07/29/01
Didn't Fool Anyone
by MelWil
Rating: PG13 (Just to be safe)
Archive: Just let me know where.
Disclaimer: They donıt belong to me. They are just dancers in my choreography
Sam wondered how many times in the last week he had made this trip. It was a walk that he compared to the Minotaurıs maze, with its endless halls, countless flights of stairs and the lurking monster in the office at the end. Most of the senior staffers avoided it whenever they could. But not Sam. He actually relished the chance to go down there, to argue and debate. And being able to work with her wasnıt too bad either.
Ainsley was buried among piles of paper when Sam arrived. He stood at the door for a few seconds just watching her as she read through some lengthy brief or another. Her hair was hanging loose, framing her delicate face. In one hand she tapped her pen rapidly on the desk top, evidently frustrated with what she was reading.
³Are you trying to understand the Democratic theories again?² Sam asked her softly from the doorway.
She looked up at him, a smile playing around her lips. ³I didnıt hear you coming.²
Sam entered her officeı and closed the door behind him. ³I was quiet. What were you reading?²
³Some long, lengthy speech by one of the senior staff writers. Lots of descriptions, not too many verbs.² Ainsley stood up behind her desk as Sam crossed the room.
³Have you been talking to Toby again?² Sam asked as he reached forward to kiss her.
Ainsley once again wondered how a man who was so hard in his politics could be so tender in his kisses. She totally melted the minute that his lips met hers and she was thankful that there was a desk full of paperwork between them stopping the passion from rising any higher. As the kiss finally ended she sat down in her chair, exhausted. Sam sat down in the chair across from her.
³That was nice.² She commented. Sam nodded picking up a piece of paper from her desk.
³You got the bipartisan dinner invitation as well did you?² He asked as he quickly skimmed the paper.
³Yeah. Now Iıve got to find myself a dress to wear.² Ainsley hadnıt even thought about the invitation since she had received it this morning. Now she walked around her desk and took it off Sam. As she looked at it more carefully, Sam gently pulled her onto his lap.
³Are we going to be brave enough to go together?² He asked as he nuzzled her neck.
Ainsley turned around to look at him. ³With all those rabid Democrats and Republicans? Are you absolutely crazy?²
Sam looked at her, ³Quite possibly.² He smiled. ³Iım just wondering how much longer we can keep this quiet. I mean people are going to start asking why I come down here so much, and why you always drop by my office before you leave each day. We canıt keep it secret forever.² Ainsley pouted. ³I wish we could.² Suddenly her expression brightened. ³But leaving unpleasant thoughts behind, why donıt you come to my place for dinner tonight?²
Samıs grin also grew. ³Will we have desert?²
Ainsley opened the door to let him out. ³If youıre very lucky.²
~*~
Sam was whistling as he made his way through the communications bullpen. Rounding a corner he almost skipped into his office. Suddenly a voice came out at him.
³Youıre in a mighty good mood today.² Josh was sitting in Samıs chair, his feet planted on Samıs desk. In some eerie way, Sam was inexplicably reminded of CJ. That was precisely the way she always sat whenever she was cranky with any of them. Sam suddenly hoped that Josh hadnıt been taking lessons from CJ on getting mad, heıs had more than enough of that last year.
³Iım just excited about the bipartisan dinner.² Sam said airily as Josh vacated his chair. Sam sat down and pulled his laptop towards him in order to begin writing.
Josh looked at him skeptically. ³Yes, you usually love spending time with republicans donıt you?²
³Itıs my secret hobby.² Sam replied, hoping that Josh would take the smile in his tone merely as sarcasm.
³OK.² Josh replied. ³Leo wants to see that speech soon. And then CJ will want to see it so youıd better get going on it.²
³Itıs done.² Sam replied, trying to get thoughts of the dinner and Ainsley and everything else out of his mind as he sat down to work.
~*~
Sam couldnıt believe Ainsleyıs place. Heıd expected some old fashioned, fussy, ultra girly apartment. Not this minimalist, modern look. Ainsley wrapped her arms around him in order to receive a kiss before gesturing towards the table in the kitchen.
