Josh and CJ whirled around at the tone, both faces expressing surprise at the harshness of Leo’s voice.

Sam moved over to Leo’s desk. “I wrote a draft of the President’s statement of support.”

“Who asked you to do that?” Leo was furious.

“Toby did…” Josh began trying to defend Sam.

Sam ignored Josh, cutting him off, meeting Leo’s thunderous expression without qualm. “Nobody had to ask me, Leo,” Sam bit out. “You’re under attack. This is what we do.”

Leo’s eyes flashed and then he let Sam have it. “Do me a favour, Sam, don’t show initiative….”

Sam nearly stepped back a bit at the unrelenting anger he felt Leo direct towards him. He could feel his heart beginning to thump unsteadily at the attack. With a start he realised that Leo had asked him a question. “Is that clear?”

Sam swallowed hard. “Yes sir.”

Leo seemed satisfied with that and gave a weak nod as his thoughts turned towards the press conference he would be holding shortly. “I’m ready.”

Sam nodded and then stepped back away from Leo’s desk, moving past Josh and CJ. He didn’t acknowledge them. He just had to get out of there. God. How had he messed up this time? All he had been trying to do was his job. It was his job to defend Leo. He had worked as a lawyer for Christ’s sake, he knew that the Chief of Staff was in serious trouble. Sam brushed past Cathy ignoring her startled “Sam!” and kept moving towards his office. A few more steps and he was home free.

Josh met Leo’s eyes for a long moment and then turned with CJ, following her out and shutting Leo’s door behind him. “Well…” Josh muttered, meeting CJ’s concerned expression with one of his own. “That went well, don’t you think?”

CJ hugged the press folder to her chest and shrugged. “Leo’s just a little…”

“Frightened? Scared? Apprehensive?” Josh suggested, his eyes darting past CJ to see Sam moving rapidly down the corridor. He sighed. This wasn’t good at all. He had been surprised at the level of hostility that Leo had shown to Sam. Sam had countered well, but it was still not good.

CJ let out a deep breath. “All of the above,” she said dryly, turning to follow Josh’s eye line.

“That’s what I’m thinking.” Josh patted her on the arm and then moved to follow his friend.

~~~~

Sam slammed the folders down on his desk and let out a deep breath. It was his job to know when something like this had to be written. A surveying glance out of his office window and Sam could see his assistant typing furiously, a slightly annoyed expression on her face. He sighed. He would have to buy a donut to make it up to her. He had no right to take his frustration out on her -- it wasn’t her fault that Leo had reamed into him. It was his fault. He sat down in his chair, twisting around to gaze out the window.

Josh strode up to the Communications bullpen and paused a moment as he saw Sam sitting in his office with a pensive expression on his face.

“Josh, I don’t thin…” Cathy began jumping to her feet to stop Josh from entering Sam’s office.

“I need to see him, Cathy,” Josh said smoothly, holding up one hand too ward off the petite woman while the other reached for the door handle to Sam’s office.

“But..” Cathy protested.

“One minute,” Josh placated her while entering Sam’s clean office and shutting the door behind him. Sam’s head snapped up at his entrance. “Sam, Leo…”

“I know, Josh it’s fine,” Sam said quickly, not really wanting to get into his mixed emotions about the meeting with Leo so soon.

Josh walked forward. “I was wondering if I could read a copy of that letter you wrote.”

Sam looked at Josh in surprise. “Sure. I’ll get Cathy to drop it off at your office.”

“You can’t give it to me now?” Josh asked quietly watching Sam carefully.

“I have to have a meeting with Toby about the speech… so I know what to start tweaking and polishing.” Sam shook his head at the mammoth amount of work in front of him.

Josh nodded slowly. “A-kay drop it off and I’ll have a look at it.” He pivoted, walking towards the door. Opening it, he paused. “You sure you’re fine?”

Sam glanced up from the folders on his desk. “Positive, Josh.”

“A-kay, but…”

“I know where to go,” Sam said, his attention and focus drifting back to the work in front of him. Josh watched him for a moment then sighed. Sam was fine. He was taking it awfully well. So why did that worry him?

