DISCLAIMER: Same as before, all non-West Wing characters are mine, and obviously the rest belongs to Sorkin.
NOTES: A little twist in the plot. Read the reviews and came up with some stuff I think you will all like. Stay tuned…
…
The front gate to the White House creaked open as Andree made her way through it, pass the guards, and up to the front entrance. Once inside the building she stopped just inside the lobby. Checking her reflection in the window, she straightened her uniform and smoothed her hair. In one swift motion she pulled out her identification card and slid it through the device just in front of her. Moments later she was walking through the halls of the West Wing heading for the Roosevelt Room where her team was slated to meet.
People were moving quickly all around her as she made her way to the meeting. Sidestepping an intern carrying a load of books, McCallister misjudged her angle and proceeded to back into another person. Andree was fortunate enough to catch her balance as well as that of the person she collided with. Or was that possibly the other way around? In any sense, she righted herself and picked up the briefcase that had fallen to the ground. At that same moment another hand reached for the case.
"I'm so sorry, I should have been looking where I was going. Things have been so crazy around here and I just…" the voice was quick and concise, but that ceased immediately the moment its owner realized who they were speaking to.
"Andy."
That voice, so full of disdain and loneliness. It belonged to a face she had seen earlier that day. A face that echoed the same feelings dripping from the undertones of that voice. McCallister looked up slowly and sighed. It was the very person she had been trying to avoid since her arrival in Washington D.C.
"Sam, surprise seeing you here." The words felt awkward coming out of her mouth. It wasn't a surprise that he was here. He worked here. The thing that ate away at her was the fact he had never mentioned it before.
"Can we talk?" the request was sudden and not at all what she was expecting. Andree simply nodded as Sam grabbed her arm, pulling her into the Communications bullpen. From there they wove between the workers before coming to a stop inside his office. He closed the door and turned to look at her.
"Well?"
"Well, what?"
"You wanted to talk. So here we are, in what I assume is your office. So talk. Make it quick though, I have a meeting with my team." She tossed the briefcase onto his desk and leaned against the edge. Her heart was pounding though she wouldn't let herself show it.
Sam took a moment to think, pacing the floor between the bookcase and the other end of the room. In the instant following his collision with the Colonel his instincts told him to act. Yet, now that he had her alone no words could form.
McCallister sensed this in him and stepped forward. She gently grabbed his hand as he walked by and turned him to face her. Catching his gaze, Andree moved her hand from his and up to his shoulder. Her other hand came to rest on the side of his face, as if to keep him from looking away.
"Sam, I realize you have questions. God knows, so do I. Please remember, though, what happened between us was short and intense and both of us know nothing more could have come from it." She saw his eyes flicker slightly.
"How do you really know that?" his voice was soft as he spoke. The emotions that had flared minutes ago began to subside.
"I just do," she whispered, "I have to go."
"When can we talk?"
"Meet me for breakfast tomorrow morning in the Mess. I've got some time after my briefing before I head to Mr. Lyman's residence. It won't be a lot of time but we can start sorting through this." With that she released him from the slight embrace and stepped back. She reached down and grabbed the briefcase yet again. In one fluid motion she shifted it to her other hand and again cupped his cheek. Sam opened his mouth to say something but closed it again and Andree pressed her thumb over his lips.
"Tomorrow."
Sam merely nodded. Andree leaned forward and kissed him softly on the cheek. He watched as she opened the door and walked out into the outer office, disappearing into the corridor. Time crept by as he stood there staring after her. His thoughts were interrupted when Ginger walked into the room.
"Excuse me, Sam. The President wishes to see the senior staff in the Oval Office in ten minutes." Sam acknowledged the request and thanked Ginger as he moved behind his desk, making it look as if he had been doing something before. Once his assistant had gone back to her work, he looked back at the door.
'Tomorrow.' He thought to himself. At least that gave him time for thought. Coherent thought at that. None of this spur of the moment stuff he had just done. After all, how else was he going to confront the woman that had stolen his heart and not given it back?
