Authors:
Posted: May 6, 2001
It was a balmy, early autumn afternoon. The heat of the summer was fading and mild fall breezes were playing hide and seek through the streets and alleys of Baltimore. SJ had made the drive from Georgetown in her new red convertible unannounced. She had seen the press conference the day before and felt the only appropriate way to congratulate her friend on such a stunning promotion was to do so spontaneously.
Inside the nerve center of the stadium, the new GM was looking over financial projections that were nearly as depressing as the previous season's record, but she did not despair. She was a woman with a plan, and action was her middle name--at least it would be if Sam Seaborn ever filed the proper papers with the court for her.
Her pondering came to an abrupt halt with a message from her secretary.
"Ms. Rogers," came a voice over the speakerphone, "a Ms. Rixon is here to see you."
"Thanks, Lisa, send her in." Marilyn replied.
The door to the office opened and SJ Rixon
walked in. She was dressed in jeans and a blue T-shirt emblazoned with
the
words FBI SWAT -- a stark contrast to Marilyn's navy suit.
"SJ!" Marilyn said smiling. "Nice shirt. Making friends again?"
SJ smirked as she replied: "Congratulations on the new job."
"Thanks, same to you on the new book," Marilyn said. "If I ever get bored, I might even read it."
"Don't over due it on my account."
"Hey, come here," Marilyn said gesturing widely to the bank of windows behind her desk. "I've finally got a great view."
The two ladies walked over the large windows that overlooked the field at Camden Yards. Although the season ended a month ago, one lonely groundskeeper tended to the field as is the norm during the off season.
"So… 'Redheaded stepchildren'?" SJ asked.
"Yes," Marilyn said chuckling. "Hey, I have to look after my guys. Look at it this way, you'll get terrific seats when the Yankees come to town."
"Hey, speaking of damn Yankees," SJ began. "You saw him."
"You heard?"
"I called Sam to check a detail on something I was writing," SJ said. "He mentioned you visited Mr. Lyman."
"Yeah," Marilyn nodded slowly. "You know, he looks really good, considering what he went through last year. God he scared me."
"Yeah, I remember," SJ said, dropping into the chair opposite the desk.
It was Marilyn who had called her with the news. SJ was in England at the time for a promotional tour of her book. The tone in Marilyn's voice alone nearly sent her racing for the airport; Marilyn herself was sitting in front of her TV, literally gripping the arms of the chair to keep herself from charging out the door and jumping in her car to race to Washington. She called SJ as soon as she had the wherewithal to dial. SJ then sat vigil by her phone for the next 24 hours until Marilyn called again with the much-prayed for update that Josh was expected to make a full recovery.
"So, Josh was at your lecture?" Marilyn remarked. SJ gave her an arched-eye brow assessment. "I talked to Sam, too. I thought the only things Joshua ever read were briefing memos and policy manuals."
"There are moments when I wondered if he could read at all," SJ answered. "I don't think he came willingly, though. His shadow, Ms. Donna Moss, appeared to be the one behind the appearance."
"Doesn't surprise me one bit," Marilyn said making her way back to her desk. "Speaking of Ms. Moss, what's your take on her?"
"Well," SJ said, striking a thoughtful pose as she rested her chin on her fist, "she has to be one very patient person to put up with him. We both know how little patience he has himself. Plus, she obviously pulls her own weight, if not that of two people. She'd have to or Josh wouldn't have her working for him. I even heard that she was partially, if not majorly, responsible for ending the Stackhouse filibuster last spring."
"Ha! How about that?" Marilyn remarked.
"Okay, you're looking very pleased," SJ said. "So, fess up."
"Oh, no big deal, really," Marilyn said nonchalantly.
"I sent him over a copy of the press conference. I called Sam about
it,
and he said I should come down, so he cleared me to enter the west
wing. Amazing how Sam didn't spill the beans that I was coming. Then…
I said hello."
"You mean you planted one on him," SJ said interpreted. "Sam mentioned it was a full contact chat."
"Rendered him speechless, even if it was for only thirty seconds," Marilyn grinned. "Donna was taken a little aback, though."
"Yeah, she seemed a little timid to me," SJ said.
"Did you and Josh go at it like usual?"
"We might have bandied a few words," SJ said with a devious grin.
"You mentioned naked breakfast?" Marilyn surmised.
"Ah, a photographic memory is a beautiful thing," SJ sighed. "Poor Donna. She had no idea what was going on."
"Tell me about it," Marilyn said nodding.
