Archive of Our Own

PART 1
It was Monday morning, just a little after 6 am. Donna Moss walked across the hallway and stopped inside the bullpen. It was quiet, or at least what went for quiet in the West Wing. She went to her old desk. It was empty, waiting for the newest temp to arrive. She wondered if this one would last. It was cute that none of Josh's new assistants had lasted. She kept walking and greeted Ginger, Toby's assistant.
Donna was grateful for her new job as the President's assistant, but she missed working for Josh. It was silly how much she missed him, since they saw each other every day. Heck, Josh was around so much that the President saw more of him now than he used to. She often wondered why the President chose her instead of someone else, like Margaret or Ginger. She entered Josh's office for a moment. She had researched something for him and wanted to leave it at his desk before he arrived.
She kept on walking, nodding to the other early risers. She finally arrived at Mrs. Landingham's desk. It was still her desk, no matter how long Donna had been sitting there.
"Good Morning, Donna. You are here early. Want some coffee?"
"Only if you are getting some for yourself. Good morning to you too."
Charlie poured coffee in two mugs and gave one to her. "So, why are you here so early?"
"Thank you." She drank some of the coffee. "I have no life. I pretty much spent the entire weekend either working or in bed watching TV with my roommate's cats. I guess I came early just to get out of the apartment."
Charlie gave her a sympathetic look, "What about your roommate?"
"She got a boyfriend and she's barely around now."
"Well, at least next weekend we will all be very busy."
"Oh yes, the Hospital Gala is next Saturday. I wonder if I'll even get a chance to attend. I figured I'd be stuck behind the scenes all night."
"Good morning everyone!" Both Donna and Charlie stood up straight when the President entered. "And you will not be stuck behind the scenes. In fact, I expect you to attend. You should bring a date. Remember that there will be dancing."
"Good morning, Mr. President," Donna blushed and began to look for the President's schedule.
"Morning Mr. President," Charlie walked over to him and gave him a cup of coffee.
"Thank you, Charlie." He took some from the cup. "This is what I like about our team, I wanted to start working early and without having told Donna, she came. I'm going to be on my desk writing some letters and eventually making some phone calls. When Josh comes, tell him that I want to talk to him."
"Would you like me to call him, Mr. President?"
"No, Donna, just tell him when he comes."
"Yes. Remember that you have a meeting this afternoon with Lord Marbury."
"Ahh, yes. Thank you Donna. Charlie." The President turned and walked back into the Oval Office. A Secret Service Agent closing the door behind him.
"So, who are you going to ask to the Gala?"
"He didn't mean that, Charlie."
"Yes, he did."
"Oh." Donna looked at the floor. She had no clue about what she would do.
*****
"I need you!"
"Stop whining."
"But Donna, my life is a mess without you."
Donna raised her eyebrows at Charlie, who could see her from his desk. Charlie smiled at her. Josh was making his usual visit. Today he was complaining about the new temp.
"That's not my fault."
"I know. I blame the President for taking you away from me."
"Speaking of which, the President wants to see you. I'll tell him you are here." Donna picked up the phone.
"How did he know I would be here?"
Charlie snorted from his desk.
"Josh, the President says you can go in."
"Thank you. Will you do it?"
"Fine Josh. When I have a break, I'll go to your office and show your new assistant around."
"You're the best." He smiled at her and nodded to the Secret Service Agent to let him in.
Donna got up and walked over to Charlie's desk and gave him a few papers. "That's the President's schedule for the rest of the day."
"Thanks," he read the papers. "You should go with Josh."
"Huh?"
Charlie grinned.
"No way."
"C'mon Donna. The guy clearly likes you."
"Look, he just misses me because I'm a very good assistant."
"Denial!"
"Bye. I'm going to help his new assistant." She waved him off and left a smiling Charlie.
*****
"So you blame me for the loss of Donna?" The President had finished discussing the governmental issues with Josh and decided to move to a more pressing matter.
"Mr. President, I never -"
"Stuff it, Josh, I heard you."
"Hmmm," Josh wished for a black hole to open up and swallow him. "I didn't mean that Mr. President. I was just teasing Donna, Sir."
"Just teasing?" The President stood up from his desk.
"Yes."
"You do that a lot Josh, don't you? Tease Donna."
"Only sometimes, Mr. President."
"Then it's a good thing I took her away from you. If you are teasing her so much, it's a wonder you ever get any work done!"
Josh was about to protest, but the President continued, "So, you really miss her."
"She's a really good assistant."
"I know."
"If that will be all, Mr. President, I have some work to do."
"Yes. We'll talk later at the staff meeting tonight."
Josh nodded at the President and left. Jed shook his head, "Poor boy. He is too blind for his own good."
*****
Donna was halfway back to her desk when she remembered she left a folder on Josh's desk. She was usually very organized, but Ginger gave it to her when she was showing Mrs. Crawford around Josh's office. After spending time with the new temp, she knew Josh would be annoying her even more. Mrs. Crawford was a no non-sense woman. Donna tried to make a joke, but the older woman stopped her with a blank stare.
Donna now returned to the office to grab the forgotten folder. On her way out, she peered into the bullpen and saw Mrs. Crawford talking to some of the other assistants. It seemed as if they were passing along the latest gossip. Donna smiled. She also wondered what the scoop was. She went closer to them and was stopped dead in her tracks when she overheard them.
"That was really why they moved her. It was becoming pretty obvious."
Donna backtracked so fast; you'd think she was moon dancing. She went straight to her desk. She was so flustered that she ignored a few hellos that came her way.
As soon as she got back, she saw that the President was waiting for her. "Sir, here are the notes you asked Toby for." She gave him the folder. "Did you need anything else, Mr. President?"
The President didn't say anything. He just stared at her for a moment. "Are you feeling well? You are looking a bit pale."
"Oh that." She laughed nervously, "That's just my alabaster skin."
The President laughed, "That's nice."
"My alabaster skin?"
"No," he chuckled. "I was talking about you feeling comfortable enough to joke and laugh around me. Like you did with Josh and how Mrs. Landingham was with me."
"Oh," she blushed.
"I know that you still aren't there yet, but hopefully you will be."
"Thank you."
"Now, how busy am I supposed to be?"
"You are surprisingly free until your meeting with Lord Marbury and the staff meeting after that."
"That is good news. Now if only there wasn't a stack of papers on my desk."
"Well sir, the most imminent thing is the Farnsworth Proposal. Apart from that you can slack off in your office for a little while if you want to. I won't tell."
"We could have food brought in and enjoy a nice lunch while we work on that proposal."
"Excellent idea, sir."
"Find Charlie and see that he joins us."
"Yes, Mr. President." She told him as he went into the Oval Office.
*****
"Mr. President!" Charlie entered the Oval Office. "The First Lady is going to kill you when she finds out what you are having for lunch."
"The First Lady is in Israel and we're not going to tell her."
"I must respectfully tell you that you should have a healthy salad."
"Why, thank you, Charlie. Now that you have strongly advised me on my food, sit down and enjoy some of this delicious fried food."
"Gladly sir." He took a plate full of food and sat next to Donna, who was giggling at their exchange.
"Donna, who are you bringing to the Gala?"
"I have no idea, Mr. President."
"Why not Donna? Don't you see anyone socially? I don't mean to pry, of course. You don't have to tell me anything." The President smiled warmly at her. Charlie knew that smile. Donna would come out lucky if she managed not to tell the President her life story.
"There's no one. No offense, but we have so much work, that there's barely any time for a social life. And when I do, I'm usually too tired to actually go out. Or we end up doing work related stuff."
"Hmmm, whenever I want to do something with Abbey, I don't have a problem."
"With all due respect sir, you are the President. You can make an executive order for that purpose alone." Charlie laughed at Donna's comment and waited for the President's reply.
"You may have something there, Donna." The President thought for a moment, "I'll propose executive orders so you can go out on dates." They all laughed. "With my imaginary order, you will be able to go out with anyone you choose."
"Anyone?" Donna raised her eyebrows.
"Anyone, you wish."
She playfully bit her lip and looked up, "I have to think about it. Brad Pitt is married, so is Colin Firth. David Hasselhof is also married," she sighed and quickly said, "but it doesn't matter because I'm over him. Of course that would annoy Josh immensely." At the mention of Josh, The President sat up straight. He didn't say anything; he wanted to hear her out. "Harrison Ford keeps going back and forth with his wife, so he is out of the running. I certainly wouldn't mind Tom Cruise, but not so soon after the divorce. It's never a good idea to get involved with a man in the middle of a divorce or right after. And Jon Bon Jovi, but in my opinion, it's never a good idea to get involved with rock stars because it only ends badly. Besides, isn't he married?"
"That's good advice, Donna. I'll make a note of it."
"You are making fun of me." She pouted. "This is hard."
"Think about it for a while and get back to me later." The President told her in his teacher voice. "What about you, Charlie?"
"Me?" Charlie looked up at the president. "Oh no, I'm not playing. This is your game."
"C'mon Charlie," The President pushed.
"Zoey. She is the only girl I want to go out with."
Donna groaned.
"Charlie, this is for fun. I won't tell on you. Any woman in the world." The President insisted.
"Still got to go with Zoey."
"Sap," Donna said under her breath, causing the President to laugh.
"The 82nd Airborne works for him. He told me that and I won't forget it."
"Now we go back to you Donna. It doesn't have to be someone famous. It can be anyone, the yogurt guy at the mall, an old friend from back home, someone you've worked with... anyone." Charlie rolled his eyes at the President. He was laying it a bit too thick in his opinion.
"I really haven't thought about it, sir. I-" She was interrupted by Leo entering the Oval Office. She silently thanked him and promised to name her first born after him.
"Excuse me, am I interrupting anything?" He asked as he came in.
"No, we were just talking. Say, Leo if you could date anyone in the world, who would it be?"
"Petula Clark. Why?"
"I'm thinking of issuing executive orders so that my staff may have social lives and go out on dates."
"They can go on dates after your second term ends. Now, I believe this is the White House and some people could find some work to do."
Donna and Charlie immediately got up and began to exit the room. "I'll send someone to clean up the food sir." She told the President before closing the door behind her. Leo stared at him, "What are you planning, Jed?"
"Whatever do you mean?" He grinned.
"I believe you are playing dirty."
"I prefer calling it a Presidential Privilege, Leo."
******
"What?" It was a few hours later and Donna and Charlie were going over some documents. Charlie had his question face on.
"Who's Petula Clark?"
She laughed, "She is a famous singer, actress. She did a lot of movies during the 40s and 50s, I think. But I'm pretty sure Leo was kidding. I don't see her as his type."
"Who do you think would be his type?"
"I don't know. It's not something I really want to think about. It brings disturbing images to my mind."
Now it was Charlie's turn to laugh.
"Why did you want to know Charlie? Are you planning on setting Leo up with someone?"
"Oh no. Nothing like that. I was just wondering about his reply."
"Ok."
"Why didn't you reply anything?"
"I mentioned a few actors. You were there, remember?"
"Yeah, but you didn't mention anyone in particular. It's almost like..." He looked at her, "Never mind."
"What? You can tell me, Charlie."
"That there is someone, but you don't want anyone to know."
"Lord Marbury." She suddenly whispered.
"Him?"
"No, silly. He's here for his meeting with the President." She turned to the man that had just entered. "Lord Marbury, how are you?"
"I am well, but not as well as you, Ms. Moss. You are as lovely as ever."
She blushed, "I'll let the President know that you are here." She picked up the phone, while Lord Marbury turned to greet Charlie.
"Mr. Young, I hope everything with you is also well."
"Thank you, sir."
"The President will be with you in a moment." Donna informed him and a few seconds later, Leo opened the door.
"Ahhh, Gerald!"
"For the last time, Lord Marbury, it's Leo." The two men shook hands and Leo left quickly.
"John, please come inside," The President greeted his friend. "I'll be right in." Lord Marbury entered, leaving the President with Donna and Charlie. "I've had a great idea. I want to make Wednesday mandatory movie night. We can have all the senior staff and the assistants too, come in and watch a movie. Then we can all discuss and analyze it."
"Mr. President, have you been watching Dawson's Creek with your granddaughter again?" Donna asked him.
"No, they never get their movie interpretations right in that show. Plus there is something wrong with the big headed kid who uses big words without knowing their meanings." Charlie and Donna glanced at each other and stifled a laugh. "I was inspired by you, Donna. I think the senior staff, and the assistants too, don't spend enough time doing things unrelated to their jobs. Now I can ensure they do and we all spend some quality entertaining time together."
Donna closed her eyes. She knew everyone was going to kill her.
"Sir, don't you think that mandatory every week is a bit much?"
"You may have a point there, Charlie. Only once a month will be mandatory, starting this Wednesday. But we'll have movies every week and it is strongly suggested they all attend."
"Yes sir. Any particular genre you want me to pick?"
"Actually, there's a Cary Grant movie I want to screen. I'll give you the details later." He finished telling them as he entered the Oval Office.
Charlie looked at Donna, "You know what this means?"
"That everyone is going to hate me?" Donna whined.
"Besides that. He is going to know every single detail about the movie and share it with us."
"Great, pop up Bartlet instead of pop up video."
Charlie groaned at this, "Wonder which movie it is?"
"I wish it were The Philadelphia Story. I really love that one, but knowing the President, he has chosen one that is relevant to something in the White House."
"I guess we can only wait and see."
*****
"I think we should hold off the info about that bill until Friday. We put it out with the rest and it won't get too much press until we choose for it to have it." CJ was telling Sam as they entered the Oval Office's reception area.
"That could be a good idea. We should push forward and concentrate on the Gala. The eyes of the world will be on the White House and I want everything to go ship-shape." Sam nodded at Donna, "Is he in?"
"He's finishing up with Lord Marbury."
"He calls me Principessa."
"We know that CJ. You always tell us."
"So, I'm telling you again, Sam. I love being called Principessa."
"Marbury is here?" Josh walked in at that moment.
"Yes, he is in with the President. He'll be out in a few minutes."
"What are they talking about?" Josh asked Donna.
"The outcome of Wimbledon."
"What?"
"Why isn't soccer a more popular sport in the US? Which are better, British or American comedies?"
"Donna-"
"Or maybe I don't have the Oval Office wired." She deadpanned above Sam and CJ's snickers.
"That's a good thing to know because if you had, between you and Margaret, we would be in trouble." Leo announced as he joined them.
"Leo, I really need you to get me a new assistant."
"What did you do now, Joshua?" Donna asked.
"I didn't do a thing!" He whined.
"What did you do now, Josh?"
"Nothing Leo. The problem is with her. I can't work with a woman like her!"
Leo raised his eyebrows at Sam and CJ, who were standing behind Josh.
"She doesn't let his coffee mug go empty." Sam explained.
"Plus, she didn't like something Josh said. She said - get this - that he is too cocky." CJ grinned.
"Josh? Nahhh. Who'd believe that?"
"Donna." Leo looked her down and turned to Josh, "Find a way to make it work. Your revolving door of assistants has to stop."
"Leo."
"One week. Stick with her for at least a week."
"Can someone explain this movie night crap!" Toby was welcomed by blank expressions. "Doesn't anyone read their emails? Charlie sent the senior staff an email about mandatory movie nights."
"That's the President's new idea. He wants the staff to spend more time together, doing non-work stuff. He thinks we don't enjoy each other's company enough." Everyone groaned as Donna explained. "He also wants to spend time analyzing the movies. But it could be worse, originally he had it mandatory every week." She smiled at her congregation.
No one got a chance to protest because the President and Lord Marbury exited the Oval Office.
"Ahh, you have another meeting now?" Lord Marbury glanced at the crowd. "I was just about to invite you to dinner. Oh well, I'll eat by my lonesome again."
Josh and Leo simultaneously rolled their eyes.
"John, there's no reason why you should eat alone." The President searched the room for Donna. "Why don't you take Donna? She arrived today very early and I know she won't mind a night out with great company."
Donna blushed and was about to protest when Josh beat her to it, "Mr. President, I really need Donna's help doing the thing. So, she has to stick around."
"No, you don't, Josh. Use your new assistant. That's why we pay her." He turned to Donna, "Go, have fun. I'll see you tomorrow at the usual time." He moved back towards the Oval Office, "Everybody else, inside."
They all marched inside, leaving Donna alone with Lord Marbury.
"Shall we?" He smiled at her.
"Why not?" She smiled back.
*****
"Hey Josh," Sam poked his head into Josh's office. "Are you almost done?"
Josh was on the phone and signaled Sam to wait a moment. "So, you don't know where she is?"
Sam walked besides Josh and pressed the speakerphone button before Josh could do anything about it.
"Listen Josh, I really don't know where she is. I don't keep tabs on her. But I'll tell her you called." Sam raised his eyebrows as he heard the woman's voice.
"Thanks, Rachel." Josh hung up and looked embarrassed to Sam, "I need help finding something."
"Sure you do and that's the only reason why you were pretty much badgering Donna's roommate on the phone."
"I needed a file."
"Why don't you ask Mrs. Crawford, your assistant, to get it for you?"
"She won't know where to find it. Besides she left at 8, saying that it was too late for her to be waiting around."
Sam laughed, "One week, and you already lasted a day. Let's go out for a drink. It will help you unwind."
Josh stood up, "So, you think getting me drunk will do the trick?"
"I'm not getting you drunk. You are having one drink, I know you have a sensitive system."
Josh glared at him, "Not that again." They left the office and walked down the hall.
"Still can't believe you called Rachel!"
"She's out with a womanizing lunatic brit, Sam! I'm just saying that -"
"You forgot drunk."
"Thank you. You agree with me then?"
Sam smiled. "No."
*****
Donna heard the phone ring, faintly. She was still partially in dreamland. She managed to pick up the receiver. "Honey, please get off of me." She sat up and spoke into the phone, "Hello."
"Who the hell are you calling honey?"
"Josh?" Donna glanced at her clock, "Why are you calling me at 3 in the morning? The country better be at war!"
"Is it that late? I hadn't realized. What were you doing?"
"Sleeping, Josh! What else do you think!"
"Something involving your honey being on top of you." He muttered.
Donna burst out laughing.
"This isn't funny, Donnatella."
"Oh, I think it is. Now, why did you call me?"
"You aren't going to tell me?"
"Nope. A woman has a right to her privacy."
"Fine." He remained quiet for a brief moment, "I'm working late and I needed your help with something."
"Argh! Tomorrow, we'll talk tomorrow. Now, I'm going to bed."
"Wait, does that mean -," Donna cut him short by slamming the phone down. She turned to her companion, "I think we just got even for the last time he yelled at you, Honey." She lay back in her bed and her roommate's cat crawled on top of her again.
*****
PART 2