~~~~

Cathy skimmed the piece of paper that Sam had told her to drop off at Donna’s desk. Her eyes read the material in shock at its contents. Then she frowned. So that had been what had been going on around the West Wing lately. Cathy jumped as she bumped into another figure. “Oh, I’m sorry,” She said quickly. “I wasn’t looking where I was going.”

Glancing up she saw who it was she had bumped into. “Ginger.”

Ginger gave a quick grin. “You’re forgiven. What are you reading?’

“A statement of support Sam wrote for the President,” Cathy responded, still dumbfounded by the contents of the letter. Ginger moved, reading some of the letter over her shoulder.

“Did you photocopy it?” Ginger asked.

Cathy looked at Ginger, confused. “Why would I do that?”

“Because everyone should read it,” Ginger responded quietly.

Cathy nodded slowly. "You’re right,” she said quickly. “And I’ll go do that right now.”

Just a few copies around the offices, Cathy thought as she walked to the nearest photocopier. Then I’ll drop it at Donna’s desk, for Josh.

~~~~

Sam sat at his desk, tapping his pen thoughtfully on today’s press release. He had to do something. He grabbed the folder on his desk that contained a copy of the draft letter of support. Sam exited his office. Despite what Leo thought, the President would want to be there for his best friend. “Sam?”

Sam turned. “CJ, what can I do for you?”

CJ raised an eyebrow. “I just wanted to see if you wanted to talk.”

“Talk?” Sam stopped walking and stared at CJ, trying to read what she wasn’t saying. Then he saw it, the concern for him and he smiled slightly. “I’m fine.”

“Really?” CJ asked sceptically.

“I’m fine.”

“Because what he said seemed pretty harsh.”

“CJ, thank you, but I know my place. Besides I need to see Toby about the State of Union speech.”

CJ quirked her eyebrow at Sam’s choice of words and reaching out, she grabbed Sam’s arm as he began to move away. “You’re fine.”

Sam smiled at her gently. “I’m fine.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes.” Sam shook his arm free and began to walk towards the Oval Office, tapping his folder against his leg as he walked. He wasn’t aware of CJ watching him go with a frown on her face. He had something that needed to be done. “Charlie..”

Charlie looked up from the files that he was holding. “Sam.”

Sam smiled at the young man sympathetically. “How is he?”

“The President’s doing much better. He wanted me to grab some files from his office that he had to look over.”

Relief flooded through Sam at this news. It hadn’t been that long ago that he had been fearful that the situation with the President was more serious. Taking off his glasses, he handed Charlie the blue folder in his hands. “I need you to give this to the President, Charlie, can you do that?”

Charlie frowned. “Sure, what is it?”

“Just some briefs that the President needs to revise,” Sam obfuscated, handing the folder to Charlie who placed it on the top of the other files he was taking to the President. All of a sudden Sam felt apprehensive. Should he really be doing this? Then he saw that Leo’s press conference was about to start and his resolve grew. The President would want to see this draft letter. He would, I know it, Sam thought.

Picking up the stack, Charlie began to walk out towards the Residence then hesitated upon seeing Sam still standing at his desk, staring after him with a thoughtful expression on his face. “Sam? Is there anything else?”

Sam shook himself. “Ah no, thanks, Charlie.” Sam brushed a hand through his dark hair and headed back to his office. He could hear Leo’s voice coming from numerous TV sets around the building, but right now he didn’t want to hear it. Shutting himself in his office he set to work on some of the latest revisions to the State of the Union.

~~~~~

CJ knocked once on Josh’s door and entered. Josh looked up, a smile touching his face. “CJ, what can I do for you?”

”It’s Sam,” CJ said, shutting the door behind her.

Josh stood. “What happened?”

“It’s what he didn’t say really, Josh. I don’t know maybe I’m reading more into this than I should.”

“Reading more into what?” Josh asked, confused, worry about his best friend superseding all work for the moment. His hands fiddled with a ballpoint pen as he waited for a response from CJ.

CJ shook her head. “He said something and it’s been going around and around.”

“What did he say?”

“Well, it’s what he didn’t say really,” CJ hedged, chewing her lip thoughtfully.

