Shades of Red, White, and Blue

Lin


"So bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee
But the levee was dry
And them good ol' boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin' this'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die"
American Pie by Don McLean

I have arrived in the Inner Sanctum.
The place where I have been denied and now I am here. Invited. By the President of the United States and his Chief of Staff. ::smirk:: And they thought they could keep me out.
All my life, people have shunned me. They don't know the real me. I am not a person to be messed with. And that bitch...who does she think she is? I have the upper hand here, not her. I bet I've got them running scared. And they're probably still going around in circles, wondering who's sending them all of that shit.
She has moved on. I told her she hadn't seen the last of me. The last time I saw her before D.C. was out in California. Who would have known she would have moved up so high in the ranks. Truth be told, I don't think I even liked her. She was a good lay though. She didn't lie about that the night at the Kennedy Center. I bet she was on the phone with what's his face...Toby Ziegler, when I was walking up to her. They were always attached at the hip. In fact, that's how I met her. With him at some speech some guy was giving. There she was in her glory, laughing at something Toby said. But I knew she wouldn't be able to resist me. It took about an hour, but I wore her down. I have this magic touch.
And now look where it has gotten me. The White House. When I get somewhere, I'm going to screw them over good, just like she screwed me over with that job. I deserved that job and she damn well knew it. No matter. If I can shake her out of her job, it doesn't matter what happens to me.
I didn't realize what a gold mine I was sitting on until after that concert at Kennedy. She pissed me off. I wanted to make her bleed. I wanted to make them all bleed. I still do. And after that little display at the State Dinner, I knew I could catch her and Seaborn doing something. I didn't realize it would just be handed to me on a silver platter. I already had the professional pictures taken in front of everyone at the State Dinner and then I 'happened' to be near CJ's townhouse and saw him emerging from her apartment. It's a good thing I use dated cameras. I think the kiss would have been damaging enough, but the time at which it happened was pure gold.
I expect good things to happen to me. I heard about what that chick, Ann Stark, did to them. Boy did she kick their asses over that leadership breakfast. ::chuckle:: If only I could have been in the room and seen their smug mugs lose their cool. I need to hook up with her.
And now look what little Miss CJ Cregg has done. She thinks she's going to get intimate with another Senior Staff member. There are already rumors circulating about her and Toby, why not add fuel to the fire with Sam Seaborn. He looks like an innocent. He wouldn't know how to act his way out of a paper bag, much less confront me about any of this.
It's amazing how you can fool people with a wink and a smile. As long as you're not complaining or making noise, no one pays attention to you. Well they're going to have to pay attention to Tad Whitney now...I am here.
*~*
CJ shifted on the couch, tucking her long legs under her body, She let her head rest against the back of the couch. Her hair gently fell in her face, prompting Sam to push the loose strands from her face. She let out a soft sigh and let her body relax. Sam moved forward until they were touching. He took CJ's loose hand in his own. Unconsciously, she moved towards the source of her comfort.
Quietly he told her, "It's late."
"I know."
"Are you waiting around for him?" CJ flickered her eyes over Sam's face, but did not respond to the question. "Do you want me to stay here with you?"
"Yes."
Silence reigned. "Why didn't you tell me?"
CJ sighed, "It's not how you think. Honestly, I haven't thought about it in years."
"You haven't?"
"No."
"Well, why did he think this was going to do any damage?"
She gave him a small smile, "Because that's the type of person he is. He thinks he can get away with anything with a smile."
Sam ran his thumb over the back of CJ's hand. "Is that why you broke up with him?"
"No," she replied tiredly. "I didn't like him."
"Whatever would have prompted that?" Sam could barely stifle the snort he felt rising in his body. "Leo's taking care of this."
"I know." Pause. "But I would just as soon rather not have anyone known anything about Alex."
"Did you love him?"
CJ's eyes met his own. "Alex?" Pause. "Why do you ask that?"
"I asked you before."
"Oh. I--he was someone special to me. It was just an incredibly bad night."
"You weren't at fault."