"Morning Donna." CJ greeted her as she made her way to the Oval Office.
"Hey CJ"
"Are you just getting in?"
"Yeah," Donna shrugged, "I sort of overslept a bit."
"Don't tell me. Josh called you in the middle of the night."
"Three am. How did you know?"
"I heard Sam giving him a hard time for calling after he had told him not to."
"Oh god! They were talking about me in front of everyone?" Donna freaked out. No wonder the other assistants said the things they had.
"They were in Josh's office. They just hadn't closed the door and I heard. But they shut up when they realized I was there." Donna raised her eyebrows in exasperation and sighed. CJ laughed, "Relax. Go to your desk. You'll feel better." Donna was about to ask what she meant but CJ continued, "When Josh makes his morning visit, ignore him." CJ smiled and went on her way.
Donna wished she could still call in sick for the day. She was so upset with him. His four-year old behavior was sometimes cute, but this was not one of those times. Her train of thought was interrupted as soon as she arrived at her desk. There was a beautiful floral arrangement waiting for her.
"Oh my." Donna brought her hand to her lips. This must be what CJ meant. She knew she was beaming, but she didn't care. This was why she could never stay mad at Josh for long. He was usually a jerk, but he always did things to make her forget that. She opened the card and read.
"Ah." It wasn't Josh.
"Who sent you those flowers?" That was Josh. He had just entered the reception area.
"None of your damn business." She put the card down on the desk.
"Donna? Please tell me it wasn't Marbury."
"I'm not talking to you."
"Donna!" Josh whined.
She was about to retort when the President buzzed in asking for her to see him in the Oval Office. She took two steps forwards, but turned around to take the card with her. She knew that Josh would read it if he had the chance.
"Good Morning, Mr. President. I'm sorry I was late. It will never happen again." She said as she entered the office.
"Good Morning Donna and don't worry about it. Did you have fun last night?"
"It was a very entertaining evening, sir."
"Did you like the flowers he sent you?"
"Yes... how did you know?"
"I read the card," the President smiled evilly at her.
"Oh my god!" Donna blushed.
"Actually the Secret Service did. We can never be too sure. What if it had been a letter bomb?"
Donna looked as if she was going to faint.
"I'm kidding Donna. John called me to see if I thought it would be inappropriate for him to send you flowers as a thank you for having dinner with him. I said that roses would be the best choice."
Donna finally breathed, "But it could have been something weird like that. What if?"
"Nah, those things are scanned when they enter the White House." The President sat in one of the sofas and motioned for Donna to sit down as well. "Now, onto business."
"Yes sir."
"Did you know that the staff didn't like my movie night idea?"
Donna stifled a laugh, "That's hard to believe sir. I guess Wednesday night is off then?"
"Off? It is certainly still on. We will watch His Girl Friday and unless there is a National Emergency, I will consider any absence an insult."
"Yes sir," Donna giggled.
"You or Charlie should remind the staff throughout today and tomorrow."
"Duly noted."
"Have you watched that movie before?"
"No sir."
"Do you at least know who Cary Grant was?"
"Of course I do, Mr. President. I love The Philadelphia Story."
"That's a good one, perhaps we should watch it for the next movie night. Now, what's on my schedule?"
*****
When Donna returned to her desk, she was thankful Josh wasn't there. She hadn't really expected him to still be there. Maybe a little part of her wouldn't have minded if - but she was mad at him. She sighed and sat down. There was a sticky note with I'm sorry written on it. She knew his hand writing well enough to know it was from him.
The phone rang and stopped any thought she might have given to it. Briefly, because it turned out to be Mrs. Crawford calling on behalf of Mr. Josh Lyman.
"Yes?" Donna replied.
"Mr. Lyman would like to have thirty minutes after lunch with you, while the President is at the University function."
Donna frantically looked over the schedule and saw that she had that time open and she knew Josh must have checked it while he was at her desk.
"Fine. Tell him I'll be there at two."
"Thank you, Miss Moss."
She hung up the phone and made up her mind not to let him off easy. He would have to apologize a lot to her.
*****
Ainsely Hayes sat next to Donna in the Mess Hall. Donna hadn't noticed yet; she was staring off into space.
"Was it another cryptic anniversary?"
Donna blinked, "Huh?"
"The flowers! I heard you got flowers."
"Yeah. That wasn't Josh. They were from Lord Marbury because we had dinner together."
Ainsley looked at her curiously, "But you wanted them to be from Josh?"
"That obvious?"
"Not really. You guys have a great friendship and sometimes one wonders." Donna raised her eyebrows. "Ok, so maybe it is a bit obvious, but really only if you are looking for it."
"Ainsely, tell me the truth. Are people gossiping about me maybe having feelings for him?"
"No! That was just me talking. You know I don't talk to that many people around here. Remember, I'm the blond Republican nobody likes." This made Donna laugh and Ainsley continued, "I won't deny asking Sam about it, but that's it."
"You asked Sam about us? What did he say?"
"That you and Josh have your special dance. He says that you two are like an old married couple. Which is probably why he misses you so much and doesn't know what to do."
"That's it?"
"Yes. Is there anything wrong, Donna?"
Donna took a sip from her juice and shrugged. "It's probably nothing. Yesterday I overhead some of the assistants in the bullpen."
"And?"
"They were talking about how 'they moved her because it was becoming obvious'." Donna closed her eyes, "Who decided that I should become the President's new assistant?"
"Oh Donna! Don't even think that. What you heard was idle gossip. It was the President's decision and you have proven him right."
Donna looked at her skeptically, "I know, but it's overwhelming."
"Don't think about that." Ainsley grinned, "I want to talk about your date with Lord Marbury."
"It wasn't really a date."
Ainsley raised her eyebrows, "What did the card say?"
"He..." Donna opened the folder she carried and gave the card to Ainsley, " Read it."
Ainsley skimmed over it and shrieked loudly causing a few people to stare at them. Donna shook her head in embarrassment. "He is asking you to the Gala. Are you going to say yes?"
"I don't know. The President wants me to go with a date, so that would take care of it, but it might be weird."
"What do you usually do at this things?"
"In the past, I was always there as Josh's assistant. So, I usually was standing besides him and helping him with whatever came up."
"Did you at least get to dance?"
"Josh rarely dances. I think the only time I've seen him dance was at the Inauguration Ball when the First Lady made him dance with her. I have danced with Sam, though."
"Well, I think you should go with Lord Marbury. After all, it isn't everyday when an Ambassador invites you to a Gala event. It will be a night to remember."
Donna glanced at her watch, "I'll think about it. Right now I have to go. Josh summoned me to his office and I have to be there soon."
*****
Donna was walking towards Josh's office when Mrs. Crawford saw her.
"Mr. Lyman is waiting for you. I will tell him you have arrived."
Donna was about to protest, but thought better of it. She barely knew this woman and already despised her. If she weren't mad at Josh, she'd feel sorry for him.
"Mr. Lyman will see you now."
"Thank you." Donna gave her best fake smile and entered Josh's office.
"Please close the door, Donna." He waited until she did so to speak again. "She announced you! Do you get how crazy she is driving me! She will be the death of me. And it will be all your fault!"
She sat down, "Whatever Josh. Why did you call for me?"
"First, I want to apologize. I shouldn't have called you late last night."
"Actually it was this morning."
"Don't sass me."
"That was not sassing."
"Moving on. As I was saying, it was wrong of me to call and interrupt you in... well..."
"Fine Josh, apology accepted."
Josh tried to find her eyes, he could always get to her by looking into her eyes, but she was avoiding them. "Aren't you going to say anything else to me, Donna?"
"No." She looked around the room, "Not really. Is that it? Because I have work to do."
"The appointment was for thirty minutes and we still have twenty-four of them."
"Twenty, as usual your watch is running slow."
"Ok, here's the deal, Donatella, remember the Pascal thing?"
"Yeah, we were working on that about six months ago, but then it got dropped."
"Well, it's back again and since you were the one who researched it then, I was thinking that you could help me with it." Josh shrugged a little and smiled at her.
"No!" She stood up. "I have too much work and I don't think the President would like it if -"
"Donna please, just a couple of nights. We could get together to organize the stuff and then I'll do the rest."
"Josh," she protested.
"I'll buy you shoes," he offered.
Donna thought for a moment, "And a dress?"
"What do you need a dress for?"
"The gala!"
"You are going to that?"
"Yes."
"Oh." He hadn't given much thought to the actual event yet.
"Well?" Donna had her hands on her hips and tapped her left foot impatiently.
"I'll buy you a dress too."
"Good. I'll see you tonight, around nine." She opened the door, but turned around right before leaving, "And the matching purse." The she left.
"Argh!" Josh hit his head against his desk, "What is wrong with me?"
*****
"Here's the stuff you asked for," Ainsley put a few papers on Sam's desk.
"Hey," he smiled at her, "You busy?"
"Of course not, since this is the White House and there's never anything to do."
"I can always give you work."
"Sam!"
"Want to grab a late lunch/early dinner with me?"
"I already had lunch with Donna."
"So? You're always hungry."
"Sam."
"Did Donna tell you about her date with Marbury?"
"Maybe."
"Are you going to tell me?"
"No. Speaking of which, Donna asked if we talked about her and Josh."
"What did you tell her, Ainsley?"
"Well, I had to tell her something."
"And?" Sam pressed further.
"Just that we had discussed their peculiar relationship, the dance they do."
Sam stood up a bit, "Please tell me you didn't say anything about my thinking that he is in love with her."
"Of course I didn't. What do you take me for?"
He raised his eyebrows, "Did you give her any advice? About anything?"
"I gave her good advice! I told her she should go to the Gala and have a fun time, and that if someone were to ask her, she should say yes."
"Did Marbury ask her?"
"I didn't say that."
"Crap. This is seriously going to mess up things."
She glanced at him inquisitively, "What do you care who she goes with? Were you planning on asking her?"
"No, I always go stag to this things."
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why do you go stag?"
"If I go with someone, Mallory will probably show up and it will be uncomfortable. So, I rather go by myself. I usually spend my time with CJ and Donna. What about you? Which Republican will accompany you?"
"I haven't given it much thought. I mean, whomever I come with, if I choose to bring a date, will be made fun of to no end by you guys. I would never hear the end of it."
"It's a good thing you haven't given it any thought." Ainsley frowned at Sam. "My guess is that you haven't found anyone and will end up going stag like the rest of us." He smirked at her.
""Shut up. I'm going now." She stood up and left.
"Bye Ainsley," Sam shouted after her.
*****
"This is completely your fault."
"No, it isn't Josh!" Donna told him as she fumbled with her keys to open her apartment.
"Yes it is. You were the one that lost the information."
"Why do I put up with you?" She opened the door and Josh made his way inside her apartment. Donna followed and closed the door behind her. "YOU lost the papers I gave you. In fact, you should consider yourself lucky that I had a copy of the research on disk."
"Sure, but you didn't have it at the office, where it should have been."
"You should also remember that I don't work for you anymore and I'm doing you a favor."
"A favor that is going to cost me a lot of money."
"Children, could you shut up? I am trying to enjoy George Clooney."
They both turned around to find Rachel standing in the middle of the room.
"You have George Clooney in your room?" Both Donna and Rachel stared at Josh. "Ok, you are watching something on TV."
"Yes, Josh... and to think you help run the country." She rolled her eyes at him, "Anyways Donna, it's a certain old ER episode that I know you love."
"One for the Road?" She asked suddenly getting exited.
"Yes."
"Ooh, call me when it's time for the end." Rachel nodded and went to her room. Donna turned to Josh, "Set the laptop in the table, I'll go get the disk." She disappeared into her room and Josh began to deal with Sam's computer. He was trying to figure out how to connect the portable printer when Donna returned with the disk.
"What the hell are you doing?" She put the disk down and practically pushed Josh away, "If you break this, Sam will kill you. DEAD."
"Once again, it's your own fault. You know I don't know a thing about computers."
"Sit down," she ordered and popped the disk in.
"What's the big deal about that ER episode?"
Donna smiled, "It's the ending. It was the third season finale. The episode is going along fine, crisis here, trauma there. Carol leaves for a date and you think something is going to happen between Doug and the new girl. Then when you think the episode is over, Carol arrives home from her date and Doug is there waiting for her. He gives her the look and they kiss." She sighed, "It was so beautiful!"
"I don't see it," Josh said skeptically.
"Well, you don't watch the show. And you don't have a romantic bone in your body!" The printer began working and Donna walked over to it.
"I am hurt, Donnatella! I can be as romantic as the next guy."
"Sure, provided the next guy is Lurch!"
"Who?"
"From the Addams Family!" Donna saw as Rachel came out of her room and nodded to her. "I'll be right there." She grabbed the papers from the printer and gave them to Josh. "Read. I'll be back after it's over." She marched into the room and Josh shook his head at her. He took the papers to the sofa, but there were a few cats sleeping there. He didn't hate cats, but he wasn't fond of them either. He moved all three to the floor and made himself comfortable. He had only managed to read two paragraphs when a yellow cat jumped on his lap.
"Please, don't make me yell at you." He grabbed the cat and was about to put it on the floor again when he noticed the nametag. "So... your name is Honey." He laughed and let the cat go. He couldn't wait for Donna to come back out. Minutes later she did. She had a dazed look. "You get like that just from watching him on the television? If you'd ever meet him, you'd die. It would probably be worse than the Hasselhoff debacle!"
"No, it wouldn't. It isn't about George Clooney. I mean he's handsome and has a great voice - to die for actually - but it's all about that scene. That moment. After waiting and waiting, it happened."
"And I'll bet the show went downhill after that. It doesn't work without the sexual tension."
"It wasn't like that. Never mind, like I said earlier, you won't get it."
"Yeah, yeah, because I don't have a romantic bone."
"You really don't, Josh."
At that moment, Rachel stepped out of her room and clapped. The gray cat that was sitting on the floor went running to her and entered the room. "Good night guys, and Josh please don't yell at my other cats." She smiled and closed the door.
"Why didn't the other cats go in?" Josh turned to Donna.
"Because they are trained. They know that only Stormy sleeps with Rachel. Snowball," she pointed to the white cat, "likes to sleep in the kitchen floor and -"
"And Honey likes to sleep with you." He smirked.
Donna narrowed her eyes at him, "Yes."
"I can't believe you let me think that -"
"Nothing. It's not my fault that was where your mind went. In fact, you should feel ashamed of yourself!"
"Shut up Donna." He waved the papers around, "We have to finish this. I have a lot meetings tomorrow."
"Plus you have to take me shopping and there's the movie night."
"Can't I just give you my credit card?"
"Sure," Donna grinned widely, "I'll make good use of it."
"I'm going with you." Donna laughed. "But can you get me out of the movie thing?"
"You're on your own there, Josh. The President wants us all to attend."
Josh groaned, "Please. I'll even be nice from now on."
"That's virtually impossible. Now get back to work, Joshua." Donna ordered. He complained some more but quickly followed her orders. Donna smiled. Moments like this were the ones that made her realize how much she missed him. How much she --. Not yet. She wasn't ready to go there yet.
*****
PART 3

