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Disclaimer- see Part 1 "That's Karma For You" - Part 15 Sam and the President sat in Sam's office in silence for a few moments. Sam had thought when the President wanted to talk, he would move them to the Oval Office, but instead the President asked to go to Sam's office. Now Sam sat waiting, not knowing if he should start or wait to hear what the President had to say. "I heard you gave Toby a piece of your mind today. You seem to be doing that a lot lately." The President finally said. "I regret what I said to Toby." "But not what you said to me?" Sam looked at the President for a moment, "No sir." "Good." Sam stopped, confused. "Excuse me?" "When the time comes Sam I hope you are blessed with the joy of daughters. They fill your life with such happiness but...they can also give you an ulcer." He stopped and smiled at Sam. Sam seemed unsure as to the conversation's direction and remained silent. The President continued "Caitlin has always had a mind of her own. This isn't the first time we've disagreed. But I've always been proud of her for standing up for herself and what she believes in. This time she is behaving no differently and I realize that now. You know, as a parent, the one job you strive to do above all else is to protect and support your children. I feel that I've been able to do that job well. Except for one time, when it was out of my hands." Sam watched the President, still unsure but oddly intrigued. "Has Caitlin ever told you about this bas...guy she dated in college Mark?" Sam thought for a moment. "Only in passing really." He answered. "It's not my place to tell you what happened, truth is I don't know it all but the basic point is he broke her heart. Worse than that he broke her spirit. For months she was cold, wild and above all hurt. It killed me to see her in so much pain and not to have been able to do anything. I couldn't protect her then and all those feelings came back to me yesterday and I felt an overpowering need to protect her." The President stopped and took a deep breath. This wasn't easy for him, but he owed it to Sam and Caitlin. "The thing is Sam, I did her a great harm yeasterday. In my quest to protect her, I tried to take away her chance at love and happiness. She loves you Sam, I know that. And I know that you love her, a great deal. Because if you didn't you'd be a fool to try and date her. You see Sam, I'm trying, however badly, to apologize to you. You didn't deserve my anger and I want you to know that I won't prevent you from seeing Caitlin. I might not be overjoyed, but I'm a father, we're not supposed to like our daughter's boyfriends. Unfortunately I do happen to like you." The President paused as he watched Sam close his eyes and rest his head against the back of his chair, his expression one of pain. "I know this isn't the best apology Sam, but that's why you write my speeches..." "No sir, that's not it. I appreciate you coming to talk to me it means a great deal. The problem is Caitlin broke up with me last night, so the situation is striking me as somewhat ironic right now." "You broke up? Why? It wasn't because of me was it?" The President asked with genuine concern in his voice. "I honestly don't know. You were definitely part of it...uh...sir." Sam paused. "It still doesn't make any sense to me. All I know is that one minute we were having a simple fight and the next she's throwing me out and saying we're through." "Ah, that infamous temper. I know it well, she gets it from Abbie. Well what do you plan on doing?" "Sir?" "You say you love my daughter." "I do" "Do you plan on just letting her walk away like this." "No sir, but she can be incredibly stubborn." "I know, that she gets from me." The President gave Sam a long look. "Do you love her enough, want her enough to do whatever it takes?" "Yes sir, I do." Sam answered earnestly and emotionally. "Then Sam, grab her, tell her you love her and apologize for being an ass." Sam paused still thinking the President didn't think too highly of him, "Sir the fight wasn't all my fault." "I don't doubt that son, but take it from a man who's been married for 30 plus years. It's always our fault." Sam smiled "Yes sir." "May I sugest flowers. Caitlin, for all that she is a modern woman, is still very traditional and loves..." "Red roses." Sam answered for him. The President looked at him, "You really do know her well. Don't give up Sam. And know that...well I'm in your corner." Sam felt a goofy grin slip over his face. "Thank you sir." "Ok let's go we're both going to be late for Senior Staff. Mrs. Landingham has probably already given away all the cookies." The President said rising, feeling a little awkward but better, now all he had to do was apologize to Caitlin, which might prove hardest. Sam followed the President out to the Oval Office, creating a plan in his mind and feeling more confident than before that he would get Caitlin back. TBC
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