7.
He found her in the kitchen which had become her refuge during the onslaught of people that had
come to pay their respects to Noah Lyman.
She looked up before he even opened his mouth. She seemed to sense his presence.
“Hey. Do you need something?” She asked immediately. She knew how hard this day had been for
Josh; especially after he’d shared the story about Joanie.
“Yeah, I need to get out of here for awhile; get some fresh air. Want to take a walk with me?”
“What about Sara?”
“Aunt Nora is with her. She’ll be fine.” Josh assured her.
“Okay, then. Let me get my coat.” Donna wiped off her hands on the dishtowel that was on the
counter and went in search of her coat while Josh got his. They met by the back door and left
without saying a word to anyone.
“Ah, fresh air and quiet.” Josh finally broke the silence when they’d been walking for a few minutes.
“I was beginning to feel claustrophobic in there.”
“Everyone had stories of your dad they wanted to share. That must mean a lot to you.”
“It does.” Josh nodded. “But I didn’t need to hear their stories to know what kind of man my dad
was. I’m trying to remind myself how lucky I was to have all the time with him that I did; that neither
of us ever doubted for a day how much we loved each other. You know how that is. I know how
close you are to your parents from all the phone calls you made while we were traveling.”
“They’re great people. They’re both very loving and supportive.”
“They must be glad that you’re back home.”
“Yes, they are, especially my mom.” Donna smiled. “She loves taking care of me again.”
“How does she feel about the Doctor?”
“Josh…”
“I just worry about you, Donna.” Josh said honestly.
“I appreciate that, really, but there’s no need to worry.”
“He’s not a good guy, Donna.”
“Thanks for the warning, Dad, but I can take care of myself.”
“Why would you…”
“Joshua!” Donna used his full name in her exasperation. “I’m not with David so there’s no reason
to…how do you know what kind of guy he is?”
“I…hear things.” He finished lamely.
“About a man who lives in Wisconsin?” She said skeptically.
“If you’re not with Dr. Freeride anymore, then you can come back to the campaign.” He tried
changing the subject.
“Dr. Freeride?” She repeated and narrowed her eyes at him. “Joshua Lyman what have you been
up to?”
“I was concerned that the guy was stalking you or something so I checked up on him.”
“How?”
“I really don’t see why the ‘how’ is important here, Donna. The bottom line is…”
“How?” Donna stopped walking and turned to face him full on, eyes blazing.
“I’ve got this buddy. He works for the FBI.”
“You had an FBI agent investigate my boyfriend?!” She shrieked and Josh was glad there wasn’t
anyone else out walking on this winter day to hear her.
“I thought you said you weren’t with him anymore?” Josh countered.
“That isn’t the point.” Donna noted.
“It was just a side thing. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. But ask what you were thinking
by taking on all the financial responsibilities while he diddled around with hospital staff?”
“Josh!” Donna was dumbfounded.
“Don’t I get credit for caring enough about you to look into this guy?” Donna just glared. “I guess
not.”
“Josh, that was wrong and you know it was wrong.”
“Yeah? Well what about you?”
“Me?”
“You told me you were leaving the campaign to go back to Freeride and that obviously wasn’t the
truth. Isn’t that just as wrong?”
“That’s entirely different.” Donna maintained.
“How?”
“I didn’t explicitly say that I was…and it was only to keep you from…It just was.” Donna turned away
from him and started walking again though she had no idea where she was going.
“Donna, wait.” He hurried to catch up with her. “I’m sorry I dug into your business. I was just
concerned about you.”
Donna grudgingly nodded her acceptance of his apology.
“Now will you tell me something? The truth this time?” Josh waited for her to nod again. “Why did
you leave the campaign? Was it because of me? Did I do something?”
“No. Truthfully. It had nothing to do with you.” She promised.
“Then why…?”
“I can’t tell you.” She interrupted his inquisition and held up a hand to forestall the onslaught of
questions. “I can’t tell you, but it had nothing to do with you.” Josh shook his head in frustration.
“You disappear with some lame ass excuse about this Doctor and then you reappear but you can’t
tell me why you left in the first place. What happens now, Donna? You tell me. What happens
now?”
