Josh POV
The elevator doors closed and I think my hopes for this campaign are
riding away with John Hoynes.
DAMNIT!
How did this happen? Oh yeah, I'm head over heels for my assistant,
I'm still recovering from spending last night making love with her
and I was trying to reassure her I'll figure things out while John
Hoynes gathers information to use against me.
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Donna POV
Josh is upset. Josh is actually a hell of a lot more than upset but
there's not much I can do about it.
"Josh?"
Please look at me Josh, please stop staring at the doors of the
elevator.
"Yeah?"
He's distracted. His hands are on his hips and his breathing is
labored. It's almost like he's fighting to maintain control.
"Josh, what is he going to do?"
I need to know. I need to be prepared.
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Josh POV
I've finally gotten control of myself and can turn around to face
Donna. In doing so, I see her beautiful blue eyes filled with fear. I
can't lie to her. I should, but I can't.
"He's going to try to use what he thinks he saw against the campaign.
At the very least he's going to use what he thinks he saw against me.
I know him well enough to know that."
Don't ask the question Donna. I don't want to have to answer it. I
watch her, silently pleading with her to not ask me the question that
is on the tip of her tongue.
"What he *thinks* he saw?"
I should have known she'd ask.
"Senator Hoynes thinks he saw something going on between the
Political Director of the Bartlet For America Campaign and the
assistant to the Political Director. But he didn't, we have to be
careful enough to convince him that he didn't see anything."
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Donna POV
"We had to be careful before, now we need to be doubly so."
Josh has worked too hard to get the Governor the nomination for John
Hoynes to take it away from him because of me.
Josh is looking at me and trying to figure out if I mean what I'm
saying or if I'm feeding him what he needs to hear. Honestly it's a
bit of both. I've fallen in love with Josh but I can't see a happy
ending. After the past few minutes, I know without a shadow of a
doubt there can be no happy ending for us. I also know if we aren't
vigilant in keeping up appearances someone will figure us out.
"I should get back to staffing CJ." I say softly as I move away from
Josh, my heart breaking a bit more with each step I take.
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Josh POV
I couldn't even say anything to her as she walked away from me. She
has no clue how bad this could be. Hoynes can come after me all he
wants but if he dare come after the campaign, we're going to have to
play hardball.
I hear the door to the suite open and Governor Bartlet says my name,
"Josh?"
I turn and look at the two people standing before me. The tense looks
on their face give them away instantly. What the hell happened in
that room?
"Sir, Ma'am, what can I do?"
"Make it work with Hoynes, Josh. Where is Leo?"
"The war room Sir."
I watch as Governor and Mrs. Bartlet make their way past me as they
head to the war room. `Make it work.' Sure thing… We've already got
enough votes, we wanted more. We wanted it to be unmistakable that
Josiah Bartlet was the *only* choice, the *only* candidate. Now we
may have to find a way to just hold on to votes that give us the slim
margin.
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Sam POV
This war room isn't big enough for Mandy and her attitude. Maybe we
can have her work someplace else. I'll have to talk to Josh about
that. No one can get anything done with her around.
Hhmm… that's weird.
Why is it that Mandy is cozying up to John Hoynes? That can't be
good. Josh worked for Hoynes for a reason. Well, many reasons.
It was better for Hoynes if Josh worked for him, rather than against
him. Josh is vicious when it comes to politics. His reputation is
equated to that of a pit bull and his bite is ten times worse than
his bark. He has more dirt on more people and shockingly he's pretty
damn clean himself. Not clean enough so that he squeaks, especially
after last night, but clean enough to make others look even dirtier.
And that is the reason why they don't go after him. He will always be
daisy fresh when compared to many in this business.
I quietly move towards Mandy and Hoynes. Once I'm close enough to
hear but not close enough to arouse suspicions, I flip through the
speech I've been working on. The conversation floors me.
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Mandy POV
"Senator, are you thinking of joining the ticket?"
This man needs to take the Vice President slot; he's got too many
zipper issues in his closet. We can gloss them over as Vice
President. Josh worked for him; he's got enough to keep him in line.
I really hate the way he looks me up and down. I'm not another woman
he can smile sweetly at and she'll be so entranced by him and his
power that she'll fall into bed with him. I wield my own power. I
don't need to some sleep with him. Erica Lee might have been that way
and maybe even some of the other younger female campaign staffers who
believe his orgasm induced promises, but not me. Now Donna, well that
would be giving Josh what he so royally deserves.