"Good morning, CJ." Sam entered her office and closed the doors.
"Good morning, Sam. How may I help you?"
"We need to talk." Sam sat down.
"Yes and why is that?"
"Because we are about to lose!"
CJ laughed. "Is that it?"
"It's not funny. Sure I thought it was amusing when the President started butting in. Maybe that would spark some sense into Josh, but -"
"But you think it's going too far?" CJ interrupted him.
"He is my best friend."
"Then talk to him, Sam. Go tell him that he is desperately in love with Donna, but he is too blind to see it."
"He'll snicker and tell me that I'm making it up."
"It has to dawn on him by himself and if the President is having some harmless fun, let him."
Sam ran his fingers through his hair, "What about Lord Marbury?"
"Oh Sam! You are so naïve. 'Oh well, I'll eat by my lonesome again'? He is in on it too."
"So what do we do?"
"Let the President play matchmaker for a little while." Sam raised his eyebrows, "Look, if at any moment you want to, talk to Josh. And remember, you're in on this too."
"Fine, but do we have to go watch His Girl Friday tonight?" Sam whined.
"That's a great movie, Sam. It has Cary Grant. And if idiot Josh doesn't get it -"
"He never will." Sam finished for her.
******
Charlie came out of the Oval Office and dropped a few papers on Donna's desk. "The President says you should go in."
"Thanks Charlie." She looked up at him. "What are you up to?"
"I have to go tell the steward which types of popcorn and what kind's of candies there should be for tonight." Charlie sighed and Donna laughed. "Then I have to get a second copy of the movie."
"Why?"
"Ahhh, because the President fears sabotage by the staff." Donna burst out laughing. "Don't laugh. Who knows what he will ask you to do."
She stopped laughing. "I'll go see him now." Charlie left and she marched into the Oval Office.
"Charlie told me you wanted to see me, sir?"
"Yes, Donna. How are we on the Farnsworth Proposal?"
"I drafted the memo you asked," she took a few papers from her folder and gave them to the President. He skimmed them over and gave them back to her.
"Very good. Send it to Toby."
"Yes sir. Anything else?"
"No, go back to your work." Donna was about to say something, but the President spoke again, "Do keep reminding the staff about tonight. Only a national emergency will get them off the hook."
"Yes sir," she nodded. She stood still for a moment.
"Donna? You want to tell me something, don't you?"
She bit her lower lip, "I want to buy a dress."
"Ok," the President stared at her.
"For the Gala."
"Do you want my fashion advice?"
"I may need to take a long lunch for it." She told him.
"Oh," he nodded. "Yeah, take all the time you need. We have a light day. I think. In fact, check my schedule, I can go with you if you want. The Secret Service loves to take me shopping."
Donna gasped.
"I'm kidding, Donna. Now get back to work. The more you work now, the more time you can take."
"Thank you, Mr. President."
*****
"This is good work, Josh." The President sat in his desk and Josh stood in front of him.
"Thank you, Mr. President."
"It's remarkable how fast you put this together. I knew that if you gave Mrs. Crawford a chance, you would be able to work with her."
"Yes," Josh coughed.
The cough wasn't lost on the President, "Josh, did you work with your new assistant on this?"
"I... no, sir."
"Have you been keeping MY assistant away from her duties?"
"Which assistant would that be, Mr. President? You have quite a few of them actually."
"Josh."
"Yes, but in my defense we worked on it after office hours. And she had worked on that stuff months ago, so -"
"Donna agreed to work late with you?" The President raised his eyebrows.
Josh laughed, "Oh, Mr. President, it will cost me a lot. Too much really."
"She charged you?" The President couldn't believe it.
"Are you mocking me, sir?"
"Oh no."
"She didn't exactly charge me. I bribed her with buying her shoes and she kept upping the ante and now I have to buy her shoes, a dress, and the matching purse."
"She really is a smart girl."
"Yeah, well, we'll go in and out. Half an hour tops."
"You have a lot of work today?"
"Paperwork. I'll keep working on the Pascal thing and I have a couple of meetings on the hill later in the afternoon."
The President stood up and walked next to Josh, "You wouldn't be planning for this meetings to go into hours of the night, now would you? Because we are watching a movie tonight."
"Yes, sir." Josh swallowed.
"And you are really looking forward to it."
"Of course, Mr. President."
"Mr. President," Donna knocked on the door.
"Yes?" She entered.
"Mr. McGregor is on the line. His flight was delayed and he won't make the meeting at 10. He is asking if it were possible to push it back to 1 pm and make it a lunch thing."
"Can I do that?"
"If I switch a couple of things around, you can take him from 1 to 3."
"Would it be too much of a problem?" The President asked her.
"I don't think-"
"You know Mr. President," Josh interrupted Donna. "If you really want to have lunch with McGregor you should feel free to move anything around, or even cancel stuff from later."
Donna rolled her eyes at him.
"Donna go right ahead and set it up." She left and the President turned to Josh, "You were doing ok, but you got greedy. I think it's about time, Josh."
Josh shook his head, "Are you going to punish me, Mr. President?"
"I wouldn't call it a punishment, Josh." The President walked around the desk and sat down. "Donna usually takes her lunch hour at around 12:30 and since I will now be busy having lunch with McGregor, she can take the time to go shopping."
"Oh no."
"Yes Josh. Since you have paperwork you can do that later. You take her shopping and be back by 3 and you will make your meetings on the hill and be able to show up for the movie too."
Josh lowered his head and looked at the seal, "Yes, sir. Anything else?"
"Hold on," the President pushed the intercom button. "Donna, would you get me Zoey or have her call me as soon as possible."
"Yes sir."
The President looked at Josh, "I just want her to tell me what's the name of that store she likes over at Georgetown."
Josh groaned. His life couldn't possibly get worse.
*****
He was wrong. His life could, and would get worse. The store the President sent them to was called Duchess' Boutique. He'd seen it a few times but he had never been inside. Donna was thrilled about going there. According to her, Duchess de Lioncourt - what a stage name - was a famous new designer, especially among the under 30 crowd. She also had stores in Manhattan and LA. Josh, as was to be expected, had never heard about her. It was a fancy enough place with a lot of clothing racks. Josh could see sportswear that was about four times the price that it would be on a regular department store. He saw plenty of outfits that Zoey would wear and a few that Donna would, as well. But he didn't see any fancy dresses. He walked over to Donna, who was talking to a sales clerk, to comment on this.
Donna smiled and the woman, whose name was Victoria, asked them to follow her. They went to a room in the back. It was filled with beautiful, very expensive looking gowns. He smiled at Donna and sat on a very comfortable chair nearby.
"Josh?"
"What?"
"Aren't you going to help me?" She pouted.
"Oh no. You pick, I buy. I'm not good at this stuff."
"But not even a suggestion?"
Josh thought for a moment and glanced around the room. "Something in red. You look good in red."
She smiled at him adoringly, almost betraying her feelings, and began searching for dresses with Victoria.
Josh watched her a she did that. He liked to see her smiling and having fun. They grabbed a few dresses and went inside the dressing room. There was no one to commiserate with. He took out his cell phone and called Mrs. Crawford to check his messages. He began answering them and didn't notice Donna coming out and standing in front of a mirror. He was busy arguing with Senator Riley's aide.
"Josh."
He looked up and saw the back of her strapless, red dress and nodded. "Very nice, Donna." And he continued arguing on the phone.
Donna sighed and went back into the dressing room. When she came back out, Josh had finished talking. She was wearing a dress with a halter-top and a long flowing skirt. Josh scrunched his head up when he saw her.
"You don't like it." She guessed.
"It looks good, but it's just not you. You look like you're trying to imitate Marilyn Monroe, but in red." Donna's face fell. "But hey, if you like it..."
"I'll go try another one on." She told him and walked away dejectedly into the dressing room.
Josh hit the wall with the back of his head. He took out his cell phone and dialed Sam's office. "Hey Sam."
"Aren't you supposed to be dress shopping with Donna?"
"I am," he groaned. "How do you know about that?"
"Charlie told me." Sam snickered, "I gotta say. It certainly took guts to try to get off movie night all by yourself."
"Shut up, Sam."
"As punishments go, you got off easy, so stop complaining."
"I'm not complaining. I also don't see why I should be getting punished."
"Even you have to admit that eventually the President would. He's let a lot of things slide."
"That's what happens when you get shot."
"Josh." Sam warned.
"Fine."
"So?"
"What?"
"How's the dress shopping going?"
"Eh. She's tried on two dresses. I really didn't see the first one and I didn't like how the second one looked on her."
"And I'll bet you were very tactful when you told her." Josh could almost hear Sam shaking his head as he said this.
"I told her the truth."
"Really Josh, sometimes one has to wonder about you."
Donna came out at that moment.
"I got to go, Sam. Donna is here again."
"What is she wearing?"
"A nice red dress. Bye." He hung up and stared at Donna. She was wearing a velvet dress with a heart shaped, scooped bodice. The long skirt was split in the back up to mid thigh.
"What do you think?" She asked him nervously.
"You look very nice..."
"But?"
"Honestly?" She nodded. "I just don't think it's you, either." He shrugged.
"Argh!" She scooped up the skirt and went back to the dressing room. Josh smiled at Victoria, who followed Donna inside. Several minutes later, Donna came out wearing a red satin dress. She looked like a princess. Two thin straps help up the bodice, which was tailored to her torso. The skirt was full, bell shaped, with several layers of red chiffon. The fringes and the top were decorated with diamond rhinestones.
Josh beamed at her. "You look radiant. Beautiful. That's the dress."
Donna stood uncomfortably in front of the mirror. "I don't know. I feel like I'm having a sweet sixteen party."
"Ok, then this isn't the dress. Got any other dresses back there?"
"I really liked the first one." She shrugged.
"I didn't see much of that." Josh replied.
"I know."
"But what I saw was good," he said quickly. "If you really want it, we'll take it."
"It needs some alterations done, though. Not much, only to adjust something."
"Fine, Donna. But let's not take too much time. We still have to get you the purse and the shoes."
"Don't worry. At least this dress brings its matching purse."
"That's a load off my back." Josh teased. His cell phone rang and he answered it quickly. "Josh Lyman." He listened for a moment and then told the caller to hold on. He took a credit card out of his wallet and gave it to her. "It's Senator Riley on the phone. Have them put the dress and things on the card. I really have to take this." She nodded and went towards Victoria, as Josh got involved in his phone conversation.
Less than an hour later they were both back in the White House. Donna found the shoes she wanted in the first place they looked. It had been a bit of a drag, but as far as punishments went, Josh didn't mind that one at all.
*****

"Cary Grant's real name was Archibald Alexander Leach. Many people don't know this."
"I already knew that, sir." Sam offered.
"I could care less." Toby added.
Charlie glanced over at Donna and smiled. They were in the screening room waiting for the movie to start. The President had started on a pre-movie speech about the actors.
"Actually Sam, a lot of people forget the Alexander, which is why I'm mentioning it. Sometimes he has been referred to as Alexander Archibald too."
"Shouldn't you wait for Josh, sir? We wouldn't want him missing any of this fascinating details."
The President shook his head at Toby. "Anything Josh misses, I'll be sure to brief him about it later. Is there anything I'm keeping you from, Toby?"
"Only thinking about possible republicans I could piss off so they will throw out annoying legislation and keep you busy." Toby looked at the President, "I hate light weeks."
"As I was saying, this movie - and would you believe that Charlie found a copy of this movie on DVD for seven dollars. People don't respect the classics."
"Maybe the price was lowered so more people would buy it?" CJ suggested.
"Ahhh, that would be something to look into." Toby glared at CJ when the President said this. "And before I forget, there's an inside joke in the movie regarding the fiancée. Let's see who finds it first."
Josh rushed into the room at the moment prompting Leo to exclaim, "Thank God. Let's get this started."
"How did the meeting go, Josh?" Sam asked him.
"The usual." He replied and took his seat in the back next to Donna. A few moments later, the lights were turned down and the movie began.
An hour and a half later the movie was over. The lights came back on and everyone was stretching. The President, as expected, had commented on almost every scene.
"What did you all think?" The President faced his staff.
"It was very nice, Mr. President," Donna replied. She really did like the movie, but she also didn't want the President to comment on how he came up with the idea.
"Cary Grant was fabulous." CJ added.
"It was ok, but quite unrealistic. There's no way they ever would have gotten any work done. Plus, how could she fall, even for a minute for the excuses he gave." Everyone stared at Josh. He was dumber than he looked.
"You are kidding, right?" Donna asked him.
"Why?"
CJ raised her eyebrows at Sam, who only shook his head. Josh was truly impossible.
"Never mind him, Donna. After seeing this movie, which do you prefer? This one or The Philadelphia Story?" The President turned to her.
"This one was very good. Very funny, but The Philadelphia Story will always be one of my favorites. I guess I prefer Jimmy Stewart to Ralph Bellamy. Of course I'd still get on the Albany train... Can I say both?"
"Sure you can. Now an interesting thought has come to me." The President walked about the room as little as he could. "Can anyone tell me what do the two Grant characters have in common in both movies? Toby?"
CJ let out a big laugh. She couldn't help it, Toby's expression was priceless.
"Sir, in both movies his character remarries his ex-wife." He pretty much grunted.
"Yes... How's Congresswoman Wyatt, by the way?" The President smiled at him. There were a few snickers from the crowd.
"Andy's fine sir."
"I'm glad. Do you still want to upset republicans?"
"More than you know, Mr. President. Can I go now and do important things?"
The President grinned, "Well, as much as I would love to keep talking, I won't. I'll let you go, but we'll do this again." He left with Leo and Charlie in tow, most likely to the Oval Office. The group began to disperse.
Donna and Josh left together. "Why wasn't Mrs. Crawford here? Didn't you ask her to come?"
"I did, but she said she rather go home to her family."
"Hey, at least Wednesday is almost over. Not much left of the week."
"You're right, Donnatella. So? My office?"
"For what?" She saw his face. "Now? Can't we work on the Pascal thing some other time?"
"Just an hour. I took you shopping after all. A shopping trip that probably cost me a couple hundred bucks."
Donna stopped on her tracks. She realized Josh hadn't even looked at the bills yet. He was going to kill her.
"What is it, Donna?"
"Nothing. Let's go work in your office." Dead woman walking.
*****
PART 4

The fun was over. It was Thursday, two days before the Gala and suddenly there was a lot of work to be done. She was on her way back from the Protocol office and she knew she would have to return again a few times throughout the day. There was also something going on in the Situation room. She didn't know much about that, but she did hear CJ blaming Toby. She said that he tempted fate the night before with his stupid comment. Donna seriously hoped it wasn't serious. Since CJ was laughing, she figured it really wasn't.
Still, she was a bit grateful for it. Somewhere in the back of her mind there was the small notion that watching His Girl Friday had been solely for her benefit. She had even felt eyes on her during different parts of the movie. And she couldn't deny the obvious similarities... But she didn't want to think about that because that would mean the President knew about what she wasn't sure of yet. That would be too embarrassing.
The President probably felt sorry for her. Poor Donna, who Josh didn't notice. Why doesn't he! He dated Mandy for crying out loud. It's not like he had high standards. She had always disliked Mandy. She never understood what he saw in her. But she wasn't going to think about any of that. She was going to do her job.
"Hey Donna," someone greeted her as she approached her desk. She turned and saw Mallory standing there.
"Hey Mal. What's up?"
"Just waiting for dad to come out from meeting with the President. We have a lunch date."
"Wow, it's lunch time already!" Donna checked her watch. "I've been so over the place that I didn't realize." She picked some papers and put them on Charlie's desk. She turned to Mallory. "Why are you waiting here? Is Margaret talking too much?"
"No." She laughed. "Actually I wanted to talk to you."
"Really? What about?" Donna was curious. She barely knew Mallory, so she wondered what that was about.
"Dad told me that Josh had to take you shopping. How did that go? Did you meet the famous Duchess? I've been there a few times - never bought anything - and I've never seen her."
"She wasn't there either. I guess she must spend most of her time in the New York store. She is from there after all."
"I guess. Tell me about the dress? It must have cost Josh a fortune! I didn't know he was so generous."
"Actually..." Donna bit her lip.
"It must have been fun. Josh doesn't mind shopping unless-"
"Unless it's for clothes." Donna interrupted.
"Yeah," Mallory smiled. "I remember a while back, right after Josh came to DC. He needed to buy something. Don't really remember what and dad told me to take him. I was still in school and ran into some friends and we ended up dragging him along while we bought a lot of outfits."
"He told me that once."
"He hated it. I acted like a bratty little sister."
"Just between us girls," Donna lowered her voice a bit, "That probably made him enjoy it even more."
"That sounds like Josh." Mallory grinned.
"Hey Baby," Leo came out of the Oval Office and kissed her on the forehead. Jed came right behind him.
"Hey Mal."
"How are you doing, sir?"
"Fine. Now go take your old dad to lunch."
"Thank you, sir." Mallory put her arm around Leo's and began to walk away. "See ya later, Donna."
"Bye." Donna turned to the President, "Do you need anything, sir?"
"Not right now. Have you had lunch yet?"
"No."
"Go get something. We'll talk later."
"Yes, sir."
*****

