Author: Catgurl83

Title: Unexpected Changes (2/3)

Disclaimer: Not mine.

Rating: PG

Author's note: Thanks to Anakam and Abigail for betaing this for me!

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

"What the hell were you thinking? You should have left immediately." Leo glared at CJ before turning back to the TV. They were in a hospital waiting room along with Josh and Toby.

"It wasn't that easy. It happened so quickly. We didn't know that he'd go that far and I had no idea that he had a gun."

He glanced at her again. "A fist fight wouldn't have been much better."

"I know that. We were talking and he just came up and started insulting Sam and the Administration. I still don't know why."

Leo ignored that. There was something else that he was interested in right now. "What were you doing at the fair with Danny Concannon?"

"We were on a date."

"A date? You, the press secretary, were on a date with a reporter?"

"Sam and Donna were on a date too," CJ said defensively.

"That is not the same as you are perfectly aware."

"Technically it wasn't a date," Josh put in.

"Just because neither of them will admit they are dating doesn't mean that they aren't," Toby said from his seat across the room.

Something on the TV mounted on the wall caught his attention and he turned to look at it. "Guys." He reached out to turn the sound up.

A picture of CJ filled the screen. A reporter off camera was speaking. "Three members of the White House staff and one member of the press corps were involved in an altercation at the Orange Festival today." CJ's photo was replaced with one of Sam. "Witnesses say that Deputy Communications Director Sam Seaborn, Press Secretary CJ Cregg, Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff Donna Moss, and newspaper reporter Danny Concannon got into an argument with an unknown man. The argument started when the man made a comment about Sam Seaborn's dying daughter, Serena.

"The argument progressed as the man criticized President Bartlett's staff and their intelligence and morals," the reporter continued. "Police were called when the man pulled a gun. The gunman was shot by the police after he shot Donna Moss. At this time we do not know what condition either of them are in. White House Chief of Staff Leo McGarry arrived a half-hour ago along with Josh Lyman, and Toby Ziegler. All three men refused to comment."

The station went to commercial as Sam stepped into the room.

"How is she?" Josh asked.

"The bullet grazed her left arm. She had to have stitches and she'll have to wear a sling for a few weeks but she'll be fine." He smiled. "She says it hurt more when they put the IV in than the bullet did."

Josh swallowed hard as relief coursed through him. All that he'd been able to think about since he heard what had happened was his own gunshot wound. Even now he knew that at some point today he'd be making a call to Stanley.

"Where's Serena?" Sam asked, glancing around the room.

Leo motioned toward the corner of the room. Serena was asleep on a chair, her head resting on Toby's lap.

Sam smiled but before he could speak Toby shook his head. "Do not say a word."

"I'll take her," Sam offered, moving toward them.

"You're leaving?" CJ's voice was incredulous.

"Of course not. I just thought Toby might be more comfortable if I took Serena."

"Serena's fine. If you try to move her she might wake up." Toby's voice was gruff.

Sam and CJ both hid smiles.

"Have you heard anything about the gunman?" Sam asked, turning toward Leo.

"I spoke with a doctor right after I arrived. According to his driver's license, his name is Dillon Smith. The bullet entered his shoulder. He's in surgery right now having it removed. He was intoxicated when he was brought in."

"I think he's a Republican," Josh added.

"I'm not surprised that he had been drinking." Sam turned to CJ. "Where's Danny?"

She rolled her eyes. "He went to file his story."

"He already wrote it?"

"Oh yeah. Didn't you see him writing? I think he got everything that was said down, word for word. He said that he'll call to check on Donna later."

"Is he going to acknowledge that he was there with you?" Sam asked, glancing nervously at Leo.

"Probably."

"Won't that cause problems?"

"Everyone already knows. It's all over the news," Josh said.

"What are they reporting?"

"Right now they're pretty much sticking to the basics. The majority of the speculating hasn't started yet but I did hear someone suggest that you and Donna could have been on a double date with CJ and Danny."

Sam looked over at his sleeping daughter. "Have they mentioned Serena?"

"Just that she was there and that witnesses are reporting that the argument started over her," Leo said. "I haven't heard anything about the possibility of a custody battle yet."

Sam shifted uncomfortably.

"What?" CJ asked.

