Jayne Leigh

test

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:40:25 GMT

This is a test to see how easy it is yo update on my bb....not to bad...could be easier tho.
Need an app me think...anyway. Better go or i'll miss my bus stop

Update

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:37:55 GMT

Okay, so Lizzy told me I had to update and I promised I try this weekend. Although, I don't think anyone other then you are reading, Lizzy...(I need to use LJ more and get more friends :()

Anyway, what's been happening that I can tell you about....

Hmm, well my last post I told you about my manager leaving...we now have a new manager...A guy. Little strange since there no other men working there except a couple on the weekend but he's okay, I suppose...He has his good days and he bad days.... He can be a patronizing little git sometimes...well, until last saturday when he tried telling me how to do something, while i was busy getting 12 orders together and told him to do it himself or shut the hell up....Strangely, been getting along a lot better with him since...he talks to me normally now, instead of like I just starte the damn job! Pfft!

Anyway, what else.... oh! My sister has moved out so I get my bedroom back!! I really want to move out but can't afford...fingers crossed for the lottery! Anyone who can help me with that...give me a shout ;)

Also, I applied for a job with a travel company...never expected to get through the first round but did...now they've invited me for an interview....small problem tho...my passport is out of date and you need it because the job is working overseas....don't know if I can afford to update in time...so that kind of sucks!

Oh yeah, I have a brand new neice...Jessica Leigh... how is the double of her older sister! (although when you say that to her, she denies it and says Jessica looks like Jinky....their dog :-S )

Right, well thats it for today.... i'm going to try and update some fics!!!

CHat soon!!!

JL x

Ripple Effect

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:02:06 GMT

Title: Ripple Effect
Summery: Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.- What happens when action and vision don't meet... Please R&R
Rating: Teen
Characters: Ensembled
Spoilers: series 1 ish

Okay, this is a standalone fic. I’m not really sure where it came from. It sort of just wrote itself! I hope you like it!!! Big thanks again to Sarah for all her help!!! (Especially the title and summary! Lol) Please review and let me know what you think!!!

Enjoy!!!

Ripple Effect

“Toby?” C.J Cregg called as she made her way through the crowded bar.

“Hey,” he turned on the stool to face her. “It’s good to see you.”

“Yeah, you too,” she replied, leaning against the bar, looking down at the scotch in front of him. “What? You didn’t get me one?”

“What you drinking?” He asked, waved the Bartender over.

“Grasshopper.”

He turned to look at her again. “I can’t order that.”

“Why not?”

“For one, I’m not a college girl...”

“Seriously? Well, you had me fooled,” she shot back sarcastically and then turned to the bartender. “A grasshopper, please.”

Toby downed the rest of his scotch and pushed the glass towards him. “Same again.”

“So, what’s this about?” C.J asked as they waited for their drinks.

Toby fiddled with a bar mat, not looking at her. “I thought it would be good to catch up.”

“You flew all this way to catch up?” She questioned and picked up her drink when it was placed in front of her.

Toby stood up and pulled several notes out of his pocket, handing them over to the bartenders.

“Let’s go to the back, it’s quieter there so we can talk.”

C.J sighed, she had a bad feeling about this but she followed him anyway.

“So, what’s going on?” She asked they found a quiet booth.

“How’s work?”

She looked at him curiously. “Fine.”

“Not been fired again?”

“Toby...”

“Re-election is coming up.”

She sighed; she knew she shouldn’t have agreed to meet him. “I’m not quitting my job.”

“It’ll be easier this time,” he stated. “People will know who we are...”

“I actually like my job.”

“Tell me you didn’t enjoy the campaigning.”

“I didn’t enjoy the campaigning.”

Toby rolled his eyes and leaned back in his seat. “We did a lot of good work.”

“Yes, we did when we were actually able to work together.”

“So, we had some teething problems,” Toby replied. “But that’s normal when a group of strangers start working together.”

She sighed and gently rubbed her forehead. “Toby, we lost.”

He leaned forward on the table. “We were so close, C.J... We almost won.”

“Yeah, but almost isn’t good enough.”

“No one knew who he was...We were so close to making that man President.”

“We didn’t have the staff...You’re an amazing writer Toby but you and the Governor could never agree and because of that you could never get his voice...” C.J claimed. “And we didn’t have anyone who had the drive to push us through the tough times.”

“We had Leo...The best political mind in the party.”

“Yeah, well, we pretty much lost the election when he started drinking again.”

“It was one time,” Toby replied. “It hasn’t happened since.”

“But still....”

“Jed Bartlet would make a great President... He’s the right man for the job.”

“Then you won’t need me.”

“We do, C.J...We need someone who can handle the Press,” he told her. “We need you.”

“I’m touched that you thought of me first,” she said dryly.

“You’re the only one we thought of.”

“I can’t...” She shook her head.

“Your job is really that good?”

“It’s better than the one I had before.”

“Fine.”

“Now you’re pissed at me,” she rolled her eyes. “Because I said no?”

“I thought this was something you were interested in, helping people, making a difference....”

“Don’t you dare try and guilt-trip me, Toby!” She snapped. “I spent a year trying to make a difference and we still lost!”

“It’ll be different this time.”

“How?”

“He wasn’t ready before,” Toby claimed. “He is now.”

“How?” She repeated. “How can you be sure of that?”

“I just am,” he told her. “If not Bartlet then the Democratic nomination is John Hoynes...Who would you prefer?”

“President Frankson hasn’t done a bad job so far.”

“He hasn’t done a good job, either.” He shot back with a glare.

“True,” she agreed.

“Plus, he’s a republican.”

“Oh yeah, I forgot we don’t like them.”

“No,” Toby replied and couldn’t help but smile slightly. “So?”

“Toby...”

“Will you think about it?”

“I have a good job!” She insisted.

“Just think about it,” he said again.

“Alright, fine! I’ll think about it but I’m telling you; I really do like my job,” she sighed and started to stand. “Look, I should go...I‘ve got an early meeting tomorrow and I need to feed the cat.”

“You got a cat?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah, turns out I’m a cat person,” she smiled as she stood up. “But it was good to see you; you should come out more often.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, except no more jobs offers,” she pointed at him, warning. “Just come and work on your tan.”

“I don’t need a tan.” He replied as he stood up too.

“Whatever, Mi Amor,” she hugged him. “Take care.”

“You too,” he replied and then watched her walk away.

Sighing, he pulled out his cell phone and called Leo’s office.

XxXxX

Sam Seaborn stared at the TV, mesmerised. Governor Bartlet of New Hampshire was holding a press conference about the latest Health Care bill that he was trying to push through. Sam was impressed at how well the Governor was dealing with the questions that were being thrown at him.

“Sam?”

He turned quickly, a little startled and saw his assistant Karan standing at the door. “Hey.”

“Are you okay?” She asked a little concerned. “I called you three times.”

“Uh, yeah sorry, I was watching...” He gestured to the TV with his hand but his voice trailed off. “What’s up?”

“Your wife is on line one.”

“Okay, great, thank you...” Sam sat down at his desk and picked up the phone as Karen closed the door behind her. “Hey, Lisa.”

“Hi, listen, I’m going to have to cancel dinner tonight,” she told him.

“You’ve got to work again?” He asked but it came out more like a statement than a question.

“No, not really but there’s this party that I’ve been trying to get an invite too to for months,” she replied. “There’s going to be lots of people there. It’s a great opportunity to make contacts.”

“Right...” He sighed.

There was a pause for a second before she spoke again.

“You should come.”

“I won’t know anyone.”

“So? It’ll be fun.”

“Look, it doesn’t matter,” he told her. “There’s some work I should do anyway.”

“Well, okay...” She replied quickly. “I’ll probably be home late so I won’t see you until tomorrow.”

“Yeah, have a good time.”

“You too,” she replied. “Bye.”

Before he could ask why she thought he’d have a good time spending the evening alone, the line went dead.

He sighed and hung up the phone. “Karen?”

“Yeah?” She appeared at the door again.

“Can you call the restaurant and cancel my table?”

“She’s working again?” She asked sympathetically.

“Party,” he answered, glancing at the TV again. “Y’know, at one point, I was going to quit my job and go work for him.”

Karen looked at TV before back to Sam. “For Governor Bartlet?”

“Yeah, I heard him give some speeches when he was running for President,” Sam explained. “I thought he’d make a good President and I guess I missed the days when I used to work on the Hill.”

“Why didn’t you then?”

“I was made Partner here,” he replied. “Who would turn down being a Partner in company like Gage Whitney Pace?”

“Somebody who works for the President?”

Sam smiled a little. “Besides, Lisa and I were planning the wedding.”

“Ah,” she nodded and looked back at the TV. “So, why is Bartlet on TV now?”

“He’s trying to get votes for the Health Care Bill,” Sam explained.

“And that’s such a big deal that they’re reporting live?”

“They’re trying to get him to admit whether or not he’s going to run for President again in the election.”

“Is he?”

“He hasn’t said,” Sam told her. “He keeps spinning back to Health Care.”

They both stood, silently watching for a few more minutes before Karen turned towards the door.

“Do you want me to order takeout as well?”

“Yeah, why not?” Sam dropped down into his chair with a sigh. “I’ve had it every other night this week.”

XxXxX

“Mrs Landingham, I need to talk to Leo as soon as...” Jed called as he made his way out of his office but stopped mid sentence when he saw his secretary wasn’t alone.

“Governor, this is Charlie Young,” Mrs Landingham told him. “He’s a messenger for the President.”

“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Mr Young,” Jed held out his hand.

“You too, Sir,” Charlie replied, timidly.

“What’s that in your hand?” Jed asked, noticing a cookie in the younger man’s left hand.

“It’s uh...” Charlie hesitated and glanced at Mrs Landingham; unsure whether he was in trouble or not.

“You’ll give a stranger a cookie but not me?” Jed looked at her. “How long have we known each other now?”

“Sir, you know what Dr Bartlet said about your diet,” she replied. “Besides, Charlie here, is a growing young man.”

“Well, I just think you’re doing it to be mean.”

“Yes, Sir,” Mrs Landingham replied, rolling her eyes.

“Now, Charlie,” Jed turned back to him. “You’re a messenger for the President?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“And the President sent you here?”

“Yes, Sir,” Charlie replied again and pulled an envelope out of his bag and handed it to him.

“What is it?” Jed questioned.

“I don’t know, Sir....I was just told to deliver it to you.”

Jed studied it closely. “You don’t think there’s a bomb in here, do you?”

“I, uh...” Charlie stuttered a little. “No, Sir, I don’t think so.”

“I was joking, Charlie,” he replied as he opened up the envelope. “You see, I ran against President Frankson and I said some things...Well, let’s just say I’m probably not his favourite person.”

“Yes, Sir...” Charlie said before pausing. “I voted for you.”

“Really? Well, thank you for the support,” Jed smiled and shook his hand again.

Charlie grinned widely in reply.

“It’s an invitation to the White House for an event in a few days,” Jed read the invite then handing it to Mrs Landingham. “Well, that could be interesting.”

“I’ll check your schedule to see if you and Dr Bartlet are free that night,” his secretary replied.

“So, how did you end working for the President?” Jed asked Charlie. “I mean, you voted for me, so you’re a Democrat right? How did you end up working for a Republican President?”

“Governor,” Mrs Landingham said in a warning tone.

“I’m just curious,” Jed stated.

“I have a little sister at home,” Charlie answered. “I take care of her and it’s a good job with good money...”

Jed paused for a few seconds. He hadn’t been expecting that answered. “Your parents are gone?”

“My Mom was shot and killed a few years back while she was on duty,” he replied quietly. “She was a police officer.”

“I’m sorry to hear that Charlie,” Jed shook his head, sadly. His heart went out of to the young man and he suddenly felt guilty for questioning him. “I bet she’d be proud of you, right now.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

“It was nice to meet you,” Jed patted his arm gently and looked at Mrs Landingham. “Can you get hold of Leo, please?”

“Yes, Sir,” she nodded.

Jed turned towards his office and before he closed the door, he heard Mrs Landingham giving Charlie more cookies; making sure he had enough for his sister too.

XxXxX

Donna Moss-Lewis made her away across the room, looking for her husband. The room was full of important people and she tried to blend into the crowd, hoping that she looked like she belonged.

Her husband, Mick Lewis was a neurologist at the University Hospital in Wisconsin and he had been invited to the White House’s fundraisers ball to raise money and awareness about Neurodegenerative Disease.

She had been so excited when he had asked her to come to Washington with him to attend the ball. She hardly ever accompanied him to events like this.

Donna spotted Mick in the corner of the room, talking to a young red head. She smiled politely at people as she moved past them, towards him.

As she got closer to her husband, she could hear him and his friend laughing. “Hi.”

Mick turned around quickly, his smile dropping off his face. “Donna, hey...This is Linda.”

Donna gave the other woman a tight-lipped smile. “Hi, I’m Donna...Mick’s wife.”

“Really?” Linda replied and then glanced at Mick. “You never said you were married.”

“Must have slipped his mind,” Donna said sarcastically, glaring at her husband a little.

“Well, you’ve very lucky to be married to such a successful man,” Linda said, smiling sweetly at Mick.

Donna rolled her eyes; she couldn’t believe this woman had the nerve to flirt with her husband right in front of her.

“Are you a Doctor too, Donna?”

Mick let out a laugh. “God, no... She doesn’t work.”

“Oh, do you have kids?”

“Nah, looking after the house is enough work for you, right honey?” Mick joked.

“Well, that must be fun,” Linda replied, patronizingly.

“She did try her hand at politics once,” Mick continued. “She joined Jed Bartlet’s campaign but only lasted three weeks before she missed me.”

Donna didn’t know which urge was stronger; wanting to punch her husband in the face or wanting to run away from the pair. She remembered why she never liked coming to these things with him. He always put her down. Always made her seem less when than she was.

True, she did join the Bartlet campaign but the reason she returned to Wisconsin after three weeks was because she had run out of money. She joined as a volunteer and hoped she’d be able convince someone to put her on salary. So, she sold her car and stuffed envelopes and handed out flyers for no pay until she ran out of money. She had no choice but to return home and that’s when she got trapped by Mick. She had convinced herself that marrying him would be the best thing for her to do.

“Y’know, I actually have a headache,” Donna announced. “I think I might head back to the hotel.”

“Oh, well okay...If you’re not feeling well,” Mick replied and Donna didn’t miss the look he shared with Linda. “I’ll get you a cab.”

As Donna followed him out the room and towards the exit, she knew she wouldn’t see him again until morning. When he’d come up with some excuse about meeting an old friend and spending all night catching up. She had heard the excuse so many times now and not once had she believed it...not once had she really cared.

XxXxX

“Remind me again, why we’re here?” Jed asked, as he stood beside Leo.

“You were invited by the President.”

“Why would he invite me?”

“Well, you’re pushing for the health care bill to go through.”

“And that’s the only reason?”

“Of course not!” Leo laughed lightly.

“Leo?”

Leo turned around at his name being called and he broke into a wide smile.

“Hey, kid! I heard you were going to be here!” He moved the hug the young woman. “How you been?”

“Busy...I’ve just finished touring Europe.”

“Well, that’s great!” Leo replied and then remembered Jed was there. “Oh, I’m sorry, Governor...this is...”

“I know who this is,” Jed smiled and reached to take her hand. “I’m a big fan.”

She smiled widely. “Thank you, Governor...I’m a big fan of yours as well.”

“Are you performing tonight?” Leo asked.

“Yes, a little bit later,” she nodded. “I had a bit of spare time so I thought I’d come out and do a little exploring.”

“Have you been in to the White House before?” Jed asked, taking a sip of his champagne.

“I performed last Christmas and the Christmas before that and at the First Lady’s birthday party,” she replied. “But my favourite time here, has to be about 30 years ago now?”

Leo let out a laugh. “Oh, I remember that.”

“My little brother, when he was about 9 years old...He ran for Class President,” she looked at Jed and started to tell the story. “One of his promises to his fellow classmates, was that he’d get the school to take them on more exciting trips then than the local museums...Anyway, Leo was an old friend of our father’s and my brother somehow managed to convince him to invite his class to Washington.”

“I remember, Jenny and I going over to your house one night for dinner,” Leo replied. “He would not leave me alone...He just kept talking and talking about how important it was that kids got their voices heard as well and how they all needed to see how politics really worked.”

“So, you got them into the White House?” Jed questioned. He had known Leo for a long time now and he was surprised he hadn’t heard this story before.

“And put them up in a hotel so they could visit the Smithsonian the next day.” He replied. “He made a really good case.”

“I was in High School at the time but I was off that day because of a teacher training day or something and both my parents were chaperoning so I got to go too,” the young woman continued. “All my friends were jealous that I got to go to the White House and I remember being so proud because it was my little brother that made it all happen.”

“Yeah, I made him promise that day that if he ever went into politics that he would always be on my side,” Leo added. “He was a smart kid with big ideas although I did try and teach him not promise more than he could deliver.”

The young woman laughed. “Yeah, he didn’t listen though... His next promise was that he’d get some Mets playing players to come and train the school baseball team.”

Jed laughed. “Did he keep his promise?”

The conversation fell silent for a few seconds and both Leo’s and the young woman’s faces changed from happy to sombre.

“No, he didn’t really get chance to,” she gave Jed a small sad smile. “I’m sorry but I really should get back, but it was nice to meet you.”

“You too,” Jed shook her hand again.

“Leo, it was really good seeing you again,” she hugged him. “Call my Mom...She was moaning that she hasn’t spoken to you in almost a year.”

“I‘ll call her tomorrow,” he promised. “You take care, Kid.”

“You too.”

Jed waited until she had disappeared into the crowd before turning to Leo.

“What happened to the boy?”

“What?”

“Her brother...” Jed replied. “The way the two of you stopped laughing when I asked about keeping his promise...”

Leo sighed quietly. “She was babysitting him when something in the kitchen caught fire...She told him to go outside while she tried to put it out but he stayed with her...She realised the fire to was too big so they ran outside but he tripped...hit his head...I don’t really know the details.”

“He didn’t make it?”

“No, he died once they got him to hospital,” Leo told him. “It was a sad day... He was a special kid.”

Jed fell silent and was surprised at the overwhelming feeling of grief of for the death of someone he didn’t even know. Just like earlier when the President‘s messenger had told him about the death of his mother. He wanted to reach out and comfort him. He had put it down to the fact that he was a Father and he’d never want to his own children to feel like that without someone to comfort them.

“Here comes the President,” Leo broke his train of thought.

“Oh, this should be fun.”

“Don’t say anything that can hurt us later...Be nice.”

“What’s the saying? Don’t saying anything unless you have something nice to say...”

“I’m sure you can think of something you both agree on...” Leo started and plastered a fake smile on his face as the President got closer to them.

“Governor, it’s so good of you to come...” He greeted.

“Thank you for the invite, Mr President,” Jed replied. “I’ve just met Joanie Lyman...I’m must say, Sir...You have good taste in music....”

The End

Please review and let me know what you think!!!

You didn’t come and see my daughter get married

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:01:39 GMT

Title: You didn’t come and see my daughter get married
Summery: Set during the episode 'Transition' Bartlet and Sam have a conversation about everything Sam missed after he left and about the future. Please R&R
Rating: Teen
Characters: Sam, Jed
Spoilers: Series 7

You didn’t come and see my daughter get married

“You didn’t come to my daughter’s wedding.”

Sam spun around quickly. “Mr. President.”

Jed smiled softly and stepped fully into what was now Charlie’s office. “You’re looking well, Sam.”

“It’s the sun, I think,” Sam replied. “Actually, being able to sleep for more than Five hours a night makes a difference.”

“Yeah, I’m looking forward to that,” Jed chuckled slightly “But back to the wedding…You didn’t come and see my daughter get married.”

“I’m sorry, Sir, I was working on an important case at work and I couldn’t get away.” Sam ran a hand over the back of his neck nervously. “Did Ellie get my card?”

“Yes, she did and it was a very nice card with a lovely message.” Jed sat down on the chair in front of the desk and gestured for Sam to take a seat too. “One would think you write for a living.”

Sam hesitated for a moment before sitting down behind the desk. He couldn’t help but think back four years to when he played the President at chess in this very office.

“Well, you missed one hell of a wedding,” Jed said lightly. “Actually, I almost missed one hell of a wedding, but that’s another story for next time. It would have been good to see you there.”

“Yes, Sir…”

“It’s been a long time since we all started out in New Hampshire,” Jed continued. “Even Josh and Leo took time out of their busy campaign to stop by.”

“Ah, well that’s the real reason, Sir,” Sam replied. He knew the President wasn’t really offended that he hadn’t turned up to the wedding and that he was just messing with him.

“Josh and Leo?”

“I’ve successfully avoided Josh Lyman for a year…I had a good job that I liked and well, Josh has a way of convincing me that I’d rather be travelling around the Country on some campaign bus with him.”

“Had a job?” Jed questioned the past tense.

“Josh eventually caught up with me,” he sighed.

Jed laughed slightly and shook his head. “You’ll be joining the Santos Administration?”

“It seems that way, Sir. My last attempt to escape surprisingly failed.”

“What was it?”

“An ultimatum…I’d stay if he took a vacation,” Sam told him. “I never thought he’d actually agree.”

“Joshua Lyman is taking a vacation?”

“And he’s taken Donna with him.”

Jed stared at him for a moment. “Donna Moss?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Well, isn’t that an interesting turn of events.”

Jed had always been curious of Josh’s relationship with his assistant from the very moment she turned up on the campaign. Back then, he didn’t know his staff and all he saw was some young blonde girl that followed Josh around. He didn’t know if Josh would be strong enough to resist her, but then his father died and Jed started to really watch the two of them. He saw Donna look after Josh without him really knowing what she was doing. He watched Josh explaining laws and solutions to her with patience that he never thought Josh Lyman was capable off. He saw her refusing to bring him coffee and him glaring disapprovingly at any male attention she received. He forgot all his previous concerns about the couple and saw their relationship as no more than a brother and sister type one; similar to the one Josh has with Zoey.

Except one year into their Administration, the unthinkable happened and Josh nearly died. He saw Donna’s heart breaking that night at the hospital. From then on, Jed noticed small things that made him think they were more than boss and assistant. She was the one that noticed he was falling apart. He was the one that trusted her with more than any other senior staff trusted their assistants. She was the only one that could keep up with him. He wrote a memo about her old teacher. She stuck by and defended him when he messed up with Carrick. He walked away from the White House and flew across the world to hold her hand when she was hurt.

Jed used to love watching them. Hearing their banter, but after the explosion in Gaza everything started to fall apart. He stopped watching them. He stopped talking to them. Not just Josh and Donna but Leo, C.J and Toby too. That’s when his staff started to fall apart.

“I’m glad,” Jed said quietly. “I hope they both find what they’re looking for.”

“They already have…” Sam said softly. “They just need to work out how to handle it.”

Jed laughed slightly. “Very poetic…Once a writer, always a writer.”

Sam smiled widely and they both fell silent, deep in thought.

“Do you miss it?” Jed asked quietly, after a few seconds of silently watching Sam staring at his old desk.

Sam looked up at him, slowly. “No, not really… Sometimes …when I saw things happening on CNN, I was glad I was in Los Angeles and not here, in this office.”

Jed nodded understandably.

“But there were also days when I would have given anything to be right here fighting with you all.” Sam added. “I just, I guess I needed a break.”

“I know that feeling,” Jed smiled. “This has been one tough job.”

“If you would have known everything that was going to happen eight years ago…would you still have run?” Sam questioned.

Jed thought for a moment before answering. “We’ve had some bad times, some terrible times, but we’ve also done a lot of good…” Jed said slowly, trying to find the right words to express what he was trying to say. “I would have liked to have done some things differently…”

“Me too,” Sam nodded a little. “You know, I called Josh when things went wrong with Carrick…I told him to roll with the punches…Except I didn’t call him… I spoke Donna.”

Jed stayed silent, not sure what Sam was trying to say.

“I called his office knowing he wouldn’t be there, I figured it was too early for anyone to be there and I could leave a message, but Donna picked up and I ended up coming out with something as bad as ‘roll with the punches’… That’s all I could think of.”

“You didn’t want to talk to Josh?” Jed asked gently and Sam just looked down at his desk. “Why?”

“Because…” Sam started but then stopped and sighed. He looked up at Jed before continuing. “Because I didn’t call when Zoey was abducted.”

“What?” Jed said in surprise at the answer.

“I sat at home and watched the news all day and all night but I didn’t call,” Sam told him. “I didn’t call Josh or C.J or Toby…I just…”

“Sam…” Jed tried to cut in.

“I left and I felt like I didn’t belong here anymore…I didn’t have the right to call the Deputy Chief of Staff or the Press Secretary to ask for an update,” he stated. “Then I felt stupid… These were my friends… I held Josh’s hand while he almost bled to death…I helped put turkey’s into C.J’s offices…I’ve written amazing speeches with Toby…They were my friends, I forgot that for a while.”

“So, you didn’t speak to Josh because you felt guilty about not calling about Zoey?” Jed asked, trying to get his head around what Sam was talking about.

“I should have called, Sir and I’m sorry for not doing that.”

“Sam, you don’t need to apologize,” Jed tried to assure him. “You were missed when you left and we understood you needed to move on, but you were always welcome to come back whenever you were ready too.”

Sam thought for a few seconds before answering. “I wasn’t ready…not until now…I had no passion…I couldn’t work here without it.”

Jed smiled. “This administration is going to do great things with you and Josh running the show.”

“That’s a scary thought,” Sam stated.

“You’ll be fine,” Jed assured him.

“We’ll have no one looking out for us…No C.J to smack us upside the head when we’ve done or said something stupid…No advice from Leo…No more of your stories…” His voice trailed off at the mention of Leo.

“Sam?”

