A/N: Good morrow to you all! What-ho! I've got a little something for you this fine evening.
At this point, you may be wondering, does she have a job? I do. But because it's through the university I attend, hours are pretty lax during the summer. Which means more time for binge watching stuff and writing fluff! This isn't even that fluffy, I just wanted to rhyme.
Anyway, this isn't one of you guys' prompts. Though I've really liked what I've seen so far! I've started a few, and we'll see where it goes. I figured I'd get this up before I posted the prompted chapters, though, because it was already in the works. Keep the prompts rolling in if you're so inclined!
Rating: T
Reviews: Love em.
Disclaimer: If I owned the West Wing, I wouldn't be working at my university.
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"Get this to Sam, will you? He'll need the notes."
"Right."
"And this is for CJ, for her statement later."
"Got it."
"This, I want you to read and summarize."
"Okay."
"And while you're at it, can you get me some coffee?" When Josh receives no reply, he looks up to find his new assistant staring at him in incredulity. "What?"
"You want me to bring you coffee?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Coffee?"
"Did coffee murder a family member of yours, or-"
"I am not bringing you coffee." She says adamantly, crossing her arms.
"Why not?"
"Because. I'm your assistant, not your servant."
"You could assist me by bringing me some coffee?"
"No."
"You are aware that I'm your boss, yes?"
She glares at him. "When I took this job, I was under the impression that it would be substantive. That I would be doing something that mattered. Not fetching coffee."
He shakes his head, disbelieving. "Okay, one, you didn't take this job, you conned your way into it. And two, you beg me for a job, and three days later you're telling me what you will and won't do? Sorry, but it doesn't work like that."
"Why not?"
"What?"
"I don't see anyone else around here begging to be your assistant. So I think that gives me some leverage."
He scoffs. "Oh, please. Just because I've taken you on as a charity case doesn't mean I couldn't replace you in thirty seconds flat."
"Rumor has it that's the longest you kept an assistant before me. Thirty seconds."
"You think you're funny."
"I'm not getting you coffee."
"You're fired."
"Yeah, right. You need me." And with that, she stalks confidently out of his office, leaving him to stare after her. The girl was certifiable. But worse than that, she was right.
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"Get up."
"Ugh."
"I brought you coffee." She nimbly squeezes onto the couch beside him, only able to fit one hip on the cushion.
"Oh, God."
"What?"
"You brought me coffee."
"So?"
"So now I know it's bad."
"It's not-"
"Now I know I'm pathetic."
She gazes down at him, staring so desolately at his ceiling. "You're not pathetic."
"I am, actually."
"Will you quit whining? I brought you coffee, it's eight in the morning, now get up."
"I'm an invalid."
"You're really not."
"This couch really is not big enough for both of us right now."
"It would be if you sat up."
"I'd rather not."
"Fine." She shifts, and he winces.
"You do realize you're sitting on me, right?"
"This wouldn't have happened if you'd just gotten up."
"I give you my bed last night - my bed - out of the goodness of my heart, and this is what I get? Your bony ass on top of me before I've even had the chance to wake up?"
"I give up my Christmas - my Christmas - out of the goodness of my heart, because you're going loony, and this is what I get? Pathetic whining?"
"Touché."
"Get up."
"You didn't have to give up your Christmas."
"We've been over this."
"I'm sorry about-"
"I don't plan on giving up my Christmas entirely, anyway." She interrupts briskly. "I plan on making you get up so we can enjoy it."
"Does this mean I get a present?"
"I brought you coffee, what more do you want?"
"Right."
"We're doing movies and Chinese food."
"We're doing... Jewish Christmas?"
"You're always trying to convince me how great it is. So, convince me."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Okay, okay. I'm getting up."
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"Hey."
Donna looks up in surprise, hastily wiping her eyes on a sleeve. "Hey." She says shakily.
"I brought you some coffee." He says softly. He'd expected to find her here. The bullpen was dark, and empty save for the two of them.
