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The Journey to Love: Love and Politics	By : sissouthernink1994 Category: S through Z > West Wing Views: 2272 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Full disclaimer below with more to follow for each chapter. This is a work of fiction. I don't own The West Wing- the building or the show. I don't know President and Mrs. Obama, I'm not getting paid for this.

Chapter List
- 5
- 6
- 7
Chapter 6: The beginning

Josh woke up by himself. He listened for Sam but didn't hear him at first. He looked over at the alarm and saw that he'd overslept. He didn't even hear it go off. Sam walked back into the room smiling. Josh stretched.
"Why didn't you wake me?"
"You needed some rest too." He said kissing him. "Besides, I needed to print off my ticket information."
"Do you want to shower before you fly?"
"Nah, I like to fly smelling like my lover. Too bad for the person sitting next to me." They laughed. "Come on. Let's get dressed so we can eat before my flight."
They ate in one of the airport restaurants, each dreading the moment that Sam would have to board his flight.
"I don't want you to go." Josh whined.
"I know but I have to. Just think, next week you'll be in Santa Ana with me and we can enjoy a few days of peace and love together." Sam said kissing his hand. Josh smiled at him and they both looked at their watches. It was time for Sam to head through security. They held hands as Josh walked with him to the security gate. Both hesitating, wanting to kiss each other goodbye but not wanting to make a public scene. Sam looked around.
"Oh, the hell with it. If someone sees, they see. I hope they take a picture." Sam said and leaned in and kissed Josh passionately. "I love you baby."

"I love you too baby." Sam finally let go of Josh's hand and went through security.

As the plane took off Sam reflected on how their romantic relationship began. He had given Gage Whitney Pace a month's notice once he decided to join the campaign. It was just a formality and a polite one at that. Sam would have left with Josh the next morning if it had been possible. That month gave him time to find an apartment and get his things packed. Lisa still didn't understand why he was doing this.
"It’s the opportunity of a lifetime baby."
"A presidential campaign is the opportunity of a lifetime?"
"Yes it is. The job only becomes vacant every four years and I might not get a chance next go around. If all goes well, I could potentially be working for the White House. Do you know how awesome that would be? I would be in the history books. I would have a job appointed by The President of the United States. That doesn't excite you?"
"Do I look excited?" She gave him a very annoyed look.
"You should be."
"I hate D.C. The weather sucks and the social circles are lame."
"Social circles?” He asked. Now he was the one with the annoyed look. “Is that all you care about? Social circles. You’d have the chance to meet the leaders of the world and their spouses. Some of these couples’ bank accounts are just a few bucks shy of being equal to God's and you call that lame?" Sam shook is head. “I'm talking politics. I’m talking the White House Lisa. I’d be in the Oval Office on a daily basis. The Oval Office." She looked at him as he packed more clothes. “And the weather isn’t much different than New York’s. The sun shines, it gets cold, it snows and it rains.”
"But how long do I have to put us on hold? I thought you wanted to get married."
"I do Lisa, I do. Or else I wouldn't have proposed."
"How long Sam?"
"What? You want a timeline? I don't know. I can't give you one. We'll campaign, through the DNC. If we win that, then we work until Election Day and then I don't know. That depends on the voters."
"That's such a helpful answer Sam. So what am I supposed to do?" She asked as she flopped down onto the bed, crossing her arms.
"If I had a crystal ball, I could tell you everything. Just don't make any big commitments to anything yet." That was not what she wanted to hear.
                By the end of March, Sam had packed up his life and moved to D.C. Lisa refused to come with him. Not even to see where they could be living. She was even refusing to answer his phone calls. Sam was trying to include her, so she would see that she still had a place in his life. He hoped she could see the future with him.

                Writing campaign speeches was a new and exciting thing for Sam. The way Governor Bartlet presented the words excited him even more. He knew how to speak, he knew how to write but he wasn't sure how his words were going to get the Massachusetts Governor elected. He believed in him, Josh believed in him. Everyone on the staff believed in him or else they wouldn’t be there. But would the American people? Would they believe enough to vote him in?

