Badlands
by Deenaylnn
Part 2: The Mamas and the Papas
"Baby Girl!"
Donna heard her father's boisterous greeting from across the terminal. She turned and spotted his dark head above the crowd then rushed to where he was standing near the luggage carousel. "Daddy!" she cried as she was enveloped in a crushing hug.
With the exception of her colouring Donna was the spitting image of her father. From her slender build, to her above average height, to her broad, infectious smile, there was no doubting the two were father and daughter. She returned the hug enthusiastically then pulled away from him to greet the woman at his side. "Mom!" She drew the small, dark-haired woman into a tight hug. "God, I've missed you guys."
Lynnette smiled mistily as she brushed a stray tear from her daughter's cheek. "It feels like it's been forever."
Nick smiled and drew Donna close with an arm around her shoulder. "A year, Baby girl, a whole year," Nick complained with a good-natured grin. He winked at his wife. "But since I know how important you are, I will not complain that your Washington job keeps you from seeing your poor Wisconsin relatives," he lamented with an air of martyrdom and a twinkle in his eyes.
Donna swatted his arm. "I *know* it wasn't my fault, *or* my job's fault, that when I *was* in Madison in September for the campaign, the two of you were off gallivanting about the Caribbean on a boat."
"Ship, baby, ship. You could in no way mistake that thing for a mere boat. Floating palace maybe, but never a boat," Lynnette, teased. "I hated that we weren't there when you were. If you'd told us--"
Donna shook her head emphatically. "No way. I knew that if I told you we were going to be there, then you would have cancelled your trip. And that was not going to happen."
"But. . ." Lynnie tried.
"No buts. You guys had been saving for that trip for how long? Besides, I knew you'd be here for Thanksgiving. I could wait. Your trip couldn't."
She helped her father as he hauled a large suitcase off the carousel. "Is that it?" she asked, and they both nodded in reply. "Okay then, we have to get over to the Delta terminal." She grabbed the handle of the pull along and headed off.
Nick grabbed the suitcase back and shot her a look when she made to protest. "What's at the Delta terminal?"
"Dev Lyman. Josh had to go up to New Hampshire suddenly, and her flight gets in in just a couple of minutes. Actually we'll be picking him up too, back here. His flight gets in at six-thirty-five. He's going to meet us here at the carousels."
"Where's Josh?" Lynnie asked. "When we talked yesterday you said he was right there."
Donna nodded. "Yeah, he was. He had to leave yesterday afternoon."
"Since you're *not* elaborating, I'm assuming you can't?"
Donna shrugged. "Not really. It's not like it's a security issue. He just had to go to New Hampshire. Mostly trying to head off a problem before things get out of hand."
"Does he do that a lot?" Nick asked. "Make the pre-emptive strike?"
"Josh?" Donna laughed. "No. He's not usually the one sent to smooth things over. He's the guy they send when things are already out of hand or they'd like them to get that way."
"Oh." Lynnie was shocked. "But he seems so nice."
Donna laughed outright. "Well, you might just want to keep that opinion to yourself in this town."
"Why?"
"Someone's liable to lock you up if you tell them Josh Lyman is *nice*," Donna smirked.
"Well, he's always been very sweet and kind to us," Lynnie argued.
"Oh, don't worry, you don't have to convince me. I *know* exactly what kind of man Josh really is. It's just sweet isn't something he usually employs when he's trying to strong-arm a congressman into seeing or doing things our way."
Nick nodded his understanding. "No, I don't suppose he would." He looked around as they arrived at the Delta terminal. "What time does Mrs. Lyman's flight arrive?"
"Donna!"
They all turned to see a petite redhead walking quickly toward them. "Dev." Donna hugged Josh's mother. "You look great."
Dev held Donna at arm's length. "And you, of course, look smashing." She flashed a set of familiar dimples. "I am assuming you have been sent here to fetch me by that wretched boy of mine?"