He hesitated. He'd been planning on speaking with CJ and Leo today anyway but that had been before the incident at the fair. With the bad press over this he wasn't sure that this was the right time to file for custody, but he'd already done it. Now he wished that he had had patience. "I spoke with my lawyer. I'm filing for custody tomorrow."

Toby looked up. "Perfect timing Sam."

"The press is going to love this," CJ said.

"After the shooting Alana might try to say that Serena isn't safe with you," Josh put in.

Sam shot an annoyed look at him. "I know that."

"Speaking of Alana, have you called to let her know what's going on?" Leo asked.

"Not yet." He looked over at Toby. "I should go do that now. Would you like for me to move Serena before I go?"

"I already told you, she's fine where she is."

"Oh my God."

Everyone turned to look at CJ. She was staring wide eyed at the TV. She reached out to turn the volume up.

Sam gasped as he caught sight of the image on TV. A picture of Serena was on the screen. The toddler was in a police officer's arms, screaming, as he carried her to his car.

"This picture was taken earlier today by Frank Albert, a tourist at the Orange Festival. The baby is White House Deputy Communications Director Sam Seaborn's daughter Serena," the reporter off camera was saying.

"Did either of you see the camera?" Leo demanded.

"I would have told you already if I had," CJ answered.

Sam just shook his head. He was still staring at the picture of his daughter. She looked awful in this picture. It really magnified her illness. He turned away from the television, instead focusing on the child across the room. The sleeping little girl seemed utterly content and comfortable. Peaceful.

He crossed the room to take the seat beside her, gently reaching out to caress her cheek. "Do you think she'll remember this?" he asked softly.

"Her illness or today?" CJ asked gently.

"Any of it," Sam responded, not taking his attention off of Serena.

CJ laid a hand on his shoulder. "I doubt it. That's one good thing about her being so young."

"I hope you're right. She's been through so much and the next few months are probably going to be worse." Snippets of the information he'd read about bone marrow transplants ran through his mind as did what he knew of child custody battles.

Finally, he turned back toward the door. "I'm going to go call Alana. She must be worried."

'''''''''''''''''''''''''

Sam opened the door to Donna's apartment and they stepped inside. "Why don't you call for takeout while I get us both drinks and call my house to check on Serena. I left her with a seventeen-year-old girl from my church."

"I can get the drinks, you're my guest."

He glanced down at her arm, hanging in a sling against the cheap t-shirt CJ had picked out for her from the hospital gift shop.

She followed his gaze. "Okay, go get drinks."

"What would you like?"

"A beer but I can't have it with my medication. Iced tea."

A few minutes later Sam came back into the room with their drinks.

"Is Serena okay?"

"Yes, Gabby is feeding her dinner right now."

"There weren't any effects from earlier?"

He shook his head. "Not that I've noticed. When she woke up from her nap she seemed to have forgotten. Too bad Alana isn't going to forget."

"How was she when you called her?"

"Very upset. She'd already found out through the news coverage and had had time to fester."

"I can understand why she'd be upset about this," Donna began. "But she's disliked you from the beginning. Or at least, it's seemed that way to me."

"Yeah."

"You never met her during your relationship with Alex?"

"No." Sam was silent for a few moments as he thought of Alex. "She and I were only together for a few months."

"Oh." Donna tried but didn't quite succeed at hiding her curiosity. Since she'd found out about Serena, she hadn't been able to stop herself from wondering about the little girl's mother.

"Alex and I first met about three years ago. I was out jogging early on a Sunday morning and I saw her. She was jogging too. Her hair was the first thing I noticed. It was pulled back in a long braid that reached almost to her knees and was flapping against her as she moved. I remember wondering what that hair would look like loose." He smiled, lost in the memory. "So when I saw her stop to buy a bottle of water toward the end of the path, I also stopped. I think I made some stupid comment about what a nice day it was. She smiled and agreed. We finished the jog together and I took her out for breakfast."

Sam took a sip of his tea. "I found out that she was an interior decorator. She was here temporarily working on a new housing development. She lived in New York."

The doorbell rang and Sam stood up. "I'll get the food."

While he was gone, Donna got plates and silverware from the kitchen. They served their food and sat back on the sofa to eat.

"From that day, I was drawn to Alex. I took as much time to spend with her as I could."

"That was during our first year in the White House?"

"Yes."

