Posted
2/26/01
 

Two for the Show

by Robyn H.

Disclaimers: Not mine, Aaron's.
Category: S/A, Romance
Rating: PG
Spoilers: Ellie

Ainsley stepped into the theater and waited for her eyes to adjust to the darkness. She was 15 minutes late, so Sam must've gotten here before her, but she didn't see anyone that looked even remotely like him. In fact, the only staffers she recognised was Josh and Donna, though she supposed the President was occupying one of the front row couches.

Her gaze was still serching when someone bumped her from behind. Luckily, that same someone grabbed her elbow and swung her around, saving her from tumbling down the steps and embarrassing herself in front of the president for the third time. She was brought up against a very solid body.

She opened her lips to thank that body for saving her, when he clamped his hand over her mouth and leaned down to press his face next to her ear.

"Let's sit down first," he whispered, "before anyone sees us."

She knew that whisper.

Sam took her hand and led her to the seats in the upper left hand corner. They sank down in the plush chairs, with Sam taking the one closest to the wall. He brought his face close to her's, and she could tell he was angry.

"Didn't anyone ever tell you not to stand at the top of the steps in a dark theater?"

"I was 15 minutes late finishing up a report, so you'll excuse me if I didn't consider the possibility of you slamming into the back of me with all the force of a bullet train!," she whispered fiercely.

They were nose to nose and glaring into each other's eyes. Then Sam started to smile, and Ainsley started to giggle, and soon they were both shaking with silent laughter. They calmed a bit, and Ainsley turned to look at the screen.

"I can just imagine rolling to a stop at his feet and him looking down at me and saying in that voice of his, `We've got to stop meeting like this, Miss Hayes,' right before the Secret Service carts me off."

Sam found this hilarious, and so the laughter started all over again. Finally, they quieted and a companiable silence fell between them.

"Maybe this isn't something that can be talked about," Sam mused. Then he turned to see Ainsley looking at him with a question in her eyes.

"This thing between us, I mean. Maybe all the interruptions and distractions are a way of telling us that we're not ready for serious conversations yet. To let whatever this is between us develop a little more before we cloud it with our worries."

Sam reached over and took Ainsley's hand in his.

"I don't want to ruin this, end up loosing you before we even get started. I care about you too much to let that happen."

Ainsley smiled, and blinked back a sheen of tears.

"I care about you too, Sam. But you're too late."

Sam frowned. Ainsley smiled.

"We're already having a serious conversation. A conversation that makes me believe that the others can wait a little while. At least until we're prepared for whatever they may bring. In short, I think I'd like to get to know you before I get concerned about spending the rest of my life with you," Ainsley finished wryly.

Sam smiled and nodded. Then the smiled disappeared as their faces came together for a tentative kiss.

Sam pulled back first. "Are you hungry? We can go get something to eat if you want."

She laughed. "I'm always hungry, Sam. But I'd rather stay here with you."

Sam put his arm around her. "Me, too. Hey! That makes it two for the show! You know, like in the children's rhyme?"

"Yes, Sam." Ainsley rolled her eyes and put her head on his shoulder. They turned their attention to the movie.

They found they were just in time for the good part.

The End.

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