Chapter One
(It's the first week of December 2003.)
"I believe C.J. is calling in 'Senior Staff Night Out'," Donna said as she met Josh in the corridor.
"But it's Sunday!" Josh complained.
"We work on Sunday's, Josh so why shouldn't we go out?" Donna asked.
"Your coming?" He asked and when Donna nodded he grinned.
"Great, OK. What time?" Josh said and Donna narrowed his eyes at him as they stopped by Margaret's empty desk.
"We're meeting at 6 p.m. in C.J.'s office since she's leading the event. We are going to see a movie then out for dinner. And before you ask no I don't know what the movie is and even if I did I wouldn't tell you."
Josh nodded. "Fine. I've to to see Leo now but first who else is going?"
"Toby and Will." Donna said and, as Margaret stepped out of Leo's office, handed Josh the folder he needed.
---
"So C.J." Toby said. "What movie are we going to see?"
Everyone was in C.J.'s office with their coats on.
"You'll find out in the cab," she said and ushered the group out of her office. They wandered through the halls of the West Wing until they reached their usual entrance/exit, passed security out of the House and then off the premises. They also walked a way down Pennsylvania Avenue, to a corner where they could hail a cab.
Once one had arrived and they had all piled in C.J. told them what movie they were going to see.
"We're going to see Love Actually."
There were groans from the male members of the group although it was only halfheartedly because they knew that there was no point arguing with C.J. Only Donna and C.J. seemed to be looking forward to the movie.
---
Josh was surprised that he actually really quite enjoyed Love Actually and it made him realize something important. Josh realised that he couldn't function or live without Donna Moss and as he thought about it more he began to realize that he might even be in love with her.
Throughout dinner Josh was careful not to drink too much and he enjoyed watching Donna. Her conversations with the others and their banter.
"You're quiet tonight, Joshua," Donna said as they were waiting for the dessert to arrive.
"Just thinking," he replied, flashing her a dimpled grin.
"That must have hurt," she muttered loud enough for him to hear, smiling. C.J. just rolled her eyes at them both.
By the time the meal had finished and they'd each paid their share, Josh had come up with some sort of a plan.
The group shared a cab home, Toby first, then Will, Josh getting out.
When he arrived home and after much searching he found a copy of the yellow pages. He found the number of a local florist but knew that they wouldn't be open on a Sunday or even at that time of night, around midnight. Josh resolved to call first thing in the morning, around 9 a.m.
---
Josh slept well, dreaming only of Donna. Once at the White House he took the brief gap between senior staff and his first meeting with a disgruntled congressman to call the florist.
"Hi. I'd like to order some flowers please."
"What would you like, sir?"
"10 roses please."
"Is there a message?"
"Yes it is: ÔWill you have dinner with me tomorrow night? From Josh'"
"When would you like them delivered, sir and where to?"
"Later today please. To the West Wing of the White House to Donnatella Moss."
"Is that all sir?"
"Yes that's it."
"If I can just take your name and credit card number."
When Josh hung up the phone after supplying the necessary details, he was smiling.
"You look very smug." Donna said as Josh stepped out of his office. He just winked at her, took the folder she was holding out to him and went to his meeting.
---
Josh rushed through the morning and the early afternoon. Just as he noticed the messenger bringing the flowers over to Donna. C.J. crept up behind him.
"Just what do you think you're doing, Joshua?"
Josh gulped, still watching Donna. The messenger put the flowers down on Donna's desk she thanked the messenger and Josh was vaguely aware of C.J. talking to him but he tried to ignore her. Just as Donna reached for the card, C.J. smacked Josh round the head.
"You weren't listening to me so I'll ask you again. Are those flowers from you?"
Donna read the note and looked over at Josh and he saw her out of the corner of his eye as he turned to C.J. Josh just nodded.
"What does the card say?"
"I'm asking if she'd go out to dinner with me tomorrow night."
C.J. seemed to be torn between anger at the PR side of the matter and joy to see that Josh had finally realised what was right in front of him. All she said was,
"Talk to Donna," before she walked away.
Josh turned back to Donna and smiled at her. She smiled back and walked over to him. Josh went into his office, Donna followed him and closed the door behind her.
