A/N: This three-piece story plays in the same universe as my other Donna-stories from before the White House years.
One for Sam, Two for Toby
We, as in Josh, Sam and I, are sitting in a little diner in Seattle. I told Sam I don't mind what kind of diner he chooses but it must be near the ocean. Josh finds it amusing that I'm so enthralled by the ocean. He says for a girl from Wisconsin I have a strange fascination with salt water. I say I'm a Cancer. He looks baffled, but I'm not surprised, he is an Aries, after all. Sam is deep in thoughts (he is Pisces, by the way), and Josh rants about how they didn't burn his burger last time he was in Seattle. I guess they didn't believe he wanted it that way, I mean who would want his burger burnt like charcoal?
"Does he ever get tired of his own voice?" Sam asks me suddenly.
"Not a chance of that," I answer with an exasperated sigh, and Sam winks at me.
Josh huffs pompously and returns his attention to the menu. A nice waitress appears at our table, and I order a cheeseburger for me, a chicken burger for Sam and a burnt beyond recognition beef burger for Josh, some salad and three ice teas. He is still reading the menu, oblivious that we already ordered. How do I know he is oblivious? Just watch us.
"Where is the waitress? How long should I wait to order one measly burger?" he complains.
Sam and I look at each other and burst into laughter. Yeah, Josh is not able to divide his attention except when it comes to politics.
"Josh, the waitress already took our order," Sam tells him.
"But I didn't order," he whines.
"Donna ordered for us, Josh. Like she always does," Sam informs him, and Josh shoots me a glare.
"No salad," he says.
"You have to eat the salad otherwise no fries for you, my friend," I tell him, and he shrugs. I don't know why we always have to have this discussion, but if he eats his salad at the end I don't really care.
"There is lettuce in the burger, why should I eat an extra salad?" he queries, and sends me into stitches. Honestly, no one but Josh would come up with this kind of argument.
"Josh, you can't be serious with that," Sam tells him exasperatedly.
"It's an argument," Josh insists.
"Which doesn't even deserve a response," I tell him, and the waitress puts our ice teas on the table. Josh pouts, giving me dangerous thoughts. I think I could kiss away the pout, but we don't want to go there. It's always dangerous to be this close to Josh when I'm tired. I can't keep my cool, can't keep my mind behind bars.
"You have more ice cubes," Josh interrupts my thoughts with his whining.
Did I mention that we haven't slept for almost 30 hours? We should be asleep in our motel rooms right now, but the guys were hungry, and the motel was stinky. So we are looking for another motel before Toby and CJ arrives. This time we arrived with the advance team. The Sheraton is not quite ready to take us, not until the Governor arrives. And that's in tomorrow. Toby and CJ had to meet with some media people in Seattle beforehand, and Leo sent us with them. We saw the motel and knew that there is no chance to spend the night there, so we took our car and went on looking for a better place. That's when Josh turned into a five year old, and Sam said he was hungry. And here we are. I switch my glass with his, earning a sweet smile complete with dimples from him. I'm so in love with him that sometimes even I'm nauseated by myself.
"What's up, Sam?" I ask my friend to keep my mind off of Josh, but Sam only shakes his head. Although no one is more dangerous when brooding than Josh, Sam can be depressed for days afterwards, so I usually head this off by letting him speak his mind. "You can tell me, I'm just Donna. What's wrong?"
"Don't sell yourself below price, Donna. You are a fabulous friend. And there is nothing earth-shatteringly wrong. I'm just so tired," he says.
"When he is tired he starts to doubt himself," Josh imparts, and I nod. Sometimes, I do the same. Although the doubts always come in the morning, but then I enter Josh' office, see how much he needs me and the thoughts vanish. When I'm tired I'm a bit maudlin, and I'm moping about Josh. Fortunately, I'm still able to do this in silence and in my own head.
"What kind of doubts?" I ask Sam, I want him to open up, and I want my thoughts clear of Josh. Besides, when Sam bottles up his feelings he ends up being dispirited. And when Sam, our idealistic Sam, is depressed, everybody feels down.
"Well, usually about my writing, but lately about my life. Is this really worth the sacrifices we make every day?" he asks rhetorically, but both Josh and I feel compelled to answer.
