Chapter 4
“Annabeth, is she in?” Donna asked.
“She just walked in a minute ago.”
“Mrs. Santos, did you have a chance to look through the First Steps program?”
“I spent most of the night looking through it. Donna, if we could make this happen, we could
make an incredible difference for millions of families.”
Donna’s smile grew wider. “Then this is the one? This is what you want to work on?”
“Without a doubt. What do we do first?” Helen asked.
“We run it by the West wing offices and make sure there’s no conflict with their bill. Then we
bring in Senator Lee and the team that put together the program in California. We’ll need to
work overtime to get this done in time to piggy back on the President’s education package.”
“Then we’d better get started.” Helen grinned like a kid at Christmas. With Matt settled into his
job and the kids busy with school and new friends, Helen had been feeling a little out of sorts;
unable to find her role in this new life of theirs.
“I’ll take it over to Josh and clear it. Then I’ll set us up with Senator Lee and the pilot program
coordinators. We’ll want to go over the program with them and decide which portion of the
program we feel comfortable biting off to begin with.”
“Excuse me, Mrs. Santos, but there’s a call from the children’s school. The Principal would like a
word with you; she told me to tell you that no one is in trouble.” Julie, executive assistant to the
First Lady reported with a smile.
“I’d better take the call, just the same.” Mrs. Santos decided and rose to take the call at her
desk.
“Of course. I’ll get started on this and touch base with you later today.” Donna told her. She
shut her daytimer with a snap and headed to Josh’s office. All the way over to the West wing she
was running her imagined conversation with Josh through her head. She’d worked herself up
into such a state over it that she wasn’t sure if she was disappointed or relieved to find that he
was in the Oval with the President.
“Do you want me to have him call you when he gets out?” Carol offered.
“No, I can catch him later; serves me right for walking over without checking his schedule with
you first.” Donna smiled.
“In this case it wouldn’t have helped. This was an unscheduled meeting.”
“Trouble?” Donna asked and Carol nodded. “Security clearance type trouble?”
“Vice-Presidential type trouble.” Carol confided.
“I thought things were rolling along for a Baker confirmation.”
“They’ve rolled to a stop…and hit several small children…so to speak.”
“All of a sudden?” Donna questioned further. “Josh is usually pretty good at picking up those
rumblings.”
“I don’t know the details. I just know all hell broke loose and he’s been locked up in the Oval
ever since.”
“So I should expect a very bad mood tonight.”
“At the very least.” Carol agreed.
“Great. I’m just going to leave something on his desk for him to look at.” Donna explained as she
walked into Josh’s office.
When she finished taking care of that little detail, she decided to try her luck with Sam, but
looking at his frazzled demeanor, she wasn’t sue that idea was any better. She shut the door
behind her and sat in the visitor chair as she had so many times when Josh occupied that office.
“What happened with Baker?” she asked quietly.
“I took my eyes off the ball with Hamilton and Jordan, for one damn minute, and they run off the
reservation taking a group of Congressmen and women with them. They’re pushing for Carol
Gelsey! It’s not like we didn’t consider her; she was on the short list for God’s sake, but Baker is
the one we need right now.”
“Can I help?” Donna asked carefully.
“I don’t know how.” Sam looked up and saw her concerned expression. “I’ve been summoned to
the Oval.”
“You’ll figure it out. You and Josh, Lou and the President will brainstorm and figure it out.” She
assured him.
“Did you need something or did you just drop by to see if my head was imploding?” Sam asked
as he put on his jacket and started on the quick walk to the Oval.
“I wanted to run something by you. The possible head implosion was just icing on the cake.”
Donna explained. “I tried Josh’s office, but he’d already gone into the Oval.”
“Ah, so I’m your second choice.” Sam pretended to be affronted.
“Never!...only… just a little bit…and usually just on personal matters.”
Sam laughed, as she’d intended he would. “So what is it you wanted to run by me?”
