TITLE: Unexpected, Not Unwelcome AUTHOR: Kasey RATING: PG, S/M SUMMARY: “And he was no Pavaratti…Or Domingo…or even the other guy – but I loved his voice.” DISCLAIMERS: All characters belong to Aaron Sorkin and Co.  The song is “All for Love” from “Songs for a New World”.   Neither belong to me, I’m not making any money. NOTES: I switch PoV in this a lot.  Indicated by the character name in double-astrisks.  Song lyrics are in double-backslashes. **MAL** I only asked him because it was an emergency. The annual Clear Lake Teacher Showcase (our big fund raiser, where we got people to pay to watch us make asses of ourselves) was in less than two weeks, and the guy I was gonna sing with – Jeff Holbrook from the art department – found out his wife “had to” go to Paris on business that weekend and was allowed to take her “significant other”. And besides, I’d heard Sam sing before.  When we’d been going out (pre-picture), I had shown up at his apartment, upset about some development in the saga of my parents divorce, and he had put me to bed and laid beside me, singing quietly and gently, until I had fallen asleep. And he was no Pavaratti – or Domingo, or…The other guy – but I loved his voice. **SAM** Of course I said yes when she asked.  Obviously, my first concern was the work conflict (which she assured me would not be a problem) and the second was that she mentioned there would be singing involved.  But she simply smiled at me and said, “You’re much better than you give yourself credit for.” **MAL** And he was sold. I talked to Cathy and Dad and explained to them that I needed Sam for something very important and charitable.  And informed them of the show time and encouraged them to spread it around. **SAM**  My first practice was at 4 pm. On the Friday that was 8 days before the showcase.  I met her at Clearlake and she led me to the music room and introduced me to the music teacher – Joanne – who would be playing the piano.  Then she handed me the music. As if I could read it.  It’s not like I’m some extremely musical person, I don’t know why she even asked…but I was in it, and hoping I could just, y’know, sorta fake it and not make us look too bad. Though she could never really look bad… **MAL** I was just using the same song Jeff and I would have sung.  But it meant a lot more between Sam and I…Jeff had just thought it was a pretty song. Not like I planned it or something, that would’ve been a phenomenon. **SAM** She was making a huge mistake and I knew it, but every time I would try to tell her, she would insist I was doing great and not to worry. But, as the evening of the show drew nearer, I grew more and more nervous.  Josh insisted on coming, and so I used his presence to help plan something as a surprise for Mallory. **MAL** He looked so cute as he entered the room backstage, all nervous and dressed in his white dress shirt and black pants as I’d instructed him.  I myself was in an almost matching style – white dress shirt and concert length black skirt.  “Ready, skipper?” I asked as I put on just a touch of stage makeup. **SAM** She looked amazing.  Together and beautiful and like going onstage was what she did every evening.  Which she could’ve done with her voice. I, meanwhile, felt almost sick with nerves. **MAL** He looked so completely terrified.  “You okay?” And, of course, he had to be a guy and say “Yeah.  Fine.” But he wasn’t, as any moron would know, and so I stood, then turned and hugged him. **SAM** Unexpected, but certainly not unwelcome. “You’re gonna be great, got it?” I grinned.  “Got it,,” I murmured against her hair. **MAL** We were the second-to-last act, meaning Sam had over an hour to fidget and get nervous before we were on.  He wasn’t the only non-teacher – in the vast minority, yeah, but not the one-and-only. **SAM** A man announced us and we walked onstage.  She flashed me a confident grin as she turned to face the curtain and I turned to face the audience, for that was how we started.  I waited for the opening piano cues, then began, trying hard not to screw up too badly. //I had a house while you were gone…// A White House, perhaps? **MAL** …He always threw himself into work, the same as my father… **SAM** //The week after you left me, I found a couple acres Near Savannah Park I had a house while you were gone A house with silver shudders And a driveway laid in marble…// With a motorcade… //..And thousands of rooms to fill…// …Including one that’s Oval… //And miles of space to fly// **MAL** He didn’t have to think about anything there that wasn’t work related.  