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Wow- thank you all for the great feedback. I can't believe the emotions this story is creating- hope it continues to do so! Disclaimer- see Part 1 "That's Karma For You"- Part 9 When Sam and Leo finished talking outside and returned to the party they saw it was already winding down. Most of the guests had left, leaving only Margaret, the Bartlets, and now Sam and Leo. "Well that was a quick party." Leo said. "We've lost the guest of honor." Margaret answered. "What?" Sam asked turning to her. "Caitlin she's gone. Left, just like that, didn't tell anyone. Her detail is gone so we know she's ok, but still I wonder why she left. It couldn't have been the stories they weren't that bad." "Sam!" The President called out then stalked over to him. "I'm surprised to see you still here. Where is she?" "I don't know sir." Sam answered starting to worry about Caitlin. "I doubt that. Secretly meeting up somewhere despite our conversation?" The President harshly asked. Sam stopped, suddenly he was angry: at the President for not thinking more of him, at himself for not handling the situation better, and at Caitlin for leaving him in a lurch to deal with all of this and for walking away from him. "I don't know where she is sir. But I'm going to find her and when I do I'm going to yell at her for walking away like this. Then I'm going to hold her and tell her we can make it work because we love each other. And you will just have to accept that, accept us...sir." Sam finished, turned on his heel and hurried out of the room. The President was taken aback and looked at Leo. "He's never spoken to me like that." "You've never deserved it before." The First Lady said angrily coming up behind him "But you certainly did now." Silently Leo and Margaret left the room and Jed and Abbie were alone. "Abigail..." "He didn't deserve that Jed. He has been your biggerst supporter and the time he needed your support most you turned your back on him. Worse yet you turned your back on our daughter." The President looked at her shocked and slightly angry. "I did this for Caitlin! Abbbie I can't watch her go through another heartbreak. The last time was hard enough." He said ending quietly. Abbie softened, realization dawning on her. "Oh Jed. You can't protect her from heartbreak all you can do is be there for her. But right now Sam isn't the one breaking her heart, you are." The President sat down, "I thought I was saving her. Leo tried to warn me though, that I was going about it wrong. But when that bastard hurt her 5 years ago, the Caitlin we knew disappeared. I couldn't go through that again. Do you remember those horrible months, the way she stopped caring and how she fought with us, that is when she was talking to us." "Oh I remember, but she came back. The Caitlin we know could never fully disappear, she's too stubborn for that. Like you." Abbie said. "Like you." Jed said at the same time. They smiled at each other understanding in a way that only 32 years of marriage would allow. "My biggest fear after all that happened was that Caitlin wouldn't love again. That she wouldn't open herself up." Abbie said. "But she has...to Sam." "I've never seen her so happy as she has been this past month. I think a part of me knew, but this morning when he picked up the phone...she's my little girl Abbie." He said almost in pain. Abbie smiled, "And she always will be. But she is growing up. Twenty-five today. She still needs you though. Your love and support mean everything to her. But she does have another man in her life and you need to accept that." The President looked pensive and didn't say anything. "Answer me something Jed." Abbie continued. "Do you really object to Sam all that much?" "Truthfully? I did a little before, but after the way he spoke back to me in there, I think I've found a new respect for the boy." "He really does love her." Abbie said forcefully. The President took a deep breath, "I know. Guess I owe them both an apology." "A fairly big one I'd say. Especially Sam. Caitlin's used to your domineering ways but Sam..." "I am not domineering Abigail." "No of course not." Abbie said giving him a placating smile. "Come on Mr. President, the night is still young and you and I are alone." "Well Dr. Bartlet, if you think you can put up with my domineering ways." He said getting up and taking her hand. "I've managed for this long." She replied wrapping her arm around her husband's waist. TBC
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