TITLE: 'Here Comes the Raine Again (1/3)

RATING: A

CHARACTERS: Toby, Sam, Josh, Leo, Donna, and CJ

NEW CHARACTERS: Lori and Raine, King and Queen of Scotland and situated family members

SUMMARY: Toby's little sister comes to town and Josh meets a girl

DISCLAIMER: The characters used from the West Wing do not belong to me; they are the property of Aaron Sorkin.

I know there is no King and Queen of Scotland, I have invented them just to come up with a story. And I didn't think it wise to use the Royal Family of England.

Part One: Here Comes the Raine Again

Leo McGarry's Office:

Leo stood from behind his desk and looked at the fellow staff members he had collected into his office this bright and early morning. He had some business that he needed to attend and was itching to hand out the day's assignments so he could get ahead start on his own work. Being the Chief of Staff wasn't as easy as he thought it was going to be.

CJ, Sam, Toby and Josh were gathered around making small talk as they waited for Leo to begin. After thirty more seconds Leo nodded to Margaret letting her know that is was her time to leave them alone. Leo sat in his chair and rifled through his notebook.

"I take it everyone is well today?" he asked the group not fully expecting a real answer. A chorus of yes, and fine came from the foursome whom at this early stage were already looking bored.

"Sam and Josh I have an assignment that you are going to love doing." Leo teased. Sam perked up and Josh just groaned causing Leo to glance his way. "What kind of assignment?" the private eye in Sam asked.

"It's gonna suck whatever it is." Josh grumbled out.

"It doesn't suck Josh, infact you may just find it challenging." Leo responded to Josh.

"Challenging? I like challenges." Sam said sitting up giving Leo his full attention.

"Sam stop brown nosing. It only gets us into trouble." Josh said to his friend and fellow co-worker.

"What? What is so bad about liking a good challenge?" Sam asked.

"I bet women say that often to you after they first meet you, don't they Sam?" CJ joked.

Toby elbowed CJ softly and shook his head and whispered, "That wasn't very nice CJ."

"So then why are you trying not to laugh then Toby?" she inquired.

"Because it's funny." Toby let out his laugh and then got serious again once Sam cast a hurtful look his way, saying "But it still isn't very nice."

"Children please. Jeez it is a wonder how any of you manage to complete any of your tasks throughout the day. We should change the name from bullpen to playpen with the way the four of you act." Leo stated trying to sound firm even though he too thought CJ's comment was not only funny but probably true as well.

"So what is our assignment Leo?" Sam asked fully interested in knowing the answer.

"I need the two of you to go to the hill for a meeting for the teacher's union." Leo answered.

"Let me guess what they want this time, more money and less work. Typical of these people." Josh remarked.

"These people? Josh these people taught us everything we know." Sam chimed in.

"Not everything. What they didn't teach me I learned off of Doug Broden's tattoo's." Josh chuckled.

"I don't think that was what he was talking about Josh." Toby said.

Josh turned to look at Toby; "I know what he meant okay Toby. I am just sick and tired of having to put up with these people whining and crying about 'oh we need more money, oh we don't want to work 40 hours a week'. It is pathetic! If they didn't like the money in the first place then why did they become teachers? They claim they only want the best for the children, the best being more money for themselves. They don't give a rat's ass about the kids, what it all comes down to is how much am I going to get paid. End of story!"

CJ was the first to speak up saying, "You know, as much as this disturbs me I think that Josh has a point here."

"You're right, it is disturbing." Leo replied.

"I am serious here guys. Teachers claim to want to help children but every year they are bitching and complaining about their wages." CJ said.

"CJ, teachers need wages in order to survive." Toby stated.

"But do they really need that much money Toby?" CJ asked him.

"CJ, teachers don't really make that much money. Infact most professions that are considered important and that we can't live without don't make nearly as much as they should." Sam offered.

"Well then I guess they are in the wrong line of work," Josh responded.

"As much as I would love to keep chatting about this, I do have better things to do with my day. So Sam, Josh, off you go to the hill and don't come back with garbage."

"But you never did tell us why we were going up there?" Sam said.

Leo and Josh looked at Sam and then Josh said, "Sam what do you think we have been arguing about." Turning to CJ and Toby Josh teased, "Do you see why I don't think teachers do enough as it is now for their money?" He then followed Sam out who looked somewhat confused still.

"Alright Toby, you're next. I have a doozy for you."

"Does it involve the teacher's union too?" Toby joked.

"No, it is so much better than that. The White House has received 71 letters from a Mrs. Jewely Duncan and she spells her name rather odd. It is J-."

"71 letters Leo? This woman wrote 71 letters to the White House and the thing you find odd is how she spells her name?" Toby questioned sarcastically.

"I admit it is a lot of letters but it just goes to show you how important it is."

"Alright give it to me. How does this quack spell her name?" Toby asked.

