CJ Cregg stood at the sink in her kitchen, filling a pot with water and placing it on the stove to boil. According to the carefully crafted dinner schedule hanging on the side of the fridge, it was her night to cook. She heard the familiar introduction of her favorite news talk program and grabbed the remote, clicking the volume up a few notches so she'd be ready when it began after the commercial break. It was different for her now, she thought, being on this side of the news.
After the end of the Bartlet administration, she'd taken the job with the Hollis Foundation and returned to Los Angeles. She'd busied herself with humanitarian work and traveled frequently, but she'd always kept up on politics. It was in her bloodstream now. But, she admitted, she did like the ability to turn the television on and simply watch. She didn't have to personally attend to every crisis that would flit across the screen anymore. No, no. That was Josh Lyman's problem now.
"Danny," she called out as she made her way towards the couch. "It's time."
Danny Concannon briskly made his way down the stairs and rounded the corner to the living room, kissing his wife on the cheek and plopping down next to her on the couch. Even though he spent the entirety of his day absorbed in breaking news as an editor, this was one of his favorite moments of the day. He'd sit on the couch with his wife and hear what Anderson Cooper had to say. Both of them were nothing more than two citizens watching a television program. There was something simple about it, and he cherished it.
"What's for dinner," he asked as the TV touted the newest upgrades to a popular sports utility vehicle during the commercial break.
"Italian," she took a sip of her wine. "I picked up fresh pasta from that little shop on La Cienega while I was out today. Oh, look- It's on." She settled back into Danny's arms.
"Our show tonight begins with a topic we've heard a lot about in the last 24 hours," the commentator began.
CJ let out a deflated sigh as her shoulders slumped. She had assumed it would likely be the first topic up to bat, but it didn't make it any easier to handle.
"The new tell all book that is taking Washington by storm," the man on television continued. "Hellhound: How Bartlet's Bulldog Turned Rabid, the upcoming book is an insider's view of the DC political scene under the rule of Santos' Chief of Staff Josh Lyman. Though the author's identity and the contents of the book remain a closely guarded secret, stores across the country are reporting skyrocketing presales only hours after the announcement of Hellhound's release. Tonight we welcome to the show President Santos' Press Secretary Louise Thornton as well as the former Senator from Idaho Chris Carrick. Both have worked closely with Lyman and we look forward to their perspectives. Senator, Ms. Thornton, Welcome."
CJ scoffed outright from her place on the couch. "Chris Carrick? Oh, give me a break. He probably helped write the damn thing."
"Shh," Danny was watching intently. "They're reading the back of the book jacket."
"...however the root of the problem facing this country today is Chief of Staff Josh Lyman.
Known for his brash behavior and his who-gives-a-damn view of his opponents' belief systems, Lyman is no stranger to American politics. If you've been inside the beltway longer than a few minutes you've likely heard his name.
On the surface he's known for being a political kingmaker and traveling in high profile circles. But at his core Lyman is a cultural elitist more interested in waging war on his opponents than finding a compromise to benefit the American people. He's the muscle behind the modern liberal dynasty and the Democratic Party's fixer. And Lyman isn't afraid to play dirty."
But before CJ and Danny could hear the responses from the panel, the front door opened and CJ lunged for the remote.
"I"m home," Donna called out just as CJ flipped to a station showing a rerun of a 90s era sitcom. "It smells great in here, Ceej," Donna rounded the corner into the living room, glancing at the clock and then towards the TV as her friends sat awkwardly on the couch.
"You don't have to change it because of me," she told them, licking her lips nervously and staring out the window. He's going to be in the news. He's the Chief of Staff. And now with this book coming out of nowhere, you can't avoid it."
"Donna-" CJ really didn't know where to begin. Josh had always been a difficult topic for the two of them, but as they tried to settle into their roles outside the Bartlet White House that had slowly changed. They'd both opened up about the Josh Lyman sized elephant in the room over a bottle of wine one night and CJ was finally beginning to understand some of the things she'd tried to miss as press secretary. "I don't want you to get upset."