John's voice breaks me from my thoughts,
"Mandy, I haven't made my mind up, just yet. I think I still need to
be swayed."
"Swayed you say?"
John Hoynes you aren't that stupid. Are you?
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John Hoynes POV
"Swayed Ms. Hampton. Josh Lyman abandoned my campaign when I was
the
presumptive front runner. He's taken a dark horse candidate to the
Democratic National Convention and if the numbers add up, he may just
get that dark horse candidate the nomination. He just took California
from me by pressing the buttons on the people I `call on' when I need
support. I taught him everything he knows about how to play this
game. He owes me Mandy. You can pass that along to him for me. I can
be swayed to seriously consider the Vice President slot on the ticket
but Josh Lyman gets to give something up for it. Something he wants
or maybe something he wants kept quiet."
I watch Mandy's eyes. She's calculating something and I know the
exact moment her calculations add up.
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Mandy POV
Well, well, well. What does the good Senator from Texas know? Or is
it that he just suspects the same thing I suspect.
"Senator, have you met Donna Moss? Josh Lyman's `assistant'? What she
assists him on still remains to be seen."
Ah yes, that look tells me the Senator has definitely taken in the
mid-western features of our fair Donna Moss. I wonder…
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Sam POV
Josh will kill Mandy for even mentioning Donna's name to Hoynes. OH.
MY. GOD. I don't know who Josh would go after first. And, it gets
worse,
"Senator, Donna might be able to help sway you. She'd do just about
anything for Josh. He's some iconic hero figure to her. I imagine if
you `spoke' with her about it she'd be happy, if not enthusiastic to
do something to help Josh and by extension, the campaign."
Hoynes even thinks about mentioning that to Donna and Senator or not,
I think I'd do grievous bodily harm to him; Josh might have to take a
number.
I'm going to have to keep my eyes on Donna. If I tell Josh he'll go
off the deep end and I can't do that so close to the nomination.
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John Hoynes POV
"Mandy what are you suggesting?"
I refuse to let this bitch put me in a position to have to defend
myself. I won't let her set me up. I listen carefully as she
continues,
"Senator, maybe you need to show Donna that she's not in Kansas any
more. Or you know, Wisconsin. You can show her what politics is
really like. Let's be honest, you've already had Josh Lyman's seconds
before. Erica I'm sure was eager and jumped at the chance to help
you. I'm certain Donna would be no different."
"Ms. Hampton, I'm going to take that under advisement."
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Sam POV
I'm sure you will Senator. I'm sure you will.
I'd forgotten how disgusting this game is so close to the nomination.
I need a shower to get rid of the shit the fan just sprayed on me.
I catch Donna walking into the room and she looks monumentally
depressed. Something is wrong between my best friend and his
assistant.
Quietly I make my way out of the war room and head for the room I'm
sharing with Josh.
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Donna POV
Thankfully CJ has me putting press packets together. The activity has
successfully kept me busy but also kept me from thinking too deeply
about the many horrible ways things between Josh and I can end. It is
so late in the day, all I want to do is finish these and go find my
bed. Maybe I can quietly cry myself to sleep.
I suddenly feel someone staring at me and yet when I look up, I don't
see anyone. That's really a creepy feeling. I stand to bring the
folders I've completed over to the volunteer who will be packing and
sending them out and that's when I figure out where the eyes are
coming from.
John Hoynes.
John Hoynes is staring at me with a disgusting grin like I'm the
answer to all his questions.
I should tell Josh, but something inside of me tells me that's the
wrong move to make.
We got caught because Josh was trying to reassure me. Well this time
I'm going to handle this on my own. I'm a strong woman; I can take on
the likes of John Hoynes. Hell I took on Dr. Freeride.
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CJ POV
I'm watching a very interesting scene play out from the doorway and
call me a paranoid Press Secretary but this could tank the
convention.
At first glance Donna looks uncomfortable and exhausted. It's not a
good look on her and I was wondering what our Political Director did
to trample on her already fragile soul.
Then I see her wrap her arms around herself in a decidedly defensive
stance. I take in the room and realize that John Hoynes is devouring
her with his eyes.
No, no, no. Mr. Senator you do not get to work your way through the
women of the campaigns and the women of Washington, never mind
probably the women of Texas. I will crazy glue your zipper shut if
you try it.
Oh No.
John Hoynes has designs on Donna. I knew he was angry Josh left his
campaign but would he really go after Josh's assistant to make a
point like that?
Well, ok Erica Lee is the prime example. I better keep an eye on
Donna and the potential Vice Presidential nominee.