He closed his eyes for a few seconds, trying to get his thoughts straight. “I didn’t call about Zoey because I wasn’t sure where I fitted in anymore…I didn’t call Josh about Carrick because I felt guilty…I didn’t call about Gaza because I couldn’t handle it if Josh lost another person he loved, and I couldn’t handle seeing one of my best friends fighting for their life again…I didn’t call when C.J was made Chief of Staff because I thought you’d made a mistake and I didn’t call when Toby was fired because I couldn’t understand why he did what he did…but Leo…I should have been here…At his funeral, I should have been here to say goodbye.”

Jed remained silent. He had been curious as to why Sam wasn’t there.

“If it wasn’t for Leo… If it wasn’t for Leo, then Josh wouldn’t have left Hoynes and he wouldn’t have convinced me to leave Gage Whitney…” Sam continued. “He changed my life for the better and I learned so much from working with him…I should have come to say goodbye…I should have been here…I owed him that.”

“Then why didn’t you?” Jed questioned.

Sam shrugged a little and looked away. “I didn’t… I didn’t know how to say goodbye…I’ve never lost anyone who I was close to before, except maybe my Grandparents but I was only a kid then…I can’t really even remember it now…I’ve been pretty lucky.”

Sam glanced around his old office once more, memories coming flooding back to him. He had walked away from all of this and all of his friends…the people that he thought of as family, but he always knew that some day he would come back. Now it was too late because they had lost Leo for good.

“I don’t know how Josh does it,” he whispered, almost to himself. “His mom is the only family he has left… He somehow managed to get through being shot and almost dying…he’s spent seven years working in the White House, living through amazing moments to terrible moments…He saw Donna suffering while she was on the other side of the world… He went through all of that and more, yet he somehow managed to still have hope and faith in this country…He still managed to find the right man who deserves to follow in your footsteps…I don’t know where he gets the strength to do that.”

Jed opened his mouth, hoping to lighten the mood with some kind of witty comment about Josh being too stubborn to just quit, but instead he found himself saying something else.

“There’s something special about Josh Lyman and after eight years of knowing him, I’m still not sure what it is.”

Before Sam could say anymore, there was a knock on the door and they both turned to see Curtis standing there.

“I’m sorry; Mr. President but you have a meeting.”

“Thank you, Curtis, I’ll be right there,” Jed replied and slowly stood up as Curtis backed out of the room. “That’s the new Charlie.”

Sam smiled as he got to his feet as well. “I better let you get back to work, Sir…Thank you for taking the time to talk to me.”

“Anytime, Sam…anytime at all,” Jed replied holding out his hand. “It really is good to see you.”

“You too, Sir,” Sam took his hand.

Jed smiled at him before turning towards the door.

“Mr. President?”

“Yeah?” He looked back at Sam.

“I haven’t forgotten what you said that night we played chess,” Sam told him. “One day, I want to run for President…That’s why I came back, because there is still so much more I need to learn.”

“And you think this is the right time and place?” Jed asked, but he already knew the answer.

“Yes, Sir…like you said, there’s something special about Josh Lyman and I intend to spend at least four years trying to learn what it is.”

“I’ll tell you what I told Josh…Leo and I are the past…you two are the future,” Jed said softly. “And you’ll be just fine.”

“Thank you, Mr. President,” Sam said quietly, letting the words he just said sink in.

Jed nodded slightly to him before silently leaving Sam alone in the office he started out in.

The End.

What did you think? Would you be interested in reading more chapter like this??

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:58:46 GMT

Title: Bartlet's New Hobby
Summery: Jed is bored with being retired but then with help from Sam, his new hobby drives Josh crazy! Set during Santos admin. Please R&R
Rating: Teen
Characters: Josh, Jed, Sam, Abbey
Pairing: Josh/Donna
Spoilers: Series 7

Bartlet’s New Hobby

“Look at this!” Jed demanded as he walked into the kitchen where his wife was sat at the table.

“Hmm?” She replied, without even looking up from her magazine.

“Abigail, look.”

She sighed and lifted her head. “It’s a flower.”

“Yes, yes it is a flower…It’s a flower from my garden.” Jed informed her. “It was just lying on the grass when I went out there this morning.”

“Well, it was pretty windy last night,” Abbey stated as she stood up and carried her cup over to the counter to pour herself more tea. “It probably happened then.”

“It’s a conspiracy!”

She leaned back against the counter and sipped her tea. “Are we still talking about the same thing?”

“Someone has it in for my flower garden!” Jed insisted.

“Okay, well wait right there while I go call the FBI.” Abbey said sarcastically.

“Who are we calling the FBI on today?” Elizabeth questioned as she walked into the room.

“No one…You’re Father is bored so he’s making up dramas.” Abbey replied.

“Have you been near my flower garden today?” Jed looked at his eldest daughter suspiciously.

“No,” she replied in amusement but Jed kept staring. “What? Do I need an alibi?”

“Jed, it was the weather last night.” Abbey told, sitting back down at the table.

“I don’t get the respect nowadays that I did when I was President.” Jed complained.

Liz raised an eyebrow at him. “I don’t believe you controlled the weather during your Presidency.”

“No one would have dared go near my flower garden while I was at the White House.” Jed continued, ignoring her comment. “And I had people falling over each other to do things for me.”

“Well, you’ve been back in the real world for almost a year and a half now so start getting use to it.” Abbey told him.

Jed dropped down into the chair on the opposite of the table to her, his arm folded. He sat silently for a few seconds before getting an idea.

“I’m going to call Josh.” he announced as he got to his feet again.

“What? Why?”

“He’s the White House Chief of Staff,” he replied. “He has to show me respect…at least, he still calls me Sir and Mr President.”

“You spent the whole of Thanksgiving ordering him to call you Jed!” Liz pointed out.

“But he refused.” Jed replied. “That’s respect.”

Abbey rolled her eyes. “Leave the boy alone.”

“I just want to talk to him.”

“You want to mess with him for you own amusement.”

“You’ve never had a problem with that in the past,” he looked at her curious. “In fact, you used to be the ringleader.”

“Well, things have changed.” Abbey stated. “He’s got a two month old baby while trying to do a pretty demanding job.”

“So, that means I’m not allowed to talk to him?” Jed questioned.

“Yes, unless you plan on doing or saying something helpful.”

Jed slowly sat back down, a frown on his face.

“Is Donna feeling any better?” Liz asked, looking at her Mother.

“Donna’s sick?” Jed asked, in surprise.

“Yes, she’s had the flu,” Abbey told him. “But apparently Josh has been amazing by splitting his time between work, looking after Donna and taking care of little Noah.”

“Really? Josh Lyman?”

“Exactly, which is why we’re not giving him a hard time at the moment.”

“Alright, fine.” he sighed loudly. “Maybe I should call Sam.”

“Dad, Annie’s in the study doing some work for college, she could probably do with some help.”

“I’m on it!” he jumped up and headed out of the room.

“He really needs a hobby.” Liz commented as they watched him go.

“I thought gardening was a good idea, but look how that turned out,” Abbey answered. “Besides, was it really a good idea to pass him off to your daughter?”

Liz waved her hand dismissively. “She’s not really doing her work, she’s on the internet…He might get her to actually start her paper.”

XxXxX

“What are we working on?” Jed asked, as he walked up behind his Granddaughter.

Annie Bartlet-Westin was spending the weekend with her Grandparents and her Mother so she could work on her paper in a peaceful environment but it didn’t stop her from getting distracted.

“Um, I was just taking a break.” she replied, closing down the site she had been looking at.

“Was that a picture of you?” Jed questioned, after catching a glimpse of what was on the screen before it disappeared.

“Yeah, it was my Facebook page.”

“You’re what?”

“Facebook page.” she replied. “It’s a social networking site.”

Jed stared down at her in confusion.

She let out a small laugh. “It’s a website where I can keep in contact with all my friends and share pictures.”

Jed looked a little concerned. “Pictures? You’re posting pictures on the internet for anyone to see?”

“No, only my friends can see my page,” she explained, turning back to the computer and loaded the page back up. “Look, see…Only the people on my friends list here can see my page.”

“Oh,” Jed replied, as she showed him on the screen then he reached out to point at something else. “What this?”

“That’s my wall, people can write me messages,” Annie told him. “See, my friend Sally sent me a message a few minutes ago, asking how my paper is going.”

Jed leaned down to look closer at the monitor. “You have 228 friends? You really know all those people?”

“Yes, a lot of the people are from college and high school but I even managed to find some old friends from when I was a kid.”

“That’s outstanding!” Jed exclaimed, grabbing a chair and pulling over to sit beside her. “Show me more.”

XxXxX

Josh quietly closed the nursery door, carefully made his way down the hallway and into the room he shared with Donna. They had gotten married about six months after Santos’ took office and ten months later, Noah Leo Lyman was born. However for the past two weeks, Donna had been ill with the flu so she’s had to stay in bed. Luckily, Josh’s Mom was able to come down to look after Noah while Josh was at work but during the nights, she stayed at a hotel since they didn’t have a spare room and Josh was sleeping on the couch so he didn’t catch what Donna had or disturb her.

Tonight, he decided he was going to sleep in his own bed. Donna had been feeling better the last few days and he figured that if he was going to catch the flu, he would have done while he had been in the room taking care of her. He missed his wife. She wouldn’t let him kiss her or hold her, even when had been feeling really bad.

He climbed into bed and pulled Donna into his arms, sighing contently.

“Josh?” She mumbled sleepily.

“Shhh, go back to sleep,” he whispered.

She tightened her arms around him but didn’t say anymore.

He sighed in relief that she didn’t kick him out. It had been two long weeks. He’d get up at 5:30 when Noah woke, screaming to be changed. Then he’d feed him and get him dressed. Next, he’d quickly make some breakfast for himself and Donna. He was only allowed to place the breakfast tray on the bedside table and then he had to move back to the doorway. He’d spend 5 minutes, each morning, talking to her, assuring her that he had everything okay and that both he and Noah were fine. He’d ask her how she was feeling, then she’d send him off to work. His Mother would turn up at 7am to take care of Noah and Donna while he was at work; where they were all working incredibly hard to get a health care bill passed. He’d return home, check on Donna and spend some ‘man time’ with his son before getting him ready for bed. Their couch was a lot more comfortable than the one he had before Donna moved in but it was nothing compared to their bed plus he had to get up two or three times a night to tend to Noah.

He gently kissed Donna’s forehead, smiling a little at the fact that her temperature had gone down. He was looking forward to things going back to normal. Not that it bothered him, looking after both her and Noah. He just wasn’t used to it, she was the one that took care of them and he hated to see her suffering.

He closed his eyes and could feel himself start to drift off just as the sound of the phone startled him. He jumped up and grabbed it, hoping it wouldn’t wake Donna or Noah.

“Josh Lyman,” he answered as he left the room, hoping it wasn’t work. Luckily, since Donna’s been ill, he hadn’t needed to go in during the night and the latest he had got home was around 9pm.

“Josh, it’s Jed.”

“Mr. President?” He frowned a little. “Is everything okay?”

“Oh yes, it’s fantastic.”

“Well, that’s good,” he replied. “But it is 1am, Sir.”

“Yes, well everyone here is in bed and I had to talk to someone.”

“Are you sure everything okay?”

“Annie has introduced me to something spectacular!”

“Annie? Your Granddaughter?”

“Yes.” Jed answered. “Have you ever heard of Facebook?”

“Um, yeah I think Annabeth and Margaret were chatting about that a few weeks back,” he told him. “But I wasn’t paying much attention.”

“It’s a social networking site.”

“I don’t know what that means.” Josh sat down on the couch and ran a hand over his face.

“Well, basically it’s a website where you can keep in touch with all your friends,” Jed informed him. “I can send you message and you’d get it right away. Imagine that?”

“A bit like sending a text message from a cell phone?” Josh quipped.

“I don’t like cell phones.” Jed answered. “All that modern technology.”

“But using a website is going back to the dark ages?”

“I thought you’d be the one to talk to who shows me some of the respect I used to get while I was President.”

Josh sighed loudly. “I’m sorry, sir but it’s 1 am and you’re calling me to tell about a website which I’m too busy to look at and besides, if you’d talked to me about this while you were at the White House, I would have reacted the same way…Except maybe I’d be a little more freaked out about the President being let loose on the internet.”

“It might have helped me connect more with the younger voters.”

“It would have helped C.J have a heart attack,” Josh replied, thinking back to when she found out he had been on LemonLyman.Com .

“She was a pro, she could have spun it.”

“No doubt sir, but if that is all you called for then I should get back to bed,” Josh said. “Noah will be awake soon and I have to get to the office early tomorrow…”

“I’d love to see some more pictures of him.” Jed stated. “With facebook, you could upload them and then we can all see them without you doing anything more.”

Josh leaned back and resisted the urged to groan.

“We could get Sam, C.J and everyone else to join up so we can all keep in touch.”

“I can’t just phone you?”

“When was the last time you just phoned us?” Jed replied. “You never have time.”

“And you think I’ll have time to send you an email?”

“Write on my wall.”

“What?”

“It’s not called an email.” Jed explained. “You write on someone’s wall.”

“This site is encouraging people to do graffiti?” Josh question. “And you agree with this?”

“It’s not graffiti, it’s a space on the users profile page which allows friends to posts messages for the user to see,” Jed explained.

“Right…”

“There’s also a status bar,” Jed continued. “I’m going to update mine now.”

“Okay.”

“You’re not going to ask what I put on it?”

Josh sighed. “What did you put as your status, sir?”

“It now reads, “President Jed Bartlet is talking to Josh Lyman” See? It’s that good!”

“You’re actually using the name President Jed Bartlet?”

“Yes, otherwise how will people know how I am?”

Josh groaned, wondering whether this was going to attract the attention of the press and cause him a headache.

“I’m telling you Josh, you should sign up,” Jed said once more. “So far, I only have Annie as my friend.”

Before Josh could say anymore, he heard Noah crying.

“I’m sorry, sir but Noah is ‘requesting’ a feeding. I really should go.”

“Oh okay, well we’ll talk about this some more tomorrow.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Good night, Josh.”

“Good night, Mr. President,” he replied before hanging up. He shook his head slightly, wondering if that conversation actually happened.

XxXxX

Josh was sat at his desk, his head leaning on the back of the chair. He glanced at the clock on the wall, seeing it was almost 4pm. Since President Santos had already left to spend some time with the kids, he decided once he had finished the memo that he had been trying to read for the past hour, he’d go home. His head was pounding and he felt like he could sleep for the rest of the week.

He sat up straight and rubbed his eyes when there was a knock on the door. “Come in.”

“Hey, you got a minute?” Sam stuck his head around the door.

“Yeah, sure,” Josh replied, hoping Sam wasn’t bringing something that needed his attention straight away.

“Guess who I talked to today…” Sam grinned, walking fully into the office.

Josh stared at him, having a bad feeling. “Who?”

“President Bartlet.”

Josh groaned and buried his face in his hands. “Please tell me, he hasn’t gotten to you.”

“Have you looked on this website he found?” Sam asked, excitedly. “It’s awesome.”

“Sam…” Josh whined. “You’re the Deputy Chief of Staff.”

“C.J said you’d say that,” Sam relied. “And said to say LemonLyman.com."

“C.J’s in on this too?”

“The President called her before he spoke to me.”

“She threatened me with serious bodily harm if I went near the internet again but yet this, she’s all for.”

“It’s just a bit of fun, Josh.” Sam rolled his eyes. “Everyone is on there?”

“Everyone?”

“Well, President Bartlet, C.J, Danny, Charlie, Zoey, Bram, Otto, Ronna, Margaret, Annabeth and me.” Sam replied.

“Is anyone doing any actual work around here?”

“It doesn’t take that long to set up,” Sam assured him. “It took Margaret and me less than 5 minutes to sign you up and write you a profile.”

“Sign me up?!”

“Everyone else has joined…” Sam repeated.

“Sam?!” He exclaimed. “I don’t have time to go on some face network book.”

“Social networking site, called Facebook,” Sam corrected. “Besides, you won’t need to…any update will go straight to your blackberry like it’s a SMS message.”

Josh stared at him for a few seconds before replying. “What?”

“Well, President Bartlet said you were concerned about not having the time, so we thought you’d set it up to go to your phone when Margaret was updating your schedule earlier.”

Josh’s eyes immediately went to his blackberry which was sat on the desk where he left after he came back from lunch. He couldn’t even remembering giving Margaret his phone.

“Margaret?” Josh shouted while closing some folders on his desk.

“Yes?” She appeared in his doorway.

“I’m going home.”

She looked from Josh to Sam before back to him. “Now?”

“Yes.”

“But it’s not even four o’clock yet.”

“No but I haven’t seen my wife healthy in two weeks, I got almost no sleep last night because of President Bartlet’s phone call and looking after Noah. If I hear one more thing about Social book then I’m going to scream!”

“Facebook.” Margaret corrected.

Josh glared at her. “I feel like crap, I’m going home.”

Sam and Margaret watched as he left the office.

“I didn’t even get to tell him about Twitter,” Sam said after a few seconds.

“Maybe we should leave that until tomorrow.”

“Okay,” he shrugged. “I’m going to go and play some more games.”

“Ohh, me too.” Margaret replied as they both left the office.

XxXxX

When Josh entered the apartment, he was surprised to see Donna sitting with his Mom and Noah.

“Hey, you’re out of bed.”

“Yeah, I spoke to the doctor earlier and she said it should be okay for me to be around people again,” she grinned but then frowned a little. “Are you okay?”

He sighed. “I’m just tired.”

She walked over to him, placing her hand on his forehead. “You’re burning up.”

“What?”

“You’ve probably caught what I had,” she replied as she started to push him towards the bedroom. “You’re going straight to bed.”

“Donna,” he whined.

“Go! I’ll bring you in some juice and chicken soup.”

“Can I just say hello to Noah, first?” He protested a little.

“You can’t go near the baby,” she gave him another push.

“Fine!” He said in defeat.

He took off his tie, jacket and shoe and then fell onto the bed, so his face was buried in the pillow. Maybe Donna taking care of him will do him some good after the day he has had. Besides, he was pretty sure, that once he had gotten a few hours sleep, he’d be fine. Just as he was beginning to relax, his blackberry vibrated in his pocket. He pulled onto his back, pulling it out to read the message.

He stared down at it in confusion when all it said was;

“You have been poked by President Jed Bartlet.”

The end!!!

Please review and let me know what you think!!!

Sunday afternoon

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 12:43:00 GMT

Hey,

Right, so it's a Sunday afternoon and I'm going to spend the rest of the day trying to sort out my ipod! My laptop is broken at the moment and my itunes are on there so it means that I haven't been able to update my ipod since but now we've just got a new PC so I'm going to put all my CDs on there! Going to take a while!!

Anyway, while I'm doing all the importing, I thought I'd update this. I really should use LJ more. I just keep forgetting!

So, how is everyone?

I got 2 weeks off now which is good but I hate taking time off for no reason so early on in the year but ah well...hopefully the weather will stay nice.

Well, I've had such a busy week this week! Last weekend it was my sister-in-law's Mom's hen night then on monday, it was my managers leaving meal (so gutted she's left! Best manager ever!) then Wednesday I went to watch Britain's Got Talent Live Tour! Was amazing!! Susan Boyle was actually there. She missed some tour stops and she's was amazing! Better live then on TV. Omg and Shaun Smith is brilliant!! I think Stavros stole the show though! Gotta love them dressing up as star troopers! Flawless was great as well! They were on a lot! Bit disappointed that Diversity were only on once but they were amazing! YOu can see why they won!

Anyway, that was Wednesday.... Both Thursday and Tuesday i went to the gym for an hour and a half! Crazy!!

Friday, it was my friend from work, hen night! We went dog racing! I won no money at all lol but still had a right laugh! Didn't get back till late then was at wwork at 7:30 that next morning and working till 5:30 :( Staff were in such a bad mood! I was getting ready to throw them out of the window! Then saturday night, it was my sister-in-law's mom's wedding! So had to go and see my neices and nephew all dressed up!!! So cute!!!

Now I've got to try and find an outfit for a mama mia themed hen night (why all the weddings!) 5 of us from work are going down to Cardiff for my manager's (my ex-manager) hen night! 5 of us sharing a hotel room! Going to be a big night! Can't wait!

Anyway, that's my busy week!! Hope you're all okay!! I'll try and update more often!

JL x

Hey

Tue, 12 May 2009 13:10:13 GMT

Hey,

Right, so Allie has gone away and she's made me promise to use my LJ and Twitters more often so I'm giving it ago. Lol

I haven't posted anything like this in ages and I'm not really sure what to write about. In the past I've mainly wrote (moaned) about my job - nothing much as changed. I love working with the people I'm working with...They're my second family but I just hate working for a big company who doesn't give a damn about their workers.

Right, now what else can I think of...hmmm. Nothing interesting lol

Day off today so just going to chill out. Was planning on going for a bike ride with my friend, except its a new bike and its all been put together, we just can't work out how to fix the front break. Grrr!!!!

Maybe I'll do some writing today....lol or I'll probably get distracted by something else!

Anyway, if anyone is actually reading this... say hello!!!

JL

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:44:19 GMT

Title: Gomer Society, Tributes and Cheese
Summery: Josh wants to do something for Leo. Set during Santos Admin Please review
Rating: Teen
Characters: Josh, Donna, Sam,
Pairing: Josh/Donna
Spoilers: Series 7

Gomer Society, Tributes and Cheese

Sam sat in the Roosevelt Room with a cup of coffee in his hand and a newspaper spread across the table. Josh wanted the Senior Staff to meet there this morning and Sam was early so he took the rare opportunity to relax for a while before the day’s madness started.

He couldn’t believe how fast the time had gone. President Santos had been in office for a year and two months now and so far everything had been going fine aside from some small problems.

It felt a little weird that he wasn’t working in Communications and Lou Thornton had threatened him several times with grievous bodily harm if he went anywhere near her speeches again.

Once he remembered that Josh’s old office was now his office, he enjoyed watching the staff getting used to their new jobs. He saw them wondering around the building looking for the right room where their meeting we being held. He remembered that feeling of being lost and having no idea what you’re doing but then he also remembered what it was like to have a good day and how it felt when everything fell into place. So, he had sat back and let them find their own way. Plus it had been fun to watch Otto missing lunch for the first two weeks because he could never find the Mess on time.

The thing that most surprised him was Josh. Sam always knew that he was good at his job but he could see there was a big difference between Josh ‘the Deputy Chief of Staff’ to Josh ‘the Chief of Staff.’

He was a lot calmer then Sam ever thought he could be. He managed the staff well even when they screwed up. What amazed him the most was how well he had learnt to juggle his job and personal life…It amazed Sam that he had a personal life. Unless there was some kind of incident, Josh would leave every night before 8pm at the latest and only worked half days on Saturdays and took most Sundays off. Sam put it down to his relationship with Donna. He didn’t realised it was possible but the two of them seemed even closer then before and Sam couldn’t be happier for his two best friends. They had gotten married three months after the inauguration in a small ceremony with just their closest friends and family. Now they were expecting their first child; Donna was due in two months. It completely and utterly amazed Sam how content Josh seemed now and how good he was at being Chief of Staff, husband and father.

“Sam?” Lou asked, breaking his train of thoughts. “What’s all this about?”

“I don’t know,” Sam replied, looking up and frowning when he saw that the room was filling up with more then just senior staff. “Donna?”

“Hey, Sam,” she smiled, as her and Annabeth sat beside him.

“What are you doing here?” He questioned.

“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” She let out a small laugh.

“Miss what?” He asked but Donna just smiled and stayed silent. “Donna? Miss what?”

“Why do I feel like we’re being set up?” Otto asked aloud from the other side of the table. “It is the 1st of March, right? Not April?”

“You think Josh would only mess with us on April Fools Day?” Lou asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

“Umm, no?”

She rolled her eyes and went back to reading. “Whatever he has planned, I hope he gets on with it…Some of us have work to do.”

Sam leaned back in his chair, a small frown on his face. Donna was acting weird…Josh had obviously told her what was going on and at least she was smiling about it so it couldn’t be that bad.

He glanced around the room, Otto and Bram sat together trying to come up with a reason for why they were all there. Margaret was in the corner of the room with the other assistants, Ginger, Carol, Bonny and Ronna. They were all looking through some folders, giggling about something…

“Oh my god!” Sam exclaimed, loudly causing everyone to turn to face him.

“Sam? Are you okay?” Donna questioned.

“It’s the first of the month…”

“Yeah…”

“Donna, tell me he’s isn’t going to do what I think he’s going to do.”

“What is he going to do?” Otto asked just as Josh entered the room.

“Okay, guys…lets get this started.”

“Josh…” Sam stood up and walked towards him.

“Take a seat, Sam…You’re not going to want to miss this.”

“Just think about what you’re about to start…”

“During President Bartlet’s term, we had a tradition…”

“Josh, don‘t do this!” Sam tried to cut in but Josh wasn’t listening.

“Andrew Jackson, in the main foyer in his White House had a big block of cheese…”

“Oh, he’s gone and done it.” Sam dropped into an empty chair.

“The block of cheese was huge--over two tons. And it was there for any and all who might be hungry…”

“What the hell?” Lou asked.

The staff that had worked in the Bartlet Administration’s, all groaned, knowing what was coming. Sam let his head fall down and hit the table. While the newer members of staff stared at Josh with a mixture of confusion and curiosity.

“Jackson wanted the White House to belong to the people, so from time to time, he opened his doors to those who wished an audience….“ Josh continued, ignoring any comments and moans. “It is in the spirit of Andrew Jackson that I’m asking staff to have face-to-face meetings with those people representing organizations who have a difficult time getting our attention.”

“You’re kidding, right?” Bram stared at him.

“No, Margaret will hand out your appointments.”

“Josh!” Lou exclaimed. “Do you know what kind of nut jobs we’re going to get?”

“I know exactly what kind of nut jobs we’re going to get,” he replied. “Besides, that’s all part of the fun.”