Whispering, "But I was driving."
"And someone broad-sided you."
"Sam, it's not that simple. I wish it could be."
"Why not make it that simple?"
"I had a drink that night."
"So?"
"That could have---"
"CJ, you are one of the most intelligent people I have ever met in my life, but I don't think a drink would have impaired your driving capabilities, not to that extent. It was an accident."
"Josh would have been."
He grinned at her, "Josh is a special case." He continued to caress her hand softly, "It wasn't your fault."
Softly sighing, "I know that."
"Does this change anything?"
Confused, "Change what?"
"Us."
CJ's head reared back and she studied the man before her, "When was there ever an us?"
"Now."
"No." Pause. She cocked her head towards him and asked, "Do you want more?"
Sam ran his hand up her arm. "Honestly, I don't know what I want. I want to take this a step at a time."
"Steps can be broken..."
"And they can be built and lead people to something higher."
She leaned forward, invading his personal space. "What do we have, Sam?"
"Something special."
"Do you think he's here yet?"
Sam's jaw tightened in anger. "Tad Whitney?" CJ nodded. "Do you want to go out there and find out?"
"No. I don't want you to do anything you'll regret later on."
"CJ, you underestimate the power of anger. There comes a time when regrets no longer carry the same weight they did at one point."
"Sam, don't lose that innocence I love about you." Pause. "Anyway, I think I'd better stay in the office, because if I don't, I'm going to rip him to shreds and mail the package to his mother. Why did he do this? What did he honestly think he would gain from bringing up the past? It's so stupid."
"Obviously, he is stupid."
"Do you think Leo is going to rip him a new asshole?"
Sam smiled, "I think you should be more worried about the President."
CJ looked at Sam, shocked. "He knows?" She watched him slowly shake his head yes. "Oh, God. What have I done?"
"Wait a minute, CJ. You haven't done anything. If you want to blame someone about something, blame that little weasel. I hope he realizes this is his last visit to the White House, ever."
CJ gave him a rueful grin, "Don't be so sure about that. I think Ann Stark would love to have him on her team."
"That won't last long. Especially when she realizes how stupid he is. Anyway, who said she's going to win?"
"I agree. Stupid is as stupid does." Her face blossomed into a smile, letting the anger and fear of the last two days melt away. "Have you ever met him before?" Sam shook his head no. "Toby has." She shifted on the couch until she was on her back and lying in Sam's arms. He tucked her head under his chin, letting her settle before he wrapped his arms around her. "In California. We met at a fundraiser. I was with Toby and he immediately didn't like him." She frowned. "I think if it hadn't been around that time...I don't think I would have ever gotten involved with him. But I did."
"How did you and Toby figure out it was him?"
"It was really Toby. When I met Tad, it was around the anniversary of the accident. I was, for lack of better words, in a bad place then. He flattered me. And I gave in."
"But how did you know?"
"I'm getting to it." She moved until she was firmly ensconced in his arms, snuggling deep into his warm embrace. "Apparently, Toby told him."
"Why?"
"Because he was concerned about me. He had to go back to New York and he was reluctant to leave me alone with Tad. I talked him into leaving but they had a conversation the night before."
"He told Tad to look out for you?"
"Yeah."
"What kind of person would use this against someone?"
"That person out there in our hallway."
"Are you angry?"
"About what?"
"Toby telling him."
"I was at first," CJ admitted. "I still am, actually. I just have to stop and think, he was trying to be nice. And when I pushed him away, he took the route he thought was best at the time."
"Now what?"
She pushed her head back, until she was staring up at him. "We live our lives."
*~*
Tad sat in the outer offices of the Oval Office, nervously tapping his foot against the floor. The opulence of the office scared him.
When he was redirected to the Oval from Leo McGarry's office, his heart almost stopped. Gathering as much courage as he could muster, he followed the red-haired woman. And here he sat, waiting to see the President. Never in his wildest dreams did he think...
His eyes wandered around the quiet little office. He swallowed nervously as the older woman named Mrs. Landingham glared at him. The other man and woman worked diligently around him, barely noticing he was in the room.
"Mr. Whitney?"
He looked up to find Leo McGarry sternly staring down at him from the entrance to the Oval Office. "We'd like to see you now."