“Mrs. Santos is interested in supporting a pilot program that originated in California, for national
consideration.”
“What sort of program?” Sam and Donna sidestepped two staffers overloaded with books and
papers.
“An early intervention program called First Steps. It’s a program that addresses early childhood
issues and might make a nice follow up to the education reform bill.”
“********”
“I’m sorry?”
“That’s what we’re calling the bill on the floor.”
“That has a nice ring to it; you idea?”
Sam shrugged. “It sounded better than saying Ed reform all the time. People don’t know what
that means. They need a title to identify what the bill means, what we hope to accomplish with
the legislation.”
“I agree.” Donna nodded. “If I leave the information on your desk, would you take a look at the
First Steps material and tell me if you think there’s any potential problems with it?”
“You wouldn’t rather ask Josh? He won’t be tied up with this Baker stuff forever.”
“I would…but I think it might be better if I work with you on this. Normally, the First Lady’s COS
would liaise with the Deputy COS on this kind of thing and it also helps us separate the personal
from the professional, you know?”
“I can imagine. In my case, it’s more like trying to find ANY connection between personal and
professional.” Sam winced.
“Is Molly having some trouble adjusting to D.C.?”
“And trouble adjusting to being unemployed. And trouble adjusting to my work. And my work
hours; the phone and pages that go off at all hours. She’s not been…happy with the way things
are going and I’m going to have to call about another late night tonight.”
“Why don’t you let me make that call?” Donna suggested and Sam barked out a laugh.
“Believe me when I tell you that you don’t want a piece of that.” Sam replied.
“No! I don’t mean calling and making an excuse for you. I mean calling her and inviting her to a
girls night. I’ll bring her home so late she’ won’t even notice you just got home too.”
“That would be incredible.” Sam told her. “She likes you and would enjoy some time away from
the apartment.”
“Consider it done.” Donna smiled as they reached Ronna’s desk.
“Thanks. I mean it. I owe you one…probably more than one. Put the First Step material on my
desk and I’ll take a look at it.”
“Deal.” Donna smiled and caught a quick glance inside the Oval when Sam opened the door.
Josh was pacing and railing about something. President Santos was listening attentively and
Lou was taking copious notes. Then the door closed and cut Donna off from the people and the
drama in the President’s office. Somedays she really missed that intensive adrenaline rush that
went with working directly with the President. Then there was today.
She smiled a farewell at Ronna and pulled out her cell phone. “Hi Molly, it’s Donna Moss. I am in
desperate need of female company this evening. I’ve had it up to here with testosterone. I
thought maybe you’d take pity on me and we’d catch dinner, maybe a movie or discuss
something that doesn’t have anything to do with politics…you can study for the bar another
night, several other nights…Fine, you check in with Sam and let me know if that will work for
you…Great, just call me back on my cell. Talk to you soon.” Donna hung up sure that Sam
would be just fine with Molly’s plans with her. This way she could get to know Sam’s fiancé a little
better and pay back Sam for his help on First Steps all in one stroke.
**********************************************************
“Thank you, Mr. President. Sam, Lou, my office for a minute please.” Josh excused them all from
the Oval and shut the connecting door once they’d crossed over into his office. “I want to know
how Gelsey got back in this equation.”
“I know what you’re thinking, but she wouldn’t be that stupid; not with how things are tenuous
between you already.” Sam pointed out.
“I’m sorry, I seem to have missed something.” Lou shook her head. “Will you two stop speaking
in code?”
“I’m not accusing anyone yet. But I want to know where we got derailed and why.” Josh ignored
the request for translation of Sam’s comment.
“I’ll talk to some people and see what I can find out.” Lou replied. “This wouldn’t have been
floated unless someone though they had tacit approval from the west wing.”
Josh nodded. “That’s what I’m afraid of. Thanks Lou.”
Lou left the two friends alone. Josh wondered over to his desk and sat down heavily. Then his
eyes hit something on his desk and he burst out laughing.