“CJ, just tell me now, or somebody is going to get hurt,” Josh said throwing down the pen in disgust.

CJ jumped startled. “Well, I accosted him—“

“You accosted him?” Josh butted in incredulously, his eyebrows climbing his forehead in surprise.

“I wanted to see if was okay. He said he was fine.” CJ sighed, perching herself on the side of Josh’s desk near the door.

Josh moved around his desk to sit next to CJ. “After this morning right?”

CJ nodded. “Leo was pretty harsh…. He said he was fine Josh and that he knew his place.”

Josh crossed his arms. “That he knew his place?” Josh’s voice raised a notch as he contemplated this news. CJ nodded again, glancing sideways at the man beside her. Josh was silent for a long moment, and then he shook his head. “He's not fine, CJ.”

“That’s what I’m saying.” CJ looked at Josh in exasperation. Hadn’t she come here to tell Josh of her worries? She glanced at her watch then sighed. “Leo’s press conference is in a few minutes.”

Josh pulled himself from his thoughts and sighed. “I know… did you read the draft letter that Sam wrote?”

CJ pulled open the door. “Yeah. Sam wrote it well, didn’t he?”

Josh nodded. “Yeah. Sam did.”

~~~~

Josh dismissed Donna with a nod when he saw Sam ahead of him talking with one of his speechwriters. “Sam.” Sam turned, his expression becoming a little guarded. Josh walked up and began walking with him, one hand clamped down Sam’s shoulder. “I thought he did well,” he said conversationally, referring to Leo’s speech in the Press Room.

Sam’s eyes flickered briefly. “Yeah,” he agreed quietly, avoiding Josh’s eyes for a moment. He hadn’t felt like watching the press briefing when Leo had given it. Sure, he had watched the essential parts but he had turned away after a few moments, realising that he wasn’t listening to the words but remembering Leo’s tone of voice when he had spoken to him earlier. But he couldn’t say that to Josh; it would be tantamount to admitting that Leo’s words had scored a hit. “Yeah.” He nodded.

Josh noted the subtle avoidance and gave himself a mental kick. Sam hadn’t seen much of the press conference. “Listen, I read the letter. It’s great, Sam. It’s a shame no one’s going to read it,” he soothed, leaning in to speak Sam as he spoke. He saw a rebellious smile flitter across Sam’s face.

“President’s going to read it,” Sam said, his eyes clashing with Josh’s and reading the subtle sense of loathing and apprehension that went through Josh at his words.

“Sam!” Josh said shocked, grabbing Sam’s arm and turning him around. “Leo’s going to kill us.” Josh glanced around them to see if anyone heard their conversation.

“I don’t care,” Sam said, his face grimly defiant. “Do you?”

Josh hesitated for a second, assessing whether he did or not. No. He didn’t agree with Leo’s actions this morning. They were team in the West Wing. If it were one of them, Leo would have no question backing them up, but with the tables turned Leo was reluctant to get their help. “No.” A small answering smile crossed his face when he saw Sam’s small grin at his words. “No,” he repeated, slapping Sam’s arm and moving off down the corridor to his office.

It wasn’t long before Josh wondered who was right and who was wrong in this argument. His head swiveled back and forth as Sam and Leo butted heads again.

“… For us not to defend.” Sam swallowed hard, pausing. “I disobeyed you, I’m sorry.”

Leo stared at Sam silently then finally he spoke. “This was not what I wanted,” he said before striding angrily away.

Josh saw the emotion in Sam’s eyes and heard it in his voice, but Leo… He looked betrayed. Dumbfounded he watched Leo depart. A glance at Sam and Sam just shrugged trying to control his emotions. “Sam, maybe we…”

Sam glared at him. “We? Don’t you mean me?”

“I’m just saying..” Josh said, moving over to shut the door.

“No,” Sam interrupted. “You know as well as I do that he would defend us until it was impossible not too. You know that Josh.” Sam was furious and Josh couldn’t blame him. “We had to defend him, Josh. I didn’t give it to the Press - it circulated the office, that’s it and yes, the President saw it. But he had a right to see it. Don’t you think?”

“I know-” Josh began. “You’re right. But...”

“But nothing. They’re best friends. The President would want to say something about this.. I know it. That’s what best friends do, Josh.”

A rap at the door interrupted them. “Sam?” Cathy poked her head around the door. “Toby wants to see you.”

Sam nodded at his assistant then walked past Josh. “It’s what best friends do, Josh.”

Josh stood silently in Sam’s office after his friend left, his head bowed as he pondered the last few minutes. God, how right was he when he told Leo that it was going to get bad before it got better. But back then he had thought the office would be pulling together. Now their frayed edges and past actions were coming back to haunt them. “Damn,” Josh murmured before striding out to find out what was going with the State of the Union speech now.

