"Looking Back IV"
Written by: Melissa (Doc)
NOTES: The Looking Back series deals with six stories. Each one being dedicated to each of the main characters. These were written during the second season, so it obviously doesn't flow with the past few seasons.
Part IV- Josh
Josh leaned against the wall waiting to hear news on the election. He looked around to all the people in the room. He had known all of them for four years. Some people in the room he had known longer. He looks at his buddy Sam eating cookies and talking to himself again. Josh can't help but laugh. Then he looks at CJ, she is sitting on a chair staring off into space. Then he looks over at the secretaries and looks at Donna. He smiles at the thought of all the crap that she had been through with him. He thinks to himself that there is no way he could have made it this far in this job without her.
Then he looks over at Leo and Jed. The two men that Josh considers father figures. Leo took Josh under his wing since the beginning. Jed taught him how to be a good leader in life. He wasn't ready to lose that yet.
Josh remembers the day he was shot. Out of all the people there, he was hurt the worst. He still doesn't know why he was picked to be shot, but he was. He nearly lost his life, and he would do it again if it were to save the Presidents life. Leo sent Josh to speak to a therapist when Josh found himself losing it. Josh knew that he needed help, but he was afraid to admit it. If Leo hadn't stepped in and helped, Josh knew that something bad could have happened.
Josh couldn't believe that he worked for Hoynes before he joined the Bartlet campaign. Josh knew that Hoynes didn't care about the people; he only cared for his popularity. When Leo came and got Josh to come see the real thing in Nashua, Josh knew then. Jed Bartlet was a good man, and with the right staff, could take care of this country the way it should be. Four years later, Josh can say that he was right; Jed Bartlet makes the perfect President.
Josh lost his sister a long time ago. He didn't have any other brothers or sisters. His dad died a couple of years ago during the campaign. He didn't have a big family. But in the White House, he has a huge family that he cares deeply about. Josh sees Sam and Toby as his brothers, CJ as his sister, Jed and Leo as fathers, and Donna as someone he would like to spend the rest of his life with.
"Here it is," Donna yells as she turns up the TV.
"With 70 of the vote, we are happy to announce Josiah Bartlet as the winner…." The newscaster said. Just then the whole room went up in a roar. Everyone started hugging and laughing.
Josh smiled and jumped with joy. He ran over to Sam and gave his brother a hug. Then the two men ran over to CJ and they all exchanged hugs. Josh let Sam go talk to the President first, and he went over to Donna. He picked her up and swung her around the room and hugged her.
"You guys did it Josh," Donna said with a smile. "I knew you would."
"Thank you for keeping me in line Donna Moss," Josh said as he kissed her gently on the cheek. "I will never forget it," Josh whispered in her ear.
He smiled once more and then walked over to the President.
"Congratulations Mr. President," Josh said as he gave his father figure a hug.
"Thank you for everything Josh," Jed said to him. "Keep going the way you are now and you will be just fine in the future," Jed got closer and put his lips near Josh's ear. "I love you son."
Josh smiled and hugged Jed again. Another four years: bring it on.
The End