"Hey." Josh said as he leaned against the doorframe of Sam's office. "Let's go get something to eat. You need a break, and I'm starving."
"Donna's not bringing you some dinner?" Sam asked without looking up from the yellow legal pad sitting on his desk.
"Nah. She's in the mess with Margaret, and I feel like getting out of here to go get food. Let's go. I'll even pay."
"Can't." Sam said definitively, this time looking up at Josh and sighing. Sam let the silence linger briefly, waiting for Josh to talk. When Josh remained silent, shooting Sam a questioning look Sam continued. "By executive order, my sister is coming to the White House to meet the President of the United States."
"What?" Josh exclaimed, running his hands through his hair and then looking at Sam in disbelief. "Didn't he hear us when we said that she might be a secret Republican political operative?"
"Well, first of all you told the President that she was a covert Republican. And, well, he asked to meet her. I don't really have a choice in the matter when the leader of the free world requests to meet someone."
"'Kay." Josh replied. Josh looked as though he was deep in thought and then suddenly the tension and deep contemplation faded as he began to speak. "Let's go get something to eat when you're done. I mean, you can bring Juliana too if she wants. We can all go out and grab something, preferably something that includes meat."
Josh didn't wait for a reply; he simply turned and waked away taking it for granted that Sam was in agreement. Sam stared ahead of him in amazement. He was about to introduce his long lost sister to the President of the United States, a sister who could either be harmless addition to his life or a Republican power player, and then he was going to take the same sister to dinner with Josh Lyman, the President's pit bull. At least it wouldn't be a dull meal.
Josh walked through the bullpen back towards his office. He glanced over towards Donna's desk as he walked by. She was still in the mess with Margaret. Without Donna to annoy, Josh found himself without anything to do. He sat down at his desk and kicked his feet up on his desk. Josh sighed and looked around his office furtively.
"Who is that girl?" Donna asked, reappearing in his doorway and startling Josh so his feet slipped off his desk.
"Huh?"
"And you claim you have verbal skills! The girl talking with CJ. Do you know who she is?"
"It's…" Josh craned his neck to see out of his office. From his desk he could see CJ and Juliana Wexler walking together through the bullpen. "That's just my newest headache."
"So, it's Sam's sister? I should go introduce myself."
"Oh, by all means Donna…go fraternize with the enemy!" As Donna walked out of the office and towards CJ, Josh called out to her. "Ask her to divulge some Republican secrets while you're at it!"
Juliana had enjoyed meeting the various people of the west wing and was chatting nervously with Sam as they walked down the corridor. After being introduced to Mrs. Landingham, Sam opened a door and Juliana stepped into a large office.
"It has more windows than it does in the movies." Juliana declared as she stepped foot into the oval office. "Good evening Mr. President." Juliana greeted as she eyed the president behind his desk. President Bartlet rose and walked around his desk to welcome her.
"Ah, you must be the sister that Sam has told us so little about!" President Bartlet shook Juliana's hand warmly and then turned to Sam. "She's not hideously deformed and she seems to be bright and intelligent, Sam. Why is it again that you've been hiding her from us?"
Sam chuckled and followed the president to take a seat on one of the couches, motioning for Juliana to sit next to him.
"So, Ms. Wexler…" the president began.
"Please, sir, call me Juliana."
"So, Juliana, you've just moved here to the city? How are you enjoying it?"
"Yes sir. I absolutely love Washington DC, it's a fabulous city."
"You should make Sam take you out and show you the sights. He's a wealth of knowledge, well as long as he's not giving you the White House tour. He is lacking in that area."
"I'll keep that in mind sir." Juliana said with a smile, looking over at Sam and seeing that he was smiling too and blushing.
"Well, Juliana, Josh tells me that you're a Republican."
"I work for the Republicans sir. I represent their views, which don't always match my own. I believe there's a difference. I'm advising the republican party, but I'm mainly staffing the majority leader."
"Ah, he's a good man. We don't always see eye to eye. Well, in fact sometimes I think he can be quite an horses patoot, but I respect what he's done over the years," President Bartlet continued.
"It has proven to be a very intriguing job so far." Juliana said.
"See Sam," President Bartlet said in a lighter tone, focusing on Sam. "And Josh said she was evil and immoral. I don't think that at all!"
