So Donna went home to Michael. And the next month went by fairly quickly.
And before Donna knew it...she was officially Gabriella's Godmother and
Josh was her Godfather. If they kinda weren't speaking so much it would've
been decidedly more enjoyable. But Donna didn't really mind. She was busy
gushing about her wedding plans. It was fun...she just wished that Josh's
continued squirming would end soon.
Before she knew it though, she was back in New Hampshire. It was almost Christmas and she'd been staring at the box in front of her for more than an hour. Zoey poked her in the arm, "Open the damn thing already," she pressed.
"I just don't know...I mean...I totally didn't expect this," Donna sighed. "We haven't really been...on the best of terms lately."
"Because you're getting married and crushing Josh's fragile ego," Zoey supplied.
"Josh's ego is hardly fragile," Donna laughed.
"It is when it comes to you," Zoey told her. "What?" she asked when Donna gave her a dirty look. "I pay attention to things."
"Whatever," Donna huffed as she went at the box with a letter opener. "It's a book," she laughed. "A book on the wonders of Hawaii," she laughed. "See? I want skis I get a book on skis. I want to go to Hawaii and I get a book on how lovely it is."
"He's too much," Zoey laughed as Donna opened it and glanced at the inscription.
Donnatella~ Merry Christmas. I know this is like a million years too late, but I hope you and Michael enjoy Hawaii. I just thought the book would make you laugh. I love the way you laugh...
Love Always, Josh
Donna had tears in her eyes as the plain tickets and hotel reservations fell out of the center of the book.
"Are you serious?" Zoey shrieked as she saw the falling tickets and then she grabbed the book and read what it said. "He's giving you and Michael a trip?" Zoey asked as she looked at the flight dates. "He's sending you on your Honeymoon," Zoey said in awe.
"Can you believe it?" Donna whispered, reaching for the phone to call him.
"Josh?" she asked as he answered the phone.
"Yeah...Donna...what's up?" he asked.
"Hawaii?" she whispered.
He smiled at her happiness as he fingered his gift in his hands. The note she sent along was hilarious.
Josh ~ Wear this and be on time for something once in a while. This watch doesn't suck.
Love, Donna
"I like my gift, too," he smirked.
"It's a lovely watch, don't you think?" she laughed. "And get this - it works!"
"I noticed," he smirked. "So...you like your gift?"
"I love it," she gushed. "Thank you so much. Michael will be so excited."
"I want pictures when you're there. I always wanted to see how you smiled by the water there," he mused.
"I promise," she smiled.
"Merry Christmas, Donnatella," he whispered.
"Happy Hanukkah, Joshua," she smiled and they both hung up the phone.
"I don't believe him," Donna laughed as she looked at the tickets again. "Michael's gonna flip out over this!"
"Josh is a generous man," Zoey marveled. "It's a wonder some nice girl hasn't snagged his heart by now. Oh..yeah..nevermind..." she laughed. "He's been there...done that!"
"Shut up, Zoey!" Donna laughed throwing a pillow at her.
Just then, Michael came home. "Michael," Donna yelled when he walked in. "Josh Lyman is the most wonderful man alive," she gushed.
"And in fact, da man, at the moment," Zoey added.
"Music to every man's ears..." Michael laughed as he kissed Donna on the cheek. "...adoration for his fiancé's old boss who seems to have a slight obsession with her."
Donna smiled. "He gave me...us...a trip to Hawaii...for our Honeymoon!"
"Seriously?" Michael asked, shocked.
"He can be incredibly sweet at times," Zoey offered, flipping through the channels on the television.
"I don't understand...why would he do that?" Michael asked, confused.
"Because when I worked there, I always wanted to go. He never gave me the trip, obviously. And now...he feels incredibly guilty," she smirked.
"That's one reason," Zoey tossed in.
"Did you call him?" Michael asked.
"Yep. I thanked him from the both of us. Next time he calls you can thank him yourself," she told him.
"If not, I'll do it when I see him in January in DC," Michael promised. "He really is a good guy," he mused.
"I told you so," Donna grinned and went back to flipping through her book on Hawaii.
The holidays flew by and before they knew, Donna, Zoey, and Michael were on their way back down to Washington, DC to watch President-elect Seaborn be sworn in as the next President of the United States. Zoey was filled with both excitement and sadness. Sam being the President meant her father would be a former President and that kinda sucked, she thought. But still...she was so happy for Sam and Mal. They deserved it so much. Josh actually met them at the airport and escorted them to the awaiting limo.
