Title: Angels and Demons
“Ainsley Hayes.” I answer distractedly.
“Ainsley, it’s Donna. How are things going?”
“Honestly, it was a rocky few days, but things are much better today, thanks. “ I smile into
the phone. I adore my cousin Donna and I’ve always been very close to her despite our
different political ideologies. So the two of us had talked over the pros and cons of taking
this White House job before I had come back to see Leo. Given the events of the last few
days, I was beginning to question the wisdom of my accepting the White House Counsel
position. Then this morning, everything had changed. I’d come into work and most of the
White House senior staff had been waiting to surprise me in my office; serenading me
with songs from Gilbert and Sullivan.
I’m not a fool. I know Sam Seaborn orchestrated it. But I also know he didn’t have to do
that, either. As much as his policy positions make me crazy, he is an honorable man who
believes strongly that he is fighting for right. His unanticipated kindness has touched me
and literally turned my experience at the White House around. Laughingly, I repeat the
story for my cousin who responds just as I would’ve guessed. Indignant at some points
and righteously angry at others, she finally settled on relieved when I finished with my
basement concert.
“I am so glad things have turned around, Ains. I think you’re being very patriotic.” Donna
assures me.
“We’ll see if these Democrats can see beyond party lines long enough to get anything
done together.” I mutter.
“Hey, we’re not all bad.” Donna reminds me and makes me chuckle.
“That remains to be seen. What’s up with you?”
“Funny that you should ask…” Donna trails off and I get a sinking feeling.
“Are you okay?” I ask immediately.
“Yes, I’m fine.” Donna hastens to add. “I’m just homeless at the moment.”
“WHAT?!”
“I left Dan.” Donna says quickly. “It was ugly and I don’t want to get into it over the phone,
but I have all my worldly possessions packed in my car and I have nowhere to go.”
“Couldn’t Lorraine and Thomas-“ I bring up Donna’s parents.
“I’m sure they would. But Mom had her heart set on me marrying the doctor and I’m really
not in the mood to listen to her ‘are you sure you can’t work this out?’ questions.” Donna
hesitates. “Could I…maybe…impose on you? Just for a couple weeks. Just until I find a
place of my own and get a job. I have to find someplace to start over, Ainsley. I need to
get out of here.”
“Donna, of course you can stay with me. I have a two bedroom place so there’s plenty of
room. You can stay as long as you want to.” I tell my cousin. “It’s a long drive from
Wisconsin, so take your time and drive safely. When are you thinking about leaving?”
“When I said I needed to get out of here? I may have been overstating things a bit.”
“Donna. Where are you?”
“Georgetown.” Donna says quickly.
“Georgetown?” I shriek into the phone. “You traveled across the country without telling
anyone?”
“I told Dan?’ Donna replies hesitantly.
“Donna..” I growl. “Look, I’m still at the White House, but I can be done here in an hour.
Can you…I don’t know…stop at a Starbuck’s or something until then?”
“Sure. I could walk around this neighborhood for hours.”
“An hour will suffice, I assure you. Then we’ll grab a late dinner. Get a pen so you can
write down my address.” I instruct and repeat the address twice to make sure Donna got it
down right. Then with renewed vigor, I dive into my work deciding quickly what has to be
completed now and what I can bring home with me to work on Sunday. Even as part of me
was angry at Donna for taking risks with her safety another part of me rejoices that
Donna would be joining me in D.C. Life was always better with the bright and funny
Donna Moss around.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
I have to stop myself from pacing in the Congressional office waiting area. Ainsley had
pulled all kinds of strings to get me this interview and I don’t want to let her down any
more than I want to go through this exercise again for a different job. I’m wearing my one
decent jacket and skirt set which you’d think would bolster my confidence, but it’s so old,
it actually had the opposite effect.
“Miss Moss? Congressman Skinner will see you now.” His receptionist relays with a smile.
I smile nervously back and walk determinedly into the Congressman’s private office. I’d
seen Congressman Skinner on CSPAN and had been impressed with his speaking skills.
When I asked why my cousin was setting me up for an interview with a Republican
member of Congress, Ainsley had shrugged and replied that those were the guys she
hung out with. Anyway, beggars couldn’t be choosers, so here goes nothing.
“Donna, it’s nice to meet you. Ainsley has told me so much about you.” Skinner smiles
and extends his hand while he walks around the desk. I return the greeting and sit in one
of the visitor chairs before Matt sits in the visitor chair next to me.
“Would you like something to drink?” Matt asks me.
“Oh, no, I never drink during business hours.” I reply nervously and then realize I
misunderstood his question when his lips quirk into a grin and he nods.
“That’s a good practice in theory, but on the hill it’s sometimes a necessary evil.” He tries
to cover for me and I appreciate the effort, but I really just want the earth to swallow me
now.
“I’m sure.” I agree and Matt takes a drink from his water bottle. “Ainsley tells me you’re a
Republican.”
Matt spits water everywhere. I hurriedly grab Kleenex from the box on the desk and tried
to clean things up.
“Donna..Donna, stop. I’m fine. Everything’s fine.” Matt assures me and uses a tissue to
wipe his face. “I get the feeling that you are a little nervous, here, and there’s no reason
for that. I promise. Ainsley told me you’d be perfect for a research position I have open on
staff and I trust her. I just wanted to meet you and give us each a chance to know one
another before you start on Monday, okay?”
“Really?” I confirm and Matt nods again. I let out a huge sigh of relief. “That’s wonderful! I
won’t let you down, Congressman, I promise.”
“I don’t imagine you will. Tell me about yourself. Ainsley told me you grew up in
Wisconsin?”
“Yes, I’ve lived there my whole life…until a few days ago.” I grin. “I’ve always wanted to
come to Washington, though.”
“So you’ve been planning this move for awhile?” Matt asks.
“When I said I always wanted to come to Washington? I may have been overstating it a
bit. I mean, I’m very interested in politics, and majored in political science but I just
recently got the…opportunity to move out here and stay with Ainsley.”
“Ah…when did your boyfriend break up with you?” Matt asks with eyebrows quirked.
“Wha- What makes you think my boyfriend broke up with me?”
“Too raw, still? I understand. Men are such pigs.” Matt rolls his eyes. “Where did you
graduate from?”
“I’m sorry?” That was a conversation jump.
“You said you majored in political science. Where did you graduate from?” Matt asks
slowly like he is speaking to someone who is mentally impaired. Great, this interview was
going just great.
“Ah, I didn’t graduate actually. But now that I’m here, I’d love the chance to go back and
finish.” I note.
“We’ve got a lot of great schools here.” Matt replies. “We’ll have some late nights in this
office, but if you’re taking classes on certain nights, we can work around that. How many
classes do you have left?”
“I’m a few credits short.” I say nonchalantly.
“But you majored in political science?”
“Yes!” I agree readily. “And uh, sociology and psychology.”
“I see.” Matt nods again.
“And biology for a while…with a minor in French?”
“Really.” Matt continues to nod and I think he’s wondering just what the hell Ainsley had
gotten him into.
“And..uh…drama…” I run out of steam.
“You had five majors and two minors in 4 years?” Matt confirms.
“Two! It was…two…years…” I can feel my eyes start to fill with unshed tears. “I had to
drop out. I had to! It was important that he finish medical school and then he was going to
support me while I finished. We had a plan!” I insist even as the first tears drop from my
eyes. “But then he cheated on me and I’m sorry, but you do not cheat on me and then
get a free pass back into my life so I packed up everything I owned and stuck it in my car
and drove to D.C. Ainsley was a little pissed I didn’t tell her I was coming first, but I just
couldn’t stay there another minute.”
“That must have taken a lot of courage Donna.” Matt acknowledges and hands me a
tissue.
“I just had to start over. I think this is a place I can start over. I want to do something that
makes a difference in people’s lives. I’m smart, and a very hard worker and you won’t
regret giving me this chance, Congressman.” I lay out my case.
“You just packed everything in your car and drove here alone?” Matt smiles.
I nod, afraid that if I open my mouth again it would ruin whatever slim chance I still had of
getting this job.
“Well you’re in luck, Donnatella Moss because my litmus test for hiring research
assistants is that they’re smart, hard workers, and want to make a difference in people’s
lives.” Matt tells me and I can feel my face bloom into a relieved smile.
“Thank you. Thank you so much.” I say sincerely. Matt gets up from his chair and walks
around his desk to open a drawer. He pulls out an ID badge and hands it to me. “You’ll
need this when you report for work at 7:30 Monday morning.”
I take the badge from his hand with a look of adoration on my face and I’m about to leave
when he stops me and hands me some cash.
“We do business casual around here so you can ditch the suit from the last decade. We’ll
call this an advance on your salary. Make Ainsley take you clothes shopping this
weekend.” Matt smiles to take the sting out of his words.
“Yes, sir.” I agree and practically bounce out of the building. A new job that has a clothing
allowance; it just doesn’t get any better than this!
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“I’m sorry, you told Congressman Skinner he was wrong?” Ainsley chokes on her Fresca
in the White House mess.
“Respectfully.” I add. “And I had research to support it too, so there.”
“Did you just ‘so there’ me?” Ainsley teases.
“I don’t know what it is, but whenever I’m in a room with you, I’m catapulted back to 3rd
grade.” I shrug.
“So what did Matt say when you told him, respectfully, that he was wrong?”
“Well…he blinked for a few seconds, and then said, ‘prove it’.”
“And?”
“And I did.” I shrug again making my cousin laugh.
“So you’re liking the job still?” Ainsley teases.
“I’m loving my job. Even though the Congressman won’t let me use more than 40 note
cards on any one issue.” I make a face.
“That is positively tragic.” Ainsley agrees, but I think I detect a note of sarcasm.
“Ainsley, have you got a second?” A male voice asks from across the mess.
“Yes, would you like to come over here and speak to me like a civilized person?” Ainsley
calls back. The man’s face looks puzzled and then splits into a smile so big that dimples
pop out on both his cheeks. He’s handsome, I admit, but not in the classical sense. There
was just something about him…and he looks familiar too. He drops his lunch tray
unceremoniously next to me and sits down.
“I have a question about the test ban treaty language.” The man begins.
“Why, I’m just fine today Joshua, thank you. No, you don’t know my lunch companion but I’
d be happy to introduce you.” Ainsley ignores his statement. “Joshua Lyman, may I
introduce my cousin Donna Moss. Donna Moss, this is Josh Lyman who serves as the
Deputy Chief of Staff and mannerless cretin in the Bartlet White House.”