"Of course, you know what this means? This woman has been initiated,
and she
doesn't even know it. I think we should take Ms. Donna Moss out
for dinner and drinks so we can school her on the ins and outs of Joshua
Lyman."
"To what end?"
"Add that little bit of playful hell to his life that he's been lacking since we both left him," Marilyn answered frankly.
"Great minds, my friend," SJ agreed. "I love it when we're on the same page."
"Well then, what better time to arrange it than now?" Marilyn said as tapped her intercom and raised her secretary. "Lisa, could you please contact a woman named Donna Moss? She works in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff of the White House. Thanks."
She turned back to SJ sporting an ear-to-ear grin.
"There ought to be a law against having this kind of fun," Marilyn said.
"Don't say it too loudly or he'll write one," SJ remarked.
"By the way, speaking of writing…" Marilyn said.
"Yes?"
"Would you sign this?" Marilyn asked, drawing a copy of SJ's latest endeavor off a bookshelf behind her desk. "I heard they want to make it a movie. That true?"
"Hell if I know," SJ said, chuckling. "I just sign my name where the lawyers tell me. Now, let's see. A proper inscription for a fellow survivor of the Lyman Labyrinth... Hmm.... How 'bout this: To my cohort in the 'Lyman Lost.' All the Best and good riddence--SJ."
"It's hard to believe you've never worked for Hallmark," Marilyn quipped as she returned the book to the shelf.
Marilyn's phone buzzed. She pressed the speakerphone button.
"Yes Lisa?"
"Ma'm, Donna Moss is holding on line two," came the reply.
"Thank you," Marilyn said, turning to SJ. "Play ball."
*****************
Tuesday evening arrived quicker than Donna expected. She was busy researching funding related to genetic mapping research for Josh and Toby. She lost all track of time. She was in Toby's office when Ginger interrupted to inform her that the security desk had called. They were escorting her guests as arranged to her desk.
"My guests?" Donna replied. Then realized what it meant. "Oh God! That's today, isn't it? I forgot!"
"Forgot what?" Toby asked looking up from his laptop screen.
"That we're going out tonight," Donna said, gathering her notes.
"We're not going anywhere," Toby said.
"Not us, me," Donna replied. "Oh God! I forgot to tell Josh!"
"You're going out with Josh but you forgot to tell him?"
"No, with his girlfriends," Donna said hurriedly.
She rushed from the room, leaving Toby hanging with only half the information he had requested. He grabbed a ball out of his bottom drawer.
"Well, that makes perfect sense," he said as he heaved it expertly at the wall
*****************
Josh breezed down the hall toward his office,
Donna's name on the tip of his tongue as he prepared to yell for her to
join him. However, he nearly choked as he turned the corner and looked
at her desk. Two very familiar and very much out of place
faces stared back at him, grinning knowingly.
"See, Mary," SJ said. "The man just can't live without us. We're in the building 30 seconds and he's rushing to see us."
"Why are you both here... together?" Josh asked, a cast of concern in his eyes.
"You sound nervous there, Yankee," Marilyn said with a bold grin.
"I'm not nervous," he said confidently. "I'm curious."
"He's scared," Marilyn proclaimed.
"I'm not."
"You should be," Marilyn taunted, the grin deepening.
"Mary's right--a little healthy fear is a good thing," SJ added, throwing him a wink. "We're waiting for Donna."
"Okay, now I'm mildly concerned," he said. "Why?"
"We're taking her out," SJ said. "As successful women, we feel it is our duty to serve as examples to others, act as mentors, educate, give helpful advice."
"See, that fiction thing is right up your alley," Josh replied.
Donna arrived, surprised to see the gathering
at her desk. She was surprised to find her two dinner companions
at her desk
flanking Josh. The looks on the three faces (Marilyn excited;
SJ intrigued and Josh confused) were disconcerting.
"Hey, Josh," Donna remarked casually. "Are you going to join us?"
"I don't think he should," SJ said. "I don't think he could handle a little R and R any longer."
"R and R?" Josh replied. "Rixon and Rogers. Cute."
"Aren't we?" Marilyn said.
"Right," Josh said slowly. "Well, you go do... whatever." He pointed toward his office and walked toward it slowly. "I'm just gonna... you know... yeah."
"He has such a way with words sometimes," Marilyn remarked as he closed his door.
"Yeah, and he wonders why I never put him in a real book," SJ said shaking her head. "Ladies, shall we?"
*****************
Everything's all right.
Really… it is.
I'm not worried. Nothing is going to happen.