"Mrs. Crawford!" Josh yelled from his office, but there was no answer. "Mrs. Crawford!" He got up and walked outside towards her desk. She wasn't there or near, as far as Josh could see. "Great," he muttered. He looked over her desk and saw that the computer's screen saver said Out to lunch. Of course she would be the type to have that on her computer. Josh sighed and decided to go grab something to eat.
*****
"We have to put and end to this!" Toby bellowed in Sam's office.
"I thought you said we shouldn't pay any attention to the President's antics and let him play as he wished. What changed your mind?" CJ smiled, "I wonder if it had anything to do with The Philadelphia Story comment."
Sam laughed.
"Why are you laughing? Maybe his next movie night will be about a man in love with his boss' daughter? Or maybe he'll find one about a republican and a democrat." Toby's statement wiped Sam's smile away.
"So, what do we do?" Sam asked them. "We can't exactly tell Josh the truth. He'll be quite upset."
"Upset? He'll kill us. These are the moment when we need him to be his usual self, so we can blame it on that. A secret plan to fight inflation wouldn't hurt now." CJ added as an afterthought, "Maybe we could try to reason with the President?"
There was a knock on the door and Josh came in. Sam stood up from his desk immediately. "Hey!"
Josh glanced at Toby and CJ, "What's with the behind closed door meeting?"
"We are planning on what's the best way to..." CJ stammered.
"We want the President to drop the movie night thing. Want to help?" Toby told him. He knew what Josh's answer would be.
"Ahhh, no. You are on your own there. I already got punished once."
"Whatcha need, Josh?" Sam said quickly. Too quickly in fact.
"I'm going to the Mess. Just wanted to know if you want something." He kept looking at them. Josh had a strange feeling.
"Nope. Nothing. What about you guys?" Sam turned to CJ and Toby. They both shook their heads.
"Are you guys hiding something from me?"
Sam laughed nervously. "Please Josh. Don't be so paranoid. What could we possibly be hiding from you?"
"Other than our coup d'etat plans." Toby added and provoked laughter from the group.
Josh didn't say anything. He just looked at his friends.
"Go have lunch, Josh. We'll talk later." Sam almost pushed him out the door. He kept walking and stopped to glance back at his friend's office. He couldn't believe that Sam had just blown him off. He had to find out why.
*****
He hadn't planned on having lunch there. He figured he'd just take it back to his office. But then he saw Donna and he wanted to sit with her. He missed having lunch with her in his office.
"Hey, stranger." Donna didn't look up. She was lost in thought, so he tried a little louder, "Donna!"
That popped her back into the present. "Sorry. I was just thinking about -" She searched for what to tell him. "Stuff." That was sort of the truth.
"Stuff is important. Especially when you work for the President of the United States."
Donna rolled her eyes at him, "What brings you here?"
"I'm hungry." He pointed to his burger and fries.
"Duh. I mean why aren't you in your office? You always had me bring you your lunch there." She reminded him.
"Well, Mrs. Crawford is out to lunch herself and therefore I had to fetch it myself. I saw you here and since I don't have anyone to have lunch with, I thought I'd join you."
"I'm flattered, Joshua." Donna ate some of her salad. "So? Anything new?"
"Not really. Except for the fact that Sam, CJ, and Toby just blew me off. It's weird, I get the feeling there's something that they aren't telling me."
Donna knew the feeling. That was precisely what she was scared of. "Maybe they are up to something."
"Maybe."
"Josh, I really don't want to nag, but," She reached over and took some of his fries. "Did you take your tux to the cleaners?"
"I forgot. I really should do that after work. Remind me tonight when we leave."
"That's your way of telling me that we are working on the thing tonight."
"Yup, but I'm sure we'll finish it. It's almost done really."
"Fine."
"Come to my office around 8."
"Ok," she sighed and kept munching on her food. She had a feeling it would be a long night.
"Are you excited about the Gala?"
"A little. The President said that I wouldn't have to work at all. Unless there's a national emergency, of course."
Josh swallowed, "I should have done that."
"What?"
"Not made you work during the things."
"Please Josh, there was work to be done. I didn't mind."
"Not always. It wouldn't have killed anyone if you had been there wearing a fancy dress. It would certainly have made the events more beautiful."
Donna blushed, "Thank you Josh. But you shouldn't feel bad. I've been to some of the functions. Sometimes I had to work, but sometimes I got to enjoy them. It's all part of working at the White House."
"I guess I just..." Never noticed before. Josh sighed, "Never mind. Ignore me."
"I usually do." Donna grinned at him.
*****
"The First Lady is scheduled to arrive tomorrow at 11 in the morning." Donna stood in front of the President.
"So, I'm guessing she'll be arriving at noon." Donna laughed. "Where's Leo?"
"He's in the Situation room. He said that you should stop by whenever you have a moment available, sir."
The President looked at his watch, "It's after 6. Do I have a moment?"
"Yes, but remember that Toby and CJ asked to see you at 7."
"I will."
There was a knock on the door and Charlie entered, "Mr. President, Zoey is on line 2."
The President picked up the phone, "Hey Zoey." He listened for a moment and smiled. "Sure. I'll send her right up." He hung up the phone and turned to Donna. "How busy are you?"
"I have to finish with the things you gave me. Really, just type up a few things."
"Good. It seems your dress was delivered with Zoey's to the residence. So you should go over there now. You can do the stuff later."
"Ok, sir. I also have to help Josh finish the Pascal thing. I can ask him to put it off for tomorrow, though."
"No. If you have to, put off the stuff I have you until tomorrow. Tell Josh I want to se it first thing tomorrow morning."
"Yes sir."
"Now go to the residence. Zoey's waiting for you."
Donna nodded and the President left toward the Situation room. She waited for a moment and made her way to the residence. She was greeted by Mallory and a woman she had never seen before.
"Where's Zoey? The President told me to come see her."
"She's trying on her dress." Mallory told her and turned to the woman besides her. The woman was extremely pale. It didn't help that she wore a long black dress and wore her dark hair long and curly. Her black wide rimmed glasses framed the image.
"Donna, let me introduce you to Duchess de Lioncourt."
Donna shook the woman's hand, "It's an honor to meet you. I can't believe you brought my dress over."
"Don't mention it." She spoke with a thick New York accent. "I'm sorry I wasn't at the store yesterday, but I rarely am there during the day. When I saw the dress you picked, and that it needed alterations, I knew that I had to do them myself. That's my favorite dress, and it had to be just right."
Donna beamed, "Wow, I don't know what to say."
"I do," Mallory spoke up. "Go try it on. I want to see this masterpiece that Josh splurged for!"
*****
Knock knock
Josh glanced at his watch. It was 7:30 pm; Donna was early, even by his watch. "Come in." But it wasn't Donna at the door.
"Mal! What are you doing here?"
"Don't sound so enthusiastic!" Mallory walked over to his desk.
Josh quickly stood up and gave her a big hug. "It's not that. I wasn't expecting you."
"You were expecting Donna."
"Yes. How did you know?" Josh leaned on his desk and Mallory sat down.
"That's what I'm here for. Donna is over at the residence and she might be late. She wanted me to tell you."
"What's she doing there?"
"The designer brought her dress along with Zoey's. She was trying it on."
"How long does that take?"
"Not much, but she really wants to finish some document for the President - even though he told her to put it off- and Zoey said she had the perfect jewelry for her to wear. They are arguing about that."
"Why?"
"I guess Donna's embarrassed."
"How did she look?" Josh inched closer to Mallory, as if they were sharing a secret.
"You want me to describe the dress you bought, but were too busy to pay attention to?"
"Yes."
"No." She grinned. "You'll have to wait and see it with everyone else at the Gala. But I can tell you that I will be looking lovely in a yellow dress."
"That's nice, Mal. Whom are you going with?"
"My dad," she sighed. "Josh..."
"No. We are not discussing Sam. I am not getting in the middle."
"Fine. Is he going with Ainsley? Because I've heard stuff."
"Mallory..." He warned. "So, Donna looked beautiful?"
"I didn't say that, but she did. She is going to be the belle of the ball. It's going to be a Cinderella thing when she arrives with Lord Marbury. I bet she'll get her picture taken by-"
"Run that by me again?" Josh interrupted her.
"What? The pictures?"
"No, Marbury. Is Donna going with him?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because he asked her, Josh!"
"But we..." He trailed off. Not really knowing how to finish.
"Were supposed to go together?" She shook her head at him. "Josh you can't expect the girl you are in love with to know what you want just because you think it. You should have asked her."
"But I thought it was understood!" He whined.
"Apparently it wasn't. What did you expect? That you would bump into each other on the way and stay together? She isn't your assistant anymore; she doesn't have to follow you around. In fact, that really was never her job."
"I'm not." Josh said quietly.
"You aren't what?"
"In love with her. You said 'the girl you are in love', but I'm not. I don't want her going out with that lunatic brit."
"Sure Josh and I'm not nervous about seeing Sam again."
"Are you still mad at him?"
"Will you admit your feelings for Donna?"
"So... I guess I'll see you at the Gala. It was great seeing you, Mal." He gave her a brotherly kiss on the cheek and practically pushed her into the hall. Her laughter was still audible after he closed the door.
*****
It was 9 pm; Donna was rushing towards Josh's office. She felt bad for having kept him waiting so long, but she really wanted to finish at least something for the President. To make it up to him, she ordered in food from one of his favorite restaurants. His door was opened and she went right in.
"Hey Josh. Sorry I'm late, but I'll make it up to you."
"Whatever." He didn't even look up from the papers on his desk.
"Josh? Are you ok?" Donna sat down.
"Yeah, I've just been working on the thing for a while." He finally glanced up at her, "Did the dress fit? Is everything fine with it?"
"It's great. Earlier I told you I was a little excited about the Gala. Well I lied. I'm thrilled! I can't wait to put on my dress and have a ball."
"I'll bet," he muttered.
Donna raised her eyebrows, but ignored the comment. "And you have to promise to save me a dance. I know you prefer to just stand around and listen to the music, but you have to."
Josh was about to complain, but he couldn't refuse those puppy dog eyes she gave him. "Fine. I'll save you a spot on my dance card." She grinned widely. "Now get to work." He gave her some papers.
"Yes, sir!" Josh stared at her. "Sorry. Force of habit."
He shook his head, "Get to work."
*****
"Technology is a great thing." Donna was now sitting in front of Josh's computer. Josh sat across from her, the discarded food in between. Donna kept blabbing on, "Now the information is available almost immediately. Did you know that when Truman won the Presidency, The Chicago Sun-Times got it wrong and the headline read 'DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN'?"
"I know, Donna, and there's a picture of a smiling Truman holding the newspaper. What does this have to do with what we are doing?"
"Nothing. I'm just saying..." Donna's cheeks became red. "Josh, what's wrong with you?"
"Nothing's wrong with me. I'm just very busy."
"No!" She cried. "You've never been too busy to banter or listen to my trivia. And it's not only that. All of a sudden, you are very distant and I want to know why."
"You're imagining things, Donna."
"No, you don't. Don't talk to me like that. Yesterday we had a great time shopping and watching the movie. Today we had a nice time during lunch and now you're acting like a first class ass!"
"At least I'm first class."
Donna stood up, "If you aren't going to take me seriously, I'm leaving."
"You can't leave. We have to finish this."
Donna moved in front of him, "Let me remind you that you aren't my boss anymore and I am doing you a favor."
"Oh yeah. Let's not forget that you are getting something out of it."
"Now you are throwing the dress back in my face? What do you want me to do? Pay you back? Take the dress back?"
"Oh, don't take it back. You need it to impress his lordship." Josh yelled at her.
"So that's why you're mad!" Donna threw her arms up in the air.
"I hate the guy and you had me take you shopping for a date with him."
"For crying out loud, Josh. It isn't a real date. We are just friends and he asked me to accompany him. And you know what? I thought it would be cool and it's not like I had anyone to go with."
"You could have gone with me!"
"You could have asked me to go with you!"
"You could still come."
"Oh yeah. I'm going to forget about the charming ambassador who actually did ask me because you threw a tantrum."
"How can you want to go with that man! You know what he really wants!"
Donna was shocked but she wasn't going to lose her cool. "What? Pleasant company? Listen Josh, we had dinner on Monday and it was nice. Don't make this into an international affair."
"You do realize that dinner on Monday was because the President felt sorry for you. Why he chose that nutcase, I will never understand."
Donna swallowed and fought back tears. "Of course he felt sorry for me. I had been saddled with you for years. And as for why Marbury, he happens to be a brilliant man who was chosen to represent his country."
"Yeah, after others turned it down."
"You know Josh, you might not like him, but I do. And right now, I like him a lot more than I like you. He isn't a jerk to me and he appreciates me!" Donna moved away from Josh. She had to get out of there.
"That's because he doesn't know you well enough yet. Besides, you have terrible tastes in men. You don't know what's good for you." She glared at him and opened the door. "Where are you going?"
"Home." She left his office.
"No, you are not." Josh followed her. His tone was desperate. "We have to finish-"
"Finish it yourself." She didn't turn around and walked straight to her desk. She picked up her things, but he was right in front of her.
"Donna, maybe I went too far, and I'm sorry."
"Maybe?" She sneered at him.
"I just don't want you going with him. You don't know what he might-"
"Shove it, Josh. Why don't you admit the real reason you don't want me to go out on a date with him?"
"I'm just saying that I don't think it is a good idea. There is no other reason. Wait a minute. Date? You said it wasn't a date!" Josh began raising his voice.
"Don't yell in the Oval Office."
"This isn't the Oval Office, Donna."
"Don't yell in its vicinity. And I decided that it is a date." She said through her teeth.
"When did you decide this in the last twenty minutes?"
"Now. Having no life has apparently made you into a monster. I don't want to end up like that. I rather enjoy myself, and have a date. Unlike you." She began to walk away from him, but he put his hand on her shoulder. "Don't Josh. Let me go home." He did and she walked a few steps before turning around and said softly, "Don't forget the President wants to see you first thing tomorrow morning." He nodded and she left, but not before Josh could see the tears in her eyes.
"What the hell just happened?" He glanced around the room, as if he expected someone to appear with an answer. When it didn't, he went back to his office.
*****
Leo and the President had stayed to work late, as they usually did. They had heard everything from inside the Oval Office. Leo glanced at his best friend.
"Don't say it, Leo."
"This is your fault, Jed. I told you not to do it, but you went ahead and did it."
"It isn't my fault that Josh is an idiot. But I can fix this."
"Oh no you don't, sir. I think we should come clean."
"Give me the weekend. If things aren't fixed by Monday, you can tell them everything."
"Yes, sir." Leo regretted this, but he knew he didn't have a choice.
"Don't look at me like that, Leo. I can have you killed, you know." The President grinned.
"Do it, but I should mention there is a letter to be disclosed in the event of my untimely death..."
"Ahh, you live another day, old boy... At least until the Secret Service finds the letter for me, that is."
Leo chuckled, "Yes sir. Is there anything you want me to do?"
"Yeah. Go see Josh. Make sure he doesn't do anything even more stupid. And tell him to stop shouting around my Oval Office." Jed told him and began walking towards the exit. He stopped, "also have Mrs. Crawford see me early. She gets here before Josh, right?"
"Yes, sir. I will see to that."
"Good night, Leo."
"Good night, Mr. President."
*****
"Working late, Josh?" Leo asked as he entered Josh's office.
"Yeah."
"I thought Donna was going to help you with this?" Leo eased into the conversation.
"She was. She isn't now." Josh breathed deeply. "We sort of had an argument."
"I'd call it a fight."
"How do you...?" Josh stopped, realizing that Leo must have been in the Oval Office. "Was he? Did he hear?"
"Yes. Josh you should stop shouting around the Oval Office. At least wait until you are the President."
The last bit made Josh smile, but it quickly faded. "How mad is he?"
"You'll find out tomorrow morning when you go talk to him about Pascal."
"Ok."
"What was the fight about?"
"I found out she is going with Marbury to the Gala and I got upset. I said some things. Terrible things and I got out of hand. As usual, I was hostile. It was really stupid and didn't make sense at all." Josh informed him.
"It makes perfect sense." Leo murmured.
"What?" Josh shook his head. "I tried calling her to apologize, but she turned off her cell phone and she hasn't gotten to her apartment yet."
"Don't call her, Josh. You both need time to cool off. Talk to her tomorrow. And you should go home and get some rest too."
"I can't. I have to finish this." Josh moved around some papers, but Leo knew that wasn't what Josh really meant.
"Just don't do anything stupid."
*****
PART 5

"Good Morning, Mr. Lyman." Mrs. Crawford tried to wake Josh up. He had apparently slept at his desk.
"Let him. I'll take care of him." Leo called from outside.
"Good Morning, Mr. McGarry." She met him in the hall.
"How are you today, Mrs. Crawford?"
"Fine, thank you, sir."
"Good. Could you please go wait in my office? There's something I wish to discuss."
"Yes, sir."
"I'll be right over." She nodded at him and left.
He sighed and entered Josh's office. "Wake up, sleeping beauty!" He slammed his hands on Josh's desk.
Josh sat up immediately. "I'm awake!" He looked around the room, trying to place where he was and finally saw Leo.
"Morning, Josh. I see that you didn't go home as I suggested. Did you accomplish anything or did you spend your time stalking Donna?"
Josh stretched in his chair, "Both actually, but I did finish the thing."
"Good. How much more did you manage to upset Donna?"
"Zilch. Donna didn't go back to her apartment last night."
"Are you sure?" Leo became concerned. "Maybe she wasn't answering her phone."
"I'm sure. Rachel is probably drafting a restraining order against me because of how much I called."
"She could have lied for Donna."
"She tried, but I broke her. She told me Donna called to say she was staying at a friend's."
"There you go, Josh. Now you should make yourself presentable. You have to see the President in less than an hour."
"But she wasn't."
"Wasn't what?"
"At a friend's house." Josh ran his fingers thru his hair. "I called all her friends and she wasn't there."
"That is preposterous, Josh! Her friends could have also lied to you!"
"No, they wouldn't. I can work them."
"She can also have friends that you don't know about."
"Marbury." Josh gritted his teeth.
"Don't go there, Josh. Get ready for your meeting." Leo sighed again and left him alone.
******
Donna arrived at her desk later than usual. She wasn't late, she just hadn't arrived as early as she'd like. A beautiful bouquet of roses greeted her. There was a note, but she didn't need to read it to know they were from Josh. But she did. I'm sorry. We need to talk. Please forgive me. It wasn't in his handwriting. He probably had Mrs. Crawford order them. It didn't matter. She wasn't going to make it easy for him. Josh was a hassle and at the moment, Donna was quite upset with him. She ripped the note and threw it in the wastebasket. Two seconds later she threw the roses in as well. She took a moment to compose herself and went into the Oval Office. When she came out, Josh was standing in front of her desk, staring inside the wastebasket. He was wearing the same thing he had on the previous day, except he was quite rumpled and disheveled. Donna felt a pang of guilt, but she reminded herself of the horrible things he said.
"Donna -"
"The President is waiting for you." She cut him short and sat on her chair. Not once making eye contact with him. She felt him linger for a moment and then enter the Oval Office.
*****
"Hey, Donna," Charlie greeted her.
"Hi, Charlie."
"Where are the flowers?" He looked around her desk and she pointed to the wastebasket. "Wow. Who's in the doghouse with you?"
"Josh. How did you know I got flowers?"
"I was here when the messenger arrived. Why would Josh use a messenger? He can bring them himself."
"He probably just called a flower shop because he was too busy with something. It doesn't matter."
"What did he do?"
"I rather not say, Charlie."
"For the love of God, Joshua!" This boomed on cue from inside the Oval Office.
They both turned towards the voice, not knowing what to do. Charlie glanced at Donna.
"Don't look at me like that. I don't know what he did to piss the President off. But it's Josh, so it isn't surprising."
"Should we do something?" Charlie took a step towards the Oval Office when Leo came out of it.
"Don't worry about anything. They are discussing their issues." He told the worried faces.
"What if their discussion gets out of hand?" Donna wondered.
"The Secret Service will take care of it." He glanced down at the wastebasket, "Nice flowers." He commented and went back to his office.
Donna looked back at Charlie, who shook his head and went back to his desk. She sighed and tried to concentrate on her work. What was going on?
*****
"Has the President read the report?" CJ arrived in the reception area.
"Not yet." Donna was busy writing something on her computer.
"Is he still in with Josh? It's been about 3 hours." CJ sat down.
"Yeah."
"Is he still yelling?"
"I haven't heard anything in a while." She stopped writing and faced CJ. "Who knows? Maybe he killed Josh and the Secret Service is busy trying to get the body out."
"Oh yeah, and then bury him in the rose garden."
"Of course." Donna giggled, but quickly erased her smile. "We shouldn't joke about that."
"You're right. Do you have any idea what's going on in there?"
"Not a clue."
"What could idiot Josh have possibly done now? And how much of a headache will it cause me?" CJ glanced around the room, and like everyone else, saw the roses on the wastebasket. "Did the roses misbehave?"
"Huh?" Donna was lost for a moment and then realized what CJ was talking about. "I just didn't want them."
CJ walked over and picked one of the roses out from the wastebasket and put it on Donna's desk. "Just keep one. You might regret it later. He might not be idiot Josh forever."
"How did you know they were from him?"
CJ tilted her head and smiled gently, "He is the only one that could get you mad enough to throw such beautiful flowers away."
Donna stared at the single rose and put it inside a drawer.
"I'm going back to the office. Call me when the President finishes lashing at Josh."
"I will."
After CJ left, Donna enjoyed about 10 minutes of peace and quiet. Then the First lady arrived.
"How was your flight, Ma'am?"
"Exhausting. How are you doing? You seem a little tired. Are you feeling well?" The First Lady slipped immediately into doctor mode.
"That's just it, I'm a bit tired. Didn't get enough sleep last night."
"Well, remember to get enough rest tonight. You have to be ready for tomorrow. Zoey already told me your dress is fabulous. I can't wait to see you in it."
"Thank you, m'am."
"What is my husband doing?"
"Josh has been in there all morning."
"What did he do now?"
Donna laughed, "God only knows." She pressed the intercom button, "Excuse me, Mr. President, but the First Lady is here."
"Thanks, Donna." Moments later, the President and Josh joined them. "Abbey, I missed you." The President hugged his wife. Josh tried to make himself invisible.
"I'm sure you missed me, Jed. Particularly when you ate all the food you weren't supposed to." She grinned.
The President glared at Donna, "It was only once and it didn't mean anything, Abbey."
"It wasn't me, Mr. President. You just gave yourself away." Donna told him.
"She's right, Jed."
"Get inside my office." He turned to Josh, who was standing as far away as he could from them, without leaving the room. "Are we clear?"
"Crystal, sir." Josh looked him in the eye.
"Good. Now get back to work. Donna, where's that report CJ wants me to read?" She stood up and gave it to him.
"Thank you. Tell CJ to come see me in about an hour."
"Yes, sir." The President entered his office, leaving Donna and Josh standing alone.
"Donna, I-" He tried to get closer to her, but she took two steps back.
"I can't now."
"But-"
"Please."
"Fine." Josh took a deep breath and walked away dejected. There was no swagger in his walk now. And Donna hated that.
*****