~~~~

Leo sat waited for Jed Bartlet to sit down again on the sofa as the two men watched Lord John Marbury leave the President’s bedroom. “So, I think that went particularly well,” Leo said, turning to look at Jed who gave him a tired grin.

“Yes, it did.” Jed pulled the silk edges of his dressing gown together and took a sip of water.

“I suppose that’s the one bright thing to happen over the last few days.” Leo pulled a face as he looked at his best friend.

“You don’t hate Marbury now?” Jed kidded, a knowing expression on his face.

“Hate’s such a strong word, Mr. President.”

Jed leant forward on the sofa and placing the water glass on the coffee table in front of him. “Sam wrote quite a letter of support,” he said conversationally.

“You shouldn’t have seen that, Mr. President.” Anger coloured Leo’s voice suddenly as he reflected on how his authority had been neatly circumvented by the Deputy Communications Director.

“Why?” Jed asked in surprise, his head swiveling to look at his friend. "Leo, I wanted to be there for you." Charlie had informed the President some time ago of the tension between the Chief of Staff and Sam. It had been an innocent question, by Jed to the unsuspecting Charlie, to gauge the response to Leo’s press conference. He had wanted to know if there were going to be problems within the West Wing when Leo dropped his bombshell to the Press and to the rest of the staff. He had pleased that there was a letter circulating with his support; it was exactly what he would’ve ordered Sam and Toby to do. But Jed knew his best friend and he knew of his penchant to protect him at all costs. Especially now that they were in the White House.

“I go down, I go down alone,” Leo said vehemently.

“Sorry, Leo, it doesn’t work that way around here.”

“Mr. President-“

“No, Leo, let me finish. Sam meant well. Have you read what he wrote? It’s very moving…” Jed urged. “You should read it. He did exactly what I would want. We're all behind you on this, Leo, don’t think you’re alone.”

Leo nodded once and then Jed patted his arm affectionately. “Now, go. Let me get back to watching this soap opera.”

Leo smirked. “Yes, Mr. President.” At the door, Jed’s voice made him turn.

“I was proud of you this morning, Leo. So proud.”