"I won't," Donna tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, trying to convince herself of the same words she was currently selling to CJ and Danny. "It's been on TV and the radio all day. There's no escaping it. I'm not-," she paused, attempting to gather her thoughts. "It's fine. I'm okay. Watch the news. But Sam's right behind me and he isn't taking this so well," she warned.
"Actually," she glanced at the clock, "if we have a couple of minutes I'm going to change clothes before dinner."
"Sure," Danny told her. "Take your time."
Danny looked at Donna fondly. Though he had known who Donna was during their White House days, they hadn't really been social friends. The senior staff kept a tight circle, and reporters typically weren't invited inside. But ever since she'd moved into CJ's guest house, their close quarters over the last eighteen months had allowed them to get to really get to know each other. Danny had immediately adopted Donna as his surrogate little sister. He helped her with odd jobs, teased her, and most importantly vowed to protect her the best that he could.
Donna grabbed her bag and slipped out the back door to the deck, making her way around the pool to CJ's casita where she currently resided. Though she'd been busy with her job and her 18 credit hour course load, Donna only had one thing on her mind that day: Josh.
He was the talk of the town, so to speak. The nation was abuzz with news about the newest tell all book claiming to have the power to take down the Chief of Staff and end the Democrats time in power in the next election. Donna neatly hung the suit she'd worn that day and pulled the middle drawer from her dresser, pulling on an oversized soft tshirt and her favorite pair of leggings. She pulled her hair into a ponytail using the mirror over her dresser, stealing a glance at the photo lovingly displayed on the top of the chest of drawers. There she stood with Senior Staff, crowded around a stack of paperwork and Chinese food cartons in the Roosevelt Room on a Sunday afternoon. CJ had one arm around a somewhat begrudging Toby. Sam was ducking into the frame next to Carol, and Donna sat in front of Josh, his arms wrapped around her and a wide smile on his face.
It felt like it was taken a lifetime ago.
She closed the doors to her bedroom and pad lightly across the pool deck, back to the main house. As she approached the steps leading into the living room, she paused for a moment outside. Sam's voice permeated through the french doors. He was livid- just as Donna had warned.
"It's slander!"
"Sam-" She could hear Danny try to interject, presumably to diffuse the situation.
"I want to know who did this. And why they think they have the right. He's doing his job and we all know he's damn good at it. But that's what he does. He holds a grudge. He's a professional hostile witness. He's not there to make friends, he's there to push the President's agenda!"
"We know," CJ attempted to soothe. "And Sam, we don't think it's right either."
"But what are we going to do about it?" Sam was still enraged.
"There's really very little we can do," CJ continued. "We don't work in the White House anymore. We have to leave the heavy lifting up to them. And since there aren't any advanced copies circulating, there is very little we can refute at this point. All we can do right now is let him know that we support him. And when the book is released, we can comment on his behalf."
Rarely was Sam this worked up, but when Donna had bumped into him at the coffee shop in the bottom floor of their office building that morning he was already fuming.
"Have you talked to him?" CJ continued.
"Josh?"
"Yes, Josh. I left him a message this morning just letting him know that if there was anything I could do I'd be glad to help out. And just to remind him that the door is always open, and that he can always call if he needs a friend."
"Yeah." Sam's voice quieted a bit. "I did the same. I'll assume we won't hear back. Why would this be any different?" A puff of air escaped Sam's lips. Josh was his best friend, and he hated that they'd become so distant with each other.
"Well, at least we know he'll get the messages. I'm sure he will be pleased to hear from you. That's something," Danny offered, a sad silence falling over them.
Donna took that opportunity to rejoin the group. The hurt in her heart over Josh was never ending it seemed, but it had been particularly bad lately. She saw him spinning out of control, but she couldn't reach him.
"Dinner?" Danny suggested to the group as soon as he saw her.