"Wow. I didn't know that you had a relationship going."

"I don't think anyone did. Alex…" He hesitated. "I don't think she would have fit in with the group. She voted but that was about as into politics as she got. Our heated debates and discussions wouldn't have interested her. And she was very quiet, though I'm not sure I'd use the word shy.

"About two months after we met Alex told me that she'd almost finished her job here and that she'd be leaving in a few days. I wanted the relationship to continue but she said she didn't think that was a good idea, that a long distance relationship wouldn't work for us, not at that time in our lives. I was too focused on my career whereas she wanted a more serious, long lasting relationship and children."

He finished his food and set the plate on the coffee table. "I couldn't argue with her. She wanted marriage and children and I wasn't ready for that. She went home and we continued to speak over the phone and to email but that gradually faded. I hadn't spoken to her in months when she last called me a couple of months before her death." He paused a moment. "With her talk of wanting more, wanting children, maybe I should have guessed that she was pregnant but I didn't. It never occurred to me, never."

Donna took a sip of tea. She could now understand Alana's words on Oprah about her daughter thinking that Sam's career was the most important thing to him and about him not being ready to be a father. Alex had obviously discussed Sam, and her thoughts on him, with her mother. "If that is how she felt, it is a little easier to understand why she didn't tell you, but I still think she should have. You're capable of making your own decisions."

He just nodded. Alex keeping the pregnancy from him hurt and he wasn't sure if he'd ever completely be able to forgive her for it.

Donna played with the lemon wedge in her tea. "Does Serena remind you of her?"

It was a few minutes before Sam answered the question. He replayed scenes of his daughter in his mind, her expressions and quirks, the light that came into her eyes when she was excited about something. "She doesn't look much like Alex and yet sometimes when I look at her, I would swear that it was Alex I was looking at. The way she tilts her head, her smile, are so Alex. I wonder how much more of her mother I'll notice as Serena grows up, or if she'll instead emulate the adults around her."

"The age old question, nature or nurture."

"Exactly." Sam stood up, picking the plates up. "I should probably be getting home. I promised Alana on the phone today that I'd bring Serena to her first thing tomorrow morning. Should I put the dishes in the dish washer before I go?"

"No. I'll just clean them off and wait until morning to run the dishwasher. I don't like running it without a full load but thank you for offering."

Sam smiled at her. "No problem." He put the plates and glasses in the sink and Donna walked with him to the door. "Thank you for listening to me, about Alex. I know I was rambling."

"You weren't rambling and I didn't mind." She hesitated. "I'm glad that you feel comfortable confiding in me like that."

"Of course I do. If I didn't feel that comfortable with you I wouldn't have taken you along when I went to see Serena last weekend." He reached out to smooth a piece of hair out of her face before realizing what he was doing and quickly pulling his hand back. "Well, I'll see you at work tomorrow after I take Serena to Alana."

"Tell Serena goodbye for me."

"I will." Sam stepped out into the hall, closing the door behind himself.

Donna stood there for several seconds after he left. Finally she locked the door and turned away from it. But she still couldn't get Sam or the last hour out of her mind. She'd had dinner with Sam many, many times before but somehow times had felt very different. Tonight had seemed more… intimate. As soon as the word popped into her mind she dismissed it.

'''''''''''''''''''''''

A week and a half later Sam walked into his house. With a lot of persuasion he'd managed to convince Alana to come to DC early today and allow him to spend a couple of hours alone with Serena while she did some shopping and had lunch with a friend. Then, while he and Alana were in court Donna had stayed here with Serena.

He went into his living room, which had undergone a dramatic transformation in the last three weeks. Outlet covers were in all of the electrical outlets, corner guards were on all sharp edges, slip covers on the furniture, and a high flip lock on the coat closet. A couple of books lay on the coffee table and several dolls on the floor.

Donna looked up from her spot on the living room floor. She met Sam's eyes, holding her breath while she waited for him to say something.

Sam held up a document, smiling. "I have temporary custody. We have another court date next month."

"When does custody start? How often will Alana be visiting with Serena?"

"Temporary custody starts immediately." He picked the toddler up and kissed her forehead. "Alana will be coming by in about an hour to say goodbye to Serena before she goes home. The judge has ordered me to allow her to see Serena as often as she can come to DC, within reason. She'll be spending the afternoon before our next court appearance with Serena, providing that Serena's health will allow it. Hopefully by that time we'll be preparing for a bone marrow transplant."