Josh has the grace to look chagrined. “Sorry, I get focused on one thing and…” Josh
reaches out to shake my hand quickly and offers me another smile. “Anyway, the treaty...”
“What about it?” Ainsley asks.
“These damn Republicans want to insert language that-“
“Ahemmmmmm…” Ainsley glares at him.
“These damn Republican members of Congress?” Josh tries. Ainsley must recognize it for
the olive branch that it’s meant to be and accepts his change in language with a nod.
“They want to insert language in to the treaty.”
“And?” Ainsley prods.
“It looks like it might be okay.” Josh states.
“So…good?” Ainsley guesses. She’s told me that since the Gilbert and Sullivan
performance in her office they’d made a sort of truce between them but she still couldn’t
read Josh Lyman very well.
“No. Not good. There must be a Republican type trap in there that I’m not seeing. So I’d
like to have you look at it.”
“Because I speak Republican.”
“Well…yes.” Josh shrugs and it makes me laugh. It’s so adorable.
“Send me a copy and I’ll take a look. Sam’s taking me to the hill for some meetings on
attaching reservations so it’ll have to wait until we get back.” Ainsley tells him.
“Okay.” Josh waves that concern away. “I’m going to be here well into the night anyway.”
“Then you should really get a decent lunch instead of eating all that crap.” I note.
“Sorry?” Josh looks at me like I’ve grown a second head. But somewhere during his
exchange with Ainsley, I realized why he looked familiar. He’d been all over the news a
few months ago when he had been shot and almost killed at Rosslyn. Dan had explained
the medi-speak on the news at the time and Josh Lyman’s injuries were severe. He was
lucky to be alive. If he was going to be at work for all hours, he should at least give his
body decent fuel. So I tell him so.
“Your body needs decent fuel to run for those kinds of hours and I’m sorry but chips, pop,
and dear God, is that a hamburger?” I peer closely at the piece of charred meat. “That’s
not going to cut it.”
“Are you a doctor?” Josh asks.
“No, I just lived with one once.” I smile. “Doctors are pigs.”
Ainsley nearly lost her drink again. She really shouldn’t drink liquids while we’re talking.
“Better not let Dr. Bartlet hear you say that.” Josh teases and I can feel myself blush.
Damn alabaster skin.
“I meant male doctors.” I correct myself.
“No, I agreed with you the first time. God knows I’ve had my fill of them.” Josh notes.
“On the other hand, without them, you wouldn’t be sitting here bitching about
Republicans, so…” I tilt my head to see his reaction to that.
“But if you Republicans weren’t doing your best to destroy freedom and Democracy
everywhere by using sneaky amendments, I wouldn’t need to stay late nights.” Josh
counters. “So really, you should be buying me the decent lunch.”
I smile at his twisted logic, but don’t bother to correct his mistaken impression that I
belong to the same political party as my cousin.
“Here, on behalf of sneaky Republicans everywhere.” I transfer my untouched sandwich
onto his plate. Josh blinks in surprise. “Now, eat up so you’ll live to fight another day.”
Without another word he lifts the sandwich to his mouth and takes a bite while I get up
and purchase a bottle of water that I hand to him as well. Ainsley watches the interaction
with astonishment on her face.
“Ummm…Josh? Why is Sam asking me to write a two page summary on his position paper
for the President?” Ainsley asks him.
“Sam can’t unleash his full potential in two pages.” Josh quotes his friend and gets
strange looks from both of us. “Because the flippin Washington Post wrote an editorial
that the President’s time wasn’t being utilized wisely. Now we all have to reduce our
thoughts to two pages and run it by Leo before we can run it by the President. ”
“Why is that a bad thing?” I ask.
“Because I should get to see the President when I have something to show the President.
Things happen very quickly around here and I can’t waste time writing up two page
summaries all day long.” Josh says around another bite of sandwich.
“So you can’t unleash your full potential in two pages either?” I hazard a guess.
“You’ve got a mouth full of wise ass, don’t you?” Josh grins. “A relative of Ainsley’s with a
smart mouth. Who’d have ever guessed?” Josh says sarcastically and includes Ainsley in
his grin. “Look, I have 10 balls that I’m trying to keep in the air at any one time to keep the
President’s agenda moving forward. I can’t be bothered with all this Washington Post
crap.”
“Actually, it sounds like you can’t be bothered to be organized in your work.” I mention
and his jaw drops open. I get the feeling that not many people call this guy on his crap.
“Excuse me? I graduated from Harvard and Yale. You don’t get IN to those schools
without out having your act together.”
“No, you don’t get into those schools unless you’re very bright or very rich. Which are
you?” I ask.
“He’s both.” Ainsley says matter of factly and now it’s Josh’s turn to nearly spit out his
drink. “I wish it were just the latter, but unfortunately for me he’s very smart.”
“Well then…” I smile. “He’d be SMART to figure out an organizational system that will help
him keep all those balls in the air.”
“And you could do better?” Josh asks.
“Any day of the week and twice on Sunday.” I say batting my eyes. “I’m an organizational
guru. In fact, right now-“
Josh’s pager went off and he looked down. “Damn. Another vote off the reservation.”
I wrap up the rest of the sandwich and hand it to him. “For the road…and I’ll just take
these off your hands.” I say as I remove the bag of chips from Josh’s tray and his eyes
bug out. “Lots of us prayed for your safe recovery. It would be a shame to lose you now.”
Josh nearly bobbles the tray in his surprise at my remark. He clearly doesn’t know how to
respond.
“It was nice meeting you.” I offer.
“Yeah, you too…Ainsley, I’ll catch you later?” Josh raises his eyebrows.
“Sure.”
Josh backs away from the table slowly, but I can’t help but smile when I notice that he left
the giant pop and took the bottle of water with him. Baby steps…
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
2.
“Sir.”
“Matt.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Donna, the President of the United States is Sir.”
“Of course.” she smiles. This girl’s got a great smile. “Can I ask you a question, sir?”
“Matt.”
“Of course, Congressman.” she placates me again. Shit. Someone tell me why I put up
with this from a democrat? Oh yeah, this was Ainsley Hayes’ doing. Something about
smart people who disagree with me.
“Fire away.” I sigh.
“What do you know about Josh Lyman?”
Well, I certainly wasn’t expecting that. Since Donna's started working for me, I’ve had to
adjust to expecting the unexpected from her. She’s flambayed me more than once on my
legislative portfolio. I like arguing with her though. She’s got an interesting outlook on
stuff.
I turn around in my chair, pluck a picture off the credenza, turn back and put it on the
desk in front of her.
“This is you and Mr. Lyman.” she notes picking it up.
“Josh.” I reply. “Call him Mr. Lyman and his head will unspool.”
“College graduation?”
“Yeah, Harvard.” I nod.
“You two knew each other in college?”
“We grew up together.”
“Who are these other two?”
“One of them is Chris Wick, another Congressman from Massachusetts and the other,
the guy on the left is Mike Casper, a special agent with the FBI.”
“You all went to Harvard?”
“Josh and I met Chris and Mike there. We’re still friends.”
“You and Josh are friends after all these years? You seem so different.” she looks
amazed and I laugh.
“Different? We’re polar opposites, Donna.” I chuckle. “But we’ve known each other since
first grade. We’re closer than brothers and we’ve come to terms with our disagreements a
long time ago. I mean, he and I are never really going to agree on anything. Except
baseball. We’re both Mets fans.”
“Wow, that’s really great.” she smiles genuinely and hands the picture back to me.
“Why do you ask about Josh?”
“Oh, I just met him at the White House.”
“What were you doing at the White House?”
Tell me she’s a double agent and I will first kill Ainsley and then probably Josh.
“I was having lunch with Ainsley.” she says. “I wanted to thank her for, you know, pointing
me in your direction.”
“Even though I’m a republican.” I smirk.
“Yeah, but I’m not a resident of your district so there’s never the issue of whether or not I
would vote for you.” she shoots back. She certainly gives as good as she gets.
“And so what did you think of Josh?” I ask cautiously. Josh doesn’t always come across all
that nice. And Josh and girls... well, he’s sort of an idiot in that department.
“Well...” she says slowly. “I didn’t really talk to him long. He was really just talking to
Ainsley about something, but he just seemed... I don’t know.”
I smile as I realize that something happened here. Josh obviously made an impression on
Donna and it wasn’t a bad one.
“Seemed what?” I hedge. She shifts a little bit and shrugs. “I didn’t mean to drag you into
it, sir. I didn’t realize you knew him so well.”
“Oh come on, Donna. Stop being so stuffy.” I whine a bit here. She arches her eyebrows
in surprise. “That’s not you, I can tell. I’m informal with my staff. Save the protocol for the
White House and official stuff. Tell me what you thought.”
“Why? So you can tell Josh?”
“Josh isn’t like that.”
“But are YOU like that?”
“Sometimes. I’m gay. It’s in my nature.”
“You’re gay?!”
“Does that bug you?”
“I’m a democrat.” she replies immediately. “I just couldn’t tell.”
“You couldn’t tell?” I ask surprise. “Huh. I would have thought Ainsley told you. It’s
common knowledge.”
“Well, we’re not talking about you, we’re talking about me.” she replies. Guess who’s
loosening up a bit here.
“Yes. We’re talking about you and Josh.”
“Right.”
“Ah ha!” I exclaim triumphantly. I KNEW something happened here when they met. Josh
doesn’t flummox women. He frequently flummoxes opponents he’s arguing with, but
women in general, he is He Who Does Not Flummox.
“No! No! There’s no me and Josh. We’re just talking about Josh.”
“He’s not seeing anyone.” I know. I’m sure this is what she wants to eventually get at.
“Um...what?”
“Josh. He isn’t dating anyone. He’s just now getting his life back together.”
“Back together? Bad break up?”
“Uh, bad day at the office more like.” I say. “He got shot back in August.”
“Yeah, that kind of came up. He seems to be doing good. He eats terribly.” she says.
“He’s doing great.” I nod. She looks a little uncomfortable now, so I try to bring the subject
back around to what we were originally taking about. “So, you said he seemed, but then
broke off. How did he seem to you?” I’m also wondering because lately he seems to have
thrown himself into work more than he had before the shooting. I don’t know if that’s
because he just got back to work or what.
I’ve only known Donna for a very short period of time, but given what I can see now from
the way she’s relaxing around me and getting snarky, I think they might be kinda good
together.
“He seems very passionate.” she says and then blushes a little.