Donna laughed. "Well, yes and no. I'll explain, I promise, but first let me introduce my parents." She turned to her mom and dad. "Devorah Lyman, this is my father Nicholas Moss and my mother Lynnette. Mom, Dad, this is Josh's mom, Devorah."
Dev hugged Lynnie. "I feel like I know both of you already." She shook Nick's hand. "Please, call me Dev."
"Of course, Dev, and I'm Nick and she's Lynnie. And we are very happy to meet you. We've heard a lot about you from our daughter."
Dev smiled broadly. "Well, then, knowing Donna it was all wonderful." She turned back to Donna. "Now, where is that horrid boy?"
Donna's smile widened. "Actually, he should be landing right about now." She took Dev's carry on from her and started back toward the carousels.
"Landing? Where's he been?"
"New Hampshire. Since yesterday."
"Well, I guess he's not so horrid then." Dev winked at Donna. "At least not for the moment."
Donna smirked at her. "Oh don't worry, I'm sure he'll get there."
**********
"So, she really did say it was ugly?" Donna asked as they loaded suitcases into the trunk of Josh's car.
"Yeah." Josh sighed.
"But why, if she said all those wonderful things, would they print only that?" Lynnie asked naively.
Josh scrubbed his face with his hand. "Because they think it makes a better story."
"But that wasn't what she said," Lynnie insisted.
"Yes, it was. It just wasn't everything she said." Josh smiled softly at Donna's mother. "And that, is what counts."
"So they drag a child into a political battle because a reporter wanted a more *interesting* quote?" Lynnie was incredulous.
Donna snorted as she climbed into the backseat with her parents. "Welcome to Washington, Mom."
Dev pursed her lips and turned to her son. "You are planning on doing something about this, aren't you, Joshua?"
Josh's smile had a nasty edge. "Everything in my power, Mom. Everything in my power." Something in his tone made the three elder occupants of the car feel almost sorry for the Senator. Almost.
**********
Sam paced circles outside the American Airlines terminal. He was waiting for his father's flight to arrive. It was already twenty minutes late and they had yet to announce it. He had been getting more jittery as time went on, picking to pieces the paper cup from his coffee, and shredding the flyer he had been handed in the parking lot.
Finally, the loudspeaker crackled to life. "American Airlines flight 3245 from Los Angeles now arriving at gate B seven."
"About damn time," Sam grumbled as he tossed the cup in the trash.
Ten minutes later he could see the passengers starting to leave the gate area. He craned his neck searching for his father. Spotting him, he waved. "Dad!"
David Seaborn grinned broadly. "Sam!" He grabbed his son into a bone crunching hug.
"Dad," Sam gasped.
David let him go with a grin. "Sorry. It's just so damn good to see you."
Sam smiled back. "It's good to see you too, Dad." The smile wavered. "I just. . . "
David nodded his understanding. "I know, son." His smile returned and he clapped Sam on the back. "I can't tell you how happy we were to get your invitation."
Sam hesitated. "We?" he asked apprehensively. Then he noticed for the first time the tall blonde woman who appeared to be listening to their conversation with a great deal of interest. "Hello?"
She moved to stand at David's side. David wrapped an arm around her waist. "Angela Fredericks, this is my son, Sam," he announced proudly. "Sam, this is Angie."
Sam just stared at his father in utter dismay. "I I . . . " he started but sputtered to a stop.
"Sam? You okay, Son?"
Sam shook his head. "Yeah--" He stopped. "I mean yes, of course. Fine, everything's just. . ." He took a deep breath and smiled too brightly. "Fine." He held out his hand to Angie. "Hi, it's, um, great, to uh, finally, you know. . . " he trailed off awkwardly.
Angie smiled. Tossing her shoulder-length blonde hair back from her face, she clasped Sam's offered hands in both of hers. "I've heard so much about you, Sam, I feel like we're already old friends."
Sam smiled politely. He nodded obviously uneasy. "We, should um, your luggage." He turned to walk away. "This way."