She smiles slightly. "Thank you."
"How are you holding up?"
"I'm okay."
"No you're not."
"Honestly, Josh. You've got more important things to worry about right now."
He ignores this, walking into an adjacent cubicle and wheeling its chair across from hers. "You two were close, huh?"
"Josh."
"Weren't you?"
"I guess you could say that." She pauses, taking a sip of coffee. "I didn't have any family here, in DC. And I had friends, but... I don't know. She made me feel safe. She'd lost her own sons in Vietnam, did you know that?"
"Yeah. I did."
"But it didn't make her any less maternal. She was so good to us." A tear slips down her cheek, and she brushes it aside in frustration. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do this."
"Will you quit apologizing? You're allowed to be upset about this."
"You've got more important things to worry about." She repeats stubbornly.
"Not right now, I don't."
She closes her eyes, remembering something. For a brief moment, she looks content. "I used to go talk to her when I was having a bad day. I'd go sit with her in her office, and later with her and Charlie, and... She always knew what to say." She opens her eyes, seeking his. "You know?"
"Yeah." Even though he didn't.
"I'm really going to miss that." Another tear escapes, but she doesn't bother to catch it. She takes another sip of coffee.
"Well, hey. I know none of us are all that maternal, but, as far as family goes... You've got us, you know? You've got CJ, and Sam, and me, and even Toby loves you, but don't tell him I said that."
She gives a watery chuckle.
"And we're always here. You can talk to us."
"Not always. You guys have more important-"
"More important things to worry about. Right." He finishes for her. He furrows his brow thoughtfully. "Donna, who the hell ever told you you weren't important?"
"I just mean-"
"Because they were wrong."
She bows her head, curling up in her chair around her mug. Eventually, she manages, "Thank you, Josh."
"Yeah. You're welcome."
"I'm really going to miss her."
"I know you are. We all will."
"Thanks for the coffee."
"Yeah. Chin up, we've got a rough few months ahead."
"Right."
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Donna raps lightly on her boss' door.
"Come in."
She finds him in his chair, leaning back, staring stoically at the wall. She takes a deep breath. "I brought you some coffee."
He turns to look at her, and after a moment he smiles wryly. "I'll take it you know, then?"
She looks down guiltily. "Know what?"
"Donna. C'mon. You brought me coffee, for God's sake."
"I don't-"
"You've gotta know that Amy and I broke up." He shrugs. "Or else you wouldn't be bringing me coffee. And you definitely wouldn't be looking at me like that."
"Like what?"
"Like a wounded animal."
"I wasn't looking at you like that."
"You were."
"This is my normal face, Josh."
"Okay. I'm not playing this game with you today. You know, right?"
She bites her lip. "I guessed."
"Well, you guessed right. I'll take the coffee."
She takes a few steps forward, and puts it on his desk. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
"Josh."
"Donna."
"I'm serious."
"And I'm seriously fine."
"You are?"
"Yeah. I'm fine."
"Okay." She says disbelieving.
"Really. Never liked her too much to begin with."
"Now that's a lie."
"Whatever. Maybe I did. It doesn't matter. I didn't like her enough to make it work, anyway."
"You never like anyone that much."
"Ah, I knew we'd end up here. Go ahead, make fun of me. Taunt me about my inability to commit."
"I don't want to do that, Josh."
"You don't?"
"No." She sighs. "Though, if I'm being honest? I never liked her that much to begin with."
He chuckles. "Yeah, well. She never much liked you either."
"Which is strange, given that I'm incredibly likable."
"You're right. That should've been the first red flag."
She grins. "You're really okay?"
"I am."
"I'll go, then."
"Thanks for the coffee."
"This isn't becoming a normal thing, you know. That coffee was only because you got dumped."
"I didn't get dumped. It was mutual."
"I'd like the coffee back, then."
"Get out, would you? I've got serious work to do."