“He is.” I say simply. “He’s very good at his job. Some guys here call him the Prince of
Darkness.” Her eyes widen a bit. Oops. That may have been too far.
“That’s a good thing?” she asks quietly.
“Um...well... yeah, it’s kind of a good thing. People are too scared of him to give him a lot
of shit on stuff. He wins a lot.”
“What are they afraid he’s going to do?” she asks cautiously.
“Mount a huge challenge and win in their next election. He got Chris Wick his seat and
barely broke a sweat.”
“What about you?” she smirks.
“Well, he was much more behind the scenes for me, but I got a lot of invaluable advice
from him, though he’d never ruin his reputation and admit it publicly.”
“Prince of Darkness?” she asks a little apprehensively.
“I don’t know what to tell you, Donna.” I finally shrug. “Politics isn’t always pretty. But Josh
is like a brother to me, and I don’t know anyone on this planet more loyal to him.”
She looks over at the picture back on my credenza again and nods. “Well, I was just
wondering what he was like is all. Thanks...Matt.”
She smiles that great smile of hers and then leaves the room.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
I breeze into Matt’s outer office and Sherry his receptionist smiles widely at me. Sherry’s
been trying to get me into bed for a while. I haven’t been interested, not that she’s not
nice or anything, but I’m not really that kind of player. Plus, Matt would kick my ass if I
started sleeping with his staff.
“Hey, is he in there?” I ask moving by her and gesturing to the door.
“Yeah, he’s just ...” she starts, but the door springs open and there she is.
Donna.
She looks a little surprised to see me here. My heart skips a beat and I freeze in my spot.
She looks prettier than she did this afternoon. How is that possible? How could she have
gotten prettier in just three hours and 46 minutes...47 minutes?
“Hi.” she smiles almost shyly. God that’s sweet.
“Hi.” I say. “It’s you again.”
“It’s me again.” she smiles.
“Uh, I was just coming...” I start and gesture towards Matt’s office.
“Oh, yeah, he’s just...” she replies and gestures over her shoulder.
“Okay.” I nod. What the hell is wrong with me? Neither one of us moves. I don’t want to
move. I want to stay here and look at her. What am I going to do? She’s gorgeous. And
republican. She’s a gorgeous republican. This is, like, my worst professional nightmare,
the day the republican party sends a really hot girl to me to throw me off my game. But
she doesn’t seem like the fembot type.
“You work here?” I blurt out, very ungentlemanly.
“I’m the Congressman’s new research assistant.”
Ooh! This changes everything.
“Josh?” Matt calls from his office and appears behind Donna.
“Yeah?” I ask, but I’m still watching Donna, who’s blushing a bit and looking away.
“I guess I’ll just...” she trails off and moves to her desk and I can’t help but watch the
graceful way she moves.
“Josh?” Matt asks.
“Huh?”
“What?”
“What?”
“What the hell do you need?”
I shake myself out of my Donna trance and look over to Matt.
Who’s smirking like the Cheshire Cat, the bastard. “Oh, I needed to talk to you about,
you know...”
“No, I don’t.”
You know, sometimes I really freaking hate him.
“You know, the thing.” I say and give him a glare.
“Oh, the thing!” he says. “Right. I’ve been meaning to talk to about that thing. Come on
in. Sherry, hold my calls.”
“Yes, sir.” she says. Uh oh. She must be pissed at him. No one here ever calls him sir.
Well, that’s Matt’s problem.
I close the door behind me and Matt drops down into his chair. “How could you not tell me
she worked here?” I demand.
“Who?”
“Donna!”
“I didn’t know you knew her.”
“I didn’t. But how could you not tell me you hired someone who looks like her!”
“Because I’m gay and don’t see women like that.” he replies slowly.
“Don’t fuck around with me.” I snap. He looks a little surprised by that.
“Why are you so edgy?” he asks.
“I’m not edgy.” I say quickly. Why do people keep asking me that? “I’m just a little thrown
off my game by the Venus de Milo you have working out there.”
He smiles slowly at me and I don’t care that I just over played my hand here.
“She was just in here asking about you.” he smiles widely.
“Really?”
“Uh-huh.”
“What’d she want to know?”
“Well, she didn’t know we knew each other, but she wanted to know what I knew about
you and what you were like.”
“Did she sound like she was really interested or like she was doing reckon work or
something?”
“She’s not a spy!” he laughs. “I hired her as a favor to Ainsley. Donna needed a job, she
likes politics, and I needed a new researcher. She’s real smart, too.”
“She’s got...nice hair.”
“She’s cute as hell, too.” Matt smiles.
“Yeah. And she’s got a nice smile.” I say. “I don’t know. Something’s going on.”
“Dude, you haven’t dated anyone since the She-Devil.” he says and I roll my eyes. Matt
was never fond of Mandy. Neither were Chris and Mike, truth be told. “It’s been three
years. Don’t you think you should, I don’t know, get back in the saddle?”
“It’s not like I’ve got a hell of a lot free time on my hands.” I argue. “I’ve been back at work
for, like, two weeks and it’s a nightmare. Midterms were like a blood bath.”
“The House stayed the same.”
“Yeah, but it was still a mess. Anyway, I don’t have a lot of time to da...really, she asked
about me?”
I sound like an idiot.
“Swear to God, man, she was just in here asking about you.” he laughs. “Ask her out.”
“Well, what did you tell her about me?”
“I told her the truth.” he shrugs.
“Oh my God!” I groan, smack my palm to my forehead and drop down onto the couch.
“Don’t be so fucking dramatic.” Matt says. “I told her you were great at your job, I told her I’
ve known you all my life and I told her there’s not a disloyal bone in your body.”
“Well, that’s not so bad.” I say picking my head up.
“The Prince of Darkness thing slipped out though.” he winces.
“Shit!”
“Well, in theory, Josh, she would have found out about that eventually. Sooner or later,
she’d discover the not so nice political side of you. She works HERE, for crying out loud.”
“She just seems...she seems nice, you know? It’s been ages since I’ve gone out with
somebody nice.”
“She’s as nice as the day is long, my friend.” Matt says. “But she’s snarky.”
“Really?”
“Oh hell yeah.” he says. “She just started coming out of her shell, but I’m discovering, she’
s pretty witty.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah, she’s feisty.”
“Okay. We’re starting to talk about her now like she’s a horse.” I say. “Women don’t like
that.”
“Neither do men.”
“We’re not talking about you.” I shoot back. I look up at him and he’s giving me that
freaking look again. The three of them have been looking at me funny for weeks. It’s like
they’re waiting for something, but I have no idea what. “I don’t know. Now might not be the
best time to date.” I say, gesturing to my chest which currently looks like a patchwork
quilt. The scars are in no way completely healed and they’re very angry looking. I don’t
know if I’m ready for anyone to see it.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“I was sliced open a few months ago. It Ayn’t pretty.”
“Josh, the right girl isn’t going to give a shit about that.”
“True, but the wrong one is going to flinch and scream and I’m not ready for that.”
“You’re not Frankenstein; you got shot and had surgery. You’re a freaking national hero
and your fan club is still off the charts. None of those little girls would care about that.”
“Now I feel dirty.”
“And we’re talking about taking Donna to dinner. She’s nice. She’s from Wisconsin. She’s
not going to jump into bed with you on the first date anyway. Do the drinks after work
thing. That way if you freak out you don’t have to do dinner.”
“After work for me is like midnight.” I say.
“Yeah, about that. That’s too late. You’re going to have to leave early for drinks with
Donna, like 6 or something. I realize that’s, like, a half day for you, but you had by-pass
surgery a few months ago, slow the hell down, for crying out loud.”
I’m actually starting to consider this, which is now scaring the hell out of me.
“She changed my food.”
“What?”
“I had a burger and soda and chips, and she replaced it with salad, a sandwich and
water. She never even met me before, but she said I ate like crap and just changed my
lunch.”
“You do eat like crap. I’ve told you that.”
“What do you make of that?”
He shrugs. “Ask her out, order a bloody steak and see if she does it again.”
“I don’t know.”
“Josh.” he says in the voice that told me to apply to Harvard even though I didn’t think I
was going to get in. “You were given a second chance. Use it.”
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
3.
Okay, this is ridiculous. I’m hanging out just outside my boss’s office in the hopes that I
might ‘accidentally’ run into Josh Lyman again. Sherry knows it too. She keeps looking
over at me and smirking…in a bad way, not a Josh Lyman way. Wait. There’s a Josh
Lyman way? I am SO pathetic.
“He won’t be out for awhile.” Sherry tells me. Act innocent.
“Who?” I put on my innocent face. Remember, I minored in drama…for a semester.
“Josh. He and Matt go way back and whenever Josh comes around they hole up in there
for awhile.” Sherry thinks she’s so…
“Oh, is that his name? Josh? I’m waiting for the Congressman. I have a question for him.”
I explain. See Sherry? All perfectly innocent and legitimate. I’m waiting for Congressman
Skinner; who everyone knows, but Ainsley never told me, is gay. So therefore, if I’m
waiting for the Congressman, my waiting couldn’t possibly have anything to do with my
unusual physical reaction to Joshua Lyman.
“Weren’t you just with him?” Sherry asks.
“No, I never met him before.” I answer quickly.
“You’ve never met the Congressman before?” Sherry chuckles.
“The Congressman?” Poor Sherry is so confused.
“That IS who you’re waiting for, right?” She asks again. I really don’t like this woman
much. “Weren’t you just in his office with him?”
“You know, I was.” I admit. “Yes, indeed I was. But I forgot to tell him something and that
might alter the direction of the research he wants me to do. So I’m waiting for him…to get
clarification.”
“Right, because you wouldn’t want to be a missing a notecard.” She snarks. Yeah, I don’t
like her at all.
“The notecards are an effective tool for researching issues.” I defend my method with
gusto.
“I’m sure they’re very helpful.” She doesn’t mean this though, I can tell. “It’s a good thing
you’re just waiting for the Congressman, then. Josh Lyman is nothing but trouble.”
“Why- I mean just out of curiosity, why would you say that? He seems perfectly nice, you
know, from the brief interaction I had with him.” Just idle curiosity Sherry, no big deal. Just
passing the time here waiting for the Congressman.
“You’d have no way of knowing this Donna, coming from Wisconsin, but some of the guys
in this town are serious players; power daters. Josh Lyman is one of those guys.”
Well, that doesn’t sound good at all. Congressman Skinner vouched for him, but he IS
gay. Would he really have a good foundation on which to base his opinion of Josh’s
dating life?