Donna stood up. "I'm so glad that you won this round." She gave him a quick hug. "If she's coming here, would you like me to go?"

"Of course not."

"You don't think that Alana might get the wrong idea? We have been spending quite a bit of time together. If our coworkers could read something into it, Alana easily could as well."

"I really don't care," Sam responded. "It's none of Alana's business whom I spend time with as long as it isn't detrimental to Serena. You're great with Serena and she adores you."

"If you're sure…" Another thought occurred to her. "You said that the social worker assigned to the case will want to meet with everyone central in your life. Everyone who spends a lot of time with Serena."

Sam nodded.

"Will I need to meet with the social worker?"

"Probably."

"What will you tell him or her about me? What will Alana tell them?"

"I'll tell the social worker that you're one of my two best friends. That you've been a big help with Serena and that I probably wouldn't have gotten through this so well without your help." As he spoke he started toward the stairs, Donna following him. Upstairs, he stopped in the bathroom and turned the water on. "Should I leave Serena in her play clothes or put her in one of the dresses I bought for her?"

"Play clothes."

Sam nodded as he set Serena down and pulled her shirt over her head. "Ready for a bath sweetheart?"

The child nodded enthusiastically. She loved bath time.

As he set her in the tub she grabbed a sponge shaped like Flounder from The Little Mermaid and submerged it in water. Once it was wet she threw it at her father. It hit his forehead and water dripped down his face.

Donna and Serena both burst out laughing as Sam sputtered in shock. Sam mock frowned at Donna. "Don't encourage her."

"But it's so much fun."

Now Serena was splashing water all over the bathroom, chortling as she did so.

Sam shampooed and rinsed the child's hair and took her out of the tub. He dried her off and carried her, wrapped in a towel, into her bedroom to dress her.

He sat his daughter down on the Barney comforter covering her bed and took a jumper out of the dresser. He was slipping Serena's tennis shoes on her feet when the doorbell rang. "Could you get that?" he asked Donna without looking up. "Take her into the family room.

"Sure." Donna made her way down the hall and stepped over the baby gate so that she could go downstairs.

"Hello Alana."

Alana looked surprised to see Donna on the other side of the door.

"Sam and Serena will be downstairs soon. Come inside." She stepped out of the way to let Alana enter and then led the woman to the family room. "Have a seat."

"I didn't expect to see you this afternoon."

Donna didn't respond.

"You and Sam must be close."

Again Donna said nothing. She wasn't willing to give the woman more fuel.

"The pictures in the newspapers of you, Sam, and Serena were adorable."

"Yes, they were," Donna agreed. "Serena is a cute little girl."

"I was surprised to see you in them."

"Why?" Sam stood in the doorway with Serena in his arms.

Serena squirmed to get down. Once Sam had set her on the floor, she ran across the room and climbed on Donna's lap, waving at her grandmother.

Donna felt the woman's glare as she looked down at the little girl. "Serena do you want to go to grandma?"

"No."

"Serena seems attached to you."

It was Sam who answered. "Yes."

"They must spend quite a bit of time together. There is nothing wrong with that. I'm sure Serena is close to your friends."

Alana gave him a pointed look. "Not that close."

Sam shrugged.

Donna had tired of being discussed as if she wasn't there. She set Serena on Alana's lap and stood up. She glanced at Sam. "We should give them some time alone."

Sam nodded and looked over at Alana. "We'll be across the hall in the living room."

Alana had already turned her attention to Serena.

"She spent the entire time you were upstairs pumping me for information on our relationship." She sat down. "I really don't like her."

"Neither do I."

"Are you going to encourage her to spend time with Serena?"

"I have to. Serena needs her. Both of my parents are dead. Besides the court will probably order me to allow them to spend time together."

"How are you going to stand being around her?"

"I'll probably avoid her as much as I possibly can."

Donna suddenly grinned. "Have you told anyone else that you won today?"

Sam shook his head.

"You should call them while Serena's occupied. They'll be thrilled for you."

He nodded as he picked up the phone. "Hey CJ," he said after Carol had put him through.

"How did it go at court?"

"I got temporary custody."

"Congratulations Sam."