Michael cleared his throat, "Josh?" he asked.
"Yeah," Josh asked as he looked across the car at Donna and Michael. Michael looked nervous and Donna was smiling at him.
"I just...I wanted to say thank you," he told him. "For the tickets and all...it means a lot to Donna...and to me."
Josh smirked, "Not a problem. I was a jerk of a boss to her so I figured I'd try to make it up somehow. And maybe get you to like me too," he added. "I know at the beginning I was a bit of a jerk," Josh went on. "But I think you and Donna are really perfect together and I am happy that she found that kind of happiness," he said sincerely.
Donna leaned across the car and kissed his cheek, "You're da man," she whispered.
"You're a good guy, Josh," Michael smiled at him and shook his hand. "Donna's lucky to have such a great person in her corner."
"I'm lucky to know her," Josh told him honestly. "I'm a blessed guy."
Zoey smiled at all the niceness in the car, "Okay...can we move this limo any faster?" she asked in a huff. "There's too much sweetness going on back here. What happened to bitterness?"
They all laughed and awaited the Inauguration that brought them all together.
Later that evening, everyone including the Bartlets' and the Seaborns' were headed from ball number four to ball number five. They were all laughing and talking and smiling along the rope line. Michael, Donna, and Josh were in the middle of the pack with Charlie and Zoey directly in front of them and CJ and Danny directly behind them. Scattered throughout their group were The President Bartlet and Abbey, President Seaborn and the First Lady, Vice President Bailey, Leo, Toby, Margaret, Bonnie, Carol, and Ginger. Donna was laughing at Zoey tripping on the way to the cars and Michael was turned around asking Danny a question about the people he was just introduced to. Then, everything stopped.
There was like a second of total silence before shots and yelling rang through the air. Secret Service Agents surround the Seaborns' and the Bartlets' completely. Zoey managed to grab onto Charlie as she was tackled to the ground so that he was with her. Danny threw his body on top of CJ's and held her face to the ground despite her yelling. He knew that he was hit. But he suspected that it was only in the shoulder and although his arm hurt like hell, he needed to be sure that CJ was okay.
Donna looked around and couldn't tell where the shots were coming from. She was thrown to the ground and her head hit the blacktop hard. "Donna," she heard Josh whisper before her eyes fell shut.
At the hospital later on Donna woke up in a room, alone. "What happened?" she called out as a nurse came into the room.
"What's your name, honey?" the nurse asked.
"Donna Moss," Donna told her. "Where's the President? Is he okay?"
"Where were you earlier tonight, dear?" the nurse continued.
"I was at the balls," Donna told her, looking more scared. "Was anyone hurt?"
"Sweetie, you hit your head pretty bad," the nurse explained. "You have a slight concussion and you were bleeding a bit."
Donna touched her head and felt the bandaged and looked down at her perfect pink dress that was now spotted with blood. "Who was hurt?" she asked more directly as Zoey burst through the door.
"Oh my God, Donna," Zoey exclaimed as she wrapped her arms around her best friend. "Are you all right?"
"Are you?" Donna asked quickly.
"Yeah," Zoey sighed. "Just bruised is all. The Agents were quick," she smirked. "How's your head?"
"It hurts," Donna smiled. "How's everybody else?"
"I don't know much yet," Zoey told her honestly. "I know my parents are okay. Sam and Mal are okay too. They're all actually at the White House under lockdown. Will was taken to his residence safely as well. Everyone else, I think, is still here."
"I want to find everyone," Donna said as she got up and attempted to leave the room. She got suddenly dizzy and held her head as she sat back down.
"No, no, no, young lady," the nurse ordered. "Sit yourself right back down. You can't leave this room yet."
"Don't worry Donna...as soon as I hear something, I'll let ya know," Zoey promised, kissing Donna on the cheek.
"Thanks, Zoe," Donna whispered with tears brimming in her eyes. "I hope they're all okay."
"Hey," Zoey smiled. "Cheer up, buttercup! They've done this before. They're seasoned veterans at this sorta thing," Zoey tried to joke, but her laughter didn't reach her eyes.
