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

Rating – Okay, yep, here we go....you ready?.....it's been a while.....R!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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.

Ellie climbed into the tiny prop plane that would carry them on their final journey to the Congo and settled into the seat beside Curtis. He knew, that despite all the times she'd flown, she really hated take-off and landing. He took her hand in his as the engines began to hum and pressed a gentle kiss on her skin. She looked up at him and smiled; then closed her eyes and sang quietly to herself as the plane began taxiing down the runway.

Once they were airborne, she opened her eyes and pulled out the file of information Curtis had prepared for her about the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country was being torn apart by civil war and the situation between the Doctors without Borders program and the rival government factions was tense at best. In anticipation of having to protect the President's middle daughter, the government had sent two Secret Service agents along with them – the head of Ellie's detail, Ben Thompson and another young, unmarried agent who wanted to see the world – Chris Palmer. They were two of the best – highly trained snipers who'd gladly give their life for Eleanor's.

She glanced over at Curtis and watched his even breathing. She envied his gift for sleeping on airplanes, something she'd never mastered. She assumed it was something he'd developed during his childhood, on the many transatlantic flights his family took to the States to visit the Bartlets and the McGarrys. He'd grown into such a handsome and strong man, a far cry from the gangly, obnoxious twerp who, with David, had harassed her throughout childhood. She stifled a laugh, remembering in great detail the abuse she'd suffered at their adolescent hands. They'd even set fire to her closet once, attempting to smoke one of her father's cigars.

"What?" he asked with a sleepy grin, hearing the giggles she was trying to suppress.

"The closet," she admitted slyly, flipping a page in her folder.

"And you get onto me for telling old stories," he groaned, stretching out in the small seat and resting his hand casually on her leg.

"I wasn't telling an old story, I was remembering, there's a difference, Curt," she said with a loving smile.

"A technicality," he clarified, leaning in to kiss her gently.

"Do you think they'd be okay with this?" she asked curiously, laying her hand on top of his and intertwining their fingers.

"David and Marissa?" he asked. She nodded and he smiled. "I think they'd say it was meant to be," he continued.

"Do you miss her?"

"Every day of my life," he answered honestly; then leaned back in his seat. "The cancer took more than her life, Ellie, it took my soul right along with it." He shook his head and sighed. "I didn't think anyone else would ever fill that void."

"And now?" she asked curiously.

He grinned brightly and looked over at her, his blue eyes twinkling. "Now, Marissa's given me my very own angel here on Earth."

"Really?" she asked playfully. "Who?"

Curtis rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Funny."

"I try," she said dramatically.

Hours later, after introductions had been made and tours of the village and hospital facilities completed, Ellie collapsed onto the bed she'd be sharing with Curtis, exhausted, but happier than she'd been in years. This was going to be a good move for her, she was going to be making a difference in so many lives, and she'd be doing it with a man she'd already fallen head over heels in love with.

He was standing at the foot of the bed, scratching his head and contemplating how he'd quickly lost so much drawer space to her. "Women," she heard him mutter under his breath.

"You love it," she shot back sleepily.

"Well, I love you, so I guess I'll learn to love everything I own being crammed into one drawer," he griped, picking up two handfuls of socks and dumping them into a drawer.

"Curtis?" she asked quietly. He looked up at her, a goofy grin forming on his lips. She beckoned him with her finger and he crawled up on the bed, stretching his body over hers.

"Yes?" he replied, softly pressing kisses down her jaw line.

"Did you just say that you love me?" she asked with a grin.

"No, I think you heard me wrong," he teased, "I'd never say something corny and romantic like that." He trailed his lips down to the soft spot where her neck and shoulders met and Ellie moaned her approval.

Her fingers wound through his hair and she wrapped one of her legs around his. "No, I know what I heard, Doctor West," she answered, using her leverage on his leg to flip him onto his back. She straddled his legs and leaned down, teasing his lips with her tongue.

"So," he argued gently, his hands snaking under her tank top. "What if that's what I said?"

"Well," she said, lifting the hem of his t-shirt and kissing his flat stomach, "I guess I'd be forced to admit that I love you too."

"Well, damn, it's a good thing I didn't say that then," he answered, gently lifting her face to his. He sat up on the bed, cradling her in his arms and kissing her deeply. "I'd hate to be the one who forced you to admit something as horrible as that."

"Indeed," she said breathlessly as he pulled the tank top over her head and discarded it onto the floor.

"You are so beautiful," he marveled, caressing her bare skin with his fingertips. His feather-light touch was driving Ellie mad with desire and she began rocking lightly against his hips. He reached behind her head and removed the ponytail holder from her hair, causing waves of honey curls to spill over her shoulders. His hands were in her hair immediately, bringing her closer to him as they kissed.

She gently pulled away from him, her eyes dark with lust and love and leaned into his ear, whispering, "Make love to me."

Their bodies rocked together in graceful motion, one giving, one receiving; both enjoying the tempo of their lovemaking. He grasped her wrists over her and head and thrust deep into her womb, filling her completely.

"Josh!" Amy moaned, meeting each of his thrusts with one of her own.

"Amy," he countered, reaching between their bodies to caress her lightly, bringing her over the edge. She chanted his name over and over as the orgasm cascaded through her body. He followed her quickly, collapsing on top of her; then he kissed her deeply and rolled onto his side.

"Wow," she groaned. "I mean, wow."

"Yeah, that was pretty amazing," he answered, resting his arm on her bare stomach and pulling her close to him.

"Pretty amazing?" she asked, tilting her head back to kiss him. "I'm gonna think you're holding out on me, J."

"How 'bout I keep proving to you that I'm not?" he countered with a grin, eliciting a soft laugh from his new lover. "After all, I'm not quite as young as I used to be."

"You're young enough for me, J," she answered, patting his arm.

"I'm really tired," he admitted sheepishly. "You took a lot out of this old man."

"Will you have sex with me again if I let you take a nap?" she asked playfully.

"You better believe it," he answered sleepily. Just before he drifted off, he told her, "I'm falling in love with you Amy Gardner."

"Good," he heard her soft reply.

Curtis kissed Ellie's bare shoulder, and she sighed happily, intertwining their fingers and spooning closer to him under the white cotton sheet that covered their heated, naked bodies. The hot African sun had set hours ago, and an oil lamp cast a warm, rosy glow over the interior of the hut they shared. "Rosie?" he whispered against her ear.

"Mmm-hmm?" she answered quietly, examining their joined hands as she held them up in front of her.

"I love you."

She smiled and kissed the arm that cradled her beneath her chin. "I love you, too."

"Ellie?" he asked again.

"Yeah?"

She felt him take a deep breath and swallow hard. "Will you marry me?" he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion as he tightened his grip on her waist.

She could almost swear she heard David and Marissa celebrating – wherever they were. With that thought in her head, and realizing how much she did love him, Ellie answered, "Yes."

TBC....