Part Two

Zoey managed to duck out of hotel without being seen by anyone important. While she was running down the street she ran into Josh. "So...you couldn't resist going to see her, huh? And you plied me with alcohol to help you," Zoey accused.

He smirked at her a little. "I just wanted to say hi is all," he swore. "No big deal...but I interrupted her breakfast with...Mitchell was it?"

"Michael. Michael Winston actually. He's a professor. He's a Republican. He's in love with Donna," Zoey supplied.

"His name is lame. Those that can't do - teach. She always dates Republicans. She's not actually in love with him, is she?" Josh responded to all of her comments at once.

Zoey smiled at him. "I doubt it," she said. "But...so what if she is? I mean...you're in love with Amy, right?"

"I'm...yeah...I mean...of course. Amy's great. I just want to be sure that Donna is happy, ya know? She didn't look happy. I mean...she doesn't, does she? She looked...sad, maybe," he marveled.

"Maybe she was sad you interrupted her breakfast," Zoey offered.

"Yeah," Josh trailed off listlessly.

"Josh," Zoey called, snapping him out of his daze. "Don't you have to get ready...for the um...the what's it called....the rally?"

"Oh...the thing. The thing's like in a half an hour. I gotta go, Zoe. Come by later. Let me torture you some more," he grinned at her broadly.

She smiled at him and kissed his cheek. "For a grown man...you are so silly sometimes," she laughed as he jogged down the street to grab a car to 'the thing."

By the time Zoey reached Donna's place, her friend was alone. "Yo," she said letting herself in and plopping on the couch.

"Hey," Donna grinned. "Did ya have fun last night?"

"I saw Charlie for like a minute. He said I looked good," she beamed.

"That's cause you did," Donna laughed. "How is Josh doing?"

"You get right to the point, don't you? He's fine. He's good. He misses you like crazy, but he's good," Zoey told her.

"He said that?" Donna asked.

"Right...no...he kinda implied it in the rambling that ensued after he left your place this morning," Zoey laughed. "He hates your boyfriend."

"He always hated my boyfriends," Donna sighed remembering all of his schemes to keep her all to himself.

"He isn't in love with Amy," Zoey told her.

"Why would I care if he was?" Donna asked looking at Zoey closely.

"Because you're in love with him, maybe?" Zoey asked honestly.

"Not so much, no," Donna answered. "A long time ago I might have briefly entertained the possibility of considering liking him. But that was a lifetime ago it seems. I've grown up since then. I don't need Josh anymore."

"So what? Doesn't mean that you don't want him," Zoey pointed out. "But whatever. I've wasted enough of my morning on Joshua. I'm seeing my parents today and you're coming with. Get ready. Wear something nice and comfortable. I want to do some photo ops down at headquarters for Sam's campaign and I don't want to pretend to be working like the last time they wanted pictures," she laughed. "I felt so fake it was pathetic."

"When are they getting back from the thing?" Donna asked curiously as she crossed the room to her bedroom.

"Miss Joshua already?" Zoey mooned.

"I've missed CJ terribly," Donna tossed back.

"And it's a rally...not a thing," Zoey yelled back as Donna shut her bedroom door.

At Headquarters Later that day...

"No I'm sorry Senator they're not back yet. No...no this is Donna Moss Jos...I mean I'm a volunteer for Seaborn for President," Donna corrected herself. Donna was amazed how easily she drifted back into her 'Josh Lyman's Assistant' routine.

Just then the first cars arrived back from 'the thing' and Donna and Zoey smiled and ran to the doors of the campaign office. Zoey ran out front to await her parents arrival while Donna hugged Margaret and Ginger tightly. "I've missed you two," she whispered as they squealed.

"Oh my God...Donna," CJ yelled as she came to the women. "Donna! How are you?"

"CJ! Oh gosh...I've missed you so much," she hugged her tightly and held back tears.

"Sam and Mal are gonna be here soon with the President and the First Lady and Charlie," she promised. "And...Toby and Josh and Will will be here any minute. They're all gonna be so thrilled to see you, sweetie," she gushed as the remaining cars pulled up.

Donna smiled as she was hugged by everyone and she felt like she never left. "Donna," Toby smiled as he passed her on his way inside. "I didn't really expect to see you today."

She smiled. "I had to come and see everybody," she smiled innocently.