Josh was working in his computer. Or at least trying to. He really didn't know how to use one. He heard Toby and Sam walking by. They seemed to be arguing about the finishing touches for the Gala's speech the next day. Sam did a double take when he saw Josh and entered the office. Toby followed him inside.
"Is it true?" Sam approached Josh.
"Is what true?"
"That the President ripped you a new one in his office."
"Get out, Sam." Josh pushed himself away from the computer and faced them.
"Seriously, Josh," Toby said. "Were you fired?"
"No."
"Then what did you do that would have the President lock you in his office for over 3 hours!" Sam exclaimed.
"And, more importantly, how much of a nuisance will it be for my communications office?" Toby rubbed his forehead.
"Nothing is going to happen. I did something wrong and we talked it out. That's it." Josh told them.
"Does it have anything to do with the shouting match last night with Donna?"
"You shouted at Donna?" Sam was surprised. This certainly wasn't Josh.
"How did you know about that, Toby?"
"You weren't the only one working late last night."
"Why didn't you come in? Maybe you could have stopped me from making a fool out of myself." Josh stood up.
"I didn't. And as soon as the first words left your mouth, you were a fool. There's nothing I could've done."
"I still can't believe you shouted at Donna."
"Shut up, Sam."
"Well, my work here is done. I think I'll go back to my office and yell at people who actually deserve it." Toby smirked at Josh, then turned to Sam, "Don't change my speech."
As soon as Toby left, Josh sat down. So did Sam.
"I'm changing the speech."
"Whatever, Sam. I'm kind of busy here."
Sam took a peek at the computer screen. "Since when are you working on something health related?"
"I'm not."
"Entertainment industry?"
"No. Sam, why all the stupid questions?"
"Just noticed you have an ER web page on your screen. Gotta wonder about that."
"I want to look something up." He saw that Sam's face still questioned him. "Donna likes the show and the other day she was talking about it."
"But you aren't getting anywhere?"
"Nope. I really wasn't paying that much attention to her the other night."
"Josh, you really take her for granted, you know?"
"So I've been told. But thanks for repeating it."
"Is she very upset?"
"She isn't talking to me."
"You should send her flowers." Sam suggested.
"I did, roses in fact. She threw them away."
"What the hell did you do?"
Josh recapped the previous night for Sam. He could tell that Sam was quite disappointed in him. But that wasn't a shock. Josh was disappointed in himself more than anyone else could possibly be.
"Wow. You really outdid yourself, Josh. Do you know how she took it last night? Maybe we should call Rachel." Sam went immediately for the phone, but Josh stopped him.
"She didn't go home last night. I called Rachel plenty of times. You weren't hiding her by any chance?"
"I would have told you."
"I know. I'm just... Ignore me." Josh thought for a moment. "Maybe she went to Mallory's." He said, more to himself than anything else.
"Mallory? My Mallory? Why would she be-" Josh stopped him with a glare. "That's not the issue now. Don't worry, Josh. We'll fix this."
"Don't buck up little camper me!" Josh told him, rather annoyed. "I screwed up. I may have possibly lost one of my best friend and I don't know if I can get her back."
"Mr. Lyman," Mrs. Crawford entered, "Remember your meeting at the hill."
Josh glanced at his watch, "Oh yeah. I'm going to be late. Thanks, Mrs. Crawford." He nodded at her and she left. He started to pick up his things and get ready to leave.
"Before you go, Josh. Tell me what you were doing. I can help you."
"Thanks, Sam." Josh grabbed his backpack. "But this is something I have to do by myself."
"Well, you know I'm here for you if you need me."
"I know."
*****
Donna entered her apartment carrying a few bags. She was surprised to find Rachel in the kitchen.
"I thought you had a date." Donna put the bags on the counter.
"I did. Michael called, there was some emergency and he had to stay late at the hospital."
Donna took out a pint of chocolate ice cream from the bags and gave it to Rachel. "Here. You might need this more than me."
"Thanks, Donna, but if you bought this, it probably means you also need it." Rachel said sympathetically.
"Oh, don't you worry about me." Donna grinned and emptied the bags. There were 3 more pints of ice cream, mint chocolate chip, chocolate chip cookie dough, and chocolate fudge. There were bags of m&ms, oreos, and marshmallows. To top it all off, there was a bottle of whip cream and a gallon of chocolate milk.
"Wow! What are your plans for later tonight? Getting a stomach pump?" Rachel told her while examining the junk food. "Of course, that way, I could get to see Michael."
"Who knows? Maybe I'll get to meet a cute doctor." Donna sighed and handed her the remaining bag, "I also got these."
"Like you'd want that. Your heart belongs to a rather cute politician." Rachel looked through the movies in the bag. "The Princess Bride, The Truth About Cats and Dogs, and Ever After... What the heck did Josh do to you? Did I tell you he called 5 times last night? He was driving me nuts."
"He was at his best at being the jerk that he can really be."
"He must have, to drive you to this binge. What movie do you want to watch first?"
"You pick."
About two hours later, Donna, Rachel, and the three cats finished watching The Truth About Cats and Dogs. They shared a big portion of the junk food and they were now leaning back, resting comfortably on the floor. Rachel knew it was about time for Donna to break down and want to talk. She just had to wait.
"You know what's the best thing about cats? They can eat all this junk food, unlike dogs. They can't handle it. They have sensitive systems."
"Like Josh." Donna sighed. Here it comes. "In the movie, the guys says something about how someone can look beautiful with time as you get to know them, and someone who is beautiful might stop being so because of how they are."
"Something like that. Of course saying that Janeane Garofalo is ugly is another Hollywood lie. Just like the one about having a car accident and the guy turns out to be the man of your dreams."
"Josh is like that."
"Huh?" Rachel wondered where Donna was going. "Like what? The man of your dreams who crashes into your car?"
Donna raised her eyebrows, "Like the movie."
"I don't get it Donna. Josh is very a handsome guy. And he is not a pretty boy, which is always a plus. Unless you mean that he has stopped looking good to you, which I doubt because I've seen the way you look at him."
Donna shrugged and smiled, "Yeah... I meant how he comes off as a jerk at first, an unconventionally handsome one," Rachel laughed, "And as you get to know him, you learn that he can be so sweet and charming - when he wants to - and he is gorgeous."
"So, your falling for Josh has been a gradual thing?"
Donna was about to deny it, but she knew there was no use. "You know it was."
"I don't know how you guys have never done anything. All those late nights working together... All those times you traveled together. There must have moments. When you were his assistant, you guys acted as if you were married."
"I won't deny that there were moments, but -"
Rachel jumped in, "But you don't think he feels the same way about you. I think he does and you should take a shot at him."
"Oh really? And what do you expect me to do? Grab him when he visits the Oval Office and kiss him?" Donna said sarcastically.
"Creative, but no. I don't think the President might appreciate that. I think you should grab him during the Gala tomorrow, take him out into the balcony, and kiss him. Then, after he kisses you back - and he will - you tell him how much love him and want to have his babies!" Rachel winked at her and blew her kisses.
"Rachel! I can't do that!"
"Sure you can. And I'm sure that guy Marbury won't mind. After all, it isn't a real date, just a photo op. Now let's watch Ever After. It can serve as a refresher course in banter for you."
*****
PART 6

Donna was trying to clean up the mess they had made the night before. Rachel was having breakfast with Michael, but she had promised to help out when she got back. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. She wasn't really expecting company. She looked through the peephole and was a bit surprised at finding Ainsley there.
"Hi." She said as she opened the door.
"Good morning, Donna." Ainsley entered. "Late party last night?"
"Not exactly. My roommate and I watched girly movies and pigged out on junk food." Ainsley's eyes lit up at the mention of food. "There are still some cookies in the fridge." Donna tilted her head towards it. Ainsley quickly went there.
"These are really good cookies, Donna," she said taking a bite.
"Ok, Ainsley."
"So..."
"Yes..." Donna narrowed her eyes. She knew Ainsley was up to something.
"I can't do this." Ainsley stood in front of Donna. "Sam wants to know how mad you are at Josh and what will it take to fix it?" She put her hands on her hips.
Donna snorted, "I'm guessing this wasn't how he wanted you to get the info out of me."
"No. The reason I agreed to it was because he was driving me insane and he actually sat down to write what I was supposed to say. I really did it for my own sanity."
"Plus you like Sam."
"And I really had to get out of the office. Everyone kept asking what I was going to wear or who I was going with, and I just... What did you say?"
Donna smiled, "You have a crush on Sam."
"I have no such thing. Besides, he is still into Mallory."
"What about me?" They both turned to see a smiling Mallory on the door, which Donna had left open. CJ was with her.
Ainsley was mortified, but Donna laughed, "We were talking about who's going to be there tonight."
"Yeah, I'm going with dad."
"I'm going alone. As usual. Because, even though I'm delightful and delicious, men are too dumb to acknowledge it." CJ told all of them.
"I'm going stag too. I guess we can't all be as lucky as you, Donna, and be escorted by an Ambassador."
Donna ignored Ainsley, "What are you two doing here?"
"I was sent to give you this," Mallory took a jewelry box from her purse and gave it to Donna, who began to protest immediately. "Don't even try to. All the Bartlets insist you wear them tonight."
"I came here because I want to see the fabulous dress everyone is talking about."
Donna eyed CJ. "What do you mean everyone?"
"Well, I've been getting calls from the press about the one of a kind Duchess dress that the Deputy Chief of Staff bought."
"Oh god." Donna couldn't believe this.
"It was quite funny, since I never said it was for you, someone actually implied that Josh like to wears women's clothes. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but Josh wasn't thrilled with the visual."
They all laughed. When they calmed down, Donna told CJ she could go into her room and see the dress because it was out. Ainsley went in with her. Donna was about to join them, when Mallory held her back.
"Ainsley isn't going with Sam?" She asked hopeful.
"Oh no. We're not talking about Sam. I'm not getting in the middle."
"Incredible." Mallory shook her head.
"What?"
"That's the same thing Josh said." She grinned as Donna joined the others in the bedroom.
After they finished oohing and ahhing the dress, CJ suggested the four of them go out for a late breakfast and then spend the day getting their hair and make up done.
It seemed like a harmless idea and it really was. Breakfast went pretty much fine. Plenty of current events were discussed. Everyone was polite and the subject of Josh never came up. Sam, on the other hand, must have had his ears' burning. CJ was enjoying the fact that she could bring embarrassing Sam anecdotes to the table. They all agreed that Sam should never run for President. He had an incredible talent to get himself in trouble. They all also agreed that he probably didn't want to be President, that wasn't his dream. Silence overcame the group and all of a sudden, CJ, Ainsley, and Mallory were quite interested in their empty plates.
"You can talk about Josh. It's not going to kill me, you know." Donna's eyes went from friendly face to friendly face. "We had a fight. It's not the end of the world."
"Well, you never answered me," Ainsley countered.
"Why should I? If Sam wants to ask me something, then he should come do it himself. This is not high school and he shouldn't be asking you to do his dirty work." Donna was getting flustered and CJ saw it as a clear sign that they should move on to their next stop.
*****