"So, Son, are you having dinner catered or do you have a lady in your life you haven't told me about?" David teased as they waited by the carousels.
"Uh, no." Sam answered, distracted. "No lady. Well a friend and she's a lady, but she's doing the cooking. It's at Josh's place, because he has more room." Sam stumbled, still obviously rattled.
"So, how many will be there?"
"Uh, nine, or I guess, ten." His smile was slightly twitchy. "Yeah, ten, I'll have to call," he muttered to himself.
"Your lady friend is cooking for ten?" Angela asked, surprised. "Isn't that an awful lot?"
Sam looked at her for a moment as though shocked to see her there. "Uh, no. She said it wasn't a problem. And she's not my lady friend, she's more Jo -. Never mind. She's a friend from work. It'll be her and her family, CJ, Josh and his mom, and all of us."
David and Angela nodded happily.
**********
"Thank god you're finally here." Sam literally pounced on Donna the next morning as she walked into her cubicle.
"Sam!" she shrieked, holding her hand over her heart. "What are you doing?"
He grabbed her arm and dragged her to his office. "I have a problem."
"Okay. . ."
"My dad brought his girlfriend."
"Oh." Donna's hand flew to her mouth. "Oh, Sam." She moved to hug him.
Sam held up his hand. "If you do that I am going to lose it."
She nodded rapidly, fully understanding. "What are you going to do?" Her eyes widened. "What did your father say when you told him your mom was coming?"
Sam sighed, reluctantly he started, "Well. . . "
"Sam!"
"What?" He waved his arms in the air. "What was I supposed to say, huh? 'Hey dad, nice to meet the tramp, oh by the way. . .'"
"Sam." Donna's voice was stern. "You have to tell him."
"Who says?"
"Sam."
"What? So I invited both my parent to have Thanksgiving with me. So my father brought his. . ." He shivered. "His significant other. So what? Lots of extended families are adult enough to break bread together."
"Sam."
"Fine." He grumbled. "I'll tell him. They're coming here to meet me for lunch. I'll tell him then."
Donna smiled gently and patted his arm. "It's the right thing to do, Sam." She glanced at her watch. "But right now you had better get to Staff."
**********
"So she did say it was ugly." Toby sighed after listening to the tape. "She needs to say she's sorry."
Josh shook his head emphatically. "No, way."
"She said South Dakota was ugly, people will take offence." Toby's voice grew louder. "People don't like it when the President's granddaughter says their home is ugly."
"Tough." Josh snapped. "She also gave a million reasons why it's a great place to visit. Hell, the South Dakota Tourism commission could use this interview in their ads."
"Yes, but she said it was ugly."
"Well it IS!"
"Josh!" Leo barked.
"I'm sorry, Leo, but there is no way the kid should have apologise for this. She said she *thought* that parts of South Dakota were ugly. Big deal, she's not allowed to have an opinion now?" Josh's exasperation with the whole situation was clear.
Toby started to say something but Leo waved him down. "Laughton wants something. That much is obvious. Lets wait until after Josh meets with him to make any decisions." He looked around to see them all nod their agreement. "Anything else? Good. Go away." They all began to file out. "Josh? Stay a minute."
Josh came back to stand in front of Leo's desk. "I want this jackass put in his place, Josh."
Josh smiled nastily. "Don't worry about it, boss."
"Good, I don't want this to set a precedent. The kids are off limits."
Josh nodded and started to leave. "You sure you guys don't want to join us for dinner tomorrow?"
Leo smiled gratefully. "Thanks, but the President and First Lady have invited Jordan, Mal, and myself to have dinner here."
"Okay, just thought I'd make sure you knew you were welcome. If I know my mother and Donna, and I do, there'll be enough food to feed a small army." He nodded once at Leo and left.
**********
"Sam, you have visitors." Bonnie's voice came through the intercom. "Your, parents?"
