Challenge under these circumstances:
Character you'd like paired with Donna : Kate (in a non-romantic way)

2 or 3 elements you'd like included in the story (an object/location/time/quote, you get the idea): Gaza/The crutches/right before she quits

2 elements you don't want in the story: josh/attraction to Kate

Rating Preference (if any): Whatever it takes to tell the story

Right, here it is. Kate, not my strong point, but well, tried my best.

Mural

"Hey Kate"

"Donna"

She sat down in the chair opposite Kate in the Mural Room, and placed her crutches beside her.

"How are you?"

"Well how's the leg?"

"Stiff, but better."

"That's good."

"Yeah, I should be off the crutches by the end of the week"

Kate smiled, in what she hoped was a sympathetic manner, "that's not the problem though is it?"

"No it's not," she shook her head slightly, looking to the ground. "I don't want to talk about it here, if the offer still stands?"

"Of course."

She got up slowly and led Kate to her desk.

Wonders

She wonders when she lies home at night, if the screaming will ever stop.

If this is what it was like for Josh.

Wonders why she survived, when congressmen and Fitz didn't.

She wonders many things, but she doesn't want to talk to Kate about them not really.

She wouldn't understand.

Donna lags behind, struggling to get up the stairs to the bar.

Kate slows down.

"I know you think I won't understand, but give me a chance."

She stops on the stairs.

"It'll never leave me will it?"

"No, but it will get better."

She offers Donna her arm.

Background Jazz

It's one of those uptown bars Donna would never find herself in if Josh had dragged her here.

Cocktails and light background jazz.

Kate ordered the drink, a bottle of white.

When it arrived chilled, the young male who placed the glasses down in front of them and winked.

She ignored him.

"I was in an accident once, my Commanding Officer took me out as soon as physically I was back together. Best thing to help get over what happened.

The hangover the next morning, made me forget just a little.

And that's what were doing tonight ok?"

"OK then."

The Bench

It was many hours later, when she finally realised that CJ had made a lot of sense.

Well it had made sense at the time.

She can leave.

She used to think she was there waiting for Josh.

But it wasn't, it was why she went in the first place.

To find herself.

To get off the bench.

To help a good man, be a good president.

But I don't do anything, not now.

Kate said she'd help me detach, find a new job.

We're both in our thirties, getting old.

We both need a life outside the West Wing.

'How go the wars?'

The next time they go out is after she quits.

The same place.

They drink wine again.

Kate will be happy that she has made a friend who isn't a man, or someone she works with anymore.

Donna will be happy because she can get on with her life.

She had dinner with Will that afternoon and for once she didn't need to be back for a certain time.

It was nice.

Normal.

Away from the war zone, the stress, the pain, the hopelessness.

They don't go out to forget.

They go out to remember, experience life.

No more hangovers.

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