Leo’s eyes glinted and he met Jed’s eyes and he smiled. “Thank you, sir,” Leo murmured, touched.

~~~~

--Do me a favour, Sam, don’t show initiiative--

Leo’s words echoed in Sam’s mind as he watched the final draft print out from Toby’s printer. Sam exchanged a small smile of accomplishment with Toby. It was hard to believe that this was done. Only hours ago it had seemed as though they would never get the speech for the State of the Union completed. He sighed, rubbing his eyes tiredly. He knew it was silly to be harping on Leo’s words of that morning. Sam knew that, but it had struck a chord that he longed since thought was buried. Leo had just been lashing out, Sam reasoned. But the words, whether Leo knew it or not, had made him feel once again that he didn’t make a substantive contribution around here.

Toby picked up the final piece of paper and clipped it in a folder. “How about that, Princeton? We’re done.”

“Yes, we are,” Sam agreed, standing and stretching the kinks from his back muscles. Toby pulled at a face at the sound of the cracking muscles.

“Shall we go show the President and Leo?” Toby asked as he pulled on his suit coat.

Sam barely restrained a grimace at the thought of seeing Leo again so soon after the second yelling he had gotten from him today. “Uhh no. Why don’t you go ahead Toby? I’m sure you don’t need me.”

Toby raised an eyebrow at his deputy in surprise. “You sure? Because I’m sure Leo and the President will want to make a few comments on it.”

Sam sighed. “You don’t need me for that Toby. You can handle it.” You don’t need me there.

Toby stared at Sam, scrutinising him carefully, trying to pinpoint what exactly Sam wasn’t saying. “You sure?”

Sam nodded. “Toby, I’m just going to take a break, okay?” Sam strode from the office, making his way over to one of the Roosevelt Room. Grabbing a cup of coffee on the way he paused at the entrance to the room, pleased to see that it was empty. Sitting down, he was glad to be finally alone. Drained. That’s what he felt right now. The President’s collapse had scared all of the senior staff and then Leo’s press conference this morning. It had been a nightmare day. Why did he feel like a fifth wheel today? Why did he feel like a naughty little boy just because he cared whether or not Leo was still here next week? The President and Leo were best friends; it wouldn’t be unreasonable for the President to make a comment about Leo’s press conference. In fact it would be good PR. Sam’s lips twisted at that thought. That’s right, Sam,, he thought darkly. Why not kick Leo when he's down?

Playing with the mug of coffee he sighed heavily. His mind darted back to the campaign - he had felt like he had never been able to do anything right back then. Toby had reamed into him, not enough verbs and then when the Governor had come out and slammed him publicly he had felt like he had been a five year old being sent away from the dinner table for talking out of turn. Sam wasn’t stupid. He knew it annoyed some people that he looked so young. But that was something he couldn’t change. Leaning back into the comfortable chairs of the Roosevelt room Sam gazed about the room. He still had to pinch himself to believe that he was working in the White House.

“Is this a private party?”

Sam jumped, turning to find Josh standing just behind him. “How’s the President?”

Josh gave Sam a relieved grin, sitting down next to Sam at the table. “He’s looking a lot better than he did,” he said, referring to the pasty man that Sam had last seen in the Oval Office the night before.

Sam nodded, his gaze returning to the mug he still held. “That’s good.”

“So is this a private party?” Josh questioned again, surveying Sam and his countenance. Josh had caught Toby watching Sam stride out of his office, a puzzled expression on his face. It had taken little explaining on Toby’s behalf as Josh walked him to the Oval Office, that Sam had seemed a little distant - ‘something’s off with him,’ Toby had said and standing there moments ago. Watching Sam he had agreed with the Communications Director.

Sam’s head jerked up. “What?” A frown marring his expression for a moment before it cleared. As he realised why Josh was here a smile pulled at his lips that didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m fine.” The lie came out more easily the more he said it.

Josh inclined his head. “I believe you. That’s why you’re sitting in here all alone, while Toby shows Leo and the President the speech that the two of you have worked your guts out on all day.” Josh said dryly. For the last five minutes he had been watching Sam ponder something that obviously didn’t sit well with him. Josh was well aware that Sam had been an easy target for Leo’s anger and it had disturbed him to see Sam take it so well. He knew Sam and Leo’s comments would’ve hit too close to home. Sam had made sure that the President’s letter supporting the Chief of Staff had been circulating around against Leo’s wishes, but that was Sam. Josh had seen how Sam had thrown himself into his work and it had hurt him to see his best friend pained.