"My par -?" He stood. "My *father* and his. . . whatever she is. Certainly not my parents. Make that parent. Singular." He muttered to himself as he put on his suit jacket. "She is not now, nor will she ever be, my *parent*." He finished as he stalked out of his office. "Dad!" He greeted his father warmly as he arrived at the lobby desk. After clearing everything with security he led them back to his office.
"So this is where you run the country." David took in the commotion and chaos that passed for normal in the Bartlet White House.
"Well, this is were we all do our best to help the President run the country." Sam corrected modestly. He spotted Donna heading to her desk. "Hang on, there's someone I want you guys to meet. Donna!"
She turned in their direction with a smile. "Hey, Sam."
"Donna Moss, I want you to meet my father, David Seaborn. Dad, this is Donna, the friend I was telling you about." Sam went on not aware that Donna was no longer listening to him. "Donna is the one brave enough to put on dinner for all of us tomorrow. . . " He stopped finally realising that Donna was staring in horror at something behind him. "Donna? Are you okay?" He turned around to see what had attracted her attention and saw only Angie. He turned back to his friend. "Donna?"
Donna's eyes were filled with tears, her hand had come up to cover her mouth and she appeared to be trembling from head to toe. She swallowed hard. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice soft but hard as steel.
To both David and Sam's surprise, Angie answered. "I'm here with David." Her voice was calm. "You work here?"
Donna opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. She swallowed again, her chin coming up. "Yes. I'm Josh Lyman's senior assistant," she stated proudly.
Angie cocked one eyebrow. "Really? A secretary?"
Donna just stared at her for a moment before facing Sam. "I'm sorry, I have to--" She spun on her heel and left.
Both Sam and David turned immediately to Angie to find her staring at the spot where Donna had stood with a bemused expression.
"Angie?" David prodded gently.
"Hmm?" she replied, obviously distracted.
"What was that all about? Do you know that young lady?"
She finally met his eyes and with a small smile said, "Of course I do. She's my daughter."
***********
the end part 2
by Deenaylnn
Part 2: The Mamas and the Papas
"Baby Girl!"
Donna heard her father's boisterous greeting from across the terminal. She turned and spotted his dark head above the crowd then rushed to where he was standing near the luggage carousel. "Daddy!" she cried as she was enveloped in a crushing hug.
With the exception of her colouring Donna was the spitting image of her father. From her slender build, to her above average height, to her broad, infectious smile, there was no doubting the two were father and daughter. She returned the hug enthusiastically then pulled away from him to greet the woman at his side. "Mom!" She drew the small, dark-haired woman into a tight hug. "God, I've missed you guys."
Lynnette smiled mistily as she brushed a stray tear from her daughter's cheek. "It feels like it's been forever."
Nick smiled and drew Donna close with an arm around her shoulder. "A year, Baby girl, a whole year," Nick complained with a good-natured grin. He winked at his wife. "But since I know how important you are, I will not complain that your Washington job keeps you from seeing your poor Wisconsin relatives," he lamented with an air of martyrdom and a twinkle in his eyes.
Donna swatted his arm. "I *know* it wasn't my fault, *or* my job's fault, that when I *was* in Madison in September for the campaign, the two of you were off gallivanting about the Caribbean on a boat."
"Ship, baby, ship. You could in no way mistake that thing for a mere boat. Floating palace maybe, but never a boat," Lynnette, teased. "I hated that we weren't there when you were. If you'd told us--"
Donna shook her head emphatically. "No way. I knew that if I told you we were going to be there, then you would have cancelled your trip. And that was not going to happen."
"But. . ." Lynnie tried.
"No buts. You guys had been saving for that trip for how long? Besides, I knew you'd be here for Thanksgiving. I could wait. Your trip couldn't."
She helped her father as he hauled a large suitcase off the carousel. "Is that it?" she asked, and they both nodded in reply. "Okay then, we have to get over to the Delta terminal." She grabbed the handle of the pull along and headed off.