It was a reasonable question. Truth be told, Donna had thought no further than getting to Josh as
soon as possible when she heard about his dad. She had no idea what came next or even what
had compelled her to come to Connecticut. She just knew she had to come.
“I don’t know.” She told him and shivered from the cold.
“You’re getting cold. I’ll take you back inside.” Josh offered and they turned around.
“Josh? It had nothing to do with you, I swear.” He believed her. He’d seen how she’d avoided the
Governor back at the house. There was something there.
“Then you’ll come back to the campaign?” Josh asked and groaned at her expression. “I didn’t
think so. You’re going to tell me what happened sooner or later, you know.”
“You figure?”
“I know it. Nobody can resist Josh Lyman for long.” He took a risk and loped his arm around her
shoulder, pulling her closer to him. He was relieved when she just chuckled.
“There’s the Lyman ego I know so well.”
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“Mom?”
“Come in, darling.” Sara invited him. “I’m just going through some of your father’s things. It’s going
to take forever to sort through all this.” She indicated Noah’s home office. “Your father had many
wonderful qualities, but organization wasn’t one of them.”
“It seems I inherited that lack of organization.” Josh admitted.
“That and many other traits.” Sara noted. “Where’s Donna?”
“She’s on the phone with her parents telling them she’s staying another day. You’re sure you’re
okay with that, right? I know I kind of blindsided you with it earlier.”
“I like Donna very much and any friend of yours is welcome here for as long as you’d like.”
“I’m trying to talk her into coming back to the campaign with me.”
“Good luck with that.”
“You don’t think I can do it?”
“If anyone could it would be you, but she seems very determined to return to Wisconsin.”
“See the thing is, she was equally determined to get the Governor elected President a couple
weeks ago, so I think I have a decent shot.”
Sara smiled. “Undoubtedly. Joshua? What’s going on with you and this lovely young woman?”
“We’ve been working together.”
“That I already knew.”
“And we’re good friends. We’ve practically been living together on the road the past few months
and we’re…friends.”
Sara nodded and waited for her son to continue. She didn’t have to wait long.
“I’ve missed her. Since she left, I mean. I didn’t realize how much until I saw her at our door.”
“Then maybe you should start by telling her that.” Sara suggested and watched Josh process that
advice.
“Maybe you’re right.” And he started to formulate a strategy. It was what he was best at.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“Jed, how is Josh doing?” Abbey inquired.
“Remarkably well, all things considered.” Jed concluded. “But you’ll never guess who was there
with him. Donna.”
“You’re kidding!” Abbey exclaimed. “How did she even know…”
“According to Sam, she called the night of the Illinois primary and he told her. Then she caught the
next flight to Connecticut.”
“They always seemed joined at the hip while she was here, but I never imagined…”
“Me either. It threw me for quite a loop when I saw her.”
“What did you say to her?”
“Nothing. She made certain our paths never crossed.” Jed shared. “I couldn’t even get an ‘hello’
out of her.”
“I could try to call her again.” Abbey offered. She knew Jed felt terrible about the secret they’d
been keeping and felt especially bad that Donna’s inadvertent discovery of the situation had
caused her abrupt flight from the campaign.
“No, I think the next step is mine to take.” Jed sighed heavily and wondered what he should do
next. Then he came to a decision. He picked up the phone. “Leo? When do you get in? I’d like to
see you when you do…It IS important…Fine. I’ll see you then.” He hung up the phone, sad but
determined. It was time to come clean.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“How’s your mom doing?” Donna asked when she rejoined him.
“She’s incredible.” Josh told her. “She’s going through some of Dad’s things. I told her I’d take care
of it for her, but she just joked about how I’d make the problem worse. How is yours?”
“She’s a little confused as to why I had to make an emergency trip to Connecticut but otherwise
she’s fine.” Donna took a breath and asked the question she’d been putting off. “You’re going
back to the campaign, aren’t you?”
“There’s a lot of work to be done before the convention, Donna.”
“When?”
“Tomorrow night.”
“So soon? What about your mom?”
“She said she’ll be fine and that I should keep my word to my dad and get Jed Bartlet elected
President.” The comment made Donna frown until she remembered one conversation in particular
she’d had with Noah Lyman.
