By: Heidi L. Lane
White
House
Washington,
D.C.
“How was the honeymoon, buddy?” Josh asked Sam when they met in the outer office.
Sam’s eyes sparkled and he beamed. “Wonderful.
We didn’t get to see a lot of the sights. It’s rained for 10 days straight.”
“You didn’t get to see any sights and still had a
wonderful time?” Josh asked a gleam in his eyes.
“Oh, I saw lots of sights, Josh,” Sam said, winking
at his best friend. “Just not many
tourist sites.”
“Sam!” Josh exclaimed, chuckling.
“Sam, he’s ready for you,” Charlie said, pointing at
the door. Sam nodded and waving at Josh
bounded over to the door.
“Good Morning, Mr. President,” he said as he entered
the room.
“Hello, Sam,” Bartlet greeted, indicating a
chair. Sam sat and the President nodded
before beginning, “I know you just got back from your honeymoon – how is Mrs.
Seaborn, by the way?”
“Fine,” Sam said, blushing slightly. “We had a wonderful time. I sent a postcard.”
“I know, we got it.
You should have seen Ron’s reaction.
Most of the time people don’t send postcards to the White House.” Sam chuckled and then sobered when Bartlet
gave him a serious look. “Sam, I’d like
for you to go out to Colorado and familiarize yourself with the workings of the
SGC.”
Sam nodded, “Alright. When?”
“The plane leaves this afternoon. Sorry it’s such short notice; but I didn’t
want to cut your honeymoon short or worry you while you were away.”
“Alright, I’ll just have to go home and get my
bags. I haven’t really unpacked
yet. How long will it be do you think?”
Bartlet sighed and replied, “About three
weeks.” Sam knew he must have looked a
little disappointed because Bartlet shrugged and said, “Sorry.”
“It’s alright, sir.
I know you wouldn’t ask me if it weren’t important. Where is the flight leaving from?”
“Reagan.
Here’s your ticket,” the President handed him an envelope.
“What should I tell Ainsley?” Sam wondered out loud.
“Tell her it’s a business trip and you’ll be gone
for about three weeks,” Bartlet advised.
Sam nodded and stood, “Thank you, Mr. President,” he
said as he backed out the door. Tapping
the envelope against his hand and sighed.
Looking up he noticed that Josh was still standing in the outer
office. “I’m off to Colorado for three
weeks,” he announced.
“Already?
You just got back.”
Sam shrugged at his oldest friend and said, “I serve
at the pleasure of the President. See
you in three weeks.” He went out of the
office and made his way to Ainsley’s new office. He glanced at her assistant and asked, “Is she busy?”
“No, Mr. Seaborn,” the woman replied before tapping
the intercom and saying, “It’s your husband, Mrs. Seaborn.”
Ainsley poked her head out of her office and smiled
at him before saying, “Thanks. Sam, hi
sweetheart.”
“Hi, Ains,” Sam said, “Can we talk?”
“Sure,” Ainsley stepped back to allow him access to
her office. “What’s wrong, Sam?”
“Nothing really.
I just goota get back to work and part of that includes,” Sam
sighed. He didn’t really like the idea
of leaving so soon after they’d gotten back from their honeymoon. “It includes
me going on a business trip for three weeks to Colorado. Sorry, honey.”
“Why are you sorry, Samuel Norman Seaborn? Sam, we serve at the pleasure of the
President of the United States. Part of
that service is to go where he sends us.
If that would have bothered me, I wouldn’t have said yes to your
proposal.”
Sam beamed and hugged her, “How did I get so lucky
as to get married to someone like you?"
“Something I’ve asked myself for the past two
weeks. I’ll miss you. When do you leave?”
Sam sighed, “This afternoon. I miss you already.”
“I know,” Ainsley said snuggling him. “Call me to tell me you got there alright?”
“Are you kidding?
I’ll call you every night,” he promised.
“Not if I call you first. I love you.”
Sam stepped back and kissed her fingers, “I love you
too, Ainsley Seaborn.”