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 arrived home that evening to a cold, empty house. She found his note on the dining room table, sighing as she flipped it open. It read:

"Ellie, called back for a mission. Can't give details, you know the routine. When I get back, we have some serious talking to do. Stay away from Lyman while I'm gone. All my love, David."

She shivered against the crisp spring evening, crossing through the house to turn the heater on. She sat down on the window seat in the hallway, gazing out over the Washington skyline. Her cell phone rang in her pocket, and she smiled instinctively, knowing without a doubt who the caller was. She checked her watch and flipped the phone open, settling back onto the cushions. "Couldn't live without me for four hours, huh?" she asked.

"It's getting harder every day," Josh whined on the other end. "Whatcha doin?"

"Sitting on the window seat in an empty, cold house," she answered.

"You're alone?" he asked curiously, suddenly uninterested in the stack of papers on his desk.

"Completely and totally, and for God only knows how long," she explained. "David's been called out again."

"Well, I guess we dodged the bullet for now."

"Yeah," she sighed.

"Can I see you?" he asked expectantly.

"I don't know, can you see me all the way from the White House?" she teased.

"Smartass."

"You love it."

"I do. Let me rephrase the question, may I see you?"

"Do you think that would be a good idea?" she asked honestly. "I'm not sure we can be trusted alone right now."

"You're probably right," he admitted with a sigh. "I'd hate to have to rip your clothes off."

"Yeah, I bet," she countered. "Besides, I checked with your doctor, and you haven't been cleared for strenuous activity yet."

"It doesn't have to be strenuous," he hinted.

She rolled her eyes and stifled a laugh. "Joshua?"

"Yeah, babe?"

"Get back to work," she ordered.

"Okay, I love you."

She closed her eyes and savored his words, how easily they flowed. "I love you, too," she whispered.

"Bogart to Base," David's voice rang out over the intercom in the White House Situation Room. "I have target on radar."

Leo instinctively held his breath. He'd already decided he would never get used to the sound of his son's voice coming through the loudspeaker.

"Roger, Bogart," Base responded.

Bogart – Leo wanted to laugh every time he heard his son's call sign. David's drill instructor hadn't been impressed with his incredible looks and suave disposition, and bestowed upon the young lieutenant the title "Humphrey Bogart." It was supposed to be an insult, but David loved it. It had been his call sign ever since. Leo glanced over at the President, whose head was rested in his hands, his eyes closed. Leo knew that Jed was praying for his son, for his safety.

"Bogart, be aware we are seeing some anti-aircraft movement on the ground," David's eyes on the ground, approximately 5 miles away from the selected target, advised.

"Alpha Bravo," the mission commander's voice sounded, "prepare to take out anti-aircraft missiles if need be."

"Roger that."

"Shit!" David bellowed. "Bastards fired. That was close."

Leo glared at the Secretary of Defense, Nancy McNally. She glared back, unfazed with Leo's fatherly worry.

"Son of a Bitch!" David screamed. "Somebody take that bastard out or I'm going to..."

A high pitch whine erupted over the loudspeaker. Leo immediately looked over at Nancy, who was already on her feet, barking orders to anyone who would listen. Leo stared at the intercom, swaying unsteadily on his feet. No one needed to tell him what had just happened....

TBC....