Everyone was congregating inside and talking and laughing and Josh looked over at Donna and smiled at her slightly as he rolled his eyes. The rally went well. Everyone was happy. Donna looked at her watch. She'd been there a better part of the day and she had to get ready to be at work soon. She'd politely said her goodbyes and promised the President and First Lady that she would be back to visit before they left town. She yelled goodbye to everyone and winked at Zoey before dashing out the front door.

Once she left the room kinda moved in slow motion. All eyes, it seems, were on Josh. And predictably, he quickly found his way through the crowd to the door. Not everyone noticed. But Amy did.

"J," she yelled as she started for the door after him.

Zoey nudged her mother and Abbey made her way to Amy. "Amy...I was wondering if you could help me and Mallory on a speech for the DOR?"

Amy looked at the door and then smiled at the First Lady, "Of course ma'am. What did you have in mind?"

Toby sighed and Zoey smiled. All was as it should be, they thought.

Donna walked quickly down the street attempting to ignore to annoying footsteps behind her. But eventually, she grew tired of running. So she stopped and waited for him to catch up. "What?" she asked him.

"I just...you shouldn't be walking by yourself, Donna," he tried.

"We're in freaking New Hampshire, Josh! I'm fine. I'm a big girl and I don't need you looking out for me all the damn time," she seethed.

"Can I...I mean...would it be okay if I walked you the rest of the way home?" he asked softly.

He looked like a wounded little puppy when he pouted like that, she thought. She smiled at him a little and resumed a slower pace, allowing him to walk beside her.

"Sam and Mallory look good," Donna said to fill the void.

"Eh...Mal looks bored I think," he smirked. "She never lived politics like Leo."

"But she looks good, I think," Donna insisted. "She's glowing almost, you know?"

"I haven't really notice," Josh admitted. "I'm usually with Sam or Leo or Toby or Amy, I guess."

"How is Amy?" she asked, strictly to be polite.

"Good. She's good. She's happy about you and Maxwell, is it?" he joked.

She punched his arm. "It's Michael, you idiot, and you know it!"

"Donna...are you happy?" he asked suddenly serious.

She smiled. "I'm finally finishing school. I'm on my own. I've got my own job. And I'm in a committed relationship," she told him honestly.

"You're wasting money learning stuff that you already know about. You're away from me...I mean us. You had a job that you left. And you're boyfriend is a Republican," he answered her back with a cocky head shake.

She smiled. "Jealous?" she asked.

"Should I be?" he tossed back.

"Yes," she said confidently. "I'm finally on my own, Josh. It's a beautiful thing."

"You never answered my question," he pointed out as the made it to the steps of her building.

"I have to go to work, Josh. I'll talk to you later," she dismissed him by smiling and running up her steps.

So he did the only thing he could. He sat down and waited for her to come back down.

Donna sat inside and looked down at Josh sitting on the steps. She had gotten changed and pulled back her hair and grabbed a sandwich and he still sat there. She had to be at work in a half hour, so she figured she'd go talk to him for a few minutes. She made him a cup of coffee and walked down her steps. "Here ya go," she smiled and handed him the mug.

"Oh shit," he laughed. "I must really be screwed up if you're resorting to coffee-bringing. You've done it twice in the entire time I've known you. You know that?"

"Once when I thought you were gonna be fired for mouthing off on television. I was sure we were both at outta there. And me just by association," she huffed remembering the day.

"And once before you left," he said quietly. "That's how I knew you weren't coming back. It wasn't that you packed up your stuff. It wasn't that you told Leo and me you had to go. It was the freaking coffee. When I saw that coffee," he started to continue, but he couldn't bring himself to say anything else. Instead he just took a sip.

"Hey...let's not spend time dwelling okay? How's your mother," Donna asked, trying to change the subject.

"In love with her neighbor, Mr. Stansky. I hate that old man," Josh snarled. "He's always going over to her place to help with stuff around the house. Fixing leaks....changing light bulbs...he's a regular Casanova," he laughed.

"Good for your mother," Donna laughed. "I should email her or something," Donna mused.

"She misses you," Josh told her. "She asks about you, ya know? From time to time she just asks how you are. I lie to her. I mean...she knows you left and all. I told her you were going to go finish school. She was so happy for you," he smiled thinking about his mother's sweetness. "So, when she asks, I tell her you send your love and that you miss her and that you're doing very well. It makes her happy to hear that kind of stuff, I guess," Josh mused.