Nick grabbed the suitcase back and shot her a look when she made to protest. "What's at the Delta terminal?"
"Dev Lyman. Josh had to go up to New Hampshire suddenly, and her flight gets in in just a couple of minutes. Actually we'll be picking him up too, back here. His flight gets in at six-thirty-five. He's going to meet us here at the carousels."
"Where's Josh?" Lynnie asked. "When we talked yesterday you said he was right there."
Donna nodded. "Yeah, he was. He had to leave yesterday afternoon."
"Since you're *not* elaborating, I'm assuming you can't?"
Donna shrugged. "Not really. It's not like it's a security issue. He just had to go to New Hampshire. Mostly trying to head off a problem before things get out of hand."
"Does he do that a lot?" Nick asked. "Make the pre-emptive strike?"
"Josh?" Donna laughed. "No. He's not usually the one sent to smooth things over. He's the guy they send when things are already out of hand or they'd like them to get that way."
"Oh." Lynnie was shocked. "But he seems so nice."
Donna laughed outright. "Well, you might just want to keep that opinion to yourself in this town."
"Why?"
"Someone's liable to lock you up if you tell them Josh Lyman is *nice*," Donna smirked.
"Well, he's always been very sweet and kind to us," Lynnie argued.
"Oh, don't worry, you don't have to convince me. I *know* exactly what kind of man Josh really is. It's just sweet isn't something he usually employs when he's trying to strong-arm a congressman into seeing or doing things our way."
Nick nodded his understanding. "No, I don't suppose he would." He looked around as they arrived at the Delta terminal. "What time does Mrs. Lyman's flight arrive?"
"Donna!"
They all turned to see a petite redhead walking quickly toward them. "Dev." Donna hugged Josh's mother. "You look great."
Dev held Donna at arm's length. "And you, of course, look smashing." She flashed a set of familiar dimples. "I am assuming you have been sent here to fetch me by that wretched boy of mine?"
Donna laughed. "Well, yes and no. I'll explain, I promise, but first let me introduce my parents." She turned to her mom and dad. "Devorah Lyman, this is my father Nicholas Moss and my mother Lynnette. Mom, Dad, this is Josh's mom, Devorah."
Dev hugged Lynnie. "I feel like I know both of you already." She shook Nick's hand. "Please, call me Dev."
"Of course, Dev, and I'm Nick and she's Lynnie. And we are very happy to meet you. We've heard a lot about you from our daughter."
Dev smiled broadly. "Well, then, knowing Donna it was all wonderful." She turned back to Donna. "Now, where is that horrid boy?"
Donna's smile widened. "Actually, he should be landing right about now." She took Dev's carry on from her and started back toward the carousels.
"Landing? Where's he been?"
"New Hampshire. Since yesterday."
"Well, I guess he's not so horrid then." Dev winked at Donna. "At least not for the moment."
Donna smirked at her. "Oh don't worry, I'm sure he'll get there."
**********
"So, she really did say it was ugly?" Donna asked as they loaded suitcases into the trunk of Josh's car.
"Yeah." Josh sighed.
"But why, if she said all those wonderful things, would they print only that?" Lynnie asked naively.
Josh scrubbed his face with his hand. "Because they think it makes a better story."
"But that wasn't what she said," Lynnie insisted.
"Yes, it was. It just wasn't everything she said." Josh smiled softly at Donna's mother. "And that, is what counts."
"So they drag a child into a political battle because a reporter wanted a more *interesting* quote?" Lynnie was incredulous.
Donna snorted as she climbed into the backseat with her parents. "Welcome to Washington, Mom."
Dev pursed her lips and turned to her son. "You are planning on doing something about this, aren't you, Joshua?"
Josh's smile had a nasty edge. "Everything in my power, Mom. Everything in my power." Something in his tone made the three elder occupants of the car feel almost sorry for the Senator. Almost.