“Fun?!” Sam lifted his head and glared at him. “You were the one that named it crackpot day!”

“Josh!” Lou yelled louder when Margaret handed her a folder. “Why the hell would I want to meet with a group who want to make Mickey Mouse’s birthday a national holiday!?”

“For the experience?”

“THIS IS THE WHITE HOUSE!”

“Margaret is a pro at matching up these appointment with the right staffer so I’m sure you’ll enjoy it…” Josh started but then remembered how Margaret used to decided who had what assignment. “And if not, I’m sure you’ve done something to deserve what you’ve got.”

“What the hell does that mean?” Lou glared at him.

“Be nicer to my assistant.”

“I got one left.” Margaret announced.

“You haven’t given me, mine yet…” Donna pointed out.

“Yeah but it’s the Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Society,” Margaret answered but was looking at Josh.

“So?” He shrugged. “Donna likes Turtles.”

“I met with them before as well,” Donna added and held out her hand. “It’ll be good to see if they’ve made any progress.”

“Didn’t the President of the society ask you out?” Margaret questioned, handing over the folder.

“Well, it’ll be good to catch up with Marcus too,” she grinned teasingly, noticing the look on Josh’s face.

“Sweetheart…Hi, remember me?!” He said sarcastically.

“Relax, Josh…I’m sure when he see this…” she placed her hands on her pregnant stomach. “He’ll realise, I’m off limits.”

“Even still…” He reached over and took the folder off her and swapped it with Annabeth’s. “Here, you take the Gomer-boy Society.”

“The Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Society,” Margaret corrected.

“Whatever, now that’s sorted lets get going…”

“This is crazy!” Lou protested again. “This isn’t High School…This is the White House!”

“Yeah, so go to the meeting, listen to them, smile and then give them a pen with the Presidential seal on it…” Josh replied. “Come on, guys…it’s a good thing.”

“I think it’s pretty cool,” Otto added. “In fact my meeting is right now…So, I’ll see you all later.”

“What have you got?” Bram questioned.

“I’m meeting some professional wrestlers.”

“I’ll trade you.”

“Why? What you got?”

“An all boys dance group looking for funding to go to a competition in Sydney.”

“No way.”

“Aw come on…”

Everyone watched as the pair left, still arguing.

“Do you think I should have explained that WWF stands for World Wildlife Federation?” Margaret looked over at Josh.

“Nah,” he laughed. “He’s a bright kid, he’ll figure it out.”

“Are you kidding me? This is the guy who couldn’t find the mess for the first two weeks,” Lou pointed out.

“That’s a good point.”

“So, you’re seriously not expecting us to do this right?” She asked, holding up her folder.

“Yes, Lou… it’s an hour and besides, who knows you might actually end up enjoying yourself.”

“I really don’t believe that will ever happen,” she muttered as she followed the rest of the staff as they began to file out.

“Big block of cheese day?” Sam finally lifted his head and looked at Josh when there was no one left but the two of them, Margaret and Donna.

“It’s the first of the month,” Josh shrugged.

“So?!”

“So, it’s for Leo.”

“Oh.” Sam fell silent for a moment. “But big block of cheese day?!”

“Get real, Sam…you loved it!” Josh grinned. “The U.F.O guy, he got you interested.”

“I guess…”

“And I gave you a good assignment.”

Sam opened his folder and read aloud. “Frank Hollis Charity Organization with Claudia Jean Cregg?”

“She was busy dealing with the end of the administration and then you were busy with the transition and all so I figured you could use to the opportunity to catch up.”

“You set up a meeting for me with C.J on big block of cheese day?”

“Perks of being the Deputy…you get the good assignments.”

“I still can’t believe you of all people would do this, though,” Sam replied.

“He’s changed,” Margaret shrugged then looked up from the folder. “In a good way.”

Josh smiled and put an arm around Donna’s waist. “I needed to do it.”

“For Leo?”

“He would have hated all that fuss that was made…all those tributes…” Josh replied. “He’d appreciate Big Block of Cheese Day.”

Sam smiled slightly and gave a small nod. “Yeah, he would have.”

“Right, so prepare to have more of these, okay?”

“Okay.” He grinned. “And thanks for setting me up with C.J…it’ll be good to catch up with her.”

“Hey, no problem but I feel I should warn you…” Josh started. “She knows it’s Big Block of Cheese Day.”

“Yeah, so…” He started but then trailed off. “She’s going to give me hell, isn’t she?”

“Oh yeah,” Josh laughed and slapped his shoulder as he headed for the door with Donna and Margaret. “Have fun!”

“You know, I really do hate you sometimes!” He called after them.

“Oh come, Sam…it wouldn’t be total crackpot day if you’re not in hell!”

“I hate this day!” He said to himself before starting to gather up his stuff.

The End!!!

Please review!!!

The Perfect Proposal

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:36:24 GMT

Title: The Perfect Proposal
Summery: Josh decides to propose to Donna and enlists Sam to help him but nothing goes to plan.
Rating: Teen
Characters: Josh, Donna, Sam, Santos, Annabeth, Jed
Pairing: Josh/Donna
Spoilers: Series 7

The Perfect Proposal
Nice and Simple
Sam's Plan
Annabeth's Idea
Nothing Much Is Going To Change

The Perfect Proposal

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:23:12 GMT

Enjoy!!

The Perfect Proposal

“Hey, Josh.” Bram smiled at his boss as he sat next to him and opposite Sam. “We were just talking about the Mets game last night.”

“That’s great,” Josh replied. “Go away.”

Bram stared at him for a few seconds and opened his mouth to reply but decided against it. He quickly gathered his lunch together and hurried off.

Sam watched Josh questionable. “You okay?”

“Sure,” he shrugged, taking a bite of his sandwich.

“I can’t help but notice you just chased Bram away.”

“Yes.”

“And you’re eating in Mess.”

“I am.”

“You never eat in the Mess.”

“I’ve eaten in the Mess loads of times.”

“Yeah, sure while you were Deputy Chief of Staff but as Chief of Staff not so much….Well, not since you and Donna decided to ‘eat alone’ now you’re together.” Sam used his fingers to do the quotations, never getting bored of teasing Josh at how domesticated he’s become.

“She’s got a lunch meeting.”

“Ah.”

“Anyway, I was thinking…” Josh pushed his food aside and leaned in closer to Sam. “It’s Donna’s birthday next week and I want to do something special.”

“Isn’t the First Lady throwing her a party?”

“Yeah, her parents and my Mom are coming down,” Josh informed. “Plus C.J and Danny

are flying in.”

“Really? That’s great.”

“And hopefully President Bartlet is going to try and make it.”

“So, it’s going to be quite some party then.” Sam picked up his soda. “You’ll have to do something quite special to top all of that.”

“I’m going to propose to her.”

Sam choked on his drink. “Excuse me?”

“I’m going to ask Donna to marry me.”

“You’re serious?”

“Yes, why? Don’t you think it’s a good idea?”

“No, I think it’s great!” Sam insisted. “I’m just a little shocked.”

“Why?”

“Because…well, because it’s you.”

“Hey!”

“I’m sorry but come on; you’ve got to admit…”

“Whatever…” Josh cut him off, rolling his eyes. “You have to help me.”

“How?”

“I don’t know…just make sure I don’t mess this up.”

“Yeah, okay.” Sam chuckled slightly.

“Enough with the laughing,” Josh told him. “I’m trying to be serious.”

“Right, sorry…What do you have in mind?”

“Well, everyone she loves is going to be at the party anyway so I’ll ask her to come outside for some fresh air with me,” he started. “And I’m going to have the garden decorated with hundreds of little candles and flowers…I’ll tell her how much I love her and how I want to spend the rest of my life with her.”

“You know you’ll make her cry.”

“Sam…”

“I’m just warning. You because you go all weird when Donna cries, whether she’s crying because she’s happy or sad.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Well anyway, it sounds perfect,” he smiled. “Congratulations.”

“She hasn’t said yes, yet.”

“You think she’ll turn you down?”

Josh grinned. “No.”

“Hey, we can have a double wedding.”

Josh stared at him for a moment before standing up and leaving without saying a word.

“Hey, come on…I was kidding.” Sam called after him. “Josh?”

XxXxX

Josh stood by the bar, looking around the room. It was only a small party and Donna seemed to be enjoying herself. She was stood catching up with C.J and Danny on the other side of the room. She looked over and when she saw him watching them, she gestured for him to join them.

“Joshua,” a familiar voice from behind called him before he had a chance to move.

He turned and came face to face with Abbey Bartlet. Normally he would love talking to her but she had called him Joshua…He was always in trouble when she called him Joshua.

“Dr Bartlet, you look great.” He greeted her with a kiss.

“You don’t look so bad, yourself,” she replied. “How are you?”

“I’m eating the right foods, exercising the right amount and my blood pressure is fine,” he reported. “My Doctor says I’m in great shape.”

“Have you been practicing that?”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“I thought as much,” she smiled. She paused and looked around the room before speaking again. “Jed wanted to be here tonight but he’s off somewhere doing his thing?”

“Doing his thing?” Josh repeated, raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah, I forget what he’s up to this week.” She waved her hand dismissively. “You know, now he’s not the President, I don’t have to listen to him nearly as much as I used to”

Josh laughed, shaking his head slightly.

“So, I couldn’t help but notice something…” Abbey started.

“Ma’am?” Josh suddenly felt nervous again.

“Donna still hasn’t got a ring on her finger.”

Josh rolled his eyes. “Y’know I’ve already had this conversation with my Mother, Donna’s Mother, The First Lady, C.J… I get it from Margaret everyday…”

“One would think you’d listen to us,” Abbey replied. “We women are smart.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“So?”

“So, I’m working on it.”

She smiled and patted his cheek. “Good boy.”

“Dr Bartlet?” Donna approached. “Wow, I can’t believe you came.”

“Donna, you look beautiful.” She leaned in to hug her. “Jed sends his love and his apologies that he couldn’t make it…”

“Oh that’s okay; I’m just thrilled you could make it.”

“Are you kidding and miss the chance to get drunk with you again?”

Donna blushed at the memory and Josh groaned quietly.

“So, is he behaving?” Abbey questioned, nodding towards Josh.

“Most of the time,” Donna answered, smiling at her boyfriend.

“And is he telling the truth about eating and excising?”

“Yes, Ma’am…He has salad for lunch everyday and is eating his five portions fruit and vegetables…”

“Do you have to talk about me like I’m not here?” Josh questioned but neither of the women took any notice of him.

“You seem to have him well trained.”

“I’ve had a lot of years to practice.”

“This cannot get any worse…” Josh mumbled to himself.

“Hey, how’s everyone doing over here?” Matt Santos joined them, with Helen and Sam behind him.

“Apparently it can...” Josh added, causing everyone to look at him. “What?”

“Just ignore him…” Abbey told the President and First Lady.

“We normally do,” Matt joked.

Josh pulled Donna away from the group as they caught up with each other.

“How about we go outside for a bit,” he whispered in her ear.

She smiled a little at him, curiously. “Why? What’s going on?”

“Nothing, I just want to spend some time with you.”

“Why are you being so sweet?”

“Hey, I’m always sweet….” He insisted but she just stared at him. “Okay, most of the time.”

“If you say so...”

He reached for her hand. “Let s go…”

“Where are you two going?” Matt asked them both.

“We’re just stepping out for some fresh air,” Josh informed him.

“You can’t go yet…Sam’s just about to give a toast.”

“Well, we can listen to it out ther….” Josh stopped in mid-sentence and turned to stare at the President. “Wait! He’s doing what?!”

“He’s giving his toast.” Matt gestured to where Sam was stood at the front of the room.

“But...what?” Josh stuttered, a little.

“What are you worried about?” Helen asked. “Sam makes great toasts.”

“Yeah but… it’s not time.”

“Not time?” Donna looked at him. “What does that mean?”

“He was meant to wait.”

“For what?”

“For ….uh…nothing…”

“Josh?” Donna turned to face him fully, while Abbey, Matt and Helen watched.

“Donna, it’s just…it’s…” He shrugged to come up with a good excuse.

“Joshua Lyman if you have planned something that will embarrass me…”

“What? No, no…” He cut her off. “No, it’s nothing like that.”

“Shh, Sam is starting,” Abbey hit Josh’s arm lightly and they all turned to face the front again.

“Oh god…” Josh groaned, knowing deep down that his best friend was about to ruin what should be one of the best nights of his life.

“Good evening everyone…” Sam started and everyone immediately turned their attention to him. “Firstly, I’d like to thank everyone for being here night and I’m sure you’d all like to join me in saying a very Happy Birthday to Donna…”

There was a chorus of happy birthday and Donna smiled politely back at them, gripping a little tighter onto Josh’s hand, self-consciously.

“Now, Donna is one of my very best friends…I’ve known her for almost ten years now and I first met her when she hired herself as Josh Lyman assistant during the ‘Bartlet For America’ campaign…Yes, hired herself…” Sam paused for a moment when there was a quiet laugh. “And thank God, she did… Josh has told me repeatedly, that he wouldn’t have coped without her.”

Josh let the breath he hadn’t realised he was holding as Donna stepped a little closer to him. This was okay…Sam was actually making him sound good. Maybe this way was better.

“Donna was one of the best assistants in the West Wing and has learned from her experience to become a valuable Chief of Staff for the First Lady,” Sam continued. “And I’m sure that everyone in this room can tell a story about how Donna’s helped them.”

Josh wrapped an arm around Donna’s waist, pulling her closer, kissing the top of her hair.

“I know, I have hundreds…Helping put out the fire in the Mural Room, that two people who shall remain nameless started…”

Josh looked around and noticed that most of the people in the room were looking at him.

“Countless help with work, advice whenever I needed it…” Sam continued to list. “I could go on but we may be here all night…I’d just like thank Donna for everything she’s done for me and to tell you all just how proud I am of her….So, if everyone would like to raise your glass to Donna Moss.”

“Donna Moss.” Everyone cheered, raising their glasses in the air.

“He can be so sweet sometimes,” Donna commented as everyone went back to their own conversations.

“Well, we haven’t heard Josh’s speech yet.” Helen grinned at her husband’s Chief of Staff.

“Oh god, you’re not going to make a speech, are you?” Donna asked wide-eyed.

“Hey, I can be just as sweet as Sam.”

“Oh no, you’re going to embarrass me….” She covered her face with her hands. “In front

of the President and the First Lady… and all my friends…Oh God, in front of parents.”

Josh rolled his eyes, reaching up and pulling her hand away from her face and leading her away. “I’m not going to embarrass you…”

“Where we going?”

“For a walk.”

“A walk?”

“Yeah,” he replied, wanting to get out of there before something happened that would

ruin everything.

“Oh, I almost forgot!” Sam shouted over the noise to get everyone’s attention again and causing Donna to stop and listen. “Megan and I have set a date for the wedding… March 18th.”

Josh’s mouth fell open while Donna rushed over to congratulate Sam and talk weddings with Megan.

“See, Joshua… Sam has the right idea.” His Mother commented as she walked past him, heading over to Sam as well.

“But I was…I…I had a plan…I…” He stuttered but no one was around to listen to him.

30 minutes later, Josh was able to drag Sam away from the party and out into the garden where all the flowers and candles had been set up.

“Wow, it looks great out here.” Sam looked around. “But shouldn’t you do the proposal soon, people are starting to leave.”

“I can’t do it now!” Josh almost shouted.

“Why not?” Sam frowned. “What happened?”

“You happened!” He exclaimed. “You and your speech!”

Sam stood up a little straight, almost offended by the comment. “It was a good speech!”

“Yeah, right up until you announced the date of your wedding!”

“Yeah, so?”

“So, all people have been talking to me about is when Donna and I are getting married!”

“See, I was setting the mood…” Sam insisted. “Now you can propose and go and tell everyone.”

“But they’re all going to think I only asked her because everyone’s been telling me I had to!”

“Ah.”

“Yes! All of this was perfect! I had it all planned out!” He exclaimed. “Now I’ve got to think of another romantic way for asking her.”

“I can help.”

“You think I want you’re help after tonight?”

“It’ll be different next time…we can plan it together…we’ll be on the same page,” Sam stated. “That way it’ll easier for us not to screw it up.”

Josh glared at him. “All you had to do was keep quiet until after I proposed…That was all I asked for you too do.”

“I know…I’m sorry…”

“Josh?” Matt stepped out, looking around. “Wow.”

“Is everything okay, Sir?”

“What? Oh yeah just Donna was looking for you,” he replied. “Are you coming back inside or shall I tell her you two wanted some alone time.”

“I’ll be right there, Sir.” Josh answered, while Sam took a big step away from him.

“Right.” Matt laughed to himself as he returned to the party.

“Why don’t we talk about this tomorrow?” Sam suggested.

“Yeah, let’s get back to the party.” Josh sighed and headed inside with Sam following.

TBC

Chapter 2 - Nice and Simple

Please review!!

Nice and Simple

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 02:48:45 GMT

Enjoy!!

Nice And Simple

“Okay, anything else?” Josh asked his staff but no one spoke up. “Great, that's all then...Sam, stay for a bit.”

They stayed silent until Lou, Bram, Lester and Otto had left the office.

“I need you to take my meeting with Congresswoman Lewis this evening,” Josh informed him, causing Sam to pull a face.

“Isn't there someone else who can take it?”

“No.”

“But she doesn't like me.”

“She doesn't like me either but I was still going to the meeting.”

“You're not now though... you're sending me.”

“Yes.”

“Okay fine and what is the reason behind my suffering?”

“I'm taking Donna to dinner.”

“Oh, you're going to propose tonight?”

“Yes, I'm taking her to her favourite restaurant...We'll have some good food and maybe a little champagne and then I'll ask her,” Josh told him. “Just nice and simple.”

“Sounds good.” Sam nodded his agreement. “But you should put the ring in her dessert or something.”

“No.”

“You have got her a ring, haven't you?”

“Of course I have,” he glared at him. “Besides, with my luck...She'll probably end up swallowing it.”

Sam let out a small laugh. “I can see the headlines now...'Girlfriend chokes on idea of marrying White House Chief of Staff'...”

“You know I'm this close to asking Toby to be my best man.” Josh held up his thumb and middle finger, millimetres apart.

“Right, sorry...”

They were interrupted by a knock on the door that connected to the Oval office and they both got to their feet as The President appeared.

“Good Morning, Sir,” Josh greeted. “Is everything okay?”

“I just worked something out.”

“Sir?”

“You've been acting weird lately.” He pointed his finger at Josh. “And then there was all those candles and everything last night in the garden...”

“Mr President?”

“Josh, is there any chance that you're thinking of asking Donna to be your wife?”

Josh sighed. “Is it that obvious?”

“Well, no but I've had time to think it over...” Matt started to explain. “And I may have over heard a few things a minute ago.”

Josh stood up a little straighter. “You were listening at my door?”

“What? No, I didn't mean to...” Matt insisted before deciding to change the subject. “Anyway, that doesn't matter... Donna and you are getting married...That's great.”

“I haven't asked her yet.”

“What happened last night?”

“I happened, Sir,” Sam answered before Josh could. “Apparently, I ruined the moment.”

“You did!” Josh added.

“So, next time you don't let Sam within 100 feet of you,” Matt advised.

Sam looked offended and was about to reply but thought better of it.

“Exactly, which is why he's taking the meeting with Congresswoman Lewis tonight while I take Donna to dinner.”

“Good idea.” Matt nodded. “If there's anything I can do to help...”

“I think I can handle this, Sir.”

“Right...” He turned towards his door but then looked back. “Hey, have you thought about putting the ring in a cake or something?”

“He's vetoed that idea, Sir,” Sam replied.

“I'm going to keep it simple,” Josh told him.

“He doesn't want her to choke.”

Matt looked from Josh and Sam before shaking his head slightly. “Right, well let me know how it goes.”

“Yes, Sir,” Josh said, watching as Matt entered his own office.

XxXxX

“You look great.”

Donna smiled across the table at Josh. “You don't look so bad yourself.”

He placed his hand on top of hers just as the waiter poured their drinks.

“Okay, what's the occasion?”

“What?”

“My favourite restaurant, champagne, you being very sweet...” She listed. “What's going on? Have you done something wrong?”

“What? No, I just felt like spoiling you.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“Because you deserve it?”

She laughed a little. “Were you asking me or telling me?”

“Telling you... Defiantly telling you that you deserve to be spoilt and telling you how perfect you are.”

“Perfect?” She repeated, completely bemused by his behaviour.

“Perfect, beautiful, amazing...incredibly valuable...” He whispered, leaning over the table to give her a short sweet kiss, before pulling back a little. “I love you.”

“I love you too...”

He grinned widely, sitting back in his chair. His free hand slipped into his jacket where the ring was.

“Donna...” He started before he could say any more, his pager started to beep and his phone rang a second later. He sighed loudly. “I'm sorry...”

“Don't worry about it,” she replied understandingly.

“Yeah, Josh Lyman...” He put his cell phone to his ear. “Right, yeah...okay, I'll be right in.”

“Everything okay?”

“There's a situation,” he replied, vaguely. “I have to go in.”

“Okay.”

“I'm sorry.”

“Josh, it's fine.”

“I wanted tonight to be special.”

“It was,” she assured him. “It was great.”

“Yeah,” he sighed.

“You've got to go.”

“Okay.” He kissed her on the cheek and handed her his credit card. “You okay getting home?”

“I'll be fine.”

“Okay, I don't know how long I'll be...”

“Okay, I hope everything works out.”

“Me too.” He mumbled as he made his way out of the restaurant.

XxXxX

“Please tell me you have some good news?”

Josh turned and saw the President walking behind him, both of them on their way to the Situation room.

“There's been a suicide bomb in Kazakhstan.” Josh waited until Matt was by his side before walking again. “Luckily at the moment there have been no reports of anyone being injured...”

Matt sighed and was quiet for a moment before speaking again. “What about your dinner?”

“I'm sorry, Sir?” Josh frowned, looking at him.

“Did you ask her?” Matt questioned as they entered the Sit room.

“No, Sir...I got called in.”

“Before you had the chance to propose?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“You're going to propose to Donna?” Kate Harper looked at him.

Josh noticed that everyone in the room was looking at him. “I'm trying to, yes.”

“You're trying to?” She repeated.

“Kate, you're the National Security Advisor and we have a situation...” Josh started.

“He's had a few problems,” Matt told her. “He was going to do over dinner but this happened.”

“Ah...” Kate nodded.

“And now he has to think of a new way of asking her,” Matt continued.

“Mr President can we please...”

“Have you thought about putting the ring in her drink or something?” The Chairman of the Joint Chief suggested.

Josh stared at him but said nothing.

“Uh, that's a no go.” Matt moved to sit down and gestured for the rest of them to take their seats. “Right, tell me what you know about Kazakhstan...”

XxXxX

“Hey Sam.”

Sam looked up and grinned when he saw Donna stood in the doorway of his office. “Hey, what are you doing here?”

“Josh got called in and I didn't fancy being at home alone, so I thought I'd wait for him,” she explained. “You're here late.”

“Yeah just got back from my meeting with Lewis...She hates me.”

“She hates Josh too.” Donna laughed, walking fully into the office.

“I think she hates every man that's on earth.”

“Possibly.” Donna smiled slightly. “So, about Josh...”

“Yeah?”

“And about his plans.”

“His plans?”

“Yes, his plans for tonight and the reason he's been acting weird.”

“Oh those plans.”

“Right, so you know about them?”

Sam looked at her curiously. “Do you know about them?”

Donna just smiled slightly but didn't say anything.

Sam jumped from his desk, his eyes wide with excitement. “He asked you? He actually did it?”

“Well...”

“This is really great!” Sam hugged her. “I'm so happy for you guys...”

“Sam...”

“He was meant to propose to you last night, but it didn't work out...” Sam rambled. “But at least he's done it now.”

“He was going to propose to me?”

Sam froze and stared at her for a few seconds. “What?”

“Josh was going to propose to me?”

“He hasn't?”

“He got called into the situation room.”

“Oh my, God! No!”

“He's going to propose?” She asked again.

“You said you knew!”

“Oh my, God, I can't believe this!” Donna exclaimed.

“You tricked me!”

“Oh, Sam...He's really going to propose?”

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Yes, right after he kills me.”

TBC

Chapter 3 - Sam's Plan

Please review!!

Sam's Plan

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 02:45:53 GMT

Sam's Plan

“Look, Josh can't know that I've told you,” Sam insisted, walking over and closing the door. “He wanted to ask you and make it special.”

“I can't believe he's going to ask me to marry him,” Donna said, slowly sitting down. “You're being serious, aren't you?”

“Yes, Donna.” He covered his eyes, trying to figure out a plan that would work for all of them. “But things keeps stopping him.”

Donna was quiet for a moment. “You don't think its fate's why of trying to stop us?”

“What?”

“Maybe it's trying to tell us to slow down.”

“No, Donna... No, you guys are getting engaged!” Sam insisted. “Just... just remember this is Josh we're talkigng about...He may be Chief of Staff to the President but he's still the same guy that, invented a secret plan to fight inflation, set the White House on fire and missed the motorcade and got left in Indiana.”

“Yeah, okay that is true.”

“Right, so you won't say anything to him?” He questioned. “We'll just forget we ever had this conversation.”

“I've got to call C.J.” She suddenly stood up.

“No, no...” Sam gently pushed her back down in her seat. “You can't tell anyone.”

“Josh and I are getting married!”

“Not yet, you're not...He hasn't asked you.”

“Yeah but...”

“Just don't say anything to anyone until after,” Sam pleaded. “This way, Josh gets to do the romantic thing, you get the perfect proposal and I get to be best man and you know, live to see the wedding.”

“Okay, fine,” she sighed.

“Okay, great...now I've got to get out of here before I say or do anything that will get me into more trouble.”

“I'll go and wait for Josh in his office then.”

“Remember... You don't know anything.”

“I don't know anything about what?” She asked, faking innocence.