“Hmmmm…well I’ll keep that in mind…On the slim chance that we were to ever cross
paths again.” I nod in agreement but can’t seem to move my feet away from the
Congressman’s door. Awkward…
Suddenly the door opens and Josh Lyman nearly runs into me. Wow. That whole butterfly
feeling is back. I guess it wasn’t a coincidence.
“God, I’m sorry. I almost ran you over.” Josh apologizes. That’s really very sweet. Not
what one would expect from a power dater. I have the least power of anyone in this
building.
“Donna’s just waiting for the Congressman. You can go ahead in, Donna.” Sherry tells me
like I can’t see for myself that the Congressman is finished speaking with Josh.
“Thanks.” I saw sweetly, but my eyes stay on Josh. “Bye.”
“Oh, hey! I wanted to say thanks for the sandwich.” Josh tells me quickly. “It wasn’t quite
as good as a hamburger, but it wasn’t bad.”
“Good. I’m glad you liked it. You might want to explore other healthy options at lunch
now.” I suggest.
Josh leans against the door jamb, making no move to get out of my way. “Yeah, but the
thing is, I wouldn’t know a healthy option if it walked up and introduced itself to me. I’m
really lost in the healthy food choice category.”
“That is a problem.” I agree and I can feel my lips turning up into a smile. Is he hinting at
asking me out here? I think he may be doing just that.
“It’s terrible.” Josh shakes his head. “Like tomorrow, I’m going to have another long day
and I’ll probably forget to eat lunch altogether until I get shaky from hunger. Then I’ll run
down to the mess to get something quick and the myriad choices there will overwhelm me
and I’ll end up grabbing some chips or a piece of cake just to get through it.”
“That’s just the kind of thing you want to avoid.” I’m smirking now, but I really can’t help it.
“Maybe I should write down some healthy food suggestions for you so when you’re in that
situation you’ll have some ideas about what to choose.”
He pretends to mull this idea over for a good ten seconds. “What if the items you suggest
aren’t being served in the mess that day? No, I don’t think that’s going to work.” He
shakes his head sadly again. “If only I had someone with me in the mess to help me make
those last minute choices.”
“That might be a good solution, but I see a problem with that as well.” I mention.
“What’s that?” he asks.
“I don’t know what self respecting, health food assistant you’re going to get to go with you
to the White House mess. The selection there is very bad.”
“Ah…so maybe if I want to convince someone to come with me to eat and help me make
better food choices, I’ll have to consider a different venue?” Josh asks.
“Without a doubt.” I reply.
“Of for God’s sake, just ask her to dinner so we can all get back to our day jobs before it’
s evening!” Matt shouts from his desk. Josh and I share a smile. Sherry just sighs loudly.
“I don’t want to get you in trouble with your boss. He’s quite an ogre. I should go.” Josh
says and jerks his thumb toward the exit. I nod in agreement.
“Dinner tomorrow…around 8?” Matt coughs loudly. “I mean, 6?” Josh amends his
question.
“I’m not sure. You know that I have no power in this office, right?” I ask and Josh looks
confused. Oh, Joshua, that one wasn’t for you, it was for Sherry.
“Nobody in this office has any power, Donna.” Josh jokes. “You’re all Republicans.”
“I heard that Lyman.” Matt calls out again. “I can keep Donna working until very late
tomorrow night, you know.”
“Just kidding there, Matt.” Josh shouts over my shoulder. “I’ll pick you up here at 6?”
“Okay.” I agree and I can’t wipe the ridiculous smile off my face. “See you tomorrow.” I
wait until the door closes behind him before I head back to my desk.
“I thought you needed the Congressman?” Sherry calls to me.
“I don’t know where you got THAT idea.” I call back. Drama class.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>><><><>
“Is O’Brien seriously going to take this amendment to the floor?” Sam asks me.
“Huh?” I heard the question, I just didn’t hear the question you know? I’ve been having
trouble with concentration since I’ve been back to work. It really sucks.
“You okay?” Sam comes in and sits in front of my desk. I wish he wouldn’t sit in front of my
desk. I have things to get done before I pick up Donna for dinner. And can I just say, I
have NO IDEA what I’m doing asking this Republican staff member of Matt’s out for
dinner. I have a million things to do, and a million reasons why now might not be a good
time to start a new relationship…There’s just something about this woman…
“Josh?” Sam calls my name again and I look up to see this worried expression on his
face. I HATE that expression and I’ve seen it all to often around here lately. Maybe that’s
pat of the attraction to Donna Moss. She doesn’t look at me with eyes filled with pity or
worry.
“Sam, can we not do this right now? I’m in the middle of something and I-“
“Sure. I didn’t know you were under the gun. Anything I can help with?”
“No, but thanks. I just have to finish this report now so I’m not late for dinner.” I tell him
and he laughs. LAUGHS!
“Dinner? It’s like, 5:15! You don’t eat dinner until around 8 or 9.” He points out.
“True. But the woman I’m having dinner with likes to eat when normal people do, so we’re
having dinner at 6.” I explain.
“I’m sorry. Did you just say you’re going out to dinner? With a woman? At 6 O’clock?”
Sam confirms.
“Why is that so astonishing to you?” I ask. “I am a sought after bachelor, a highly placed
member of the Federal Government.”
“So…she’s new in town?” Sam chuckles.
“Direct from Wisconsin.” I admit which only makes him chuckle harder. Just when I think it
can’t possibly get worse; it does.
“I’m here saving the country, and you’re in here hosting a comedy festival.” F.B.I Agent
Mike Casper, ladies and gentlemen. He’s here briefing the President almost every day,
lucky me.
“But it’s very good comedy.” Sam allowed. “Josh has a date…at 6:00 …with a woman
from Wisconsin.”
“I thought there was a rule against smoking crack in the White House, Sam?” Mike quips.
“God’s truth.” Sam raises his right hand to attest to his honesty and Mike gives me a
strange look.
“What are you doing going out to dinner with some woman from Wisconsin?” Great. Now it’
s Mike’s turn to interrogate me.
“Nothing illegal, Agent Casper, I assure you.” I reply and try to read the second
paragraph of this page for the third time.
“You shouldn’t be going out to dinner.” Mike says unequivocally. I look up at him in
surprise.
“You’re against me eating in general or dinner in particular?”
“I’m not against either, just not either with some woman from Wisconsin you don’t even
know.”
“I was under the impression that sharing a meal was a culturally acceptable way to get to
know a woman.” I can’t help the smirk I’m wearing now. “She even offered to help me
make healthier food choices. Something you’ve be on my ass about for months now.”
“Oh, it’s a professional thing.” Mike relaxes. “She your dietitian or something?”
I look incredulously between Sam and Mike who both seem to think this is the only
rational explanation for a woman to go out to dinner with me.
“No. She’s not my dietitian; as if I’d have one of those. This is a bona fide dinner date and
if you don’t believe me, ask Matt. He was a witness to the invitation and the acceptance.
Now since it doesn’t appear that I’m going to get anything else done before I’m to pick the
lady up, I’m leaving now.” I grab the jacket off the back of my chair and make an exit while
my friends both stare at me. Sheesh!
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“Who’s this cheesehead you set Josh up with?” I demand.
“Hey, Mike, it’s good to see you too. No, I’m not too busy for a quick conversation, what’s
up?” He thinks he’s so damn clever just because he’s so damn clever.
“Whatever. Do you really think now is the time to set Josh up with some milkmaid from
Wisconsin?”
“First of all, Donna Moss isn’t any milkmaid and that’s a very sexist remark. Secondly, I
didn’t set up anyone with anyone. They met and arranged this little dinner all by
themselves, Dad. Thirdly, what the hell is your problem with Josh going out to dinner with
a smart, attractive woman?”
“She’s attractive?” God, this is worse than I thought, and Matt is over here mocking me.
“Well, I think so and I assume Josh thinks so, or he wouldn’t have bothered asking her to
dinner.” Matt points out reasonably.
“This is a very bad idea.” I tell him and flop down in a chair opposite him. “Josh isn’t back
on his game yet.”
“Josh has a game?” Matt laughs again and props his feet on his desk. Fine, Josh hasn’t
been known for his…expertise with the fairer sex, but he does manage to get women to
go out with him…from time to time. And he’s got the fan club too.
“I’m saying…he hasn’t been himself since he got back to work.” I explain.
“Well in this case, that might be to his advantage.” Matt jokes.
“Damn it, Matt, I’m serious.” I explode and Matt drops his feet off his desk and sits up.
“What’s going on Mike?” He says quietly.
“I’m not sure, but something is off.” I tell him earnestly. “Haven’t you noticed something
different about him lately?”
“I guess…a bit..but Jesus, Mike, the guy was nearly killed. It’s been a long, hard recovery
and he spent the several weeks living with his mother. If that doesn’t put you a little on
edge…”
“Then you’ve noticed it too.” I jump on his last phrase. “The quick temper, the snapping at
people around him?”
“Okay, yeah, a little. But again, he’s been through hell and just trying to catch up at work
has got to be daunting. You know he hates feeling like he’s behind everyone else; hell
ANYONE else.”
“This is something else, Matt. And even if I’m wrong, for just the very reasons you cited,
the last thing he needs is to get involved with some new woman.” I tell him fervently.
“You may be right, Mike, but unfortunately Josh doesn’t consult either of us about his
personal decisions.” Matt reminds me.
“Sure he does.” I reply. “Maybe consult is a little strong, but he ALWAYS talks to us about
his personal decisions because he has a massive insecurity complex when it comes to his
relationships with women. We just…plant the seed and add water once in awhile.”
“Plant a seed?” Matt says skeptically. “You can’t be serious.”
“Just a hint here or there that this cheesehead isn’t worth his time. And you and I can
keep him busy with other stuff so he doesn’t have time to pursue this woman. Or we can
convince him that she really isn’t interested in him. How hard can that be?” I ask in all
seriousness.
“Maybe under different circumstances, not so hard, but you didn’t see these two. They
are both seriously smitten. And Donna? The cheesehead? She’s intelligent, beautiful,
and a smart ass.”
“Shit. We’re screwed.” I admit and sink lower into his chair.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“How was the chicken salad?” I ask.
“Tasteless.” Josh replies immediately and without forethought. It makes me laugh.
“Really? You ate it all.” I note.
“I was distracted by a thing.” He shrugs, but his eyes twinkle when they meet mine again.
“So, Donna Moss, do I get a reward for finishing my chicken salad?”