Zoey left Donna's room and went into the secured waiting room that had been assigned for their group. It was like before - private and no reporters. She was alone in there for now and she didn't know if that was a good or bad thing, she realized. She closed her eyes and put her head in her hands just as Charlie found his way in.
"Zoey?" he whispered. "You okay?"
"Charlie," she whispered getting up and throwing her arms around him and squeezing him tightly. "You're okay?"
"Yeah," he said quietly. "I broke my wrist in the fall," he explained waving his cast a bit to show it off. "You? Everyone else?"
"I'm bruised, but good," she explained. "I don't know much else, though. My parents and Sam and Mal and Gabbie are at the White House under a lockdown. Will is at his new residence under lock and key as well. Donna's in a private room down the hall with a concussion and that's all I know at the moment."
"Thank God you're alright," he whispered as he drew her lips to his for a kiss. "Zoey...I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you," he told her. "I love you," he told her. "You know that, right?"
"And I love you too," she smiled and kissed him lightly on the mouth. She laughed, "I know you know that."
"We all know that," Toby told her, as he entered the room. "You kids okay?" he asked concerned.
"Broken wrist," Charlie offered.
"Bruised body," Zoey reported.
"Your parents and the President and First Lady are okay, yes?" Toby asked her.
"Back at the White House, safe and sound. Will's at his residence as well," she told him.
"Good," Toby sighed and slumped back into the seat. "I just checked on Andie at home," he explained. "Thank goodness she wasn't with me when it happened," Toby sighed. "At any rate, she's with the kids. What's going on with everyone else?" he wondered.
"Um...we don't know much," Charlie told him. "Donna's got a concussion...that's about all we know."
"Josh?" Toby asked.
"I haven't heard anything," Zoey whispered solemnly.
"Somebody has to know something around this place," Toby yelled as he slammed his hand into the wall. "Where the hell is everyone else?" he yelled.
"Mr Ziegler," Dr. Morris said as he walked into the wall. "Don't hurt yourself on the wall. My ERs are tied up at the moment," he smiled. "I think I can help you."
"What's going on?" Zoey asked, worried and gripping Charlie's and Toby's hands.
"Donna Moss is in Exam 3 with a concussion. She'll be fine," he assured them. "Danny Concannon is recovering from a gunshot wound in his upper shoulder. There's a risk of infection and we need to get the bullet out. So, he's in ER2. CJ Cregg is waiting for him by the room. She's fine, but worried sick," he explained as the group before him sighed and Bonnie, Carol, and Ginger ran in and hugged the occupants. "Margaret," the doctor started and everyone held their collective breath. "She needed stitches on her face from her fall. She'll be fine," he assured. "Josh Lyman is fine. He's waiting on news of another one from your group - Michael Winston. Michael is in surgery. He lost a lot of blood and Josh is in his wing awaiting the news. Leo is at the Residence right now with the Presidents and their families. He rode with them in the motorcade."
There was a collective sigh of relief. Everyone hugged each other relieved that most made it through okay. "Poor Donna," Zoey said. Everyone looked at her. "What am I supposed to tell her?"
"Nothing yet," Dr. Morris told her. "Nothing till we know something worth telling. And then...be honest." The man smiled at them all and nodded his head before wandering out the door.
"I'm going to find CJ," Toby announced, but ran into Josh as he was leaving the door. "You okay, man?" Toby asked concerned immediately.
"No," he whispered and sat down in the first seat he saw.
"What happened to Michael?" Zoey asked in a whisper.
"He died," Josh said out loud for the first time.
Zoey cried and Charlie wrapped his arms around her tightly.
The girls held each other and cried as well - too shocked to do much else.
"I should...I mean...I should've grabbed him too - on my way down, I mean," Josh rambled. "Maybe if I did...maybe he'd still be okay..."
"Josh. Stop this. It's not your fault," Toby told him.
"Are you sure?" Josh asked. "I saved myself. I saved Donna. Why wasn't I quick enough to drag Michael down, too?"
"Josh," Zoey whispered, moving nearer to him to touch his shoulder. "I'm so happy you're okay," she told him through her tears. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
"What will Donna do without Michael?" Josh asked with tears in his eyes. "They were getting married next month."
"I know," Zoey sobbed. "Oh God...I have to go tell her. She'll want to know what's happening."