"It isn't over yet. I don't have full custody. We have another court date next month."

"Have you told the others," CJ asked.

"You knew that Donna watched Serena during the hearing. She's still here with me. I haven't spoken with any of the others yet. Would you mind letting Leo, Toby, and Josh know for me? Alana's here now so I don't want to make any other calls."

"Of course. Congratulations again and give Serena a kiss for me."

Sam hung up and sunk down on the sofa next to Donna. "What next?" he asked, thinking a loud. "I need some sort of child care."

"Daycare?"

"With her medical needs and my hours at work, I don't think daycare's an option. I need to hire a nanny."

"How do you plan on finding one? Are you going to call an agency?"

"The agencies check their nannies backgrounds, don't they? They fingerprint the nannies?"

"I think so."

He went to the stand next to the phone and pulled out a phone book. He flipped through until he found the listings for nanny agencies. "There are seven agencies listed." He wrote all of the numbers down and closed the book.

He dialed the first number on the list. "Hello, I need a nanny for a twenty-two-month-old child."

"Okay. What's your name?"

"Sam Seaborn."

"Would the nanny need to have any special qualifications?"

"Of course, I expect an experienced nanny."

"All of our nannies are experienced."

"I prefer that she be first aid certified. My daughter has cancer."

"I'll make a notation in your file," she assured him. "Do you know what hours you'll need the nanny to work?"

"No, I don't. Her hours would vary greatly."

"Weekends and evenings?"

"She would definitely work a lot of evenings. She would occasionally have to work weekends. There would also be times when I would need her to travel with us."

"Live in?"

"Preferable but not mandatory."

Sam continued speaking with the woman for several more minutes, answering and asking questions. Finally he hung up the phone, blinking with surprise. "The first three candidates are going to come by this afternoon. If I don't hire one of them, more will come tomorrow."

"Wow, that's quick. But are you sure it is wise to interview with Alana here?"

"The first woman won't be arriving for a couple of hours. Alana should be gone by then."

Before Donna could respond there was a light knock on the closed door. After a few seconds Alana opened it a crack and peeked in as if expecting to see something she shouldn't. "I'm sorry to interrupt but the baby needs a diaper change."

Sam ignored the innuendo, reaching out for his daughter.

Alana held the child back. "Oh, I can do it, as I said I don't want to bother you. I just need to know where her things are."

Quickly deciding that this wasn't worth arguing over Sam gestured to the stairs in the foyer. "Serena's bedroom is the first door on the left, upstairs."

"So close to the stairs?"

"There are two baby gates up, one at the foot of the stairs, the other at the top. She's perfectly safe," Donna said.

Alana gave her a doubtful look before turning toward the stairs.

A little while Alana later Sam and Donna stood in the foyer watching Alana say goodbye to Serena. She was kneeling next to the little girl, giving her a hug. She pulled back and kissed Serena's forehead. "I'll miss you sweetheart and I promise that soon grandma will be bringing you back home to live." She'd lowered her voice but Sam had still heard her. "I love you." Alana stood up, meeting Sam's eyes. "I'd appreciate you keeping me up to date on Serena's health."

"Of course."

With a nod for Sam and a final hug for Serena, Alana left.

For Serena's sake, Sam held back his sigh of relief. He smiled at his daughter. "Would you like a snack Serena?"

She nodded enthusiastically. "Sack."

"Yes, a snack." He carried her into the kitchen and sat her in her booster seat. Donna took the seat next to her, talking animatedly to her while Sam got animal crackers, sliced cheese, and milk for the little girl. While Serena munched on her snack he and Donna each had an apple.

The little girl was still eating when the doorbell rang. Sam looked over at Donna. "I think that's the first candidate. Would you mind staying with Serena while I interview her?"

"Of course not."

Sam went to answer the door. A woman in her mid-twenties stood on the other side of the door. She had long red hair held back from her face with clips, green eyes, and a smattering of freckles across her nose and cheeks. She wore a pair of jeans and a light blue T-shirt.

"I'm Sam Seaborn, come on in." He held out his hand and she took it.

"I'm Clarisse Henderson."

He led her into the living room and gestured to the sofa. "Have a seat, please. Would you like something to drink?"

"No, thank you."

He picked up a notepad and pen and sat in an armchair near her. "How long have you been working with small children?"