“Of course.” I tell him with a straight face. “You may have ice cream for dessert.” Again,
his eyes twinkle.
“That’s not quite the reward I was envisioning.” He tells me and his dimples make an
appearance. I’m a little flustered by his direct stare so I change the subject.
“This is a lovely restaurant. Thanks for bringing me here.”
“My pleasure.” He replies.
“Josh. I’ve been trying to reach you all day.” A voice reaches us from just behind Josh.
This has been happening all through dinner. I’m apparently dining with an important man.
“Sorry, Senator, I’ve been on the hill most of the day and didn’t get your message; new
assistant.” Josh apologizes.
“Again? Josh, they should just get you a revolving door.” The Senator jokes.
“Hey, I kept an assistant for 3 months.” Josh defends himself.
“Would those be the 3 months you were out of the office, recuperating?” I ask and the
Senator laughs.
“Jeff Tolbin.” He offers me his hand.
“Senior Senator from Illinois.” I reply and shake his hand. Oops, I didn’t mean to say that
out loud. It’s just that I’ve been studying the players, you know?
“Yes, and you are?”
“Forgive me, Senator. This is Donna Moss, she’s the new research assistant for
Congressman Skinner.” Josh completes the introduction and I can’t help think that he’s
also warning the Senator that I work for the enemy.
“You’re not giving away party secrets just because she’s a beautiful woman, are you
Josh?” Senator Tolbin asks.
“If I knew any, they’d be in grave danger about now, sir.” Josh admits and I can literally
feel my face turn red.
“I can hardly blame you. You’ll call me in the morning?”
“First thing. Goodnight, sir.” Josh rises to shake his hand and sits back down again.
“Sorry about that. I really should have picked somewhere off the beaten path where we’d
be less likely to be interrupted.”
“Don’t be silly. I’m guessing it’s a professional hazard in this town. Besides, the food was
wonderful, the ambiance lovely and…oh, they’re starting to play live music!” A quintet
starts to play a Chopin piece and I don’t think the evening could possibly get any better.
“Would you like some dessert?” Josh asks solicitously.
“I don’t think I could eat another bite.” I admit. We’ve been sparring about politics and
current events all through dinner. I’m actually pretty proud that I’m holding my own here.
The man loves to argue. I’m keeping up my pretense that I’m on the other end of the
political spectrum and since he’s never outright asked me if I’m a Republican I feel no
need to admit it and short circuit my fun.
“We could share.” He offers. “Or is that too close to socialism for you?”
“Hmmmm…Since I’m sticking you with the check, it could be argued that it isn’t so much
socialism as capitalism at work. I let the market dictate the value of dessert with me.”
“Uh-huh. I’m a very persuasive man, Donna. All the television pundits say so. It’s only a
matter of time before I bring you over from the dark side.” He tells me. I smile wondering
what he’d say if I told him that wasn’t as much of a challenge as he thinks.
“Maybe you should save your powers of persuasion for more important matters.” I
suggest and he nods knowingly. He motions for the waiter and orders a piece of
cheesecake for us to share after checking for my approval. He takes my hand in his and
we sit quietly just enjoying the music. It isn’t long before I notice him rubbing the back of
his neck and then his temples.
“Are you okay?” I ask. His face has gotten pale.
“I’m sorry. My head is just throbbing all of sudden.” He tries to re-assure me. “I’m fine. It’s
probably just my body rebelling against the infusion of a healthy meal.”
I smile back but it’s clear he doesn’t feel well. “I have some motrin in my purse.” I tell him
and he immediately takes me up on my offer of medication and tosses back a couple pills.
Still, he obviously isn’t well.
“Josh? Why don’t we call it a night? You don’t look very good.”
“Thanks a lot, Donna.” He pretends offense. “I’ll be fine as soon as the motrin kicks in.
Besides, we ordered dessert.”
I can take care of that. I flag down the waiter and tell him we’ll take the cheesecake to go.
Josh’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Will you be taking charge of the check now, too?”
He asks.
“I feel confident that you can handle that small detail.” I tell him although now that the
meal is over it occurs to me that the bill may not be a SMALL detail. Nonetheless, he
takes care of it in no time and soon we’re walking toward Ainsley’s place. We debated
taking a cab the short distance but when I suggest the fresh air might help his headache
he readily agrees.
“Fresh air, exercise and healthy food all in one day. Who’d ever had guessed?” He
teases.
“Careful it might become a habit.” I note.
“Doubtful. Left to my own devices, I’m afraid I’ll just drift back to my old bad habits.” He
says mournfully.
“You may need more personal guidance.” I agree.
“That’s a very generous offer.” He accepts an offer I never made. “Thanks.”
“I wasn’t offering MY personal guidance.”
“Just like a Republican. I’m struggling to make a major change in my life and I’m left to pull
myself up by my own bootstraps.” He complains.
“Too much of a handout might blunt your ability to stick with the changes you’re trying to
make. It’s really for your own good.” I explain.
“Ah!” He laughs. “Hoist on my own petard.”
“You look like you’re feeling better.” I tell him.
“Walking in the moonlight with you has incredible restorative powers.” He quips.
“Sadly for you, the walk is over. This is Ainsley’s building.” I motion to the doors to our
right. Reluctantly, we both walk up the front steps.
“I have a dilemma.” He tells me looking at his shoes.
“Let me help you with that. I’M keeping the cheesecake.”
He laughs again. “Okay, two dilemmas.” He amends. “The second one is this: Usually,
on a night like this, when I’ve enjoyed the company of a lovely and charming woman, and I’
ve walked her to the door…Usually, if the companion is so inclined, I might end the
evening with a kiss goodnight.”
“But in this case?” My heart is pounding so hard, I swear he must be able to hear it.
“Never having dated a Republican before, I’m unsure of the protocol. I mean, usually
Republicans are more socially conservative and I wouldn’t want to take the initiative on a
kiss that you might not feel comfortable engaging in on a front stoop in Georgetown,
thereby putting a horrible ending to an otherwise lovely evening. So I really don’t know
how to proceed at this point without disappointing one or both of us and-“
Unable to take it any longer, I grab his tie and pull him close enough to plant a thorough
kiss on his lips. He freezes for a second before he shifts into gear and kisses me back,
using his hands to move our bodies closer together. It’s electric and one hell of a first
kiss. When I finally pull back to catch my breath, we’re both panting.
“Damn.” He mutters. “You’re pretty forward for a conservative Republican.”
I take a step away from him, the container of cheesecake safely in my hands. “That’s
because I’m a liberal Democrat. Goodnight, Joshua. Thanks for everything.” I slip into the
building before he can respond.
New dress at Macy’s; $139.00. New shoes; $69.00. Cost of borrowing my cousin’s
designer purse; one week of washing dishes. Leaving Joshua Lyman, political operative
extraordinaire, speechless on the front stoop? Priceless…
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
4.
There’s a pounding on my door and it can be only one person at this time of night. I open
the door and sure enough, there he is.
Josh.
Anyone else would have been way more polite....by not coming by at this hour...
“SHE’S A DEMOCRAT!?”
“This is a bad thing for you?” I ask raising my eyebrows.
“You hired a Democrat?” he seems...shocked.
“She’s doing research for me. Plus she argues with me all the time and works kinda fun
now.” I confess.
“Because being a United States Congressman had no perks before she came along.” he
says dryly, dropping down onto my couch.
“Ainsley told me I had to hire her because I needed a smart person in my office who
disagreed with me.” I explain and Josh lets out a rather ironic sounding laugh. “What?”
“That’s how the President and Leo got Ainsley to come work for us.”
“Damn! She swindled me.” I say dramatically. “Well, whatever. Donna’s good at her job.
Yes, she’s a Democrat. I assumed you knew that and that’s why she was attractive to
you.”
“No. I assumed she was a Republican and she just let me believe it and argued with me.
She just told me now.”
I laugh out loud. “I told you she was snarky.”
“Yeah, she’s pretty good.”
“Met your match, have you?” I smile.
“Yeah, I think so.” he says. He looks a little distracted now and he also looks a little pale.
“Are you feeling all right?”
“Do I look like shit?” he shoots back. “Donna asked me that, too.”
“You don’t look good. When do you have another checkup?”
“I don’t.” he says. “I got the all clear to go back to work. That was it. The love affair
between me and my medical team is now over. Did you hear that? Medical TEAM, not just
one. And you don’t even want to see how much money they’re telling me I have to pay
OUTSIDE of insurance.”
“Yeah, insurance in this country sucks. Somebody should do something about it.” I snark.
I’m going to get him some water. He looks like he could use it. I have noticed the
differences in him lately and I have been concerned, but come on. The guy was shot.
That’s got to throw you for a loop, you know? He had bypass surgery. This is a guy who’s
made of kinetic energy and had to be still for three months.
I return to the living room and hand him the bottle of water wordlessly. Just as silently, he
accepts it. There’s not a person on the planet that knows this guy like I do. Sure, there
are those that know him well. Real well in the case of Mike and Chris. But only I know how
he gets when he’s nervous. Only I know what goes through his head when he thinks he’s
going to fail at something. Only I know that there’s massive amounts of insecurity under
the tough and confident political savant exterior that everybody sees.
And in case you’re wondering, no, I’ve never wished I could date him.
Chris and Mike see sides to him that nobody else does. But he comes to me when he’s
really having a problem because I grew up with the guy. I knew his sister. I saw how
devastated he was when she died. I’ve seen this man cry. Chris and Mike? Not so much.
“I think you should make an appointment to see your doctor.” I say. “Or at the very least,
talk to the First Lady.”
He huffs and falls back into the couch cushions. “It’s November. My immune system is just
getting back up to snuff. I’m probably just coming down with something.”
“Okay.” I say, letting it drop. This is where everyone else makes their mistakes with Josh.
They’d hound the shit out of him. That only makes things a mess. Josh needs to be
finessed. In everything. You want to see an high maintenance friend? This is him, my
friends.
I remember the day I told him I was gay. I took him out in my father’s boat so when the
fight started, no one would hear it and he couldn’t escape. He looked at me incredulously
and said, “Gay AND a Republican?” And that was it. He was a little off for a couple of
weeks while he got adjusted to the idea, but that was that.
“So, now that you’ve spent a little more time with her, what do you think of Donna?” I
change the subject.
He smiles lightly while he thinks about it.
He’s so gone.
“She’s really smart. Until she told me she was a Democrat, all through dinner, she argued
the Republican side of everything and really believably. She’s funny. She’s beautiful. She
made me eat chicken.”