Just because two ex-girlfriends have taken my assistant out (against my
wishes) and are probably telling her everything... (Oh, God everything?)
they know about me should not upset me.
Besides, I have more important things on
my mind. I do have a country to run (or ruin, if my mother is to
be believed). Donna left me with a plethora of stuff to mull over:
biotech corn, prescription drug pricing, the thing about… about… something
with genes, wasn't it?
Damn!
They're going to ruin... whatever.
Donna is not going to look at me the same... What if Marilyn tells her
about.... Or if SJ explains the.... There's just no way to live this
down. I should go an play in traffic now.
And what's even worse, I didn't even know
they knew each other! That just can't be good. It's like one
of the signs of Armageddon or something. SJ and Marilyn. Nitro,
meet Glycerin.
No. I will not think about this. It's childish,
really, to want to know what's being said about yourself. I've got to focus
on the task at hand. After all, I am a Master Politician. Even Marilyn
would agree with me.
Marilyn... Now, I could tells some
stories about her. How would she like that? Yeah, back when
she worked for Dubay--the village idiot gets elected to congress.
The only bigger pain in the ass than him was... well, Marilyn. They
call me an attack dog sometimes! But Mary! And how the hell
does she know SJ? They're polar opposites. Mary plays
'In your face' ball all the time and SJ is quiet and subtle. At least that's
what she wants you to believe. I guess viper is a better description of
her. Actually, they aren't all that different....
But Donna? No, that just doesn't
fit. No. Not with those two.
If anyone, they should be having drinks
with me.
Okay, now I know how Sam feels when he
gets his ass kicked by Ainsley.
Ah ha! That's it!
"Hey, Sam" Josh said as he entered Sam's office. "What 'cha doin'?"
"Just finishing up some notes for tomorrow's meeting," Sam replied.
"Good, you're not doing anything. Let's go."
"May I ask where and why?"
"Because," Josh said sitting down in the visitor's chair.
"Because is not an answer, Josh," Sam informed him. "It's a lame excuse used by children when they don't have a good answer and are about to get in trouble."
"Trouble? Me?" Josh shook his head. "I was just thinking you might want to get out of the office for a little while to relax, if only for an hour or so."
"Uh-huh," Sam said suspiciously. "Where do you suggest we go?"
"Oh, I don't know," Josh replied nonchalantly. "That pub in Georgetown, Gilhoolies."
"Right. You just want to spy on them, don't you?"
"What?" Josh said defensively. "Sam, please. What makes you think that I want to spy?"
"Because you have the world's worst poker face," Sam replied. "I ran into Donna on her way out tonight. She was with a couple old friends of yours, as I recall. She said they were heading to Gilhoolie's."
"Sam," Josh said in a pleading tone, "what if this situation was about you?"
"Well, I never dated either one of them, so…"
"Sam!"
"Oh, all right," Sam said closing his laptop. "I won't get any work done with you here anyway. Besides, this could be fun."
"Trust me, it can't."
"Well, not for you," Sam grinned. "For me, definitely."
*****************
The pub was busy but not overly crowded. Donna was feeling at ease--and not just because she was on her second Whisky Sour. She felt as though she knew these two, like they had been through something together and shared a bond. She knew that wasn't true, but they were likable. And entertaining.
Or rather, their stories were.
"And he couldn't get a single word out," Marilyn said, finishing off her tale of how she met Josh. "He's just so enraged that all he can do is give this wild glare and sort of quiver. So I'm thinking: This is Rep. Earl Brenan's hit man? Please! Why is anyone intimidated by this guy? He's obviously a blithering idiot!"
Donna slapped her hand over her mouth to hold in her guffaw. She had ceased trying not to laugh 40 minutes earlier on the drive to the pub. She knew both women had intimate relationships with Josh at one time, and that part did make her uneasy, but the stories they told were like the kind you get from close family members: real grit. There was no doubt both knew him excessively well. Marilyn's description of Josh's tongue-tied moments was dead on--in fact he'd had one just that afternoon after watching an interview on CNN with Ann Stark
"Of course, 10 seconds later when I jumped into the fray, I realized I had made a slight miscalculation," Marilyn continued, sounding humble for the first time.
"He turned on you?" Donna ventured. She had seen it often; foolish congressional staffers charging headlong into the dragon's den only to run screaming for safety with their eyebrows singed off.
"Let's just say I went to school that day and learned a lesson or two," Marilyn said.
"So, how did you meet him?" Donna asked SJ,
who had a look on her face like she was recording every word and storing
it
for some future writing project. "You went to college together,
right?"