Sam looked at Josh strangely until Josh picked up the item that had caused such a humorous
reaction and showed it to his Deputy.
Sam read the front of the brochure. “Virginia is for lovers” Sam’s eyebrows flew up to his
forehead. “Honeymoon destinations?”
“I’m thinking this is Donna’s idea of a funny, funny joke.” Josh continued to chuckle. “She’s not
going to let me forget my drunken ramblings anytime soon.”
“She’s quite something. Hey, she even offered to take Molly out tonight to help me avoid the
doghouse.”
“That sounds like Donna.”
“She said Mrs. Santos has found an issue she wants to throw her support behind. She asked
me to take a look at it and see if we could use it to follow up the Collective Learning bill.”
“Okay, but look through it carefully. She got it passed to her from Lee in California. I don’t trust
that guy.”
“Got it.” Sam paused. “Do you really believe Amy would-“
“Yes. Yes, I do.” Josh nodded somberly. “But I can’t accuse her or take it to the President
without ironclad proof. In the meantime, I’m going to be keeping an eye on her interactions on
the hill…very, very closely.” Josh promised.
******************************************************
“Donnatella Moss.” Donna turned to see who was using her full name.
“Senator Lee, hello. I wasn’t expecting to see you today.” Donna kept a polite smile on her face.
“I had a last minute cancellation so I ran over here to see if I might be able to persuade you to
join me for lunch. I thought we could use the time to go over the details on First Steps.”
“Well…I’d have time for a quick lunch, but it would have to be here in the mess. I have a staff
meeting in less than an hour.”
“Perfect; I’ll even treat!” Senator Lee opened the door for her so she could check in with her
assistant and tell her the change in lunch plans.
When they got down to the crowded mess, Donna and the Senator garnered more than their
share of second glances. They managed to find a table where they could talk as privately as
anyone can talk in the mess.
“We could take this back to my office, if you’d prefer.” Donna offered.
“This is fine.” Senator Lee waved it off. “Tell me what the First Lady had to say about First
Steps.”
“She was very intrigued with the program. I’m thinking that visiting the original pilot location in
California would be a great kickoff to introducing the program nationally.”
“We can arrange that.” Lee assured her. “When are you thinking of making the trip?”
Donna laughed out a bit of her drink. “We don’t exactly have dates picked out yet. We move a
little slower in the White House. I still need to liaise with the west wing and work with legislative
affairs to work out a schedule with them. Then there’s adjusting the First Lady’s schedule,
secret service need to okay the trip and-“
“Okay, okay. I get it. It won’t happen for at least a week, right?” Lee teased her.
“You have a good sense of humor Senator. That must help in this line of work.”
“In any line of work, really, and call me Michael.”
“Sure…Senator.” Donna smiled.
“We’re going to be working closely on First Steps, it seems silly to stand on formality.”
“It seems inappropriate…at least in the present setting.” Donna pointed out.
“Fine. At the White House it can be Senator, but when we got to California, that’s a whole
different story.”
“We’ll see.” Donna hedged. “Can we set up a time for you and your team to sit down with Mrs.
Santos. I know she had some questions about the pilot program and how it could be expanded
to a national program.”
“Call my direct line and I’ll arrange it personally.” Michael handed her a card with his numbers
printed on it. There was one number written in ink below the others. “That’s my home number. In
case you need to contact me after regular business hours.”
Donna’s eyes shot over to his. Had she read something wrong here? “Thanks, but I’m sure I won’
t need it.” She kept eye contact with him until he nodded in subtle acknowledgement of her
message. “The First Lady is anxious to get started on this. As soon as I have more information
for you, I’ll call.” Donna rose from her seat and shook the Senator’s hand. “Thanks for stopping
by.”
Senator Lee watched her leave the mess unaware of all the eyes that were on him.
**************************************
“Hey, I didn’t think I’d see you today.” Donna greeted Josh when he came striding into her office
later in the day.
