Josh swore his footsteps echoed as he moved through the corridors of the West Wing. It was quieter then he could ever remember.

He finally admitted to himself that he was destined to spend this Valentine's Day alone. But he didn't have to spend it at work where someone could see him and pity him. Josh could keep his facade of being a romantic hero intact.

With his scarf around his neck and his backpack full, Josh made his way towards the exit. But on the trip out he noticed Leo's office lights on and the door ajar. It was a magnet that pulled Josh in. Leo was deep in paperwork, jacket off, sleeves rolled up. "Hey." Josh called to him.

"What are you still doing here, Josh?"

"Finishing up. Had to give Danny Concannon a quote and pose for his photographer. I'm heading out, how about you?"

"I'll be done soon. Are you the last one out?"

"No. C.J. is still here but I don't think for long."

"She's getting ahead, she's taking tomorrow morning off."

"Really?" Josh started to straighten his tie. "Need me to do the morning Briefing?"

"No." Leo's tone told Josh there would be no discussion. "Sam will be Carol's back up. C.J. has been prepping her to step up. If it's routine, Carol can handle it."

"Okay, but I can give her some tips."

"She's under strict instructions to do the opposite of whatever you tell her."

"Oh." Josh decided to change the subject. "So Leo, got any plans?"

"The First Lady invited me to dinner. But the President declined for me."

"He did the same for me." The two men fell silent. Then Josh spoke up, "You want to do something?"

"With you?"

"Yeah."

"Like what?"

"I don't know, guy stuff. Get a pizza, go bowling, toilet paper the Senate Majority Leader's house."

"Some Hottest Heartthrob you are, you don't even have a date."

"Hey, what about you?"

"I'm married." They looked at each other. "Sort of." Leo threw down his pen. "The hell with it, you're right. Let's get out of here."

"And do what?"

"We'll go for pizza and beer. I'll watch you drink the beer and I'll drive."

"Okay, I'll buy. You can pay for the bowling. We'll split the cost of the toilet paper."

They started to head out the door and Leo laughed. "Is it going to compromise my reputation to be seen with one of the Top Five Hottest Heartthrobs?"

"Willing to take a chance?"

"I live on the edge, Josh."

"That's what we say about you Leo." Leo laughed again as they neared the exit. Josh had to know. "Leo, did I miss something amusing?"

"Yeah, you not having a date, that's poetic justice."

Josh, another Valentine's Day under his belt considered the proper response. Something that would live in the annals of man-dom, an answer that would enlighten and inspire men for ages to come. "Whatever."