"Well, we officially met in a poli-sci course," she said. "But, I saw him first the previous semester. It was sophomore year, right after Christmas break. I was in Cambridge one night, about 10 p.m. at this news kiosk. I passed this little alley that served as a park of sorts. Normally those are full of winos and junkies so I wouldn't look down them, but I heard two guys arguing, and it caught my attention. I look down an there's these two idiots in T-shirts playing basketball in 36 degree weather. And they're arguing: Guess what about?"
"A foul?" Donna ventured.
She didn't know much about basketball except that she did exceptionally well in the pools (better than Josh and Sam though they argued statistics of teams frequently). Donna picked teams based on uniforms and what she knew about the state where the school was located. Two years in a row she had picked the Final Four in the March tournament. All of her picks beat Josh's.
"No," SJ said. "The Fourth Amendment."
"Search and seizure law?" Donna asked.
"Yeah," SJ agreed. "So I get closer and take a look at these guys. One I recognize right off. He's a professor--a god in his field: Alan Dershowitz."
"The attorney?" Donna asked, her eyes growing wide. "The guy who did that case for Claus vonBuelow?"
"Him," SJ said. "They'd been playing a while from the look of them--wringing wet on a cold January night. Dersh was looking tired and was apparently trying to brow beat his opponent with Constitutional law and cries of moral indignation. The guy he's playing is just standing there, waiting to check the ball. I could tell from the carriage of his head that this guy wasn't even impressed with Dersh; he's laughing and says: 'Want to know what I think, old man? I think your guy's guilty, but you know what I know? I have the ball, and I'm beating you so shut up and play.' My chin hit the ground. No one talks to Dersh that way--no one."
"Was it Josh?" Donna asked, lowering her voice as if she knew the answer.
It would be like Josh to speak that way to someone in authority. But something in her had doubts. After all, Dershowitz was a professor at Harvard and Josh attended law school at Yale. Of course, that didn't mean he couldn't know a professor. Josh did seem to know just about everybody.
"I didn't know who it was, but I was intrigued," SJ said. "I watched for a few more minutes and then left; they were still arguing. So spring classes begin a week later and I'm sitting in this poli-sci course, dreading it."
"Didn't you minor in poli-sci?" Marilyn asked.
"At that time, I was minoring in philosophy," SJ revealed. "The guy who sat next to me changed my mind. See, I'm sitting in that class, looking at the book, when this backpack gets flung into the seat next to me; the guy sits down, puts his feet up on the chair in front of him like he owns the room. He leans over to me and says, 'Pick your head up or you'll never survive.' I recognize the voice as the one I heard that night arguing with Dersh. So I ask what he means, but I don't move a muscle. He says, 'Cause this prof., when he smells fear, will eat you alive.' Well, I picked my head up instantly. I looked dead into those gentle, warm, excited eyes, and caught a flash of those dimples. I swear to you, ladies, I had a hot flash that could have melted this glass."
Marilyn hooted and slapped her hand on the table. She and SJ raised their glasses in unison and clinked them loudly and uttered a word Donna had heard several times all ready that evening: "Breathless."
"Why do you keep saying that?" Donna asked. "What's is this 'breathless' thing you keep laughing about?"
"Kiss him someday and you'll understand," SJ
said with a wink. "'Cause that's how you'll feel afterward."
"You better believe it," Marilyn said as she fanned
herself dramatically. "The day after he took my head off, I was sitting
on the Capitol steps having my lunch, and I saw him come around the corner.
His tie is askew; he's got his jacket slung over his shoulder and a pair
of sunglasses on as he approaches. He walks by me then back tracks
and tips the glasses down on his nose as he looks at me. I start
having heart palpitations! Then he says he hopes I didn't take what
he said the other day personally; at that moment, I couldn't remember what
he said; I'm just grinning like a fool because he remembers me and my name.
I won't even go into where things went the next time I saw him away from
the Hill, but.... Oh yes, breathless!"
Donna tried to keep her face passive. She had nothing to add, nothing she would dare to add at least, to this part of the conversation. She thought Josh was handsome in his own way and agreed that the way he carried himself, his confidence and energy, were a powerful combination. But it was not something she would tell anyone. She hid those thoughts.
She looked up to see both SJ and Marilyn staring at her expectantly.
"So?" Marilyn prodded. "What did you think when you met him?"