³We have chicken and noodles.² She announced. ³Itıs not real fancy, but I didnıt have much time.²
Sam took hold of her hand and led her to her seat. ³It looks perfect.² He told her, holding her seat out for her.
³So what did you think of the comments from the hill this morning?² Ainsley asked, an evil grin growing on her face.
³They was mean-spirited and un-American.² Sam smirked as he sat down on the other side of the small table.
Ainsley laughed. ³I was talking about the Democratic comments!²
Sam stuck his tongue out at her. ³Well those were patriotic and well defined.² He clarified as he picked up her hand. ³But the White House response was the best.² He continued as he drew her hand closer to him, as if he needed to examine it carefully. ³It was eloquent.² At these words he kissed her hand, ³spirited.² Another kiss, ³Poised, intelligent and passionate.² With each new adjective she received another tender kiss.
³Hmm.² Ainsley mused. ³When did you and Toby start letting CJ perform her own work?²
At this, Sam reached around the table and caught Ainsley in a bear hug. Laughing too hard, the pair of them suddenly fell to the ground. Before Sam had a chance to respond, Ainsley tickled him in the side and was amazed to see him curl up in a ball of giggles. Rocking back on her heels she began laughing again.
³Well Mr. Seaborn is ticklish. My suspicions have been confirmed.² She mocked. But before she could get too smug, Sam reached up and pulled her back down next to him. As she opened her mouth to protest, she found his mouth covering hers and within seconds they were again in the midst of a passionate kiss.
Sam didnıt let go when the kiss had finished. Instead he held her a little tighter. ³What would you say to desert now?² He asked, a question which was not entirely teasing.
Ainsley pretended to be shocked. ³Now? Right here?² She asked.
³Well if you like.² Sam replied as he left a trail of kisses down her neck. ³But Iım willing to try the bedroom as well.²
Ainsley laughed and got to her feet, pulling Sam up with her. ³Why donıt you go out and sit in the living room?² She suggested, with a quick kiss. ³Iıll bring some wine out for us and we can think a little more about this desert idea.²
³Tease.² He joked as he headed into the next room. Settling down on the soft couch, he ran his eyes over the reading selection on the table in front of him. As expected, Ainsley had the usual political and law magazines, but there were also a couple of surprises. When she returned, wine and glasses in hand, he held up one of the to show her.
³Dance USA?² He questioned.
She smiled sweetly. ³The childhood dream.² She answered putting the wine and glasses down on the coffee table. ³Now I just watch and enjoy.²
He nodded in understanding. Then a mischievous look passed over his features and he held up another magazine. ³Todayıs Bride?²
Ainsley blushed. ³Itıs not mine!² She protested. ³Itıs one of my friendıs! Sheıs getting married soon and she wanted my advice on something.²
Sam nodded, enjoying how beautiful she looked when she was embarrassed. ³Itıs ok. I believe you.²
³You know Sam,² Ainsley had decided that now would be a good time to change the subject. ³After that little effort in the kitchen, I have come to the conclusion that bi-partisan bickering can be incredibly enjoyable.² She filled a glass and handed it to him.
Sam grinned as he took a sip of wine. ³I keep telling you that donıt I?²
She snuggled up next to him, her own glass in hand. ³Well you were right.² She conceded.
³So why arenıt we going to the bi-partisan dinner together?² He asked, a brash note entering his words.
Ainsley pulled away from him. ³Are you bringing this up again Sam? Do you really want us to become such a big deal? I mean, canıt we just hold it off for a bit longer, Iıve been enjoying myself so much without anyone knowing.²
He shrugged, a little upset at her attitude. ³I still think itıs a good idea.² He said. ³Everyoneıs going to find out soon enough and I would rather it was us that told them and not some tabloid. And this way we can tell everyone accompanied with the feelings of goodwill and alcohol which are always present at these dinners.²
³I still donıt know Sam.² Ainsley said, her voice rising a little. ³Iım just not sure if itıs the right place or the right time or if Iım even ready to come out in public with this. I mean, what will my parents say?²
Sam stood up and glared at her. ³Do you care about your parentıs opinion that much. I mean, theyıre already cranky that youıre working at the White House. Will they disown you or disinherit you or something because Iım from the wrong side? Is that what youıre so worried about?²
³No!² cried Ainsley, tears coming to her eyes. But it was too late; Sam was on a roll.