"Mrs. Duncan spells her name J E W E L Y, and Toby I wouldn't suggest you call her a quack when you meet with her in person. I don't know but I think she may find that somewhat offensive." Leo replied.

"That is actually a cool spelling, I like that." CJ volunteered from the couch where she was the last one remaining as Toby was now standing in front of Leo's desk. Turning to face CJ Toby simply said, "You would!"

"Hey, is that because I am a woman?"

"No it is because you are rather odd yourself." Toby answered.

"I prefer quirky." CJ snapped.

"Whatever floats your boat honey." Toby winked at CJ before turning back to Leo.

"Toby all you have to do really is just hear her out, sympathize with her a little and tell her you will do what you can but that you can't promise anything." Leo suggested.

"It might help if you told me the situation Leo. I mean I'd like to have the scoop before I go feeding her a line of bull."

"Isn't your sister coming in today Toby?" CJ asked.

Closing his eyes Toby whispered a soft yes. He had completely forgotten about his sister coming in from Boston to visit with him.

"Your sister is coming today? Which one?" Leo asked.

"Lori is due in this afternoon. I completely forgot about her. Maybe I can get David to keep her occupied or something."

"Why don't you have her meet you here? She can see where you work." Leo recommended.

"Not if she has her monsters with her, trust me that is a BAD idea."

"Your sister has children? You're an uncle? Oh my goodness!" CJ started laughing.

Toby again turned so he could face CJ and while crossing his arms asked, "What is so funny about my being an uncle. I am a great uncle I will have you know."

Trying to regain her composure CJ said still laughing, "What are their names?"

"Their names? Why do you want to know their names?" Leo asked confused.

"She wants to see if I know them." Toby answered him thinking he was smarter than CJ. "For your information she has three girls, Avonlea, Bronte and Laken." Toby said this a little snappishly, secretly proud that he could remember them, and in order to.

"They are beautiful names Toby. You must be very proud." CJ said sincerely.

"They are not beautiful names, they are weird. Like you and Lori both. I never could understand why she chose such unusual names. Doesn't she realize kids get teased for names like that?"

"Did you get teased Toby? Is that why you are defensive about their names?" CJ asked. Meanwhile Leo gave up with the idea that these two were going to be leaving anytime soon and began working on another project he had going.

"No I didn't teased." Toby mimicked CJ. "I just think she should have put more consideration into her children's feelings rather than her own. Since Laken was born we haven't spoken."

"How long ago was that?" CJ asked.

"I don't know, awhile I guess."

"Toby, how old is Laken now?" CJ asked

Toby looked at CJ knowing full well he was caught. She had him on the spot. Here he was claiming to be a great uncle and for the life of him he couldn't remember how old Laken was. He couldn't even remember how old Avonlea and Bronte were either. Except for the fact that he was positive that they were older.

Leo stopped what he was reading as he was now finding it amusing that Toby was busted. He started to laugh and CJ joined in not taking her eyes off of Toby.

Toby began to rub the neatly trimmed beard he was acquiring quite nicely. "I think she is 6." He finally answered.

"Was that so hard Pokey?" CJ teased.

Blushing that she would call him Pokey in front of Leo Toby turned his back to CJ. "Leo, can we get on with this, I guess I have other plans later on."

"I guess you do. This shouldn't take you anymore than 20 minutes tops."

"Okay what's the deal, what is her story? What makes a woman write to the White House 71 time- it wasn't all in one day or something stupid like that was it?" Toby questioned.

Leo shook his head telling Toby no. "They have been coming for over six months, the last one coming only yesterday. Mrs. Duncan is an American citizen who moved briefly to Scotland where she was married and became the mother of three children. Her husband unfortunately died of cancer and she would like to return to the States to be with her family, only the King and Queen of Scotland won't allow her to."

"So who cares what they think. Tell her to grab her kids, hop a plane and voila, she's home." Toby replied.

"It isn't that easy Toby. Mrs. Duncan wasn't married to a regular guy, she happened to be married to-"

"Prince Michael." CJ interrupted.

"Yes!" Leo sighed taken back that CJ knew what he was talking about.

"WHAT?" Toby screamed out. "Are you kidding me?"

"Toby it's true. I remember hearing about this. This woman lost her husband to brain cancer and she was left with three little kids. Now she wants to come home but the King won't allow it because her children are the heirs to the throne."

Noticing that the men were looking at her with baffled expressions CJ added, "I do get CNN at home you know."

"So the bottom line is this woman doesn't have a chance and you want me to play with her emotions, and let her believe that there is possible hope for her?" Toby asked Leo.

"Something like that." Leo agreed.

"Yeah, I can do that." Toby responded.

"You two are sick. This woman is obviously desperate for help and you are going to string her along knowing how destroyed she is over this?" CJ asked raising her voice.

"Do you have any better ideas CJ?" Toby asked.

When there was no response from CJ Leo gave Toby his dismissal so that he could leave and get started. Leo glanced up at CJ and said; "Now for you I have something different."