“He made me promise him a dance at the Inauguration.” She remembered out loud.
“He did?” Josh smiled. “Hmmm… as the head of the Lyman household now, it’s entirely possible
you now owe ME that dance.”
“Do you really think you’re going to get the Governor there?” She asked and Josh sensed this
question had more impact than he initially thought.
“I know it, Donna, with every fiber of my being. Jed Bartlet is going to be the next President of the
United States.” He stated and he saw tears fill her eyes even though she smiled.
“Donna, what happened between you and the Governor?” He asked pointedly.
“What makes you think…?”
“You couldn’t have avoided him more if he had the plague. You wouldn’t even acknowledge his
presence. From the moment I met you, you were his most loyal supporter and now you can’t even
look at the man. Did he do something? Say something?”
“No.” Donna laughed humorlessly. “He hasn’t said a thing to me.”
“Then what in the hell…?”
“I can’t talk about it, Joshua. I told you I couldn’t. I gave my word.”
“If it’s something about the Governor, then…”
“Josh, please. Don’t ask me to break my word.” Donna begged. She knew if he pushed, she would
break down and she didn’t want to do that. She had wondered, briefly, if Josh had been let in on
the secret, but now she was sure he hadn’t. He wasn’t going to hear that from her.
“I’m just frustrated, Donna. I want you to come back with me and I can’t figure out why you won’t
and…”
“You really miss my note cards that much?” She joked.
“I miss YOU that much.” He said seriously and watched the smile slip off her face.
“Josh…”
“Let me finish.” Josh requested. “Nothing has been the same since you left. Everything is off and
yes, a big part of that is your professional contribution, but…an equally big part of it is… If you’re
not involved with Dr. Freeride…”
“I’m not.” She told him again.
“Then…aw, hell.” He leaned toward her and kissed her. He was thrilled when she kissed him back.
“I want to be with you, spend time with you, whether you’re on the campaign or not.”
“I’d like that too.” She sealed her words with another, deeper, kiss. “Political strategy isn’t the only
thing you’re good at, Josh Lyman.” She teased him.
“Do you trust me, Donnatella?”
“Yes.”
“Then tell me what happened with the Governor. I can fix it. It’s what I do.” Donna let out a deep
breath.
“Joshua?” Sara called down to him. “Leo is on the phone for you.”
“Thanks!” He called back. “Stay right there. Don’t move.”
Donna did as he instructed and tried to figure out a way to keep her word and satisfy Josh’s
curiosity at the same time.
He came back a few minutes later with a concerned look on his face. “Leo and the Governor want
everyone together for a meeting at noon tomorrow. Something is up.”
“I’d say so.” Donna agreed and wondered if she already knew the topic of the meeting. Josh saw
the look in her eye and he wondered the same thing.
“Come with me.”
“I can’t.”
“Won’t.” Josh countered.
“Fine; I won’t.”
“I need you there with me Donna.” He pulled the need card and saw her resistance melt a bit. “Just
for tomorrow; one day. If you want to go back to Wisconsin after the meeting, I’ll buy you the ticket
myself.” He promised and saw it melt a little more. “Don’t leave me now, Donna, not now.”
“One day.” She repeated and saw his face light up. She hoped she was making the right decision.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
“Would you relax?” Josh implored her as they reached their cruising altitude.
“I’m concerned about your mom. I don’t think you should be leaving her alone so soon.”
“Her friend Jackie is staying with her for a few days and then they’re talking about going to Florida
for a couple weeks. Jackie has a condo there.” Josh explained.
“I know, I just…”
“Nobody is stronger than my mother.” Josh stated. “She’ll be okay. Stop worrying about this
meeting.” He guessed the real reason for her distress. “You know, you could give me a head’s up
on the topic so I’d have a jump start on Sam, Toby, and CJ.”
“I haven’t been involved in the campaign for almost 2 weeks. How could I possibly know what the
meeting is about?”
“I don’t know, but you do.” Josh muttered and turned to his In Flight magazine. “Do people really
buy this shit?”
“They really do.”
“I don’t understand the American public, Donna.”
“That much I have come to know about you. However, you’re able to determine their voting
practices with stunning accuracy.”