"Yes." It's my life now, and I think Josh feels the same.
"You two are cute together," Sam says, and then throws us a frightened look. Fortunately, Josh doesn't catch Sam's look, so I have time to answer something witty, misdirect my thoughts and Josh' attention.
"How could it be any other way?" I quip, "Because I'm cute. Although Josh is… What would you call him?" I turn to Sam, who has a gleam of wickedness in his eyes.
"Egomaniac?" he asks me, ignoring Josh' warning glare.
"More like a monomaniac," I say, ignoring Josh' groan.
"Or just a plain maniac," Sam deadpans, and we burst into laughter again.
"Very, very funny. Did you two ever consider a career as a comedic duo? I'm sure CJ has the connections, and I can ask Leo to give you the boot," Josh says with a smirk.
"No, we already joined the circus that's enough of show business," I retort, making both Josh and Sam laugh.
Our burgers arrive, and we eat in a companionable silence. At the end, Josh has mayo all over his chin and when I feel the urgency to wipe it off the rather unusual way (which, I have to say for full disclosure, doesn't involve a napkin) I decide it's time for a retreat and some fresh water on my face.
I make my excuses and dash for the restroom. Unfortunately, it is full so I have to wait outside. That's when a rather heated discussion catches my attention.
"You bastard! I basically wrote those articles for you, and you give her a raise?" I hear a female voice.
"Baby, you have to understand, I couldn't give you a raise, it would have looked inappropriate," a male responds.
"Don't 'baby' me, you know full well how I hate that!" she says. "I did your research for you, I wrote the articles you didn't deign to pay attention to, plus I typed the ones you wrote!"
"Baby," he starts, and I can imagine the glare he receives from the girl. What is it with baby? Can't he remember her name? They are obviously not just boss and assistant but lovers too.
"You have my letter of resignation, just accept it," she says. Good, that should show him his place. I wonder briefly how long it will take before he finds another assistant who would do the same for him. I have a hunch that it won't take long before another girl comes along. I don't know, maybe they should teach girls how not to become a victim of men who only use them. I know the feeling and I know if I had known CJ back then I wouldn't have let Dr. Freeride use me. And that's when a thought arises. A wonderful idea! An inspiration only worth of a genius! Okay, I tend to think in exclamation points when I'm tired.
"You can't leave!" he thunders.
"Just watch me," she says coolly.
"Wait!" he implores.
"Jason, let go of my wrist," she reasons. "I quit, come to terms with it."
"But, baby, this doesn't mean that we have to end what we have," he insists.
"Jason, you didn't appreciate what I did for you professionally, you don't appreciate what I do for you personally. You see me as nothing else than a secretary who was foolish enough to let you into her bed," she says, and I can hear the sadness in her voice. At this exact moment, the three ladies who occupied the restroom until now emerge, leaving the room now empty. But I can't enter, I'm like mesmerized. Even if it's eavesdropping, I want to hear the end of this.
"But, baby…" he starts again, but is cut off.
"What's my name, Jason?" she asks.
"Ginny," he says.
"Close enough," she says sardonically. "I'll go into the restroom, Jason. If you value your private parts I suggest you run as fast as you can. Don't worry, I'll pick up the tab." Wow, she is cool!
She breezes past me and enters the bathroom; I follow her, but not before casting a last look towards their booth. The man is handsome and he is leaving. The bastard! When I enter the restroom, I see her resting her abdomen against the counter, leaning over the basin, watching herself in the mirror.
"Hi," I greet her with a smile, and she nods, not returning the smile. "I'm sorry, but I overheard your argument before. Is there anything I can do for you?" I ask her, praying that she plays into my hand.
"Not unless you have a job for me far-far away from this place," she says, and I allow myself a brief grin.
"Do you know who the Democratic presidential candidate is?" I ask her, and earn an arched eyebrow. Okay, admittedly it's a strange question, but I have to know. "Just humor me," I tell her persuasively.
"Jed Bartlet," she answers, and I smile at her.