“So things went well then?” I ask.
He looks up at me and he looks so sincere. “She’s just what I need, Matt.”
“Well, I hope if works out then.”
I genuinely mean that, too. I know Mike is concerned and thinks that this is a bad time to
start a relationship, and maybe it is. But what if she’s what he needs? What if his pursuit
of her is what keeps him motivated? She’s getting him to eat better, and he’s so smitten,
he is. How can that be a bad thing? I think Mike needs to actually meet her.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“So, how’d it go?” Ainsley asks me as soon as I close the door to her apartment.
I smile and lean up against the door. “Wonderful.” I sigh.
“Seriously?” she looks a little surprised.
“Yeah.” I say then lose my smile. “Why?”
“I don’t know.” she shrugs. “He’s known for not being able to keep assistants and being...
well, an ego maniac.”
“Hey,” I say hanging up my coat and dropping down onto the couch with her. “I felt kinda
funny asking Matt this, but you’ve been around here for a while. Sherry, Matt’s
receptionist, said that Josh is known for being a player and a power dater.”
Ainsley bursts out laughing and clamps her hand over her mouth. “That’s a no?” I
surmise.
“Donna, he hasn’t dated anyone in about three years now. The last person he dated was
Mandy Hampton, a media consultant and a bitch, but not too much of a player in the
party. She worked for the President for a while but left after the shooting. There’s
whispers around the White House that Leo actually fired her, but no one really knows if
that’s true. But a player? Josh? No.”
“He didn’t SEEM like that type.” I say relieved and pick at the lint on the couch. “But
Sherry said...”
“Donna, I will tell you this. Josh is one of DC’s most eligible bachelors. Like, half the
women in DC want to date him or just sleep with him.”
“Really?” I ask.
“Really.”
“And he wants to date me?” I’m a little surprised by this revelation. I mean, why go after
this little nobody from Wisconsin when you can date a woman that’s going to advance
your career and clout around town?
“Well, seeing as how he doesn’t actually sleep around, I would assume he’s not attracted
to those kinds of women.” she shrugs.
I roll on my back and look up at her. “He kissed me.”
“Yeah?”
“Well, technically he was talking about how he wasn’t sure if I would kiss him, being that
he thought I was a conservative Republican and not a hussy, so I grabbed him and
kissed him.”
“Proving that you are a hussy?”
“Hey!” I say smacking her leg.
“I’m just kidding.” she laughs. “I know you’re not a hussy. Is he a good kisser?”
“Yeah.” I sigh again. “A really good kisser.”
“Have you told him about Dan?”
“No.” I say pulling my knees up. “We didn’t really talk about stuff like that. I suppose it’ll
come out in the natural course of getting to know each other. Do you think it’s a bad time
for me to date? What if Josh is rebound?”
“I don’t think he’s rebound.” she says confidently.
“No?”
“I don’t think he’d stand for being rebound.” she shakes her head. “But he is recovering
from being shot, so taking it slow would probably be a good thing on both your parts. He’s
really behind at work, and Sam says he’s been kinda snappy and cranky.”
“Who’s Sam?”
“The guy I spanked on t.v.”
“Oh. He knows him well?”
“Yeah, they’ve been friends for a while.”
“Matt’s known him all his life.”
“Really? I knew they were friends but I didn’t know they’d known each other that long.”
she says a little surprised.
“Yeah. They went to college together and everything.”
“Well, then he’s probably the best one to tell you more about Josh.” she says. And I drop
my legs back down and think about that kiss again. I wonder if he’d be surprised if I
showed up at his place and told him it was just because I wanted to kiss him again. Might
be a good idea...if I knew where the hell he lived. I don’t even have his phone number yet.
I’ll have to call him at the White House tomorrow. I think that’s information I’m going to
need.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“Donna.” Matt says and this bombshell looks up at us. “This is Mike Casper.”
“Oh hi!” she smiles. Damn, that’s some kind of smile. “The one that works for the FBI?”
“That’s me.” I smile back and she walks over and shakes my hand. She’s hot.
“Donna went out to dinner with Josh last night.” Matt informs me with a look.
“Really?” I ask. “How was that?”
“Oh, he’s a great guy.” she gushes. Wait. She’s gushing? About Josh? “He’s so smart
and so funny. He’s got a great smile.”
I look over at Matt with a raised eyebrow. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a woman gush
about Josh like that before. They usually talk about all the political power he’s got. Oh,
and that cutest ass in politics thing, which I personally think is debatable. They talk about
how he devours his opponents on Meet the Press, but funny? Can’t say I’ve heard that
one before.
“Oh God, you’re going to, like, live here now aren’t you?” Matt groans as Josh enters the
office.
“I’m not here for you.” Josh shoots back smiling at Donna.
“I kinda figured that.”
I catch the look passing between Josh and Donna. You can feel the energy in the room
rise. She’s watching him with eyes that are much brighter than they were just a moment
ago. He’s smiling bigger than I’ve seen him smile since before the shooting. He sits down
on the corner of her desk and starts fiddling with some koosh thing she’s got there.
“So, it’s lunch time.” he notes to her.
“This is where my taxpayer dollars go? The Deputy Chief of Staff coming to my office
himself to tell me the time of day?” she smirks. Oh, she IS a smart ass. And he is eating it
up.
“Yes. And not only have I take the time out of my VERY busy schedule to do that, but I
thought that maybe you could point out the healthier food on the menu of Moby Dick’s in
Georgetown.”
“Moby Dick’s?” I blurt. “Five Guys has the best burgers.” Josh shoots me a glare. What?
What’d I say? It does. It’s his favorite lunch place.
“Moby Dick’s you say?” she pulls up the menu on the Internet and looks it over, then
nods. “It’s acceptable.”
Josh looks over at Matt. “Hey, don’t look at me.” he says throwing up his hands. “I’m just
the boss. Pay no mind to me.”
“Great!” Josh says, then turns to Donna. “Get your coat.” When she walks back with it, he
actually takes it from her and helps her shrug into it. They leave the office hand in hand,
smiling at each other like a couple of teenagers.
“Still think it’s a bad idea?” Matt asks me.
“I think it’s a VERY bad idea.” I reply. “She is hot though.”
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“Where is she?” Chris demands swinging into my office. I love how everyone thinks I have
nothing to do.
“Where is who?” I sigh.
“The girl that’s got everyone in a tizzy? Diane?”
“Donna.” I say.
“Yeah, her. Where is she?”
“Out to lunch with Josh.” I say, pushing the bill I was reading aside and leaning back in my
chair. Chris heads over to my minibar and pours himself a drink. What the hell, right? It’s
5 o’clock somewhere.
“At the White House?” he asks handing me a scotch.
“Nope.” I reply. “He’s been dragging her to every dining establishment in Georgetown
under the guise of checking the menu for healthy food.”
“Josh is having lunch, with a woman, outside of the White House.”
“And apparently, this is a very bad thing.” I drone.
“I can see Mike’s point.”
“Yeah? Well, you need to see Josh around Donna because he really likes her.” I reply.
“He’s excited about her and he hasn’t dated anyone in three years.”
“I’m just saying, Mike’s right, he’s been acting weird lately. Maybe he should just take it
easy and get back up to par.” He suggests.
“Get back up to par?” I repeat. “He was cleared to go back to work. He’s scaring the shit
out of everyone with this marriage recognition veto shit, how much more up to par does
he need to be? He likes her, she likes him. Why is this so bad?”
“Maybe it’s not.” He shrugs.
“Maybe you should come down on somebody’s side here.”
“I see both sides.”
“That’s exactly what got you in hot water with Josh a few months ago, by the way, when
you let those other guys lead you off the reservation and you’ve been walking on
eggshells around him ever since.”
“Josh and I are fine.” He dismisses with a hand wave.
“Yeah, but you’re still freaked out by him around here. I told you when you won that seat
that Josh doesn’t fuck around.”
“Nice mouth, Congressman.”
“It’s his job.” I insist, blowing that little comment off.
“You didn’t vote for it.”
“I’m a Republican.”
“Can we move off this topic and back to the original one?” he says impatiently. “You
haven’t noticed anything wrong with Josh? Mike said you blew him off.”
“Of course I have.” I reply. “But I’m not going to sabotage something that’s making him
happy. Give the guy a break, his life was all over CNN for weeks. If he’s not back to
normal by Christmas, we’ll sit him down. If you and Mike hound the shit out of him, he’s
going to go into a corner and stay there. You can’t do that crap with him.”
“People are saying he’s off his game.”
“And what are you saying in response?”
“That Josh Lyman doesn’t get off his game and they’d be foolish to operate under that
assumption.”
I nod, happy with his answer. “Everybody wants him off his game. If you guys want him to
get back to what you say is normal, you need to give him some space and treat him like
you always do. Stop babying him.”
“We’re just concerned.”
“I’m concerned, too.” I say, then lower my voice as I see Donna and Josh return outside.
“Just give him a little time to bounce back.” I stand up and gesture for him to follow me out
to the outer office. It’s just Josh and Donna out here as everyone else has gone to lunch.
“Hey.” I greet.
“Hi, Matt.” Donna smiles at us. Josh has his arm around her and it tightens a bit around
her waist.
“Donna, this is Chris Wick.” I introduce.
“Hi.” She smiles at him, and god help the poor guy, he falls under the same spell
everyone else does and smiles like a buffoon as he shakes her hand.
“It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“From who?” Josh asks.
“Uh…Matt.” He says. Thanks a lot. “He says you’re a great researcher. Maybe I could
steal you away from the dark side. I’m actually a Democrat.” Josh arches a brow and
looks away, but wisely holds his tongue. That’s between them. They don’t seem to be too
much worse for the wear after that, so I’m going to leave it alone and let them resolve it
themselves.
“Well, I have to get back.” He says pulling away from her. He leans in and kisses her and
my eyes pop out of my head as I see her grab onto his arm. She looks a little dazed when
he pulls away.
Damn.
“Hey! Don’t grope my staff at work!” I say.
“I’ll pick you up later.” He says quietly to her.
“Kay.” She smiles.
“Bye, guys.” He says to us. I’m surprised he remembered we were in the room. Donna
smiles as she watches him leave, then resumes her seat at her desk.
“Well, well, well.” Chris says with raised eyebrows and walks over near her. “It seems you’
ve made quite an impression on our boy.”
“He’s very charming.” She smiles.
“Charming!?” Chris laughs. “I guess.”
She cocks her head to the side and looks at him in question. “Well, I find him charming.”