When they arrived at the hairdressers, they were ushered into a private room in the back. It was pretty obvious that this hadn't been a spur of the moment thing. Mallory and CJ fessed to it when Donna confronted them. Ainsley began to flip out because she had obviously intruded on their plans by being at Donna's. CJ calmed her down by explaining that the idea came to her on Thursday and she ran into Mallory. They both made the arrangements. CJ was actually planning on inviting Donna on Friday, but since she wasn't in a good mood, she decided to try a different approach. As for Ainsley, CJ knew where she was, so they had planned on inviting her all along. Donna wondered how CJ knew this, but she was more interested on Mallory's expression. She was stoic and Donna concluded that she must have an excellent poker face because there was no way Mallory wanted Ainsley around. Unless she could find out if there was something going on with Sam.
After it was all settled, the pampering began. Donna fell asleep as soon as her massage began. Some time later she woke up to a chorus calling her name.
"I just had the craziest dream and you were there, and you were there, and you were there." Donna joked as she sat up. Immediately and attendant started fussing with her hair.
"I gather one of the movies you saw last night was The Princess Bride." Mallory smirked.
"Oh god." Donna became pallid. "Was I talking in my sleep?"
" 'As you wish, Josh'." CJ mimicked.
"Err... that could mean anything. It could have been me telling him I'd write a memo." Donna faltered.
"Hmmm, you also mentioned the Dread Pirate Ego. You were dreaming about Josh and The Princess Bride, admit it. It will do you good." Ainsley added.
"I... I..."
"What Donna? You planning on telling us what the dream was about?" CJ teased her.
"It was just a weird dream. And EVERYONE was there." Donna insisted.
"Sure, Donna. But that's not important now. We have to get ready to impress."
"Impress who, Mallory?" If Donna was going down, she was taking everyone with her.
"Yeah, Mallory, who could you possibly mean?" Ainsley asked sarcastically.
"The world, Ainsley. I didn't mean anyone in particular. Why? Do you think there is someone I should try to impress?" Mallory smiled slyly.
CJ sighed. In her opinion, Samuel Norman Seaborn didn't deserve this much attention. "I plan on impressing myself. Anyone else is just an added benefit."
The three of them continued bickering happily, but Donna didn't join in. She looked at herself in the mirror as the stylist worked with her hair. Who do I want to impress? She imagined walking into the gala on Lord Marbury's arm. Photographs would be taken of them; reporters would ask if they were an item. They would say they were just friends, which was the truth. Josh would finally see her in the beautiful red dress and be shocked out of his mind. A particularly nosy reporter, probably Danny, would notice and ask Josh if Donna and Marbury were an item. It would be a first, since Josh is rendered speechless. He'd be too busy thinking about how to make the first move to get his Donnatella back. Ha! She thought. As if Josh would ever make the first move. I'll be lucky if he remembers that the dress is red.
*****
Lord Marbury had been early. That was something she certainly didn't expect. He was thoroughly charming as the gentleman he is and helped her put on her coat. He led her to a limousine waiting outside. It was the beginning of a modern fairy-tale. She'd been in limos before, but always as Donna Moss, assistant, never as just plain Donna. Of course, tonight she looked like anything but plain. She wondered what people would say when they saw her. Deep down she was afraid for trying to do too much or look like someone else. Marbury told her she looked gorgeous, but would Josh? She almost asked Marbury to turn back for fear of not getting the reaction she wanted from Josh. She may not have admitted, and she wouldn't, but she did have some sort of agenda. She just wasn't sure what it was yet.
*****
"Good evening, Mr. Lyman."
Josh turned around to find Mrs. Crawford standing in front of him. She was wearing a nice, simple peach colored dress that made her appear very different from the Mrs. Crawford he had seen all week.
"Mrs. Crawford! You look so different."
She raised her eyebrows. "I'll take that as a compliment."
"It is. I'm sorry. You look good. Why are you here? I don't mean to sound rude, but I didn't expect you here."
"That's ok, Josh. You can relax. The President invited me. My late husband was a doctor at GW and a friend of the First Lady. If he were alive, he would have been here."
Josh was floored. He'd just learned, in less than 5 minutes, more about this woman than in the 5 days she had been working for him. He really was a jerk. "I didn't know you were married. Heck, I don't even know your first name."
The older woman laughed at him, "Well, you never bothered to ask." Josh lowered his head. "Don't worry about it. My name is Olivia. I was happily married for 45 years until my husband passed away last year. Then the First Lady got me the job as a temp."
No wonder. "You said you had to go home to your family last Wednesday. What did you mean then?"
"Oh." She laughed gently. "My dog and cat. They are my babies."
"Now I know more about you than you know about me." Josh smiled sheepishly.
"That's what you think," she replied. "Now, I'll leave you alone to enjoy the evening, Mr. Lyman." Josh was about to say something else before she left, but Mallory appeared by his side.
"You look handsome, Josh."
He gave her the once over in a very exaggerated way. "You were right, Mal." He gave her a small peck on the cheek. "You are looking lovely in yellow. You are a beautiful ray of sunshine."
She gave a twirl to model her dress. She wore a classic Greek toga style dress, strapless on the right shoulder, with a bronze colored pin on the left one. A matching belt at the waist, cinching it to show off her figure, leading to a skirt that flows around. Her hair was softly coiffed around her face; so that it's red bronze highlights complemented the dress's ornaments. Her jewelry was inspired, dangling earrings of citriones, three large ones hanging from each lobe, with the matching ring, and a large bronze bracelet, inset with citrones on the left forearm. To finish the ensemble, she had on bronze colored sandals.
"Are we going for the Earth Goddess look?" Josh teased.
"Do you think I went over the top?" She worried.
"Not really. You make it work. Now you only have to wait and see if you get Sam to worship at your feet." Mallory opened her mouth to protest, but Josh continued talking. "Of course, there is one tiny detail missing..." He glanced down at her sandals, "Those tie up to the knee?"
She smiled, "Too bad you can't find out..."
"I don't know... That dress is quite sheer, if I stare long enough I'll probably make it out."
Mallory chuckled, "Oh yeah, Josh. That's what you should be doing at a White House affair. I bet they would love to have you leering at me."
"That's a plan. I'll eyeball you and if Sam comes over to defend your honor, you know punch me - well, try because he really can't take me--," Josh smirked, "Then we know he likes you."
"And I'll fire your ass."
Josh smiled and said without turning around, "You really can't Leo. Not for that." Then he turned. "So, when's the President coming?"
"Soon. I'd say a half hour."
"What's he doing?" Mallory asked her father.
"What I should have done! Chastising his daughter about her dress." Leo narrowed his eyes at her.
Josh snorted, "I told you it was kind of sheer."
"Shut up, both of you. And the President shouldn't have a problem with Zoey's dress. It is perfect for a girl her age."
"We are fathers. That's what we do. Would it kill you to wear something sensible?"
"Yeah, this from a man wearing a tux with tails."
"This is what statesmen wear." Josh protested and smoothed the lapels of his jacket.
"Please. This is the President's way of making you do what he wants."
"Hey, Mallory." Mallory stopped talking as soon as she heard Sam greeting her.
"Hey. You look nice, Sam." She told him.
"Even though he's wearing tails?" Leo prompted, but was ignored by Mallory and Sam.
"You look beautiful. Radiant. You really light up the place." Mallory beamed as he spoke. She could also hear Josh snickering. Sam continued, "But aren't you a bit cold? If you want, I could lend you my jacket. I mean, there's barely enough material there."
"Sam!"
"Good evening everyone." CJ joined them. She wore a sea-foam green dress. It was a tight sheath with an A-cut neckline, and a straight skirt, split up the left leg to mid thigh. The fabric was emblazoned with tiny shimmering sequins of greens, turquoise, silver, and blues, giving it an overall green sea-foam color. Her hair was loose and styled around her face. She also wore jade solitaire earrings and matching bracelets.
"Wow, CJ. You look like a mermaid"
"It's that good or bad, Sam?"
"It'd be better if you wore a shell bra," Josh told her.
"Sure, Josh. I'll keep that in mind. What were you talking about before? Mallory seemed a bit riled up."
"My father and Sam are complaining about my dress, saying it's too revealing." Mallory replied to CJ.
"Nonsense. Showing a little skin couldn't hurt. The First Lady always insists I do so." She turned around so they could all see that her back was left bare down to the small of her back. "And Mallory, I love your dress."
"Thank you, CJ. You dress is amazing. Who is it?"
"Gaultier, so are the shoes." CJ put her right foot forward to show the green ballet slippers style sandals.
"Perfect."
"Guys," Charlie walked up to them. "The President will be coming soon. The Secret Service is ushering in the guests who are arriving at the moment."
"Thank you, Charlie." Leo told him and he left.
"Where's Toby? He should have been here by now."
"He is, Sam. He is over at the bar." Josh told him. "But Donna hasn't arrived yet."
"She'll be here soon." Leo told him. Then he looked over to a group of people across the room. "Hey, Baby, it's the Langleys. We should go say hi." He turned to everyone else, "Excuse us." He took her arm and they both left the group.
"Where's Ainsley?" Sam scanned the crowd.
"She's down in her office." Toby walked up to them.
"Why is she there?"
"Apparently, in her haste to leave this morning on your crusade, Sam, she left something there."
"What crusade?" Josh looked at Sam.
"He had Ainsley go ask Donna if she was still upset with you and if so, how much." CJ told him.
"You what!" Josh wanted to kill Sam.
"Of course, Ainsley didn't really do what he wanted and Donna didn't answer."
"How do you know this, CJ?"
"You told me, Sam."
"I meant what Ainsley and Donna did."
"Because Mallory and I went over to Donna's and the four us went together to the stylist."
"Mallory and Ainsley were together all day?" Sam paled. "Did they talk about me?"
"Tons, but I'm not betraying the sisterhood."
"Did Donna mention anything?" Josh jumped in.
"Lots of things, which I won't tell you."
"Hello, everyone." Now it was Ainsley's turn. Everyone welcomed her. She wore a royal blue and silver gown. The top's shaped like a vest, with a deep V-neck, wide lapels, and four large silver buttons. She had a silver stole over this. The waist was tightly cinched in and the skirt billows out in deep folds. The fabric had silver thread sheeted through that gave it a particular pattern. Her loose hair and make up made her look like a 40s movie star. To finish the look, she wore a silver, diamonds and sapphire necklace, with matching earrings, ring, and bracelet, and silver slippers.
"You look absolutely lovely, Ainsley." Sam smiled at her.
"Yeah, like a moon goddess." Josh added with a short laugh.
"Thank you, Sam, and Josh, I guess." She looked strangely at Josh. She didn't know what he meant.
"Ignore, Josh. He is still busy thinking about why Donna hasn't arrived yet." CJ said.
"They haven't arrived? Interesting." Ainsley grinned.
Josh squirmed. He didn't want to think about the possibilities. They were too frightening. Sam realized this and told him to stop obsessing about where Donna was on Thursday night. Josh was going to say something else, but Zoey and Charlie joined them.
"Hey kid," Josh told her, and gave her a hug. "I guess you won the argument about the dress."
"I wasn't going to change my dress. I'm not a little girl anymore." Her dress was really cute. It was an off the shoulders, three quarters sleeves, tight dress, with the skirt coming down to just above the knees. It was made of lilac satin patches, bordered by see through pink silk chiffon. She wore pink and lilac crystal necklace, earrings, and rings. Her sandals were lilac.
"You look adorable, Zoey. It's a great dress for you." CJ commented.
"Thanks." She blushed.
"I told you that too." Charlie took her hand.
"I know, but you are supposed to tell me. It's not the same." Everyone laughed when she said this. "Look, there's Donna. You guys are going to love her dress." She pointed towards the entrance, where Lord Marbury was helping Donna out of her white cape. Josh looked intensely. He knew he was staring and that everyone was watching him watch her, but he didn't care.
Her dress was a deep blood red silk chiffon sheath. It had a hand drawn design of cherry blossom in full bloom, which spread right across the top, down the left side, and crossing over from the top of the left hip, to the right side, cascading down the right side, and forming a pool of blossoms all around the bottom folds. The bodice was tight down to the waist and the skirt, though cut tight and straight, falls soft and widens at the bottom. It's strapless, with a low cut back, scooping towards the waist. The silk shimmered as she moved. Her hair was in a French twist at the crown of her head, but with a few loose tendrils at her temples and the back of her neck. She carried the matching purse, which was a small, round clutch, made of white silk in the shape of cherry blossoms. Her shoes were red slippers with a one-inch heel.
Josh heard the people around him talk, but he barely paid attention. All he could think was that there was something terribly wrong with this picture. "I knew my jewelry would be perfect on her." "I love those shoes. They have to be Prada." "She looks so different." "She looks incredible." "They make a great couple."
Josh did hear the last one and his desire to strangle Ainsley had never been so huge. That was what was wrong with the picture. He wasn't there with her. He saw how gracious Donna was with the people being introduced to her as they made their way over to them. He wanted to run over there, punch Marbury out and drag Donna away with him. He didn't do it because the President's arrival had just been announced. But the night was just starting.
*****
Donna just smiled. That was the only thing she could do. She was overwhelmed by everything that was going on around her and all the attention she was receiving. All she really wanted was to be able to reach her friends.
"Donna, you are divine!" The First Lady approached her.
"Thank you, ma'am. You look beautiful too. I love that color. It's great on you."
"I wasn't so sure about it at first, but the café-au-lait colored raw silk convinced me. I love it." She told Donna who was admiring the dress. It had a tight bodice, round scooped neckline, with several layers, and a long full skirt. She wore a tasteful, but large necklace of black pearls and champagne diamonds. Her shoes were gold satin sandals. "Jed!" The First Lady called to the President, who was busy talking to Marbury. "Doesn't Donna look wonderful?"
The President smiled widely. "Indeed she does. I do hope you are having a good time, Donna."
"I am," she quickly nodded.
Then a few secret service agents came over and whispered something to the President. CJ also walked up to the group, "Mr. President."
"I know CJ, it is speech time. Which means I have to take Abbey and John with me. Will you excuse us, Donna?"
She nodded and the President left with Marbury. Abbey stayed for a moment, "The life of a First Lady. You get used to it, Donna." She told her before joining the others.
"What was that about?" Donna asked CJ, who shook her head. Sometimes Donna was every bit as blind as Josh.
"Just the First Lady talking. C'mon, everyone's over there and they are dying to see how wonderful you look."
They walked to the group and everyone gushed over Donna. Everyone, but Josh. He remained surprisingly silent. Donna didn't know how to take that. She also didn't want to think about it. She concentrated her attention on the speeches. The first one to speak was the hospital's chief of staff. He talked about the program and how it would open up so many opportunities. Then came the program's director, who talked more about bringing in faculty and students from Great Britain and Israel and how we would be sending some of ours. After them came the First Lady. She gave a few words on how she was excited about the research that would be done and that we all knew it was a matter close to her heart. The Israeli Prime Minister and Lord Marbury each gave a few words in their countries' name and finally it was the President's turn. He talked about what an extraordinaire experience it would be for those chosen to the program. He mentioned all the good they could potentially be doing and thanked them for the MS research they would also be conducting. Hopefully he'd be one to benefit from it, but if not, he knew in the future others would. Then he insisted everyone enjoy the evening.
He had also changed the speech. Toby was beside himself, since not only had Sam added paragraphs to it, but so had the President.
"How do you know I even changed something? Maybe it was all the President." Sam told him.
"The President would never leave out so much punctuation!" Toby retorted.
"Have you two ever looked into getting a life?" CJ asked them. Donna and Ainsley laughed with her. Josh faked it, but it really didn't come out.
"I want to dance." Ainsley moved closer to Sam.
"Excellent idea!" Lord Marbury appeared and extended his hand to Donna, "Shall we?" She smiled shyly, accepted his hand and they went off to the dance floor. Soon after, Sam and Ainsley, and CJ and Toby joined them.
Josh was left alone. He wondered if they even noticed. He decided he didn't care and went towards the bar. A drink would do him good.
*****
PART 7

He hadn't gotten halfway through his drink when Mallory came back.
"She really looks amazing."
"Go stare at Sam, Mal." He told her without turning around.
"Oh, Josh, turn around and look at her dance." She nudged him until he did so.
"I don't see it."
"What?"
"That they make a really good couple." He stated.
"They don't. Who said they did?"
"Ainsley. She commented on that when they arrived. I didn't strangle her because it coincided with the President's entrance."
"Please, she doesn't know anything. She's a republican, after all."
"She likes Sam," Josh pointed out.
"I said she was a republican, not dead."
Josh finally laughed, "So? What makes you so sure that they don't make a good couple?"
"Why? Need more reasons?" She grinned wickedly. "Or do you want to have a reason other that because you don't."
Josh glared at her. "Just tell me."
"It's in the dancing. You can tell a lot about the way people dance together."
"What? Are there like rules now?" He was skeptical.
"There are rules to dancing, but this isn't what I'm talking about. I'm talking about how the relationships people have can be expressed in their dancing. I call it the Politics of Dancing." Mallory said proudly.
"The Politics of Dancing? Isn't that a cheesy 80s pop song?" Josh smirked at her.
"You can be so annoying!" She exclaimed, exasperated at him.
"I really can." He grinned and became serious. "I'll be good."
"Doubtful. Anyways, as I was saying before, the way people dance can tell you a lot about them. Dancing is a way of foreplay-"
"Mallory, I really don't need to listen about Donna, him, and THAT." Josh interrupted her.
"Relax, Josh. There will be none of that. Look at them dance. They are barely touching. They are very conscious of how they dance and they are having pleasant conversation."
"Yeah, that means he is entertaining. Mallory, I really don't think I need to be listening to any more."
"Shut up, Josh. Compare them with other couples on the dance floor. Donna and Marbury are leaving enough room for the Holy Spirit to dance in between them." She laughed at her own joke.
"Whatever." Josh rolled his eyes at her.
"It's a thing from Catholic School. At the dances, we had to be dancing with enough space in between for the Holy Spirit, you know, so no hanky panky would occur."
"And you stood for this?" Josh shook his head in amazement.
"Well, we did when the chaperones were near, as soon as they moved it along, we'd kicked that spirit out of here." She winked at him.
"Fine. So Donna and Marbury are dancing with a ghost between them. Great. What does that mean in your special world?"
"They don't want each other! Heck, they aren't even friends. Compare their dancing to the other couples out there."
Josh glanced over the dance floor and shrugged, "Yeah?"
"Josh, you are a politician! Shouldn't you be able to read people? You know what? Don't answer." Mallory was getting peeved. "Check out the President and the First Lady. That's love. They've been through hell and back the last few months and they are there for each other."
"Yeah, but with your politics they aren't touching much either." Josh nodded towards the First couple.
"Look closer. They are touching each other a lot, discreetly of course. This isn't a high school dance, they aren't going to start making out in front of everyone. But if you notice, he keeps moving his hand up and down her arm. Gently. She plays softly with his hair. This is what many years of loving each other look like." Mallory sounded sad.
"You are thinking about your parents, right?"
"Yeah. When I was a little girl I never expected them to end up divorced."
"It came as a shock to me too."
"But we're not talking about this now. I refer your attention to couple number 3, Zoey and Charlie. Young love. They've been exchanging a few kisses and you can tell Zoey wants to get out of here and go somewhere more private."
"Charlie is going to end up being sent on special assignment to the Yukon." Josh chuckled.
"Yukon? I'd say Mars."
"So? Who's couple number 4? Sam and Ainsley or CJ and Toby?" Josh smiled.
"Neither." Mallory grabbed Josh's hand, "We are." And she dragged him to the dance floor. "You can never understand about dancing unless you do it."
"I don't want to dance, Mal."
"You have to. There is beautiful music around and you are doing it a disservice by not dancing to it." She put her hand on his waist and began leading.
"Mallory, if I have to dance at least let me lead." He brought her hand from his waist to his shoulder and moved to the music. At first, he tried to be silly by twirling her around, either very fast, or very slow. Then he settled down and began swaying to the music like all the other couples.
"So... Dr. Mallory, what is your diagnosis on the way we dance? Are we soul mates and don't know it yet?"
"You wish. Besides, I don't believe in soul mates, but that's a topic for another day." She grinned. "We are showing the world that we are good friends. We can have fun with each other - heck you twirled me around enough. We are comfortable enough with each other to touch without squirming, but we aren't overly touching."
"According to your politics that means I don't desire you." Josh smirked at her.
"Do you?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Not really. I don't want you." He shrugged. "Of course if we were the last 2 people on Earth, I might change my opinion."
"That's almost flattering, Joshua. And one might wonder why you are having trouble with Donna."
Josh glared at her and was about to say something when he saw Sam and Aisnley dancing nearby. A better idea came to him. "What about them? Is Sam getting lucky tonight?"
Mallory stepped on Josh's left foot. "Has anyone ever told you how mean you really are?"
"Many, many times." Josh started to dip Mallory. "But I don't think it's fair that you should be the only one having fun here." Josh smiled. "I'm waiting."
She glanced slightly towards Sam and Ainsley and frowned, "She clearly wants him. But his thoughts aren't occupied entirely by her." Mallory laughed. "He is trying to figure out what we are talking about."
"Really?" Josh, quite obviously, craned his neck to look at them.
"Josh! Now he'll know for sure that we are indeed talking about him."
"I know."
Mallory slapped him.
"You know, you just hit me in front of a lot of possible witnesses. I could sue."
"You won't. Your ego wouldn't be able to take it."
"Tell me more about Sam. Does he want Ainsley or would he rather be with you."
"I honestly couldn't tell you." Mallory sighed. "He isn't too comfortable, which could mean that he is nervous about being with her, or it could be that he rather be somewhere else. Who knows, maybe with me, but knowing that slut-"
"Hey! Ainsley is a Republican and all, but she is no slut." Josh jumped in.
"I wasn't talking about her." She smirked. "Knowing Sam, he is probably thinking about us both... and who knows whom else. That's what I get for falling for a pretty boy."
Josh laughed. "Don't worry about Ainsley much. It's never going to happen. She is a Republican after all, like you said."
"I don't think Sam would turn her away just because she is a Republican."
"Who said anything about Sam? I won't let it happen."
"I know you have influence over Sam, but I doubt that just because you don't like her -"
"Yeah," Josh had his smug grin on, "Tell that to Lisa."
"The fiancée?"
"Yes."
"I'm impressed."
"I'm the Puppet Master when it comes to Sam." Josh nodded over at CJ and Toby, "What about them? I guess I could give you that one. They are like us you know, the good friends one."
Mallory turned to them. They were dancing very close to each other. They were also laughing. "CJ has a great laugh." She told Josh.
"I know that."
"Have CJ and Toby ever been more than friends?"
Josh snorted, "CJ and Toby? Please! I would know about that, if it had ever happened!"
"I was just saying. There's something about the way they dance. Makes me think that they know their way around each other. A lot."
"Mallory, you are dreaming."
She was about to reply when Sam approached them.
"May I cut in?"
"Sure." Josh told him, letting go of Mallory's hand. "Where's Ainsley?"
"Dancing with Bob Duprey."
"So, the only reason you want to dance with me is because Ainsley is with someone else."
"No, I could go ask CJ or Donna, but I want to dance with you, so cut the crap."
"Yes, Sam." She let him take her hand. Josh only nodded and walked away from the dance floor. He looked over at all the couples one last time and made his way towards the balcony.
*****