**********
Sam paced circles outside the American Airlines terminal. He was waiting for his father's flight to arrive. It was already twenty minutes late and they had yet to announce it. He had been getting more jittery as time went on, picking to pieces the paper cup from his coffee, and shredding the flyer he had been handed in the parking lot.
Finally, the loudspeaker crackled to life. "American Airlines flight 3245 from Los Angeles now arriving at gate B seven."
"About damn time," Sam grumbled as he tossed the cup in the trash.
Ten minutes later he could see the passengers starting to leave the gate area. He craned his neck searching for his father. Spotting him, he waved. "Dad!"
David Seaborn grinned broadly. "Sam!" He grabbed his son into a bone crunching hug.
"Dad," Sam gasped.
David let him go with a grin. "Sorry. It's just so damn good to see you."
Sam smiled back. "It's good to see you too, Dad." The smile wavered. "I just. . . "
David nodded his understanding. "I know, son." His smile returned and he clapped Sam on the back. "I can't tell you how happy we were to get your invitation."
Sam hesitated. "We?" he asked apprehensively. Then he noticed for the first time the tall blonde woman who appeared to be listening to their conversation with a great deal of interest. "Hello?"
She moved to stand at David's side. David wrapped an arm around her waist. "Angela Fredericks, this is my son, Sam," he announced proudly. "Sam, this is Angie."
Sam just stared at his father in utter dismay. "I I . . . " he started but sputtered to a stop.
"Sam? You okay, Son?"
Sam shook his head. "Yeah--" He stopped. "I mean yes, of course. Fine, everything's just. . ." He took a deep breath and smiled too brightly. "Fine." He held out his hand to Angie. "Hi, it's, um, great, to uh, finally, you know. . . " he trailed off awkwardly.
Angie smiled. Tossing her shoulder-length blonde hair back from her face, she clasped Sam's offered hands in both of hers. "I've heard so much about you, Sam, I feel like we're already old friends."
Sam smiled politely. He nodded obviously uneasy. "We, should um, your luggage." He turned to walk away. "This way."
"So, Son, are you having dinner catered or do you have a lady in your life you haven't told me about?" David teased as they waited by the carousels.
"Uh, no." Sam answered, distracted. "No lady. Well a friend and she's a lady, but she's doing the cooking. It's at Josh's place, because he has more room." Sam stumbled, still obviously rattled.
"So, how many will be there?"
"Uh, nine, or I guess, ten." His smile was slightly twitchy. "Yeah, ten, I'll have to call," he muttered to himself.
"Your lady friend is cooking for ten?" Angela asked, surprised. "Isn't that an awful lot?"
Sam looked at her for a moment as though shocked to see her there. "Uh, no. She said it wasn't a problem. And she's not my lady friend, she's more Jo -. Never mind. She's a friend from work. It'll be her and her family, CJ, Josh and his mom, and all of us."
David and Angela nodded happily.
**********
"Thank god you're finally here." Sam literally pounced on Donna the next morning as she walked into her cubicle.
"Sam!" she shrieked, holding her hand over her heart. "What are you doing?"
He grabbed her arm and dragged her to his office. "I have a problem."
"Okay. . ."
"My dad brought his girlfriend."
"Oh." Donna's hand flew to her mouth. "Oh, Sam." She moved to hug him.
Sam held up his hand. "If you do that I am going to lose it."
She nodded rapidly, fully understanding. "What are you going to do?" Her eyes widened. "What did your father say when you told him your mom was coming?"
Sam sighed, reluctantly he started, "Well. . . "
"Sam!"
"What?" He waved his arms in the air. "What was I supposed to say, huh? 'Hey dad, nice to meet the tramp, oh by the way. . .'"
"Sam." Donna's voice was stern. "You have to tell him."
"Who says?"
"Sam."
"What? So I invited both my parent to have Thanksgiving with me. So my father brought his. . ." He shivered. "His significant other. So what? Lots of extended families are adult enough to break bread together."
"Sam."