“About the proposal...” He answered before realising what she had meant.

She rolled her eyes and left the office. “Good night, Sam.”

“Yeah...” He started shoving things into briefcase. “Depends on who you are.”

XxXxX

When Josh returned to his office, he was surprised to see Donna sat talking to Margaret.

“Hey, what are you doing here?”

“Waiting for you.” She stood up. “You almost ready to go home?”

“Yeah, sure let me just grab my things.”

Margaret looked at Donna as she watched Josh walk into his office. “What's going on?”

“What?”

“There's something happening between you two...I've got this vibe,” she claimed.

“A vibe?”

“Yes, plus he's been acting really sweet the past couple of days towards you and now you've got that look on your face...”

“I've got a look on my face?”

“Yeah, a dopey 'I'm in love with my boyfriend' kind of look.”

“I am in love with my boyfriend.”

“But you've never had that look before...”

“I'm sure I have...”

“Nope, maybe the 'I'm in love with my boss' kind of look...”

“Who's in love with their boss?” Josh questioned as he reappeared.

“No one..” Donna answered, grabbing his hand and pulling him away. “Night Margaret.”

“Bye...” Was all Josh had the chance to say before Donna had dragged him out of the door.

XxXxX

Donna was half listening to Josh, who was in the bathroom and rambling on about something that had happened that morning and half thinking about how he would propose. Sam had said something about him planning on doing it the night before at her party and she couldn't help but think how sweet that would have been. Then there was the dinner tonight, he was being so romantic, getting engaged would have been the perfect end to the night.

She wondered how long he had been planning this. How long ago he brought the ring...If he'd even brought it himself...Even if he got her ring. Josh was the kind of the guy to decided to propose then forget all about a ring. Just then, the suit jacket he had been wearing earlier caught her eye.

She jumped off the bed and picked it up off the floor, reaching into the pockets but they were all empty.

“I mean, we've been there almost a year and Otto still doesn't know how...” Josh trailed off and he stopped in the doorway just in a t-shirt and boxers with his toothbrush hanging from his mouth. “Are you going through my pockets?”

“No.” She quickly let the jacket fall back to the floor.

“Because it kind of looks like you are...” He moved fully into the room, looking at her curiously.

“I wasn't...I was...I was uh... I was picking up after you!” She grabbed the jacket again but this time threw it towards him. “Why do you always leave you clothes on the floor?”

“I was just...” He started, removing the toothbrush from his mouth and putting his jacket on the chair in the corner.

“Just going to leave it there for me to clean up after you?” She finished off, storming past him and into the bathroom. “Typical man!”

Josh just stared in shock as she slammed the door, he had no idea what just happened.

XxXxX

“You asked her yet?” Sam questioned, from the door of Josh's office.

“I got called to the Situation room during dinner,” Josh explained, putting his pen down.

“Yeah, I heard, but I thought you might have done it once you got home.”

“Oh yeah, how special would that have been?” Josh rolled his eyes. “Besides, something weird happened last night?”

“What?”

“I don't know, I was getting ready for bed then she just flipped on me...”

Sam's eye widened. “What...what do you mean?”

“Well, she shouted at me for leaving my jacket on the floor and then hide in the bathroom for 20 minutes.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, it was weird.” He shrugged. “Anyway, it's a good thing I left the ring in the safe here or she might have found it while she was tidying.”

“Uh...yeah...” Sam laughed nervously. “You wouldn't want her to find out, would you?”

Josh frowned a little. “Well, no...not yet...Are you okay?”

“Yeah, sure I'm fine.” He nodded quickly. “Just y'know...”

“Sam?”

“It's nothing...Do you have any more ideas how you're going to ask her?”

“No,” he sighed.

“Maybe something over lunch?” Sam suggested.

Josh thought about it for a moment before shaking his head. “I don't know, maybe I should leave it a day or two...Just so that I can get it perfect.”

“No!” Sam exclaimed, startling Josh a little. “I mean, you can't leave it... you should do it today...”

“What's so special about today?”

“Nothing, I just want you guys to be happy.”

“Sam, why are you acting weird?”

“I'm not... Listen, don't make plans for lunch...I'll set something up.” He stood and made his way to the door.

“Sam...”

“Trust me.”

Josh sighed but said no more as Sam left.

XxXxX

Donna quickly covered up the Bridal magazine she had been reading when there was a knock on her office door. “Come in.”

“Hey, you've had your hair done.” Annabeth said as she walked in.

Donna smiled. “Yeah, I made an emergency appointment this morning.”

“Really? What's the occasion?”

“What? Oh nothing really...”

Annabeth raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.

“Okay, I'll tell you but you can't say anything to anyone!”

“About what?”

“Josh and I are getting married!” She exclaimed.

“Oh my, God! That's great!” Annabeth hugged her.

“I know!”

“Why can't I tell anyone?” She questioned.

“Well, he hasn't actually asked me yet.”

Annabeth stepped back. “Oh.”

“But he will.”

“Oh yeah, sure...” She patted her arm.

“No, seriously...he's planning it.”

“Planning it?”

“Sam told me...He had planned to ask on my birthday but something went wrong...”

“Sam told you this?”

“He thought Josh had proposed over dinner last night but he got called into the Sit room before he had a chance to.”

“So, Sam actually said that Josh is going to ask you to marry him?”

“Yes!”

There was another knock on the door and Donna's assistant walked in.

“This just arrived for you.”

Donna smiled widely as she was handed a single red rose. She looked at the small card attached to it. Please meet me for lunch, Love Josh xxx

“Aww...” Annabeth cooed. “That's so sweet.”

“I can't believe how much trouble he's going to.” Donna clutched the rose to her chest.

“I can't believe you guys are finally going to get married.”

A few tears filled Donna's eyes. “Me either.”

XxXxX

Santos dismissed the Senior Staff, all except Josh and Sam.

“Right, so I hear we're having another go at the proposal this lunch time?” Matt looked at them.

“We, Sir?” Josh repeated.

“Don't worry, we've got it all planned out, Josh,” Sam assured him. “I've sent a rose to Donna from you asking her to meet you for lunch.”

“What?”

“We've got a car arranged to take you to the park where you can enjoy a quiet romantic picnic.”

“Picnic? Have you seen the weather?”

“The weather is fine.”

“Sam, look at those clouds.”

“I've called the experts and they said it's not going to rain.”

“I'm getting a sense of deja-vu...”

“Will you trust me?!”

Josh sighed, not completely happy that they had taken control over his proposal. “I think I'll wait for another time...”

“Why?”

“Well because I want it to be perfect...I want it to be my way,” he answered. “Besides, President Bartlet is coming by this afternoon and I want to ask when I don't have to rush away.”

“President Bartlet is coming here?”

“Yeah, he's in town for a few days and wanted to catch up, maybe have dinner.”

“That is perfect!” Sam insisted.

“Yeah, you and Donna have your romantic lunch...no rush...If you're late back, I'm sure President Bartlet will understand...Then later, we can all celebrate up in the residence.”

“And what other time can you guarantee that he'd in town to celebrate.”

“I don't know...”

“Okay, I'm ordering you to take your girlfriend to lunch and propose to her,” Matt stated, picking up a picnic basket and handing it to him. “We even prepared food.”

“Okay, fine...” Josh sighed, taking the basket.

“Good, now get out of here.”

“Yes, Sir...”

“How did you know what food to get?” Sam asked once Josh had left.

“I'm the President.” Matt stated but continued when Sam just stared back at him. “I asked Helen what would be the perfect food for a picnic.”

“Ah, good idea.”

“I thought so.” Matt nodded. “Do you think we could do this professionally? Planning ways for people to propose?”

Sam thought about it for a moment. “Honestly, Sir? The stress of this is going to kill me.”

XxXxX

Josh looked at Donna closely as they walked hand in hand through the park. Her hair was different...he wanted to ask about it but he didn't want to get into trouble. He wasn't sure how long it had been different and was beginning to wonder if that's why she got mad at him last night.

“This is nice,” Donna sighed contently when they found a nice quiet spot.

“Yeah, it is.” Josh smiled, spreading out a blanket for them both to sit on.

“It makes a change.”

“Yes,” Josh agreed, opening the basket and pulled out a bottle of champagne. “Drink?”

She nodded. “Y'know, we seem to drinking a lot of this lately.”

“Well, we have a lot to celebrate,” he answered as he started to open it while Donna removed the food.

“Oh really?” She watched him for a minute before looking to see what he had brought. Tuna salad... she was allergic to tuna and that's what he choose to bring her for lunch. They had known each other for 10 years...They had been dating for almost a year and he still didn't know that she was allergic to tuna. Maybe she had been right before about fate trying to tell them to slow down.

Josh finally managed to get the bottle open and turned to Donna.

“Hey, what's wrong?” He asked, moving closer when saw she had tears in her eyes.

“This.” She shoved the salad over to him.

“Oh...that's...that's tuna.”

“Yes! Tuna! I would have thought by now that you would know I'm allergic to tuna!”

“No, I did ..Honestly... it's a mistake!” Josh insisted, reaching to search for something else in the basket. “Look... we got... uh... Strawberries...Urgh, you hate strawberries...I know that too...What else do we have?”

Just as he grabbed the basket, there was a loud clap of thunder, he glanced up at the sky. “Oh no...”

XxXxX

Sam sat at his desk, humming quietly to himself as he type on his computer. He was concentrating so hard on his work that he didn't hear the door open. Then the sound of it slamming shut with so much force, caused him to jump and almost lose his balance.

He looked up and found Josh stood glaring at him. A very wet and angry Josh glaring at him. He turned a little in his chair to look out the window.

“Wow, it started to rain...”

“Rain?!” Josh exclaimed loudly. “It's a freaking monsoon out there!!”

“Okay, I know you must be upset...”

“Oh, I'm not upset, Sam...”

“Well, you kind of sound like you are.”

“Trust me! That's what you said! Trust me!”

“Yes, yes, I did...” Sam nodded, jumping up from his chair as Josh moved closer to the desk. “But maybe you should have learned from the past...”

“Sam!”

“So, you didn't get chance to ask her?”

“Oh when would I have had the chance? While she crying because she thought I didn't love her enough not to kill her with tuna!”

“Why would you kill her with tuna?”

“Because she's allergic to tuna!” Josh shouted.

“Oh!”

“Yeah and then we almost drowned in the rain that I predicted...”

“Well, a little water never hurts...”

“Okay, you tell Donna that... She had her hair done this morning and apparently it's ruined!” Josh stated. “So, that's the tuna, her hair...she's crying her eyes out and everyone else is looking at me like I'm the worlds worst boyfriend...”

“Josh...”

“When was I meant to ask her?!”

“Uh...Well, at last now you get to wait for another time and do it how you want.”

Josh glared at him. “I'm assigning a secret service agent to make sure you get no where near my plans.”

“Right.” Sam nodded.

He glared at him once more before storming out of the office.

TBC

chapter 4 - Annabeth's Idea

Please please review!!

Annabeth's Idea

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 02:35:39 GMT

Here's the next part! Please review!! Thanks!!

Enjoy!!

Annabeth's Idea

“What happened?” Annabeth trailed behind Donna, following her as she went into her office.

“Josh took me for a picnic.”

“Oh no...”

“I'm soaked!” She complained.

“Well, it was a sweet idea...You've got to give him some points for that.”

“Yeah,” she sighed loudly, dropping into her chair.

“And he's a powerful man but he can't control the weather, “ Annabeth teased, trying to make her feel better.

“It's not that.”

“What is it then?”

“He brought tuna salad.”

“But you're allergic to tuna.”

“Exactly! You know that so why doesn't Josh?”

“But...I thought he did,” Annabeth frowned.

“He did say it was a mistake but...”

“It must have been because it was Josh that told me you were allergic.”

“What?”

“While the First Lady and I were organising your party, we asked Josh's opinion on some stuff and he told us you couldn't eat tuna.”

“He knows?”

Annabeth smiled. “Yeah.”

“He helped organise my party?”

“He helped as much as he could but he was quite busy.” Annabeth sat down in the chair in front of Donna's desk. “We got the purple decorations because he told us that it was your favourite colour... He helped choose the food list and told us you like chocolate cake best.”

“Really?” Donna asked, surprised because Josh had never cared about those kind of detail before when it came to a party. As long as there was a little bit of food and something to drink, then he was happy.

“Yeah and he said unless we could hire Yo Yo Ma, you'd prefer a Jazz band instead of an orchestra.”

“Wow.”

“So, still doubting that he loves you?”

“I never doubted he loved me,” Donna claimed then sighed. “It's just...we've been through much...It's taken us so long to get to this point...I guess, I hate waiting for him ask.”

Annabeth stood up and grinned suggestively. “Who says you have to wait for him to ask you?”

Donna just watched her leave the office, suddenly deep in thought.

XxXxX

Josh walked into his office, his clothes still soaking wet. Margaret had said she'd try and find him so dry clothes. He sat down and let his head hit the desk, hard. He stayed like that for a few minutes, listening to the silence before there was a knock on the door.

“Come in.” He called out, not bothering to lift his head.

“Joshua, is there a reason why the President of the United is hiding from you?”

He sat up straight and saw Jed Bartlet stood in his doorway.

“Mr President!” He jumped to his feet. “I'm sorry, Sir, I didn't realise you were here.”

“That's quite all right.” Jed laughed lightly, shaking his head. “What the hell happened to you?”

“I got caught out in the rain,” Josh sighed.

“What were you doing out in the rain?”

“It's a long story, Sir.”

“Does it have anything to do with President Santos staying out of your way.”

Josh ran a hand through his damp hair. “It's nothing, Sir...Just...just something crazy, it doesn't matter.”

“What's going on, Josh?” Jed questioned as they both moved over the sofa to sit down.

Josh looked at his hand for a moment before glancing up at his old boss. “I'm going to ask Donna to marry me.”

Jed's face lit up with excitement. “Well, that's great news!”

“Yes, except I've tried three times now but it keeps getting messed up.”

“Ah and that has something do with President Santos?” Jed predicted.

“He was just trying to help...Sam as well...They set up a lunch for us...A picnic but Donna's allergic to the food they gave us and then it started to rain.”

“Not very romantic.”

“No,” Josh agreed.

“How did you plan it?” Jed questioned.

“I was going to do it at her birthday party... With her family and friends there.”

“You didn't want to be alone?”

“Well, to be honest, Sir...we both knew we'd do this some day...It's what we both want but there's a lot of people that think they'll never see the day we get married.”

Jed laughed. “They do have a point.”

“Yes, Sir...So that's why I choose the party then everyone could celebrate with us.”

“What happened?”

“Sam announced the date of his wedding...It didn't seem like the right moment afterwards.”

“And the second time?”

“We were at dinner but I got called into work,” Josh told him. “I think that's why Sam and the President arranged the picnic because they feel guilty about ruining the first two attempts but...”

“But what?”

“Well, to be honest, they made things 10 times harder.”

“You'll get there, Josh,” Jed assured him, patting his arm. “If it's meant to be then you'll work it out.”

“It is meant to be, Sir.”

“I know.”

“And the next time, I'm just going to ask her...I don't need to try so hard...It's not us...It's not how we normally are.”

“It seems like you have everything under control.” Jed got his feet and Josh followed. “I'll leave you to it...The Santos' are throwing a little party in the residence tonight...I take it, you'll be there?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Good...” He nodded. “Right then, I'm going to head over to Sam's office and give him a hard time for messing you around.”

“I'd really appreciated that, Sir.”

Jed held his hand out to him. “Congratulations, Josh.”

Josh shook his hand. “Thank you, Mr President.”

Jed smiled at him again before leaving the office.

Josh picked up his phone and called Donna but her voicemail picked up.

“Hey, it's me...I was just calling to say sorry about lunch...Sorry about the tuna and sorry that your hair got ruined...I'll pay for you to have it re-done, I'll even come with you...keep you company while it's being done...Actually, I'll probably just end up annoying the hell out of you...” He rubbed his eyes a little, realising that he probably sounded like an idiot. “But anyway, I'll make it up to you...Right, I'll speak to you later...”

He hung up the phone, sighing before suddenly remembering something. He picked up the phone and dialled her number again.

“It's me again...I forgot to tell you...I love you.”

XxXxX

Donna had just finished changing into some dry clothes and headed back to her office. The First Lady had gone to see the President and her staff were all busy working. She picked up her cell phone and realised she had two voicemails.

She listened to Josh's first message and couldn't help but smile slightly. He could be really sweet waited patiently at the door for her to finish on the phone. Tears filled Donna's eyes when she heard Josh's second message.

“Donna, are you okay?” Annabeth questioned, once she had put the phone down.

“Uh, yeah but I've got to go.”

“Where?” She asked as Donna walked past her.

“To see Josh...”

She ignored anyone who tried to stop her as she made her way to the West Wing. She decided to take Annabeth's advice...She was going to ask him to marry her. She didn't care about tradition... Sam had said just wanted to be all romantic for her but he had been romantic even if he hadn't realise it and nothing else matter.

“Hey, Margaret is he busy?” Donna asked but didn't bother to stop.

“Uh, no but you might want...” Margaret started to warn her but she had already opened the door.

Josh looked up at her, surprised but she didn't give him chance to speak.

“Okay, listen up Romeo...I don't care about flowers, champagne or romantic lunches...we're getting married... We're going to have a nice simple wedding and we're going to spend the rest of our lives together with any children we make along the way, okay?”

Josh's mouth fell open slightly in complete shock. Donna just looked back at him, giving a few minutes to process what she had said.

“Well, are you going to answer her?” Jed broke the silence.

Donna suddenly turned and realised for the first time that they weren't alone in the room.

The President and First Lady stared at Donna, Jed looked amused by it all and Sam looked like he could use a strong drink.

“Uh...I'm...Umm..” Donna stuttered looking to Josh and then back at their audience, going bright red. “I'm sorry, I didn't realise...I'm sorry, I should go...”

“Donna...” Josh started.

“I shouldn't have interrupted,” she added quickly.

“Donna?!” Josh called after her as she walk out the room. He rubbed his face, he couldn't believe how hard all of this was. All he wanted to do was get married! “If I'll excuse me...I have to...”

“Go.” President Santos told him before he finished the sentence.

“Thanks.” Josh ran out, trying to catch up with his girlfriend.

TBC

Chapter 5 - Nothing Much Is Going To Change

Okay, the next chapter is the last chapter! Please please review!!

Not Much Is Going To Change

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 02:27:29 GMT

Okay, here's the last part!! It's pretty much really sappy! But please review!! Thanks!

Enjoy!!

Not Much Is Going To Change

Josh was almost running through the West Wing. He pushed past people, not bothering to slow down - even when Lou tried to stop him. She didn't look too happy that he had ignored her but he didn't care right now. All he cared about was catching up with Donna and sorting out this mess.

“Donna?” He called out seeing her walking quickly out of the main entrance but she didn't stop or even look back. “Damn it.”

He passed the guards at the desk, who watched him with a mixture of curiosity and amusment.

“Donna, stop...please, wait.” He called again once he was outside of the building, realising it was still raining, although not as much as it was before.

She sighed and stopped. “I'm sorry for interrupting your meeting...”

“God, have you been training for a marathon or something?” He questioned slightly out of breath when he reached her. “Maybe I'm just getting old...”

“Josh...” She started.

“You didn't let me answer your question.” He took off his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders, noticing she was wearing a short-sleeved shirt.

“You were busy...you should get back there,” she told him pulling the jacket tighter around her.

“We were just catching up, I was about to call you and ask you to come over,” he informed her. “But you kind of turned up before I had the chance.”

She groaned turning away from him. “I can't believe I did that...”

“Yeah, I was a bit surprised to,” he teased.

“Our bosses were there...Sam was there...” She hung her head a little and covered her face. “President Bartlet was there.”

Josh laughed lightly and put an arm around her waist to guiding her to an empty bench. “I think they found it pretty entertaining...”

“Oh my, God...” She groaned again. “I'm an idiot.. It was a crazy thing to do.”

“I think it was pretty cool.”

She looked up at him, suspiciously. “Really?”

“Yeah and at least you were actually able to ask me...Unlike my attempts.”

“I didn't so much ask you...I pretty much told you.”

“I think that was pretty cool too,” he said softly, reaching up and brushing her wet hair behind her ear.

She smiled widely at him, completely oblivious to the people that rushed around them trying to get out of the rain.

“I'm sorry I couldn't get it right,” he started. “I wanted it to be special and romantic but I guess that's just not me.”

She stared at him. “Are you kidding me?”

“What?”

“You're the sweetest, most romantic guy I know.”

“I almost killed you with tuna earlier...”

“I'm not talking about that...I'm talking about all of the little thing you do...The things you do when you're not trying to be romantic and you're just being you,” she stated. “You have one of the most important and powerful jobs in the world and you still find time to have lunch with me almost everyday...You made sure the First Lady and Annabeth picked the right things for my party...”

“Well, they already had a list, I just made some suggestions...” He started but she continued.

“Every time we have a conversation on the phone, at the end you always say you love me and if you forget, you always call back and tell me within two minutes...” She placed a hand on his check. “You give me your jacket when you think I might be cold...”

“Yeah but...”

“When you buy me coffee and you always get me a muffin as well- even when I don't ask for one...You let me share your fries...”

“Better then you just stealing them,” he commented.

“When we're walking together, you always hold my hand or have yours on my back, guiding me...” She smiled. “You always buy me really thoughtful Christmas gifts...even though you don't celebrate...”

“Y'know, you could seriously damage my reputation with all this information.”

“Why would I want to do that? I'm going to be your wife...aren't I?”

He smiled. “Put your hand in my pocket.”

“Josh!” She looked up at him quickly.

“In my jacket pocket, Donna.” He rolled his eyes.

“Oh, sorry...” She blushed a little and reached into the pocket, pulling out a ring box.

“I've been carrying it around with me pretty such since I've brought,” he said quietly, watching as she opened it. “I hope it's okay...”

Her eyes filled up with tears. “It's beautiful...”

“Yeah?”

“Yes.”

He took hold of her hand and picked the ring up. Sliding it onto her finger carefully before kissing her palm.

“Perfect.” She whispered and ran her hand over his cheek.

“Good.” He leaned in and kissed her softly. “I'm sorry it took so long to get here.”

She sighed contently, resting her head on his shoulder. “Me too.”

He tightened his grip around her. “Just promise me one thing.”

“What?”

“Sam's not allowed anywhere near our wedding plans.”

She pulled back to look at him. “Why?”

“Nothing...Just he...well, lets just say all this confusion is all his fault.”

“Okay...” She put her head back down. “And I guess I wouldn't have been so wound-up if he hadn't told me your were planning to propose.”

“Yeah..” Josh agreed before realising what she'd said. “What?!”

“What?” She asked, confused as to why he had pulled away again.

“He told you?!”

“He thought I knew.”

“How? I...What?” Josh stuttered.

She rolled his eyes. “After dinner, I went to see him to find out why you were acting weird and I kind of tricked him into telling what you were up to.”

“I'm going to kill him.”

“Then you'll have to find another Deputy and another best man.”

“Okay, fine I won't kill him.”

“Good.” They sat in a comfortable silence just enjoying being together before Donna spoke. “Is it weird that this doesn't feel weird?”

“You think marrying me should feel weird?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Yes...I mean no...I just meant, aren't we supposed to be feeling something now?” She questioned. “We've just decided to take a big step...”

“Well, we're not... if you really think about it,” he replied. “All that stuff I do that you said was sweet...I do it because I love you and I'm not going to stop doing that because we're married...”

“You don't think it'll change things?”

“Not much, no...Just because we're having a wedding, isn't going to make me think of you any differently...” He explained. “It doesn't mean you're going to stop being understanding when I've got to work late and it doesn't mean that on the nights I do get home early, I'm going to expect you to be home early...”

“Yeah, I know that...”

“It's not going to change the plans we've already made...Thanksgivings with my Mom...Christmases with your parents...And even though we both want children one day...it doesn't mean it has to happen right now because we're getting married.”

“So, what you're saying is a wedding is just a wedding?”

“Our wedding is going to be an amazing day, where you'll look absolutely stunning in your dream dress and I'll look handsome in a tux...” He continued. “Because, well lets face it...I do look good in a tux.”

She laughed. “Josh...”

“And all our friends and family can celebrate with us and see just how much I love you.”

“Okay, shut up and kiss me.”

“Yes, Ma'am.”

When they had broken the kiss, Donna put her head back on his shoulder and Josh looked around. That's when he noticed the street was completely deserted and it was still raining pretty hard.

“Uh, Donna?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you think we could move this inside...I'm getting pretty wet again...Margaret is going to kill me.”

She looked at him, seeing that he was completely soaked. “Oh my, God, people must think we're crazy!”

“Well, I wouldn't worry to much about that because you did order me to marry you and you mentioned something about making kids in front of two Presidents.” He got up and pulled her with him. “Speaking of which, they're probably wondering what's going on.”

“Yeah, we should go and tell them the news...Do you want your jacket back?”

“Nah, you keep it.” He slipped his hand around her waist and laid her head on his shoulder.

“You know what I think?”

“What?”

“We should get married before Sam so no one cares about his wedding.”

Josh laughed and kissed the top of her head. “That's my girl!”

The End

I hope you liked this fic!! Please review and let me know!!

Ten Facts About Me

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 02:58:36 GMT

Each person starts with ten random facts/habits about themselves.
Those that are tagged need to write on their own LJ about their ten things and post these rules.
At the end of your entry, you need to choose ten people to get tagged and list their names.

Tagged by allie83

1. My older sister and I share the same birthday. I was born on her first birthday
2. I've been banned from the blood donation place for a year because of my low iron :(
3. I have a dog named Harvey and a cat called Sammy
4. I'm addicted to Cokecola
5. My job title is 'Food Service Advisor'
6. I've known my best friend since I was 3
7. I've been writing fanfictions for 5 years
8. I only got interested in politics because of The West Wing
9. I sleep on the top of a bunk bed
10. I have a 'New York Yankee's' baseball that I carry around.