She says stressing the word I.
“It’s okay, Donna.” I say jumping into the fray. “We’re just not used to a woman pointing
out qualities of Josh that we don’t really see. He’s had no reason to, you know, show us
the charming side. We’ll be in here.” I yank Chris back into my office.
“Nice job.” I say, closing the door.
“Mike’s right, she is hot.” He smiles.
“You two would be wise to never repeat those words around Josh.” I say, looking down at
my desk and pulling the file I was working on back into view.
“He does seem to like her though.” He says thoughtfully.
“He likes her a lot.” I reply and my extension buzzes.
“Yeah, Donna.”
“Matt, the majority leader is on the line. He needs to talk to you about the Marriage
Recognition Act.”
I look over at Chris, who raises his eyebrows and his hands and turns away.
Shit. This can’t be good.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Angels and Demons 5.
“I have to take this, I’m sorry.” I excuse myself once I see the number on the caller ID, and
turn away from the lunch table. “Josh Lyman.”
“I was told by my assistant you wanted to speak to me?” Congressman Grisholm plays
innocent with me. I hate that.
“I was told by the whips office that you may be wavering on the vote.” I lay it on the line.
Normally, I’d play around with him a bit for sport, but I’m anxious to get back to lunch with
the fair Donnatella. It’s our third lunch this week and the magic just isn’t wearing off. Isn’t
that a beautiful name; Donnatella? Matt slipped me this interesting bit of information from
her employment application. I’m waiting for just the right occasion to use it. I’m thinking at
some point when we’re both partially naked. God…what was I saying?
“See, the thing is, Josh, my constituents really aren’t in favor of this bill. I’m getting calls at
the rate of 3 to 1 against. So I really can’t support the President on this one. You
understand, right?”
“Oh, sure, I understand. I understand completely. I just want to make sure you
understand.” I reply and take a carrot, yes a carrot, off my plate and munch on it.
“Understand…?” He asks hesitantly. What a putz.
“Understand when the amendment you want to add to the highways bill gets no support.
Turns out the PRESIDENT’S constituents really aren’t in favor of it. Also, the
subcommittee chair position is going to have to go to Montgomery.”
“Montgomery!” He protests. I keep munching on the carrot after I dip it in some kind of
sauce…hmmmmm, not too bad.
“Yeah, he’s not only voting for the President’s bill, but he’s bringing three ‘yea’ votes with
him. He’s my new best friend. Good things happen to my best friends. I’m sure it’s
coincidental. Oh, I just remembered something else! The President isn’t going to be
available for the photo op with you on Friday. I’m sure you ‘understand’.”
“Josh…wait a second…I…I obviously misunderstood the importance of this vote to the
President.” Yeah, we’ve gotten to the groveling portion of the program. “I’m sure I can find
a way to explain the vote to my constituents.”
“Sure you can. You’re a very talented politician.” I figuratively pat his head and eat
another carrot. “The President will be very happy to hear you’ve changed your mind.”
“And he’ll be able to make the photo op on Friday?” He wants to know.
“Yeah…I’ll have to get back to you on that.” I snap the phone shut and look over at my
lunch companion. Her mouth is gaping open and her face is a kind of pink color.
“Donna? Are you okay?”
“You were just threatening a Congressman.”
“Well…yeah. That’s my job.” I explain. Shit. I’m guessing this isn’t how they conduct
business in Madison. “Look, sometimes when things get down to the wire…”
“Can you do it again?”
“What?”
“Call another one.” She says in a really low voice and then it hits me. She’s all turned on
by this. I can’t help the smile that creeps onto my face. Besides our lunches, things have
been too busy to enjoy a normal evening date so our…courtship as been limited to a
quick kiss goodbye after lunch and holding hands while we walk around the city. It’s not
that I’m not anxious to move on here, but as I mentioned before I’ve got these nasty scars
and I’m not all that anxious for Donna to see them.
Still, this is the first real indication I’ve had that she’d be comfortable with a little…more.
Except for when she planted one on me the first night we went out. That was amazing.
“I…really don’t have another one to call right now. But if one comes up, I’ll be sure to let
you know.” I lean closer to her in the booth we’re sharing. Our lips are a whisper apart.
“Will there be anything else today, Mr. Lyman?” God, I had to pick a place with excellent
service. We both abruptly turn away and feign a great interest in our plates.
“No, I left a copy of the credit slip for you. Thanks, Todd.” I manage a weak smile. “Ready
to go, Donna?”
“Umm…sure.” She replies and slips out of the booth and takes my outstretched hand. If
anyone told me a couple weeks ago that I’d be walking through D.C. hand in hand with a
woman from Wisconsin that I’d just met, I’d have laughed them off. But this? It just feels
right. We get outside the restaurant and we’re walking silently down the street. When we
get to the corner, Donna tugs on my hand and pulls me into the alley where her lips again
clamp on mine and her hands wander inside my jacket and glide across my chest. Dear.
God.
“Are all women from Wisconsin like this? Cause I got to say-“
“Shut up.” She orders and I obey. Her mouth is like honey. Finally I get why Winnie the
Pooh can’t get enough of the stuff. I have to get back to the White House…I know there’s
something important going on there soon…what IS that again? Hmmmm…god, she’s so
warm and soft…and did I mention sweet?
“Donnatella…” I know, we’re not half naked, but I wish we were so that’s going to have to
count for now. “President Bartlet!” My head snaps up as I remember my post lunch
appointment. Donna’s head snaps back too, only hers snaps back in amusement.
“You really shouldn’t call out someone else’s name while you’re kissing me, Joshua. It’s
bad form.” She snarks. God, I love this woman! Shit! Did I just say that out loud? Her
expression hasn’t changed so I’m guessing not. Whewww. I’ve only known her for like, a
week, I can’t be in love with her already, but…
“I…I have a meeting…with the President…of the United States.” I manage even though
my breathing is still heavy.
She smirks a little. “He’s the only one I’d let you leave me for.” She punctuates her
comment with another kiss. I wonder if I can call in sick? “Thanks for lunch.”
“We need to quit the lunches.” I say without thinking and see the shock on her face. “No! I
mean, quit the lunches to make room for dinners instead…or maybe breakfasts?” She
rewards me for this brilliant idea with another kiss. Being smart is apparently a turn on for
Donnatella Moss. Where the hell was she when I was in college?
“I’ve really got to go.” I tell her reluctantly and she nods her understanding. “I’ll talk to you
later?”
“Sure. Say ‘hi’ to the President for me.” She teases. Then I remember something else.
“Say ‘hi’ to him yourself.” I challenge and she laughs.
“Sure, I’ll just drop by the Oval on my way back to work.”
“You could. But I was talking about the fundraiser thing on Saturday. Come with me and I’
ll introduce you to him.” I offer.
“Meet the President of the United States.” She repeats.
“He’ll love you. You two share a geeky research gene.”
“I’m SO telling him you said that.” She threatens.
“He won’t be surprised, I assure you.” I tell her.
“A fundraiser sounds expensive.” She says quietly. Shit. I didn’t think about that. She’s
staying with Ainsley and just started a new job, it’ not like she’s sitting on fat bank account
right now.
“Since I’m taking you, it only seems fair that I get you a dress for the thing.” I toss out
there.
“No, Josh, that wouldn’t be right, and a big fancy fundraiser with all these important
people…I just wouldn’t feel comfortable.”
“I wouldn’t feel comfortable without you there.” I tell her honestly and see her eyes soften.
“Please?”
“I wouldn’t fit in there, Josh.” She tells me, but I know that she would. Time to bring out the
big guns.
“I dare you.” I say and watch her eyes narrow.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. I dare you to go to the fundraiser with me. In fact, I double dare you to go
to the fundraiser and let me find the perfect dress for the occasion.”
Her eyes travel dubiously down my rumpled suit and questionable tie.
“Fine. Matt will find you the perfect dress.” I amend the dare.
“Are you sure?” She confirms. “Isn’t there someone more…”
“More what?” I ask laughing.
“More ‘in the beltway’ I guess.” She waves her arm around the general vicinity of the D.C.
neighborhood.
“I’m sure there are plenty of women ‘more in the beltway’.” I confirm. “But nobody is more
beautiful, charming, and fun than you. I double dare you, Donnatella.”
One of the things I’ve discovered about Donna is that she is no more capable of stepping
away from a dare than I am.
“Stop. Calling me that.” She sidesteps.
“You didn’t seem to mind a minute ago.” I tease. “Chicken….”
“Fine. I’ll go. Happy?” she rolls her eyes at me.
“Ecstatic!” I reply and give her one more kiss before I have to dash back to work. “I’ll call
you tonight. Bye, Donnatella!”
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“What?” Josh looks up at me. What is with the kid? Is it this new woman I’ve been hearing
about that’s distracting him? Nah, it started before the woman came on the scene.
“The President asked if Grisholm is back on the reservation.” I repeat for him while the
President looks at him with narrowed eyes.
“Oh, yeah. I mean, yes sir. I just spoke with him. He’s looking forward to your photo op on
Friday.” Josh answers.
“What did we have to promise him?” I ask.
“Nothing.” He replies and I raise my eyebrows at him. “Nothing, Leo. We’re all good. He’s
just happy to help out the President on this one.” Josh gives me what I refer to as his
‘shark smile’. There’s a story there. I’ll have to get it from him later.
“Good work.” There is nobody in this city sharper, ladies and gentlemen, then Joshua
Lyman when he brings his A game. I just haven’t seen that much of it lately. “Oh, and I
need to you call and personally invite Weissinger to the thing on Saturday.”
“He didn’t get a formal invitation?” Josh asks in surprise.
“No, he did. He’s just complaining that he’s not feeling the love lately. He’s a huge donor,
and we want him to feel the love. Maybe ask to escort the daughter or something. Didn’t
she have some sort of a crush?”
“No.” Josh replies.
“I could have sworn I heard that she did.” I frown.
“No, she did, but no, I can’t escort the daughter. I’ve already asked someone else.” Josh
explains. What? Now I take my glasses off and look at my Deputy a little closer.
“You’re bringing a date to the fundraiser? You never bring dates to the fundraiser.”
“Well, I’m bringing a date to this one. Have Sam escort the daughter.” He suggests, but
Sam coughs.
“Actually, I’m already bringing someone myself.” Sam admits.
“Who are you bringing?” Josh asks Sam.
“Who are you bringing?” Sam asks back.