He could forget about me and the hooker-woman and his problems and everything the outside world meant… **SAM** //And I tried to believe it It was better without you I was safer alone…// That convincing never did work… //No!  I’d give it all for you, I’d give it all for you by my side once more…// Anything to make you happy, Mal, just say the world and I’d do it… //I’d give it all for you I’d give it all to hold you again To feel I’m completed To know there and then That all that I needed Was you to fight the fear…// I missed you so much when I lost you…when I was so damn stupid and afraid that I couldn’t call… //And now…you’re here…// …You asked ME… **MAL** We turned around to face opposite ways and I began to sing. //I took a trip while I was gone I cashed in all my savings and bought an El Dorado Drove to Tennessee I took a trip while I was gone I drove across the country And stopped at lots of diners And stared at a million stars And thought I could touch the sky And I tried to believe it It was better without you I was finally free…// Being without you wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. Actually, it really sucked. //No, I’d give it all for you I’d give it all for you by my side once more I’d give it all for you I’d give it ‘cause the mountains I climb Get higher and higher And running from time And walking through fire And dreams just don’t come true…// I thought having you was what made my life so complicated, that your presence made my heart and soul feel so confused like this. I was dead wrong.  It’s your absence. //But now…there’s you…// **SAM** We were getting to the good part, both to the audience. //God knows it’s easy to hide Easy to hide from the things that you feel And harder to blindly trust What you can’t understand…// I was a fool not to call you, Mallory, I was too afraid of what you’d think of me, I couldn’t’ face you, I… …I’m sorry… **MAL** //God knows it’s easy to run Easy to run from the people you love And harder to stand and fight For the things you believe…// I pushed you away, Sam, I didn’t want to end up like my mother, taking the back seat to a job so important I couldn’t possibly compete against, I was being stupid, I… …I’m sorry… **SAM** And suddenly her eyes met mine and this wasn’t the song we’d practiced for a week. It was us. (**BOTH**) //Nothing about us was perfect or clear But when paradise calls me I’d rather be here There’s something between us that nobody else needs to see// **MAL**  //There were oceans to cross…// …your job, the picture, my cowardess… **SAM** //There were mountains to conquer…// …your father, the hockey guy, my fear… **MAL** //And I stood on the shore…// **SAM** //And I stood on the cliff…// (**BOTH**) //And the second before I jumped I knew where I needed to be…// **SAM** Maybe we can salvage this, Mal…God I hope so… (**BOTH**) //Oh!  I gave it all for you I gave it all for you by my side once more I gave it all for you I gave it ‘cause it’s harder to touch the things that are dearer I love you too much to trust something clearer…// **MAL** …This is looking like disastrous on every level…so why doesn’t that bother me? (**BOTH**) //I know I fell too far… But… Here you are…// **SAM** I closed to 2-foot distance between us and hugged her gently. **MAL** Unexpected, but certainly not unwelcome. **SAM** As the song ended and people began to applaud, I walked to the front of the stage where Josh was camped out.  He handed me the single red rose I’d bought to give her. **MAL** He returned a moment later with a rose.  He handed it to me, earning many “awww”s from the crowd, and murmured “Forgive me?” I hugged him gain, then we exited. **SAM** Once we were offstage, I headed off toward the back exit – I should’ve been getting back to work – when I heard her. **MAL** “Samuel Seaborn!”  He turned.  “C’mere,” I said with a faint smile and he returned to me.  I raised up on my toes the slightest bit to kiss him softly.  “Forgiven.” A bright smile lit up his face. “Y’know what you should do now?” **SAM** I didn’t. **MAL** “Take me to dinner.” He slipped his arm around my waist and we walked toward the door int ime to hear someone – I’m sure I would’ve known who if I would’ve been paying attention – say “Looks like Mal’s got a new boyfriend…” **SAM** …I hope so… ~*~FIN~*~