They all nodded their heads and grabbed a dish and their individual drinks before making their way to the dining room table. Taking their usual places and settling in, the stresses of the week all began to wash away. This was home now, and the weekly meals together were a high point for the four of them.
"This all looks great, Ceej," Sam supplied, taking a large helping of salad.
"It does," Donna chimed in, placing her napkin on her lap. Once all of the plates were full she raised her glass, just as they did before every meal for the same toast they gave every week before their meal. "To Family," Donna stated simply.
"To family," the others chimed in softly, clinking their glasses.
"Especially," Sam added, "the ones that aren't here tonight."
"Hear, hear," Danny nodded, raising his glass.
They missed everyone who made up their surrogate Bartlet Family, of course. Toby, the President and First Lady, Charlie, Margaret and obviously Leo. But that particular night, they felt Josh's prolonged absence from their lives more than any other.
"So, Donna," Danny decided to change the subject. "What are you going to do with Sam's money this week?"
Donna smiled slyly at Sam. Their standing Thursday night dinner at CJ's house was always followed by a game of Liverpool Rummy. A game in which, week after week, Donna took Sam to the cleaners.
"Well, I did see a cute pair of shoes in the window at Ruby's Boutique this week."
"I LOVE that place," CJ chimed in. "Are you talking about the satin pair? With the subtle detail work?"
"Yes," Donna nodded. "They're gorgeous. But I have nowhere to wear them."
CJ shrugged her shoulders with a conspiratory smirk. "May still be worth it. They'd go with everything. Besides… it's Sam's money."
Sam just shook his head. It had become a running joke between the four of them. Typically, rather than cashing out whatever amount he owed her, Sam just bought Donna lunch instead. They had a standing lunch date as well- noon at the bistro on the first floor of the office building.
Not long after she'd enrolled in UCLA and moved into the guest house at CJ's insistence, Sam heard of an opening for a part time job two floors down from his firm. He'd helped the company's owner with a few things when she'd first opened and felt comfortable passing along Donna's qualifications on her behalf. Of course, Donna excelled in her position and now worked flexible hours around her class schedule. Sam's standing lunch dates, always a welcome meal with a close friend, had proven to be more valuable to her than just a meal, though. With Sam's presence in the building and their visible time together, he also acted as a deterrent from any unwanted offers for dates from the various men who had taken an interest in Donna.
The night passed with ease as it always did among close friends. CJ yawned, settling into Danny's arm and resting her head on her shoulder.
Sam glanced at the clock, surprised to see how late it was and stretched in his chair. "I better head home," he stated before glancing at Donna. "Tomorrow is your 8 am. You need to get some sleep, too."
Donna nodded in confirmation and they all stood, placing their empty plates in the dishwasher and gathering up the decks of cards. CJ and Danny said their goodnights and Sam grabbed his keys, Donna following him to the door to lock up.
"Coffee at 9:30," Sam confirmed.
Donna nodded her head. She made a habit of grabbing Sam his favorite drink on Fridays from a local coffee shop near campus and delivering it to his office before she started her shift at 10. He'd take a break from whatever he was working on and proofread her weekly paper upon her arrival.
Sam hugged her goodbye and kissed her cheek, giving her an extra squeeze. "He's going to be okay, Donna," Sam assured her, and Donna knew exactly about whom he was speaking. "He's going to get through this. He's strong. And if there's anything I can do to lessen the blow, I'll do it. Don't worry, alright?"
She silently nodded her head. "Thanks, Sam. You're a good friend. To all of us."
XXXXXX
A/N: Thanks for stopping by to read my latest story! I hope you've enjoyed the first chapter. Let me know what you think!
I just wanted to leave a note and clarify that I WILL continue to update Ballots and Bows weekly. This story is completely written so don't worry, I won't lose focus on my Audrey-verse.
Special thanks to kcat1971 for all of the help on this story. You have the ability to understand my crazy ideas and help shape them into a cohesive story. You're an amazing beta, writer and friend :)