Donna smiled at him. "I'll keep your secret, Joshua," she told him. "I'll say that I lost her email address and that the last time we spoke I pried it out of you. She knows how you like to keep her to yourself."

"Do what you want. I think she's surprised you still bother with me anyway...and she didn't know we'd slept together," he smirked.

"For what it's worth," she said. "You're not that much of a bother," she smiled at him.

"Of course I'm not," Josh laughed. "I'm a joy to be around."

"You really are," Donna laughed. "Amy's a lucky girl. I'm glad you two crazy kids were able to work it all out."

Josh looked at her sadly and shook his head. "Can I walk you to work?"

"It's just down the road," she pointed. She looked up at the sky and noticed that it was starting to snow again and she groaned. "And now it's gonna be dead. Damn snow. Last night was the first time it's let up in days."

"Yeah...we were worried we wouldn't make it in," Josh remarked. "Will your boyfriend be mad if I walked you?"

Donna laughed. "I doubt he'd be upset over a walk," she laughed. "Come up," she nodded to her door. "I wanna grab a hat and put your cup in the sink."

Josh smiled at her and followed her up and dutifully waited while she took care of her stuff and then he escorted her to Maxine's Pub which was four blocks down from her building. "They got anything good here," he asked.

"Sit," she laughed. "There aren't many people here anyway."

"Do I get a menu?" he asked as she brought him a beer and some bread.

"I'm bringing you some soup and then some grilled chicken and vegetables. No menus needed," she smirked.

"How do you know that's what I want?" Josh pushed.

"Of course it's not what you want. But you've been eating God knows what for two whole years. I'd feel better if you'd just eat what I bring you," she told him and disappeared in the kitchen.

She came back out with some clam chowder and he smiled that she remembered his favorite soup.

"Donna," Maxine yelled from behind the counter. "I'm closing. See if your guy wouldn't mind taking off. We'll pick up his bill."

"Actually Max, can he stay? I'll lock up when I'm done," Donna pleaded. "I kinda wanted to ensure that he ate a good meal. He might not have one for a while."

"Yeah...I sent the cook home, so you'll have to do it yourself," Maxine warned. "Lock up when you're done and be careful leaving honey."

"Thanks, Max. I owe ya," Donna smiled as her boss left her and Josh. Alone. Funny, she hadn't thought this food plan entirely through, she mused.

"Should I go?" he asked when he saw Maxine leave.

"Nope. I promised you chicken and beer and vegetables," she laughed and disappeared into the kitchen again.

After a few minutes, he heard her swearing to herself and a little bit of banging.

"Donna?" he asked with a grin. "You okay in there?"

"I'm fine," she huffed as he made his way in laughing at her.

"Yeah...but how's my dinner?" he asked looking at the mess she made.

"I can't turn this damn oven on," she whined. "I thought it was on and then...it wasn't and...and then the stove popped or something and the burner went out..."

"Hey...it's okay. I liked the soup," he offered with a smile. "I wasn't hungry anyway."

"When did you last eat?" she asked.

"Some crackers early this morning, I think," he answered honestly. "Today was busy."

"Uh huh. You need to eat, Joshua. The campaign trail takes a lot out of you. Add that your duties as Deputy Chief of Staff and you've got to be half dead on your feet most of the time," Donna argued with him.

"We have beer, soup and bread," he offered smiling.

"Doesn't your assistant make you eat," Donna asked. "Doesn't Amy?"

"I have a never ending pool of assistants through my office. None of them seem to take to my cutting wit. And Amy...she's busy with the First Lady and stuff....so it's not like I see her all the time or anything," Josh answered her.

"Help me clean up," Donna ordered tossing him a rag.

"I thought you were taking care of me," Josh laughed as he began scraping the raw food out of the pans.

"I am. You're just participating in the project to pamper you," she smirked and began to wash the dishes. She washed. He dried. If she closed her eyes she could almost remember the last time they'd done this in his apartment.

She'd been washing the pans from her burned pork chops and he'd been mocking her awaiting to dry the damned things. He kept encircling her waist with his arms and kissing her neck. He'd gotten suds on his face from her pushing him away. So she decided to spray the bubbles off of him with the hose thingy on the sink and soaked him. He retaliated by dumping the soaking pan of water on her. They were fighting back and forth and they ended up slipping on the floor and making love in a puddle of suds and water. That was a week before she left. The last time she made him dinner.

