Title: Friendships
Author: Willow
Summary: Sam and Zoey visit Washington.
Spoilers/Episode: Set in an a/u starting after season 5, Memorial Day. This chapter takes place four weeks after Chapter 3.
Characters: Ensemble, Sam and Zoey.
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: JWP, NBC and others own these characters, I'm just borrowing them.
Part III
At 8.30 that evening, Josh was standing in the doorway to Donna's bedroom, impatiently watching her apply her make-up. "I could have got a cab," she told him.
"I was passing. Are you almost ready?" Josh asked.
"This is why I hate it when you pick me up."
"We're meeting the others at 9," Josh sighed and looked at his watch.
Donna smiled; he was like a little boy, all excited because his best friend was coming for a visit. "You could have met him at the airport."
"Toby wanted to," Josh replied. "Hurry up."
"You want me to look my best don't you?" Donna asked.
"I don't care," Josh replied and Donna fixed him with a questioning look. "You always look great," he quickly backtracked. "Can we go?"
"You're such a gent, Josh. It's hard to see why you don't have a girlfriend." Donna stood up and collected her purse. "Come on then."
"Crutches," Josh ordered.
"I don't need them."
"The doctor said....."
"They spoil my outfit," Donna joked.
"Donna!"
"Yes," she sighed.
Josh followed Donna down the stairs, resisting the urge to hold onto her and make sure she didn't fall, although in truth she seemed to have 'climbing stairs with crutches', down to a fine art. Not to mention the fact that she'd probably hit him with a crutch if he did start to fuss.
"By the way," he said. "You do look great."
"Thank you," she beamed.
...............................................................................
An hour later they were sitting with CJ, Mallory, Zoey and Charlie, in a specially cordoned off area of Luigi's restaurant, waiting for Sam and Toby. "Stop fidgeting," CJ told Josh. When he looked at his watch again she noticed something she'd never realized before. "Why do you wear your watch on your right wrist?"
"What?" Josh asked.
"You're right handed, so you should wear your watch on your left wrist."
"What difference does it make?"
"It's strange."
"It's almost 9.30," Josh complained.
"They'll be here," CJ sighed.
"He's excited," Donna smiled.
"He's annoying," CJ replied. "They're here," she said. "Now you can stop whining"
"Where have you been?" Josh asked Toby.
"Sam had to have his clearance checked before he could come over to this part of the restaurant," Toby replied.
"Sorry, my fault," Zoey told them and stood up to hug Sam.
"Hey," Sam grinned as he hugged the first daughter. "Toby said you were coming,"
Zoey pulled away and studied Sam for a second, deciding that 18 months away from the White House had done him good. "Nice hair," she admired his new short haircut.
"Thanks." Sam looked round at the group sat at the table and smiled. "You all look starving."
"We are," Josh replied. He stood up and hugged Sam. "It's good to see you."
"It's good to be here, I missed you," Sam told Josh before looking at the rest of the table, "all of you. Let's get some food," he said as he sat down between Josh and Toby.
...............................................................................
"You know that wasn't entirely me," Sam was telling CJ.
"That's not what the papers said," CJ replied. "Former Deputy Communications Director Sam Seaborn saves small business from giant corporation, or something like that."
"Chilhursts were in the right, but it's a small family firm and they thought they had no chance against Littlewoods," Sam shrugged. "What can I say?"
"You won," Josh said, "In fact you took them to the cleaners."
"Yes, thank God," Sam agreed, "otherwise I think we may have gone under with Chilhursts."
"So now your firm's the champion of the little guy," Zoey said. "You're a local hero and yet you're leaving."
"He's in love," CJ grinned. "Where is she anyway?"
"She's taken some kids from her old school on a camping trip," Sam replied. "Her and three other teachers, apparently it's a goodbye celebration treat."
"They've gone camping to celebrate?" Josh asked.
"She's from Connecticut," Sam told at Josh, "She's a little strange."
"She'd have to be, she's dating you," Josh smiled.
Sam just grinned. "I thought Will was coming?"
"Unfortunately he couldn't make it," Toby said.
"You could try and sound more sincere," CJ scolded.
"Why?" Toby asked.
"I like Will," Zoey told them. "And so does Mal," she smiled.
"I just said he was funny," Mallory protested.
"I'd agree with that," Toby said.
"Humor, not strange," Mallory replied.
"You were excited because he was coming," Zoey grinned at her friend.
"Little crush?" Josh asked Mallory.
"No," she insisted.
"Big crush?" Sam asked.
"It's amazing how quickly you two fall back into sync," Mallory told Sam and Josh, who looked at each other and grinned.
...................................................................................
By the time they'd finished their starters, the conversation had turned to politics and the midterms. Toby was asking Josh about Pearson. "Leo's warned me off," Josh smiled ruefully.
"Good," Toby replied. "I hope you're going to listen to him."
"Who's Pearson?" Sam asked.
"He's running in Idaho against Carrick," Toby supplied.
Sam turned to Josh, "You really don't want a piece of that," he told him.
"Yeah, he's right," Donna agreed. "Leave it alone."
Josh looked around the table. "Anyone else?" he asked.
"Leave it," Charlie told him.
"It's not worth the fight," CJ added.
"My dad would kill you," Mallory agreed.
"And mine," Zoey joined in with a grin.
"I know, I know," Josh laughed and held up his hands in mock surrender.
"We're just looking out for you," Sam said as the main course arrived.
Part 4......