Quietly, he picked up his briefcase, trying not to let his hand tremble, and followed Leo into the office. His eyes adjusted to the new environment, not resting on anything in the office, save the President.
Bartlet stood by his desk, sternly watching the two men enter his space. He waited until Tad had reached the couch before starting. "Mr. Whitney. I am a busy man. An extremely busy man. Do you know how I felt when Leo came barging into my office earlier today, demanding that I speak to you?"
Tad swallowed, "No, Sir."
"Do you know why you're here?"
"No."
Bartlet turned to Leo and shook his head. "Mr. Whitney," Bartlet continued, unwilling to be any more familiar with the man in his office than he had to. "Did you or did you not take a picture of CJ Cregg and Sam Seaborn two nights ago? Choose your words carefully and remember where you stand."
"Sir, I---"
"And before you answer that question, did you send CJ Cregg a newspaper clipping, an obituary," Bartlet peered at him over his glass rims, "this morning?"
"Sir---"
"Are you going to answer the question or not?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Answer it."
Tad's eyes darted in between the President and the Chief of Staff. "I was under the impression that I was here for---"
"I don't give a damn what you though you were here for. Right now, you're here to answer me. Did you or did you not?"
Tad swallowed, "Yes, Sir."
Bartlet took a long, deep breath. "Thank you." He walked behind his desk and rested his hands on them, hunching over slightly. He stared down at his desk for a few moments before saying, "Do you realize what you have done?"
"I haven't done anything."
"You were using scare tactics. For what?"
"I---"
"Did you honestly think we were going to ask for CJ Cregg's or Sam Seaborn's resignation over a stupid photograph?"
Tad mumbled.
"What? I didn't hear you."
Tad's voice got louder. "I wanted to destroy her."
Bartlet's eyes widened at the man's bluntness. Quietly, "I think we're going to do something for you."
Surprised, "For me?"
"Yes. I'm going to let you walk out of this office with your body parts still intact. But before you go, I have two things to tell you." Bartlet walked from behind his desk until he was face to face with Tad. "First, don't ever mess with my Staff. Second, I suggest you resign before news of your foray into blackmail is discovered. If I so much as hear your name in conjunction with someone having a cold, you're going to find out the real power of the White House."
*~*
"CJ, Leo wants to see you."
CJ was startled by Margaret's voice coming from the door. She picked herself up from Sam's arms and turned to the assistant. "Thanks. I'll be there in a second."
"He's in the Oval." Margaret left CJ and Sam in the dark office, alone.
CJ's eyes widened. "What do you think this is about?"
"What else?"
"What do you think they did to him?"
Sam shrugged. "Go and find out."
CJ stood and ran her fingers through her hair, trying to calm the fly-aways. "You'll be here when I get back?"
"If you want me to."
"I want."
*~*
"Go right in, CJ."
She nodded at the older lady sitting behind the desk, before tentatively stepping through the hallowed doorway. "You wanted to me, Sir?"
"Sit down." He waited until she was settled on the couch, opposite of Leo, before he proceeded. "You know Tad Whitney was here?"
"Yes."
"Do you want to know what happened?"
CJ grimaced, "Not particularly."
Bartlet sat down. "What do you think happened?"
She gave him a weak grin, "You kicked his ass?"
Leo and Bartlet stifled the laughs rising in their throat. "Believe me, I wanted to."
"But you proceeded as the President does," CJ concluded.
"Yeah. I asked for his resignation."
"Did he give it?"
"I think we'll find out tomorrow." She nodded. "So, CJ, what's going on with you and Sam?"
Surprised, "Sir?"
"It's a simple question, CJ. What's going on?"
"There's nothing going on, Sir."
"I think there's a picture lying on my desk that would prove otherwise."
CJ went pink, "You have the picture?"
Bartlet grinned, "You can thank Leo."
CJ warily looked at Leo, "Thanks," she muttered. "A lot."
Bartlet continued, "And there's nothing going on?"
"Honestly, Sir, there is nothing going on."
"Are you sure about that?"
"Is Zoey around?"
"What?"
"Shouldn't you be giving this speech to her?"
"It's already too late with her. She's already involved with Charlie. CJ, all of you are my other children and since I get to rarely bestow my wisdom upon my own children, I feel the need to practice on you."
"Guinea pigs," Leo spoke up.
"I kind of figured," CJ shrugged.
"And CJ, if he's what you want, go after him."
"Sir?"
"Don't let fate pass you by."

"A long long time ago
I can still remember how that music used to make me smile"
American Pie by Don McLean


I Hope You Dance: Inkblots

HOME | TITLE | AUTHOR | CATEGORY