Josh was just drying the last of the dishes and he was staring out Donna. "Hey," he whispered. "Where'd you go?"

She smiled. "Nowhere. I'm right here. I was just thinking about something. C'mon. I'll get you some more soup."

"And beer," he called as he followed out of the kitchen. "We need the beer."

They ate soup and bread and drank beer for hours while the snow continued to fall. Josh told Donna all of the goings-ons with their friends and enemies on The Hill and his annoying assistants. Donna told him all about school and her job and that she and Zoey were volunteering at the Headquarters often. Josh told her all about Sam and Mal's wedding and Toby's kids. Donna loved hearing about her friends. She laughed and cried and drank along with Josh. She even let him drink more than three beers she was having so much fun.

Then reality hit. The snow was piling up and they needed to go home. "Josh," she began as she watched him lay his head back and close his eyes.

"Donnatella," he answered with a smile.

"It's getting late," she offered lamely.

"You let me get drunk," he told her as he tried to focus on her.

"It appears that I did," she admitted. "I was being nice too you."

"You've always been," he told her honestly.

"You're easy to be nice to, Joshua," she told him earnestly.

"I have to go back to the hotel," Josh said.

"I know. I'll get you there," she promised.

"But...how will you get home?' he asked worried.

"I'll get one of the agents to take me," she told him.

"They don't work for you," Josh laughed at her.

"But you could be persuasive and then they would I am sure," she told him as she took the clip out of her hair and let her blond locks fall loosely around her shoulders.

"Donnatella," Josh began. "I've missed your face."

Her eyes filled up immediately and she laughed to cover it up. "Josh...you're gonna make my makeup smudge," she said wiping her eyes.

"You'd still be beautiful. My beautiful Donnatella," he told her with a drunken grin permanently plastered on his face.

"C'mon," Donna told him. "Toby's gonna think I abducted you," she laughed as she helped him up and out of the Pub.

"Yes ma'am," he agreed as stumbled a bit and then secured himself by linking his arm through her's.

They walked in silence for most of the trek back to Josh's hotel. She felt very at ease with the situation. In fact, she felt normal. She hated that one drunken evening with Josh could send her back to that place. Back to that restaurant two years ago when all was right with the world. She sighed softly and Josh smirked.

"I know the feeling," he murmured.

"The what?" she asked looking over at him.

"I remember what we had all the time," he continued. "When I kick ass on The Hill, you're the first one I want to tell how brilliant I was. I do most of my own research now because all of my assistants are incompetent. And that sucks, cause I'm, ya know, by myself and all. My office is so quiet...all the time. And they bring me coffee," he shook his head.

She laughed, "So they bring you what you want every morning? I'd have thought you'd be thrilled!"

"Not so much, surprisingly no," he remarked, looking right at her. "It just reminds me that you're not around. That sucks. The coffee sucks."

"Josh...I've been gone a while," she sighed leaning into him. "C'mon. You know you wanna drink the coffee. And you have Amy. Make her your victory call. I'm sure she'd be honored. You have to move on now," she insisted.

"Like you?" he asked as the stopped in front of his hotel.

"Josh...I have moved on," she insisted.

"I know. You look...amazing. And you have this whole life going on here. I guess I am just jealous that I am not a part of it anymore. You know...I always loved being a small part of your life," he told her honestly.

"Well," Donna began. "You were mostly my life for a better part of 7 years. The campaign, the first term and half of the second. You were my best friend, Josh."

"I miss you," he whispered as his eyes welled up a bit.

"Me, too," she sniffed.

"Well look who it is! Donna, how the hell have you been?" Amy asked as she bounded out the hotel doors.

Donna smiled and moved away from Josh. "Hi Amy," she said sweetly. "How's it going?"

"Good. I was just getting worried about J, here," she said nudging her boyfriend.

"He's fine. Drunk but fine," Donna smirked, then turned to Josh. "Remember...plenty of water and ibuprofin tonight."

"Thanks, Donna," he smiled at her through glassy eyes.

"Thank you, for tonight, Josh," Donna smiled back at him. "Sleep well."

Amy stared between then and huffed loudly. "Let's go, J. It's cold," she said stalking to hold open the door.

"Sweet dreams, my Donnatella," he whispered before disappearing inside.

"Now, J," Amy huffed as he offered Donna an apologetic smile.

As Donna was turning around to leave, she noticed Zoey and Charlie coming around the corner laughing. "Okay Charlie," Zoey smiled. "I'm gonna go now."

