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Disclaimer- see Part 1 "That's Karma For You" - Part 25 "Tell him that you need more time. You don't have three million in cash and you need to liquidate some of your assets first." Miller was advising the President. It had been about an hour and a half since the first hostages were released. "Will he buy that?" Leo asked anxiously. Caitlin had been in that bank for over three hours already. All his instincts were telling him the situation was going to get desperate, fast. "Hopefully." Butterfield said. "You cannot just hand over three million dollars to these people Mr. President. It will set the wrong precedent." Miller said stoically. "I don't give a damn about what type of precedent I set." Bartlet roared. "I just want my daughter back." He slammed his fist on the desk. Miller took a deep breath. "I understand that sir, and we are going to get her back. We just have to wait for the right opportunity." Sam listened to the exchange then got up and walked over to the windows, staring out at nothing. Memories of the past month began running through his head. Their first time together on Valentine's Day. *"I don't deserve you."* He'd said. *"That's true, but I love you."* Hearing her say those words to him had more affect on him than anything ever has. Even more than hearing the election results that cold day in November. Why hadn't he responded right away? Why did he wait? He remembered how it felt so good and right to wake up with her in his arms that next morning and every morning after that. Their private lunch "meetings", the way she could express all her feelings to him with just one look, the way she laughed, the sound of her voice. All of it flooded his mind, overwhelming him. He didn't know what he would do if he didn't hear her voice again, her laugh, feel her touch. He gripped the curtains and closed his eyes. He jumped slightly when he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. He turned to see the First Lady looking at him as if she could read his mind. She placed her palm on his cheek in her maternal way and then wrapped her arms around him. He didn't even think of propriety and allowed himself to be comforted. "She's coming back to us Sam." the First Lady whispered. "She always does." Sam just nodded, not trusting his voice. The President watched his wife and Sam with a sad smile. He then turned back to Miller. "Get them on the phone." ************* Grant quickly grabbed the phone on the first ring. "Yeeeeeeeeesssssssssss." He said. "Ah, Mr. President, I trust you have some news for me." There was a pause and Caitlin held her breath. She had no idea how this was going to play out. Curiosity got the better of her and she quietly walked towards Grant. "More time? More time?...You don't have the money...you have the God damned treasury. Or just print the money. You can't do that..." Grant's face became all red and Caitlin realized she needed to back up. He saw her out of the corner of his eye and turned. "You said releasing the hostages would help us. You just played us for fools didn't you?" he shouted at her. "N...no. My father doesn't have that kind of money on hand he will need time." Caitlin was cut off by a harsh expletive from Grant. "Just shut up, bitch." He then back handed her across the face. The force of the slap sent Caitlin flying to the floor with a surprised cry. The sound of the smack reverberated throughout the room and over the phone. "Next time Mr. President, I won't be so gentle. You have one hour to get me the money." he said, then slammed down the phone. TBC
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