Disclaimer – I don't own any of these characters – they are the property of NBC, John Wells and the fabulous Aaron Sorkin.

Rating – PG for now

Pairings – Josh/Ellie, Ellie/OC

Spoilers – None

Summary – Josh Lyman meets Eleanor Bartlet during the campaign and falls in love with the young, married medical student. For the purposes of my story, Ellie is several years older in this story and very different than she is on the show.

I've had this story in my head for years, and have finally forged the courage to begin writing. Here's hoping you enjoy it!! The song by Evanescence, "My Immortal" is the soundtrack for the story.

Josh sat quietly in the meeting with the electrician's union, studying Governor Bartlet's face as he spoke to the assembled group, trying to figure out whether Ellie Bartlet resembled her father or her mother more.

"That's exactly what I'm saying, John," the Governor nodded furiously, capturing Josh's attention, "Jobs need to stay here, in the good old US of A."

"Glad we're in agreement there, Governor," the man Josh assumed was "John" answered.

"We are, John," the Governor said, extending his hand to the man. Josh glanced over at Leo, who was hanging back in one corner, grinning like an idiot. Josh stood and smoothed his jacket, making his way over to Leo.

"You're smiling," Josh said with a grin of his own.

"I am?" Leo questioned, feigning ignorance.

"We're going to the White House, aren't we, Leo?"

Leo regarded Josh's question earnestly, then slapped his campaign director on the shoulder. "I'd say that's a pretty fair bet, Josh. It's time to go," Leo said, checking his watch.

Josh yawned and stretched, glancing at his watch as he extended his arms in front of him. It was almost eleven o'clock in the evening and Josh was exhausted. Campaign headquarters pretty much ran 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and tonight was no different. Josh often commented that it was good preparation for the White House. He stood from his desk, stretching his legs.

He made his way down the hallway, in search of the freshly brewed coffee he could smell somewhere in the building. A light in the workroom caught his attention and he paused in the doorway. Ellie was sitting at the table, papers and folders spread out in front of her as she prepared packets for the Democratic National Convention. She'd pulled her long brown hair into a loose ponytail and had removed the navy blue pinstripe jacket she'd been wearing earlier that day. The pink blouse hugged her curves, revealing the outline of her breasts.

She glanced up and caught him standing in the doorway. "Take a picture, it'll last longer," she teased, stretching back in the chair as he began to blush furiously.

"What?" he asked, blushing furiously, realizing he'd been staring at her. "I'm sorry, I zoned out."

"Well, don't just stand there, come help me," she gently commanded, holding out a stack of folders. He grinned and sat down beside her while she began explaining how to pack the folders.

"What exactly are you still doing here?" Josh asked. "It's eleven o'clock at night, isn't your husband wondering where you are?"

He didn't miss the quick flash of loneliness in her eyes. She smiled weakly and picked up another folder. "David is overseas," she explained, choosing each word carefully.

"What does he do?" Josh questioned, watching each expression she gave him carefully.

"He's a Navy pilot, a Commander. He flies F-18 jets," she responded.

"And he's overseas?" Josh eyed her curiously as she nodded. "Where?"

"Um, I'm don't really know," she said with a shrug.

Josh stared at her. "How can you not know?"

"I'm on a need-to-know basis," she laughed bitterly, "and most things I clearly don't need to know."

"He flies secret missions?"

She offered him another weak smile. "Something like that."

Josh looked away, concentrating on the folders in front of him. "You must get lonely," he commented; then silently cursed his insane habit of saying everything that popped into his head.

Ellie laughed and leaned back in the chair. "That's why I'm doing this," she answered honestly, patting Josh on the back. "Besides, I have this strange feeling that with you around, my life will be, at the very least, interesting."

"Should I take that as a compliment, Doc?" he asked with a mega-watt grin.

Ellie laughed again and rolled her eyes. "Doc?"

He grinned. "Hey, don't laugh, I've been working on that all day. It's your new nickname."

Ellie shook her head. "Can't say it's all that original."

"Original isn't always better, Ellie."

"You can say that again."

"Original isn't....," Josh repeated and Ellie slugged him on the arm. "Ow," he mouthed.

Ellie laughed again, and Josh realized at that moment how beautiful it sounded. "I can't imagine how Donna puts up with you," she shook her head with exasperated movement.

"Alcohol, probably, maybe sedatives," Josh joked. "I don't know, though, I've never asked her. Maybe she's got some sadomasochistic tendencies."

"Maybe you have the sadomasochistic tendencies," she replied with a smirk.

"Now that's just not fair," he argued, a grin threatening to erupt on his face. "You haven't known me long enough to make that judgment. You should at least know me for a week."

Ellie reached over and grabbed a pen and a sheet of paper, scribbling on it furiously, then handing it to Josh.

"What's this?" he asked curiously, examining the sheet.

"It says that in one week, I get to pass judgment on you," she answered, handing him the pen. "Sign it."

"You're nuts," Josh laughed, pushing her hand away. "I learned a long time ago not to sign anything a woman hands me."

Ellie eyed him curiously. "Oooooh, now that's interesting."

Josh glared at her. "What's interesting? Last time I checked – you're an MD, not a psychologist."

"Every doctor does a psych round, Josh, sorry to disappoint you."

"So, diagnose me, Doctor McGarry," he said irritably, dropping a pile of completed folders onto the floor.

"Well, first of all," she said with a grin, "I've obviously hit a nerve."

"You didn't hit any nerve," Josh argued. "I just don't like having a conversation changed mid-stream."

"Yeah, that's it," Ellie rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. She grinned at him and poked his arm with her finger. Josh attempted to glare at her, but ended up grinning back. He poked her back. "Stop," he demanded with a laugh.

She poked his arm again. "No, you stop."

"No," Josh answered with a quick jab to her upper arm. "You stop."

"You."

"You."

Ellie burst into laughter. "Okay, let's both stop. Obviously if we're acting like two year olds, we need some sleep." She stood from the table and grabbed her jacket from the back of the chair. Josh watched her intently as she slid her right arm into the sleeve, then her left.

"Is that an offer, Doc?" he smirked.

"You really are a Neanderthal, you know that?" Ellie shot back, yanking the ponytail holder out of her hair, causing the brunette waves to cascade over her shoulders.

Josh laughed and stood as well, lifting her hair from beneath her jacket collar. "No passing judgment for six more days," he reminded her with a grin.

Ellie rolled her eyes and stepped out of the workroom, flipping the light switch and leaving Josh in complete darkness. He followed her down the hallway and stopped briefly in his office to pick up his briefcase and jacket. Without another word, he led her outside and opened her car door for her. Ellie slid into the leather seat of her BMW and glanced up at him as she stuck the key in the ignition.

"See you tomorrow," she said, offering him another of the smiles he was quickly coming to love.

"Yeah," he answered, shutting the door for her. He watched as Ellie sped away; then ran a hand through his auburn hair. "What are you doing, Lyman?" he asked aloud. "She's married," he reminded himself with a heavy sigh.

TBC.....