Hey...

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 21:52:27 GMT

Hey,

It's been a long time since I posted on here but I'm bored :(

Allie and Zoe both on different timezones :( Not fair! I want to go on holiday!!!

Zoe and I found a great tour around America but it's like £1500... which is really good for 24 days around 20 States... except I have no money :(

More bad news, I went to donate blood today but my blood levels are too low so they wouldn't take it :( I've been 5 times and only managed to donate once :(

But ah well...

As my ex-manager/new supervisor keeps telling me (daily) 'It can only get better'

Right, yeah okay...

Anyway, I must write something soon! Urg, stupid writers block

Laterz

JL

Mash Game: Predict Your Future at eSPIN-the-Bottle

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:49:43 GMT



		I will marry Bradley Whitford.
		After a wild honeymoon, We will settle down in New York in our fabulous House.
		We will have 2 kid(s) together.
		Our family will zoom around in a Black Subrau Impreza.
		I will spend my days as a Writer, and live happily ever after.

Nutty about Cheese!!!

Tue, 27 May 2008 17:15:31 GMT

Haha, people are crazy!!! Anyone ever been cheese rolling??

Have a look at this!!!

http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2008/05/26/sotvo.uk.cheese.roll.itn

People are nuts!!

I'm so proud of my city!! LMAO

Solving Problems

Tue, 27 May 2008 12:26:15 GMT

Title: Solving Problems
Summery: How did Leo find out that Josh's Dad was back in the hospital? How did he decided to ask Josh to join 'Bartlet for America.' Please review!
Rating: Teen
Characters: Leo, OMC, Josh
Pairing: None
Spoilers: Pre-WhiteHouse
Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own any of the characters

Hey, here's a small standalone fic that I've been meaning to write for a while. Since I've had a small case of WritersBlock, I thought this might help get me going again. Please review and let me know what you think!! It's before Josh and everyone else joined the campaign.

Enjoy!!

Solving Problems

“Leo? Sorry, I'm late.”

Leo looked up from the menu to see his old friend walking quickly towards the table.

“Ethan” He smiled and stood up. “It's good to see you.”

“You too.” Ethan reached and shook his hand. “Have you ordered?”

“No, not yet.” Leo retook his seat as Ethan sat opposite him.

They both looked over the menu and placed their order with the waitress.

“So, how are you?” Ethan asked, leaning back in his chair to study his friend. “You're looking well.”

Leo smiled. “Yes, nothing like a good campaign to make you feel alive.”

Ethan picked up the water, the waitress had just placed in front of him and took a sip, shaking his head. “I might have known you'd never run a simple campaign. That you had to pick some guy that most people haven't heard of.”

“He's going to make a difference, Ethan.” Leo told him seriously. “He's the best man for the job...I just need to work out how to convince the American people of that.”

“Well, you got your work cut out for you, I'll give you that.”

Leo nodded in agreement. “How's retirement treating you?”

Ethan laughed. “I think I'm more exhausted now then I ever was... It's the Grandkids, you see, they take it out of you.”

“Ever consider going back to work?”

“Leo, I only resigned from Congressman Lewis office six weeks ago.” He shook his head. “I'm going to give this time off thing a chance.”

“So, you wouldn't want to come work on a campaign for say, the democrat Presidential nomination?”

Ethan stared at him for minute. “So, this is what this meeting about. A job offer?”

“What? You thought this was a date?”

“You don't need me, Leo.” Ethan assured him.

Leo leaned forwards, so his arms were resting on the table. “I do, I need someone to help me because the team that I've got right now is not made up of the right people.”

“So, hire the right people.” Ethan shrugged, sitting back when their food arrived. “You're in charge.”

“I want to hire you.”

“I live in Florida.”

“You're here now, aren't you?”

Ethan smiled, picking up his sandwich. “I was in Connecticut for a few days.

“Connecticut?” Leo raised an eyebrow.

“Visiting old friends.” He answered. “Trying to convince them that retirement is a good thing...I suppose, I have no chance with you?”

“Me? What would I do?”

“Move to Florida.” Ethan suggested. “We could learn to surf.”

Leo laughed, picking up his fork for the first time. “Yeah, I think I'm going to have pass on that...I'm thinking drowning is a lot worse then running a national campaign.”

“Yeah probably.” Ethan agreed. “Listen, I went to Connecticut to see Noah and Anna.”

Leo snorted. “You're trying to get Noah Lyman to retire? You've got a better chance for convincing me.”

“I know.”

“How are they, anyway?”

Ethan was quiet for a moment and didn't speak until Leo looked up at him questionable. “Noah's sick.”

Leo frowned. “The cancer? I thought he was over that.”

“It came back.”

“It's serious?”

Ethan nodded sadly. “He's having the treatment again and he's putting on a brave face but I don't know.”

Leo sighed, running a hand over his face. “I haven't spoken to him for months.”

“You've been busy.”

Leo stared down at his food and for the first time in weeks, he forgot all about 'Bartlet For America.'

Ethan put down his fork and pulled his chair a little closer to the table as he leaned forwards again. “You've been busy...He's been busy...It's not like the old days when we all worked together.”

Leo looked up to meet his eyes. “He's still my friend.”

“Yeah.” Ethan replied slowly. “But he understands.”

Leo nodded and they ate in silence a few minutes. “So, you're heading back to Florida now?”

“In a few days.” He nodded. “I got to stop by Washington first.”

“Washington?”

“I made a promised to Anna...”

Leo smiled, not needing him to finish the sentence to know what the promise was.

“He's doing good work there, you know.” Leo told him, with pride.

Ethan had two daughter, Kelly and Emma while Leo had Mallory. They loved their daughters with all their heart but they both had grown a special bond with Noah's son.

“Yeah.” Ethan grinned just as proud as Leo. “Still, his Mother would prefer him to work a little closer to home.”

Leo laughed, shaking his head. “And until then, she's got us spying on him.”

“Apparently it's still our fault that he's got into politics.” He replied. “Every time I visit I get a lecture about how he was ready to follow in his Father's footsteps until we came along.”

“I wasn't trying to convince the boy to get in politics.” Leo said defensively.

“No, you were trying to get his Father too.”

“Damn right!” Leo stated. “I still think, that Noah Lyman would have made the best Congressman Connecticut ever had.”

“It was just at the wrong time.” Ethan sighed. “It was too soon after Joanie...”

They fell silent again and Leo couldn't help wonder how one family could have so much bad luck.

“Josh...He never knew his Dad was considering congress, did he?”

“He was a little to young to understand at the time, I think.” Ethan told them, then let out a laugh. “And well, Noah's terrified that if Josh finds out now that he had thought about it then he'll want to run his campaign.”

“Hey, you think he'd consider...”

“Don't even go there.” Ethan cut him off mid sentence causing them both to break out in laughter.

“How's Josh taking the news?” Leo asked. “Noah and him are so close... I should give him a call.”

“I don't think they've told him the whole truth.”

“You're serious?” Leo looked up at him quickly.

“He knows he's having treatment again but they haven't told him how bad it's got.”

Leo sighed suddenly feeling guilty about not having any connect with him for a long time. “Poor kid.”

“Yeah.” Ethan agreed quietly. “They didn't want to distract him from the campaign.”

“You know, he's got one hell of a future in this party and he'll probably end up being better then both of us put together but if he knew his Dad was...” Leo's voice trailed and he shook his head. “He'd be on the first plane home, Presidential campaign or not.”

“Might help your campaign.” Ethan sipped his drink before wincing. “Man, I can't believe I just said that...”

Leo laughed bitterly. “You're right though.”

“He's the one that you got to watch for.” Ethan stated. “He's the one that will be making Hoynes look good.”

“Don't I know it.” Leo rolled his eyes. “We taught him too well...”

“Well, who knew he'd be on the other side.” He laughed. “But the thing is...I've been hearing things.”

“What things?” Leo asked concerned. “He's okay, isn't he?”

“Yeah, his fine.” He shook his head. “It's about the campaign.”

“No, I don't want to know...” Leo stopped him. “I know I've got to come up with something incredible to beat Hoynes but whatever Josh has told has stay between the two of you.”

“No, it's nothing like that...I haven't even talked to him properly in months.” Ethan assured him. “It's just people...They're saying he's not happy.”

“Not happy?”

“Hoynes doesn't always listen to him...Remember a few weeks ago when he skipped the event in New York?”

“How can I forget, he was slammed pretty badly in the papers the next day.”

“Josh told him he couldn't miss it... That it would make him look like he didn't care but he didn't listen to him...” Ethan told him. “So far it's been small stuff but its getting to him...Hoynes is trying to run the campaign his own way and making mistakes Josh has warned him about.”

Leo stayed silent, thinking about what he was being told.

“The thing is Leo, I don't think it'll take a lot for him to leave...” Ethan told him quietly, leaning closer to him. “If the right offer came along...”

Leo slowly started to smile. “You want me to hire him?”

“Well, it'll solve a couple of problems.”

“Like what?”

“One, you'll get the help you need... Two, it'll be a blow to Hoynes' campaign...You might some free press...People will want to know why someone like Josh is leaving the campaign that is heavily favourite to win for one that is barley up and running...” Ethan listed. “Plus, it'll save me a fortune in air fair and phone bills because I won't have to check up on him as much.”

“You do realise this won't make his Mother any happier about his job?”

“Oh yeah, she'll probably been even madder...” He shrugged. “Hoynes being the front runner and all.”

“Yet you still think I should do it?”

“Offer him the job, see what he thinks.” He suggested. “If Jed Bartlet is half as good as you say he is... With you as his campaign manager with Josh behind you...Well, you'll be in the White House come January.”

Leo smiled slightly, thinking about it and wondering why he hadn't thought of it before.

“Just talk to him about it.” Ethan stated, reaching into his pocket and pulling out his wallet. “I've got to run but it was great seeing you.”

“You too.” Leo stood up and shook his hand. “Next time you're in town, let me know...”

“Sure and if you change your mind about the whole surfing thing...”

“You'll be the first person I call...” Leo laughed.

“Good luck with the campaign.”

“Yeah thanks.” Leo nodded. “Oh and don't say anything to Josh yet.”

“No problem.”

Leo watched him walk away before he grabbed his jacket off the back of his chair and slipping it on. As he headed for the exit, he pulled out his cell phone.

“Margaret, I need you to book me a flight to Washington tomorrow...” He said as soon as his assistant answer the phone. “Yeah, I'm going to meet with someone but I want to keep it quiet.”

He listen for a few minutes, glancing at his watch, realising he was going to be late for his meeting if he didn't hurry up.

“Okay, great I'm heading back now just let them know I might be a little late.” He stated. “Okay, thanks...”

He put his cell back into his pocket, grinning as he walked down the sidewalk. His mind already starting to form a new plan to win the election.

The End!!

Please review and let me know what you think!!

I'm Fine

Tue, 13 May 2008 20:58:00 GMT

Title: I'm Fine
Summery: Josh gets sick but just how bad is it? Why is he so scared? Please read and review.
Rating: Teen
Characters: Josh, Ensembled
Pairing: ??
Spoilers: Series 2ish
Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own any of the characters

I'm Fine: Chapter One
I'm Fine: Chapter Two
I'm Fine: Chapter Three
I'm Fine: Chapter Four
I'm Fine: Chapter Five
I'm Fine: Chapter Six
I'm Fine: Chapter Seven
I'm Fine: Chapter Eight

I'm Fine

Tue, 13 May 2008 20:38:59 GMT

Title: I'm Fine
Summery: Josh gets sick but just how bad is it? Why is he so scared? Please read and review.
Rating: Teen
Characters: Josh, Donna
Pairing: J/Dish
Spoilers: Series 2ish
Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own any of the characters

I'm Fine: Chapter One
I'm Fine: Chapter Two
I'm Fine: Chapter Three
I'm Fine: Chapter Four
I'm Fine: Chapter Five
I'm Fine: Chapter Six
I'm Fine: Chapter Seven

Here's the next part!! Please review!!!

Enjoy!!

I'm Fine

Josh sighed in relief as he closed his apartment door. He turned the lock before leaning back against it. Closing his eyes, he let his backpack fall from his right hand. Relieved to hear nothing but silence, he remained where he was, trying to get back the energy he lost from the few steps he had climbed.

He groaned when the sound of his phone broke the silence. He pushed himself away from the door, stumbling a little over his bag as he made his way to the living room. Grabbing the phone, he collapsed onto the couch.

“Josh Lyman.”

“Ah, so you made it home then.”

“Leo?”

“It was nice of you to tell someone you had finished for the day.”

“I told someone.”

“An intern.”

“There was no one else around.”

“Josh...”

He leaned his head back against the couch. “I just wanted to come home, Leo...I just... I just wanted to get out of there.”

“I heard it didn't go to well with Sam.”

“I told him that I had cancer.” Josh replied. “What were you expecting?”

“What were you expecting?”

Josh sighed. “I kind of lost it.”

“That's understandable.”

“I didn't want too.” Josh sat up. “I didn't want to lose it...Not with Sam.”

“I know.” Leo said quietly and they both stayed silent for a moment. “What time do you have to be at the hospital tomorrow?”

“Have you seen Sam?”

“No, but I talked to Toby.” Leo told him. “What times your appointment?”

“What did Toby say?”

“Just that both you and Sam were upset.” He replied. “Now, why are you avoiding my question?”

“I'm not avoiding your question.”

“Really, so what time is your appointment?”

“You're not my Mother, you know.”

“I know, your Mother is in Florida worried sick about you...She's already called me twice today.”

He sighed. “Sorry, I'll talk to her about that.”

“I don't care that she's calling me!” Leo stated. “She's worried about you, like a lot of people are.”

“I know...”

“I got C.J wandering around here looking like she's going to burst into tears any minute...Toby's storming around, shouting at people...and Sam... Well, Sam has shut himself in his office and is refusing to talk to anyone!”

Josh's eyes closed and for once he didn't attempt to interrupt.

“You haven't even told Donna yet, have you?” Leo continued. “She came to me looking for answers.”

“She wasn't around when I was finished with Sam.” Josh said quietly. “I couldn't...I just couldn't tell her.”

“She knows something is going on...It's not fair to say you'd tell her then sneak out.”

“It wasn't like that.” Josh protested half heartily. “What did you tell her?”

“I didn't tell her anything, Josh. It's not my place to.” Leo told him. “You’ve got to tell her. You can't let her hear it from someone else...she'll never forgive you.”

“I'm sick of telling people.” He muttered. “I'm sick of trying to work out what to say.”

“You don't have to tell everyone yourself...but you’ve gotta tell Donna.”

He leaned forwards, running his free hand over his face and through his hair. “Yeah.”

“Look, if it'll make things easier...I can start telling some of the staff...”

“I don't know...”

“The ones that need to know.”

“Who?”

“Charlie and Mrs. Landingham...The President has been sort of out of it since he found out... They can keep an eye on him.”

“Okay...” He reluctantly agreed.

“Margaret.”

“What? Leo...” He whined a little. “Everyone in Washington will know by the end of the day!”

“Don't be so melodramatic...” Leo replied and Josh knew he was rolling his eyes.

“Can I remind you of how everyone found out about Sam and I getting lost trying to find my apartment after we'd been out celebrating my birthday?”

“Can I remind you of what happened at the third debate during the campaign?”

Josh fell silent, remembering that as far as he knows, Margaret is the only other person that knows about Leo's drinking.

“Look, I'm going to need Margaret to know.” Leo emphasised.

“Leo...”

“I know why you don't want to tell me the time of your appointment...” Leo ignored his attempt to interrupt again. “It’s because you think I'll turn up... or Donna...or Sam.”

“Or the First Lady, Toby, C.J...” Josh continued the list.

“I wouldn't be surprised if The President decided to sneak out of the White House.” Leo added.

Josh laughed softly, shaking his head slightly. “Am I being a little highly strung?”

“No more then usual.” Leo replied. “But I was being serious...If for a moment he thought he would be helpful, The President wouldn't hesitate in having the Secret Service clearing the hospital so he can be there with you.”

Josh looked down. “I know.”

“You keep going on about how you need to know that everything here is running smoothly so you can concentrate on yourself, but the thing is Josh, everyone here...We all need to know everything is going okay with you, so we can carry on with work.” Leo stated, staying quiet for a moment to give Josh time to take in the information. “So that means that maybe I can get Margaret to make a few phone calls to your hospital so we know you're still with us or that Sam stops by with dinner some nights or C.J buys you pyjamas...”

Josh reached up and rubbed his eyes, leaning his elbows on his knees when the doorbell rang.

“There's someone at the door.” He said quietly.

“I'm guessing that's Donna unless you ordered take-out.”

Josh sighed. “It's Donna.”

“Call me tomorrow.” Leo told him before hanging up.

Josh stared at the phone for a moment before the doorbell rang again. He pushed himself to his feet and went to answer it. He buzzed her into the building, opening the door and leaning on the doorframe as he waited for her.

“I brought Chinese.” She walked straight past him and made her way into the kitchen. “I know you didn't eat all of the lunch that President Bartlet sent over...”

Josh stayed where he was, listening to her talking as she moved around the kitchen, plates and cutlery banging together.

“I hope that's okay...” She reappeared with two plates full of food in her hands. “Josh?”

He looked up at her, realising her hadn't actually heard what she was saying.

“I'm sorry, what?”

“I said I hope Chinese is okay.”

“Uh, yeah sure... I mean, I'm not really hungry but okay.” He replied, closing the door that had been left open.

She frowned a little but then followed him into the living room. She sat down next to Josh on the couch, placing a plate in front of him. He stared down at it but made no effort to eat.

“People have been acting weird at work...” Donna commented, giving him a side ward glance as she took a mouthful of her food.

“I know.”

“You being the main one.”

He gave her a small smile. “I know that too.”

“You said you'd tell me.”

“Yeah, I did, didn't I?” He leaned back against the couch.

They sat in silence and she took another few mouthfuls. He just watched her; he had no idea how he was going to do this.

“I got your message from Scott.” Donna spoke again when Josh didn't. It had never been this tense or awkward between them before.

“What message?” He frowned, looking across at her.

“That you were going home early and that I was done for the day.”

“I thought that was Steve.”

“He also asked me to tell you that his name is Scott and not Steve.”

“I've always called him Steve.”

“Yeah but everyone else calls him Scott.”

“Okay.” He shrugged slightly.

“He also said tomorrow that I’d have to report to C.J.”

“Yeah.” He said quietly, looking down at his hands for a moment before looking back up at her. “She's taking care of some of my work load...You know most of what’s happening with it all so, Leo and I agreed that you should help her out for a while.”

“Don't I get a say in it?”

“You don't want to work with C.J?”

“I don't want to stop working for you.”

“Donna...”

She put her fork down; turning a little so she was she fully facing him. “What's going on, Josh? Have I done something?”

“No...”

“Have you done something?” She continued. “People are saying you're leaving...”

“I'm not...”

“Because I was thinking... If you got another job...You'd still need an assistant...” She rambled ahead a little. “I don't want to let the President down but I'm sure he'd understand...”

“Donna!” He raised his voice a little to be heard. “I'm not leaving and you're defiantly not leaving.”

“You're not leaving?”

“No.”

“Then what's going on?” She demanded.

He stood up, walking over to the window and staring out. He couldn't tell her, he didn't know why he was finding telling Donna the hardest out of everyone.

“Josh.” She got up and moved to stand behind him. “What is it?”

He turned to face her, leaning against the ledge.

“Josh?” She said softly, her hand lightly gripping onto his forearm. “Are you sick? You haven't been looking so good the last few weeks...And...And I noticed the First Lady has been keeping an eye on you...”

He swallowed hard, looking down at her hand still on his arm.

“That's it...isn't it?” Donna watched him closely. “You're...You're sick.”

“Yeah.” He whispered, nodding slightly.

She took a step closer, her other hand reaching for his, threading their fingers together. “I should have done something.”

“What?”

“I knew it...I knew you were pushing yourself.” She told him. “I should have done something to stop it.”

“Donna.” He pulled his hand back.

“I mean, I know it's been over a year but you should still should take care of yourself... You need to get more rest and eat properly.” She moved away from, her mind already making a list of things she should do. “I'll go to the supermarket for you tomorrow and stock up your fridge...Have you actually seen a doctor?”

“No, Donna I don't think you get...” He watched as she started to tidy up a little.

“You should see one...A doctor, I mean... maybe he can give you something for it...”

“Donna, stop.” He took hold of her, stopping her from moving. “Listen to me.”

She stood still, staring at him, waiting for him to continue.

“I've been to see a doctor...” He took a deep breath. “It's not because of the shooting.”

“It's not? I don't...” She started but stopped. “What is it then?”

“It's cancer, Donna.” He whispered. “I have cancer.”

“I don't...” She stuttered a little. “I don't get it.”

“I've got leukaemia...I start chemo tomorrow.”

“But you can't have.”

He let go of her and her arms fell down to her sides. “I do.”

Tears had already started to fill her eyes and she did the only thing that she could think of; throwing her arms around his neck.

Josh let his own eyes close and wrapped his arms loosely around her waist. After a few seconds, Donna started to pull back and Josh saw that she had tears running down her face. The next thing Josh knew, her lips were on his. When he realised what was happening, he put his hands to her shoulders and pushed her away.

“What the hell was that?!” He asked, staring at her.

“Josh...” She stepped towards him again.

“No, Donna...What the hell was that?!” He moved past her and walked to the other side of the room.

“I'm sorry...”

“You...I tell you I'm ill and you kiss me?!”

“Please, Josh...”

He ran his hand through his hair. “Maybe you should just go.”

“No, Josh... Please just talk to me.” She begged. “Please, let me help you.”

“Help me?!” He exclaimed. “Help me how? By kissing me? By having sex with me?”

“No!” Her eyes widened at the suggestion. “No, I want to be here for you.”

“How?!” He questioned. “How do you purpose to be here for me?!”

“I want to look after you!” She said quietly, confused by his reaction.

“You can't, Donna! You can't look after me! None of you can!”

“Josh, you're not alone...”

“Yes I am!” He yelled again. “This is happening to me! Not you! Not Leo! Not the President! Me!”

Donna stared at him, he had never shouted at her before. He balled up his fists tightly, turning away from her again.

“I'm going to have a shower then go to bed...I’ve got to rest up for tomorrow.” He mumbled, with his back still to her. “Report to C.J in the morning.”

She watched as he walked out of the room, slamming the bathroom door behind him.

He stripped his clothes and turned on the shower, full blast before stepping under the water. He leaned his hand against the wall, letting the water wash over him. First he lost it with Sam and now Donna. He couldn't believe he just shouted at her. He took it all out on her. He tilted his head back so water ran over his face, deciding that he'd worry about it all another time. Both Sam and Donna were his best friends, he knew that they'd take the news hard but he hoped that they'd understand that he was taking it hard too.

After twenty minutes, he got out of the shower and changed into some sweatpants and a t-shirt when he heard a noise coming from the kitchen. He stopped in the doorway and just watched as Donna scrubbed some plates that he had left in the sink.

“I thought you left...” He said quietly, noticing her tense slightly as he spoke but she didn't turn around or stop what she was doing.

“You don't get to do that!” She told him. “You don't get to shout at me and then walk away.”

“Donna...” He sighed, running a hand through his wet hair.

“What you said wasn't fair!” She spun around, water from her hands dripping onto the floor. “You can't tell me you've got cancer then tell me to get out!”

“I didn't mean...”

“Yes you did!” She cut him off. “You did mean it because you wanted me to leave you...You wanted to be left alone!”

He walked fully into the room, grabbing a clean glass off the side and taking some juice out of the fridge. “Okay, yeah...I do want to be alone.”

“Because you're so damn stubborn that you refuse to let anyone help you!” She pulled the rubber gloves off, throwing them back into the sink. “And I know I'm no doctor, but I can help you, Josh! I can be here for you! I can...I can help you...”

Josh put his glass down on the kitchen table as her voice got quieter and quieter then was replaced with sobs.

“Donna...” He whispered and this time it was he who took her into his arms. “I'm sorry...I'm so sorry.”

She held onto him tightly, burying her face into his neck as she cried. After a few minutes she stepped back, drying her eyes.

“I'm sorry, I shouted at you.”

He smiled. “I'm sorry, I shouted at you too.”

“What now?” She asked.

He shrugged, leaning back against the counter. She folded her arm across her chest, waiting for him to say something.

“I never... I...” He attempted to start but he couldn't find the words. He slid down against the counter until he was sitting on the floor, bringing his knees up to his chest. “I'm scared, Donna...That's why I wanted to be alone.”

She knelt down next to him. “Why? If you're scared...Why would you want to be alone?”

“I don't know what's going to happen...I don't know what to say to people.” He glanced across at her. “I don't want the people I care about to suffer because of this as well.”

“It's okay to be scared.” She told him. “Its understandable... it's...it's damn acceptable.”

He let his head fall back against the wood, closing his eyes and swallowing the lump that risen in his throat.

She sighed and moved to sit beside him. “About the kiss...I'm sorry.”

He opened his eyes, keeping his head against the wood; he turned to look at her.

“I shouldn't have done...” She continued. “And I'm sorry.”

He smiled weakly. “I'm not.”

“Not sorry about me kissing you?”

“It was nice...just...” His voice trailed off.

“It was just stupid.” She finished off.

“Donna, I admit that there might be something between us and yeah, I'm attracted to you...” He explained. “I mean, look at you...you're...you're gorgeous.”

She blushed and looked away.

“But... but I don't know what it is... this...this thing between us.” He stated. “I don't know whether it's just attraction...or...or whether it's just because we spend so much time together... or... or if it's the real thing...I don't know, Donna.”

She reached for his hand. “I don't know either.”

“And I don't...I don't want to ruin what we might have or our friendship by rushing into something just because I have cancer.”

Her hand tightened around his when he said the word 'cancer.'