Josh looked into the night. He seemed pensive. Anyone else would think he was concentrating on something in particular, but she knew he wasn't. And that worried her. All she knew was that he was dancing with Mallory and appeared to have a good time and then he went out into the balcony. Alone. Not two seconds had passed before Donna became worried. She was quite upset with herself. She had spent most of the week making it all about her, the dress, not being appreciated, and she hadn't realized what she should have really been worried about. Josh. She was afraid the music had triggered an attack. He had gotten better and even attended some events with music, but you never knew when another one might come. He would be scarred for life on various levels. And now she was afraid he was having an attack. The thing that she hated the most was that she couldn't tell. She didn't know what to do at the moment and that scared her. The only thing she could do was watch him.
*****
He knew Donna was standing behind him. He could feel her. Plus he could smell her perfume. He smiled at that. He loved that she wore Chanel number 5 on special occasions. He bought her that perfume once. He didn't remember the reason, just that he thought she would like it. He had been slightly upset that she had worn it tonight because it was for him, but now he was glad she did. He couldn't begin to explain the feelings he was having at the moment. He felt as if every particle in his body was going everywhere at once. They probably would if it weren't for his skin holding them together. He felt her come closer.
"Donna," he whispered.
She moved closer to him. She was almost touching him.
"Why don't you come closer?" He beckoned.
"I didn't know if you wanted me to." She moved besides him and smiled warmly at him.
"Why wouldn't I want this beautiful vision standing besides me?" She blushed. "I mean it, Donna. I'm sorry I didn't say it earlier." He looked at her tenderly. "You took my breath away." He moved a loose hair strand away from her face and barely whispered, "Even more so than usual."
Donna closed her eyes. This wasn't real. She knew she would wake up any moment now, so she better enjoy it. She brought her hand up to touch his, which was caressing her cheek. She gazed into his eyes. She suddenly remembered what Rachel had said the night before. I think you should grab him during the Gala tomorrow, take him into the balcony, and kiss him. Donna sighed. She knew she would never have the guts to just up and kiss him. Besides, he looked so lost. This reminded her of her worries. She slowly lowered her hand, taking down his, but never letting it go.
"Are you ok, Josh?"
"Yeah. Why do you ask?"
Donna bit her lip, "I saw you leave the dance floor and come here. I got worried that maybe you were having an -"
"An attack?" Josh turned towards the dance floor and then to Donna, who nodded. "The music. I didn't even notice it that way. I guess that's a good thing."
"Yes, it is," she stammered.
"But... I know there's a but coming."
She shrugged. Sometimes they could read each other so well. "But you still came outside to be alone."
"Don't worry about it, Donna. I just have a lot of things on my mind." He couldn't help but smile. He liked that she cared so much about him. Her eyes begged for more. And he decided to oblige. "I was thinking about us. I don't like it when we fight. You are my best friend and it hurts when you are upset with me."
"It wasn't my best moment, Josh. There were a lot of things that I shouldn't have said, either."
"Don't even try to take any blame away from me." He let go of her hand and ran his through his hair. "It was all my fault. I'm idiot Josh. I yelled at you because I was petty and jealous. I was behaving like a child who lost his favorite toy. And you are so much more than that, but I'm the idiot who doesn't appreciate you."
"Josh, don't say that." Donna demanded. "You gave me a job when you didn't have to. You took me back when I returned after leaving you for stupid reasons. You put up with me, which isn't easy."
"Please, let me talk for now," he told her. He was looking very serious. She nodded in agreement. "Do you like working directly for the President?"
"Yes," she replied, getting worried about where this might lead.
"More than me?" His voice cracked.
"Josh. It's a completely different thing." After a moment of silence she added, "Am I going to change positions again?"
"No. Yours is probably the safest one, right about now. You are staying put with the President, my big mouth made sure of that."
"Now, I'm confused."
"Let me explain, Donna. A couple of weeks after Mrs. Landingham died, the President, Leo, and I were discussing what to do about a replacement. You probably remember that at the time, her duties were being taken care of by all the assistants. The President thought it would be a good idea, if we kept on doing that, instead of him having a new assistant. Plus, there's Nancy and Charlie. You know he doesn't like new people."
"Yeah," she agreed. "So, how did I end up being his assistant, then?"
"That would be my doing?"
Now she was really confused. That wasn't something she would have expected. She had been reading him so wrong. "You told him that I should be his assistant?"
"No. No. No."
"I'm lost here."
"The President asked me if I thought I could deal with not having you full time. He said that I should staff out the more menial things and give you more important things."
"I always kept telling you that!"
Josh grinned, "I know, Donna. Now here comes the part where my mouth gets me in trouble. I told the President that he could use you anytime. I pretty much implied that you didn't do anything," he said wearily and with right cause, since Donna was so shocked she probably would have bopped him on the head. "Don't look at me like that. You know I can be a jerk-sometimes."
"Sometimes?"
"Most of the times. If you must know, that was my subconscious trying to make you undesirable for the President, so I could keep you all to myself."
"Guess it didn't work, Josh," she said bitterly.
"Of course it didn't. We're talking about Josiah Bartlet here. There is a reason why he's the geek he is. He saw through me... but he didn't say anything immediately. Then a week later you became his assistant. He only said that he changed his mind and wanted someone around him that he knew. And that I would get a temp, to deal with the menial things. He emphasized getting me coffee." He lowered his head in shame.
"Why are you telling me this now? It's making me think that I was promoted just to punish you and that ain't making me feel too good."
"For a while, I kept thinking just that. But there was no way the President would stoop to that. He always jokes about punishing me, but it was a joke... right?" Josh shrugged.
"God." Donna closed her eyes and tired to hold back the tears. She couldn't believe what was going on. She had been so mistaken. She had been right about something, though. Her new position had been to get her away from Josh, but not because of the reasons she thought. At least she didn't have to worry about her feelings for Josh being out on the open.
"As you know, and most of the staff knows by now, "Josh continued, "I spent about 3 hours yesterday being yelled at by the President. That's when I found out the real reason why he chose you. He wanted me to learn to appreciate you. His original plan was to have you help him get settled into the whole staffing out thing, but he decided that you were too good."
"Really?" Donna asked incredulously.
"Yeah. That's what he was telling me yesterday, among other things. He heard our fight the night before and -"
"Oh no."
"Don't worry about it. He thinks you were too nice to me. The President told me a lot of things that are true. I just didn't want to see them. I do take you for granted. You are great and you could be doing so much more, like that college thing. Why didn't you tell me you were going back to school?"
"It just came up. Charlie was talking about one of his classes and I mentioned that I sometimes regret not finishing it. Then the President suggested I do what Charlie is doing, take one or two classes, and see what happens. He is, of course, suggesting classes, and will be helping me, whether I want it or not." Donna laughed at the image of the President checking her homework. "I hadn't told you because it's not official yet. In fact, he promised not to tell you."
"But why wouldn't you want to tell me? Don't you think I'd be excited for you? Plus, I'll help you if you need it. Not that I think you will. And the President is quite thrilled. Heck, he said if you get good grades he'd give you my job... But I think- I hope he was kidding."
Donna grinned widely, "Ok, where does this leave us? Who's assistant am I?"
"The President's, if you still want to. Or you can come back to me. It's your choice."
"Wow. What do you think I should do, Josh?"
"Whatever's best for you. And we both know that's staying where you are. You have more responsibilities there and you do great stuff, plus you get to work with more people. I hear the President has great plans for you. And he is right; sometimes you and I act like an old married couple. We need time apart to avoid that."
What does that mean? Donna tried to smile. "What about you? Will you be stuck with Mrs. Crawford? Or will you get someone new?"
"Actually Olivia - that's her name - isn't so bad once you get to know her. I just had to move past my being a jerk and disliking her because she wasn't you phase."
"I'm glad. But I guess this means we won't be working together much." Donna frowned.
"Says who? Leo and the President loved what we did on Pascal and they want us to see it to completion. We should work out a schedule on Monday," he told her proudly.
"That's great, Josh! I guess that's it. Nothing else to say," she said, mentally racking her brain for something else to say.
"Well..." He drawled and grinned smugly. "There is the matter of that dance I promised you. After all, I did get you the pretty dress and you should do some more showing off, but this time, on my arm." He offered his arm to her, which she happily took.
"About the dress, Josh-"
"Don't worry. I already know how much it really cost."
"You do?" She asked surprised.
"Yup. I almost had a coronary when I found out, but seeing you in it, I know that it was well worth it." He beamed and led her to the dance floor.
"Really, Josh, I can pay you back. It will take me a while, but I-"
"It was a gift. From me, to you. I wanted to do it."
"Thank you, Josh." Donna blushed.
"Besides the President would have me killed and buried in the Rose Garden if you did," he said as he took her into his arms and began dancing.
*****
PART 8

Donna rested her head on his shoulder and let him move her to the music. It was a nice place to be. In his arms. She was still confused about everything, particularly their relationship. There were moments when she thought they were nothing special. Just good friends. But then there were moments like the ones they had just shared that made her feel that there was something more happening between them. She loved the feel of his hands on her, even if it was in an innocent manner. She wished it weren't like that. She liked that he still held her hand. It was intertwined with his and close to his heart. It might not mean anything, but she could fantasize that it did. She wanted to make this moment a perfect memory since she didn't know if anything similar would ever repeat itself. She slowly played with the hairs at the back of his neck. That was the most she could do. She knew she wouldn't dare kiss him. Not there, in front of everyone they knew. She was too afraid of his reaction. What if he didn't like it? What if he pushed her away?
Josh had his eyes closed. It was too much and he knew that anyone who caught a glimpse into his eyes would know what he really felt for Donnatella Moss. He loved the feeling of her fingers playing with his hair. He wanted to be there for her. Of course what he really wanted to do he couldn't do in the White House, in front of his friends. Maybe never. He decided to settle on stroking her hand, then slowly going up and down her arm. Very gentle. He wondered what Mallory would think right now. He tried to classify himself and Donna within Mal's politics, but he decided he didn't care. He knew how he felt and that was enough. For now.
Both Josh and Donna pulled back and their faces almost met. Their lips were centimeters away from each other. Josh opened his eyes and gave her the warmest, most loving smile he'd ever given her. She loved his smile and gave him her best one back. Then she met his gaze. Neither of them turned away from each other. They just kept dancing. Feeling as if they were on top of a cloud. In that moment, it was just them on the world. Floating together to the music.
But it wasn't. Everyone was looking at them. The President wore an impish grin. He put his hands inside his pockets and looked towards Leo and Toby, who both rolled their eyes. Abbey came over with CJ and gushed about the dancing couple.
"It was about time those two got their act together." She laced her hand with her husband's. "They look so good together. I was this close to doing something about it myself." Everyone looked at each other. CJ tried not to laugh. She concentrated on Josh and Donna. They did look good together. The Josh she saw was sweet, caring, and gentle. She thought it was great when he showed up and Donna was the one who could generally bring him out. He was a good boy and she really wouldn't mind losing the bet - it was a stupid bet, really. Of course the President and his ego would be impossible to live with for a while. Glancing at the striking couple one more time, she knew she wouldn't mind. Besides, she could always take it out on Josh.
Mallory, Sam, and Ainsley joined them. Both women talked animatedly. Sam was squirming as he waked along, no doubt looking for a hole to crawl into. Now there was a romantic situation she wasn't looking forwards to. There was enough tension there already, she could only imagine what would happen if the President decided to butt in. That would be a definite downside of Josh and Donna getting together. She'd deal with that hurdle when it came. By the time Bartlet's administration was over, they would be known as the Love House.
"What are you two talking about?" CJ asked them, no doubt already knowing the theme herself.
"What do you think, CJ?" Sam turned to her. "They've been rehashing a few choice stories YOU gave them."
"Oh, that! Well, I'm glad you guys are having fun." She grinned.
"We are now old friends, aren't we Mallory," Ainsley said sweetly.
"Sure, we are. We've bonded because of you, Sam," Mallory replied.
"Heaven help us," Leo muttered under his breath.
Sam needed to deflect the attention away from him and he knew that he could find a way to blame this on Josh later. He was creative enough. "So, Mallory, have you looked at Josh and Donna dancing together? What's your take on it, doctor?"
"What's this Mallory?" the President asked.
"It's nothing, sir."
"Don't say that, Mal." Sam smiled and turned to the President. "She has this theory about how the way people dance with each other shows you what the relationship between them is like." He'd get back at Ainsley later.
"You are one of those?" Toby shook his head. "I'm so sorry, Leo," he groaned, "Was she analyzing me earlier?"
"Yeah, you would have laughed at the things she - ouch!" Mallory slapped Sam. "Again with the hitting!"
"This is the first time I've hit you and it wasn't that hard."
"Yeah, but I saw you hit Josh when you were dancing."
"In Mallory's defense, Josh probably deserved it." The President jumped in, mostly to stop the quarrel. Sam would be his next project. "I want to know what Mallory's theory says about Donna and Josh."
Everyone turned towards Mallory. She narrowed her eyes at Sam. He gulped. He knew he was screwed and not in the good way. "I don't have to explain anything. Looking at them, everything is obvious. They are oblivious to everything that is going around them. And in a way, to each other. They are so into each other that they don't realize what is actually happening between them. It's quite beautiful," Mallory sighed.
"Yeah, but that way it could take them forever," Ainsley commented.
Mallory smiled, "I firmly believe that things happen when they should. And they will. It's just a matter of time. Now I want to dance again. Who wants to dance with me?"
"I haven't danced with you yet, Mal," the President told her and extended his hand.
"Yes, sir." She walked with him to the dance floor and their friends dispersed. CJ and Abbey went to greet a friend, Leo asked Ainsley to dance, and Sam was left standing alone. He turned to where he thought Toby was, but he saw him dancing as well. This time he was dancing with Congresswoman Wyatt, also known as Toby's ex-wife, Andy. Sam didn't know she was there at all. But that disproved what Mallory had said about CJ and Toby.
Andy looked lovely in a long butterscotch dress with a small train and a full skirt. It had a high empress style bodice and scooped neckline with spaghetti straps. She wore and amber diamond choker with matching earrings. Toby was gazing into her eyes. At the moment, he seemed human. Too human, Sam though.
*****
Meanwhile, Josh and Donna were still dancing. They hadn't noticed the couples that had joined them. They had barely spoken anything, but words weren't really needed. Donna knew she was in love. There was no way around it. She could see herself married to him and with three children. Beautiful, just like their father. Even better, she could see herself in his eyes. She wondered how he saw her. Could he see himself in her eyes? Did he want to? There were too many unanswered questions. But right now, she didn't care. All she knew was that she was with him, and that was enough. She continued playing with his hair, not knowing what else to do with her hands. She wanted to touch and caress him, but that would be impossible. She also loved the feeling of his hand traveling softly along her right arm. His right hand was firmly on the small of her back. He had pressed them closer and closer with each passing moment, but she wanted more. She was wrong. It wasn't enough. It was only a starting offer.
*****
He didn't think he'd ever held Donna for so long and so close. It was wonderful. It was also the hardest thing he'd done in a long time. He couldn't enjoy it as much as he desired because he was too busy reminding himself of what he couldn't do. He was usually very relaxed around Donna, but not tonight. All he could think was that she was in his arms. He wanted to kiss her and feel her beautiful body, but that was out of the question. At least until he was sure that she returned his feelings. Joey Lucas had once told him that Donna liked him. But what did she know. Really her 100 Donnas example - oh wow, 100 Donnas, I could have a harem for myself. That example wasn't based on hard facts. It was just what Joey thought. For all he knew Joey didn't like Josh anymore and that was her way of throwing him off track.
Another loose hair covered her face. He let go of Donna's hand, which she lay on his shoulder, and moved the lock away. He then ran his thumb along the side of her face. Donna closed her eyes. By the looks of her face, she was enjoying what he did. She slowly brought her hand to her face and covered his with hers. She laced her fingers with his. This was it. This was the moment of the night. He slowly approached her face. Donna waited with anticipation. It was going to happen. Joshua Lyman was going to kiss Donnatella Moss. At a White House Gala. In front of everyone. An historic event... Then the music stopped. They just stood there, numb, not knowing what to do. Then John, Lord Marbury approached, calling to her. Suddenly the sounds of everyone around them became very noticeable. They weren't alone anymore. It was over. Their moment was over. They lingered for a bit and smiled at each other. Then they each both walked in a different direction.
*****
Toby walked up beside Josh. "Come have a drink," he said and led him to the bar. They both got their drinks and remained quiet. The bottom of their glasses appeared to be very interesting.
"Toby? Not that I don't like your company, but what gives?"
Toby didn't look up from his glass. "Saw you dancing with Donna."
Josh put his glass down hard. It was a miracle it didn't break. "Listen Toby, we weren't doing anything wrong. We were just dancing. Just as you and CJ have been. There is nothing inappropriate about my dancing with Donna, she isn't my assistant anymore."
Toby drank a bit and ignored what Josh said, "Look over there. CJ and Andy talking. They are both so beautiful."
Josh opened his eyes wide. This was a strange conversation. He leaned closer to Toby, "Are you drunk?"
Toby laughed hard. "Grab your drink and follow me." Josh did as asked. Toby was freaking him out. This was even worse than the time Toby was happy.
"Where are we going, Toby?" Josh asked as they walked towards the West Wing.
"My office. I want to talk in private and the balcony is a bit too romantic for that." Josh raised his eyebrows at him. "I'm not drunk, Josh."
They remained quiet the rest of the way to Toby's office.
"Are you stupid, Josh?" Toby roared as soon as he closed the door to his office.
"What the hell?" Josh sat on Toby's couch. "You have to be drunk."
"I am not drunk. Do you have any idea what you are doing with Donna?"
"Listen Toby, I already told you that we aren't doing anything wrong or inappropriate." Josh stood up and practically got in Toby's face. "There is nothing going on between Donna and me."
"That's exactly what you are doing wrong," Toby told him and sat down.
Josh was shocked. He certainly didn't expect that from Toby. "I'm really confused now."
"You are in love with her." Toby stated.
What was Toby -of all people-doing saying that? He was going to deny it. He was. But he just couldn't do it. He ran his fingers through his hair and sat down besides Toby. "So?"
"Say it."
"What?" Josh was convinced that his friend was crazy.
"Say it out loud. Tell me how you feel," Toby insisted.
"You know, Toby, anyone overhearing that, might get the wrong idea. And the press already thinks I enjoy wearing women's clothes."
"Josh."
He took a deep breath. "I'm in love with Donna. I'm helplessly in love with Donnatella Moss." It felt good to finally say it out loud. He just never though the first time would be with Toby.
"Now you have to go get her."
"Why do you care?" Josh asked him, a bit rudely, but he was quite surprised at Toby.
"Maybe I don't want you to end up like me."
"Huh? At least you managed to get married and you are still friends, so you never know."
"Not really talking about Andy here. Ok, maybe in part, but-"
"CJ?" Josh was amazed. Mallory had been right.
"I swear that if you tell anyone what I'm about to tell you, I'll find a way to get you fired." Josh rolled his eyes at Toby. "And you know I can."
"Don't worry about it, Toby."
"You know CJ and I met while working on a small campaign many years ago. What you don't know is that I was crazy about her. We'd talk back and forth constantly and became great friends. But nothing ever happened. Campaign ended - we lost - and went our separate ways. Our paths crossed once more and we got involved. It was wonderful. I was always happy-"
"Really can't picture that." Josh interrupted him.
Toby ignored him. "It didn't last. She worked directly for me and where work was concerned, I was a prick. An arrogant prick who really didn't appreciate her. The competition wooed her away and they won. Instead of admitting that I was a jerk, we decided to be only friends. And we became that. Every time our paths crossed, we'd have the best of times... as friends. I despised the men she dated. Even got one fired - never let her know that. Then one day, I was meeting her at a bar. To celebrate her new job in public relations. She was with a few new friends, among them Andy. I was struck immediately. It took a while, but we got together and later married. Then it took me very little time to ruin that too."
To Josh this had reached new levels of weird. This was something he didn't expect.
"Now they are both great friends of mine. And I'm a miserable middle-aged man. I never went after either of them. Not in the beginning, not after they left me. Maybe. Who knows..."
"I really don't know what to say to you, Toby. But I don't know how Donna feels, so I can't-"
"That's bull, Josh. You are just afraid of getting hurt. Like I was."
"Toby she came here with him. For all I know she spent Thursday night with him."
"Why would you think that, Josh?" Toby sighed.
"Because she didn't sleep at her apartment and I called all her friends and she wasn't with any of them."
"No, you didn't."
"I did. I called them all." Josh voice became very high. Almost like a whining child.
"You didn't call me." Toby stared down Josh until the truth dawned on him. "Yes, Josh, Donna spent Thursday night with me."
"But how?" This night didn't seem to stop amazing Josh.
"I told you I heard your shouting match. I caught up with her as she left and invited her for some coffee. She gave me a short version. I had to drag it out of her, but I knew most of the things that were going on anyways. She wanted to stay at a hotel to avoid you and her roommate because she didn't want to talk. I didn't think it would be a good idea for her to be alone so I convinced her to stay in my guest room. I know you would never think to look for her at my place."
"You are right. It never crossed my mind." Josh thought for a moment. "Is there anything else going on? You mentioned already knowing about the situation and there have been comments. I just feel that there is something I don't know."
Toby chuckled, "About time. Might as well tell you. The President, Sam, CJ, and I made a bet about a month ago. We pretty much picked dates for when you would stop being blind about your love for Donna. The President picked tonight and he has been scheming to make it happen."
"What?" The hits kept on coming for Josh.
"You have played quite nicely into the President's plan. The movie, the extra hours for shopping, giving you an assignment he knew you would ask Donna for help, and of course, Marbury."
"Marbury is in on this?" Josh felt a rush of emotions. On the one hand he was upset about the bet thing, but on the other hand, he was relieved because it meant Marbury wasn't interested in Donna. "How did this bet come up?"
"Yes, my guess would be that Marbury is in on it. As for the bet, it happened the last time we were playing poker. Donna was on that blind date and you were being a jerk. After you left, the President went off about your subconscious knowing that it was in love with her, but that the rest of you wasn't caught up yet."
"He sort of told me that yesterday when he reminded me of trying to make Donna look bad to him, so he wouldn't take her away from me," Josh commented.
"We talked about you for a while and we picked the dates. Leo chose to abstain. I picked the furthest possible, since I have no faith in you, Sam and CJ picked at about a month or two from now, I think."
"I still can't believe it." Josh shook his head. "What the hell should I do about this?"
"Do whatever you please. Yell at us if you want. But don't lose sight of what's important here. You are in love with Donna. Take the risk. You are never afraid to take one in your political maneuvers, take one now. Don't lose out because you are afraid of getting hurt."
"How do I know what to do?"
"You have to learn to pay attention," Toby told him and stood up.
Josh followed. "I need to get out of here. I have to think." He went for the door and turned around, "Just out of curiosity, whom do you hold a torch for? CJ or Andy?"
"Weren't you leaving?"
"Yeah. You are a bit drunk, aren't you?" Josh tried one last time.
Toby rubbed his forehead, "Maybe just a tad."
Josh smiled and left.
*****
Donna was having fun dancing with Sam. It was the first time she had felt relaxed all night. He was smart enough not to bring up the Josh subject. Of course she didn't bring up Ainsley or Mallory. They just enjoyed their time dancing.
They finished dancing and joined CJ and Toby on the sidelines.
"Where did Andy go?" Sam asked Toby.
"She's off talking to a friend."
"What about Josh? I saw him talking to you earlier, Toby." Donna said.
"Yes. We were talking earlier, but he left." Toby replied.
"He left?" Donna was surprised.
"Yeah. I saw him leave. He didn't even come to say good-bye. He just waved at me." CJ informed them. "He looked like he was in a hurry."
"Hmmm, interesting... Wonder if something came up." Sam commented.
Donna was shocked. She thought everything was fine between them. Why would he leave without letting her know?
"Don't worry about it, Sam. Nothing's up. Josh just didn't feel well." Toby told him.
"Oh god," Donna murmured. She knew there had to be something wrong with him.
"Relax, Donna. It's not what you think. He had a few extra drinks and you know his stomach can't take it," Toby cracked.
Sam and CJ laughed at the joke. Not Donna. She smiled weakly. They kept talking, but Donna didn't pay attention. She searched the room for Marbury. She saw him and waved. She excused herself and went to him.
She passed Leo and the President, who were standing nearby.
"Jed, it's over."
"What makes you say that? You saw them dance and you heard your daughter's description." The President told him.
"And now Josh left and Donna went looking for Marbury. You lost. And I'm talking to him on Monday.
"I wouldn't be so sure, Leo. Besides, the night isn't over yet."
"I see we are talking about the bet." CJ walked up to them, with Sam and Toby in tow.
"Leo thinks I'm going to lose the bet. I disagree. What do you think?"
Toby turned to Leo, "You aren't in the bet. What do you care?"
"Because we all care about Josh and Donna. After seeing them together tonight, I want to lose the bet!" CJ exclaimed. She really wanted to see them together.
"Traitor!" Sam kidded, but he was also in the same boat.
"Guess, we just have to wait and see who wins the bet." Toby said as Mallory walked up to them.
"What bet?" She asked innocently.
"Where's Ainsley?" Sam moved closer to Mallory.
"I ditched her. What bet?"
"We were talking about a Notre Dame game, Baby." Leo told his daughter.
Mallory seemed satisfied with that answer. And that was good enough for them. They didn't need her giving them a lecture now.
"Hey guys," Donna walked over to them with Marbury. "We're leaving."
"You are? I'm glad you came. I hope you had a good time," The President said warmly.
"I did, Mr. President. It was a wonderful evening."
"Good. Well, Marbury, as usual it was a pleasure." Both men shook hands. Then Marbury shook hands with everyone else.
"Good night, everyone." Donna told them. Everyone mentioned one more time how beautiful she looked. After a few kisses and hugs, they were gone.
Leo glanced at the President.
"That doesn't mean anything, Leo," the President said in reply.
"What do we do now?" Sam turned to his friends. CJ shrugged.
"We wait," Toby concluded for all of them.
*****
PART NINE