"Fine." He grumbled. "I'll tell him. They're coming here to meet me for lunch. I'll tell him then."
Donna smiled gently and patted his arm. "It's the right thing to do, Sam." She glanced at her watch. "But right now you had better get to Staff."
**********
"So she did say it was ugly." Toby sighed after listening to the tape. "She needs to say she's sorry."
Josh shook his head emphatically. "No, way."
"She said South Dakota was ugly, people will take offence." Toby's voice grew louder. "People don't like it when the President's granddaughter says their home is ugly."
"Tough." Josh snapped. "She also gave a million reasons why it's a great place to visit. Hell, the South Dakota Tourism commission could use this interview in their ads."
"Yes, but she said it was ugly."
"Well it IS!"
"Josh!" Leo barked.
"I'm sorry, Leo, but there is no way the kid should have apologise for this. She said she *thought* that parts of South Dakota were ugly. Big deal, she's not allowed to have an opinion now?" Josh's exasperation with the whole situation was clear.
Toby started to say something but Leo waved him down. "Laughton wants something. That much is obvious. Lets wait until after Josh meets with him to make any decisions." He looked around to see them all nod their agreement. "Anything else? Good. Go away." They all began to file out. "Josh? Stay a minute."
Josh came back to stand in front of Leo's desk. "I want this jackass put in his place, Josh."
Josh smiled nastily. "Don't worry about it, boss."
"Good, I don't want this to set a precedent. The kids are off limits."
Josh nodded and started to leave. "You sure you guys don't want to join us for dinner tomorrow?"
Leo smiled gratefully. "Thanks, but the President and First Lady have invited Jordan, Mal, and myself to have dinner here."
"Okay, just thought I'd make sure you knew you were welcome. If I know my mother and Donna, and I do, there'll be enough food to feed a small army." He nodded once at Leo and left.
**********
"Sam, you have visitors." Bonnie's voice came through the intercom. "Your, parents?"
"My par -?" He stood. "My *father* and his. . . whatever she is. Certainly not my parents. Make that parent. Singular." He muttered to himself as he put on his suit jacket. "She is not now, nor will she ever be, my *parent*." He finished as he stalked out of his office. "Dad!" He greeted his father warmly as he arrived at the lobby desk. After clearing everything with security he led them back to his office.
"So this is where you run the country." David took in the commotion and chaos that passed for normal in the Bartlet White House.
"Well, this is were we all do our best to help the President run the country." Sam corrected modestly. He spotted Donna heading to her desk. "Hang on, there's someone I want you guys to meet. Donna!"
She turned in their direction with a smile. "Hey, Sam."
"Donna Moss, I want you to meet my father, David Seaborn. Dad, this is Donna, the friend I was telling you about." Sam went on not aware that Donna was no longer listening to him. "Donna is the one brave enough to put on dinner for all of us tomorrow. . . " He stopped finally realising that Donna was staring in horror at something behind him. "Donna? Are you okay?" He turned around to see what had attracted her attention and saw only Angie. He turned back to his friend. "Donna?"
Donna's eyes were filled with tears, her hand had come up to cover her mouth and she appeared to be trembling from head to toe. She swallowed hard. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice soft but hard as steel.
To both David and Sam's surprise, Angie answered. "I'm here with David." Her voice was calm. "You work here?"
Donna opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. She swallowed again, her chin coming up. "Yes. I'm Josh Lyman's senior assistant," she stated proudly.
Angie cocked one eyebrow. "Really? A secretary?"
Donna just stared at her for a moment before facing Sam. "I'm sorry, I have to--" She spun on her heel and left.
Both Sam and David turned immediately to Angie to find her staring at the spot where Donna had stood with a bemused expression.
"Angie?" David prodded gently.
"Hmm?" she replied, obviously distracted.
"What was that all about? Do you know that young lady?"
She finally met his eyes and with a small smile said, "Of course I do. She's my daughter."
***********
the end part 2