“And...I want you to keep working.” He told her. “All of you... I want you all to keep working.”

“You need to stop worrying so much about work.” She claimed.

“Yeah people keep telling me that.” He smiled, looking down at their hands still joined. “But I mean it, C.J is going to need all the help she can get.”

She sighed but didn't say any more.

“Look, I don't know what's going to happen...I can have treatment and within a year I could be fine or I could be...I could not be fine...” Once again her hand tightened around his. “The thing is... when this is all over with... when The President leaves office and you go looking for another job...even if it's before we leave the White House...I want you to be remembered for holding the 'Deputy Chief of Staff's office together while your boss was sick.”

“But...” She started.

“I don't want you to be remembered for neglecting your job so you could look after your sick boss...”

“But I wouldn't be looking after my sick boss...I'd be looking after my friend.” More tears filled her eyes and she looked away, not wanting him to see them. “And I don't care about my career...I care about...”

He reached out and gently took hold of her chin, turning her to face him and stopping her mid sentence. “I don't want to be like Dr. Free Ride.”

She stared at him for a moment. “It's not the same.”

“It is... I'm not going to let you give up everything you worked for just so you can sit by my bedside and hold my hand.” He stated. “Because Donna...that's all you'll be doing...there's nothing more you can do.”

“Josh...”

“Lets make a deal.”

“What?”

“You go into work tomorrow, you help C.J out with the million and one new things she has to do... you do your job.” He listed. “And... And in return, I'll stop hiding things from you... I'll talk to you about what's happening...I'll let you look after me when you don't have to work.”

“Is that what you really want?” She asked.

“No, Donna...none of this is what I really want.” He shook his head and stood up. “But it's the right thing to do.”

She thought about it for a moment before nodding. “Okay, fine.”

He pushed himself to his feet and held his hand out to her to help her up.

“It's getting late...I'll call you a cab.”

“No, it's okay...I’ve got my car.” She shook her head. “Is there anything you need before I go?”

“No, I'm just going to go to bed now anyway.”

She hugged him again. “Good luck, tomorrow.”

He smiled. “Good luck working with C.J tomorrow.”

“Oh that'll be easy...she doesn't yell or try and make me bring her coffee.”

He laughed slightly, pulling back. “Guess you lucked out then.”

“I guess...” She whispered.

They stared at each other for what seemed like hours before Josh broke the silence.

“You should go.”

“Yeah.” She snapped back to reality, looking around and grabbing her bag off the kitchen table. “I'll...I'll see you soon, I guess.”

“Yeah.” Josh nodded, following her towards the front door. “And Donna?”

She turned to look back at him.

“Thank you... for...for everything.” He said quietly.

She gave a small nod and leaned forward, placing a small kiss on his cheek. “Good night.”

“Good night.” He whispered, watching as she quietly let herself out of his apartment.

TBC

Please review and let me know what you think!!

I'm Fine

Tue, 13 May 2008 20:34:06 GMT

Title: I'm Fine
Summery: Josh gets sick but just how bad is it? Why is he so scared? Please read and review.
Rating: Teen
Characters: Josh, Sam
Pairing: None
Spoilers: Series 2ish
Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own any of the characters

I'm Fine: Chapter One
I'm Fine: Chapter Two
I'm Fine: Chapter Three
I'm Fine: Chapter Four
I'm Fine: Chapter Five
I'm Fine: Chapter Six

Here's the next part!! Please review!!!

Enjoy!!

I'm Fine

“So, you going to tell me what's going on?” Sam asked, once Josh had sat down opposite him at a table in the corner of the Mess. It was only 4 p.m. but there was no one around. Not even the catering staff was there and whilst Sam thought it was odd, he was actually glad they had some privacy.

“Straight to the point? Not even a cup of coffee first?” Josh questioned in a light tone but Sam could tell it was forced.

He pushed one of the lattes, he had already brought across the table. Josh stared down at it for a second before wrapping both his hands around the cup.

“Thanks.”

“No problem.” Sam picked up his own drink, taking a sip. “So?”

Josh frowned a little bit, not meeting Sam's eyes.

Sam put his cup down again, looking around before turning his gaze back to his friend. “Josh, what is it? Has something happened?”

“Yeah, kind of.” Josh replied, in a quiet voice. Bringing the cup to his lips, taking a small mouthful of the warm coffee.

“Well, what is it?” Sam asked, leaning back against his chair. “It can't be that bad...I mean, you're still here.”

Josh couldn't help the bitter laugh that escaped him.

“Josh...” Sam said slowly. “You haven't gotten yourself fired, have you?”

“No, Sam...”

“Because people are talking...”

“Sam, if I had gotten myself fired, don't you think you'd would have heard about it by now?” Josh questioned.

“The press probably would be reporting it by now, yeah...” Sam thought about it. “Have you quit?”

“No.” Josh answered, setting his cup down. “Sam, the thing is...”

“No, wait.”

“Wait?”

“Don't tell me.”

“I thought you said...”

“I've changed my mind.”

“Sam, you can't just change your mind.” Josh sighed. “You need to know...”

“No, I don't because you’ve got that look on your face.” Sam replied. “And well, to be honest I think I'll be better off not knowing.”

Josh rubbed his hands over his face. He wished he didn't have to tell him the truth.

“Sam, I went to the doctor the other day.” Josh continued before Sam had a chance to say anything.

“The doctor?” Sam repeated.

“Yeah.” Josh nodded. “I'm going to be taking sometime off.”

“You? Really?” Sam said in surprise.

Josh smiled slightly. “Yeah, tomorrow and Wednesday...I may work from home on Thursday and I don't know about the rest of the week.”

Sam stared at Josh, he knew it must be serious because there was no other way that Josh would accept taking so much time off.

“C.J is going to be help keep me updated and take some of the meetings that I won't be able to attend.” Josh informed him. “Leo and I have talked about it with the President... We're going to need you to cover for C.J if she needs it.”

“Do the briefings?”

“Only when C.J can't.”

“It's not going to be just this week, is it?” Sam scratched his fingernail lightly against the table.

“No, it's not.”

“What's wrong?” He barely whispered.

Josh opened his mouth but no words came out. He had told Leo, an old friend of his father... A man that had become a second father to him. He had told the President of the United States. A man, he could not have any more admiration or love for. Toby and C.J, two people he respected and completely adored, he worked ten times harder just to show them what he could achieve. Just so they'd want to work beside him.

Now here was Sam, a friend that he's known for years. Someone he had never had to try and impress. Why was it so hard to open up to the person that was supposed to be the easiest?

After a few seconds of silence, Sam glanced up. They looked at each other for a moment before Josh spoke again.

“I have Leukaemia.”

Sam's eyes widened a little. “C…cancer?”

Josh gave a single nod and just watched as Sam pushed himself to his feet.

“God.” He choked out, turning his back to Josh, leaning his hands down on an empty table.

Josh sat back in his chair, stretching his legs out in front of him with one arm down by his side and leaning the other on the table. He watched Sam, who was leaning heavily on his hands, his head hung low. He then suddenly pushed himself up straight and turned quickly.

“Are you okay?” He asked.

Josh thought about his answer. He knew that Sam was asking about how he was coping with all of this and not how he was feeling.

“I'm doing okay...A little... Shocked.” He told him. “But Leo's known from the beginning...He's been great... And the First Lady, she's been helping out with all the medical stuff.”

“Good.”

Josh stood up, walking around the table, leaning back against it, standing in front of Sam.

“I've got a good doctor, Sam. It's been caught early, I'm young, and I’m kind of healthy. I'm getting the right treatment...” He listed. “I've got every chance of beating this, Sam...I am going to be beat it.”

“Yeah, so no need to worry...” Sam mumbled, turning away.

“Sam.” Josh grabbed his arm to stop him. “I'm going to be fine.”

“How can you be so calm about all of this?” He questioned.

Josh sat on the edge of the table, resting back on his hands. “I've had a few days to get my head around it.”

“A few days?” Sam repeated. “Josh, this is cancer...How... How can you even start to understand this at all?”

“Because I have to.” He replied. “I have to get my head around this because otherwise it'll beat me...I'm not going to let that happen.”

Sam took a few steps back, so he would lean against the table opposite. “I'm sorry, it's just...I don't know... I mean, how...”

“I understand.” Josh assured him when he couldn't find the right words.

Sam nodded and looked down at his shoe, deep in thought.

“Toby...Toby said he'll be in his office working if you need too...” Josh started but his voice trailed off. He hated the uncomfortable atmosphere between them now.

Sam just nodded slightly, only lifting his head a little to meet Josh's eye.

“Look, Sam...I know this is hard, but you’ve got to get over it.” Josh pushed himself to stand up straight. His comment caused Sam's head to snap up quickly. “I handed a resignation letter to the President a few days ago but he refused to accept it...It was my job to tell him that it was best for the Administration if they brought someone new in.”

“And you really thought Leo and the President would agree to that?”

“No, but I had to tell them that, Sam and trust me, convincing two men who I'd die for, to replace me was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.”

Sam opened his mouth to say something but Josh carried on talking.

“And the thing is... It's going to get harder.” He whispered and this time it was him who turned his back to Sam. “Everyday, it's going to get harder... It won't be just being ill and having the treatment but everyone is going to treat me differently...”

“We won't...”

“You will...You'll keep me away from work you think I won't be able to handle...you'll watch what I'm eating... how much I'm sleeping...” Josh shook his head. “And I'm okay with that... It's nice, y'know, that you care.”

“Yeah...”

“But that's not what I'm worried about...”

“It's not?”

“They're going to use this against us.” He turned back to face him, going back into 'work' mode. “They'll say the President is being too sentimental...too soft... That I'm not up to the job and that everyone else will be too concerned about me to worry about the government.”

“Why are you saying all of this?” Sam ran a hand through his hair. “This isn't important...That fact that you could be dying is important! That's what we should be focusing on!”

“And what happens if I do die?” Josh raised his voice a little.

“Josh...”

“No, come on Sam...Tell me... Will you quit?” He asked.

“I don't think...”

“Will the President step down? Just because of me?” He questioned, loudly. “What will happen if I die, Sam!”

“I don't know!” Sam shouted back. “I don't know!”

“The world goes on...” Josh lowered his voice. “This administration will go on...”

“If you hadn't have come and got me, I wouldn't even be here.” Sam pointed out, his voice cracking with emotion. “So, don't stand there and tell me you're not important, because you are. You've given me the most incredible job, but I'd rather quit a thousand times over then lose you as a friend.”

Josh turned away, walking between two tables, his hands on his hips. He stopped, staring at the wall for a few minutes before spinning around.

“If you're not up to this then that's okay but you need to tell me now, Sam.” Josh was suddenly overcome with anger. He didn't want to take it out on Sam, but he just couldn't work out a way to make him understand. “I need to know because I'm going to be trapped in some damn hospital tomorrow, having drugs pumped into my body because there...there's this thing living inside of me...trying to kill me!”

Sam just stared at him, completely shocked by what was happening. Josh was breaking down right in front of his eyes and unlike at Christmas, it wasn't something that could be fixed by chatting to a therapist for a couple of hours.

“I need to know that everything here is being handled!” He continued, starting to pace again. “Why can't you get that! Why can't any of you see that?”

“Josh...” He took a step towards him.

“I mean, my Dad died, Sam!” He raised his voice even louder. “He fought for years and lost! I can't do that... I can't let that happen to me!”

“I know...”

“He worked and he worked... Everyday he worked and it killed him!” Now that he had started, Josh found he couldn't stop everything that he had been holding back from spilling out. “I need to know that everything here is fine so on bad days, I can stay away.”

“We'll...we'll be fine.” Sam managed to say.

“Really?” Josh stopped moving and looked at him. “Because...this is... it's driving me crazy.”

”We'll be fine.” Sam repeated, reaching out and placing a hand Josh's shoulder.

“Why didn't they just let me quit?” He whispered.

“Because when you get better, you'll wanna be back here and you can't if there's another guy sat at your desk.” Sam pointed out.

“And if I don't get better?” He wondered. “You still haven't answered that. What if die?”

“Stop talking like that!”

“I have cancer, Sam!” He snapped. “I don't get a choice about what's going to happen to me!”

“So, what? You're not going to fight this?”

“I'm so sick of fighting!” He informed him, sitting down. Rubbing his eyes, he leaned his elbows on his knees. At the start of this, he had been calm and in control. He didn't know what had made him lose it but he couldn't stop from telling Sam exactly what was going through his head. He had wanted to spare his best friend all the details. He didn't want him to overreact to all of this, but now he was confiding in him more then anyone else. “Everyday there's something new to fight for. Haven't I done enough? Haven't I proved I'm a good guy?”

Sam was lost for words; he had no idea how to get his head around all of this.

“Hey, Josh...Congressman Levi left a message for you.” Ed told him, as he walked into the Mess, Larry trailing behind him. “He wants you to call him ASAP.”

He ran a hand across his face and then around the back of his neck before sitting up straight. “Give it to C.J.”

“C.J?” Larry repeated, glancing at Ed. “It's about the Education Bill.”

“Yeah...” He whispered, still staring at Sam. “Give it to C.J.”

“He's not looking for a comment.” Larry shook his head. “It's about the meeting tomorrow.”

“Give it to C.J.” He repeated once more.

“What's going on?” Larry questioned, looking between Josh and Sam, realising they must have interrupted something.

“I'm taking some time off.” Josh turned his attention to them. “Give it to C.J.”

They both knew better then to ask any more. They get told what they need to know when they need to know.

“Right, we’ll let her know.” Ed said slowly.

“She's going to need your help with this.” Josh told them.

“No problem.” Larry assured him, as they both started to back up towards the door. Neither of them wanting to be caught up in whatever was happening.

“Josh...” Sam started once the door had closed behind them.

“I should probably go...” He pushed him to his feet. “I still have to talk to Donna.”

Sam had stepped towards him but stopped, surprised that Donna didn't already know. He watched as Josh walked away.

“I meant what I said...” He stopped at the door but kept his back to Sam. “It's okay if you can't or don't want more responsibility but you need to let us know.”

Sam once again couldn't find any words. He wanted to tell Josh that he’d do whatever it takes to help him. Both as a friend and as a work colleague, but it was too late. He had already left.

XxXxX

Josh made his way back up to his office and when he turned a corner, he saw Toby walking towards him.

His eyes dropped to the floor and tried to carry on past him.

“Josh?” He stopped him. “How it go?”

He looked up at him. “Pretty badly.”

“What happened?”

“I was honest with him.” He replied. “I should go.”

“Josh?”

“Just...leave it.”

Toby sighed, looking in the direction that Josh was going and the direction he had just come from. Torn between what he should do. He looked back down the corridor and saw Josh had disappeared out of sight so he turned and walked the other way.

When he walked into the Mess, he found Sam stood in the centre of the room, staring down at two broken mugs in a puddle of coffee on the floor. Sam looked over when he heard the door closing quietly, surprised to see Toby standing there.

“I uh...I knocked them over by accident.” He started to explain, bending down to pick up the broken pieces.

“Leave it.” Toby said softly.

“No, I can't...Someone should...I don't want anyone to hurt...”

Toby could tell he was trying his hardest to hold it all together. “Sam, leave it.”

Sam slowly fell down to sit on the floor, leaning back against one of the table legs. He tilted his head backwards, looking up to the ceiling.

“When are we going to get a break, Toby?” He whispered. “When is this going to get easier?”

Toby walked over to him, pulling a chair away from the table and taking a seat. He reached into the inside pocket of his jacket, pulling out a notebook and a pen.

Sam looked at him questionably when he handed it to him.

“We're writers.” Toby started. “So, lets write.”

Sam stared at the blank white paper for a minute before quickly starting to scribble down his thoughts. He wasn't sure whether they made any sense or not but he didn't care.

Toby just sat back silently, watching over him.

XxXxX

Josh had been sat in his office for over twenty minutes now and Donna hadn't turned up. She hadn't been there when he had returned from his talk with Sam. He glanced at his watch, it was almost five p.m and after the day he’d had, he wanted nothing more then to go home and climb into bed.

He let his head drop down to the desk, moaning at how his muscles ached at the slightest movement. After a few minutes, when he felt himself starting to fall asleep, he forced himself to get up. He knew he had to talk to Donna but he just didn't have energy.

“Steve, where's Donna?” He asked one of the interns as he left the office, pulling on his coat.

“She's gone to get some dinner with Bonnie and Ginger.” Steve informed him. “Want me to call her?”

Josh sighed. “No, just...when she gets back just tell her I've gone home.”

“Okay.”

“And tell her that she's done for the day too.”

“Right.”

“And I'm not working tomorrow.”

“You're not?” He looked up from where he was writing down Josh's orders.

“No, so tell her to report to C.J...She's going to need help with the Education Bill.”

“Okay...”

“Right, I'm going.” He slung his backpack onto his shoulder.

He slowly made his way out of the White House and when he was outside of the gates, he glanced back at the building. Like always it still amazed him that he was allowed to work there. He sighed, it would be so much easier for everyone if they had just let him walk away from it all.

TBC

Please review and let me know what you think!

I'm Fine

Tue, 13 May 2008 20:25:45 GMT

Title: I'm Fine
Summery: Josh gets sick but just how bad is it? Why is he so scared? Please read and review.
Rating: Teen
Characters: Josh, Leo, Toby, C.J
Pairing: None
Spoilers: Series 2ish
Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own any of the characters

I'm Fine: Chapter One
I'm Fine: Chapter Two
I'm Fine: Chapter Three
I'm Fine: Chapter Four
I'm Fine: Chapter Five

Here's the next part!! Please review!!!

Enjoy!!

I'm Fine.

“Hi, I'm Claudia Jean Cregg, I am the Press Secretary here at the White House...”

“C.J...” Josh sighed and rubbed his eyes, leaning his elbows on the desk.

“You look familiar but I can't quite work it out…”

“Really, stop that now.” He looked up at her.

“Where the hell have you been?” She asked, moving fully into the office closing the door behind her. “You stood all of us up on Saturday night... You didn't even come in yesterday...”

“I was busy...”

“Josh, what's going on?” She asked. “You've been acting weird for the last couple of days and so has Leo and the President.”

“C.J...”

“People are starting to talk.”

He looked at her for a moment. “What are they saying?”

“That you're leaving.” She answered. “You're not, are you?”

He glanced down at his desk before looking back at her. “Can you have lunch with me?”

“Lunch?”

“Yeah.”

“Josh, you can't leave...”

“C.J, please...Just have lunch with me...I'll tell you what's happening.”

“You can't tell me now?”

“I need to talk to Leo about some things first.” He shook his head as he stood up. “Speaking of which, we're going to be late for Staff.”

She followed him out the office, sharing a look with Donna, who looked just as concerned as she did.

“Josh?” She placed a hand on his arm stopping him just before they reached Leo's office. “This is big, isn't it? I mean, it's going to be really bad?”

He was silent for a moment before nodding slowly. “Yeah, it's pretty bad.”

She stared after him as he continued to walk through Leo's open office door. She sighed, rubbing her forehead with the tip of her fingers before following.

She saw Toby and Sam already there, waiting for her.

“Nice of you to join us.” Leo muttered, not looking up from the memo he was reading.

“Yeah...” She replied slightly distracted, watching Josh who was sitting in one the chairs in front of the desk. She couldn't help but notice that he seemed a lot calmer then he has done the past few days.

“Makes a change from Josh being the last one here...” Toby said in a typical Monday morning tone.

Although, it was a normal and expected comment from Toby, Leo's head snapped up and he glared at the Communications Director.

“I'm just saying that lately he's been a little...tardy.”

“Tardy?” Sam repeated, before anyone else could say anything.

“It's a nicer word then what I was thinking...”

“Lets just get back to the meeting, shall we?” Leo suggested, interrupting the bickering before it started.

C.J was still watching, Josh who was not at all fazed by the mild insult from Toby. He was just staring out of the window behind Leo and she wondered whether he was even paying attention at all to what was being said.

It was like that for the rest of the meeting. Josh only spoke when someone asked him a question directly, whilst Sam and Toby argued over trivial things, both of them tired and moody from the long weekend. She also noticed that she wasn't the only one keeping a close eye on Josh. Leo kept shooting him concerned looks, whilst he tried to keep his patience with Sam and Toby.

“Right, is that it?” Leo asked, when they had gone off track again. “Okay, get the hell out of here... Josh, stick around.”

Josh didn't respond but stayed seated as the others headed out.

“So, I got your message yesterday...” Leo explained, standing up and closing the door. “I did call you back but got no answer.”

“Yeah, I uh...I kinda wanted to be alone.” Josh looked down at his hands in his lap.

“I thought so.” He nodded understandingly, retaking his seat behind the desk. “So, what happens now?”

“I need to start treatment right away, apparently I have acute leukaemia, which is fast processing.” Josh leaned forwards, rubbing his eyes. “I'll start chemotherapy tomorrow, they want to keep me in for a while to keep an eye out for any side effects.”

Leo sat silently, taking in the information.

“He says that if there's no complications, they'll treat me for a couple of hours, once a week and I should be able to go home afterwards.”

“And that'll be it?”

Josh shrugged. “He mentioned something about bone marrow transplants and other stuff if the chemo doesn't work...but I stopped listening... I couldn't concentrate and I just really wanted to know what I needed to know right then.”

“You should have taken someone with you.” Leo claimed. “Then they could have gotten the information from the doctor.”

“I was fine...”

Leo just gave him a look.

“Okay, I may have nearly passed out when he started talking about sucking out the marrow.” Josh admitted.

“You know, you have a knack of explaining these things...”

“I'm telling you Leo, that's what he said.” Josh insisted. “The marrow is sucked out of the pelvis or breastbone of the donor and injected into the recipients veins... thinking about, I don't know if I'm too wild about having someone else’s junk injected into me...”

“You'll do as you're told and you'll be grateful!”

“Okay, okay...I'm just saying.” He held up his hands.

“So, this starts tomorrow?”

“Yeah...” He nodded. “I'm uh...I'm going to talk to C.J over lunch... Ask her about covering for me.”

“Okay, what about the others?”

“I'll probably talk to Toby later as well but Sam and Donna... I don't know...It's going to be hard.”

“I know.” Leo said softly.

“And then there's the others...Charlie...Mrs Landingham...my staff...God, and Zoey.”

“Josh, don't worry about them... You just concentrate on yourself...”

“It's just...This... this is all happening so fast, y'know?” Josh replied. “I thought it was the flu...and within a week...it's...it's turned into this...into cancer... How can I explain it to them when I have no idea why it's happening to me? I don't know what I've done.”

“You haven't done anything, Josh...This just happened.”

“Yeah...” He whispered. “Have you... have you spoken to the President?”

“Yeah, he was worried about you yesterday.” Leo told him. “He'll do anything he can to help you.”

Josh smiled and looked down at his hands again.

“And that goes for me too, without saying.” Leo added.

“I know.” He nodded.

“Have you spoken to your Mother?”

“Yeah, last night... She's pretty upset.”

“I would think so.”

“I managed to convince her not to come out yet...”

“You don't want her here?” Leo raised an eyebrow.

“Honestly, Leo...it nearly killed her looking after Dad when he was ill...” He looked up at him. “She's older now...She's not been well herself... I don't know if she could handle seeing me go through all of this.”

“She's your Mother, Josh.”

“I know and she's going to come out in a few weeks.”

“Okay, well that's good.” Leo nodded. “And you'll talk to C.J later.”

“Yes.” Josh stood up.

“Tell her to stop by afterwards.”

“Right, I'll see you later.” He turned towards the door.

XxXxX

“Hey, you ready for lunch?” C.J asked, walking into Josh's office.

He looked up from what he was writing. “Uh, sure.”

“Where do you want to go?”

“Well, I thinking maybe we could just stay here.” He suggested.

She nodded. “Okay, shall we order something from...”

She was cut of by a light knock on the door and Josh got to his feet, quickly.

“I'm sorry for interrupting...”

“Of course not, Sir.” C.J replied. “Is there anything we can help you with?”

“I would just like a word with Josh...” He answered, and then gestured to the outer office. “Would you mind...?”

“No problem.” C.J smiled, stepping out of the room, closing the door.

“I just spoke to Leo.” Jed started. “He told me about the treatment.”

Josh nodded. “Yes, Sir.”

“If there's anything I can do...”

Josh smiled. “I know, Sir...Thank you, I appreciate it.”

They fell into silence; Jed didn't know what to say. He had spoken in front of thousands; even millions of people and it had never really bothered him before. Now here he was here, stood in front of Josh, someone he considered a part of his family...a son and he couldn't say anything.

“I'm going to talk to C.J about all of this.” Josh broke the silence. “Then I'll tell Toby, Sam, Donna and everyone else later...”

“Okay...” Jed said softly. “Okay, well I'll let you get back to work.”

“Thank you, Sir...”

“Oh, I almost forgot...I brought you some soup.” Jed held the Thermos flask that Josh hadn't even noticed he was holding.

“Soup?” Josh raised an eyebrow as he took it off him.

“Bean and Barley...I heard it was your favourite.”

“Yeah but... how?” Josh stuttered a little.

“Your Mother called Leo's office last night just as I was looking for him... He was caught up somewhere else so I asked Margaret to put the call through to me...I hope that's okay.”

“You talked to my Mom?” He asked surprised.

“Yes, she was worried about you... I assured her that we wouldn't allow you to over do it and to make sure you did as the doctors told you.”

“You didn't have to do that, Sir.”

“I wanted to.” He patted his arm. “Now, I asked Donna to go and get you some bowls from the Mess and there's enough soup there if you'd like to share with C.J.”

“Thank you, Mr President...I really don't know what to say.” Josh looked down at the flask again. “I haven't had this since I was a kid, my Grandmother use to make it for me when I was sick.”

“So, I was told...your Mom was kind enough to give me the recipe, so I asked the head chef to make it up...it should still be hot.” Jed informed him.