"No, Zoe," Josh said, forcing himself up. "I'll go," he said. "I want to."
Zoey looked at Toby questionably and Toby nodded his agreement with Josh's decision. "I'll be here when you're done," she told him as she moved to sit next to Toby and he smiled and nodded before he walked out the door.
"I don't know what to do," Zoey sighed as Josh left the room. "What if she's not okay?" she asked, turning to Toby for guidance.
He put his arms around her trembling body and kissed her head. "She has to be," Toby said simply, not really believing that to be the truth. "Josh'll see to it," he promised.
"But...what if he's not okay?" Zoey asked in an eerie whisper. "Didn't he seem too calm just now?"
"I'll keep an eye on him," Toby promised her. "Don't worry Zoey. We're all gonna get through this - somehow."
Josh took a deep breath to steady himself before he pushed open Donna's door. She was sleeping - somewhat peacefully. He walked to her bedside and pulled a chair up next to her. He stared at her for a minute before reaching out to take her hand in his. With his free hand, he stroked her hair off of her forehead. She didn't wake up for a while and Josh was in no hurry for her to do so, he realized. How was he supposed to tell her that her life was completely changed now? How would she react to the news that her fiancé was simply gone - no rhyme or reason - just gone? He closed his eyes and replayed the events in his mind - the silence, the sound of bullets, the yells, grabbing Donna and shielding her body with his own, not reaching far enough to pull down Michael. What if she blamed him? He squinted his eyes closed tighter as the memories danced through his head. Problem was that this shooting was mixing with Roslyn. He saw Michael bleeding on the ground one moment and then himself the next. Sometimes Donna was around - sometimes he was alone. He began to shake his head and he took both of his hands and covered his puffy eyes - attempting to rub them for clarity. This sudden movement startled Donna.
"Josh?" she whispered half asleep and with a smile. "You're okay," she sighed. "I was so worried about you," she told him honestly.
"I'm fine, Donna," he tried to smile. "And thank God, so are you."
"Yeah...I hit my head on my way to the ground," she sighed. "Thank goodness it's hard," she tried to joke.
"Donna..." Josh started.
"How is everyone else? The staff... the Presidents?" she pressed.
"Sam and his family and the Bartlets are all at the White House with Leo," he smiled when she let out a sigh of relief. "Will's at his residence, Bonnie, Ginger, and the other assistants are good, Charlie and Zoey are fine for the most part, Margaret needs stitches or something, CJ's with Danny - he got hit in the shoulder and they're operating as we speak," he told her. "He's gonna be fine," he promised when he saw her expression darken a bit. Then she smiled...and he almost lost it right there. "And Toby's fine, as usual," he smirked.
"Great," she smiled. "Thank God, right?" She shook her head and was running through everything in her mind. "Do they know who did it yet?"
"Not yet - or at least they didn't tell me yet," he answered honestly.
"Okay," she smiled. "I am gonna try and get some more sleep," she told him with a hazy smile. "I am so tired. Could you tell Michael to come in when you see him? I guess I can have visitors now - I couldn't before."
Josh looked at her straight in her eyes. "Donna?" he whispered. "Michael got his pretty bad out there," he tried to say as calmly as possible.
"Oh my God! Is he in surgery? How could they not tell me this? He's my fiancé," she cried in disgust. "Josh! Take me to him," she begged.
"He lost a lot of blood," Josh continued. "There was nothing....I mean they tried...." he tried to get out.
"Josh?" she asked as her eyes filled with tears and she reached for his hand and gripped it tightly.
"Donna," he whispered as he kissed her hand lightly. "Donna...Michael didn't make it," he told her. "I'm...God...I'm so sorry...I don't know what to say," he shook his head.
Donna looked at him as the tears made their way down her cheeks. "He's...he's...dead?" she asked and Josh nodded slightly.
"But...he...he can't be," she cried. "We're getting ma-marr-married next month," she got out. "I have a dress and Zoey's gonna be my maid-of-honor and you're gonna walk me down the aisle," she told him with a smile on her face that was anything but happy.
"I know, baby," he whispered as he stroked her hair back and kissed her forehead.
"It can't be true," she told him, shaking her head.
"I wish I was wrong," he whispered.
"I need to be alone," she told him, as she pulled away from him and began fiercely wiping away her tears.