"I've been working for the agency for almost two years. Before that I did a lot of babysitting."

"What qualifications do you have?"

"I have a first aid certificate and I have a degree in early childhood development. My fingerprints are on file at the police department."

"Have you had any experience potty training?"

"No."

"How old was the youngest child you cared for?" Sam asked. He was writing down her answers to compare with other applicants.

"Three."

"Have you ever worked with a sick child before?"

She smiled at what she assumed was his over-protectiveness. "Do you mean like the flu or a cold? Of course I have. Many times."

"I was referring to serious illness. My daughter has leukemia. How would you feel about working with her?"

Clarisse hesitated. "I really don't know. The agency didn't tell me that your daughter is sick. I'm sorry." She waited a moment and then stood up. "I don't think I'm the right nanny for your daughter Mr. Seaborn."

Sam stood up. "Thank you for coming." He walked with her to the door, wondering if everyone he interviewed was going to react that way when they found out about Serena's cancer.

While he was waiting for the next applicant he went to check on Donna and Serena and found them playing with play dough at the kitchen table.

The next applicant to arrive was Elisabeth Grayson, a woman in her thirties, who wore a dress suit to the interview.

"How long have you been working with children?"

"I've been with the agency for five years now. My previous employer was a couple in Los Angeles. I worked for them for three years directly after college. I have a liberal arts degree."

"What is the longest amount of time you have spent with the same family?"

"The three years I spent in LA. The second longest was a year. I was placed with that family through the agency."

"My daughter has leukemia. How do you feel about taking care of a seriously ill child?"

"I've never worked with a child with a serious illness before but I believe that I'd be good with her."

"How do you feel about traveling?"

"I don't mind occasionally traveling. How often will your nanny be traveling with you?"

"I travel pretty often. You know where I work?"

"You're the Deputy Communications Director. I recognized your name when it was given to me along with your address."

"How do you feel about that?"

"To be honest, where you work makes no difference to me."

"I'd expect you to bring my daughter to see me at the White House and you'd have to travel with the Administration on occasion." He paused a moment. "Whoever I hire will also have to be cleared through Secret Service since they'll be visiting the White House regularly."

"I don't think I'd have any trouble passing clearance. I don't have any kind of criminal record and my fingerprints are on file with the police already."

A knock sounded lightly on the wood next to the open door.

Sam looked up and smiled at Donna, ushering her into the room.

"I'm sorry but Serena wanted Daddy."

"No problem." He held out his arms to his daughter. He glanced back at Donna, gesturing with one hand at the empty seat on the sofa next to him. After Donna was seated he looked back at Elisabeth, whom Serena was staring at curiously. "Donna this is Elisabeth Grayson. Ms. Grayson this is Donna Moss." He purposefully didn't introduce Serena to the woman.

"Do you have any questions for me Ms. Grayson?" Sam asked.

"I was told that you would prefer a live in nanny. I wouldn't be able to be live in."

"Okay."

"Would I have to stay here with Serena or would I be able to take her places?"

"You'd have to bring her to see me at the White House and occasionally to a doctor's appointment. I might allow other outings, depending on what they were. Was there a specific place you had in mind?

"Not really, I just wondered."

"All outings would have to be cleared with me first."

The doorbell rang and Donna stood up and went to answer it while Sam ended the interview.

A few minutes later she led a young woman into the room. The girl looked about twenty or twenty-one to Sam. As she entered the room she smiled at Serena.

"Sam, this is Amy Lerius. Amy, Sam Seaborn." They shook hands and Amy sat down.

Sam flipped to a clean sheet of paper and began with the same question as he had with the others, though he already knew he wasn't hiring her. She was too young. "How much experience do you have with children?"

Her smile broadened. "I am the second oldest of seven children. My youngest sister is only five. I also have lots of younger cousins. I started working in my church's children's Sunday school room when I was fifteen. My mom has a daycare in our home. I helped her until I signed on with the agency. I've been working as a nanny under them for a year now." She handed him a folder. "I brought a résumé and references."

"How long were you with your last family?"

"Eight months. They recently moved to the west coast."

"How would you feel about working with a sick child?"

"I have a younger brother with diabetes. I'm used to watching him for symptoms and entertaining him in the hospital," she answered softly. She was looking at Serena again, her eyes filled with compassion.