"That's right. I'm with the campaign, and we are looking for assistants. You'd be working for Toby Ziegler." Yeah, I never forgot what I promised in Hartfield's Landing. I even told Josh who only laughed but then told me that I'm a good girl. That's what Leo always tells Margaret, so I guess it's a compliment. But at that time I would have really rather appreciated a kiss than a compliment. I know, I have a one-track mind, bear with me. My birthday is almost here and I tend to become emotional when my birthday nears.
"What does he do for the campaign?" she asks.
"He writes speeches for the Governor, is responsible for media relations and he is also a policy advisor," I list.
"I don't want to be a secretary," she says.
"I'm looking for an assistant for Mr. Ziegler," I reiterate.
"Jason once said, he didn't know I heard him, that assistants are glorified secretaries."
"Well, some might say so, but I don't think they are right. I'm doing much more than that for Josh," I tell her.
"Josh is…" she asks.
"My boss. Policy advisor and Leo McGarry's deputy. Leo is running the show," I explain.
"What would my job entail?" she asks.
"There are secretarial things like filing, typing, answering phones, making reservations, but as an assistant you'd also do research, be a soundboard and eventually prepare memos," I tell her.
"Whoa, that'd be good," she says. "What about coffee?" Hey, that's my kind of girl!
"You don't have to bring him coffee, unless you want," I tell her. "Margaret brings Leo coffee, but I don't do it for Josh. If you are at the coffee machine and you think Toby deserves one, you can bring him one, but really, you don't have to."
"Okay," she agrees.
"Oh, and there is another speechwriter who might require your assistance. Sam Seaborn, a good friend of Josh," I tell her.
"But I'd be working for Mr. Ziegler?" she asks.
"Yep, definitely," I tell her. "Usually it's Leo who decides about the new people, but when I can convince Josh, he will hire you. Toby really needs a new assistant."
"His former assistant left?" she asks.
"Yeah, they had to part ways," I tell her vaguely. Of course, Leo fired her after she threw herself at Sam. She wasn't the first, and won't be the last either, I guess. But I have a hunch about this woman; she wouldn't risk her job because of a pretty face. "You want to meet Josh and Sam?"
"Of course. Sorry, I seem to have forgotten my manners," she says then with a sad smile. "My name is Ginger Taylor," she says, stretching out her hand.
"Donna Moss," I tell her, shaking her hand. "Come on before they send a search party after me."
We exit and head back to where Josh and Sam are sitting.
"I was so close to send a Search and Rescue team after you," Josh greets me.
I flash a smile at Ginger (which she returns), and then turn back to the boys.
"Guys, this is Ginger Taylor, she will work for Toby," I inform them.
"Donna, you picked up an assistant for Toby in the restroom?" Josh asks incredulously.
"Do not even pay attention to him," I tell Ginger, "he hasn't slept for 30 hours. Ginger, this is my boss, Josh Lyman. Josh, this is Ginger, she is Toby's new assistant."
"Okay, but you are aware that only Leo can hire people, right?" he gives in, but not without giving me a pointed look.
"I'm aware of that, Josh. And I already told this to Ginger. She just wanted to meet you," I tell him, looking at him disapprovingly. I hope he doesn't want to scare away this girl.
"Nice to meet you, Ginger," he says, stretching out his hand, and sneaks a glance at Sam.
"Ginger, this is Sam Seaborn. Sam, this is Ginger, Toby's new assistant," I reiterate.
"Hi, Ginger," Sam says, sounding very chipper. "Nice to meet you." He shakes her hand. I watch Ginger intently and when I don't see any particular reaction to Sam's handsomeness―hey, it's a word!―I'm relieved. "You are not from Seattle, right?"
"No, I'm from New Jersey," she says, flashing a smile at Sam, but then she turns back to me.
"When do I meet Mr. Ziegler?" She is sitting down next to Sam, and I slide into the booth next to Josh, our knees touch for a brief moment. Back off, Donna. You don't want to make something foolish when you are this tired.
"Soon. But I have a first assignment for you, Ginger. Do you know any good motels in the city?" I ask her.
"There is one not far from here," she says. "They have clean sheets and TV sets in every room."
"Oh, God, I would give everything for a hot shower and a bed," Josh says.