"Are you sure I can't stay with you?" he asked.
"I just need to be alone," she said in an even voice.
"Okay," Josh relented and left the room and collapsed in front of the door. He stayed there for a while - listening to her sobs.
Before she knew it though, she was back in New Hampshire. It was almost Christmas and she'd been staring at the box in front of her for more than an hour. Zoey poked her in the arm, "Open the damn thing already," she pressed.
"I just don't know...I mean...I totally didn't expect this," Donna sighed. "We haven't really been...on the best of terms lately."
"Because you're getting married and crushing Josh's fragile ego," Zoey supplied.
"Josh's ego is hardly fragile," Donna laughed.
"It is when it comes to you," Zoey told her. "What?" she asked when Donna gave her a dirty look. "I pay attention to things."
"Whatever," Donna huffed as she went at the box with a letter opener. "It's a book," she laughed. "A book on the wonders of Hawaii," she laughed. "See? I want skis I get a book on skis. I want to go to Hawaii and I get a book on how lovely it is."
"He's too much," Zoey laughed as Donna opened it and glanced at the inscription.
Donnatella~ Merry Christmas. I know this is like a million years too late, but I hope you and Michael enjoy Hawaii. I just thought the book would make you laugh. I love the way you laugh...
Love Always, Josh
Donna had tears in her eyes as the plain tickets and hotel reservations fell out of the center of the book.
"Are you serious?" Zoey shrieked as she saw the falling tickets and then she grabbed the book and read what it said. "He's giving you and Michael a trip?" Zoey asked as she looked at the flight dates. "He's sending you on your Honeymoon," Zoey said in awe.
"Can you believe it?" Donna whispered, reaching for the phone to call him.
"Josh?" she asked as he answered the phone.
"Yeah...Donna...what's up?" he asked.
"Hawaii?" she whispered.
He smiled at her happiness as he fingered his gift in his hands. The note she sent along was hilarious.
Josh ~ Wear this and be on time for something once in a while. This watch doesn't suck.
Love, Donna
"I like my gift, too," he smirked.
"It's a lovely watch, don't you think?" she laughed. "And get this - it works!"
"I noticed," he smirked. "So...you like your gift?"
"I love it," she gushed. "Thank you so much. Michael will be so excited."
"I want pictures when you're there. I always wanted to see how you smiled by the water there," he mused.
"I promise," she smiled.
"Merry Christmas, Donnatella," he whispered.
"Happy Hanukkah, Joshua," she smiled and they both hung up the phone.
"I don't believe him," Donna laughed as she looked at the tickets again. "Michael's gonna flip out over this!"
"Josh is a generous man," Zoey marveled. "It's a wonder some nice girl hasn't snagged his heart by now. Oh..yeah..nevermind..." she laughed. "He's been there...done that!"
"Shut up, Zoey!" Donna laughed throwing a pillow at her.
Just then, Michael came home. "Michael," Donna yelled when he walked in. "Josh Lyman is the most wonderful man alive," she gushed.
"And in fact, da man, at the moment," Zoey added.
"Music to every man's ears..." Michael laughed as he kissed Donna on the cheek. "...adoration for his fiancé's old boss who seems to have a slight obsession with her."
Donna smiled. "He gave me...us...a trip to Hawaii...for our Honeymoon!"
"Seriously?" Michael asked, shocked.
"He can be incredibly sweet at times," Zoey offered, flipping through the channels on the television.
"I don't understand...why would he do that?" Michael asked, confused.
"Because when I worked there, I always wanted to go. He never gave me the trip, obviously. And now...he feels incredibly guilty," she smirked.
"That's one reason," Zoey tossed in.
"Did you call him?" Michael asked.
"Yep. I thanked him from the both of us. Next time he calls you can thank him yourself," she told him.
"If not, I'll do it when I see him in January in DC," Michael promised. "He really is a good guy," he mused.
"I told you so," Donna grinned and went back to flipping through her book on Hawaii.
The holidays flew by and before they knew, Donna, Zoey, and Michael were on their way back down to Washington, DC to watch President-elect Seaborn be sworn in as the next President of the United States. Zoey was filled with both excitement and sadness. Sam being the President meant her father would be a former President and that kinda sucked, she thought. But still...she was so happy for Sam and Mal. They deserved it so much. Josh actually met them at the airport and escorted them to the awaiting limo.
