Author's Note | All the usual disclaimers apply…'The West Wing' is not mine. The characters found within are not mine. The plot bunny, however, belongs to me. What can I say? There were simply too many pauses in Season 7. Pauses that screamed character development…or flashbacks…or the need for humans to develop mind-reading skills. Although, in retrospect, I like to think all of the pauses in the dialogue were gifts from the writers of 'The West Wing' to the writers of fanfiction. They left us these little silent gems of opportunity so that we could create stories that sparkle. I hope you find as much brilliant shine in this little 'Josh and Donna' possibility as I do. – R.

PS – Related episode is Season 7 Episode 16 'Election Day Part I'.

Chapter One

"Wow." Josh said in soft, yet still surprised, tone. His gaze didn't waver as the last of the 'newbies' left the bar. Although, after a year of being on the campaign trail, calling them 'newbies' was a bit of a stretch. They had survived demanding schedules, crappy motel bed after crappy motel bed, press scandals, long days and even longer nights and they had survived to this point, with the finish line just in sight.

It was the final evening before the polls opened. This was it. The 'newbies' deserved to have some fun and release some steam, before the reality of Election Day kicked in. Bringing his eyes back over to the blonde sitting across from him, Josh's face softened and a gentle smile crossed his face.

Donna Moss had been by his side for years – with the occasional divert that, he was certain, made her appreciate working with him even more.

Hmmm…better not say that one out loud. He mused to himself as he willed his ego to go hang out in some dark corner of his mind.

Josh resisted the urge to move over to Donna. Ever since The Kiss…capital T and definitely capital K…he couldn't get her out of his mind. Although, if pressed, he'd admit that he hadn't really stopped thinking about her ever since the bomb in Gaza. In one flash, his life had fallen apart…only to be healed upon hearing that she had survived. Okay, sure, it didn't help that Mr. IRA kissed her in front of him…but she was alive and that meant they would have a chance. A chance once Bartlet was done. A chance once Santos won the party's nomination. A chance once Santos was in the White House. Each chance offered up the perfect opportunity to tell Donna how he felt…and each chance was ignored by him. There would be more chances, however. Of this, he was certain.

He grinned, recalling the time Donna pulled him into a supply closet and he had asked if their relationship was about to change. For once, she had been all business and Josh had found himself equal parts disappointed and turned on. He still wondered how she would have responded if he had kissed her there; pulled her into his arms and thoroughly, utterly kissed her. Sure, a first kiss in a supply closet wasn't the most romantic…but it was a supply closet in the White House. That was pretty impressive, wasn't it?

Donnatella Moss had so many facets and layers to her. And after all the years together, Josh still found himself captivated and surprised by her on a daily basis. At one point, Josh had wondered which one was the *real* Donna. It hadn't taken him long to realize that they were all her. She was naïve, intelligent, funny, determined, soft, calm, passionate. Donna was her own yin-yang…a perfect balance. And she always knew which facet to call upon that complemented Josh. If he was on a tirade…she was calm. If he was doubtful…she was supportive. If he was happy…she made him enjoy the moment even more.

Even with The Kiss. He was shocked. She was accepting. He was curious. She was open. He took. She gave.

No matter what he threw at Donna, she was the perfect balance. Or, to put it more simply…She. Was. Perfect.

He refocused his thoughts on the here and now, watching Donna as she ran her hands down her skirt.

Lucky skirt. Josh found himself envious of the inanimate piece of clothing and then a different level of envy hit him. Everyone had partnered up. One last bit of sport before the final sprint. Had Donna ever…Josh felt his heart race. She had left him before for a guy. She probably considered, albeit briefly, leaving him to follow Military Jack. She left him for Russell.

Okay, that one still hurt. Josh conceded to himself.

He knew more about her love life than most fans did about their favourite characters on a soap opera. But he didn't know about her campaign history. Had she ever…

Keeping the grin on his face, Josh forced his voice to come out friendly.

"Did you ever…come 'on board'?" He asked, throwing in a casual blink as if the answer didn't matter. Truth be told, it didn't. Really. Unless it was someone he knew…and who didn't he know? His brown eyes stared and he willed his body to keep the relaxed posture. One arm draped across the back of the small couch, his head propped up with a finger pressing against his temple. Law School 101. Ask the question but pretend that the answer really carries no weight.

Donna stared back. Her blue eyes danced playfully. Years together and she knew his every move, every ploy, every tactic. Typical Josh. Feign the 'laissez-faire' attitude to hide his true intent. He wanted to know. He needed to know. The only part that puzzled Donna was why it mattered. Both of them had pasts. Would it really matter if she said 'yes'? Then again, Josh probably considered her love life to be on par with a revolving door. He more than likely expected her to say 'yes'.

Was that why he had said The Kiss…totally deserving of a capital T and capital K…was a mistake? And why, oh why, had she said that it was bound to happen? He probably thought she was egotistical and self-assured that all men wanted to kiss her…that Josh Lyman was simply one in many who had been on the receiving end of Donnatella Moss's kiss.

But…

But what if…

What if this was his way of opening the door…just a crack…into something possible between them? Could he actually be interested? What if he had said all that stuff under some misguided perception that he was protecting her from being hurt by him? He kept long hours. He was focused on his job. He was selfish…arrogant…egotistical…demanding…self-absorbed.

… … …

But…

He said he wouldn't have stopped for red lights in order to reach her. He demonstrated that by dropping everything, including an international crisis, and flying to her hospital bedside in Germany. And why did so many seem to think that there was something between them?

Could there be? Did he want that? Did she want that?

YES! Her inner goddess nearly screamed in frustration.

A shy, almost mysterious, smile appeared on Donna's face.

"No…" She said slowly, as if there was more behind her answer. Her blue eyes stared back into Josh's brown ones. Donna fought the urge to blink.

Josh didn't move. He kept his position, casual and open, as if conveying non-judgemental curiousity.

"Never had a campaign fling?" He couldn't believe how calm his voice sounded.

Screw that question! The more important one is 'Do you wanna?' Josh kept the smile on his face as the second question remained unvoiced. How would Donna answer? Could he handle it? Did he have a right to?