“That's really very kind of you, Sir.” Josh replied, swallowing hard and tried to blink back the tears that threatened to fill his eyes.

“It was nothing at all...”

“No, Sir. It's not nothing.” Josh shook his head. “Thank you.”

Jed smiled sadly, reaching out and shaking his hand. “I better get back.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Josh watched as he turned and left the office then looked back down at the flask. He couldn't believe that the President of The United States had gotten hold of an old family recipe to make him feel better.

“Okay, Donna just gave me this...” C.J walked back in with some bowls and spoons. “And the President just made me promise that you'd eat your lunch.”

Josh looked up at her but didn't say anything.

“Is that lunch?” She asked, gesturing to the flask.

“Yeah, it's bean and barley soup.” He said quietly.

“You ordered bean and barely soup?”

“The President gave it to me.”

“He made you soup?” She let out a small laugh. “You're not dying, are you?”

Josh looked up, meeting her eye but didn't say anything.

“Josh?” She said slowly.

“I have Leukaemia, C.J.” He whispered.

“What?”

“I have...”

“No, no you can't...” She cut him off. “Josh?”

He moved around the desk, taking her arm and guiding her into one of the visitor’s chair, then taking the seat next to her.

“C.J, I need...I need to talk to you about work.”

“Work?” She repeated. “You...you want to talk about work?”

“I start treatment tomorrow...I'll be out for a few days...” He tried to explain.

“Josh...”

“The administration is going to go on whether I'm here or not, C.J...” Josh told her. “We need to think about work.”

“Yeah, yeah okay...” She stood up, walking over to his window.

“I'm sorry, I hate dropping this on you like this...” Josh said softly.

She turned to look at him. “How do you feel?”

He shrugged.

“That's a pretty stupid question, isn't it?” She rubbed her neck. “It's just...I can't believe this.”

“I know.”

After a few seconds, Josh stood up and started to pour some soup into the bowls, giving her some time to think.

She watched him; she had noticed there was something wrong. She had thought he was ill and wasn't sure whether to believe him or not when he said it was just the flu. So, why was this such a shock? Why hadn't she seen this coming?

She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts as he sat back down in his chair behind the desk.

“So, work?” She asked, picking up the two bowls, handing him one then sitting down herself.

“I talked this over with Leo and The President...” He started. “We want you to take on some of my work.”

Her mouth fell open. “Me?!”

Josh smiled, placing the untouched soup on the desk and sat forwards. “You'd be taking some of my meetings and briefing the President when I can't.”

“What do you mean, when you can't?” She questioned.

“I'm only going to be having treatment one day a week...I might feel like crap but I should be able to work...”

“Josh! You're really sick! You need time off!”

“I'm working, C.J.” He claimed. “I've already decided...I can't just stay at home thinking about all this.”

“Josh...”

“I'm going to take it easy, don't worry.” He added quickly. “On days when I feel bad, I will stay at home.”

“Yeah right.” She rolled her eyes.

“You remember how it was after the shooting, you really think I'll be allowed anywhere near this place if I started to over do it?”

“That's true.”

“Which is why I need you so there's days when I can stay at home.”

She gave him a look. “You're trying to guilt me into taking this job.”

He grinned. “Yes.”

“Who knows about this?” She asked.

“Just my Mom, Leo, The President, the First Lady and you.”

“What about the others?”

“I'm going to talk to Toby soon...”

“Sam?”

“Later.”

C.J looked down into her soup. She wondered if they could survive this. They had nearly fallen apart after the shooting and this was a bigger battle for Josh, then that was.

“How bad is this?” She asked, quietly looking up.

“I don't know...It's not going to be easy.”

“You start treatment tomorrow?”

“The chemotherapy... because it's the first time they want to keep me in for observation to make sure there's no complications.” He explained.

She nodded, taking in the information. Josh could tell that she was trying her hardest to hold it together.

“Right, well you don't need to see me cry so I'm just going to take my soup and go into my own office...” She tried to joke but her voice shook a little as she stood up.

“C.J?” Josh jumped up and pulled her into a hug.

“I'm so sorry, Josh...I really am.”

He just hugged her, looking over her shoulder to see Donna watching them through the small gap in the door.

He pulled back but kept his hands on her upper arms. “I'm going to fine, okay?”

“Right, because I'm not going to let this beat you, Joshua... That's going to be this Administration's new quote...Joshua Lyman, won't be beaten.”

“M'kay but what about Let Bartlet Be Bartlet?”

She thought about it for a moment. “Okay, so Joshua Lyman won't be beaten will be our second quote.”

Josh smiled. “Yeah, okay.”

“Right, I'm going now.” She rubbed her eyes.

“Leo wants you to go see him at some point.” He told her. “We'll talk more about the job, later.”

“Okay.” She nodded.

Just as Josh sat back down, Donna appeared in the doorway.

“Can I get you anything?”

“No, it's okay...” He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face.

“Josh?” She questioned.

“It's fine, Donna...stop worrying.” He said softly.

“Okay.” She nodded turning to go.

“Uh... Can you hang around later?” He asked. “We need to talk about some things.”

“Okay.” She repeated before leaving.

XxXxX

Josh tried to work up the courage to walk into Toby's office; he took a deep breath and pushed open the door. He figured that Toby would be the easier one to tell. He knew that he would be concerned about him, but also that he'd think about the Administration as well.

“What?!” Toby grunted, not bothering to look up from his computer to see who it was.

“You busy?” Josh asked, closing the door and leaning back against it.

“Yes.”

“I brought you some soup?”

“Why?” He kept typing.

“I had some left over from lunch... thought you'd might want some.” He replied. “It's bean and barley.”

Toby stopped working and looked up at him. “Bean and Barley soup? I hadn't had that in years... I think, it was about the only thing that my Mom could cook that tasted half decent.”

Josh smiled, handing him the flask. “I thought you'd appreciate it...I don't think, C.J was too impressed.”

“This is pretty good.” Toby took a mouthful.

“Yeah, it's my Grandmother's recipe.”

Toby nodded and kept eating.

“Toby?”

“Hmm?”

“I'm sick.”

He glanced up at him but didn't say anything for a few seconds. “It's serious?”

“Yeah...” Josh swallowed hard. “It's...it's serious.”

Toby put the soup down and picked up the pink rubber ball as he got to his feet. He turned the ball around in his palm before turning to face Josh.

“How serious?”

“Leukaemia.”

Toby stared at him. “That's cancer.”

“I start treatment tomorrow.”

Toby ran a hand over his mouth, as he leant back against the desk. “Who knows?”

“The President, Leo and C.J.”

“No one else?”

“The First Lady and my Mom.” He added.

“How long have you known?” He questioned, in a tone that Josh couldn't decide whether he was upset or just angry.

“I got the results from the doctor Saturday evening...I went to see him yesterday about the treatment.”

“Which starts tomorrow?” Toby asked but continued before Josh could say anything. “You didn't think we should have been let in on this?!”

“Oh for, God sake, Toby...What do you want from me? I found out that I could be dying and I wanted one day to get my head around it before I told the rest of the world!” Josh snapped back.

Toby started to pace around in front of the desk, tossing the ball lightly up and down in his hand before hurling it across the room.

It hit the window hard, Sam and a few other members of the communications team who were working in Sam's office jumped a little.

Sam stood up, looking through the window at them questionably, but Toby waved a hand in the air, telling him to stay where he was. He hesitated slightly before going back to his meeting.

“C.J's going to take on some of my work and she'll keep me informed when I can't come in... You don't need to worry about the administration, we’ve got it covered.” Josh assured him.

“It's...it's not just the administ...” Toby started but his voice trailed off and he went back to pacing. “I can't believe this.”

“Yeah, it kind of sucks.”

Josh watched as Toby walked around his desk, opening the bottom draw and pulled out a bottle of scotch. He poured out two glasses, handing Josh one.

They both stared down into their glasses in silence until Josh broke it. Toby leaned back against the desk again whilst Josh leant against the arm of the couch.

“Toby?”

“Yeah?”

“How do I tell him?” He whispered.

Toby glanced up at him but saw he wasn't looking back. He followed his gaze and they both watched Sam through the glass as he walked around his office, waving his arms as he dictated to the rest of the staff. He looked happy... He looked like was enjoying himself.

Toby swirled the scotch around in the glass, staring at it before turning his attention back to Josh who was still watching Sam.

“Be honest with him...Tell him the truth...He can handle it.”

“You think?”

“Yes, Josh...He'll be fine...everyone will be fine...” Toby assured him, pushing himself away from the desk. “We'll work something out... We'll have it covered.”

They both looked up when there was a single knock on the door and Sam walked in.

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah, sure...” Toby replied.

“Because earlier with the ball...” Sam gestured to the window. “And you guys seemed a little stressed...”

“We'll talk later.” Josh told him.

Sam looked at them both for a moment, noticing the drinks in their hands but didn't say anything about it. “You want to go grab a coffee or something then?”

Josh shared a look with Toby before answering. “Sure.”

“Okay...” Sam half turned towards the door but then stopped. “Oh, we just finished the President’s speech about Education for next week... It's good... They're going to be on their feet before he's finished.”

Toby managed to smile but then looked down.

Sam frowned a little. “Okay, well I'll get Cathy to give you a copy.”

Once Sam left the office, Josh raised his glass a little at Toby; he did the same before they both swallowed the scotch in one mouthful.

“Right...” Josh winced as it burned down his throat, causing him to cough a little. “I should go talk to him.”

“I'll be working here for the rest of the day...”

Josh nodded, understanding what he was saying. “Okay.”

Toby retook his seat, glaring at the computer screen.

“Can I ask you something?” Josh asked, from the doorway.

“What?”

“Do you think it's a bad idea not bringing someone new in?” He asked, quietly knowing Toby would give him an honest answer.

“I think...I think it'll be a good thing that you keep working, as long as you don't kill yourself doing so...It'll be good for you...It'll be good for everyone else, so they can see that you're fighting this...cancer...” Toby answered. “I think...I know, that the President, Leo, C.J, Sam... me... we'd all prefer you to be here with us at your worst then not be here at all.”

Josh stared at him, surprised by his words. He cleared his throat. “Th...thank you.”

“Go talk to Sam.”

“Yeah.” Josh sighed, hitting his hand lightly against the doorframe before turning to go and find his friend.

Toby sat at his desk for another five minutes before he couldn't stand it any more. He jumped to his feet, grabbing his coat on his way out.

“I'll be back later.”

“Where you going?” Ginger asked, confused.

“Out.” He replied, not bothering to stop.

TBC

Please review!!

I'm Fine

Tue, 13 May 2008 20:21:32 GMT

Title: I'm Fine
Summery: Josh gets sick but just how bad is it? Why is he so scared? Please read and review.
Rating: Teen
Characters: Josh, Leo, Jed, Abbey
Pairing: None
Spoilers: Series 2ish
Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own any of the characters

I'm Fine: Chapter One
I'm Fine: Chapter Two
I'm Fine: Chapter Three
I'm Fine: Chapter Four

Hey guys, here's the next chapter!

Enjoy!!

I'm Fine

Josh stayed in his seat when Leo had dismissed everyone else from Senior Staff. He had arrived at work later then usual, noting how it took him longer to get ready this morning because of his lack of energy. He wished he could push it all to the back of his mind and just get on with what he needed to do, but he just couldn't. Every time he moved, his body ached, reminding him of what was happening. He kept thinking back to after the shooting, how he kept pretending that everything was okay because he didn't want to let the President, Leo or the Administration down. He kept thinking about how close he had come to nearly losing it because he didn't look after himself. He never wanted to feel like that again.

“So, how are you feeling today?” Leo asked, taking his glasses off and setting them on the desk.

Josh shrugged, leaning against the chair. “Tired, I guess would be a good word.”

Leo studied him for a moment, trying to decide how to answer. He had never seen Josh this low. Not even after the shooting.

“You get much sleep last night?”

Josh looked over at him, realising where he was and sat up straight. “Yeah, quite a bit...Just, well it wasn't very restful.”

“You didn't have to come in today.”

“Yeah, I did.” He sighed. “We need to talk about this seriously.”

“Where do you want to start?” Leo asked, after a few seconds. Deciding that Josh wasn't going to give up on this until they had talked about it.

“We need to get someone to cover for me.” He claimed.

He had thought about this a lot since he had his first appointment. It had actually helped by keeping this mind busy.

“You really think that?”

“I love my job, Leo...And...And I'm finding a replacement for myself...” He whispered, running a hand through his hair. “I hate that someone else is going to be doing what I should be doing...”

“Then why are you insisting on this?”

“Because I can't do what I should be doing! Look at me... I can't do it.” He got to his feet. “Even if it's not... Even... God, we don't know how bad it is yet and I'm already a mess!”

Leo watched silently as he started to pace the office.

“I slept all yesterday afternoon... And still didn't fell like getting up this morning...It took me twice as long to get ready...” He ranted and kept moving, avoiding looking at his boss. “I can't get done what needs to get done...I know that! That's why I gave C.J the meeting about the education bill...Because I just couldn't do it!”

Leo sat; a little shocked at the outburst. He wondered if he should say or do anything as he stared at Josh, who had his back to him. Leo could hear him breathing heavily, leaning his forehead against the office door.

“C.J should...” He whispered in a shaky voice.

“C.J should what?” Leo asked.

“Cover for me.” He explained. “C.J should.”

“Really?”

Josh finally turned around to face him again. “I... God...”

“Josh?” Leo raised an eyebrow; he was really starting to worry about him.

“I can't believe I just lost it like that.”

Leo got up from behind the desk, moving towards Josh and then guided him towards the couch.

“You said you had some ideas.” He reminded him of their phone conversation the night before.

“Yeah.”

“Well?”

“I don't think you should bring in someone new.” He started, swallowing the lump in his throat. “Toby will drive you, me and the President insane...Sam, I really don't think he'd be up for it...”

“So, that leaves C.J...” Leo finished off. “And who's going to cover her?”

“Well, see I was thinking that I might not leave completely.” He admitted. “C.J would only need to cover for me when I can't do the job and Sam can cover for C.J on those days...”

Leo smiled and shook his head. “You're your father's son.”

Josh briefly made eye contact with him before looking down.

“You don't have to, y'know.” Leo said after a few seconds of silence. “You can take as much time as you need off... Everyone would understand...”

He looked up again and this time smiled. “No, I can't, Leo...Aside from the fact that I'd be causing ten times more work for the rest of you... This is me you're talking about...Can you really see me sitting at home all day watching soap operas?”

“Okay, how about we just go with the flow... We'll give C.J more responsibility and give you less work...A lot less work... Then anything else we'll deal with as we come to it.”

“Yeah, sounds like a plan.”

“The President will have to agree, but I don't see any reason why he wouldn't.” Leo continued.

“I guess we'll talk about that later.” Josh looked over at the door leading from Leo's office to the Oval office.

“Yeah.” He followed Josh's eyes. “He's got meetings this morning...Charlie's put you down for just after lunch.”

“Yeah.” Josh nodded, looking back at him.

“You gonna’ be okay?”

Josh forced a small smile. “Sure.”

“I meant it when I said I could talk to him...”

“Leo, it'll be fine.” Josh shook his head and stood up. “I should get some work done.”

“Okay.” He got to his feet also, walking Josh towards the door.

“I'm going to work with C.J on the Education Bill, make sure everything is up to speed.”

“Okay, well you know where I am if you need any help.” Leo replied, but he wasn't just talking about the bill.

“Yeah, thanks.” Josh nodded. “See ya.”

Leo stood in the doorway watching Josh disappear down the corridor.

“Leo?” Margaret broke his train of thoughts after a few seconds.

He looked at her. “Can you call over to the First Lady and ask her to stop by my office, please?”

She nodded, picking up the phone. “What should I say it's about?”

“It's about...” He started, but stopped himself. “Just tell her it's about what we were talking about the other day.”

She looked at him for a moment before turning her attention to the phone.

XxXxX

Josh half-heartily pushed his salad around on his plate, barely aware of anyone else in the room. Their conversation just background noise to his thoughts about what he was going to say to the President during their meeting. He had been working with C.J and they decided to order lunch. Both Donna and C.J had raised an eyebrow at his request for a salad, but he felt a little sick and thought it would be something easy for his stomach to handle. Toby had stopped by, wanting Josh's opinion on something and decided he wanted a sandwich then Sam happened to walk by, and not wanting to feel left out of the lunch meeting, ordered a burger.

He could see Donna, watching him probably noticing he had barely touched his food, whilst the other debated about some topic that Josh had stopped listening to twenty minutes ago.

“...Josh?” Sam threw a balled up napkin at him. “Josh!”

“Hmm, what?” He looked over at him.

“I was asking what you thought of...” Sam started frowning. “Are you okay?”

“Sure.”

“Is there something going on?” C.J asked.

He sighed, as they all stared at him. “Nothing I can't handle...”

“Something wrong with your food?” Donna questioned.

“It's a salad.” He grinned at her.

“It's what you ordered.”

“I know but...” Leo appearing in the doorway cut him off.

“You ready?” He asked.

Josh glanced at the time, swallowing before nodding and standing up. “Yeah.”

The others watched as he left, following Leo towards the Oval Office.

“This doesn't look good, does it?” Donna asked quietly.

“Long meetings with Leo...Days off... Secret meetings with the President... Handing over the Education Bill to C.J...Turning up late...” Toby listed. “No, it doesn't look good.”

Sam looked at him. “You think he's leaving?”

There was silence in the office, no one answering.

“Where...Where would he go?” Donna asked.

Toby shrugged, standing up and grabbing his jacket off the back of the chair. “That's not the question I really care about right now.”

“What is?”

“Why and whether it's his decision or the President’s.”

They watched as he walked out the office, each of them slowly following.

XxXxX

“Charlie, is he ready?” Leo asked when they reached the outer office.

“Yeah, he's waiting.” Charlie glanced up at them. “You can go on in.”

“Thanks.” Josh said but didn't move.

“Want me to come in too?” Leo offered, after a few seconds.

“No, no...I'll be fine...I just...” He stopped his rambling. “I'll go on in, then?”

“Okay.” Leo nodded, watching as he slowly walked towards the open Oval office door.

Charlie looked from Josh to Leo curiously, but knew better then to ask what was going on.

Josh took a deep breath before finally stepping into the office.

“Ah, Josh...Come on in and have a seat.” Jed said, once he saw his Deputy Chief of Staff.

He had asked Leo about this meeting and although he wouldn't tell him what it was about, he had said it was personal. So, Jed decided avoid the joking manner that he normally shared with Josh, remembering that last time he had this kind of meeting with him when he found out about the PTSD.

“Thank you, Sir...” Josh moved towards the couch and Jed sat beside him.

“Y'know last time we met like this, you tried to resign.” Jed broke the uneasy silence, finding it difficult to stay away from their normal banter. “We're not going to go through that again, are we?”

Josh looked back at him before slowly reaching into his jacket pocked and pulling a long white envelope.

Jed watched as he placed it on the table in front of them, his name printed on the front in Josh's own handwriting.

“You've found yourself another job?” Jed asked softly. He hated the idea of one of his staff leaving but he knew that it could happen. Although he was surprised it was Josh.

“No, Sir...”

Jed frowned in confusion and concern. “If this is about what happened at Christmas again, then like I said then...”

“Sir...” Josh cut him off, suddenly remembering that he shouldn't interrupt the President. “I'm sorry, Mr President... But it's not about the PTSD.”

“Okay.” Jed leaned back against the couch, waiting for Josh to continue.

Josh rubbed his forehead with a shaky hand. “Sir, for a few weeks now, I haven't been feeling well. I thought it was the flu but after talking to some people, mainly Leo and the First Lady... I went to see a doctor.”

Jed sat forward, panic suddenly falling over him.

“I've had some tests done...I'm still waiting for the results... “

“What kind of tests?” Jed questioned.

“Some blood tests... And uh, looking at the results they thought it would be best for me to have a bone marrow test.”

“Bone marrow?” Jed repeated quietly.

“Yes, Sir... They're... They're test for leukaemia, Sir.”

Silence filled the office and Jed got to his feet. His hand half raising to his mouth but then it dropped down to his side. Josh stayed seated, waiting for him to speak.

“I'm sorry...” Jed placed a hand on his shoulder. “I'm...I'm sorry, I don't know what to say.”

“It's okay, Sir.” Josh replied. “I don't really know either.”

“You're seeing a good doctor?” He sat back down.

“Yeah, Mrs. Bartlet recommended one.”

“And you've talked about this with her?”

“Well, Donna, C.J and some other people were concerned about me...I guess she over heard them and she came looking for me.” Josh explained. “It was Leo and her that convinced me to see a doctor.”

Jed nodded, trying to take in all the information.

“It normally takes a few weeks for the results to come back, but he said he'll rush them through as a favour to the First Lady.” Josh continued. “I should hear something in a day or two...”

Jed slowly reached out and picked up the envelope. “You want to resign because of this?”

“No, Sir...I don't want too.” Josh claimed. “But it's my job to warn you that there might be days when I'm too ill to work...”

“Josh, do you really think I'd let you resign because you might be ill?” Jed questioned, thinking how well that would go down with the press, not to mention how it would make him look like a hypocrite.

Josh stopped mid sentence and looked at him. “No, Sir...I didn't.”

“Then why did you consider even writing this letter?” Jed asked, tearing it in half.

“I had to give you the choice, Sir.”

“Leo already refused to accept it?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“And you've discussed what's going to happen if you need treatment?”

“We've talked about C.J taking some of my work and helping me out when I'm having bad days or whatever...And Sam could cover for her if he needs too...” Josh told him. “The other option is to bring someone in to help...”

Jed shook his head. “I don't want to bring anyone else in. You really think that C.J is the right choice?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Not that I'm doubting her, but for the best of this administration, you really think she is?”

“I do, Sir... It's either her or Toby.” Josh claimed, smiling slightly. “Who would you prefer?”

Jed smiled sadly in return, there's that banter again. “I would prefer you.”

For once Josh didn't know how to reply, completely surprised by the President's comment. “Thank you, Sir...”

“So, C.J is getting more work... And Sam's getting more work.” Jed started. “And you better believe that you'll be doing less work.”

“Yes, Sir I'm sure everyone will see to that.”

“Have you talked about this with them?”

Josh looked down. “I...They don't know.”

“Oh?”

“I haven't told them yet...I can't...” Josh looked back up at him. “I mean, I haven't got the results back yet...It might be nothing...So until then... I don't want to worry them.”

Jed nodded understandingly and placed a reassuring hand on his arm.

“But I wanted to tell you... I needed you to know.” Josh continued. “I wanted to warn you...It wouldn't be fair to keep this from you.”

Jed swallowed the lump in his throat and suddenly couldn't look Josh in the eye.

“I know I have to tell them at some point...But I just don't want them worrying about this before we know for sure, especially since there are more important things to get done.”

Jed patted his hand. “You're a good man, Josh.”

He grinned. “I'm sure there's some people that will disagree with you, Sir.”

Jed couldn't help but laugh quietly. “Even so...”

“Thank you, Mr President.” He stood up. “I should let you get back to work...”

“They'll understand, you know... When you do tell them... Everything will be fine...” Jed said softly. “They'll all rally around you to make sure everything is fine.”

“I know, Sir.” He nodded; there was a long pause before Josh continued, his voice shaking a little. “It's times... I mean... I just wish... I wish my Dad was here, y'know?”

“Yeah.” Jed whispered.

“Leo's done more then I could have ever asked for...He's listened to me...Made sure I saw a doctor... he's talked to me... He even came round to my apartment and made me eat dinner...” Josh told him. “But my Dad... He's...He's been here...I just wish he was still around to tell me it'll be okay...”

“I know...”

“Because people say they understand, but how can they really?” Josh almost forgot where he was and who he was talking too. “I mean, how do they understand that there's this...This thing inside of me... Eating away... Trying to destroy me...”

“I know, Son...” Jed put a hand on his shoulder. “I know.”

The hand on his shoulder brought Josh back to reality. He hands were clenched in tight fists at his sides, trying to hold onto the emotion that had suddenly overcome him.

“Thank you, Mr President.” He choked a little on the words.

“Any time.” Jed whispered, stepping back a little.

Josh managed a small smile before turning and slowly leaving the room.

Jed brought a hand to his mouth and walked towards the windows, staring out.

“Mr President?”

He turned and saw Leo stood in the door leading from his office. “I almost told him.”

“Sir?”

“He handed me his resignation...That's the second time in the past year...and it’s because of something that he can't control...” Jed gripped a hand onto the back of his chair.

Leo stayed silent; not at all surprised that Josh had offered his resignation to the President even though he’d already refused it.

“He stood in this office...For the second time and told me that there's something wrong with him...That he's ill...He stood there and called me Sir and Mr President... He looked me in the eye and said that he might not be able to do his job, but he's going to try his hardest to...” His voice grew louder and louder before he slammed his hand down hard on the desk. “Damn it!!”

Leo couldn’t say anything, knowing that there was no point. Nothing would help.

“I almost told him about the MS, Leo...” He whispered.

“Why didn't you?” Leo asked quietly.

“Because it would have hurt him more then helped him...” Jed answered.

“Yeah.” He agreed.

There was silence again, both of them deep in thought.

“Mr President?” Charlie walked into the room.

“Yeah?”

“The First Lady just called and wanted to tell you that she's up in the Residence.”

“Thank you, Charlie.”

“I spoke to Abbey earlier...” Leo explained when Charlie had left again. “And I've cleared the rest of your afternoon...Go and talk to her.”

“Yeah, okay...” He sighed. “Okay, thank you.”

“Mr President.” Leo said before turning back to his own office.

“Leo? How are you doing?”

“I'm fine, Sir.”

“This is Josh.” Jed stated. “So, how are you really doing?”

Leo thought about it for moment before answering. “This is Josh. He'll get through it... Everything will be fine.”

“Okay...” Jed accepted his answer, before turning his attention to gathering up his things. “Charlie?!”