Michael cleared his throat, "Josh?" he asked.
"Yeah," Josh asked as he looked across the car at Donna and Michael. Michael looked nervous and Donna was smiling at him.
"I just...I wanted to say thank you," he told him. "For the tickets and all...it means a lot to Donna...and to me."
Josh smirked, "Not a problem. I was a jerk of a boss to her so I figured I'd try to make it up somehow. And maybe get you to like me too," he added. "I know at the beginning I was a bit of a jerk," Josh went on. "But I think you and Donna are really perfect together and I am happy that she found that kind of happiness," he said sincerely.
Donna leaned across the car and kissed his cheek, "You're da man," she whispered.
"You're a good guy, Josh," Michael smiled at him and shook his hand. "Donna's lucky to have such a great person in her corner."
"I'm lucky to know her," Josh told him honestly. "I'm a blessed guy."
Zoey smiled at all the niceness in the car, "Okay...can we move this limo any faster?" she asked in a huff. "There's too much sweetness going on back here. What happened to bitterness?"
They all laughed and awaited the Inauguration that brought them all together.
Later that evening, everyone including the Bartlets' and the Seaborns' were headed from ball number four to ball number five. They were all laughing and talking and smiling along the rope line. Michael, Donna, and Josh were in the middle of the pack with Charlie and Zoey directly in front of them and CJ and Danny directly behind them. Scattered throughout their group were The President Bartlet and Abbey, President Seaborn and the First Lady, Vice President Bailey, Leo, Toby, Margaret, Bonnie, Carol, and Ginger. Donna was laughing at Zoey tripping on the way to the cars and Michael was turned around asking Danny a question about the people he was just introduced to. Then, everything stopped.
There was like a second of total silence before shots and yelling rang through the air. Secret Service Agents surround the Seaborns' and the Bartlets' completely. Zoey managed to grab onto Charlie as she was tackled to the ground so that he was with her. Danny threw his body on top of CJ's and held her face to the ground despite her yelling. He knew that he was hit. But he suspected that it was only in the shoulder and although his arm hurt like hell, he needed to be sure that CJ was okay.
Donna looked around and couldn't tell where the shots were coming from. She was thrown to the ground and her head hit the blacktop hard. "Donna," she heard Josh whisper before her eyes fell shut.
At the hospital later on Donna woke up in a room, alone. "What happened?" she called out as a nurse came into the room.
"What's your name, honey?" the nurse asked.
"Donna Moss," Donna told her. "Where's the President? Is he okay?"
"Where were you earlier tonight, dear?" the nurse continued.
"I was at the balls," Donna told her, looking more scared. "Was anyone hurt?"
"Sweetie, you hit your head pretty bad," the nurse explained. "You have a slight concussion and you were bleeding a bit."
Donna touched her head and felt the bandaged and looked down at her perfect pink dress that was now spotted with blood. "Who was hurt?" she asked more directly as Zoey burst through the door.
"Oh my God, Donna," Zoey exclaimed as she wrapped her arms around her best friend. "Are you all right?"
"Are you?" Donna asked quickly.
"Yeah," Zoey sighed. "Just bruised is all. The Agents were quick," she smirked. "How's your head?"
"It hurts," Donna smiled. "How's everybody else?"
"I don't know much yet," Zoey told her honestly. "I know my parents are okay. Sam and Mal are okay too. They're all actually at the White House under lockdown. Will was taken to his residence safely as well. Everyone else, I think, is still here."
"I want to find everyone," Donna said as she got up and attempted to leave the room. She got suddenly dizzy and held her head as she sat back down.
"No, no, no, young lady," the nurse ordered. "Sit yourself right back down. You can't leave this room yet."
"Don't worry Donna...as soon as I hear something, I'll let ya know," Zoey promised, kissing Donna on the cheek.
"Thanks, Zoe," Donna whispered with tears brimming in her eyes. "I hope they're all okay."
"Hey," Zoey smiled. "Cheer up, buttercup! They've done this before. They're seasoned veterans at this sorta thing," Zoey tried to joke, but her laughter didn't reach her eyes.
Zoey left Donna's room and went into the secured waiting room that had been assigned for their group. It was like before - private and no reporters. She was alone in there for now and she didn't know if that was a good or bad thing, she realized. She closed her eyes and put her head in her hands just as Charlie found his way in.