"Thank you for the flowers." Donna said, as Josh leant against desk.
"I'm glad you like them. So, will you go out to dinner with me tomorrow night? On a date?"
Josh was beginning to feel worried now, what if Donna didn't want to go out with him. He needn't have worried though.
Donna grinned at him,
"I'd love to go on a date with you, but with one condition: I get to leave here an hour and thirty minutes early."
Josh looked confused.
"Shall I pick you up at 7?"
Donna nodded.
"You want to leave here at 5:30?"
She nodded again.
"It takes me thirty minutes to drive home in traffic and I'll need an hour to get ready."
"OK," Josh said and grinned back at her.
"What's next?"
---
"Where are we going, Josh?"
"I thought we could go to Sequoia in Georgetown. It should be free from families with kids by this time and apparently there's a great view over the Potomac."
"Am I over dressed?"
"No," he says turning to her. "You looking really great." Josh says and she smiles a faint blush creeping into her cheeks.
"Thanks."
When they reach the restaurant Josh asks for a a table by a window so they can see the river. They chat about their coworkers, the bill Josh is trying to pass in the House and each other. As they are drinking coffee they look out over the city lights.
"Do you want to go for a walk?" Josh asks as they leave the restaurant.
Donna smiles at him and nods her head.
"That'd be great."
They walk to the ferry terminal and find a bench to sit on. They just sit and watch the sun set. Donna shivers at one point and Josh puts his arm around her and pulls her closer. When the sun has set Josh removes his arm, he takes her hand and they stand up.
They begin to walk back to the restaurant where the car is parked but before they get there Donna stops and looks at Josh.
"Thank you for tonight. It's been lovely."
"Sorry it wasn't much." He absentmindedly strokes her hand with his thumb.
"Do you want to go out again?" Josh asks, tentatively.
"Yes. I'd like that." She says. Josh leans forward and they kiss. After some time they break apart.
"Tomorrow, can I tell the others about us dating?" Josh asks tentatively.
"Yeah," Donna says, punctuating each word with a kiss, "Leo and C.J. should know."
---
"Good morning Josh!" Donna calls to him as she hangs up her coat.
"Donnatella." He replies, with a grin. "You're happy this morning."
She picks up his schedule and walks into his office.
"Oh, I am. I had a great date last night." Josh shuts the door.
"Really..." he says smiling at her, leaning against the door. Donna kisses him and he wraps his arms around her slim waist.
"Hmm, good morning." Josh says as they break apart.
"That was nice."
"Do you want to hear your schedule or do you want another kiss?" She asks.
"Kiss," he mumbles against her lips.
"If we continue the day this way, neither of us will ever get any work done." Donna says half heartedly.
"Don't want to do work. I want to make up for lost time. I can't believe we never did this earlier."
"I can't either but it isn't a good idea for us to make up for lost time now." Josh groans slightly as Donna disentangles herself from his arms. As if to prove her point there is a knock on the door.
"Josh?" Will asks as he pokes his head around the door.
"Hi Donna," he says. "Josh can I talk to you for a moment?"
"In a minute," Josh says then to Donna,
"What's my first meeting?"
"Staff in ten minutes in the Oval. You can talk to Will on the way."
"Thanks," he says and smiles at her.
---
"So," Will says once they're out of Donna's ear shot.
"What's happening with you and Donna?"
"Wouldn't you like to know." Josh says, smirking.
"Seriously. You look happier this morning than I've seen you for a long time and I get the feeling I interrupted something just now."
Josh blushes slightly which surprises Will.
"You'll find out at staff." Josh says as they approach the Oval Office.
"I'm talking to everyone there."
---
"Anything else?" The President asks as he sits down in a chair.
"Um, I have a thing, sir."
"Yes Josh?"
"Donna and I are dating, we thought you might like some heads up." Josh was surprised to see Leo smiling at him.
"C.J. and Toby you've still got your strategy?"
They both nod and Josh looks at them questioningly.
"You and Donna make an appearance at a function together as a couple, the press will undoubtedly ask questions I'll answer truthfully," C.J. says.
"Oh," he says simply.
Go to chapter 2