Title: "The Lamentable Demise of George" Part 8
Author: Madeleine Mitchell Carr
Email:
Category: General, Josh/Donna
Rating: PG
Summary: Josh, Donna, a chinchilla. General mayhem and confusion. Many misunderstandings ensue. A touch of angst and a pinch of romance.
Donna POV
Spoilers: Post-'Noel'. Glancing references to many other shows, but this has veered pretty much into the realm of the plotless (and pointless)
Disclaimer: These characters belong to Aaron Sorkin and NBC; I'm just borrowing them. Please don't sue me, as I have no money.
Thanks for all the wonderful feedback, guys. I'm thinking of maybe building an extension to accommodate it more comfortably.
Prior apologies to anyone from Belgium. I'm sure it's a lovely, lovely country.
I love CJ. I think she's great, I really do. She is a Soul Sister.
I also like her because she loves Josh. Not in any romantic way, you understand, but in practically every other way that's possible, and still legal.
Their relationship is quite touching in many ways, because they genuinely care for each other and try to support each other. Sometimes I like to think that Josh sees CJ as the sort of woman his sister Joanie may have become if she'd lived.
I also love the fact that Josh likes strong, opinionated women.
That aside (and I don't know why I brought it up in the first place), CJ's fraternal love for Josh is mostly why I'm standing outside her office now. The other part is because, like me, she also has no illusions about him. And she can spot trouble coming 3 miles off on a dark stormy night with no compass.
The woman is a High Priestess. Believe it.
Taking a deep breath, I knock.
"If you're Danny or Toby, go away. Otherwise, please come in."
I go in.
"What have Danny and Toby done?"
She is scribbling away furiously at her desk, nose almost touching the paper. She's always losing her glasses. She waves her free hand in my general direction.
"Hi Donna. I always tell Danny to go away on principle and if I let Toby in he would make me miserable by moaning about having to go to Belgium with the President."
"Doesn't he like Belgium?"
"He says Brussels is ugly and soulless, and the country is populated by numerous strange races who won't and don't talk to each other, let alone anyone else, but especially Americans."
"Oh, Okay."
She finishes a sentence with a flourish, then looks up at me, smiling, pleased with herself.
"What can I…?"
She trails off and her face falls so fast it's almost funny.
"What's he done now?"
"Excuse me?"
"You have your Josh-face on, Donna. "
"My Josh-face?"
"Yes! You only have that face when Josh has done something stupid, or is about to do something stupid. So tell me - what brainless thing has he done now? And tell me quickly so I have more time to rush to his office and beat him about the head with a hockey stick."
Despite myself, I'm diverted.
"You have a hockey stick?"
"Doesn't everyone?"
"Josh hasn't done anything stupid"
She just looks at me, and I sigh.
"Well, no more stupid than usual"
She's not entirely convinced, but is letting it ride for the moment.
"I'm worried about him", I say lamely
CJ groans despairingly
"I knew it! That man will destroy us one day! Wait 'til I…"
"CJ!"
She looks at me again, a bit more closely this time.
"You are worried about him. What's going on?"
So I tell her about the events of the morning. Dr Anderson, George, the Internet sites, the whole kit and caboodle.
She's very quiet when I finish and it's clear that there's a lot going round in her head.
"Donna", she says eventually, "I'm not trying to diminish your concerns, but have you considered that maybe you're jumping to conclusions?"
"Of course I have, CJ! In fact, the possibility that I'm wrong is the only thing that's keeping me from having a nervous breakdown!"
"Donna, are you listening to yourself? That's exactly what I mean! You are so caught up in obsessing about Josh's health that you're seeing relapses around every corner."
Those damn tears are back, picking at my eyes. Why don't they just fall and get it over with?
"I've had reason to be worried, CJ."
Her eyes soften.
"I know you have. You aren't the only one either. We all care about him."
Pick, pick, pick
"He's so much better, you know. If you just took a step back every so often, you would see how much better he is."
I can't meet her eyes any longer, because I know she's right.
"And contrary to appearances, Josh is an adult. He's capable of taking responsibility for himself. He also has the right to do things in his own way and at his own pace. I know you love him, but…"
"I don't love him, he's my boss."
Well said, Donna!
Unfortunately, when I raise my eyes, CJ's looking at me in a way that can only be described as pitying.
"Since when were the two mutually exclusive?"
"CJ, I don't…"
She sighs in exasperation,
"This denial thing was cute for a while, but now it's just getting old."
Whoops, the tears are back in force.
"I'm not in denial." I think I'm mumbling, but CJ catches it anyway.
"You're not?"
"No. I'm in suppression"
I can't believe I just told her that. Did I say this woman was a Priestess? No way, I think she's an evil sorceress. She is so not my soul sister.
She's looking surprised, and oddly satisfied.
"So one of you finally got a clue."
I don't pretend to misunderstand.
It's just as well that I didn't make a response, because there is a sudden loud knock on the door and Leo pokes his head into the office without waiting for a response.
"Hi CJ. Donna, have you seen Josh?"
Now, not only is this uncharacteristically brusque for Leo, he's also looking pretty concerned about something, and despite my best efforts, the volume on my worry-monitor has just been turned up a notch.
"He went to see the President."
Leo's face scrunches up slightly.
"I know, I was just in the Oval Office, but Josh isn't back at his desk yet."
I have a feeling I know what this is about.
"He told the President?"
"Excuse me?"
Well, perhaps it was a little cryptic.
"I mean, Josh told the President about George, and the President told you?"
"You know about George?"
Well, dur
"Yes"
Leo looks as if he's not sure whether to be upset or angry.
"Well, looks like I'm the last to know again."
He turns and exits the room as abruptly as he arrived.
CJ and I look at each other and simultaneously decide to pretend that the last minute never happened. I figure that whatever it is going on about George, whom I have not the slightest interest in, except in his effect on Josh, is better left in Leo's hands. I've got my own worries to …er… worry about.
Talking of which…
"Donna?"
"Yeah?"
"You have to talk to him."
I must have looked pretty alarmed, because CJ rolls her eyes in exasperation.
"Not about that thing, about the other thing."
"You think?"
"Yes! Just enquire casually and calmly about his health and this time listen with your ears instead of your heart."
I must be feeling better, because that produces a smile
"Well, that was very poetic, CJ"
She smirks
"I have my moments. Now, hop off and find Josh"
"Yes ma'am"
I leave the office to her quiet chuckle and see Sam coming towards me. He's looking like he just lost his best friend, and I've had about as much as I can cope with for one afternoon, so I hop off in the other direction as fast as my legs can carry me.
TBC
Bet you didn't expect Leo to turn up! Will Leo confront Josh? Or will Donna get there first? What will Sam tell CJ? Will I manage to tie up all the loose ends?