"Zoey?" he whispered. "You okay?"
"Charlie," she whispered getting up and throwing her arms around him and squeezing him tightly. "You're okay?"
"Yeah," he said quietly. "I broke my wrist in the fall," he explained waving his cast a bit to show it off. "You? Everyone else?"
"I'm bruised, but good," she explained. "I don't know much else, though. My parents and Sam and Mal and Gabbie are at the White House under a lockdown. Will is at his new residence under lock and key as well. Donna's in a private room down the hall with a concussion and that's all I know at the moment."
"Thank God you're alright," he whispered as he drew her lips to his for a kiss. "Zoey...I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you," he told her. "I love you," he told her. "You know that, right?"
"And I love you too," she smiled and kissed him lightly on the mouth. She laughed, "I know you know that."
"We all know that," Toby told her, as he entered the room. "You kids okay?" he asked concerned.
"Broken wrist," Charlie offered.
"Bruised body," Zoey reported.
"Your parents and the President and First Lady are okay, yes?" Toby asked her.
"Back at the White House, safe and sound. Will's at his residence as well," she told him.
"Good," Toby sighed and slumped back into the seat. "I just checked on Andie at home," he explained. "Thank goodness she wasn't with me when it happened," Toby sighed. "At any rate, she's with the kids. What's going on with everyone else?" he wondered.
"Um...we don't know much," Charlie told him. "Donna's got a concussion...that's about all we know."
"Josh?" Toby asked.
"I haven't heard anything," Zoey whispered solemnly.
"Somebody has to know something around this place," Toby yelled as he slammed his hand into the wall. "Where the hell is everyone else?" he yelled.
"Mr Ziegler," Dr. Morris said as he walked into the wall. "Don't hurt yourself on the wall. My ERs are tied up at the moment," he smiled. "I think I can help you."
"What's going on?" Zoey asked, worried and gripping Charlie's and Toby's hands.
"Donna Moss is in Exam 3 with a concussion. She'll be fine," he assured them. "Danny Concannon is recovering from a gunshot wound in his upper shoulder. There's a risk of infection and we need to get the bullet out. So, he's in ER2. CJ Cregg is waiting for him by the room. She's fine, but worried sick," he explained as the group before him sighed and Bonnie, Carol, and Ginger ran in and hugged the occupants. "Margaret," the doctor started and everyone held their collective breath. "She needed stitches on her face from her fall. She'll be fine," he assured. "Josh Lyman is fine. He's waiting on news of another one from your group - Michael Winston. Michael is in surgery. He lost a lot of blood and Josh is in his wing awaiting the news. Leo is at the Residence right now with the Presidents and their families. He rode with them in the motorcade."
There was a collective sigh of relief. Everyone hugged each other relieved that most made it through okay. "Poor Donna," Zoey said. Everyone looked at her. "What am I supposed to tell her?"
"Nothing yet," Dr. Morris told her. "Nothing till we know something worth telling. And then...be honest." The man smiled at them all and nodded his head before wandering out the door.
"I'm going to find CJ," Toby announced, but ran into Josh as he was leaving the door. "You okay, man?" Toby asked concerned immediately.
"No," he whispered and sat down in the first seat he saw.
"What happened to Michael?" Zoey asked in a whisper.
"He died," Josh said out loud for the first time.
Zoey cried and Charlie wrapped his arms around her tightly.
The girls held each other and cried as well - too shocked to do much else.
"I should...I mean...I should've grabbed him too - on my way down, I mean," Josh rambled. "Maybe if I did...maybe he'd still be okay..."
"Josh. Stop this. It's not your fault," Toby told him.
"Are you sure?" Josh asked. "I saved myself. I saved Donna. Why wasn't I quick enough to drag Michael down, too?"
"Josh," Zoey whispered, moving nearer to him to touch his shoulder. "I'm so happy you're okay," she told him through her tears. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
"What will Donna do without Michael?" Josh asked with tears in his eyes. "They were getting married next month."
"I know," Zoey sobbed. "Oh God...I have to go tell her. She'll want to know what's happening."
"No, Zoe," Josh said, forcing himself up. "I'll go," he said. "I want to."
Zoey looked at Toby questionably and Toby nodded his agreement with Josh's decision. "I'll be here when you're done," she told him as she moved to sit next to Toby and he smiled and nodded before he walked out the door.
