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Disclaimer- see Part 1 "That's Karma For You"- Part 8 Caitlin followed her father inside and surveyed the room again. Her eyes found Sam's across the room. It was almost romantic except for the look in his eyes. She realized that things did not go well with her father. She started to approach but he shook his head subtly and she stopped. Suddenly she felt strong hands on her shoulders and a whisper against her ear, "Hey there favorite ex-roommate." She smiled excitedly and turned around. "Ian!" she exclaimed pulling the man into a tight hug. "I thought you were in Florida?" "I was but there was no way I was gonna miss this. A party at the White House, beats the shin digs we used to throw." He said smiling down at her. "That's true. So am I really your favorite ex-roommate?" she asked smiling. "Well don't tell Olivia or Rachel, especially Rachel, but you know you are. You are very special to me and I miss you like crazy Miss Bartlet." "I miss you too Mr. McKenzie." She said hugging him again. "Who's that?" CJ asked the First Lady. The Senior Staff and the Bartlet's were standing a few feet off watching. Although the President and Sam kept their distance, they kept up a normal front. "That's Ian, he lived with Caitlin in the town house with the other two girls." "You let Caitlin live with a man?" Toby asked the President shocked. "I don't LET my daughter do anything. She's got a will of her own." The President said quietly, throwing a hard glance towards Sam. Caitlin watched the exchange but before she could say anything Josh broke in, "So tell us about Caitlin in her wild college days." "Where do we begin?" Rachel said mischievously. "Oh no." Caitlin whispered, "Anyone hungry, the food smells..." "Don't even try it" Zoey shouted coming over. "It's about time I heard some dirt on my perfect sister." Everyone settled around the group and Caitlin prepared herself. "I really wasn't that bad." she said. "No she wasn't." Olivia said trying to be her savior. "But she did do her fair share of worshipping at the altar of the porcelain God." Rachel said smiling. "And clubbing" Olivia jumped on the bandwagon. 'Traitor' Caitlin thought. "And...other things." Ian said wickedly. The stories started and everyone laughed at Caitlin's escapades: bars, Spring Break, Mardi Gras, her sorority days, the water fight she orchestrated in the freshman dorm. Caitlin realized the night would be no holds barred. Just as she swore she would never be able to show her face in the West Wing again she saw Sam slowly make her way outside onto the balcony. Caitlin excused herself out of feigned embarrassment and followed him out. She found him out there against the railing arms crossed over his chest looking out towards the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial. She slowly walked up behind him and placed her hands on his back, running them up to his shoulders. She felt him take a deep breath. She closed her eyes and placed her cheek against the back of his shoulder. "Sam..." she whispered. "Do you realize how old you were when I was doing all that stuff they're talking about in there?" Sam asked quietly. Caitlin paused. She knew where this was going. "Between 9 and 12" she answered just as quietly. "Yes" She stood on her toes, ran her hands around to the front of his shoulders and pulled him back against her. "But I'm not anymore. I'm a grown woman and you are a grown man and we want to be together. The world- and my father- are just going to have to accept that." Sam turned around and ran his fingers gently through her hair. "You make it sound so easy." "It is easy Sam." "No it won't be Caitlin. It's going to take some work and be awkward for a whi..." Caitlin cut him off. "You let him get to you. What did he say?" "Basically that he doesn't want us to see each other anymore." "He told me that too." "What? Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you prepare me for that?" Sam asked a little angry. "I didn't think he was going to drag you into his office and I certainly didn't think you'd back down." She answered frustrated. "I'm not backing down. I just think he made some good points that we need to address." "Let me guess about our age difference and you being a member of his staff. Look I love my father Sam and it is killing me to be fighting with him but I can't let him run my life." "It's my life too. I respect your father, I care about him and his opinion..." "You care about him, what about me?" "You know how I feel about you." he said softly. "Do I?" she asked in a whisper. He studied her for a moment in disbelief and pulled her close, "I lo..." Just then the doors opened and Toby, Leo and CJ walked out. Sam pulled back and took a small step away, keeping his hand on her waist. "Get back in ther girl. Don't be hiding out here." CJ said laughing. Sam looked at Caitlin. "We'd better get back inside." he said softly. Leo watched them knowing something important had been interrupted. "Caitlin if you need more time..." "The stories aren't that bad Leo" Toby interrupted. "Although if you were my daughter..." Caitlin gave Sam one last look. She didn't know what she expected him to do in front of their colleagues, but whatever it was he didn't do it and Caitlin needed to get away. "I'd better go save my reputation" Caitlin said quietly and went back inside. Toby and CJ followed while Sam remained on the balcony with Leo. "Give the President time Sam. He'll come around." Somehow Sam wasn't shocked that Leo knew what was going on. "I'm not so sure." "I came around." Leo said smiling. "No you didn't" Sam said. Leo put his hand on Sam's shoulder, "Yes...I did." Caitlin arrived inside as Ian was finishing up another story. He looked at her and saw a pained expression. He mistook that for severe embarrassment over the stories and decided to change route. "Ok, ok." He began. "I don't want you to think that your daughter was a maniac Mr. President. There was a more serious predominant side to her, one that she will be remembered for at GW for a long time. That was Caitlin Bartlet student representative. Whether it was as student senator or more importantly as student government President, she really made a difference. She was a thorn in the side of the administration and a champion of the students." Ian said dramatically. "You would've been proud Mr. President." Olivia joined in. "I usually am proud of my daughter." The President answered. To everyone this sounded like high parental praise, but looking at her father Caitlin knew what he really meant. He was usually proud of his daughter. But not today, not right now. The need to get away exploded in Caitlin and she discreetly made her way out of the room and out of the White House. TBC
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