Disclaimer: No copyright infringement of any kind intended
Rating: T
A/N: This takes place S7, when Sam comes back to DC to work for Santos. Just my take on how things may have worked out a little differently. I hope you enjoy. Please review and let me know what you think.
"You're with Donna now?" I've only been back in DC for 4 hours but already half a dozen different people have filled me in on the 'happy' news. Now, without thinking, I seem to have found my way to Josh's office and I'm standing in the doorway, staring at him while the staffers, in turn, stare at me.
Josh looks up from the papers on his desk and mutters a quick "Yes" before swallowing the sound down with a long gulp of Red Bull. As he resumes his work I continue to stare at him incredulously, anger slowly building up inside me.
"You didn't think to mention it in California?" I ask, a little louder than I had intended and now the interest of the staffers is even more piqued.
"What?" Josh looks up again and just like in California, I see how exhausted he is. He is physically and mentally drained and although I realise he doesn't need me throwing a hissy fit in his office, I'm on a roll and I find I can't stop myself.
"You didn't think to mention the fact that you and Donna are now an item? I left my job for you! I left my fiancée for you! Again!"
"I never asked you to leave Kate," Josh said warily, suddenly realizing where I was going with this conversation. He stood up and walked over to the door. A stern stare at his staff sent them scurrying back to their work but I knew they'd be listening again once he closed the door and I didn't care. "I didn't ask you to leave her," Josh repeated, as he leaned his tired body against the closed door.
"You didn't have to. I guess it was stupid of me to assume that because you were in my bed again it meant you wanted me for more than your Deputy," I pause for a moment because it suddenly all becomes clear. "That's why you slept with me that night. Because you though I wouldn't come back unless it was to be with you."
His silence confirmed my accusations and I suddenly felt sick to my stomach. With tears welling up in my eyes, I struggled to speak. "I gave up everything for you, Josh," I manage to choke out. I look into his eyes and for the briefest of moments I think he's going to say something but he simply blinks and turns to sit back down at his desk.
A single tear trails down my cheek and I feel like the archetypal jilted lover. Embarrassed, I wipe at the wetness with the back of my hand and straighten up.
"You know, I always thought you could recognize the "Real Thing" when you saw it. You were right about Bartlet and I know you're right about Santos but you're blind to the only "Real Thing" that actually matters." With all the strength I can muster, I open the door and walk, head held high towards the elevator. I ignore the dozens of pairs of eyes that are staring at me as I walk away from Josh. As I wait for the elevator doors to open, I resist the temptation to turn around to see if he's watching me because I already know that he is. After a few seconds, a 'ding' signals the elevator's arrival and I step inside. I turn around just as the doors are sliding closed. I meet his eyes, emanating confusion and anger and sadness and, as he looks away, I take that fleeting moment to memorise every last inch of him before he disappears behind the metal doors of the elevator and out of my life forever.
Well, what did you think?? xxx