"I don't know what to do," Zoey sighed as Josh left the room. "What if she's not okay?" she asked, turning to Toby for guidance.
He put his arms around her trembling body and kissed her head. "She has to be," Toby said simply, not really believing that to be the truth. "Josh'll see to it," he promised.
"But...what if he's not okay?" Zoey asked in an eerie whisper. "Didn't he seem too calm just now?"
"I'll keep an eye on him," Toby promised her. "Don't worry Zoey. We're all gonna get through this - somehow."
Josh took a deep breath to steady himself before he pushed open Donna's door. She was sleeping - somewhat peacefully. He walked to her bedside and pulled a chair up next to her. He stared at her for a minute before reaching out to take her hand in his. With his free hand, he stroked her hair off of her forehead. She didn't wake up for a while and Josh was in no hurry for her to do so, he realized. How was he supposed to tell her that her life was completely changed now? How would she react to the news that her fiancé was simply gone - no rhyme or reason - just gone? He closed his eyes and replayed the events in his mind - the silence, the sound of bullets, the yells, grabbing Donna and shielding her body with his own, not reaching far enough to pull down Michael. What if she blamed him? He squinted his eyes closed tighter as the memories danced through his head. Problem was that this shooting was mixing with Roslyn. He saw Michael bleeding on the ground one moment and then himself the next. Sometimes Donna was around - sometimes he was alone. He began to shake his head and he took both of his hands and covered his puffy eyes - attempting to rub them for clarity. This sudden movement startled Donna.
"Josh?" she whispered half asleep and with a smile. "You're okay," she sighed. "I was so worried about you," she told him honestly.
"I'm fine, Donna," he tried to smile. "And thank God, so are you."
"Yeah...I hit my head on my way to the ground," she sighed. "Thank goodness it's hard," she tried to joke.
"Donna..." Josh started.
"How is everyone else? The staff... the Presidents?" she pressed.
"Sam and his family and the Bartlets are all at the White House with Leo," he smiled when she let out a sigh of relief. "Will's at his residence, Bonnie, Ginger, and the other assistants are good, Charlie and Zoey are fine for the most part, Margaret needs stitches or something, CJ's with Danny - he got hit in the shoulder and they're operating as we speak," he told her. "He's gonna be fine," he promised when he saw her expression darken a bit. Then she smiled...and he almost lost it right there. "And Toby's fine, as usual," he smirked.
"Great," she smiled. "Thank God, right?" She shook her head and was running through everything in her mind. "Do they know who did it yet?"
"Not yet - or at least they didn't tell me yet," he answered honestly.
"Okay," she smiled. "I am gonna try and get some more sleep," she told him with a hazy smile. "I am so tired. Could you tell Michael to come in when you see him? I guess I can have visitors now - I couldn't before."
Josh looked at her straight in her eyes. "Donna?" he whispered. "Michael got his pretty bad out there," he tried to say as calmly as possible.
"Oh my God! Is he in surgery? How could they not tell me this? He's my fiancé," she cried in disgust. "Josh! Take me to him," she begged.
"He lost a lot of blood," Josh continued. "There was nothing....I mean they tried...." he tried to get out.
"Josh?" she asked as her eyes filled with tears and she reached for his hand and gripped it tightly.
"Donna," he whispered as he kissed her hand lightly. "Donna...Michael didn't make it," he told her. "I'm...God...I'm so sorry...I don't know what to say," he shook his head.
Donna looked at him as the tears made their way down her cheeks. "He's...he's...dead?" she asked and Josh nodded slightly.
"But...he...he can't be," she cried. "We're getting ma-marr-married next month," she got out. "I have a dress and Zoey's gonna be my maid-of-honor and you're gonna walk me down the aisle," she told him with a smile on her face that was anything but happy.
"I know, baby," he whispered as he stroked her hair back and kissed her forehead.
"It can't be true," she told him, shaking her head.
"I wish I was wrong," he whispered.
"I need to be alone," she told him, as she pulled away from him and began fiercely wiping away her tears.
"Are you sure I can't stay with you?" he asked.
"I just need to be alone," she said in an even voice.
"Okay," Josh relented and left the room and collapsed in front of the door. He stayed there for a while - listening to her sobs.
