Trust Issues


After brunch with Helen and Sam, Donna called Ronna and set up a meeting for herself with the President. Since Secretary of State Arnold Vinick was sent to Mexico the night before, there was an opening in the President's schedule. Donna called Helen and Sam to report that the plan was set in motion.

"Sir, Donna is here," Ronna announced her.

"Donna!" the President boomed. "Welcome to the Oval Office," he said with a chuckle, but Donna saw that he was tired and was only putting up a good show for her. She knew what he must have been thinking. That she was Helen's spy sent to confirm his wife's suspicions that there was something wrong, that there were some problems he wasn't ready to talk about. "Helen told me she wanted you to report to me about the bill."

"Yes, sir. She wanted to have your ultimate approval," Donna said according to the plan.

"Shouldn't you talk to Josh about it before?"

"I've talked to Sam about it, sir, but Mrs. Santos wanted me to brief you," Donna said, throwing a quick glance at the door that connected the Oval and Josh's office. When she heard Josh's raised voice she let out a little smile.

"What's happening in there?" Matt Santos mused aloud. He stood up and opened the door cautiously but didn't step inside. Donna planted herself behind him.

"Sam!" they heard Josh's angry voice. "I don't want to tell him to swallow that study! The President told us to remove it so we will remove that goddamn study! I don't care for Norman's and Hamilton's vote, Sam. Find another two Congresspersons."

"You know that it's not that simple," Sam told him in a low voice.

"I know that but I don't care. This is her first bill, Sam! She needs to establish herself as a political operative, we need to help her," Josh said.

"Are we talking about the First Lady?" Sam asked, and Donna could hear the hidden mirth in his voice.

"Of course not, Sam! We are talking about Donna," Josh said, his anger seemingly dissipating. "I knew that Amy would do something to damage Donna's career, I just didn't know that she would be willing to risk such an important bill."

"Come on, I don't think she did it willingly."

"Hello, did you meet Amy? I mean she was there when the President chewed us out for that rider," Josh said. "It's not likely I'll ever forget."

"Yeah, same here," Sam agreed.

"I want that study removed from the bill, Sam. The President wants it removed therefore I want it removed. If need be I'll deal with Hamilton and Norman, although I didn't want to do anything with this bill. I don't want Donna think that I baby her in the political arena."

"One could argue that you baby her by setting all of us on the bill," Sam said.

"That's helping her, Sam. There is a difference," Josh said. "If I step in they could say I did it for Donna. The West Wing doing it… That sends the message that we are doing it to help the First Lady."

"I see," Sam agreed. "Okay, I'll tell Amy to drop Norman and Hamilton. She will be furious; we'll need Norman and Hamilton for the next health care bill."

"Yeah, I know. We'll cross that bridge when we get there, Sam. You know I take nothing more seriously than serving the President, when he wants something done I make it happen," Josh said.

"I know, Josh. You always did and you'll always do. We won't disappoint you," Sam said.

"You mean you won't disappoint the President," Josh corrected him.

"No, Josh, I meant we won't disappoint you. Therefore you won't disappoint him," Sam retorted.

"Yeah," Josh said. "Was there anything else?"

"Yeah. The OMB sent over a report…" Donna heard Sam start to say but then the President shut the door.

"Donna, could you tell Helen that I'd like to come by her office later today?" the President asked her.

"Yes, sir. We have an afternoon meeting with the French ambassador."

"Okay, talk to Ronna and clear a half an hour for me," Santos said.

"Of course, sir. Thank you, Mr. President," Donna said and left the Oval Office, almost unable to hide her smile. The plan went off without a hitch and it seemed that it would progress faster than they thought.

TBC

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