DISCLAIMER: Same as before, all non-West Wing characters are mine, and obviously the rest belongs to Sorkin.
NOTES: And the plot thickens…
…
President Josiah Bartlet sat behind his desk reading through a stack of papers that had just been left there by Charlie. It wasn't anything of real importance, just the day to day paper work of the Oval Office. The President wasn't too keen on this aspect of office, but it had to be done. A welcome distraction came in the form of Mrs. Landingham as she popped her head in through the door.
"Mr. President?"
"Yes?" his eyes never moved from the desk.
"CJ Cregg, Sam Seaborn, and Toby Ziegler to see you, sir."
"Send them in." he emphasized the order by putting down his pen, taking off his glasses, and standing from the chair. A moment later three members of his senior staff walked into the room, all of them greeting the President.
"Before you all start bombarding me with questions, let me tell you something. This team is the most highly trained group of professionals in the military. They out do the Secret Service in a few fields I never even realized until half an hour ago. The NSC highly recommends this and I'm not one to argue with Nancy or Fitz when it comes to the protection of my friends and family. Now you can start asking questions." He crossed his arms and waited for the tirade to begin.
"With all due respect, sir, it's smothering!" CJ didn't take any time in voicing her opinion on the matter.
"My guy has this kind of funny twitch. I'm worried he's got chronic trigger finger and may end up shooting me instead of the bad guy." Toby was much calmer than CJ, but still held the forcefulness in his voice.
The two continued to fume, but it was a quiet Sam Seaborn that caught the President's attention. He was just standing there not saying a word. It also seemed like he hadn't been listening at all. Bartlet called out, stopping the onslaught of words from the other two.
"Sam."
His head snapped up, "Yes sir?"
"Would you care to participate in CJ and Toby's ratings?" he looked intently at the young man.
"I'm sorry, sir. I don't follow. Ratings?" the look of confusion on Sam's face was genuine. He had indeed not been following what was happening in the room. His thoughts were on the meeting between himself and Colonel McCallister.
"CJ and Toby were just enlightening me as to their displeasure with their new friends. Do you have anything you wish to add?"
"Add, sir?"
"Is there anything wrong with your new body guard?" he raised an eyebrow, slightly concerned as to why Sam was a bit out of it.
"No, sir. Nothing." The answer was half-hearted but good enough for the President.
"Alright, if there's nothing else," he began.
"But, sir," CJ butted in.
"If there's nothing else." Bartlet gave her a look as if to say there was precisely nothing else that needed to be dealt with.
Taking the hint, they all thanked the President and began filing out the door they came in. Sam hung back for a moment, watching them all leave. Just as Toby was walking into the outer office, Sam turned back to the President.
"Sir, about the military personnel. I…" he stopped and thought for a moment; "There's someone…" he stopped again.
"Yes?" the President looked at him, waiting.
"Nothing, sir. Thank you, Mr. President." Sam gave him a meek smile before exiting the Oval Office. President Bartlet stood there for a beat looking at the door they had all just left out of. He pondered Sam's behavior a moment before returning to the stack of papers on his desk.
…
Andree was the first to arrive in the Roosevelt Room for the meeting. Opening up her case, she pulled out some papers and a pen. She made sure everything that was needed was there before sitting down in one of the chairs. Leaning back, she rubbed her temple gently, closing her eyes.
"You can't be tired yet, the day's just started." The voice was accompanied by the opening and closing of a door. Andy opened one eye only to find Jarem standing over her, a goofy grin on his face.
"It may have just started but I wish it would end already." McCallister sat forward and rested her arms on the table. Jarem pulled out the chair next to her and sat down.
"Why don't you tell Uncle J all about it." He laid on a fake southern accent, leaning in close.
"Why don't you get back before you regret it." Andree gave him a sweet smile.
"Fair enough." He put his hands up in surrender and stood. At that time the rest of the team came into the room. They were all talking among themselves as they found their seats. McCallister used the opportunity to change the subject.
"How did your meeting with the President go?" she asked all the while taking a silent head count of those present.
"President Bartlet is a very understanding man. Of course, it made my job a bit easier with Sloan being there also. He had explained a lot of it to the President before we even got there." He reached out and grabbed an apple that was sitting in the middle of the table. Andree just shook her head. Jarem always looked for a short cut to get things done, but he was one hell of sailor and she would trust him with her life.
"What about you? Have a good field trip to Georgetown?" he took a large bite out of the apple.
"It could have gone better." She stopped at that as the last officer was seated.
"Alright everyone, lets get started." Andy looked at Jarem who just shrugged and sat back down. McCallister began the meeting. "J, you can go first."