The Political Engagement: Part One

The Political Engagement: Part One

By: The Writer

Mini-Chapter: Thank God for Reality T.V.

Note: This scene was supposed to be part of the much overdue sequel, The Political Engagement: Part Two. But, for various reasons—such as, I don't really know that much about the Ansley character—this was all that was ever written. Sorry! This is a mostly pointless and slightly fluffy mini-chapter, but I hope you like it anyway!

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The West Wing

It was exactly one week after Donna and Josh appeared on the year's new highest rated reality T.V. series, The Political Engagement. In fact, it was one week to the very minute—as long as you didn't check the time on Josh's watch. And he and Donna had yet to speak of the passionate kiss they had shared with the world. The fools—I mean, newly anointed celebrities—tried to continue life as if nothing had happen; as if they had spent that Friday night alone, in their own apartments, watching infomercials for pet rock incubators…don't ask.

This is not even mentioning how entirely pointless it was for them to pretend nothing had changed. Everyone had seen the kiss. Strangers who wanted her autograph stopped Donna on the street and Josh was recognized at Starbucks. For two days C.J. was incessantly asked how employee/boss relationships were handled in the Government. Some journalists even came right out and asked questions about Josh and Donna's previous relationships. But C.J. kept her word and shot down every inquisition like a skilled markswoman.

The Monday after the show the deputy chief of staff had returned to his office to find his desk covered in layers upon layers of phone messages. And, believe it or not, days later he had yet to clear them off. Well—until Donna took matters into her own hands. She marched into his office and said, "It's time to clear this up."

Josh paled slightly and looked up from the article he was reading. "What?"

Donna tried to pretend she didn't know what Josh was so worried about. She gestured to the phone messages on his desk that he had been pushing around all week. "That must go."

Josh let out the breath he was holding and nodded. With that the pair began sorting the papers. Almost a half-hour later Josh help up a phone message. "This woman will pay me fifty bucks to…Mohawk my hair with Paul Mitchel gel?" He paused, "These people are crazy, Donna!" He snatched the paper she was reading from her hand and threw it into the garbage. He then scooped the rest of the pile off of his desk.

"Hey! That was a thirty-one-year-old pediatrician looking for a down-to-earth girlfriend," Donna complained, grabbing a hold of the basket as Josh carried out of his office.

He smirked. "Donna, you're not down-to-earth—

"What?"

"He's probably a psycho looking for a new victim."

"He is not!" Donna stopped walking and held tightly to the basket, so that Josh couldn't leave. "Okay. The guy willing to pay $1,000 for a lock of my hair was a bit strange, but Dr. Jon is probably—

"Married. He's probably married." Josh leaned closer to Donna. "I meant to ask you, when did you want to go out for our second date?"

Donna's expression softened. "Awww, Josh." And she loosened her grip on the basket, so that her boss was able to rip it out of her hands.

As Josh sprinted for the nearest paper shredder, Donna called after him, "No fair! Hey, Josh! Shouldn't you be watching Sam and Ainsley on T.V. right now instead of ruining my only chance at a social life?"

Josh slowed down to let Donna catch up to him. "The way I figure it, they'll still be on T.V. when I get home at ten. As the matchmaker I was able to convince the network to send them to an all night Chinese buffet. With the way Ainsley eats and the way Sam talks, they'll never leave."

Donna rolled her eyes. "You're awful, you know that, Josh?"

His hand brushed hers. "But that's the way you like it, isn't it, Donnatella?"

She flashed a suggestive smile. "Everyone's gone home and there aren't any cameras in this part of the West Wing…"

Josh looked at his assistant in mock-horror. "Here, Donna? At work? Out in the open?"

"I feel more secure here knowing that 30 million pairs of eyes aren't staring at me with the aid of a camera."

"Point taken."

With that Donna wrapped her arms around Josh's neck and kissed him with a greater passion than before. She pulled away and gasped, "I've been waiting all week."

Josh dropped the basket in shock, unable to speak. Donna immediately snatched up one of the papers. "Aha."

Her boss gaped. "All that for Dr. I-have-a-job-where-I-work-with-kids, doesn't-that-turn-you-on's phone number?"

Donna's eyes twinkled. "Josh, do you know only one in twenty-five work-related relationship's succeed?"

"And how many unmarried bosses fall for their assistants?" he retorted.

She blinked in surprise. "You've fallen for me?"

"I thought you knew that."

Donna held his eyes for a moment. "But you actually said it…" She suddenly turned on her heel, her blonde hair flicking him in the face. "Come, Joshua, we're missing prime television. We have to see if our favorite announcer is still employed."

Josh watched her walk away for a moment. He thought, Thank God for reality T.V., and then swaggered after her.

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Note: I know that might've not been what you were expecting, but I hope you liked it anyway! There's always hope I'll end up writing the rest of the sequel! Thanks.