“I needed to take a walk. Get some fresh air.” Josh replied. “See you.”
A smile bloomed on her face when the last part sunk in. “That’s nice.” She rose from her desk. “I
don’t have anything for a half hour. Want to take a walk outside?”
“Yeah. Yeah, I would.” Josh hesitated to leave the White House but reminded himself he had a
pager and a secure phone on him. He took Donna’s outstretched hand and led her past the
security guards and the gates to the street. Once they were on the sidewalk there he let out a
huge breath.
“I heard someone’s screwing with the VP nomination.” Donna stated.
“Trying to get a VP confirmed in your first month in office is difficult enough but when you add
sabotage…”
“Sabotage? Someone’s messing with you on purpose?” Donna’s tone showed her surprise. “I
just assumed someone was pushing their favorite since there was a window of opportunity.”
“No reason it can’t be both.” Josh muttered.
“So who’s pushing?”
“That is yet to be determined. Let’s talk about something else, okay?”
“Sure. What do you want to talk about? The reception for the Canadian Ambassador on
Saturday?”
“I’m trying to forget about the reception on Saturday.” Josh teased. “How about we discuss your
cozy lunch with Lee.”
Donna smirked. She wondered how long it would take for word to get back to him. That was both
the positive and the negative aspects of eating in the mess; you’ve got a room full of
chaperones, but you’ve also got a room full of tattletales. “He wanted to elope to Hawaii; he was
even sober when he asked me.”
“Ha. Ha. Watch yourself with him, Donnatella.”
“Excuse me?” Donna stopped walking and Josh had to turn around to face her.
“I didn’t mean it like that! I just meant he’s…shifty.”
“Hmmmm…I think I’ve had plenty of experience dealing with shifty men.” Donna assured him and
kissed him right there in front of the White House.
“Are you calling me shady?”
“Did I mention you specifically?” Donna kissed him again.
“It was implied.” Josh huffed. He turned and started to walk again, this time with Donna’s arm
tucked into his. “How is your day going?”
“Fine. We’re getting our sea legs, just like your team. Annabeth is a wonder. I really love
working with her. She had some great ideas about how to promote First Steps.” Donna started
to tell him some of the things she and Annabeth had discussed. She wasn’t sure how much he
was actually hearing, but every once in awhile he’d ask a question so she knew somethings
were getting through.
“Sam’s going over the details with you?”
“Not yet, but he’s looking at it soon. I guessed he might have a few higher priorities today.”
“No kidding. I heard you and Molly have plans for tonight?”
“She just called me back a little bit ago.” Donna told him. “It sounds like she and Sam are hitting
a rough patch.”
“It’s a pretty big adjustment.” Josh agreed.
“He’ll get through it. They’ll get through it.” Donna amended. “We got through 8 years.”
“Almost 8 years.” Josh corrected. “Plus we had no social life.”
“Hey!” Donna hip checked him.
“Okay, little social life. And we worked there together.”
Donna smiled at the admission. “True. That did make a difference.” Then she paused, uncertain
whether she should say something or not. “Josh…this thing with Carol Gelsey…”
“I know. We’re on it.” Josh didn’t look at her when he replied. She was sure he was holding
something back about this whole mess and Amy Gardner’s role in it, but she didn’t know if what
he was holding back was personal or professional. Not on his part; she trusted him completely,
but Amy Gardner was whole different ballgame. He must have read some of her concern
because his next sentence was, “I can handle Amy Gardner.”
“I’m not saying you can’t. I’m just saying she’s…shifty.” Donna smiled as she threw his words
back at him and saw his lips twitch.
“I’ve had some experience handling shifty women.” He replied. “Why, Mrs. Bartlet alone-“
Donna smacked him on the shoulder. “I am going right back to my office where I can report this
whole conversation with her.”
“No, you’re not.” Josh shook his head with certainty.
“Oh, I’m not?”
