong to me. Belongs to Aaron Sorkin, NBC, etc. etc.
Author's Note: Sorry, sorry, sorry for the long lapses between chapters. I just don't want to have a characterization fiasco with my characters, that's all. By the way, if you didn't know before, the story doesn't really follow a set timeline other than the one stated in the Constitution which says that no president is allowed more than 8 years in office. This chapter skips a few months ahead, so they've already "converged households." And the POV I've been trying to use throughout this story is the whole omniscient 3rd person thing. Is it working? Italics are flashbacks or thoughts. Or, you know, enunciated words.
To RnR: In my own personal opinion, I believe that the show was kind of geared so that once Bartlet's two terms were over, he could pick it up and they could still have the same cast, because once you build a following, it kind of dies once you eliminate all the people your fans are familiar with.
-
December had begun to unleash its unadulterated wrath on DC. The temperatures were definitely beginning to drop and snow was beginning to inform everyone of its arrival. Deputy Communications Director and Democratic Presidential Candidate Sam Seaborn was lying on a sofa in his shared apartment with certified Republican lawyer Ainsley Hayes. The fireplace was lit and he was staring into its flickering depths. He heard the key turn in the lock and looked up. The door opened to reveal his stunning significant other, hair tousled and lightly dusted with snow.
"Hey," she greeted. "What are you doing home?" She dropped her bags on the floor, and turned to shut and lock the door. He got up to help her with her bags. Once they were rightfully propped against a corner in their shared office, he gave her a soft kiss.
"I got out early," he grinned. Her eyes sparkled with suspicion.
"How?" she asked, pointedly.
"Well, you know, I was so excited to come home and greet my love," he said. "And I wrote a draft of a speech and left it on Toby's desk to read, yell at me for, and make fun of."
"Uh-huh," she replied. "Where was Toby during all of this?"
"Getting a sandwich."
"You took advantage of the man's need for perfection when he went to get a sandwich?" She sounded appalled.
"No, no. Nothing like that. I'm sure the phone will be ringing soon. For him to…you know…contact me and yell at me." She crinkled her forehead and nodded slightly.
Ainsley shrugged off her coat and hung it up before coming and laying next to him. His arm snakes over to hold her against him possessively. "So what is the speech for?"
Sam brushes her hair aside and kisses her neck. She shudders slightly. "Toby and Josh want me to be ready for campaigning," he explains. "Because, you know, once I make an announcement that I'm running against McAllister, I should really start campaigning."
"So when are you going to start, you know, touring?"
"I don't know yet."
"So have you decided on a campaign slogan?"
"Somewhat. We had a meeting on it this morning."
"You know, Toby. What good is a campaign speech without a slogan?" Toby's eyebrows lifted in suspicion.
"And you have said slogan, Josh?"
"Well, somewhat, but you know, a slogan is important."
"I realize that."
"Do you think we could have managed to elect President Bartlet without that 'Bartlet For America' slogan?"
"Somehow, I think we could have scraped by, yes."
"..well..I still think we should have a slogan." CJ threw her hands up in exasperation.
"What's your slogan, Josh?"
"Sam Seaborn Saves Seals."
All eyes shot his way. "Josh, are you thinking?" CJ asked. "'Sam Seaborn Saves Seals?' Josh, it really doesn't help us get any vote but the environmentalist one."
"There's alliteration," Sam added. "Maybe that's why it was suggested."
"Shut up, Sam," Toby replied. "Josh, somehow, I feel like 'Sam Seaborn Saves Seals' wouldn't really disenchant the people from McAllister."
"It was just a suggestion."
Ainsley smiled at his story. He shifted, so that she was under him and kissed her. "What did you do today? Any disbarrs?" She shook her head.
"Aw. Well, maybe tomorrow." The phone rang. He got up and picked up the phone. "Hello? Yeah, Toby. I know. I had writer's block. How am I supposed to appeal to everyone? I'm sure the Republican half of the nation will hate me no matter what." Ainsley nudged him. He smiled at her. "What? Yeah. Where are you calling from? You have really bad reception. I know. Just change it, then. For the fortieth time, Toby, it's imagery. Okay. Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow." He hung up.
"Speaking of Republicans," Ainsley began, with a grin, "When do you want to come and meet my family?"
"When are you going to meet mine?"
"Look, pick a holiday."
"Columbus Day." She rolled her eyes.
"Sam, just tell me! Thanksgiving or Christmas?"
"Look, there's going to be a strong possibility that I will go and argue with the male members of your family over political matters. So I'd rather not."
"Sam, I'd rather not go to the dentist, but you know, it can't be helped! You're going. Now, Thanksgiving or Christmas?"
"But your teeth are your friends for life! Dental hygiene is important." She glared at him. "Thanksgiving."
"So I'll go and meet your parents on Christmas. And then, it will all be…you know…settled."
"Uh-huh," he replied, disbelieving. "You're going to go campaign with me, right? I mean, if you need it, I'm sure the President could talk to Tribbey for you."
"No, I'm sure it would be fine."
"All right." He began to kiss her neck again, like he had been. She chuckled and tried to move. He prevented her.
"Sam," she drawled, despairingly. "I have work to do."
"I'm sure it won't take long," he replied, a mischievous glint in his eye. With that, he picked her up and headed into their bedroom.
