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.

Newly elected President Josiah Bartlet popped the cork on the Cristal champagne bottle, sending foam spewing all over the room. "Bring on the glasses!" he ordered merrily, pouring champagne into every glass presented to him.

Josh glanced at Ellie, sitting across the room on her husband's lap. She was wearing a light blue silk sheath and had removed her jacket hours ago. Pearls adorned her neck and ears and she looked exhausted. She caught his eye and smiled weakly at him. Josh swallowed the tears threatening to fall. This was supposed to be the happiest night of his life, and yet he was standing here, more miserable than he'd ever been.

She was so beautiful, so smart, so funny, and in the eleven weeks she'd been gone, he'd thought of her nearly every moment of every day. She was his waking thought and in his dreams each night. He'd given up denying that he was in love with – at least to himself.

"Josh!" President-Elect Bartlet bellowed. "Give me your glass! Why aren't you celebrating?"

Josh couldn't help but laugh and handed his glass to his boss. "I am celebrating, Sir, in my own way."

"Ah, screw your way!" he answered with a wave of his hand, "Celebrate MY way!"

Josh laughed again and a smile broke out on his face. "Absolutely, Sir."

"I'm the President, now, Joshua. I can make you do anything that I want."

"Yes, Sir."

"Anything, Joshua," he warned.

He found her, standing alone on the hotel balcony, looking out over the state capital skyline she'd called home for so many years. He watched her for a moment, her loose hair blowing in the crisp New England breeze. Her black coat now covered the blue dress. He stepped up beside her and whispered, "Hi."

She turned to face him, noticing that he wasn't wearing a coat. "Josh, get back in there and get a coat, you'll freeze out here!"

He shrugged. "Nah, I'm fine."

"Josh, I'm a doctor, go get a damn coat."

He grinned. "Make me," he demanded, resting his arms on the balcony rail.

"Jackass," she shot back, fighting the grin tugging at her lips. She turned around and rested her back against the rail, pointing to the merriment inside. "So, what does this make me? Are Liz, Zoey and I all 'First Daughters' or is Liz 'First Daughter' and I'm 'Second Daughter'?"

"I have no idea," Josh admitted with a laugh.

"I guess it doesn't really matter," she shrugged; then nodded toward her father. "Look at him, Josh. This is what he was born to do."

"Yes, it is," Josh agreed. He shivered slightly against the cold night.

"Josh," Ellie rolled her eyes. "I told you to get a coat."

"I will," he answered defiantly, "in a minute."

"Fine," she replied, "Get pneumonia, see if I care."

They stood in silence for a moment, Josh overlooking the city, Ellie looking in on the party. "Would you care?" he finally asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Josh."

"Ellie."

"I'm pregnant," she said quietly.

He inhaled sharply and hung his head down, willing his racing heart to slow down, even just a little. Not only was the woman he loved someone else's wife; she was going to be someone else's mother. "That's great," he answered.

"You could be a little more enthusiastic," she shot back.

"Yeah, I'm thrilled for you, Ellie," he said irritably, straightening up and facing her. "No seriously," he continued, "it's great, I'm happy for you and David."

"Why are you acting like this?" she demanded.

"What do you want me to do Ellie? Throw you a party because you're pregnant with your husband's kid?"

"You could tell me how you really feel," she countered.

"That could get us both in a hell of a lot of trouble, Ellie," he answered angrily, facing the door. "We should get back in."

He held the door open and they stepped inside. The President-elect was holding court in the center of the suite, thanking his staff and many volunteers for their fine job on the campaign. "And just when I thought this day couldn't get any better," he explained to the crowd, making his way over to where Ellie and Josh were standing by the door, "my beautiful daughter tells me today that Leo and I are going to be grandfathers."

He kissed Ellie on the temple as excited gasps and laughter filled the room. Well-wishers quickly made their way over to Ellie and David, who was at his wife's side in an instant. Josh stood off to the side, quietly drinking his champagne, wishing he could get his hands on something stronger.

"I'm sorry," Donna whispered quietly in his ear.

Josh shook his head. "There's nothing to be sorry for, Donna. I'm the one who fell in love with her, not the other way around."

Donna smiled weakly and wrapped her arm around his waist, resting her head on his shoulder. "Well, I can still be sorry for you, and don't think I'm going to stop."

He kissed the top of her head and whispered into her blonde hair, "Thanks."

TBC....