"You have first aid training?"

"Yes, I do."

"You know that I work in the White House? You would have to spend time there with Serena."

"That would be fine." She grinned. "I wasn't old enough to vote for President Bartlett but my parents voted for him and I plan on voting for him in the next election."

"You would have to travel with us quite a bit."

"I don't mind."

"Would you be able to live in?"

She nodded. "Yes, I would."

"Do you have any plans that would prevent you from staying with us long term?"

"No."

"Do you have any questions for me?"

"No, I don't."

He stood up. "Thank you for coming." He walked her to the door.

"She's wonderful," Donna said as soon as he came back.

Sam sighed. "She is, except for her age."

"Don't hold her age against her. She seems mature, polite, and sweet. She could do this job. I think Serena will like her better than that Grayson woman. She seemed professional but dour."

"I know."

"So, hire Amy."

"I'm going to interview a few more people tomorrow. If I don't find someone who would work out better and the secret service approves her then I'll hire Amy."

"Fine, but do you really think you're going to find anyone better than Amy quickly? It isn't going to be easy to find someone with experience with sick children. Unless maybe you hire a nurse."

"A nurse," Sam repeated. "I need to think about that. Maybe that would be an option."

"I wasn't serious."

"I know."

"I need to get back to work. I promised Josh I'd come in for a few hours this evening since I was out most of the day." She transferred Serena to Sam's arms and kissed the little girl's cheek, the scent of Sam's cologne reminding her of how close she was to him. She quickly pulled back and shot Sam a quick smile. "I'll see you in the morning."

"See you."

''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Several days later Sam sat in his office working on a speech that he just couldn't get to come out right.

"Hey Sam."

He looked up to see Zoey standing in his doorway. "Hi Zoey."

"How's Serena?" She came into the office and sat across from Sam, resting her arms on the desk.

Sam sighed. "She had a fever this morning. I told her new nanny, Amy, to call if it got worse and she hasn't. I am really afraid that Serena is getting really sick again." He ran his hand through his hair. "She's lost weight."

"What does her doctor say?" Zoey asked, concern evident in her voice.

"The doctor says that Serena is going to continue to get worse until she gets a bone marrow transplant. Another round of chemo might buy us time but not much and continuing the side effects and her age, she isn't sure it's worth it."

She nodded sympathetically. "How is the new nanny working out?"

"She and Serena have hit it off. But I think she's too young to care for my daughter."

Zoey laughed. "Still? Donna told me you thought that but she was sure you'd get over it."

"Maybe I will."

She gave him a sly smile. "So, how are you and Donna doing?"

"What do you mean?"

"Come on." Zoey laughed. "You aren't going to tell me that you two aren't a couple?"

"We aren't."

"Really? I may live in the dorm right now but I am around here enough to here the gossip. And usually, there's at least some truth to it."

Sam gave a tired sigh. "This time there isn't. She and I are very close friends and people are reading more into it."

"I think you two would be perfect for each other."

"Maybe we would be," he admitted quietly.

"Then why isn't there something more between the two of you? You been spending enough time together for something to develop."

"There's too much going on in my life right now. Serena, not my love life, has to be my priority."

"I can understand that but Donna and Serena adore each other. Donna already spends so much time with the two of you."

"Yes, but I can't expect her to continue doing that. Not if things get worse. The custody battle isn't going to be fun and Serena's health could deteriorate at any time. Donna might not want to be around if that happens."

"Yes, she will," Zoey said confidently. "She really loves that little girl and I think she's beginning to love you as well."

"What would make you think that?"

"I've seen the photos of the three of you together and more importantly I've watched the two of you together. I've seen her eyes sparkle when she looks at you." She gazed at him keenly. "By the way, I've seen your eyes do the same when you're looking at her."

"You don't…" Before he could go on, his cell phone rang. He took it from his jacket pocket. An unfamiliar number registered on caller ID. "Sam Seaborn." He listened for a few moments before standing up. "Yes, I'll be there as soon as possible. Thank you for letting me know."

He slipped the phone back into his pocket and glanced at Zoey, already on his way to the door. "That was the lab. The results from the test are in. Could you let Leo know that I'm leaving?"

"Of course. Good luck Sam."

"Thank you."

