2/24/01
Carolina in My Mind
by Dallas Thompson
Rating: G.
Archive: Sure, lemme know where please.
Disclaimers: I don't own Sam, Ainsley, those belong to the God, Aaron. Don't sue, please. I'm a poor high school kid. The song belongs to JT, not me!
Author's Notes: PLEASE, I'm a feedback starved author. I'd appreciate it if you could let me know what you think. :) Thanks to Chelle and Amanda for their support ;-)
In my mind, I'm goin' to Carolina
Can't you see the sunshine
Can't you just feel the moonshine
Maybe just like a friend of mine
It hit me from behind
Yes I'm goin' to Carolina in my mind.
Ainsley couldn't believe it. She was working in the White House, she was finally working in the White House. Instead of being happy, she was sitting here with a glass of scotch, trying not to cry. Her Dad was. . . He had. . . She bit her lip and swallowed another gulp of scotch.
Karen she's a silver sun
You best walk her way and watch it shinin'
Watch her watch the mornin' come
A silver tear appearing now I'm cryin'
Ain't I goin' to Carolina in my mind
Sam slipped into the bar, and cast his eyes over the people gathered there, trying to see if there was anyone he knew. Then he saw her. Ainsley Hayes. She looked. . . depressed. And on her way to getting drunk.
There ain't no doubt in no ones mind
That love's the finest thing around
Whisper something warm and kind
And hey babe, the sky's on fire, I'm dyin'
Ain't I goin' to Carolina in my mind.
He slowly, un-surely made his way over to her. "Ainsley?"
"Sam, if you're here to yell at me, then please, don't. Because I don't think-"
"What's wrong?" He asked suddenly.
"My Dad died."
"Ainsley. . . I'm sorry. . ."
"I have to get back to Chapel Hill."
"Okay. . . Is there anything I can do?" He asked softly, sitting down across from her. She shook her head, her eyes filled with tears.
"No. . ." she whispered softly.
In My Mind, I'm goin' to Carolina
Can't you see the sunshine
Can't you just feel the moonshine
Maybe just like a friend of mine
It hit me from behind
Yes I'm goin' to Carolina in my mind
He heard the old James Taylor classic float through the bar, and then looked at her. She was fighting her tears, blinking rapidly, and biting her lip. He had no idea what to do. "Ainsley. . ." he said again. She just looked at him as he stood and offered her his hand. She looked at it, confused, before standing and accepting it as well.
Dark and silent, late last night
I think I might have heard the highway calling
Geese in flight and dogs that bite
Signs that me be omens say I'm going, going
I'm goin' to Carolina in my mind
He pulled her close to him, cradling her against his chest, as he slowly swayed to the music. He stroked her hair without a thought, hoping to provide comfort to her in any way he could. She closed her eyes and leaned against him, as if she could absorb his strength. This was absurd, people thought as they watched the pair. These two hated each other. She was a republican who had kicked his ass on National TV, he a Democrat who hated to loose.
With a holy host of others standing 'round me
Still I'm on the dark side of the moon
And it seems like it goes on like this forever
You must forgive me
If I'm up and gone to Carolina in my mind.
There was nothing romantic about this, nothing even faintly sexual. It was just a man trying to comfort someone he, perhaps, cared about. He felt her tears fall and splash against his white dress shirt, her shoulders shake slightly, and he held her all the more tightly. "It's okay," he whispered softly into her ear, wondering where all his skills as a speechwriter had gone, wondering what to say to her.
In My Mind, I'm goin' to Carolina
Can't you see the sunshine
Can't you just feel the moonshine
Maybe just like a friend of mine
It hit me from behind
Yes I'm goin' to Carolina in my mind.
She pulled away as the song ended, wiping her tears away. She looked at him and nodded, saying softly, "Thank you, Sam." Without another word, before he could reply, she gathered her coat and left quickly. He shook his head and sat down in her place, wondering what the hell had just happened.
Finis.
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