Sam shrugged. “I just needed a break.” Raising the coffee to drink he nearly spat out the liquid when he realised that it had long since cooled. “So you think they liked the speech?”

“I don’t know.” Josh reached out and turned Sam’s chair to face him. “Sam, come on, this is me.”

Sam looked down away from Josh’s gaze and then raised his eyes to meet Josh’s. “What do you want to hear, Josh? That what Leo said hurt? Well, it did. Don’t show initiative. It’s hard enough knowing that I’m the whipping boy around here-“

Josh held up a hand. “You’re not the whipping boy, Sam.”

Sam raised an eyebrow. “Oh really?”

“Yes, really.”

“Are you so sure about that? Leo made it pretty clear that my job around here is to be dictated to. It’s a wonder I even got an office,” Sam bit out, his tone very flat.

Josh winced. “You know that’s not true is it.”

“Oh no?” Sam said bitterly. “Come on, Josh, be real here, okay? Why did you try to take the blame for me today?”

”I…” Josh began, his forehead crinkling worriedly at Sam’s tone.

“You took the blame because you knew Leo would be less pissed at you than he would be at me… Ever wonder why? Because let’s face facts: no one around here seems to think I have a reasonable input into policy discussions. I write speeches, Josh. I write speeches that Toby revises, cuts up and rips apart. I don’t dictate policy. I never did...” Sam trailed off, rubbing his eyes tiredly. “I don’t know why I ever thought I could make a difference.”

“You do make a difference… Look at Mendoza, he wouldn’t be a nomination for Chief Justice if it weren’t for you. You did that, Sam. No one else,” Josh shot back, his voice firm with conviction.

Sam shook his head in denial. “Do you know Toby didn’t want to believe me at first…”

“Toby just didn’t want to see two months work go to waste,” Josh countered softly.

Sam shrugged. “Yeah, maybe.”

“Sam, you do good work around here.”

“Sure I do.” Sam leaned forward his head in his hands. “Do you know how much I wanted to tell you that Laurie was at the State Dinner, but you had your thing with Toby? And Toby was so vehement that I had to do the speech his way, that night….” Sam closed his eyes remembering seeing Laurie greet the Mrs. Bartlet and lie. He had stumbled over how to introduce her and without missing a beat Laurie had lied about her identity. He had known right then that Laurie was too far gone in that world, too enamoured with its web of lies and money to give it up, So he had tested her to see if she would give it all up and surprise, surprise she hadn’t. Instead Laurie had walked away from him in disdain. Sam sighed. “God, Josh, seeing her there was like a punch in the gut. And she lied to the First Lady about who she was…. she lied..” Sam said, his tone radiating scorn for the memory.

Josh clasped his hands together resting his head on top of them. His eyes closing briefly at the lost sound in Sam’s voice as he referred to ‘the thing with Toby.’ He hadn’t even thought that Sam would’ve been hurt by that. God, maybe they could’ve avoided all of the ensuing problems if Toby had sought Sam’s counsel that night as well. “She lied.”

“Yeah.” Sam’s voice was muffled then he shook his head. “Why is it I have to fight so hard to get my ideas across around here?”

Josh’s eyes took in the hunched form of his best friend before him and he bit back a curse at the man that had caused him this pain. “We all fight around here, Sam. It’s what we do.”

Sam raised his head and met Josh’s gaze sadly. “Then why do I feel so alone in our team?”

Josh blinked hard and tried to suppress the emotions that welled up within him at the words. “You’re not alone,” he said adamantly, reaching out to touch Sam’s head. He ruffled the hair and Sam smiled at the gesture. “You’re not alone.”

Sam sighed heavily. “You’re right. I know you’re right.”

Josh’s lips tugged into a smile. “You’re only now just getting it.”

Sam chuckled despite himself, then his face became sombre once more. “Let me ask you this, why am I Leo’s whipping boy?”

Josh frowned.

“I keep wondering what I’ve done to warrant it, and I can’t come up with an answer. Do you know how many times Leo’s been in my office? I can count the number on one hand, Josh. One hand.”

“Sam-“ Josh tried to stop this train of thought, but it was too late.

“Twice in the past few weeks, once with Mallory, so I suppose that doesn’t count. The second was this morning after the press conference…”

“Sam, you’re not Leo’s whipping boy.”

“God…” Sam muttered leaning back in the chair. “You’re right. It just feels like I am. You sense it too, right? That’s why you were so quick to jump to my defence. Wasn’t it?” Sam’s blue eyes seem to trap Josh and the older man was helpless to do anything but nod. “Why is that, Josh? It’s like I have to get everyone’s approval to write a note around here.”