"Tired?" Ginger asks us, when Sam and I nod in agreement of Josh' sentiment.
"Yeah, fried," Sam says. "Okay, let's head out and then we can call CJ and Toby."
Josh picks up the tab, and I whisper to him to also pay for Ginger. He gives me a look, but then nods. Sometimes, he can be sweet. I thought there would be an argument about it, but obviously he can be a gentleman.
"Donna, are you sure that she is okay for Toby?" he asks me in a low voice. Sam and Ginger already left the diner; we are waiting for the receipt.
"I'm sure. Trust me, Josh," I tell him, and he nods.
"At least she is not smitten with Sam," he remarks. No, she is not. I know how that it, being smitten with somebody. "I thought you were only joking after Hartfield's Landing," he adds then with a smirk.
"No, Josh. But even without my promise in Hartfield's Landing I'd help Toby to find a new assistant. Ginger will work out, you'll see," I assure him.
"But you'll look for another assistant for Toby," he states, and gives me gentle smile.
"Hey, I promised two assistants." I swat his arm. "Come on, my brain is fried, Toby's another assistant can wait."
"I don't get a second assistant, do I?" he asks as we exit the diner and catch up with Ginger and Sam.
"Well, do you want one?" I ask back.
"God forbid!" he says in mock fright. "I can't even get the one I have to bring me coffee!"
"Ginger won't be bringing coffee for Toby either," I tell him, and Ginger laughs gently. Sam gives me a grin, and Josh groans.
"Donatella 'Norma Rae' Moss," he mocks me. "Why is coffee important?" he asks me then seriously.
"It's not what an assistant does," I tell him.
"But you type, you file, you answer my phones, these are secretarial things too," he tells me.
"Josh, even a secretary shouldn't be required to bring coffee. Typing, filing and all that jazz are work-related. Bringing coffee is not."
"When we are in the White House and I have senators and congressmen to deal with, will you bring coffee for those meetings?"
"You want me to work for you once we are in the White House?" I ask him incredulously, and notice only from the corner of my eye that Sam's grinning.
"You don't want that?" he asks back, sounding… hurt? Offended?
"I'd be thrilled. But you know that I'm not qualified," I tell him.
"You have a qualification no one else has, Donna," Sam inserts before Josh can speak.
"What would that be, Sam?" Josh asks.
"She is fluent in Joshness," Sam tells us, making me laugh and Josh grin.
"That's right," Josh says with a smug grin. "You could write a book about me. Although I wouldn't recommend it, I would sue you if you did, and I'm a lawyer with lawyer friends," he says, his grin turned into a smirk. "Also, I don't know anyone who would be able to figure out your filing system."
"You know how it works," I retort.
"Sure, but I can't be my own assistant, can I?" he asks back.
"You'd better get used to this," Sam stage whispers to Ginger, making us stop.
"They are cute together," Ginger whispers back, and there is that frightened look on Sam's face again. This time Josh saves me; my mind is so fried I can't squash the remark with a witty response.
"I'll tell Ginger about the shirt," he tells me in a voice that leaves me wonder when would he stick out his tongue at me. Don't go down that road, Donna, I warn myself, when Josh turns to Ginger. "You see, I had a shirt. A completely sensible gray shirt," he adds.
"I don't think gray would be becoming you," Ginger inserts.
"Ha!" I exclaim, looking pointedly at Josh. "It was an ugly shirt on its own," I explain it to Ginger before she thinks that I disposed the shirt because it wasn't becoming Josh.
"She wanted to hide the shirt from me, so she put it in a folder and filed it under 'u' as in ugly!" Josh tells the story.
"Why didn't you just throw it out?" Ginger asks me.
"Mandy gave him the shirt," I explain, forgetting for a moment that Ginger doesn't know who Mandy is.
"Mandy is Josh' girlfriend," Sam says when she throws a confused look at him.
Ginger looks at me with sympathy in her eyes, and I have to turn away before she can spot the tears that threaten to escape. I'm so tired! And then Sam's mobile goes off. Saved by the bell. And I think I've found a new friend for me who already knows my biggest secret. I hope Toby will like her too.
TBC
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