Disclaimer: I don't own anyone, although I wouldn't mind owning Sam ;-)

This story takes place in my own timeline – Santos got voted in as President, Leo is the VP, Josh is COS, Sam, Deputy COS, Toby kept his job as communications director, Will is his deputy, CJ is COS to Leo and Zoey and Charlie are there because they are still close to all the staff.

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Donna Moss walked miserably into her office after yet another disastrous date and threw her bag and coat at the sofa in the corner and sat down at her disk with a huge sigh, burying her head in her hands.

"Rough day?" a friendly voice came from her doorway. Donna looked up and managed a slight smile at the guy leaning casually on the doorframe to her office.

"Come on in Sam,"

Sam walked in and sat on the chair on the other side of her desk, "What's up Donnatella?" Donna pouted slightly.

"You know Josh is the only person who calls me that."

"Sorry. Bad date?"

Donna groaned, and returned her head to her hands, her long blonde hair covering her face, "The worst. All he wanted to talk about was football and how many models and actresses he had met. As soon as he found out that I was the White House Press Secretary he started quizzing me about any State secrets that I might know. It was a relief that I had to come back for the 2pm briefing!"

"Aww Donna I'm sorry." Sam said, reaching over and giving her hand a squeeze. "He sounds like an idiot, you deserve so much better." Donna smiled, "Thanks Sam, I feel a bit better now. I better go do my briefing."

"Yeah, about that, don't mention anything about.."

"Yeah I know. Did anything come in while I was at lunch that I'm gonna get asked about?"

"Nothing I've heard about, but I've been on the hill for a lot of the time. We've made a lot of headway on the health bill and it looks like its going to make it through Congress when it comes to that."

"That's great, well done! Have you told Josh?"

"I'm just on my way there now. Poker tonight, don't forget!"

"I'll be there."

About 10pm that evening, Donna headed towards Josh's office, complaining to Mallory about her date as they went. "It was awful Mal; you don't know how lucky you are having Sam."

Mallory smiled at her friend, "Yeah I know, but Donna, you know there's a guy out there that loves you just as much as Sam loves me. All you have to do is take that step forward."

"Huh? There is no guy!" Donna exclaimed, confusion marring her delicate features. Mallory just rolled her eyes. "How is it that the pair of you are so dense? I know for a fact that Sam has had a similar conversation with Josh on more than one occas.." She stopped talking when she realised that Donna was no longer beside her. She turned round and saw her a few strides behind, standing still, with her mouth open in shock. "Me….and… Josh?" Donna managed to splutter, "That's..ridiculous. He's my boss! He's always been my boss."

"And?" Mallory said, "That doesn't mean you haven't ever considered it! You guys fit together so perfectly. You practically finish each other's sentences. You can't honestly be telling me that it has never crossed your mind?"

"I…uhh…I can't talk about this now, we have to go lose lots of money at poker." And with that, she walked past Mallory and headed into Josh's office and took her usual seat in between Josh and Sam.

"You ready to give me all your money Donnatella?" Josh teased as she took her seat and began sorting out her money.

"Now you know it's gonna be the other way around Joshua. With all the money I'm going to win off you tonight I'll be able to afford that trip to Hawaii!"

"Can't you get whichever gomer you are currently dating to take you, since you are never going to get any money from this game!" Josh answered back quickly as they slipped back into their usual style of banter which they kept under control during the day. They we both to engrossed in teasing each other that they didn't notice the amused and significant looks that Sam, Mallory, Toby and Will were exchanging.

Since President Santos had taken office, the senior staff had held their poker games at least once a week and were often joined by members of the Vice-Presidents staff, Mallory, Zoey, Charlie and sometimes the President and the Vice-President. Since there was much less animosity between Santos and his VP than between President Bartlett and Hoynes, it made life a lot simpler and the poker games served as a reminder of old times with just a few additions. In those games they were just friends who got together to play poker.

There was a knock at the door and CJ and Leo walked in and took their seats.

"Evening everybody!" Leo said, "Is the President not joining us tonight?"

"No sir, he's in the residence with the First Lady. Zoey and Charlie are coming later I think."

The game started and continued for a good couple of hours before Zoey and Charlie appeared in the doorway carrying bags of Chinese food and beer. The game stopped for a while and everyone just started chatting. Josh ended up standing with Sam and Charlie.

"So Josh, I was wondering, when are you and Donna gonna face up to your feelings for each other?" Charlie asked quietly, checking briefly that Donna wasn't in earshot. The look on Josh's face was priceless. Shock and confusion spread across his face, swiftly chased by denial as he shot a quick glance to the table where Donna was sitting with Mallory, CJ and Zoey, laughing about something. A look of happiness flashed across his face, but was almost as quickly replaced by denial. "What feelings?" he asked, "We're friends, but nothing more!"

"OK Josh, whatever you say man, but she's a fine.."

"looking woman, yes I know Charlie!" Josh finished exasperated.

"So you admit it then!" Charlie said, amused beyond belief.

"I…uhh. ..so when are you gonna ask Zoey to marry you then?" Josh replied, master of misdirection as always.

"Just as soon as I get her father's permission" Charlie replied with a sheepish grin, completely non-plussed by Josh's sudden change of topic, "but that's not who we are talking about. Why can't you just admit that you love her and are jealous of all of the men she dates?"

"Speaking of which," Sam added, "she had a really awful date this afternoon, so I wouldn't wind her up too much like you usually do."

"What are you talking about Charlie," he said, "I'm not in love with her!" and with that, he left them to go and join the girls at the table, taking his seat next to Donna and stealing her beer from her hand without thinking.

Charlie and Sam rolled their eyes at each other. "We have got to do something to sort those to out." Sam said, "they are driving me insane!"

"Well, I know Zoey and Mallory will help out, and anyone else we ask for that matter!" He stopped talking as Leo joined them.

"What are you two talking about, hiding in this corner like a couple of girls?" Leo asked with a grin.

"Josh and Donna" Sam replied, "we planning on getting them to finally admit to their feelings."

"Great! I was wondering what had taken you so long to decide to interfere!" Leo said, smiling at their surprise, "Well I'm not really in a position to do it, I'm the Vice President!"

"But you will help though, right?" asked Sam.

"Of course I'm going to help, have you got a plan yet?"

"Not yet, but we're working on it. Maybe something at the Christmas Ball?"

"Alright, well lets get back to the game, we can meet sometime next week to discuss your plan."

TBC,

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