Life on the campaign trail took some getting used to. Every few days sometimes everyday, there was a new place to sleep. Fast food places were dictating their diets and fought everyone's body on a constant basis. Things faired better, when they stumbled upon a 24-hour eatery. Uncomfortable bus rides created aches, pains and cramps in muscles people didn't know they had. The joys of hotel laundry weren’t anything to write home about either; just another necessary evil.
Sam discovered something while riding the campaign bus; motion sickness. All the car rides and family vacations he had taken as a child, riding back and forth to see friends not to mention all the years of his sailing experience couldn't compare to the first day on the bus. He was nauseous from the moment the engine started.
"Seriously Sam, are you going to be ok?" Josh asked. Sam looked at him from underneath the towel covering his face.
"Yeah. It's nothing"
"Nothing? Well, nothing sure smells pretty sour." Josh replied, referring to the smell on the bus's bathroom from Sam’s vomit.
"Sorry. I can't explain it." Sam said. "I've never been car sick in my life. Never. Even the first time my dad took me sailing didn't make me sick. I don't know."
At the next rest stop, Dr. Bartlet came onto the bus to make sure Sam was ok.
"Oh, Ma'am you didn’t have to come here. I'll be fine in a few days."
"Nonsense Sam. My husband may be running for President but I’m still a doctor. And as a doctor, it is my duty to make sure that everyone is well. Now, say 'ah'". Sam did and she used a tongue depressor to check for swollen tonsils. "Do you get sick in a certain part of the bus or anywhere you sit?" Sam hadn't thought about it.
"I don't know."
"It might be psychological. It could happen, only when you write or when you're around certain people. Sometimes body odor, cologne or perfume can make you sick."
"I hadn't paid attention to it."
"Well try it next time few times it occurs. Until then try these peppermints. And when we find a drugstore, you should get some Dramamine. You may need the one that you can where as a bracelet. I've prescribed them for pregnant women before." Sam eyes widened. "Don't worry. You can't see them if your shirt sleeves are down"
"Yes ma'am" he replied.
The peppermints seemed to help for little while. Sam tried to pay more attention to when the sickness occurred. He did notice a little upset stomach when Toby read his speeches. Mainly because he would have to rewrite them, unnecessarily sometimes he thought.
He noticed a little upset stomach when he and Josh were close to each other. Even when they were with the others, sometimes he felt it even more when there was a group. He didn't understand it. It was just Josh. He shrugged it off to Josh telling potentially embarrassing stories about them. Sam began to realize that he felt nausea when he argued with Josh. But we argue all the time, he thought. Why is this any different? He made a mental note to remember or ask what they argued about.

                He felt the nausea when he talked with Lisa on the phone. That is, when she answered his calls. He tried his best not to let each conversation end in an argument. He hated arguing with her. He always listened and she never did. It soon became unavoidable. It got to the point that Sam didn’t want to call home. He felt like saving his money for the hotel laundry and vending machines.