“Yes, Sir.”

“I'm heading up to the Residence.”

“Okay, Sir.” He nodded.

“You'll call me if anything happens?” He looked at Leo.

“Yes, Mr President.”

They shared another look before Jed turned and walked out the door.

Leo sighed and went back into his office.

XxXxX

Two days had passed and Leo walked through Josh's bullpen, seeing him still sat behind his desk. The door was open slightly, with only his desk lamp on, lighting the office only slightly.

“What are you still doing here?” He asked, as he stood in the door, startling Josh.

He turned away from the window. “Uh, I...I'm waiting for a call.”

“Josh, its 7:45 on Saturday night...No one else is here...”

“They're out celebrating Larry's birthday.”

“You didn't want to go?”

“I'm waiting for a call...”

“What's so important?”

“I uh...” He looked down. “I gave the doctor this number...I don't know why...They asked for a contact number and it was the first one to come into my head...”

“Wait, you're waiting for the doctor?”

“Yeah.”

“About the results?”

“Yes.”

“At this time?”

“Well, he's rushed the tests through because the First Lady pulled some strings...So it's not exactly office hours.”

“You should have said something.”

“It's fine.”

Leo rolled his eyes and sat down in one of the visitor’s chairs. He saw Josh open his mouth to comment.

“Don't bother, because unless there's a national emergency I'm staying here, got it?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Good.”

XxXxX

“Charlie, you can go on home now.” Jed told him, as he walked out of the Oval office, with his wife behind him.

“Thank you, Sir.” Charlie started to tidy up his desk.

“Has everyone else gone?”

“Yeah, it's Larry's birthday so everyone's out celebrating...I'm going to join them now.”

“Okay, good... Is Leo still around?”

“He went to see Josh in his office...He hasn't come back.”

“Josh is still here?”

“I guess so.”

“Okay, good night, Charlie.”

“Good night, Mr President.” He shrugged on his coat. “Ma'am.”

“Night, Charlie.” Abbey replied softly.

Jed sighed, thinking of Josh. “He's distancing himself from everyone.”

Abbey reached out and rubbed his arm. “He just doesn't want to hurt anyone.”

“Yeah.”

“Come on, lets go over and say goodnight.”

They were both surprised when they reached the office to find Josh sitting staring out the window, whilst Leo was watching him, in complete silence.

“Not interrupting, are we?” Jed announced his presence.

“Mr President.” Josh shot to his feet and Leo followed.

“Is everything okay?” He waved them back into their seats.

“We're waiting for the doctor's call.” Leo explained softly.

Jed and Abbey looked at each other before looking at Josh.

“Would you like some company?” Abbey asked.

“You really don't have to...” Josh started.

“It's what families do.” Jed cut him off, sitting down as Leo stood up and offered Abbey his seat.

Josh managed a small smile before turning his eyes back to the outside.

They sat in silence for another thirty minutes, Jed and Abbey had pulled their chairs closer together and their hands were grasped tightly together. Josh had his feet resting on the windowsill, not having moved his gaze from the window the whole time.

Leo was now pacing around the office, only stopping occasionally to watch his Deputy. Surprised that he had been sat still for so long. This was the guy they had to practically chain to the bed once he had come around from the operation after being shot. Now he was just sitting there...It gave Leo the chance to look at him closely, noticing how tired and drawn he looked. He sighed, just another sign that he wasn't the normal Josh.

Everyone jumped at the sound of the phone ringing. Josh glanced at each of them before slowly reaching out with a shaky hand.

“Jo…Josh Lyman.” He stuttered into the phone.

Both Abbey and Jed leaned forward a little, gripping each other's hand tighter. Leo paused his pacing and stared at Josh anxiously.

“Yes, I am Joshua Lyman...” He spoke, not looking at anyone in the room. “Yeah, okay...So, uh...What does that mean?”

Leo looked back at Jed and Abbey when Josh squeezed his eyes shut. He couldn't read him; he didn't know whether it was good news or bad.

“Okay, yeah...Thank You...I appreciate your help.” Josh continued. “Tha...thank you..”

He replaced the phone but kept his eyes closed as the others waited for him to speak.

“Josh?” Abbey asked softly.

He opened his eyes and stood up. “I uh...I have an appointment tomorrow morning...”

“What did they say?” Leo questioned.

He rubbed his eye with the heel of his palm. “Uh, they... He wants to discuss the treatment...”

“What kind of treatment?”

“Chemotherapy... to start off with I think.” He replied, coming around from behind the desk.

“Oh, Josh...” Abbey cried quietly.

“I said, I might join the others at the bar...I should call them and tell I can't.” He sniffed. Not wanting to break down in front of them, he headed out of the office but only reached the door when his feet stopped moving.

No one moved, watching as he leant his head against the door, gripping the handle so tightly that his knuckles turned white. It was Abbey who finally reached out to him when quiet sobs broke the silence.

“It'll be okay...” She whispered, her arms wrapped around him. Her hand gently rubbing his back in a motherly fashion.

“I'm sorry...” He cried. “I'm sorry.”

“Shhh, it's okay...” She repeated, not being able to stop her own emotions and glancing over at her husband and his chief of staff, she saw they couldn't either.

TBC

Please review and let me know what you think!!

I'm Fine

Tue, 13 May 2008 20:16:06 GMT

Hey, here's the next chapter! Please review!!!

I'm Fine!!

Josh slowly sat up and glanced around, groaning at the pain in his back from sleeping on the couch all night. He was startled when a plate of toast was placed down in front of him, along with a glass of orange juice

“Geez, Leo...You trying to give me a heart attack?”

Leo raised his eyebrow and turned to walk back into the kitchen. “Me, give you a heart attack? I’ve seen what’s in your fridge...I’m surprised you haven’t given yourself a heart attack.”

Josh rolled his eyes and turned around in his seat to face him as he walked back into the room, holding a cup of coffee. “I get all that off of Donna and my Mom, you don’t need to worry...Is that coffee?”

“Yes.”

“Did you make me a cup?”

“You have orange juice.” Leo nodded to the coffee table in front of Josh.

Josh glanced at the juice before looking back at Leo, who was now sitting in the armchair.

“I really do get all of this from Donna and my Mom...”

“You should listen to them more often.” Leo replied. “Eat your toast.”

“Leo!”

“You hardly had any dinner last night, I know you haven’t been eating properly for the past few days anyway, so eat your toast.”

Josh stared at him for a few moments before sighing in defeat and picking up a piece.

There was silence for a few minutes before Leo spoke again.

“What time’s your appointment?”

“11:30.” Josh answered, taking a sip of his juice. “You slept in that chair all night?”

“Yeah...”

“Why did you stay?”

Leo looked over at him, thinking about his answer. He knew he should probably be honest and tell Josh the truth - that he had spent the night watching over him, like he had done at the hospital the first five days after the shooting. He wanted to tell him how he had tried to think of a plan about what to do if the result came back with bad news. How would it effect the administration? They were all close; he remembers how hard it was for them to focus after Rosslyn, whilst Josh and the President both recovered. Most of all, he tried to think of a way to thank God, if there was good news.

“When I saw you had fallen asleep, I picked up the sports section and I must have dropped off myself.” Leo claimed, holding up yesterday's paper. Josh was quite a proud guy and after all the emotions he had shown last night, he probably wouldn’t appreciate the truth and would just see it as Leo babysitting him.

Josh thought about it for a moment before nodding a little and finished the rest of his juice before leaning back against the couch.

“Well, I should get to work...” Leo got to his feet, noticing Josh had only eaten one piece of the toast and a little of the second piece, but it was better than nothing. “You’ll call me later?”

“Yeah.” Josh replied, quietly.

“It’ll be fine, okay?”

Josh looked up at him, forcing a small smile. “Yeah, okay...”

Leo gave him small nod in reply and picked up his coat.

“Leo?” Josh got to his feet and turned to face his boss as he reached the door. “Thanks... for...Y’know...”

“Anytime.” Leo assured him before pulling the door open. “If I don’t hear from you by lunchtime, I’m sending the First Lady after you...”

Josh held up hands in mock surrender. “I’ll call.”

XxXxX

“Okay, make this quick...” Leo stated, as he walked into his office where Sam, Toby and C.J were waiting for him. “What’s happening?”

“Shouldn’t we wait for Josh?” C.J asked.

“He had somewhere else to be.” Leo answered and turned to look at Sam. “What happened with Congresswoman Davis?”

“Josh was right...She’s just trying to score some points...” Sam replied.

“You’re dealing with it?”

“Yeah, it’s not going to be a problem.” Sam nodded.

“Right, good...Anything else?”

“I have a thing.” C.J told them. “Well, not really sure if it is a thing... It might be a big thing if we don’t...”

“C.J?” Leo cut off her rambling.

She sighed and rubbed her forehead with her hand. “Steve Canter came looking for a quote...”

“Who’s Steve Canter?” Leo interrupted again, glancing up from the memo he was reading.

“He’s covering the Times for a few weeks whilst Jerry’s on his honeymoon.”

“Jerry got married?” Sam looked across at her.

“Guys, I have a very busy schedule today, so if we can move it along...” Leo returned his attention back to the memo.

“Did you stay at Josh’s place last night?” C.J blurted out causing all three men in the office to look at her quickly in surprise.

“I’m sorry?” Leo stared at her.

“Steve asked if the White House would like to give a quote on why the Chief of Staff spent the night at his Deputy’s.” C.J continued.

Leo laughed a little. “C.J, what are you suggesting?”

Her eyes widened. “God, Leo no...Not that...I should just deny it then.”

“Nah, just tell him to mind his own business.” Leo replied, moving around the desk to sit down.

“So, you did spend the night there?” C.J asked.

“Yeah.”

“Why?” Sam asked, a little concerned for his friend. He could tell there was something going on with Josh lately and it worried him that Leo would take the night off to stay the night with him.

“Mind your own business.” Leo told him.

“Leo...”

“How did he know?” Leo looked at C.J stopping Sam from continuing.

“What?”

“How did he know I was there?”

C.J glanced at Toby and Sam before sighing. “He said he was in the area.”

“He was in the area?” Toby repeated. “He just happened to be in the area where the President’s Deputy Chief of Staff lives when the Chief of Staff stopped by?!”

“I don’t know...”

“He was either following me or hanging around Josh’s place.” Leo claimed. “I swear to, God, C.J, if I found out that he was looking for some kind of gossip to go after Josh with I’ll...”

“I’ll talk to him.” She assured him, deciding not to ask why Leo was more concerned about the press stalking Josh then himself. What was really going on with Josh?

“If you don’t get this sorted, then tell him, he’ll have me to deal with!”

“Got it.” She nodded.

“Right, is that all?”

The three of them gathered up their stuff and headed for the door.

“What was all that about?” Sam asked as they made their way back to their offices.

“I don’t know, but there is something they don’t want us to know.” Toby replied.

“Well, I just hope Steve Canter doesn’t know more than we do.” C.J added, turning the corner and walking off.

XxXxX

Josh was stretched out across the couch, a report on the Education Bill in his hand. He had about an hour before he had to leave for his appointment so he decided that doing some work might help take his mind off of everything. He frowned a little when the door rang. He pushed himself to his feet, wondering if Leo had decided to come back or if the First Lady didn’t trust him to actually go to the appointment.

“Hello?” He pressed the intercom button.

“Hi, let me up?” Came Donna’s reply.

“Donna?”

“Yeah, let me up.” She repeated.

He buzzed her in and went to open the front door. He waited for her to come up the stairs.

“What are you doing here?” He asked, stepping aside to let her in.

“I’m here to work.” She said cheerfully, dropping her bags on the coffee table, next to the files he was working on.

“Donna...Wha...” He watched her, confused. “You need to be in the office...”

“Leo sad you’re going to be working from home today.” She started to pull papers out of her bag. “It’ll be no use if your here and I’m there.”

“Donna...” He sighed, walking over and dropping onto the couch.

She stopped what she was doing and looked at him. “What’s wrong, Josh?”

He looked up at her, trying to decide if he should tell her or not. He wanted to but he didn’t know if he was ready too. Donna and he had always had a strong friendship and there were times when Josh wondered if there was something else there too. He just didn’t know how to tell her. He wanted to be able to comfort her and tell her everything would work out but at the moment he didn’t know that.

“I’m just tired.” He spoke after a few moments of silence. “Which is why I’m here and not at the office.”

“But you’re still working.” She pointed out.

“Yeah but...” He started but stopped.

“Josh?”

He sighed and rubbed his eyes. “I’m just... I’m not feeling great...”

She sat down next to him, concerned. He never admitted to feeling ill, even after the shooting; he kept insisting he was fine. She placed a hand on his forehead.

“Maybe I should call your doctor.”

He shifted away from her a little. “Don’t worry about me...”

“You’re staying off work voluntary because you’re ill?” She gave him a look. “And you’re telling me not to worry.”

He couldn’t help but smile. “Leo and the First Lady had something to do with it too.”

“Ah, so you’re just scared of coming into the West Wing then?”

“Yeah, that’s right...You got me.” He rolled his eyes. “But seriously, you need to go back to work.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re going to help C.J on the Education Bill.” He answered.

“Josh, you’ll be a phone call away and knowing you, you’ll be back there tomorrow.” She laughed a little. “The place won’t fall apart without you.”

“Yeah but still...” He sighed.

If the results came back and he did have cancer, he knew that no matter what Leo had said; they’d have to get someone in to replace him. Whoever it will be, Donna will have to be there to help them.

“But still what?” She questioned.

“I’m going to be sleeping most of the day...I’m not going to be doing a lot of work.” He claimed. “So, go help C.J...She’ll need it.”

“Josh? What’s really going on?”

He stared at her, knowing she didn’t believe a word he was saying.

“Just go, Donna.” He whispered, looking away.

“Josh?”

“Please...” He mumbled.

“Okay, if that’s what you want.” She gathered the files she had taken out and stuffed them back into her bag.

Josh continued to look down at the floor, knowing she would have that hurt look on her face.

“If there’s anything you need, just call me.” She told him. Even though she was upset that he was throwing her out and not telling her what was really wrong, she still wanted to help him.

“Thanks.” This time he raised his head and met her eyes.

She waited for a moment, hoping he’d change his mind and talk but when he didn’t, she slung her bag over her shoulder. “Bye.”

“Bye.”

He fell back against the couch and covered his face with his hands. He took a few deep breaths, trying to calm his heart rate.

He rubbed his eyes with the palm of his hands to stop the tears rolling down his face. He ran his hand through his hair before picking up the phone to call C.J’s office.

“Hi, Carol...It’s Josh...Is she in? Thanks.”

“Josh?” C.J came on the line.

“Hey, just to let you know that Donna’s on her way over to help you go over the Education Bill.”

“Okay.” She replied. “Listen, there’s something I need to ask you...”

“Yeah, hang on...” He told her. “First, I need you to take the meeting about the Bill.”

“Why can’t you?” She held the phone between her shoulder and ear, whilst she kept working.

“Because I’m busy.” He stated. “And that’s why Donna’s on her way.”

“Okay, but how long does it takes to get to your office to mine?” She asked. “Shouldn’t she be here?”

“She’s coming from my apartment.”

“Your apartment?”

“Yeah.”

“Did you have a secret slumber party that you didn’t want to invite me to or something?”

“What?”

“Leo spent the night at yours.”

“He told you that?”

“No, a member of the press told me.”

“How the hell did they find out?”

“I’m working on that...” C.J told him.

“They’ve taken to following us around now?!”

“I’m sorting it, Josh.” She assured. “What time are you coming in?”

“Sometime tomorrow.”

“Not today?”

“No, I’ve still got the flu, so I’m under strict orders from the First Lady to stay home; I’m going to work from here today.”

“Oh.” She was a little taken back by that. “Do you need me to do anything?”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know, make some soup or something?”

“You make soup?”

“I can buy it.”

Josh let out a laugh. “No, it’s okay...Thanks for the offer though.”

“Well, just let me know if you change your mind.”

“Yeah, I’ll call you later about the meeting.”

“Sure...Bye.” She leaned back in her chair, deep in thought; there was something that didn’t sound quite right. He sounded like he had been crying but if he was ill maybe that was why.

“C.J, you got a minute?” Toby walked into the office without knocking.

“Josh isn’t coming in today.” She told him.

He stopped, waiting for her to continue.

“And?”

“Hmmm?”

“Why isn’t he coming in?”

“The First Lady’s orders to get over the flu.” She answered.

“Oh, well okay...” Toby started to change the subject when she cut him off.

“it’s a bit weird though.”

“The First Lady banning him from work?”

“Yeah, well no...Him actually listening.”

“C.J...”

“I’m just worried okay.” She said defensively. “You said yourself earlier that there’s something that they don’t want us to know.”

“Yeah.”

“Yeah, well I’m just worried.”

“C.J, if there is something wrong, they’ll tell us when we need to know.” He said softly. “Until then, whatever it is that’s happening, he’s got Leo looking out for him... No one is going to do a better job.”

She sighed and shook her head a little, to try and clear it. “What did you need me for?”

Toby gave her a small smile before telling her what he had originally come in for.

XxXxX

“Josh is on the phone for you.” Margaret informed Leo before stepping out his office.

Leo glanced at his watch before picking up the phone.

“Josh, when I said I wanted to hear from you before lunch, I actually meant after your appointment.”

“There was a reporter outside my house, last night?”

Leo sighed and rubbed his eyes. “Some guy covering for Jerry...”

“He was outside my house?”

“Don’t worry about it...”

“Leo, I’ve got an appointment at a private doctor’s clinic that specializes in cancer treatment.” Josh exclaimed. “If I get my picture taken there, then the whole world is going to know that I might be dying before I do!”

“Josh...”

“My mother will read it, Leo!” His voiced lowered a little. “Donna and Sam...”

“That’s not going to happen.” Leo assured him.

“Maybe I should cancel the appointment.” Josh said, more to himself then to Leo.

“No.”

“I’m not ready for everyone to know, Leo.”

“Let’s not forget there might be nothing for people to know.”

“Exactly! Why should I put the people I care about through all that, over nothing?”

“Josh...”

“I’m serious...”

“I know, and that’s why if you open your door, you’ll find an agent.”

Josh rolled his eyes. “Yeah and that’s going to stop people asking questions.”

“They’ll take you to your appointment and will stop anyone who they think is tailing you.”

Josh sighed and sat down on the couch. “So, this guy who knows you stayed here last night thinks there is something happening... The next thing he’s going to be asking C.J is why I’m off and why I have a secret service agent.”

“I really don’t think he’s going to be hanging around...C.J is going to warn him that we won’t accept it.” Leo stated. “Besides, he wasn’t there because he knew something; he was there because he’s new to this and was looking for some gossip.”

“Still...”

“You’re going to that appointment, Josh, because I’ve given the secret service instructions to drag you there kicking and screaming if necessary.”

“Yeah.” He sighed in defeat knowing that there was no use arguing.

“Call me later.” Leo told him before hanging up.

XxXxX

“Where’s C.J?” Leo asked, standing in the doorway to Toby’s office.

He looked up from his laptop. “My guess would be her office...Which is just down the hall...”

“She’s not.” He cut in, ignoring the sarcasm.

“Well, then I’m all out of ideas.”

“Did she talk to that Canter guy?”

“I don’t know.”

“Fine, if she isn’t going to do it...” Leo turned to face the door.

“Then what?” Toby asked before he had the chance to leave.

“I’ll just have to do it myself.”

“Leave it to C.J.”

“I left it to C.J all morning and it hasn’t been done.”

“Leo, this isn’t a big deal.” Toby assured him.

“There was a reporter camped outside Josh’s house!”

“Or he could have been following you.” Toby pointed out. “Why are you so concerned about Josh?”

“Because that boy has been through enough, and he doesn’t need the press picking at little bits of gossip!” Leo exclaimed.

“That’s the thing Leo, he isn’t a boy.” Toby answered. “And he isn’t your boy. He’s the Deputy Chief of Staff...Sometimes; you’ve got to accept these things happen.”

Leo shot Toby a glare before turning on his heels and heading for the door again. “Tell C.J I’m looking for her.”

“You talk to Steve Canter about this and you’ll make it a story.” Toby called after him. “All you’ll be doing is just confirming that there is something happening with Josh.”

“Just tell C.J!”

XxXxX

Josh carefully limped through the door of his apartment. He had been surprised at how fast the test was done and how soon he was allowed home. They had offered to give him a sedative, but he refused because he would have to stay longer in the hospital. However, as soon as the procedure had started, he wished he had accepted. They had numbed his hip with anaesthetic, so when the doctor had pushed the needle through his skin, he didn’t feel a thing, but when it went through into his hipbone; there was an excruciating, sharp pain. The procedure only took a few minutes and now Josh was left with a dull ache down his leg.

He collapsed on the couch, groaning in pain. He leaned his head back, taking a few deep breaths. This was only the start and there was a chance that things could get much more difficult. He had no idea how he was going to get through it.

His eyes closed slowly and he wondered if the painkillers that the doctor had given him were about start to kicking in; when suddenly his cell phone startled him. Grimacing at the moment, he carefully removed it from his back pocket and answered.

“Josh Lyman.” He leaned his head back again and closed his eyes.

“Josh, is that you?”

“Margaret?”

“Yeah, you sound terrible.”

“I feel it.” He mumbled. “And I’m going back to sleep now.”

“Leo wants to talk to you.”

“Tell Leo I’m asleep.”

“Tell him yourself.” She replied, pressing a few buttons on the phone, which put the call through to Leo. “Josh is on the line.”

“Good.” Leo put his pen down, ready to give his deputy his full attention. “Josh?”

“I was sleeping.” He stated.

“You said you’d call.”

“I was sleeping.”

“Right, well how did it go?”

“Hurt like hell, still hurts; results won’t be ready for a few days.” He muttered a brief outline of the appointment.

“Josh.” He sighed.

“What do you want from me, Leo?” He snapped, slowly losing his patience. “How thin the needle was? How hard the doctor had to push it to get it to go through the bone?”

“Okay, okay...” Leo cut off his rant.

“I get the point. I’ll let you get some rest.”

“No, I’m awake now.” He sighed, pushing himself to his feet, not caring about the moan that escaped his lips.

“You okay?” Leo asked in concern.

“The Doc said there might be some pain for a few hours...” He explained making his way to the kitchen.

“He gave you something for it?”

“Some mild painkillers.” He opened the fridge, not sure what he was looking for. He pulled a face at the pasta salad that the First Lady had sent over with Leo last night before putting it back in the fridge and just grabbing a bottle of water.

“You going to take them?”

“Already have.” He trapped the phone between his shoulder and his ear so that he can open the bottle.

“That bad, huh?”

“Yeah...Listen, I want to talk about bringing someone else in to...”

“No.”

“Leo.”

“Josh, no...We’re not doing this.”

“We need to do it at some point.”

“No, we don’t...” Leo stated. “We’ll cope fine until you’re ready to fully return.”

There was silence on the line as Josh debated with himself whether or not he should say what was on his mind. He sat back on the couch and put the untouched water on the coffee table. Knowing he would probably be having similar conversations like this with several different people in the near future.

“Josh?” Leo asked, wondering if his deputy had fallen asleep.

“What if I can’t come back, Leo?” He whispered.

“Josh...”

“Seriously, we need to talk about this...”

“Why are you convinced that you have this...this...”

“Cancer.” Josh filled in, when Leo stuttered over the word.

“...Before we’ve have the results back?”

“Because I can’t go into this unprepared...It’s going to take a lot to get through this...I’ve got to start accepting this now.” Josh answered, feeling touched that he said the word ‘we.’

“And if the results come back clear?”

“Then you can say I told you so.”

“Josh...”

“I need to know things are all in hand... I’m going to need to concentrate on myself for a while, and I won’t be able to that if I don’t know that the administration is going be okay...”

“We’ll be fine...”

“We’ve got to come up with a plan.” He insisted. “Because this, Leo...It’s going to get harder.”

Once again there was silence on the line.

“We’ll talk about it tomorrow?” Josh asked, after a few seconds.

“Okay.” Leo finally agreed.

“I have some ideas.”

“Why am I not surprised?”

“It’s my job, Leo...It’s what I’m good at.” Josh couldn’t help but smile.

“Yeah, it is.”

“Right, well... If there’s nothing else, I think I might try and get some sleep.”

Leo rubbed his eyes, finding it hard to believe that Josh was actually willing to take a nap during the middle of a work day.

“I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

“You’re not coming around to cook me dinner tonight then?” Josh teased.

“I can...” Leo started to offer.

“Relax, I was joking.” Josh told him. “I’ll be fine, there some of that green stuff from last night left over.”

“Okay and I’ll let the First Lady know that her ‘green stuff’ has gone down well.”

“You think she made it herself?”

“You want to ask her?”

“No.”

“Well, me neither.”

“Hey, Leo...”

“Hmm?”

“I want to tell The President about all of this.”

“You know you don’t have too...”

“I know but he’s The President...He deserves to know.”

“Well, okay.” Leo wasn’t really surprised by his choice. “I’ll set it up for tomorrow.”

“Okay.” He ran his hand through his hair.

“I can always do it, if you don’t feel up to it.”

“No, it should be me...” He replied. “I mean, I need to get use to talking about it, right?”

“I guess...”

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah and get some rest.”

“I’m going to bed right now.” Josh informed him, getting to his feet. “Is this where you threaten me with the First Lady if I don’t call every hour?”

“Are you mocking me?”

“I’m just saying that even Donna’s rules weren’t as bad...” Josh stated, making his way to the bedroom, relieved that the painkillers were working now and he had to admit that talking a little to Leo had made him feel a little better.

“Go to bed, would you!”

“Yes, Sir.” He said before hanging up, placing the phone on the nightstand and falling onto the bed; not bothering to get under the covers or remove any of his clothes.

Leo turned his chair a little to face the window, deep in thought. Josh was right; this was going to get harder.

TBC

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