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.

Ellie wandered aimlessly through the hallways of the West Wing, not quite sure of her destination. The past few weeks had been a blur. First, she lost the baby. Second, David simply couldn't get away from his top-secret missions to come home. Third, her parents moved her into the residence to keep an eye on her. It was almost as if they were afraid she might do something stupid. The loss of the baby hurt like hell, to be sure, but Ellie knew she'd be pregnant again someday.

She passed staff members who smiled encouragingly and others who simply looked away as she passed. As a doctor, she'd been in many awkward situations and couldn't blame anyone for not having the right words.

She sauntered up to Donna's desk and motioned toward Josh's office. "Is he in?" she asked quietly.

Donna gazed up at the older woman, caught off guard by the emotions displayed behind her emerald green eyes. "Yeah," she muttered quickly, "Go on in."

Ellie nodded and started for Josh's door. She knocked on the doorframe and smiled gently as his bent head flew up to greet her. "Hi," he said, rising from his seat and rounding the corner of his desk, "What are you doing here?"

He took her arm and led her over to one of the brown leather guest chairs in his office. "Can I get you anything?"

"Josh," Ellie said quietly, sitting down in the chair.

"Donna!" Josh bellowed.

"Josh," Ellie said again, more forcefully this time.

"Yeah?" he asked.

"Don't," she answered, grabbing his arm. "I'm fine, really."

"Okay," he replied with a lopsided grin. "Never mind!" he shouted to his assistant.

He sat down in the second chair and rested his arms on his knees. "So, what's up?" he asked gently.

"Nothing," she shrugged. "Bored, I guess."

Josh laughed. "Am I your new cure for boredom?"

"No," Ellie answered, embarrassed, "That's not what I meant at all. I just..."

"Ellie," he stopped her apology. "I was kidding."

"Oh," she replied, sinking deep into the soft leather chair. She rested her head against the back and sighed.

"You okay?" Josh asked gently, allowing his fingers to run lightly over her bare arm.

"I guess," Ellie replied, turning her head to look at him. "What about you?"

"Me?" he asked curiously. "I'm fine, why do you ask?"

"Well," she sighed again, "Everything's been me, me, me for the past few weeks, and I haven't thought to ask about you." She glanced over at his desk and grinned. "Still swimming in paperwork?"

"Drowning is more like it," he mused.

"You'll get your head above it, Josh, you always do."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," he answered.

"Anytime," she said with a small smile and stood. "I'm going to go."

Josh stood with her and reached for her hand. He captured it in his own and Ellie turned to face him. He swallowed his jitters and rubbed his thumb over her hand. She looked down at their intertwined fingers and then back up at him. She reached up and gently ran her fingers along his stubbled jaw. "You should shave," she said quietly.

He tilted his head down and brushed his lips over her fingers. Ellie's eyes fluttered, startled and overwhelmed by the emotions his simple action created. "Ellie," he said softly.

She shook her head and stepped closer to him. Josh swallowed hard and his body went rigid as she touched his chest with her fingertips. Ellie's heart raced as she rose up on her tiptoes and ever so lightly pressed her lips against his. Josh felt as though he'd been shocked by electricity and before he could wrap his arms around her and deepen the kiss – Ellie had stepped away.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

"For what?" he asked when he finally found his voice.

"Everything," she replied. "Josh, I..."

He pressed his fingers over her lips. "Ellie, don't please. Just don't say anything."

Ellie closed her eyes. "But, Josh," she argued, "I need for you to know how I feel."

"I do," he said emphatically, "I feel the same way, Ellie, and someday, when you're stronger, we'll talk about it, but not today."

"But, we will talk about it?" she asked.

Josh smiled and tapped her nose with his finger. "I swear."

"Okay," she answered with a nod. "I'm really going now."

"Okay," he said, watching her retreat from his office. She got to the doorframe and stopped. She turned to face him again, opening her mouth to say something, then deciding against it.

Josh nodded and tapped his heart with his hand. Ellie smiled and stepped out of his office.

TBC....