“Well…that’s not so difficult. People are nothing if not predictable.” Josh tossed the magazine to
the floor. “I need something better to read.”
“I see your neat freak habits haven’t changed.” Donna picked up the magazine and placed it in the
seatback holder. “Be a good boy and work on your crossword puzzle.”
“I think you should entertain me instead.” Josh leaned closer to whisper in her ear. Donna felt his
words all the way down to her toes. There had been quite a lot of kissing last night and she was
enjoying it, but she was worried about Josh too. He had undergone a lot of stress in the last few
weeks between the campaign and his father’s unexpected death, and he was about to get another
heaping helping dumped on him today. She thought it best to take things very slowly until they
each got their sea legs under them here.
“As delightful as that sounds, I don’t think right now is the time or place for your personal
entertainment.” She met his eyes steadily and saw his twinkle.
“You won’t be able to resist me for long, Donnatella.” He warned her and she rolled her eyes.
“God, I wish Dad had met you.” He said seriously.
“I wish I’d met him too.” She said sincerely. “But I’m glad that I at least got to know him a little.” She
ran a finger down the side of his face. “Are you okay?”
“Not yet, but I’m getting there. A little work will be just what I need to get back on track.”
She doubted that, but she tried not to let it show on her face.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
8.
“Donna!” CJ called out to her.
Donna hugged her friend. She’d left CJ a note when before she went back to Wisconsin but they
hadn’t had any conversations since then apart from the brief one they’d had at the funeral. Mandy
nodded her head toward Donna but made no other word or motion. She seemed to be
contemplating what Donna’s arrival meant for her recent promotion.
“Sam said Josh was going to bring you back here, but I didn’t believe him.” CJ shared.
“He did?” Donna turned to give Josh a look. “That’s surprising since Sam left yesterday afternoon
and I didn’t decide to come back until last night.”
“I guessed.” Josh shrugged and got his hug from CJ too.
“We’re glad you’re back.” She told him. “Any idea what this grand summons is about?”
“No, but Donna might.” Josh told the group and all eyes turned to her.
“I...” She shook her head in denial.
She was spared any further inquisition by Leo’s arrival. “Donna, the Governor would like to see
you alone first.”
“How does he even know I’m here?”
“Word travels. He’s waiting for you.” Leo tilted his head in the direction of the governor’s New
Hampshire office. Donna took a fortifying breath and with one last hand squeeze from Josh, she
walked right in and closed the door behind her. Jed Bartlet was standing with his back to her,
looking out the window.
“I never meant to put you or any of the team in this position.” He began. “It’s very important to me
that you believe that.”
“I do, Governor.” At her words he turned to face her and she was surprised at the pain etched in
his face.
“Remember when we talked about me running, Donna? We were standing right here and laughing
about the remote possibility.”
“I remember, sir.” Donna acknowledged. “But you can’t continue in this race while you’re keeping
this secret.”
“If I had thought for one moment that I actually had a chance, I’d have told everyone from the start,
or maybe I wouldn’t have run at all because nobody would have believed in a candidate with MS. I
don’t know.” He sat down miserably in his chair. “I just want to tell you personally, before the others
come in, that I know what a burden this information must have been to you and I’m sorry for that. I’
m going to do my best to rectify the situation now. I’d like you to be with me when I do. ”
Donna moved closer to the Governor. “I’ve never been more proud to support you than I am right
now. You’re doing the right thing. Whether or not you decide to continue this campaign, I’ll be with
you.”
Jed smiled sadly. “Thank you, Donnatella.” He took a deep breath and called out, “Mrs.
Landingham! Send in the troops.”
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
There was stunned silence in the room. Donna was sure that everyone’s face showed shock, but
the only face she was watching was Josh’s. There was one moment, right after the Governor made
his confession when his eyes met hers and then he got up to pace the length of the room.
“Anybody need a minute?” Leo asked.
“A minute?” Josh scoffed.
“Thoughts?”
Everyone began talking at once. After a few seconds of that, Leo whistled for silence. “Obviously,
this news is not what we’d like to be announcing at this point in the campaign. When I asked for
thoughts, I was asking for some productive suggestions.” Silence reigned.
‘Come on, Joshua.’ Donna willed him to speak but he wasn’t even meeting her eyes so how could
she get the message through?