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"Hey." Josh sidles awkwardly through the hospital room door, somehow juggling three cups of coffee. "I come bearing coffee."
"Thank you, Josh." Mrs. Moss accepts hers with a smile from the chair beside her daughter's bed.
Donna raises an eyebrow at him as he perches on the edge of her bed. "What do I need caffeine for? I can't get out of this bed anyway."
"Oh, these are both for me." He clicks the two styrofoam cups together. "Cheers."
She rolls her eyes. "Give me that."
"A simple 'thanks' would've sufficed."
"Mm."
"I have to talk to you about something."
Mrs. Moss stands subtly, and smiles softly at the pair. "I'll be back in a few minutes."
"You don't have to go, mom."
"I'm going to call your father. Shouldn't take long, but I wouldn't want him to worry."
Donna gives her a 'yeah, right' look as she leaves the room. "Okay. What is it?"
He hesitates, looking at her for a moment. "The president needs me to go back." He says eventually.
She blinks. "Oh. Well, of course he does."
"I tried to buy another day, but..."
"It's okay, Josh. Four nights with your assistant in Germany, while the President of the United States is having an international affairs crisis? You've done the best you can." Her smile doesn't quite cover her disappointment.
"Yeah, it's just... I don't know."
"Hey, cut it out. You've been great."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. When does your flight leave?"
He checks his watch. "About two hours."
"Two hours? You should get going, traffic to the airport is bad."
"I'll be fine. Besides, it's not like I've got much to pack." He grins.
"It really was dumb of you not to bring a change of clothes."
"I was a little preoccupied, okay?"
"It was nice of Colin to loan you some of his."
He tugs uncomfortably at the collar of Colin's shirt. "They're baggy."
"He had very broad shoulders."
"Alright, shut up, would you? I don't see him still hanging around, do you?"
"Give him a break, Josh. The guy was expecting a fling, not an investment in taking care of some girl he'd just met while she recovered from a terrorist attack."
"Yeah, well, that's what you sign on for, when you start a fling with an American in the Middle East."
"It's really not."
"Whatever." He looks away from her. "I wanted to fly back with you."
"Why? I'll be back in a couple days."
"I don't know. I just did."
"Like a large scale version of walking me to my car?"
"Yeah."
"That's very sweet. But I'll be fine. The president needs you."
"I really should get going." He obviously doesn't want to.
"I'm really glad you came."
"I am too." He sets his empty coffee cup on her bedside table. "You've got broken ribs, so I probably can't-"
"You can hug me, you idiot."
"I can?"
"Just, you know, not a death grip." She sits forward and pulls him into an embrace, burying her head in his shoulder.
He holds her as gently as he can, while still trying to convince himself that she really was still here. She was okay, and she wouldn't be going anywhere. He takes a deep breath, trying to memorize what this feels like. "I'm going to call you every two hours." He murmurs into her hair.
"You're very clingy."
"Shut up."
"I'm kidding. I'm going to hold you to that."
He draws back, finally, and gives her one last long look. "You'll be okay?"
"I think I'll manage." She smiles bravely. "Thanks for the coffee."
"No problem."
"And for everything else."
"Don't mention it."
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"I brought you coffee."
Josh looks up blearily, and fears he could be hallucinating. His former assistant stands over him, offering a mug of coffee, her mouth pressed into a thin line. "Why?"
"Because. Your staff is going to be in here in five minutes, and a guy who slept at the conference table can't lead a meeting."
Her tone isn't exactly warm, but it isn't as cold as it has been lately. "I didn't sleep here." He mumbles.
"You're right. You most certainly don't look like you've slept."
"Donna-"
"I'm going to get you something to eat."
"Donna, wait."
She pauses in the doorway, looking back at him. With that perfect haircut that he so badly wants to mess up. "What?"
"This isn't your job anymore. Taking care of me."
"It never was." And then she's gone, out the door, and he's left waiting for her to return. He sips his coffee.