Donna played coy with her answer. She explained their initial meeting, how she just showed up and picked the first empty office to proclaim as her duty station. She made certain not to remark on what she thought of Josh at that time. She wasn't sure what she thought; she remembered he was pushy and obstinate and didn't want to hire her. But in the end he did. It was the fleeting look of compassion in his eyes when he reluctantly agreed not to throw her out that she remembered best.
"He took a chance," Donna said finishing her tale. "I know he can be a demon, and he's more than earned the label of tyrant at times, but he's really a nice guy at heart. When he wants to be, he can be a very sweet man."
"Nice guy?" Marilyn repeated flatly.
"Sweet man?" SJ followed up suspiciously.
They exchanged a brief look then sat back in their seats.
"Well, he can be," Donna said defensively, not liking the questioning look in either woman's eyes. "I've met a lot of very intelligent and wonderful people since I started working for the President. But I don't know that anyone else would have taken a chance the way Josh did with me. I didn't really know what I was doing at first, and he would get frustrated sometimes, but he never blamed me for my learning mistakes. I even left him to go back to my ex-boyfriend at one time. When I realized my mistake, I went back and Josh didn't hassle me or anything. We just picked up as if nothing had happened. That takes a special kind of person. I don't think most people know that about Josh, what he's really capable of. I mean, his shoot-from-the-hip comments and his relentless drive are well known, but he's also very observant and thoughtful. He's very passionate about his work, and he cares about the people around him as well."
"It's okay, Donna," SJ said, nodding knowingly. "We're on your side."
"Yeah," Marilyn agreed. "We're founding members of the Joshua Lyman Fan Club."
"Oh," Donna said, her face turning red and
feeling hot. "I didn't mean to go on like that. I guess spending
too much time
around Josh that I've lost the better sense to shut my mouth sometimes."
"You want to talk about bad judgment?" Marilyn said. "Let me tell you about the time he talked me into going with him to Philadelphia at 3 a.m. in the middle of a blizzard to get french fries."
*****************
Josh and Sam arrived at the pub quicker than good sense would dictate--thanks to Josh's driving. As they walked passed the picture window, Josh stopped. He peered in and saw the ladies deep in conversation. Donna's back was to him, while Marilyn and SJ were facing the window.
"Uh-oh. This doesn't look good." Josh commented.
"Why?" Sam asked, looking into the pub.
"Because Marilyn's being very animated with her arms and SJ's nodding along." Josh said lowering his head. "I'm screwed."
"Don't worry," Sam replied, clapping Josh's shoulder. "It can't be that bad. C'mon, let's have a drink."
The two deputies entered the pub and headed straight for the bar. Sam ordered two import beers and paid the bartender. Josh was focusing on the booth twenty feet away.
"I am so dead," Josh said in a hushed tone. "There's no telling what they've already told her. Donna's never going to look at me the same way again."
"When has she ever looked at you in any way," Sam teased.
"Sam, you don't know these two like I do."
"Boy if you're so paranoid about them, then maybe I would like to know them like you do."
"Be reasonable, Sam." Josh said. "It's not…"
"Not what?" Sam replied.
Josh grabbed Sam and maneuvered him towards the back of the pub. With every step, Josh kept taking a glance backwards.
"Josh, what the hell?" Sam asked.
"Marilyn glanced over towards the bar, and I think we made eye contact." Josh said sitting at the nearest table and pulling a menu up towards his face. "If she saw me, we're definitely screwed."
"Maybe it was just a brief look over, and she didn't register that it was you." Sam answered, pulling up a chair across from Josh.
"Just pick up the damn menu and look at it," Josh replied through clenched teeth.
"Okay," Sam said.
"So, then I said to Josh: 'Look Yankee, you're boss isn't even going to win a raffle if he keeps this up with the oil crowd.'" Marilyn said laughing. "For the first time, I won an argument. Of course, the down side is that we were just outside the House chamber and fully clothed. A lot of sexual energy was wasted on that little shouting match."
"Oh," Donna remarked. "Well, Josh and I aren't... That is we don't yell. I mean, he does, but.... I pick my battles strategically. I never seem to win anyway, but..."
"Don't take it personally, Donna." Marilyn said as she looked toward the bar. "It just takes…"
"Takes what?" SJ questioned, looking at her friend.
"Um, you know what? I just realized that we need a refresher," Marilyn said nodding casually over to the bar, where she just spotted Josh. She stood and tossed a code-filled glare at SJ. "SJ, care to join me?" Marilyn said.
SJ followed the nod. "Yeah, I'll help you. We'll be right back, Donna."
"Okay," Donna said.