³Maybe you think that Iım going to hamper your rise in the Republican Party? Maybe you need a good Republican boy.² By this stage he was almost spitting the words out.
³Sam!² Ainsley pleaded.
³Maybe I just not good enough for you.² He lowered his voice as he walked towards the front door. ³Maybe you just donıt care as much about me as I do about you.²
As he opened the door, Ainsley called after him. ³Sam!² He turned to look at her. ³I love you.² She said these words without reserve, without thought. They were the only words she knew how to say at the moment, even though she had never said them to a man before.
³Then talk to me when youıre not so busy watching your own career.² He said as he closed the door behind him.
~*~
Despite the fact she was wearing a pale purple gown, Ainsley was feeling particularly blue. She looked around the crowded ballroom and was reassured to see the usual meeting and greeting, fierce rivalries and shady deals flying left right and centre. She had wandered around the room, nodding politely when it was required, but there had been no sign of Sam. The only person he wanted to see.
It had been a week since he had stormed out of her apartment. She had wandered past his office a couple of times, hoping to bump into him so that they might work it out, but he had never been around.
Ainsley knew that she was being stubborn. But she really wasnıt the only one to blame here. Sam should have heard her out, listened to the real reasons. But then, she admitted to herself, there really hadnıt been any good reasons. And he shouldnıt have stormed off like that; but she could have held out an olive branch. She sighed again; she had perfected the art of sighing in the last week. They had both been to blame.
Suddenly, noticing an opportunity to find Sam, Ainsley put out her arm and managed to retrieve Josh from out of the bustling crowd.
³Good Evening Josh.² She said.
³Hey Ainsley.² He greeted her. ³Nice dress.²
³Thanks.² Ainsley gave him a small smile. ³You havenıt seen Sam around at all, have you?²
He shook his head. ³No, sorry. I donıt even know if heıs coming tonight. He said he had some extra work to get done.²
³Ok. Thanks Josh.² She replied as the swarm swallowed him. Desperately trying to hold back her tears, she made her way to one of the side doors. Outside, she found herself in a charming, little rose garden. Looking around to make sure she was alone, she sat down on the small stone bench in order to mope. Sam was obviously really mad with her if he had avoided this event so that he wouldnıt see her. He had wanted to come so badly. She must have really screwed things up with him, just like she always did.
Suddenly she realized that she wasnıt alone in the garden. Someone had joined her. Someone who was dressed in a black tux, who had dark hair and piercing blue eyes. Someone who was holding out a red rose for her.
³Sam?² She whispered, half expecting it to be a dream.
As he nodded, Sam somehow managed to fall over his own feet and straight towards Ainsley. And as she put out a hand to steady him, he somehow managed to stab her with the rose.
³Ow!² She exclaimed.
³Oh, sorry!² He apologized at the same time.
As they stood there looking at each other, it took all of a second for them to realize how silly they must have looked. Ainsley felt a smile growing , an action being repeated on Samıs face and within seconds they burst out laughing. In the midst of all this mirth, Sam held out his arms to Ainsley and she allowed herself to be enveloped in his hug.
³Iım sorry.² He apologized.
³So am I.² She said pulling back from him a little. ³Itıs just . . .²
³I know.² He finished for her, holding her hand tightly. ³You know I had this little speech all worked out, but with the falling over and all thereıs only one part I remember.²
³Whatıs that?² She asked.
Sam bought her hand up to his lips. ³I love you, Ainsley. You might drive me crazy at times, but I canıt live without you.²
Ainsley had never felt this speechless before. Suddenly she knew how she could repay his sweetness. ³Do you want to . . .?² She asked, inclining her head towards the party.
³With me?² He replied in mock surprise.
³Of course.² She smiled as he leant over and kissed her. Together they walked into the crowded room. They didnıt know what the reactions would be, or if anyone would even notice in all the action. But it was time for them to stop fooling themselves.
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