"I brought you a bagel, and some fruit. And don't think you're just going to eat the bagel."
"Why do you care if I'm eating?"
"You're the campaign manager. It'd be good if you didn't pass out midday."
"Okay." He accepts her reasoning, even if it feels like an excuse. He'll take anything she throws his way, these days. Even though it hurts. Even though he's still pissed.
"I wanted to ask you something."
"Okay. Shoot."
"Can we just work together? Can we just... Be coworkers again?"
He could almost laugh. "When were we ever just coworkers?"
"I don't know. But can we just... Try?"
"You're doing a good job, you know."
"I do know."
"I'm glad we hired you."
"I am too."
"Fine. Whatever. We can just work together."
"Okay. Good."
"And since we're turning over a new leaf and all, maybe this you bringing me coffee could be a regular thing?"
"Not a chance."
Some things never change. Which was reassuring. At least one thing about them was the same.
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Josh looks up as his wife stumbles into the kitchen, clad in track pants and a baggy t-shirt. "Morning."
"Is it?" She grumbles.
"I made coffee."
"Gimme." She sinks into a chair behind the counter.
"You sure? You might be able to sleep more later this morning."
"I'm sure. I've got phone calls to make, and memos to read, and... Just fork over the coffee."
"I'm just sayin'-"
"You deprived me of caffeine all throughout my pregnancy. Now you're trying to keep me off it during motherhood? No way."
"Hey, all I was doing was making sure our baby didn't come out with twelve fingers and no kidneys, okay. Aren't you glad I was looking out for that?"
"We've been over this before, Josh. Yes, I'm grateful our son has kidneys."
"That's what I thought."
"Now give me some coffee before I slit your throat."
"Okay. Woah. Here's your coffee."
"Thank you."
"Well, when you ask so nicely."
"I'm tired, okay?"
"And I'm not?"
"Well, sure, but you've showered, and you're dressed, and I feel like... Ugh."
"Couldn't quite find the word, there?"
"I'd think that by now you would've gathered that I'm in no mood for teasing."
"Right."
"Do you really have to go to work?" She looks up at him balefully from behind the counter.
"I'm sorry. But I really do."
"Damn."
"The President of France is here."
"Right."
"And there's the fuel embargo conference at two, and everything that's been going on with the vote tomorrow-"
"I get it, okay? You're running the country. Understood."
He smiles slightly. "I'll try to come home for an hour around lunchtime. And I'll try to be back early tonight."
"Good." She rests her head on a hand. "Good."
"You're doing great, you know that, right?"
"Thanks. I'm not feeling so great at present moment."
"That's weird, because you look just fantastic."
"Ha, ha."
"I'm sorry. Low blow."
"It was."
"Honestly, though. You don't look bad. If I didn't have to work, I'd still want to spend the whole day here with you."
"Even looking like this?"
"Definitely."
"Ah. Now I'm starting to remember why I married you."
Wordlessly, he walks around the counter and kisses her.
"Mm. I feel like I haven't kissed you in weeks."
He grins. "You probably have. We're both just too sleep deprived to remember it."
"That's reassuring, coming from a man who has access to nuclear codes."
"Very funny."
She stands, pulling him to her again. They're interrupted a few moments later by a loud wailing coming from their bedroom. She rests her forehead on his shoulder, on the verge of tears. "Oh, God."
"It's okay. I got it."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Don't you have to go?"
"The French can wait." He tightens his arms around her, and she chuckles dryly into his chest. At a particularly piercing caterwaul, he pulls back and heads into the bedroom.
"He's probably going to spit up on you."
He waves a hand dismissively. "I've got other shirts."
She smiles. "That's the spirit."
"Finish your coffee. I've gotta look after nuclear codes, but you've gotta look after this kid. Something tells me your job's harder."
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I'm beginning to think of the "variations on a theme" chapter formula as my specialty ;) Thanks for reading!
