Author: Angie

Email: AngieSuth@aol.com

Title: Time Is Now

Characters: Josh/Donna/CJ/Toby/Leo/Margaret still not altogether . . .

Rating: PG

Summary: You have kissed virtually everybody in the West Wing. Your exploits have become the stuff of legend . . .

Disclaimer: Not mine at all.

Spoilers: If only.

Feedback: Always appreciated.

A/N: Apologies if your favourite character doesn't lead this time around. I am posting everywhere that the previous adventures appeared. Just in case you are interested. Feel free to hit that delete button!

This is for Rhonda. Completely. Wouldn't have done it for anyone else. I know some who will never let me live it down. It stops here!

Sequel to 'Time For Action'

*

Time Is Now

*

Donna grabbed Josh's arm as he walked into the Bull Pen.

"Hey, let go! I've just had the meeting from hell and I'm gonna be here for the next couple of hours instead of at home drinking beer, I don't need you beating up on me too!" Josh pulled his arm away from her and walked into his office.

Donna followed and shut the door behind her. "Beer, Josh? You know . . "

"You really followed me in here to talk about beer?" Josh turned to face her, unable to keep the irritation out of his voice.

"No, Josh. Actually, no. I came to rescue you from a potentially embarrassing situation, but as you are so used to those now, I am sure you can handle yet another." Donna put her hand on the door handle and . . .

"WAIT." Josh rushed around his desk to keep the door firmly closed, and stared her in the eye. "Tell me, " he blinked at her glare. "Please?"

"Okay. Though you don't deserve it." She backed off a little. " Rumor has it that Mrs. Bartlet has heard about your suicidal kissing mission and is feeling left out. The last I heard, she had purchased a new tube of Chap-Stick and was prowling the West Wing in an effort to join in the fun."

"You're not serious, right? Is this just another case of 'assistant's revenge'? Are you are punishing me, yet again, for something I didn't do?"

Donna shook her head.

"Jeez." Josh sank back onto the edge of the desk. "What am I gonna do? Where do you think she's heading first?"

Donna raised her eyebrows and opened the door for him.

"You're right! Gotta get out of here!" And he was out of the door, moving as quickly and silently as he could.

*

Margaret was not at her station. Josh used the millisecond available to his brain to process the information and latched onto Leo's office being empty as the obvious reason. He opened the door and escaped inside.

Josh looked around frantically. If Leo came back, he would need a reason for being there; he couldn't tell the truth, Leo would torture him with it and Josh would find himself in a very awkward meeting with the First Lady before he could even blink. A file. A file. A piece of paper, even? Anything? Anything?

From his couch, Leo, a sleeping Margaret's feet in his lap, watched with amusement as his Deputy ran in ever-decreasing circles around the office.

"Can I help you, Josh?"

Josh screamed and clutched his hand to his chest. He immediately took in the sight of Leo caressing Margaret's feet, his hands occasionally slipping higher up her bare legs. Margaret was sleeping peacefully, but the somewhat rumpled nature of her usually immaculate appearance indicated that a little more energetic activity had been taking place not that long before.

Josh was speechless. It was all he could do to shake his head as he ran for the door.

Leo smiled. "Abbey's not caught up with him yet then."

*

Top speed back towards his own office and Josh suddenly remembered why he had run from there in the first place. He veered sharply off and ran straight past an open- mouthed Carol into CJ's office.

"Josh, wait, they're . . ." Carol's attempt to stop him failed completely.

Once inside and his back pressed against the closed door, Josh slowly opened his eyes at the sound of moaning. He gradually registered that the blinds of the office were closed and there was a trail of clothing on the floor leading to the couch. He gulped and gingerly raised his eyes.

Toby and CJ. Making out. On CJ's couch. Still dressed, but only just and limbs tangled in such a fashion that Josh could hardly work out which bit belonged to whom.

He summoned what little of his dignity remained, and spoke firmly.

"You might at least have locked the door. I'm just saying."

As the door slammed behind him, CJ's snort of laughter carried out to Carol, who allowed herself a quick grin as Josh sped past.

*

"Where now? Where now?" Josh's muttering was becoming labored and increasingly desperate. He opened another door.

Will's scream made him shut it just as quickly.

A sudden stop and a eureka moment. Josh scampered out of the Bull Pen and down the stairs. Quickly looking over his shoulder to make sure that he was unobserved, he opened a door and slid inside. The comforting aroma and darkness of the supplies closet surrounded him and he allowed himself to lean heavily against the wall.

Suddenly his eyes registered the brief flash of light as a body slipped in to stand next to him. "What are you doing here, Donna?"he whispered savagely. "God, anybody could have seen you . . . were you tailed? Did you even check?"

"Oh come on, Josh. No one saw me come in here."

"But how did you know I was here?"

"Because you always hide in here when things are too much. That and the fact that I know everything about you; every breath you take . ."

Josh narrowed his eyes in the darkness, "You're not gonna sing to me are you? 'Cause I think that just might be the final straw."

Donna said nothing.

"Donna? No come back? No witty retort?" Josh paused. "Speak to me, Donna. I hate it when you're unpredictable."

"Am I ugly, Josh? Am I unattractive?" Donna's voice had a vulnerable quality that shook Josh to the core.

"No! What . . .why . . .why do you think that?" he stammered.

"You have kissed virtually everybody in the West Wing. Your exploits have become the stuff of legend." Her voice got sadder still. "And you never once tried it with me."

Josh heard Donna's words at the same time as the stiletto-heeled footsteps and Abbey's distinctive tones.

"Donna!" he squeaked . . .

"I mean I know I'm your assistant, Josh  - and I know I'm not your type - but I really put up with an awful lot from you and . . "

"Donna, shut up!"

"And now you're being mean to me and I think I'm gonna cry. Honestly, Josh . ."

Josh took Donna's head in both his hands and crashed his lips down on hers. He had to shut her up.

It worked.

The door to the closet opened with a dramatic flourish. The First Lady and the Senior Staff stood and watched as Josh continued his attempt at keeping Donna quiet. He didn't even come up for air.

Abbey closed the door gently on them. "Now get out of here all of you. It's 11pm. Go home to your beds."

She knocked firmly on the closed door. "That includes you two. Josh, I've decided not to participate in your little quest. I think you've found your prize. Mission accomplished."

And she walked away with a smile.

The End. Really. Absolutely.