One night, while Sam was sitting out in the courtyard of the hotel, the Governor came out to smoke a cigar. Several Secret Service agents came out to survey the area.
"I'd think with your thin California blood you'd be freezing by now," he said. Sam stood when he recognized the voice. He was dressed in sweats with a hooded sweatshirt. He had taken a walk earlier but wasn’t ready to go to bed yet, which is why he was sitting in the courtyard.
"I've got on a long sleeve shirt underneath. I'm fine sir."
"Please sit, sit. None of this ‘sir’ stuff. I haven't got the job yet."
"Just showing respect." Sam replied sitting down.
"If you want to show me respect, don't tell my wife about this," he said lighting the cigar. "She doesn't approve of this message.” He smiled and took a few relaxing puffs. "No, we're not at that 'sir' status yet. Although, if you keep writing like you do, we will be."
"I'm glad it feels that way to you."
"It doesn't to you?"
"No sir, not yet." Bartlet took a few puffs on the cigar.
"It will Sam. Give it time." He sat next to him. "The problem is, is that you can't see how good you really are. You should try and listen to your words sometimes as a voter, not a writer repeating and correcting every word and phrase. I know you do it because I do it too. I'm constantly thinking of how I should have emphasized this or that." He looked at the younger man. “I haven't met many people whose words flow like yours. You're an amazing writer Sam, a real natural."
"Thank you sir."
"You don't sound convinced." Sam shrugged his shoulders and looked down at the ground.
"We're always our own worst critics."
"True, but you are better than most I've seen."
"Critic or writer?"
"Ha. Both." They chuckled.
"Not if you ask Toby. Seems like he loves ripping my words to shreds. He acts like those words don't mean anything to me."
"Now there's the big difference between you and Toby.” Sam looked up at the older gentleman. “He likes to write. He writes to write. He knows the words to invoke emotion. You write from emotion. When they live, they are a part of you. So you are emotionally attached to them."
"So I should stop being so emotional when I write?"
"Oh no. No, leave the emotion in. The passion behind the argument is what I need. That's what people need to hear. That's what you provide." Sam nodded silently. The Governor took a long draw on the cigar. "How's your motion sickness? Better?"
"Dr. Bartlet told you?" He nodded. "It's better. I think it's just nerves."
"What are you nervous about?" Sam sighed.
"Short list or long?"
"Whichever." Sam took a cleansing breath. If he couldn’t trust his “boss” to give a sympathetic ear, who could he trust?
"I'm losing my fiancée. She didn't want me to leave New York or the firm. She's barely talking to me. I think she might even hate me right now. I had her put our wedding plans on hold because...."
"Because what?"
"Just because. I don't where this will lead me. No point in stringing her along until I know something concrete."
“A sensible decision.” Bartlet paused. “Cold feet?"
"Josh asked me the same thing."
"Well?"
"Honestly, I don't know."
"Tired of practicing law?" Sam tilted his head to one side and thought.
"I guess I lost my passion for it. At that firm and that kind of law, anyway."
"Your father got you the job there, correct?"
"Yes he did."
"Perhaps you've outgrown it."
"Perhaps. Maybe I'm losing my passion for her too. Maybe it's all tied together. Her, New York, law."
"It's possible you just need a new thrill. You'll have plenty of time to figure it out on the road. What else is on the list?" Sam was surprised that Governor Bartlet wanted to know more about him.
"I guess my speeches. I want to make sure that I'm doing the best I can. My words will help people decide if you're the next leader of the free world."
"I thought we already covered that? You'll be fine. Next item."
"My relationship with Josh is changing."
"Oh? How so?" Bartlet was very interested in this and was hoping this part of the conversation would shed some light on a conversation he and Abby had a few days earlier.
"I don't know. It's hard to describe. We're still friends but it's different. We argue. A lot."
"Yes, I've noticed. You two never worked together? Never argued before?"
"No, not like this. The arguments are different. They don't seem to be really about what they should be about. Does that make sense?"
"Yes. It’s like an old married couple arguing about the cost of food when one of them is really complaining about the toilet seat being left up."
"Yeah I guess." Sam paused in thought. "I see him in a different light. I can't figure it out yet."
"You will. Josh is in your corner like you wouldn’t believe, Sam. You think you and Toby have it out, you should have heard him justify going to New York, twice to see you. And then convince us that we needed to hire you. He's proud of you, you know. He'll probably never say it but he is."
"He feels the same way about you, sir." Bartlet chuckled.
"You impress him. And not just with your words. There’s a different look on his face when he mentions your name." The Governor was taking the last puff on his cigar. "He adores you, admires you. The way his face lights up, you'd think he was in love with you." Sam's mouth dropped open and his eyes widened at the suggestion.
"In love? No. Not Josh, not with me anyway."
"I don’t know Sam. I can only attest to what I see and I see love when he talks about you.” He stood and stretched his legs. “Be patient. You'll figure out this next stage in your lives." He tapped out the rest of the cigar. "You're doing great Sam. If you don't hear it from anyone else, you've heard it from me." He patted Sam on the shoulder. "'Night Sam."

"Goodnight sir."