"I'll see you tomorrow?" he asked hopefully.

Zoey smiled and nodded yes.

"Can I get a lift?" Donna asked smiling at Charlie and Zoey.

"Get your ass in here," Zoey ordered.

"Did you and Josh have a nice night?" Charlie asked nonchalantly.

"He's home where he should be now. With Amy. Worry not. He'll be a little tipsy for the rest of the evening, but he'll recover," Donna answered avoiding the question when her phone rang. "Hello?"

"Donna...where have you been? Maxine told me she closed up for the night when I called her and I've been worried sick about you," Michael told her.

She smiled at his concern. "I was just catching up on my past," she told him honestly.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Zoey's bringing me home in a car," Donna told him. "I'm fine."

"I'll see you tomorrow?" he asked.

"Yeah...tomorrow sounds great," she agreed and nodded to Charlie before climbing in the limo with Zoey. "G'night, Michael."

"Bye, babe," he said before hanging up.

"Spill, Donna," Zoey ordered as they pulled away.

"It was nice. I ruined dinner and we got drunk. It was like walking back through time," she sighed. "It was a nice break from my reality," Donna said firmly.

"You still love him," Zoey accused happily.

"He was a big part of my life for a long time," Donna reasoned.

"He still loves you," Zoey confessed. "He's never stopped."

"He loves the idea of me. I take care of him and we think alike. Josh loves himself in me," Donna explained.

"Whatever. Everyone knows that he's in hopeless love with you," Zoey went on. "They wanted him to stay home when they discussed coming here. Amy tried to sabatoge his coming more than once. Toby was worried he'd slump into another depression seeing you happy. But, thank goodness that's not gonna happen."

"Exactly," Donna smiled sadly. "Josh has his own life. He loves Amy and I'm just a friend from the past."

Zoey shook her head no and smiled. "It's quite simple. No Josh-funk cause you're not happy and he knows it," she giggled. "He's very perceptive."

"Shut up," Donna laughed. "I'm doing the Michael thing tomorrow, just FYI."

"Yeah...about that. I kinda promised you'd come with us. They're understaffed and since you're an expert at meet and greets...." Zoey trailed off smiling hopefully.

"Michael's coming with," Donna told her.

"Whatever you want," Zoey agreed. "Now I just want to sleep and dream of Charlie," she giggled.

"You had fun, I take it?" Donna asked knowingly.

"I really still love him," Zoey admitted.

"I know," Donna said sighing.

The next morning...

"Okay Donna. What are we doing today? I'm all yours," Michael said, smiling as he appeared at her door.

"Actually," she hedged as she let him in.

"What now?" he sighed as he sat down on the couch.

She joined him and smiled. "I was thinking we'd volunteer today. You know...with my friends and all."

"You want me to volunteer my time to help the liberals in this country succeed? You've got to be kidding me," he scoffed.

"No," she said calmly. "I want you to come and meet my friends today. My friends who happen to need some help at this afternoon's meet and greet lunch. They needed some help and Zoey volunteered me and I, in turn, volunteered you because I wanted to spend some time with you."

"Honey," he sighed.

She continued, "Michael. I want you to meet my friends. They were my entire world until I moved here. They'll only be here another few days. I just want them to get to know you so that they can see how my life is now."

She was interrupted by the phone. "Hello?" she asked as she grabbed it.

"Donna, it's Abbey Bartlet dear," the First Lady said.

"Ma'am. How are you this morning," Donna asked smiling.

"I am well dear. Zoey told me that you and your gentleman might be coming to help us at the luncheon this afternoon. Is that right?" Abbey asked.

"Yes, ma'am. Michael and I were just discussing that," Donna said looking at Michael.

"Well, Jed and I would like you both to come over to the house and join us all for breakfast. Everyone wants to see you. Mallory actually just asked if you were coming. So...I'll see you both in a little over an hour? We're serving at 10:30," Abbey said hopefully.

"Yes ma'am. Of course we'll be there. Thank you ma'am," Donna said and hung up. Looking at Michael she smiled, "The President and First Lady have invited us to breakfast."

"Breakfast with The President? Are you kidding me?" he asked, almost in jest.

"Breakfast with my friends," Donna insisted.

Michael shook his head and smiled in agreement.

"Thank you," Donna whispered and grabbed her coat. "Come on. It's about an hour's drive to the farmhouse."