Marilyn and SJ casually walked over to the now empty bar. SJ ordered another round as Marilyn surveyed the room.
"What do you think he's doing here?" SJ asked.
"Well, I thinkYankee is nervous. He just couldn't stand it that we've interrupted his routine by taking Donna out."
"Plus, he's scared that we'll tell her his dirty little secrets," SJ replied.
"Either he's lost his confidence, or…" Marilyn began.
"Or he thinks that Donna will think less of him." SJ finished. "Mary, could it be that Joshua has found an additional passion."
"Yes, and I do believe her name's Donnatella Moss."
The drinks arrived and SJ instructed the bartender to take them over to their booth and tell Donna that they would be right back. Marilyn and SJ then took off towards the table that contained the duo.
"Hello boys, " Marilyn said when they reached the table.
"Why, SJ and Marilyn!" Josh said, feigning surprise. "I didn't know you were here."
"Pinocchio lies more convincingly than you do, Lyman," SJ said. "Godzilla would make a better spy than you."
"I can assure you that there's no spying going on at this establishment," he said casually. "Sam and I were just out having dinner to discuss strategy."
"Yeah," Sam said. "What was that strategy again?"
"Give it up," Marilyn said rolling her eyes. "Don't use that 'Master Politician' tone with me."
"You know, you're incredibly sexy when you're like this," Josh remarked. "Both of you."
Marilyn and SJ crossed their arms and shook their head.
"Didn't work?" Josh asked.
"That has never worked." SJ commented.
"It did once," he argued.
"It didn't," SJ replied. "I took pity on you."
"Josh, let me make this short and sweet," Marilyn said as she leaned on the table. "You know we think of you fondly; we don't know why all the time, but we do."
"How do you know each other?" Josh asked.
"Ask Sam," SJ said, watching Sam try to sink behind his menu. "He introduced us years ago."
"Sam?" Josh remarked, turning an accusing glare in the speech writer's direction.
"Hey, we're talking strategy here ladies," Sam said clearing his throat. "This is official business."
"You're officially full of crap, Sam," Marilyn said with a sweet smile.
"We met the night you and Mary parted ways," SJ explained. "Sam took Mary out to cheer her up or congratulate her--I forget which."
"Yeah, and while we were out, SJ was there celebrating the fact that she's just quit her job over at the Department of Justice," Marilyn continued. "She knew Sam, and they started chatting. Then he introduced us so he could take off with some tart in a low-cut shirt."
"Leslie was not a tart," Sam said defensively. "She's a performer."
"God, not another one!" Josh exclaimed.
"No, she's a musician," Sam said helpfully.
"Anyway, Mary and I got to talking and suddenly your name came up, sweetheart," SJ said pinching his cheek.
Josh sat back and narrowed his eyes as looked at the two of them. It was difficult to be mad and very easy to be wary. Two intelligent, vivacious women who he had, briefly at different times, considered as part of his future.
"I would think you would trust us," Marilyn chastised him. "We only dish dirt on you to each other."
"Why are you talking to my Donna?" Josh demanded.
"What?" Sam asked abruptly.
"I mean, my assistant," he corrected himself as he shook his head. "Whose name is Donna."
"Because we like it when you sweat," Marilyn whispered in his ear. "I'll make you one promise. We won't tell her anything that could damage either you or us."
"Yeah," SJ added. "And really, Joshua. It's better she hears all this now rather than later."
"Why?" Sam asked suddenly. "What's later?"
"What indeed," Marilyn said throwing a wink at them as she turned to leave.
"You're on your own with her," SJ said softly as she patted him on the shoulder. "We'll just show her we don't think you're a complete ass all the time. Although tonight pretty near blows that theory to hell."
"Eloquent as always," Josh said.
"Well, fun time is over," Sam said tersely. "Double-oh-seven and I need to get back to the White House."
Josh and Sam stood from the table. Sam looking concerned and perturbed. He thought Leo had this thing nipped. That was why he had no qualms about the evening recon maneuver. He thought Josh was interested more in seeing either Marilyn or SJ again. That now appeared to be a faulty conclusion.
"Uh, gentlemen?" SJ said as they prepared to leave. "I think it would be better if you left out the side entrance. That way, Donna won't know you were here."
"Thanks," Sam said as he Josh turned toward the door.
"Well, that was something else." Marilyn remarked.
"Quite illuminating," SJ replied.
"Well, we shouldn't keep our guest waiting,"
Marilyn remarked. "Let's get back to the party, shall we?"