A/N: This is my first WW fanfic... This is one of my favorite scenes in the show, where Sam and Ainsley argue about the second amendment. I love the entire story arch with Josh getting shot and then having PTSD. But PTSD doesn't just happen; there are signs that can give you hints. I see this scene as an early warning.
Josh was enjoying himself so much. This was better than watching Sam on Capital Beat. This was Ainsley Hayes ripping into Sam right in front of him. Sam personally was getting a bit alarmed by Ainsley's continuing criticism of the Bartlett White House, but he was a speechwriter; he didn't get criticism like this often. Josh did, so he wasn't really bothered by it. So he could laugh internally at Sam.
"…This White House that loves the Bill of Rights, all of them, except the second one," she said.
Josh's amusement died instantly. He wanted to say something, but his mind had fogged up. Jerkily, he turned to Sam, his best friend. "This is the wrong place to talk about guns right now," Sam said. Josh let out a small laugh of agreement. Holy crap, his chest hurt right now. Sam and Ainsley continued their 'discussion'. Sam started walking forward. Josh watched him approach, trying to figure out his next move. "But for a brilliant surgical team and two centimeters of a miricle, this guy's dead right now." Sam stopped when he was standing next to Josh. Josh was still looking at him, but he wasn't altogether aware of where he was or what was happening anymore.
Sam continued talking, getting more and more righteously angry. Josh needed to escape. He needed some place where he could shut down completely. He staggered past Sam. He needed Sam's help. He bumped into his friend, hoping Sam would understand his silent plea for help. Caught up in the moment, Sam didn't. Oh God! His chest was on fire. It hurt so much.
Sam was entirely focused on Ainsley, on his indignation on Josh's behalf. He did not see Josh lean against the wall, did not see him put his face in his hands. Pain ripped through Josh's body. Memories whirled through his mind. Sirens, flashing lights, people trying to talk to him. Oh God, oh God, oh God…
"Where's Leo?"
Was that Toby? Why wasn't Toby with the drug companies like they agreed? Josh snapped back to the present. Something was going on. "What?" he asked as the pain faded from his chest and the memories sunk back into dormancy.
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