Donna walked to her door. Marbury had insisted on talking her for a bite to eat. She declined. He could sense that she wanted to be alone, so he didn't insist further. When he started to walk her to the door, she commented that she wanted to take a walk alone. He protested that it wouldn't be safe, but he took the hint and left her there. She didn't go anywhere. She just wanted to be alone. She knew it must have killed his gentlemanly instincts not to walk her, but he would get over it.
She took her time getting to her door. There was something inside of her that told her something was going to happen. She was right in front of her door, fumbling for her keys. Once again taking her sweet time. Just in case. Suddenly she heard a noise coming from the bushes to her right. Excitedly she moved that way to check it out. It turned out to be a small white and gray cat belonging to her neighbor. Donna sighed and picked her up, "Ahhh, Cuchi, what are you doing out so late? Your owner must be worried sick," She told the animal and sat on her front steps with it.
"I'm officially stupid. I ended a perfectly nice evening, with a perfectly nice man because I was hoping Josh would be here." She looked around. "What was I thinking? That Josh would be waiting for me here just like Doug waited for Carol. Like that would ever happen." She sighed and hugged the cat. "At least I didn't make a fool out of myself at the Gala. Thank God I didn't kiss him. I can't believe I thought he wanted to kiss me while we were dancing. I'm so delusional."
She kissed the cat's forehead and let her go. She remained sitting there for a while. Thinking about everything that had transpired in the last few days. She had been convinced that everyone knew how she felt about Josh. Heck, she even thought for a while that the President was plotting something.
But apparently it had all been happening in her overactive imagination. She rested her chin on her hand and closed her eyes. It would have been a dream come true for her. Thank goodness Josh didn't realize it. His ego would have shot up three sizes. Suddenly she felt the door open behind her.
"Hey Rachel," she said without turning around. "It's just me. It's not some deranged psycho on your doorstep. Of course you could say I am. I came home early from the Gala, hoping to find Josh waiting for me here. Maybe hiding in the bushes. Like out of a movie."
After a few moments of silence, Donna heard the voice she wasn't expecting to hear. "I thought that was from the ER episode you loved."
"Josh!" Donna turned around in surprise. Her face turned multiple shades of red at once.
"Hey, Donna." He smiled at her. Oh, that smile. The ego had landed. She'd poured out her heart like a moron and he had heard everything. He probably had been watching her the whole time.
"What? Why? Why are you here? Inside my apartment!" Donna stood up to face him. She couldn't stand that he was wearing a grin. She would hate that grin, if only she didn't love it so much. She wanted to frown at him, but she couldn't do it when faced with his beautiful smile. She saw how he changed from smug grin to a soft, gentle, loving smile. She tried not to get excited over it, but the butterflies in her stomach were taking over.
"It was getting cold."
"Huh?"
"That's why I'm inside your place. It was getting too cold to be waiting outside for you."
Donna's face lit up. She couldn't believe it. Josh HAD been waiting outside for her. It was too wild. She tried to settle down. This was Josh. It could mean anything. It could be that he wanted to get an early start on the Pascal thing, or he just remembered any of the many things he had left there and wanted them back. The possibilities were endless.
"It really was getting cold and it is cold now, so you should come in, Donna." Josh moved a little so she could enter.
"How did you get in?" Donna asked him as he closed the door.
"Rachel let me in when she left to go meet Michael. I'm pretty sure she knew I was standing outside, freezing my ass off."
Donna laughed and took her coat off.
"She told me to come in because I was probably scaring away the neighbors. I've been here for about a half hour."
Donna walked towards Josh. "Tonight was fun, didn't you think so?" She found herself very nervous around him. This was a new feeling for her. Normally, she wouldn't think twice before saying anything to Josh. Now, she measured her words with great care. She felt like a silly schoolgirl.
"Yes, it was." Josh took Donna's hand in his, "Particularly dancing you." He gently rubbed her fingers, not taking his eyes off of her.
"Josh..." She met his gaze. "Why are you here?" Her voice breaking as she said this. She felt her eyes fill up with tears. When did this penchant for crying come?
Josh brought his other hand up to her cheek, "Why do you think I'm here?"
Donna swallowed. This was the true moment. She couldn't be wrong. She saw love in his eyes. Those eyes that were smiling at her, anticipating her answer. "I hope that-"
Josh cut her off, "You don't have to hope. You know I'm in love with you." He didn't give her a chance to reply because he finally kissed her. He let go of her hand to be able to hold her tight with both hands.
Josh was kissing her. Josh had just said he was in love with her. This was the best moment ever. It was the best kiss she'd ever received. Even if he hadn't told her he was in love, she would have known by the way he kissed her. They finally broke the kiss and smiled at each other. They both looked happy.
"I've been in denial, Donna." Josh kissed her forehead. "That's why I've been acting like such a jerk."
Donna grinned, "Oh! So you must have been in love with me ever since we met."
"Oooh... That one's going to cost you, Donnatella." Josh tickled her sides.
She didn't care. Kissing Josh was very relaxing. It took her to a whole other level. It was great. She wondered about the things to come. She also noticed that Josh looked at her strangely. Then she realized that she hadn't said anything back. That must have been killing his ego. She hadn't meant to do that. She'd just assumed that he already knew. Now she could play with him a little.
"So? What did you do here, Josh, while you were alone?" She asked while guiding him to the sofa. "Were you bored?"
"I got even with Rachel and skinned her cats." He chuckled and sat down.
"You didn't do that. You yell at them, but you won't hurt them." She told him.
"You're right. I didn't. But I did go through your room."
"You better be kidding me." She sat down next to him.
"I'm not. I also found your Harry Potter journal and read everything you wrote about me in there."
Donna shoved him, "I don't have a Harry Potter journal."
"Yeah, I was kidding. You know me, a kidder." Josh stood up and walked towards the stereo. He found a station with light music on it. "C'mon, let's dance. You and I didn't dance together enough tonight."
She quickly jumped into his arms. They kissed a bit at first and then settled into dancing. "Who's the better dancer? Me or Mallory?"
"You, of course. I -" kiss "get" kiss "to" kiss "kiss" kiss "you." Kiss "Besides, Mallory kept explaining her theory on the politics of dancing and analyzing the couples around us."
"Did it make any sense?" Donna asked him as she leaned her head on his shoulder.
"Now that I think about it... Yes, it did. Quite a lot. She was driving me mad by saying that dancing was a form of foreplay."
"Really?" Donna started to kiss Josh on the neck.
"Hmmm, that feels good. Is that something you learned in The Good Girl's Guide to Bad Girls Sex?" Josh smirked.
Donna jumped back and her eyes bugged out. "You didn't!"
"I did. I was bored." The smirk grew even bigger. He walked over to the table and picked up a hardcover book. "One book by Barbara Keesling, PhD."
"That could be Rachel's for all you know." Donna protested.
Josh opened up the cover and read, "Property of Donna Moss. You really have to stop labeling your things. Speaking of which, we never actually discussed your underwear." He put the book down. "Maybe we should do that now." He kept on grinning.
"I love you, Josh." Donna exclaimed.
He walked over to her. "Are you just saying that to shut me up?"
"Oh yeah," she embraced him and kissed him. "But you know I mean it."
"I know," he kissed her back. "And we are so discussing the book."
She pulled back and looked into his eyes. "We really aren't."
"Is that a challenge, Donnatella?" His eyes brightened at the prospect.
Donna laughed and kissed him passionately. There was no way out of this now. Not that she wanted out. She was happy and in love. She always thought that Josh was the type to be insatiable. She couldn't wait to find out. It was going to be fun.
*****

It was Sunday morning. The President woke up early. He was excited. He roused up Abbey and told her to get ready because the senior staff was making them breakfast. At least that was what she understood.
Sometime later, Abbey entered the living room and found Leo and Jed discussing a bet. When she asked them about it, Jed informed her that she would know soon enough. She was about to protest, but she figured she might as well wait. They spent their time reading the various newspapers and talking about the night before. They all agreed that the night had been a huge success. CJ, Sam, and Toby arrived together, wondering why the President had called them.
"You'll know soon enough. We are waiting for two more to arrive." He told them.
"When are Josh and Donna getting here?" Sam asked.
"Who said it was them?" The President said and turned towards the entrance where Marbury had arrived. "Ahh, John, right on cue."
Leo groaned, "Who's the other one?"
"Hi, dad!" Mallory walked into the room.
"Mallory? Oh god!" Sam looked around the room, "Aisnley isn't coming, is she?"
CJ and Toby rolled their eyes.
"No, Sam. I said two, and the two are here. Now, let's get down to business." The President motioned for them to gather close. "You know that bet we made? I won." He grinned widely.
"And you would know this how, sir?" Toby asked.
"I still want to know what this bet is about," Abbey reminded them.
All the staffers looked at each other. None of them wanted to be the first to talk. Mallory shook her head, "You people are incredible! The bet was about when Donna and Josh would finally hook up, Ma'am."
"That's it? I wanted to do something like that too. Wait a minute. Jed said he won. What does that mean?"
"That's what we would all like to know," CJ folded her arms.
"I would like to know why Lord Marbury and Mallory seem to know all about the bet." Sam commented while looking at Mallory, who smiled smugly at him.
"I told them." The President said. "You guys were working together against me in a way, so I needed accomplices." He sat comfortably where he could face everyone. "John, if you please."
"Yes, sir. As you all know, I escorted Miss Moss to the Gala last night."
"The President's suggestion, no doubt," Leo interrupted.
"Let him talk, Leo," The President chided.
"And as you will recall, she decided to leave rather suddenly." Everyone nodded. "In the limousine on the way to her apartment, I suggested going to a lot of places. But she declined everything. She was rather quiet and wanted to be alone. So I said farewell at the car and let her be."
"You didn't walk her to her door? What if someone was there? What if something had happened to her?" Sam exclaimed, a bit in hysterics.
"Relax, Mr. Seaborn, I am not stupid. My body man and I stayed behind and watched her. To make sure nothing happened. And you were right, someone had been waiting for her - Josh."
"Josh was outside waiting for Donna?" CJ mused, "That's like something out of a movie."
"Hmmm, it's a tv show actually," Sam said. "ER, Doug and Carol." He laughed. "No wonder he was looking at a ER webpage the other day. He must have planned it like that."
"That is so sweet!" Mallory exclaimed.
"And it would have been if it had actually happened that way. Donna arrived and there was no one waiting for her outside. She sat down for a while. Talked to herself, and to a cat. Then Josh opened the door. He had been waiting inside for her."
"This is getting interesting," Abbey commented. "What came next?"
"They both went inside."
"Did they lock the door?" Sam asked.
"Yes, I think they did and I left, since I knew that she was safe."
"Then how can the President say he won? For all he knows, they had a fight and Josh left."
"Yeah? How do you know? You called me in because we had won, but you never said how you knew, sir." Mallory turned towards the President.
"You know, I really want to know how my daughter was involved in all of this?"
"Simple Leo, I knew that Josh wouldn't just act on his own. So, who better than Mallory to do it? He wouldn't suspect anything if it was coming from her." He grinned, "I thought about everything."
Toby laughed inwardly. The President had been right. Josh needed a little prodding. "So? How are you so sure it worked, sir?"
"I've got proof." The President turned to Lord Marbury who handed him a folder. He took out a photograph from inside. "This clearly shows Donna and Josh dancing in her living room, and this one," he took out another one, "shows them kissing."
"Mr. President! You had someone spy on them. You went over the line, sir!" CJ cried.
"I would never do that." He handed the folder back to Marbury. "It was a certain British tabloid - Sam knows the one." Mallory and Sam both flinched at that mention. "They apparently had been spying on her because she went to the Gala with John. They got something else instead."
"And how do you have it?" CJ asked him.
"My publicist, Michelle, got wind of it soon after it happened. They wanted a comment. I called the President and she tracked down the photographs for us." Marbury explained.
"You are freaking telling me that a British tabloid is going to publish photos of the Deputy Chief of Staff kissing his former assistant!"
"Calm down, CJ. My publicist - she'll be calling you soon - managed to work something out for now. You'll have to talk to them too, of course."
"It's not that big and we'll deal with it when the time comes. Right now, there are two important things here."
"And those are?" Sam inquired.
"Josh and Donna are happy. And more importantly..."
"Yes?" Sam waited.
"I won and you three owe me breakfast. Get thee to the kitchen." The President grinned. "Abbey, Mallory, John, and Leo will be my guests."
"You can't really expect us to do that!" Sam complained.
"I do."
"But we would never have expected you to do it, sir."
"That's too bad, Sam."
Everyone laughed and Toby walked up next to him. "Let's go Sam. We did make the bet, after all."
"Of all the times for Josh to grow a brain," Sam muttered. Everyone kept laughing.
At that moment, Charlie entered with a big gift basket and a small box. "Sir, this was just delivered for you." He gave the basket to the President. Then he went over to Toby. "This is for you." He gave him the small box.
The President opened the card. It was from Josh, thanking him for everything. "Ahhh, I knew the boy would eventually figure it out." He looked towards Toby, who had opened his box, which had a couple of fine cigars inside. "Who sent you those?"
"This is just something I had ordered. Guess they arrived today and since I was here, someone made sure I got them." He told everyone and then turned to Sam and CJ, "C'mon, you two have a breakfast to make, which I must oversee." As CJ and Sam whined, Toby stuffed in his pocket a note that said:
Thank you. And don't worry; your secret is safe with me. Donna.
He'd kill Josh on Monday. He'd let him enjoy the rest of the day. For now, he would just take it out by torturing Sam and CJ.

THE END.