“I asked you first.” Josh stated. “Tell me who you’re bringing and then I’ll tell you who I’m
bringing.”
“Yours is Donna. Who else could it possibly be?” Sam scoffs.
“LEO!” The President roars. He really doesn’t have patience for this stuff. Not like I do,
but…
“Just call Weissinger and make sure he knows we’re looking forward to seeing him.
Anything else? No? Good. Go do a job, people.” Our staff streams from the room, Josh
and Sam immediately bickering again and I think I hear Josh scream, “Ainsley Hayes?!”
but I’m not certain.
“Leo, does Josh seem off to you?” The President asks me.
“Maybe a little, sir, but I don’t know that that’s unusual given what he’s been through.” I
shrug.
“He’s been spending nights and weekends in the building since he got back. Shoo him
out of here will you?”
“I’ll see what I can do sir, but honestly, Josh doesn’t like feeling like he’s behind and after
missing 3 months of work you KNOW he’s feeling behind.”
“Keep an eye on him will you? Abby’ asking me all sorts of questions I really don’t feel
qualified to answer.”
“So you’re just going to tell Abby I’M on top of it?” I roll my eyes. “Great. We can add
medical health professional to my growing lit of duties.”
“I don’t get the feeling that it’ his medical health she’s concerned about…anyway, just
keep an eye on him and make sure he leaves the building for food and sleep, okay?”
“Yes, sir.” I agree reluctantly and return to my office. It’s not like he has to ask me to keep
an eye on Josh. He’s like a son to me. I thought I was going to die that night in Rosslyn;
my best friend and my surrogate son both shot. Lord may I never have to live through
anything like that again! Yeah…I think the worst is over.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“I’ll be done in just a few minutes, I promise.” He shouts back to me from his office.
“Don’t worry about it. Your work is important, I get that.” I assure him and wander around
his living room. It is lived in; not actually dirty, just very…messy. Out of habit, and a bit of
boredom, I start straightening things out; newspapers and magazines in one pile,
research papers and briefing memos in another. There are three different books, all
political in nature, opened and left for dead at different spots. I mark the pages with sticky
notes before placing them back on his extensive bookshelves.
He has like a million pictures scattered all over the room and it makes me feel good to
see how much he enjoys being surrounded by memories of family and friends. I see a
picture of him with an older man and woman that can only be his parents and I frown. He
told me how he lost his Dad to cancer during the Presidential campaign and I could hear
in his voice how much that loss still pain him. He talks about his mom with great affection. I
hope I get to meet her at some point.
There are several pictures of ‘the gang’, as I think of them, all over and varying in age.
These four men are very different and yet they’re connected in a way that you don’t see
very often with men. They truly care about each other very much; they tease each other
mercilessly and love to give each other shit, but at the end of the day any one of them
would walk through fire for any of the others…and they all know it too.
We all went out for drinks after work a couple nights ago and the other three took great
delight in telling stories designed to embarrass Josh. But they were also asking me a lot
of questions; especially Mike, like they were making sure I was good enough for their
friend. I didn’t take it personally, I assume they’d be cautious about any woman entering
Josh’s life. He’s been through a lot lately and they don’t want to see him hurt any more.
“Thanks for being patient. With the President getting ready to go to Portland and this
vote coming up…” He waves his hands in dismissal.
“The Marriage Recognition Act?” I ask.
“I’m not discussing that with you.” He’s been adamant about this vote being off limits. We
discuss everything else so I don’t get the embargo on this subject, but he feels very
strongly about it so…
“Whatever. Are you done now? With work?” I ask as I finish moving the re-organized piles
onto the end table.
“Are you…cleaning?” He asks.
“Just straightening up a little. That’s not a problem, is it?” Have I touched something I
shouldn’t have? Moved a sacrosanct object of some sorts?
“You don’t have to do that.” He tells me. I think he’s embarrassed. That’s kind of cute.
“I really do. There was nowhere to sit.” I explain. He rolls his eyes and flops onto the
couch. After only a second of hesitation, I join him there. Then my eyes land on a picture I
didn’t notice before. “Who’s that?” I point to the picture.
“That’s me and my sister Joanie.” He admits and puts his arm around me.
I slap his chest. “You didn’t tell me you had a sister.”
“Joanie died when I was 9. There was a fire in our house and she didn’t make it out.”
“Oh, God, Josh! I’m so sorry!” I cover my mouth with my hands in horror. What did I say?
He takes my hands in his and pulls them away from my face. “It’s okay, Donna. You didn’t
know. It was a very long time ago.”
“Still…” I shake my head in sadness and press my palm to his cheek. “You’ve been
through way too much in your short life, Joshua.” I offer a kiss, but it’s not one of the
passion filled kisses we’ve been sharing lately. It’s the sort of kiss you’d give a child who’d
been hurt. His head drops to his chest and I drop a kiss on his forehead too. “She looks
like she’s full of mischief. Is that where you learned to make trouble?”
“At a very early age, yes.” Josh smiles sweetly and looks up at his sister’s picture. “It
sounds goofy, I guess, but I really miss her sometimes. Especially now that it’s just me
and Mom.”
“I don’t think it’s goofy. I’d have loved to have a sister. Two older brothers did not make
growing up easy, believe me.” I can feel the chuckle bubble up in chest.
“I’m guessing they had their hands full keeping the boys away from their sister.”
“There weren’t many guys brave enough to knock on my front door.” I agree.
We just cuddle in a comfortable silence for awhile. I get the feeling he’s looking for a way
to change the subject. A minute later I’m vindicated.
“Explain to me again why I don’t get to preview this dress I paid for?” He asks.
“Because it’s a surprise.” I answer primly. The dress makes me feel like a Princess and
keeping it a surprise helps me live out that fantasy. “When you see me Saturday in my
gorgeous new dress and strappy new heels you’ll-“
“Heels? I never agreed to buy new shoes!” He protests but I can tell he’s messing with me.
“Matt said you Okayed everything.” I counter playing along.
“Everything?!” His voice gets all high and squeaky.
“You can’t just go in a dress!” I explain. “A woman needs shoes, a purse, jewelry,
cosmetics-“
“Just how much did Matt soak me for?” Josh demands to know.
“It will be worth it, I promise you.” Matt assured me that nothing we spent was out of Josh’s
comfort zone. In fact, he kind of implied Josh was loaded. You’d never know it looking at
how and where he lives. I mean, he has a very nice place, and drives a great car, but
most in Washington politics do.
“How worth it?” He asks skeptically.
“Oh, I think you’ll find it’s worth every penny.” I purr. “And if you don’t think so, then you
can feel free to remove it from my body and return it.”
“What if, in order to judge it’s worth, I need to see it on a hanger at the end of the
evening?” He asks quietly and kisses the side of my neck. We’ve been dancing around
this subject for a few days now.
“In the interest of practicing my debate skills, we could argue the point.” I suggest.
“I’d really prefer to use your lips for activities other than debating.”
“I don’t know, Josh. Listening to you debate an issue really gets me hot.”
“In that case...” Josh smiles and keeping his eyes on mine, unbuttons my shirt. “The test
ban treaty should have been ratified. Not having that treaty endangers our lives and the
lives of our children.” He rattles off passionately.
“Tell me more.” I whisper in his ear.
“We have to have Universal healthcare, Donnatella. People are being turned away by
insurance companies for the unpardonable sin of an inherited or pre-existing condition.
Why is it that the richest country in the world can’t see to it that all its’ citizens have
access to basic health care?”
“Kiss me.” I request and he immediately complies. God, does he comply. Things ramp up
pretty quickly and before I know it both our shirts are off and we’re skin to skin from the
waist up. My body is on fire and I can hardly think straight.
“Donnatella…” He moans and takes my breast into his mouth.
“God, Josh…” I throw my head back and close my eyes. I feel his hand venture down my
body and start to unzip my pants. It’s like someone splashes cold water on my face.
“Wait!” I shout and sit up suddenly, conking our heads together.
“Jesus!” Josh shouts and rubs his head with his hand. “What? What did I do?”
“I’m sorry. I’m so…sorry.” I pant and grab my shirt from the floor, hastily putting it on.
“It’s okay. It’s fine.” Josh holds a hand out to reassure me. “What..happened just now? Is
it…is it my scars?”
“God, no!” I tell him quickly. “I didn’t even notice them, I swear. I’m not sure….I…I don’t
think I’m ready.” I tell him while I pace the length of the living room.
“I’m not an ‘expert’ or anything, but it kind of seemed like you were.” Josh looks at me
cautiously.
“I know, I know…I’m sorry.” I tell him sincerely holding my hands to my chest. “It’s
just…well, I told you about Dan…”
Josh rolls his eyes. “Dr. Freeride, right.”
“It’s just that a few weeks ago I was living with him and now-“
“Can we please not talk about that?” Josh requests, reaching for his shirt on the floor.
“But it’s part of this.” I insist and see his eyes spark.
“No. It is NOT part of THIS.” He points his finger between the two of us.
I take a deep breath and try to explain this to him without ticking him off again.
“No…but it’s part of why I don’t trust my judgment much these days. Can you understand
that?” I look directly into his eyes and feel mine start to tear up.
“Oh God, Donna, please don’t cry.” He implores me.
“I’m trying not to. I just need you to understand. This isn’t about you. You’ve been
wonderful and being with you has been…beyond words.” I tell him and something must
sink in because he walks across the room and pulls me into his arms.
“I’m not sure I understand…entirely. But I do know that I want you to feel safe and
comfortable with me.”
“I do.” I promise him. “I just need a little more time?”
“Ah-kay.” Josh let out a breath. “Maybe we should go out for awhile? Get a late night treat
someplace? There’s a fabulous bakery down the street.”
“There’s nothing in a bakery but sugar and fat.” I tell him.
“Give me a break here, Donna.” He moans. “Let me indulge in at least one vice this
evening?”
That makes me chuckle and just like that, everything’s fine between us again.
“Get your jacket, then. It’s cold outside.” I advise him.
“It’s gotten considerably colder inside too.” He mutters.
“Joshua!” I smack him again on his shoulder and he helps me on with my coat first.
“It’s a really hot dress I got you?” He asks and rests his chin on my shoulder.
“Very beautiful…and very hot: even Matt says so. And I’ll be wearing it just for you.” I tell
him.
“Yeah, I’m getting the double fudge brownie deluxe now.” He informs me.
“Will you share?” I pout. He can’t say no to my pout, I’ve discovered.
“I guess…” He takes my hand and leads me away from the apartment of temptation. He
really is a great man.