“We leak it.” Josh announced quietly. “We leak it now and we may have time to recover from the
backlash before the convention. It has to be now; today.”
“How?” Leo asked.
“I’m working on it, Leo. I’ve had this for what? Three minutes?” Josh shot back and resumed his
pacing.
“The ramifications…I can’t even begin to calculate them.” Mandy offered.
“Back up.” Sam insisted. “I think we’re missing a step.”
“Which is?” Leo solicited.
“This isn’t some campaign hypothetical; how to get a candidate with M.S. elected. Should we be…I’
m sorry Governor, but should we be continuing this campaign at all?” Sam stated the obvious
choice, quitting.
“That’s not entirely up to us.” CJ noted and looked up at the Governor. “What do you plan to do,
sir?”
“I plan to run for President Claudia Jean, and I plan to win.” Jed said resolutely keeping his eyes
on Donna before turning to the rest of the room. “I have a feeling that I will be repeating this quite
a few times over the coming days, so let me start with all of you. I am truly sorry that I kept this
information from you. I should have trusted you, and the electorate, with my diagnosis. I
understand that this wasn’t what any of you signed up for, and I will completely understand if any
of you choose to get up and walk out the door right now.”
There was a long, pregnant pause while everyone considered his words.
“Governor…we’re going to need a lot more information from you if we’re going to combat this
thing.” Sam determined. “Any chance we can get your wife, the doctor, in here to answer some
questions?”
“She’s probably waiting outside with her ear to the door.” Jed replied drolly. “Toby? Are you with
me?”
Toby looked at the expectant faces around him and back at the Governor. “Sir, I need to know this
is the last time you’ll keep something from us.”
“You have my word, Toby.” Jed held out his hand to Toby who solemnly shook it.
“So what now, Josh?” Sam asked his friend.
“We need to get it out and explain what MS is; on our terms.”
“When’s the last time you saw the specialist about the M.S., Governor?” Donna spoke up.
“I’m in remission, Donna. It’s been awhile.”
“You need to make one so we can put it in the schedule.” Donna mused out loud and Josh picked
it up where she left off.
“He makes an appointment and we put it in the public schedule. The press will run with it and within
hours CJ will get the question.”
“Then I toss it back; this is a routine follow up. The MS is in remission. The Governor has passed
his annual physical with flying colors, and it does not affect his ability to do the job?” CJ tried out
the line.
“We’ll want to tweak it a bit, but yeah.” Josh nodded slowly and then smirked at Donna. “We put it
in the schedule.”
“Let’s get Abbey in here.” Leo decided. “We’re going to need some education ourselves before we
try to educate the electorate.”
Josh walked over to Donna while the room split up into several conversations again. “Looks like
you’re going to need a whole ream of note cards.”
“Luckily, I happen to have some of those on me.” She responded lightly. She was trying to
determine whether or not Josh was upset with her for not having told him right away.
“You must have been ten kinds of freaked.” He pondered. “Are you the one that convinced him to
come clean?”
“No, he did that himself.” Donna said proudly. “Are you still convinced you can put him in the White
House?”
“That he can NOT do by himself.” Josh sighed. “Our job just got a lot tougher.”
“Too tough for Josh Lyman?”
“Some would say just getting him this far is a major miracle. Now we have to overcome MS?” Josh
rolled his eyes. “I’m going to need you back on duty.”
“That can be arranged.” She had to ask him point blank, she just had to. “Are you angry with me?
For not telling you? If I hadn’t given Dr. Bartlet my word…”
“Donna.” He interrupted her. “I think telling me this information was the Governor’s responsibility
not yours. Weren’t you pissed at him for not telling you before this?”
“Yes, very pissed.” Donna admitted. “But once I talked to him about it I also remembered all the
reasons he had my loyalty from the beginning. I’ve known him a lot longer than you have. Are you
pissed?”
“Yeah.”
“But you’re still willing to work for him?” She pressed.
“I expect candidates to lie to me.” Josh shrugged. “It’s par for the course. I just wish he had leveled
with me sooner.”
“You’re a professional political operative. How can you be so cynical and continue to work in this
world? Jed Bartlet is the real thing. He just proved it.”
