Josh stared down at the document, words now blurring into one. He couldn't take it all in. It was 30 minutes later and Sam's words going round in his head, hearing his best friend telling him to tell how Donna how he felt. The thing was Josh didn't know how to tell her. He loved her. He knew that, he loved her tenacity and how she just upped and left her old life for a new one. She was courageous even if she didn't realise. He couldn't think of a time where he didn't or wouldn't want her in his life. He had to pluck up he courage and tell her soon. Otherwise he'd become sad, a flash of Toby's face went through his mind and how he was no further forward with Andy even now that she was carrying his children.
As he read the document in front of him for the ninth time his cell rang, smiling at her name on the screen.
'Hey' he said when he picked up.
'Thank you for the coffee, it was definitely needed' she said
'Sam was just in here, he was going to get coffee anyway so I just asked if he would get you one' he said, brushing off the gratitude.
'Still it was nice of you to think of me'
'Found a vote swapper yet?'
'No but there's still time. I have a couple hours'
'Donna, it's cold and the exits are looking ok so you can come back if you want to' Josh replied, thinking of her wrapped in a winter coat in the cold weather.
'Sam had to spit three times and curse, nothing is set in stone in elections. You taught me that. I'm not coming back until someone swaps votes with me' she said down the phone, Josh smiling to himself at the wisdom that he instilled in her.
'Okay' he said, pacing back and forth in his office.
'Are you alright?' She asked, her gut was telling to check in with him.
Josh fell silent, thinking back to his conversation with Sam.
'I told Sam about Indiana' he replied, hearing her take a sudden in take of breath.
'Oh'
'When you get back we'll talk, I think it's overdue' he said
'We will and it is' she said before they said their goodbyes.
Josh sat at his desk, smiling as he looked at his phone before getting up to find something to do.
It's hours later when he sees her again, he spots her walking over toward the communications department just before he gets accosted by some campaign donor who wants to talk to him and he doesn't get the chance to talk to her. Then Sam's face is on every television set in the west wing and that's the new thing he needs to deal with so talking to Donna moves farther down his to do list.
It's 3 AM before he can even begin to think about anything other than politics. He walks past the buffet table, grabs a plate of food as he spies a full bottle of champagne. He tucks it under his arm and walks toward his office.
'Hey' he hears as he looks up to see Amy sitting in his chair.
'Hey. What are you doing here?' Josh asked.
'I need my coat' she replied.
'Ah. I'll get it for you' he said, placing the food and the bottle on the desk as he took her coat off the stand.
'Wanna go get a drink someplace?' Amy asked, dark eyes looking up as Josh held out her coat.
'Everywhere will be closed' he replied, looking for anyway to get it out of this discussion.
'We could take that bottle of champagne and celebrate at my apartment' she said as she stood up, moving a little closer to Josh in the process.
'I'm beat, Amy. I don't think it's a good idea'.
'You sure?' Amy asked, as she perched herself on the edge of the desk watching as Josh took in the sight in front of him. He nodded before she stood up again. 'Suit yourself' she said, as she rolled her eyes at him.
'Walk me to the door?' she asked as she put on her coat.
'Ok' he replied before walking out beside her toward the lobby.
After helping out Jack Donna walked back to her desk, hoping to catch Josh before he left. She'd had this conversation a million ways in her head but she had to now say how she felt out loud. She needed to tell him how she felt, he deserved to know. She'd felt hopeful, after their conversion earlier, that he felt the same way as she did.
She smiled to herself as she walked into the bullpen but as she looked up she saw a flash of red. Then a tired looking Josh walking beside Amy out toward the exit. Donna could feel her heart pounding, her stomach swirling with the thought of them together. Again. This wasn't how this night was meant to go, Donna thought to herself. She ran over to her desk and switched off her computer. She quickly picked up her purse and coat before heading back to the party to hide out for 5 minutes before she could leave knowing she wouldn't bump into Josh and Amy.
As Josh walked back into the lobby he looked around for Donna. He checked his pockets but he couldn't find his cellphone to call her.
'Hey, you catch up with Donna yet?' Sam asked as Josh walked past.
'No. Have you seen her?' Josh asked, trying not to sound too concerned.
'Not since earlier. Call her' Sam suggested.
'I think I left my cell in my office. I'll see you later' Josh replied as he walked back into the bullpen.
He walked around his desk and saw his phone on the desk. He opened it up to call her as he noticed the bottle still sitting there. He'd got it for them to share. He'd wanted to celebrate with her, it was never going to be Amy. Using the speed dial he called Donna, after 7 rings it diverted to voicemail. 'This is Donna Moss, please leave me a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can' he heard the recorded greeting state. 'Hey so I'm just wondering where you are. I didn't get a chance to talk to you before and I wanted to now but I can't find you. Call me back' he said before ending the call. He picked at the cold food on his plate as he alternated between checking his phone and staring at the champagne. All the while wondering where she'd gone.