"Jeez Leo, did you run short of screwing a union and breaking widow's hearts too?

**Heading back to the White House**

Sam and Josh had been walking for nearly twenty minutes making only minimal conversation. The wind was starting to pick up even more and for those not dressed appropriately enough for the Washington Winter weather would be feeling the bitter cold on their exposed parts.

Carrying a briefcase in his right hand and his left hand warmly tucked away in his overcoat Sam kept walking straight ahead, trying to pick up the pace in an effort to get back to his warm office. Josh on the other hand was slowing down and had his hands rolled into a ball in front of his mouth where he kept blowing on them for heat.

Finally Josh stopped and called out to Sam to stop as well. Josh pointed to a hot dog vendor who was parked on the left side of Josh. Sam looked back into the direction of his warm office and then back at Josh who was beginning to resemble Rudolph, the red nose reindeer. Sam sighed and followed Josh to the vendor where they each ordered a hot dog.

"I don't understand why we can't just wait and eat when we get back?" Sam whined.

"Because I am hungry now Sam. My stomach is growling and when the tummy talks it is time for me to listen and to feed it."

"So we are out here freezing our butts off because your stomach makes grunting noises?" Sam questioned.

"Not grunt Sam, growled. There is a difference."

"Not much of one really, and besides Josh I am cold. If you haven't noticed it is freezing out here."

"You whine too much Sam. You could use some appreciation of the outdoors every once in awhile."

"Why is that Josh? So I could learn to have icicle hair like you and a glowing red nose. Thanks, but I will pass."

Just as Josh was about to take another bite out of his hot dog he was bumped from behind. This caused the hot dog to miss his mouth and hit him in the nose leaving evidence of the mustard and ketchup he had decorated his lunch with. Josh whipped himself around and yelled, "Hey buddy watch what you are doing!"

The person who caused Josh his small accident paid him no response which had infuriated Josh. He wasn't a man who took to being ignored too lightly. Sam was beginning to notice Josh's distress and tried to talk him into following him back to the office with him. But Josh was not finished. Standing and facing the back of the ignorant person Josh began his speech.

"You know what really bugs me Sam? When ignorant people think that they can just run into you without any consequences at all, or even an apology."

"Josh let's go. Let's just forget about it." Sam tried to reason.

"No way Sam. I didn't do anything wrong, this asshole did. And I am not leaving until I get my apology." Josh tapped his fingers on the back of the accuser and was stunned when they turned around, for it wasn't what Josh was expecting at all.

Expecting a man, Josh was instead received by a woman. And to Josh she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She had short blonde hair that was blown forward around the crown and jade colour eyes. He would guess her height to be around 5'3 and her weight to be around a hundred pounds, not that that was an issue here for Josh. He stood there admiring the ivory colour of her skin and the way that her nose was growing more and more pink from the bitterness in the air.

"I-." Josh whispered.

The woman didn't take too much notice of Josh, she glanced quickly at him and then at Sam who had stepped forward a bit and then she headed in the opposite direction of where the two of them were going. Sam turned to Josh and tugged his arm.

"Josh-Josh are you okay?"

Josh didn't answer him right away. He glanced back at the direction that the mystery girl had taken and then back at Sam.

"Yeah, I'm fine, I'm fine. Did you see her Sam?"

"Uh yeah! Every man in this park managed to see her."

"She looked like an angel."

"An angel Josh? Clearly you are not okay, we need to get you back to the office."

"Have you seen her around here before?" Josh asked Sam who shook his head no. As Sam was doing so his eyes caught something from the ground. He bent down to pick it up and it was then he realized just who it may belong to. It was Josh's angel's date-book. He opened the first page to scan for a name and came across Raine Hudson.

"I think this might be hers. It reads that her name is Raine Hudson and she has a cell phone number listed. But that is about it." Sam handed the book over to Josh who eagerly accepted it.

"I hope that you are going to report it Josh and not keep it as some kind of souvenir." Sam said.

"Sam, what kind of idiot do you take me for?" Josh asked, then thought twice about it and said, "On second thought don't answer that." Sam closed his mouth. He was ready for his remark and then was shutdown before he could respond.

"I am going to take this back with me and I will get Donna to phone this girl and we can take it from there." Josh explained to Sam as they began walking again.

"What are we going to do then?" Sam asked.

"What are you talking about Sam?"

"You said we. We will take it from there, where are we taking it?" Sam questioned.

Sighing Josh said, "Not we as in you and me Sam."

As if this explained everything Sam responded with, "Oh!" Josh noticed the confused the look on Sam and said, "The we isn't Donna and me, the we is meant to be for Raine and me. Do you see?"

"Oui!" Sam quipped.

Trying to bury his hands deeper inside his coat pockets Josh shook his head slowly and let himself reveal a small grin. He loved his friend but sometimes he just didn't understand his sense of humour.