Unwelcomed Changes Part 29

Unwelcomed Changes

By Mer

Part 29/29

White House-The Roosevelt Room

“Why are we here anyway?” C.J. asked as she drummed her fingers on the table.

“I don’t know but Leo told us to be here.” Toby mumbled.

“He wanted me too.” Sam called from the doorway.

“Sam.” C.J. exclaimed as she jumped up from the table and went over to his wheelchair.

“Hey.” Sam said as he held his arms out for her to hug him, which she did, mindful of his bad leg.

“I don’t know why we are here either.” Oliver offered.

“C.J., Toby, I want to apologize to you both for the way that I acted. I was an asshole and I’m sorry.” Sam apologized.

“So you’re okay?” Toby asked.

“Yeah, and I’ll be good as new as soon as I finish up my rehab.” Sam said as he patted his leg brace.

“If anything good came out of this, at least Mandy is in the slammer.” C.J. offered to which they all laughed.

Donna was the next one to arrive. She had a notebook and was ready to record what happened in the meeting for Casey. She saw Sam and steered clear of him.

“Donna, come here a moment please.” Sam requested softly.

“I know how much he meant to you and I wanted to tell you how sorry I am.” Sam said as he opened his arms again for a hug.

“I know how much he meant to you too.” Donna whispered as she took Sam up on the offer for a hug.

“I’m sorry I was a jerk to you too.” Sam whispered after she had not let go.

“Just promise me that the old Sam will stay back. I need him right now.” Donna admitted as she pulled herself back.

As Donna was sitting back down, Charlie, Zoey, Leo, The President, and all of the other assistants assembled in the room. The notable absence was Casey and Donna’s eyes narrowed at that.

“I bet all of you are wondered why we are gathered here?” Leo began.

“Yes.” Everyone said in unison.

“First of all, I would like to announce that Sam has been cleared of all the murder charges. He did not kill anyone.” Leo said.

“I knew it all along.” Toby interjected to which C.J. punched him because she knew it was lie.

“Sam, when you are up to it, I would like you to know that you can have your old job back anytime.” Jed announced.

“Thank you. Before I accept your congratulations, I have a confession to make. I know I have not been the easiest person to know these past few weeks. I am sorry for that. I am going to get some counseling for that, so none of you have to worry about Psycho Sam anymore.” Sam said.

“Well, that’s a huge relief.” Jed laughed and the whole room laughed with him.

The room turned instantly somber again when Casey entered it. Everyone knew that he was Josh’s replacement and were not happy about it. He was a reminder that Josh was not coming back.

“By now I’m sure you are all aware of Josh’s death.” Leo began quietly as heads began to nod somberly around the room.

Before Leo could respond, the door to the Roosevelt Room swung open. Abbey and Mrs. Lyman entered the room. Donna began to cry once she recognized Josh’s mom. She tried to run from the room, but a familiar voice stopped her.

“The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.” Josh called softly from the hallway though he wasn’t visible to anyone in the room.

“Is it really him?” C.J. called out just as Josh felt his way into the room.

“Yeah it’s me. Hi.” Josh said as he gave everyone a huge smile.

The room fell silent. Jaws were dropping all around. No one could believe that Josh was there in front of them. Donna was the first person to react.

“Oh thank God.” Donna said as she ran up and threw her arms around him, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Easy on the arm.” Josh protested softly as Donna was clinging to his still injured left arm.

“Sorry.” Donna apologized as she eased herself off it.

“But why did they say you were dead?” C.J. asked.

“Casey is going to explain it to you.” Josh said as Donna helped him to an empty chair.

“Josh got suspicious of the way that Mandy was acting. He had me do a little digging and that is when we realized she was in on it with the Senator. Her re-appearance at the White House came just after Josh and Sam were hospitalized. She knew they were in comas shortly after they were and asked for one of their jobs a little too quickly. Aside from that Josh knew the only way that Mandy would serve under this administration again was that she had a huge agenda.” Casey began.

“So Mandy was in on this all along?” Jed asked.

“Yes, we figured out that Senator Herman needed someone on the inside. We thought that Mandy was involved but we didn’t realize how involved she was until today.” Casey answered.

“The Senator was planning to kill me and Sam both. The whole operation scheme was cooked up with the help of the FBI who wanted to nail him to the wall once and for all.” Josh added.

“Senator Herman has a lot of connections and his cronies got a hold of the fact that Josh was going to have surgery and they drugged Josh’s doctor. If Josh really had to have surgery today he would have died, because his surgeon was in no condition to operate.” Casey said quietly.

“This morning to everyone in the hospital it looked as if I was being prepped for surgery. Instead of being taken to surgery, I was taken to an FBI safe house. I was going to remain there until they could catch Senator Herman in the act. That fortunately happened today. Unfortunately, you guys had to believe I was dead. It was the only way for Mandy and Senator Herman to know that their plan had worked. If Mandy came back and none of you were upset over my death she would know that something fishy was going on.” Josh explained.

“How elaborate was this scheme going to get?” Toby asked.

“We were prepared to throw a funeral if necessary.” Abbey answered.

“Why didn’t the Senator try and kill Sam then?” Oliver asked.

“He needed one of us to be alive because it would have looked a little too suspicious.” Josh replied.

“Was I actually going to be sent to prison?” Sam asked.

“In theory yes, everyone was supposed to think that you were in prison. But you were really going to the safe house with me.” Josh answered.

“If you were in a safe house that means you’re still blind, right?” C.J. asked.

“Yes, I’m afraid that’s permanent.” Josh said softly.

“But on the plus side Josh was cleared to get a seeing-eye dog.” Casey said light heartedly.

“Oh God no.” Toby mumbled.

“His name is going to be Toby too.” Josh teased. “I’ll name him after you.”

“I bet you probably will.” Toby grumbled.

“Josh, Sam you both have risked your lives and careers numerous times in these past few months, and I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to get out now.” Jed stated.

“What do you think Sam?” Josh asked.

“I serve at the pleasure of the President.” Sam replied with a smile.

“I also serve at the pleasure of the President.” Josh returned the gesture.

“I just make one request.” Sam pleaded.

“What would that be Sam?” Leo asked.

“That you slap me the next time I get it in my head I want to act more like Toby.” Sam replied.

“I’ll drink to that.” C.J. cried out as Bonnie and Ginger gave everyone a glass of water.

“To Sam and Josh,” Leo said as he raised his glass.

“To Josh and Sam.” Casey said.

“To Sam and my son.” Sarah said.

“To our favorite knuckleheads.” Abbey toasted.

“To Sam and Josh,” Toby said as he raised his glass.

“To Sam and Josh,” C.J. toasted.

“To Sam and Josh,” Donna smiled.

“To Sam and Myself,” Josh kidded.

“Same here.” Sam laughed.

“To all of us!” Jed toasted and they all clinked their glasses together.

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