"I believe sir," Sam countered, "that Josh didn't call her immoral, he simply called her the antichrist."
All three laughed and turned the conversation onto other topics. The chat had lasted quite some time, when the door from the portico opened abruptly and the first lady walked through.
"Oh, excuse me." The first lady apologized. "Sam, I didn't realize that you were meeting with my husband. Oh…excuse me, this really is a meeting." The first lady exclaimed this last part when she noticed Juliana.
"Oh, it's nothing important." President Bartlet said with a sarcastic chuckle. "Just barge in any time, darling. I'm only trying to run the country!" The first lady crossed the room and perched on the arm of the couch, swatting her husband's arm lightly and smiling.
"Dr. Bartlet," Sam began, "This is my sister Juliana Wexler. She's just begun working with the Majority Leader and the president insisted that he meet her."
"Juliana, it's a pleasure to meet you." Greeted the first lady.
"Thank you, ma'm." Juliana smiled and tossed her hair over her shoulder nervously.
"So you are an intern with the Majority Leader. Do you go to Georgetown? You know our daughter goes to Georgetown, you should meet her."
Juliana began laughing, immediately realizing the first lady's mistake in judgment.
"I'm sorry, Juliana." The president began. "Did my wife say something amusing?" Juliana smiled, and the president nodded to Juliana to continue.
"No, ma'm. I graduated from Oxford a few years ago and now I work with the Majority Leader as a senior political strategist. Though, I would still love to meet your daughter!"
"Senior political strategist?" The first lady questioned skeptically. "Are you sure? You can't be more than 14 years old? You're still a baby!"
"I'm 27, Dr. Bartlet. And you of all people must know what a curse it is to look so much younger than your actual age."
"Gentlemen," Dr. Bartlet said, addressing the men in the room, "this one's a keeper." The first lady turned her attention back to Juliana. "You're good. I like you. You should come around more often. Well everyone I need to go, I just came down to see where my husband was. Honey bun, Zoe will be here shortly, don't be too long!"
Dr. Bartlett said goodnight to those in the room and walked back out onto the portico to walk back to the residence. After she closed the door behind her, the three occupants left in the oval office turned to face each other again.
"I believe that was my cue to make my way to residence." The president proclaimed. "Zoe is coming tonight and I plan on making my world famous chili. You know it is widely believed that chili originated in Mexico, but that is simply not true. History can trace the origins of chili back to…" Sam made an almost unperceivable moaning sounds and the President turned to stare at him, a mischievous glint shining in his eye. "I'm sorry Sam, is there something about the history of chili that doesn't enthrall you?"
"No, sir."
"As I was saying," President Bartlet continued, "In the nineteenth century and in response to a popular stew, some Spanish priests were said to be wary of the passion inspired by chili peppers, assuming they were aphrodisiacs. A few preached sermons against indulgence in a food which they said was almost as "hot as hell's brimstone."The priest's warning is thought to have popularized the dish, hence the beginning of chili."
"Actually, sir," Juliana began. There was a confidence and playfulness in her voice that Sam barely recognized, especially coming from someone who was meeting and addressing the President of the United States for the first time in their life. "While your history of chili is correct too, chili's American origin is often attributed a group of sixteen families from the Canary Islands who made their home in the villa of San Fernando de Béxar, now know as the city of San Antonio. In 1791 they had emigrated to Texas from the Spanish Canary Islands by order of King Philip V. of Spain. These families founded San Antonio's first civil government, which became the first municipality in the Spanish province of Texas. But according to historians, the women made a spicy "Spanish" stew that is similar to our modern day chili."
"Really?" President Bartlet exclaimed. "I didn't know that. Sam did you know that?" Sam simply shrugged his shoulders and grinned. "Fascinating. I didn't know that. Young lady, I can't say if it is always wise to outshine an international figurehead upon your first meeting, but, well, I'll let it slide this time. You did well. I like anyone who can add some more trivia to my arsenal."
"No matter how useless it may be, sir." Sam added jokingly. The president turned towards Sam. He stood and stared, motionless and glaring.