“Aww, come on, Sam, that’s not true,” Josh rebutted gently, knowing that Sam was exaggerating this time.

“Isn’t it?” Sam said, his eyes flashing. “Then tell me what’s your view on today, Josh, because in my opinion that’s exactly what happened.” Sam stood gracefully, moving away from Josh and staring down unseeingly at the table before him, his fingertips balanced on the smooth surface.

“Leo had a rough day, Sam...” Josh said finally, watching as Sam nodded at the comment.

“So he took his anger out on me - I get that. I even understand that, Josh. I actually accept that. But the thing is there was a truth in his argument this morning. You even assumed that Toby had given me a directive. What? I can’t think for myself anymore?”

“Sam…”

But Sam waving him to silence in an abortive hand gesture cut off Josh.

“Look, Josh, I’m not actually making a lot of sense right now.” Sam gave his friend a rueful smile that failed to do anything to reassure Josh. “Why don’t you see how everyone’s doing with the speech?”

Josh studied Sam for a long moment then stood, walking over to lean against the table beside Sam. “Actually you’re making a lot of sense, Sam.”

A wry chuckle escaped Sam as he continued to stare down at the table as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. “I am?”

“Yes, you are.” Josh answered, ducking his body into Sam’s line of sight, he forced Sam to meet his gaze. “You’re making a lot of sense, Sam.”

Sam let out a deep breath and turned to face Josh as he straightened up.. “I just don’t know why I do this anymore, Josh. I feel like everything I do is overridden….”

“You do this because you a fantastic writer, Sam.” Leo’s voice drifted into the room. Sam and Josh straightened in surprise.

“Leo-“ Josh said, stepping forward and placing himself between Sam and his superior.

“I’m not going to tear him down, Josh. I’m here to apologise,” Leo said gruffly, walking further into the Roosevelt Room.

Sam crossed his arms protectively in front of him. “Apologise? Leo, there’s no need.”

Josh turned and stared at Sam in disbelief. After everything they had just talked about Sam said that!

Leo let out a soft chuckle. “Can you really say that, Sam, after what I just heard?”

Sam looked at Josh who just held his gaze steadily before looking at Leo with a sheepish expression. “Well, I … fine. I was just brooding that’s all.”

“Brooding? Sam - you were trying to do a good thing this morning. And I’m sorry that I took out my frustration on you.”

Sam shifted uncomfortably. “Leo, really, there’s no need. You’re not having an easy day and I just overstepped my mark this morning that’s all.”

Leo sighed heavily, remembering very clearly his talk with the President just a few hours earlier. “The thing is, Sam, you didn’t… You did what we pay you to do. I’m sorry. Despite what you may think, you’re valuable member of this administration. You’re not the whipping boy.”

Sam coloured slightly ducking his head and staring at his shoes. “Aha, thanks, Leo.”

Leo nodded once and then left, leaving Sam staring after him with a bemused expression. Josh let out a deep breath. “Well, that went well.”

Sam’s blue eyes darted towards Josh. “Hmm?”

“Sam. He meant every word.” Josh said earnestly reaching forward and patting Sam’s back gently. Sam nodded slowly.

”I know it’s just….”

“Just what?” Josh prodded searching Sam’s face to some clue as to what was going on behind it. “Just what, Sam?”

Sam shook himself. “Josh, do you remember on the campaign how nothing I ever wrote seemed right?”

Josh nodded once, his eyes crinkling in confusion. Sam stared down at his feet. “All my life I’ve always been the one that people seem to think of as an easy target. Lately it’s seems like nothing I do is any good. I just feel so…” Sam bit off what he was going to say with a shake of his head.

“Feel so what?”

“Disheartened,” Sam said with a sigh, his blue eyes dark.

Placing both hands on Sam’s shoulders Josh waited till he was sure he had Sam’s full attention. “You’re tired. You’ve been working your butt off for God knows how long. But Sam, we wouldn’t be here in this White House if it hadn’t been for your help on the campaign. I wouldn’t be here. You’re my friend Sam, my best friend and I need you here.” Sam’s eyes shimmered slightly with unspoken emotion and Josh stared at him seriously. Then Josh grinned suddenly, his eyes softly teasing. “But you’ve got to know you give as good as you get.”

Sam laughed. “Is that so?”

Josh nodded, beginning to shepherd the younger man out of the Roosevelt room and towards the offices where he knew everyone was congregating before the President left to give his speech. “Oh, that’s definitely so.”

“Excellent.” Sam grinned. “Excellent.”