A few days later, Sam found out there was more to this arguing between him and Josh and that more people than just Governor Bartlet had thoughts about them being in a relationship. It was early afternoon, but late for lunch and Sam was sitting at a table on one side of a partition. He attempting to eat his lunch and write. He could hear a group of college girls on the other side. He couldn't tell if they were the political interns, the political students, or just the college volunteers.
"Hey what do you really think that argument was about this morning?" Girl A said.
"You mean Josh and Sam? Who knows, girl who knows."Girl B replied.
"Probably lack of sleep.” Girl C suggested.
"Sounded more like the lack of sex to me." Girl B stated. They laughed. Sex? Lack of sex? Sam began to think of the possibility. It had been a while since he and Lisa were intimate.
"They don't even room together and they're always working. When would they find time?" Girl D asked. Wait...who's she talking about having sex? They've never met Lisa.
"Yeah, a few hours alone would probably take care of the two of them." Girl A said.
"So who's top and who's bottom?" Asked Girl C.
"Good question. I think Sam bottoms. He seems kind of feminine." Girl A said. Feminine? What?? Oh my God! They're talking about Josh and me!
"I don't know now. Sam’s kind of manly. Haven’t you noticed his muscles and that California physique? He looks like he could wear Josh out." They laughed. Josh and me? For all of the men and women they had each dated, he never thought about dating Josh. And here were four people who thought they already were.
"Either way, I think they need it. Who’s in charge of booking rooms? They need to put them in a room for one night. Or a weekend." Girl C said.
"Yea, a weekend would do wonders for them."
Sam was so shocked. He didn't know what to think. If these four thought that they were together, who else did?
Josh had been wondering around the hotel looking for a quiet place to think. If he turned left, there were staffers, volunteers and tourists. If he turned right, there was Toby, Leo, C.J. and Sam. At that moment, all he wanted was some silence. He needed some time to figure out what was going on between him and Sam. They had never argued like they had this morning. They should have been trying to set an example for the others, especially the college students. Instead, they were having heated conversations about- nothing really. Absolutely nothing. God, we’re turning into an episode of Seinfield, Josh thought.
                He ended up in the lounge, hidden by plants. He sat to one side with a cup of coffee and a sandwich. He wasn't really into either. On the other side of the hugely potted plants, sat a group of college volunteers. It sounded like frat boys and a few jocks.
"Dude, if being a lawyer requires arguing like that, I’m not sure I still want to be one." Boy A stated.
"I know exactly what you mean. Sam was all over the place." Boy B replied.
"You have to agree though, the argument was right on." Boy C said. “Besides, if you’re passionate enough you could argue about anything.”
"Right on?” Boy B asked.
“Dude, you can't be that blind! They were arguing about something other than what we heard. I don’t even know if they knew what they were arguing about." Boy A said. He might be right, Josh thought as he sipped his coffee. I’m not sure what that argument was about.
"You sure?" Boy C asked.
“Of course. Man, that was a lover's quarrel if I ever saw one." Boy D stated.
"Lover’s quarrel? You think they're a couple?" Boy C asked.
“If they’re not, they need to be. Those brothers need to get laid.” Boy B said.
"There’s no need to be, they have to be a couple. Nobody argues like old married couples but old married couples." Boy A replied.
Josh nearly choked on his coffee. Lover's quarrel? Old married couples? Are they serious? Do these guys really believe that we’re a couple? What the hell is going? Who gave them that idea?
"Hey weird question, who's top, who's bottom?" Boy B asked.
"Josh is top." Boy C said.
"Definitely." Boy A agreed.
"I think Sam has his moments, but I think he likes being bottom." Boy D said.
"Wonder how long they been together?" Boy C asked.
"I hear they've know each other about ten years. Maybe that long." Boy B said.
"Ten years. Told ya, old married couple." Boy A said.
Josh was shocked at the idea that people thought he and Sam could be a couple. He never thought of Sam that way. Or did he? He went to New York to get Sam to work for the campaign, but suppose, just suppose he went to New York for totally different reasons? After all, he did go twice.
The campaign needed him. The campaign needed his help. The campaign did need him, right? He couldn't have feelings for Sam. He just couldn't. They were best friends. Best friends for Pete’s sake. His job during the wedding was supposed to be the best man, not to attempt to be the bride. They say the best lovers start out as friends first. Whoa, where did that come from? Lovers? He's engaged to Lisa. He's going to marry Lisa. Isn't he?
- 5
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The Journey to Love: Love and Politics