"Watch it, Mr. Seaborn." President Bartlet started to let his smile grow. "We can always schedule some late night meetings so I can impart some of that useless trivia to you. Juliana it was a pleasure to meet you. Don't be a stranger. My wife is right, as she likes to remind me. You're a keeper. Try keeping your brother in line."
"Thank you, sir, I will. It was an honor to meet you sir."
After leaving the oval office, Sam and Juliana met up with Josh and CJ. They decided to go to Looney's, a favorite sports bar a few blocks away from the White House. The group arrived a little after 8 and found a table towards the back of the establishment. There was a game on and people were sitting and standing around the big screen TV's talking away and cheering on their team. CJ, Josh, Sam and Juliana chatted about work, reminisced about the past and talked about what Juliana should do to better acquaint herself with Washington DC. Juliana enjoyed the company of Sam's friends, especially CJ. Juliana kept looking at Josh. He had no problem talking to CJ or Sam, but had been kind of withdrawn when it came to Juliana. Juliana could have sworn that she caught Josh glaring at her more than once. While CJ was making fun of Sam for about the ninth time that hour, Juliana excused herself to go to the bar, hoping it would be quicker than the service their waitress was providing. It was quite crowded up at the bar, and when Juliana turned to glance over her shoulder she noticed that Josh was waiting just behind her.
"Just couldn't wait any longer?" Juliana asked Josh lightly, trying to make simple conversation.
"CJ was getting antsy for another grasshopper." Josh replied nonchalantly. He flagged down the bartender to order. "Grasshopper and a Sam Adams." Turning back to Juliana, a smirk crossed Josh's face as he talked. "Do they have a special republican brew for people like you?"
"I've always considered apple martinis to be bipartisan. People like me? Well, at least you're talking to me instead of glaring at me."
"I haven't been glaring at you."
"Yes you have." Juliana retrieved her drink from the bartender and left a hefty tip on the bar.
"Whatever." Josh mumbled to her back.
Juliana contemplated walking away from Josh, but she turned to face him just as he picked up his drinks.
"Have I done something to offend you that I'm not aware of?"
"Huh?" Josh mumbled as he turned around.
"Do you hate me for a reason, or is it purely based on principle?" Juliana asked. Her curiosity was beginning to mix with annoyance,
"I'm sure I could find a reason if I really wanted."
"So now I'm not worth your time?" Juliana said with a hearty chuckle. Josh was amusing. To the best of Juliana's knowledge, she hadn't done anything to personally offend him. Juliana couldn't decide if Josh felt his relationship with Sam was threatened because she had arrived in town or if he was simply irritated that she didn't agree with his every thought and whim.
"Not right now." Juliana had been joking, but Josh obviously wasn't. Juliana turned and looked out of the dance floor, full of people enjoying each other.
"We should dance."
"What?" Josh almost spat out the beer he had just taken into his mouth. "Not on your life. No."
"One day we'll dance." Juliana said plainly. Josh wasn't able to read her expression and he couldn't help but think that Juliana sounded a bit like she was ominously prophesying the future. Juliana turned quickly to look back at Josh. "You put on a good front, but you don't loathe me. I intrigue you. You're curious about the challenge I pose."
Josh just stared at Juliana. He looked down at his beer and CJ's grasshopper, studying the thick, green liquid intently. Josh, unaccustomed to not being in control of the situation, was unable to piece together a response. He was usually a master of mind games and witty one-liners, but Juliana had unarmed him. And that unnerved Josh. Josh looked up, ready to come back at Juliana, but she had disappeared into the crowd. Juliana hadn't waited for Josh's reply. When Josh got back to the table, he noticed an empty martini glass and two sets of eyes fiercely staring at him. Josh sat down, trying to shake CJ and Sam's looks and act ignorant of Juliana's absence.
"Where did you sister go?" Josh asked Sam casually.
"What did you say to her?" Sam asked.
"Nothing really. We talked about drinks and dancing. Why?"
"The poor girl almost choked she drank her drink so fast, Josh." CJ said before Sam could really get started. "She downed her drink and then said something about you being rude and arrogant and she left to go be with some friends."
"Poor girl?" Josh almost choked on his beer as he chuckled. Sam, however, looked like he could have leaped across the table to throttle Josh. "It's good that she ran off to be with her little friends. I know she's your sister Sam, but the last thing we need right now is a problem like that."
8