He stopped by Josh's office before leaving, to let Donna know what was happening, and she insisted on taking an early lunch and going along. Josh wasn't pleased but after one look at Sam's face, he backed off. Sam needed someone with him. Josh himself would have offered to go but he had a meeting.

Both were silent during the car ride. Inside the office Donna slipped her hand into Sam's and squeezed his comfortingly, while they waited for the receptionist to come back out. Finally, they were led to a small, sterile looking office. None of the usual clutter decorated the desk or walls and the middle aged man sitting at the desk held an almost unapproachable expression.

"Mr. Seaborn, please have a seat."

They took the two chairs facing the desk, their hands still clasped.

"What were the results?" Sam asked. He had to know, now.

The doctor shook his head. "I'm sorry. You're not a close enough match."

"How can I not be a match for my own daughter? What's going to happen to her now?"

Donna tightened her grip on his hand.

"Parents are not usually the best bet for a match. It is very unfortunate that Serena does not have any siblings."

"What are the chances of finding a match for her in the registry?"

"There is a small chance."

"Your sister still hasn't been tested," Donna reminded Sam calmly. "And your niece and nephew."

Sam nodded slowly, his expression grim.

"Doctor, I'm not related to Serena but then neither are the people in the registry. I'd like to get tested just in case."

"If you have time, we could test you today."

Donna and Sam both nodded. They had all the time in the world when it came to doing things that could save Serena's life.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''

A few hours later Donna walked into Josh's office. He looked up at her, his face falling when he saw her expression.

"I'm sorry."

Donna sat down across from him.

"How's Sam?"

"Not well. He has to face the fact that his daughter has a potentially deadly disease and he can't do anything to help her." Donna paused briefly. "I got tested today."

Josh smiled, not at all surprised.

"I want you to get tested as well."

"Me?"

"Yes, you. People donate bone marrow to strangers all the time. Why shouldn't you be tested to see if you can help your best friend's daughter?"

Josh shook his head. She had him there. "Why do you always have to make me feel so guilty?"

Donna smiled. "Because sometimes your conscience does not work very well without prompting."

"I'll get tested tomorrow."

She stood up and headed for the door. "Good. I'll be back in a few minutes."

"Wait. Where are you going?"

She was already gone.

Donna headed for Toby's office, stopping to speak with everyone she saw along the way. By the time she reached his office she'd gotten eleven more people to commit to being tested.

Toby's office door was open so she peeked in. "Toby?" He didn't look up. "I just thought you'd want to know that Sam isn't a match for Serena."

He looked up at her. "I didn't realize that the results were back."

"Sam and I just returned from the lab." She moved farther into the room and lowered her voice. "She's getting worse Toby. She's lost three pounds since she's been living with Sam and she had a fever this morning."

Toby blinked, thinking about the unfairness of it all. Why did such a sweet little girl have to have such awful luck? Why did Sam have to find out that he had a child only to learn that it was likely that he was going to loose that child and there was nothing that he could do to stop it?

"We have to find a match soon or it'll be too late."

"What can I do?" Toby asked simply.

Donna smiled softly. People were scared of Toby. They didn't understand that under the gruff exterior he was a giant Teddy Bear. He had a softer heart than most people she knew. He just guarded it well. "You could get tested to see if you are a match."

Toby nodded. "Fine, I'll be tested tomorrow." He looked back down at the papers on his desk and Donna knew that it was her queue to leave.

"Thank you."

She found CJ next.

"How's Serena? I heard that Sam got the test results back today."

Donna shook her head. "He is not a match."

"What now?" CJ asked.

"We wait to see if a match is found."

CJ shook her head. "I hate that it has to be left so much to chance."

"It doesn't. The more people tested, the better the chance of finding a match."

CJ smiled. "I'll get tested today. Would you like for me to get as many people as I can to be tested?"

Donna smiled gratefully. "That would be great."

CJ's smile turned to a devilish grin. "I'll make all of the reporters assigned to the White House get tested. Have you spoken with Toby?"

"Yes."

"I'll be tested tomorrow. I really hope that they find a match for her among this bunch of tests."

"So do I." Donna continued to walk through the West Wing, stopping to talk with everyone she knew. Almost everyone agreed to be tested. Sam still didn't know what she was up to, and she hoped it stayed that way for awhile because she really didn't want to get his hopes up.

'''''''''''''''''''''