November 30th, 3:34PM

Donna

I was walking down one of the many hallways in the OEOB when something in the air changed. It's cliche and perhaps inconceivable but I know when Josh enters a room- or a hallway for that matter. However, matching that change in energy that sent Josh messages to my brain with the appearance of a whistling man who was jogging up beside me was more difficult.

"Whatcha doin?" Josh asks, sounding lighter than I've heard him in quite some time.

"Um, I have a meeting with Lou about aligning our talking points about family initiatives then I was going to have lunch with CJ in her office if she doesn't get pulled away."

"Reschedule." He's looking that boyish excitement prevents that from sounding like a command.

"Excuse me?"

"Reschedule. You've gotta go pack." At this point, he's bouncing down the hall with me.

"Are you feeling okay…?" I ask. Josh looks giddy. He's still whistling when he turns his head to me, undressing me with his eyes right here in the Old Executive Office Building with any number of politicians and their staff members around. Usually I'm the one initiating and making moves. Josh is usually hesitant for a minute before he can turn off his overthinking brain of his and follow my lead, eventually taking the reins when we get to the really good stuff. He's never been quite so forward as his eyes are being right now. "Oh, no. You've officially lost it."

"It was bound to happen sometime." He says. I wonder if he's referring to what I said in response to him apologizing for that searing, mind-blowing kiss. He starts humming to himself as we continue down the hall. "It's funny you should mention that actually."

"Why…?" I watch as guilt overtakes his features.

"I, um, sort of lost it on Otto. Like made him cry. For no reason." I stop and raise an eyebrow. "Sam saw. And he read me down pretty good, don't worry." He starts talking fast at this point, back to the usual rambling Josh I know and love. "See, here's the thing- um. Apparently, there's a life outside this and I don't wanna be Lou and I can't be Sam but I want to figure… it out maybe. So now- Okay, this thing between us… I know we don't know what it is and I'm not good at this but I'm hoping this will make up for that part a little tiny bit." He's pulling folded up pieces paper out of his back pocket. He hands them to me, I open them tentatively.

I stare at them and wait for the catch. I look back into Josh's eyes but he's averting his gaze. He's nervous. He's precious. Especially if this is what I think it is.

"According to Sam, I'm not a silver tongued negotiator or something but I'm going on vacation and I wanted to convince you to come with me." Looking back at the tickets, I can't find the words. I mean IT'S HAWAII. IT'S HAWAII WITH JOSHUA LYMAN. "Donna, ya gotta say something or-" I can see him preparing himself for me to say no. I don't want him to close himself off again.

"You want to take me to Hawaii?"

"Yup."

"Are there skis in my future?"

"Huh?"

"I asked you to take me to Hawaii for seven years. I'm thinking another three and you'll get me those skis I asked for." I think our smiles simultaneously spread. Normally mentioning the past has been a no go but at least in this moment, it seems we've moved past that.

"Funny. You're a funny girl."

"Call me Barb."

"Donna." He looks serious again. "You asked me to take you to Hawaii as my assistant… This is something different." It's vague and it's avoiding the inherent "what are we?" question but it's Josh and my heart melts. I'm blushing and I look down at the tickets again for cover.

"THESE ARE FOR 7:30!?"

"Well, we should probably get there a bit before the plane boards which is at 7:10-"

"I have to go pack."

"That's what I was trying to tell you."

"You do too!"

"That's where I'm headed."

"Okay." This is happening. "Okay- I'm gonna go… ask Mrs. Santos for the week off then… go home to pack."

"What are you still talking to me for?" That smirk. I smile at him before turning around to go talk to my future boss. Oh my god.

"Oh and Donna?"

"Yeah?" I turn around.

"You still got that red bikini?" My eyes widen. I'm pretty sure a junior staffer walking by just heard that. I don't care as much as I should. Josh is running his eyes over me like I'm currently in said bikini. I roll my eyes and keep walking. As I turn the corner, I speed up into what might be called a brisk jaunt. I can't help myself.

"Oh, Donna! Thank god you pulled me out of there. I was about to nod off talking about my own kids' pastry favorites. Although I admit I didn't think you'd start so fast. You just accepted an hour ago."

"Yes. Which is why I'm a bit nervous asking you this. But please don't take it as a lack of commitment to this job. I am beyond flattered and since you asked, I've been thinking a lot and I'm excited to get started."

"Donna? Is everything alright?" Helen looks concerned. My nerves gave way to a particular Josh style rambling apparently.

"Yes! Of course. I, um, well I was hoping that you'd be alright with me taking a few days off. Something has come up- nothing bad. In fact, I think it's a good thing."

"Donna, if you're asking to take a vacation, I'd say run. As fast as you can to the nearest airport." Helen laughed and I feel my nerves calm down considerably. "Why so sudden? Are you going alone?" She's perceptive. Great. Now what do I tell her? I've got to go have essentially a sex vacation with your husband's Chief of Staff because he's losing his marbles and sprung a flight on me that leaves in less than three hours. Something tells me I should hold off on that.

"I was asked to go… By a friend. It wasn't… in the plan. I'm not sure there is a plan. Other than hop on a plane to Maui and see what happens." I answer as vaguely and honestly as I can.

"A friend?" She looks delighted to just talk about something that is normal. I'm going to have to remember to schedule something in her daily schedule that reminds her that she's human.

"Yeah. Um, I imagine it'll be pretty obvious when you notice a certain volume decrease but it's with Josh." Everyone's going to figure out pretty soon anyways. Might as well give Helen this piece of gossip before anyone else has it. Her eyebrows shoot up.

"Josh Lyman? Huh. Well…" She recovers nicely but I can see the mischief in her eyes- no doubt, excited to inform her husband of this development. "You have to promise me details when you get back. Now like I said, run! To the airport! Go, pack!"

I once again find myself just short of sprinting through the OEOB. I have a tiny red bikini to find.

I'm running late. I blame Josh entirely. Him and the cab driver that is currently driving at the pace of an injured turtle. I already called Josh and told him as much. And Josh Lyman, perpetually anally retentive and anxiety machine, told me to calm down, take a breath, and double check my bag for my bikini and suntan lotion. I hung up on him. Smiling. But still.

When I finally make it through security, the plane was boarding in a few minutes. I had just enough time to grab a water, a granola bar, and gum. Two packs of gum. One spearmint and one cinnamon. One for me, one for Josh.

I enter the plane in time to watch him sit down. He looks exhausted- he needs to shave better and his eyes have dark circles under them, his shirt is too big and wrinkled. My heart flutters regardless. I take a minute to smooth down my hair and take a deep breath. This feels like a big deal. It's the first time… maybe ever that we've seen each other in context completely outside of work and politics.

When I sink into the seat next to him, the look he gives me is undeniably sexy but something in his eyes says grateful and that's what really helps me start believing that maybe… this thing between us, maybe we're on the same page. Finally.

AN It's been done time and time again; how the heck did they go from "you've got three weeks and six days" to lovey dovey eyes on plane 2 vacation! But here's my little spin on it- hope you enjoy and stuff- if ppl review n tell me they want it, ill post a ch 2 with my take on them in hawaii