“Maybe.” Josh allowed. “But we’re going to have to work our butts off now if you want to have that
dance with me.”
“That’s a goal worth working for.”
Abbey threw the door open and did a quick survey of the room. “Did someone call for a doctor?”
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
CJ got the question before dinner.
It was a banner headline on CNN within minutes of the confirmation.
“Now the fun begins.” Josh said out loud to no one in particular.
“CJ handled the press very well.” Sam responded anyway. “Two of the cable news shows already
have MS experts on.”
“What are they saying?”
“That people with MS can leave perfectly normal lives with normal life expectancy. They also
touched on the Betaseron that the Governor has been getting.”
“Dr. B. is going to get hit on that.” Josh predicted. “Sure, she had the prescriptions filled in New
Hampshire, but she was still treating a family member which is a big ‘no,no’, so we’re going to have
to deal with that too.”
“Turn on channel 45.” Toby ordered as he entered the room and Josh immediately complied.
“…to have kept this kind of serious medical condition a secret all the while he was courting the
votes of the American people is scandalous.” The Hoynes spokesman was on a roll. “Governor
Bartlet may be ahead of Senator Hoynes in the delegate count at the moment, but once the Super
delegates weigh in, and we add in the votes from the final primaries, we feel confident the tally will
change considerably.”
“Keep on being over-confident, Kevin.” Josh muttered to the television screen. “That’s how we
snuck up on you in the first place.”
“Josh?” Toby asked a hundred questions in that one word.
“We’re doing a lot of hand holding with the Supers, but we still have a few primaries left to win.”
Josh summed it up. “Winning the primaries will do a lot more to calm the nerves of antsy Super
delegates than anything else. We have to win these last few now, with people who know about the
MS, to prove that it doesn’t matter.”
“What if it DOES matter?” Sam asked. “What if we lose?”
“Then we lose the nomination and we don’t have to worry about November.” Josh shot back. “One
thing at a time guys. One thing at a time. Donna?!”
“I’ve got the latest numbers from Michigan.” Donna handed them to him along with several note
cards. “I think we need to pull the union spot and run the biography spot instead in the markets I
highlighted. We’ve got a full schedule for the Governor and Dr. Bartlet for all three days we’re
there.”
“Nice. Nobody’s pulled out or reneged?”
“We lost Hitchens. He’s claiming a scheduling conflict.” If it appeared that the Governor was
leaking support, the appearance would become reality in no time. They had to hold everything
together until after Michigan. And they had to win Michigan. There was simply no alternative.
“Damn it!” Josh slammed his hand on the desk. “Didn’t I personally apologize to that son of a
bitch? Didn’t the Governor?”
“Josh!” Donna admonished him. There were too many ‘ears’ around at the moment. They didn’t
need a news story about the Bartlet staff imploding. “He said he might be able to reschedule next
week.”
“Sure, after Michigan.” Josh barked out a laugh. “The coward wants to see which way the wind
blows before he makes another move.”
“Can you blame him?” Toby chimed in.
“It’s what I’d advise him to do if I were on his staff.” Sam offered.
“The point is, that we’ve lost TWO highly visible endorsers now.” Josh groused. “We’re taking on
water faster than I can bail.”
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Michigan was a tough state. The three point lead they’d had on Hoynes before the MS
announcement turned into a four point deficit by the time they got there. It wasn’t like they hadn’t
expected a drop while everything shook out but FOUR POINTS down?! Donna was shocked at the
seven point swing, even though Josh had predicted it. The whole team was disheartened but
continued their full court press the entire week leading up to the primary.
They were into their final push with Josh tap dancing as fast as he could on Nightline.
“My initial reaction was surprise.” Josh explained. “I’d been traveling with the Governor for months
and had never seen any sign that he might have any kind of medical condition, but once I learned
more about MS, then I understood. The reason I never saw any sign of a medical condition was
that there weren’t any signs to see. It hasn’t affected him during this strenuous, grueling run for
high office.”
“Are you saying it was right for the Governor to keep this information from the voters while he was
running for President?” Ted Koppel asked incredulously.
“I’m saying I understand his reticence to disclose it when information about MS is so
misunderstood. He’s disclosing it now of his own volition.” Josh pointed out. “All he’s asking is that
voters look at the total picture. MS does not define this candidate.”
