littleeva asked for this drabble about three million years ago. Sorry for not getting it here sooner! (I wrote it on time, but I kept forgetting to upload it here...)

Rating: G
Words: 250
Spoilers: Season 4


You always knew he couldn't lose.

You see him on TV sometimes -- he's become everyone's favorite Senator, almost like a child born against the odds; even the Republicans were impressed by his victory. CJ's taken to mentioning him in her briefings, shining with unabashed admiration, and even Leo grumbles a little less. You wish he could see the way Toby wears his pride on his face -- hey, world, that's my kid out there!

The newspapers always catch him when he's smiling. You've heard so many things about him, things you thought he'd tell you himself. His book is due out any day now, about his years in Washington -- are you a chapter, or simply a paragraph? Perhaps you're only one line; you don't speculate.

He's dating a girl from his hometown now. You have to admit she's pretty, but she's not political -- she's not an activist or even a Congressman's daughter. You can't help but think it's because a part of him doesn't want to be reminded of you.

He's gotten better at hiding his scars.

Still, the office is a different place without him. Will's working as hard as he can, and he's more than competent enough, but he knows he's no replacement for Sam. When he first arrived, he asked you, "What did Sam have that I will never have?" You didn't reply, but you knew the answer, somewhere deep inside yourself.

Don't ask me to stay, Sam had said.

You let him go.