“Nope.” Josh confirmed. He pulled her out of the line of sight from the street and kissed her
soundly. “Cause I plan on doing this until it’s time to go back to the office. And by the time I’m
done, you’ll be lucky to remember your name.”
He followed up his words with action and Donna sighed with the realization that he was probably
right. She had her dream man and her dream job; all was right with the world.
*****************************************
“Have a nice walk with Donna?” Amy asked when Josh returned to his office.
“Very nice, thanks.” Josh ignored her lascivious sneer. “I don’t have you on my schedule, Amy.
Go out and see Carol for an appointment.”
“You told me to see you about the legislative agenda.”
“Yes, and in order to see me, you need an appointment.” Josh agreed pleasantly.
“Why can’t I talk to you right now?” Her nasal whine grated on his nerves.
“Because I have other priorities.” Right on cue, Carol called Josh on the intercom.
“Josh, leadership is waiting for you in the Roosevelt room.”
“Thanks, Carol.” Josh smiled at Amy. “Make an appointment.”
Amy was fuming when Carol told her Josh’s next available was the next afternoon. It was simply
unacceptable. She took the short walk to Ronna’s office.
“I need 5 minutes with the President, Ronna. Will you call me when he’s available?”
“He’s pretty tied up today, Amy. I’ll ask Josh if I can push anything around for you.” Ronna
compromised.
“Right.” Amy nodded. “When you speak to Josh, tell him I can’t do the job for the President if he’
s pass blocking me at every turn.”
“I”ll pass that on.” Ronna smiled even though her legs were shaking a bit. Amy Gardner scared
her, but she wasn’t going to let people run rough shod over her. This was too important. “I’ll call
you if we can squeeze you in today.”
Amy rolled her eyes, but left without incident.
***************************************
Donna tried to enter the bedroom quietly when she got in, but between the drinks and the
undressing attempts, it was a futile hope that she could sneak into bed without waking Josh.
“Donnatella Moss. Where HAVE you been?” Josh chuckled at her expression when he snapped
on the bedside lamp.
“Sorry. I’m so sorry.” Donna put her hand over Josh’s mouth. “Be quiet.”
“So I don’t…wake myself up?” He guessed.
“Yes, you’re a light sleeper.” Donna nodded.
He laughed and pulled her down on top of him on the bed. “Donna’s drunk.”
“I am not!” She protested. “I only had three drinks!” She held up four fingers and Josh laughed
again.
“Uh-huh.” Josh started to ‘help’ her undress. “How was Molly?”
“Oh, she’s so sad, Josh.” Donna shook her head in empathy. “Sam is never home and she
doesn’t know anybody and she’s got to take the bar over again and-“
“Slow down.” Josh suggested and removed her blouse. “Is this a temporary, ‘this is all new and
scary’ unhappy, or a ‘you’d better have a new Deputy ready because I’m going back to
California with your current Deputy’ unhappy?”
“I’m not sure.” Donna pouted while she thought about the two options. By then Josh had
removed her bra, letting her lovely breasts go free.
“Donna, I count on you to know these signals.” Josh pretended to scold her before he took one
pink nipple into his mouth.
“Ohhhhh.” Donna moaned. “I know some of the signals, Josh. I just don’t know her very well yet.”
“I’ll let it go this time.” Josh generously agreed before he rolled her over so he could more easily
unzip and remove her skirt.
“Hey…are we having sex, now?” Donna asked blurrily.
“It appears so.” Josh told her.
“Then I’d better catch up.” Donna giggled and ran her hands down his back until they moved
under his boxers and slid them off his body.
“God, you feel so amazing.” Josh whispered.
“So do you.” Donna let her fingers linger and it was Josh’s turn to moan. “I’m sorry you had such
a stressful day, Joshua.”
“It’s not as stressful a day when I know I’m coming home to you at the end of it.”
“Oh, I hope I remember you said that in the morning.” Donna whined.
“I’ll remind you. I promise.” Josh said sincerely and took her mouth with his again.