“I guess we’ll find out what Michigan thinks about that when they go to the polls in a little more than
24 hours from now. Thanks to Josh Lyman, Bartlet for America Political Strategy Director, for his
appearance tonight. I’m Ted Koppel, good night.”
When Josh got back to the campaign headquarters it was still buzzing with activity despite the fact
that it was nearly 1 am. There were, of course, 8 million phone calls for him to return but he hadn’t
seen Donna all day and he needed a few minutes with her. They’d adopted a divide and conquer
strategy over the past few days that they hoped would get them through this gauntlet called
Michigan. The jury was still out on whether or not it was going to work for the Governor, but Josh
could say unequivocally that it wasn’t working for him and Donna.
“CJ! Have you seen Donna?”
“Last time I saw her, she was huddled with Toby over a new script for an ad she wants to run.” She
replied wearily. “Nice job tonight, mi amore.”
“Are you speaking to me in Italian, or am I just so exhausted that your words sound funny?” Josh
asked.
“If you’re so exhausted, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at the hotel getting a few
precious hours of sleep?”
“Brilliant!” Josh kissed her sloppily on the forehead. “I need a car and someone to drive it.
Donna?!” He called out on his way to Toby and Sam’s office. “Donna!”
“She’s. Not. Here.” Toby clipped off. “Will you stop hollering, for the love of God?”
“Where’d she go?”
“Even if I knew I wouldn’t tell you.”
“Why not?”
“Because I hate everyone.”
“Okay. Keep up the good work.” Josh nodded and continued on his quest to find Donna. He’d
almost made it back to his office when he ran into Sam. “Have YOU seen Donna?”
“Yes, keep your voice down.”
“Why?”
“Because she’s sleeping in your office.” Sam motioned to the closed door behind them. “She was
reviewing something, but either it was very boring or she was very tired because when I went in
just now to ask her a question she was sound asleep at the table. So I just closed the door and let
her sleep.”
“You just left her asleep on the table?”
“She looked comfortable and I didn’t want to move her.” Sam shrugged. “You should take her back
to the hotel to get some real sleep.”
“I was kind of hoping she could take me.” Josh yawned. “Yeah, yeah… thanks Sam.”
Josh slowly opened the door so as not to disturb Donna. He paused at the entrance to the office
and just stared at her. She was so beautiful. She was sound asleep on what appeared to be the
latest report on their targeted media buys. He was tempted to leave her there, much like Sam was,
just so he didn’t have to wake her, but the way her neck was bent she would be in major pain when
she woke up if he left her like that.
Resignedly, he closed the door behind him and walked over to gently shake her awake. She
awoke with a start.
“Easy. Shhh…it’s okay.” Josh murmured. “You fell asleep at the office.”
“Josh?” She looked at him curiously. “What time is it?”
“A little after one.” Josh pulled her up to standing. “Come on. I’ll take you back to the hotel.”
“Can’t. I have to go over the thing…”
Josh chuckled. “You can’t even remember what you’re supposed to be reviewing. You must be
spent.”
“No Josh, no. The west coast office needs it right away.” She reached for the packet she had been
sleeping on. “They’re waiting for a phone call.”
“I’ll do it after we get you to the hotel.” Josh decided.
“The tapes and everything are here.” She pointed to the TV/VCR set up in the corner. “Josh!” She
resisted his pull to the door.
“Fine, then let’s get this done quick.” He led her to the couch in the office and they sat down. Josh
turned on the TV and used the remote to cue up the proposed spots while he looked at the data in
the report. “Where did these spots come from?” He asked only to discover Donna had fallen
asleep again, her head against the back of the couch.
With a wry laugh, Josh sat back against the couch and gently laid her down on the pillow in his lap.
“At least one of us should get some sleep.” He picked up the remote again and made some notes
on changes he wanted before calling the west coast office to get them set. Once he’d finished, he
weighed the options before him; wake Donna and spend precious sleep time driving to the hotel
before getting a few hours of sleep and having to get up and drive back, or just settle in and sleep
here. He decided to head back to the hotel just moments before his eyes closed and he joined
Donna in some deep sleep.