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Sam POV
I'm sitting on my bed in the hotel room I share with Josh and I'm
desperate to talk to him. I'm desperate to gauge his reaction to
something like this but unless I blurt out what I heard, there's no
way I can. He hasn't come back yet, but I saw Donna entering her room
in near tears so I know Josh isn't crashing there tonight. We all
need to rest so I'm going to convince myself I can sleep and worry at
the same time.
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Josh POV
I'm sitting in the empty war room looking over my notes. I'm missing
something in the pages. Something that will give us the landslide we
need.
I can see John's eyes from the looks he gave me in the hallway in the
back of my mind. He won't risk making political enemies within the
party but he very well could ruin me. Politics is all about
perception and John perceives something is going on between Donna and
me. If he verbalizes that perception to the press, it's all over for
me. I potentially could use Erica against him but I'd hate to hurt
Suzanne more than she already is. I'd love to see Suzanne divorce him
but she never will.
I'm going to have to bargain with him. He's going to want something
to join the ticket. What the hell is he going to want?
I'm going to get some coffee and try to figure this all out. Maybe if
I avoid sleeping I won't wonder if Donna cried herself to sleep
tonight. I told her I'd make this right; I made love to her knowing I
couldn't exist without her. Hell I knew I couldn't exist without her
the day I met her and that knowledge only grew as the weeks have
progressed. Last night wasn't about the infamous `coming onboard'
that happens on the campaigns.
If I could just find a way to get Hoynes on the ticket, win the
nomination, the Presidency and be with Donna I'd be set.
Not too much to ask right?
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Sam POV
The tornado known as Josh, has blown into the room and he looks like
a man possessed. I've already showered, shaved and dressed which
looks to be a good thing seeing as how we have to be ready in a few
minutes.
"Josh?"
"Yeah Sam?"
"You ok?"
"Yeah Sam."
"You want to tell me where you spent last night?"
He turns to face me and I can see nothing is right in his world. His
eyes are dull, his whole demeanor is lifeless. He definitely didn't
spend the night with Donna unless it was to tell her there's no way
they can be together.
"The war room."
Huh? Really?
"Why?"
"I've got a nomination to secure for the Governor. Tomorrow is the
day; everything else can wait until after we secure the nomination.
For now I need to shower and get ready. I need to `make it work' with
Hoynes according to the Governor. I only hope I don't have to sell my
soul to the devil to do it."
Neither do I Josh, neither do I.
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Mandy POV
Ok so today it's all about putting the final plays into action. The
field is ours for the taking. Maybe I need to reassure
the `volunteers' that this is the campaign for the Democratic
nomination and winning said nomination is the only thing they should
be focused on at the moment.
Yes I think that is exactly what I should do. Let me start with our
most famous former volunteer - Donna.
"Good Morning Donna."
She looks tired and stressed.
"Good Morning Mandy."
Hmm. A slight attitude to her voice. I'll fix that.
"Donna, the last day before the voting takes place is extremely
stressful on the staff. I know this is your first campaign so I
wanted to just pass along some words of wisdom. Whatever anyone asks
you to do, you do. No questions asks. Your only job is to make sure
the senior staff is well taken care of. Specifically Josh. He gets
very wound and the details stress him out. Are we clear?"
I watch her process my words and realize I may have an uphill battle
with her. Finally I see the resolve return.
"Sure Mandy, no problem."
Ok Senator, I opened the door for you, please walk through it.
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Donna POV
I don't know what Mandy has planned but if she thinks I'd do
something without talking to Josh or at the very least Sam or CJ
she's out of her freakin mind! I think I threw her off the scent by
being so amenable. It's the drama major working for me again.
Oh Joshua.
He just walked in and he looks as tired as I feel. I can't take my
eyes off of him but he won't even look at me.
This hurts more than it ever did with Freeride and there in and of
itself is the key difference. It hurts like hell right now; it hurt
to leave Josh and the campaign when I went back to Freeride. I'm
meant to be here. I'm meant to be on the campaign. I'm meant to be
with Josh.
More importantly, I'm meant to love Josh. One more day and we can
figure this out.
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Josh POV
I haven't figured anything out that I need to. I know I need to get
John Hoynes on the ticket and then get Josiah Barlet the nomination.
And once I do all the political things I need to do, in the mere day
I'm left with to do them, then I get to figure out how to make myself
and my assistant happy. Hopefully when I figure out how to make each
of us on our own, then I can make us happy together.