Title: Confessions In the Lyman Light
Author: Angel Marie
Spoilers: Mostly up to present day; 5th season
Summary: Can I news day be so slow as to make Josh Lyman the center stage? And what makes him so special right now. (Hint, it's not a secret plan to fight inflation.)
Disclaimer: They are not mine. They belong to Aaron Sorkin, John Wells, the Warner Brothers Corp, NBC, etc. etc.
Author's Note: Each chapter is written in a Point of View (POV) from one person, per chapter. They will then change as the chapters change. Confused? Good. P.S., Don't hunt me down. (that's probably not a good way to start a story, huh?)
Part: 1~ "It Helps Not to Know Him."
So this is stupid. Of all the things I should be working on Wednesday morning in the White House, this defiantly shouldn't be one of them. No news day could possibly be this slow.
I've been considering taking my case to Leo. Show him the slip of paper Carol handed me at 7 o'clock this morning and beg him to do something.
Yes, I said bed. That's how desperate I am about NOT doing this.
I seriously think Leo should advise the President to start... well, something. Make something an issue so as to keep me busy with press briefings. The press' hungry growls would be a comfort about now. They would be a piece of cake.
I've called Carol in here 5 times now, asking if this is a joke. Every time she's assured me of its authenticity. My God this isn't happening.
"Carol!" She reluctantly immerges from her desk. I can tell she thinks I'm going to ask again.
"Yes ma'am?"
"Can you get Donna for me?"
"Yes ma'am. Is this about—"
"Yeah, Carol. Because there's no other business for the White House Press Secretary but this right now and I want to make sure there isn't a misunderstanding."
"CJ, why is this so unbelievable? Josh has—"
"I know. It's just going to make things more difficult for some of us here."
"I think it's great that—"
"Carol." I know I've interrupted her 3 times now but I just don't want to hear it again. She stops and looks at me expectantly. "Donna?" She nods before exiting the doorway. I glance at my blank note pad as I wait for her arrival. The fact that this is all crazy has yet to laps my mind.
I look up at the knock on my door and see Donna's head peaking in. I wave her in. "Close the door, please Donna." She smiles slightly at me as she does so and takes a seat across from me.
"What's up, CJ?" I hand the note to her before answering.
"Do you know what this is about?" She seems to show some sign of recognition and gave a weak half smile.
"Yeah." She pauses to take a deep breath. "Yeah, CJ, I do. And it's all my fault."
"What?" I can't help but show my surprise in my voice. "Donna, you of all people should have known better."
"I know CJ. I know and there isn't a day I don't regret more than that one. It's just; he charmed me and everything he said..."
"You do know we are all in for a long ride over this, don't you?"
"I know." Poor Donna seems stressed as she answers but even more so when she crosses her arms to lay on the edge of my desk and lays her head down on them. "I know," came again in a miserable, muffled tone. I have to reflexively jump back when her head shoots up to look at me. "What can I do? I feel terrible about all of this."
I'll admit I want to throw something at her. But of all of us, she is the one that is going to get the worst wind.
"I don't think there is anything anyone can do. We're all locked into it. I guess the best thing to do is ride the storm out." I watch as Donna nodded once with a solace look.
"Is there anything else, CJ?"
"No, no, you can go." She gets up and moves to the door and as she opens it, I have a thought. "Donna." She pauses and looks at me. "When'd it happen?"
"A week ago. I swear CJ, I thought it would be harmless. Not this." I swear I never would have been able to say that as calm as Donna just has. And in that, I know she means it.
"It's okay. Thanks" I stare for a moment and don't pay attention as my door closes. My day's about to suck.
* * *
Why do I answer out of reflex? Most people I know would ask, "Who's there?" before granting entry. Nope. My reflexive response to a knock is, "Come in." Man do I need to rethink my response.
"So did you hear?" The look on his face is of pure bliss. And I'm almost positive it has nothing to do with the event as much as the boasting. He has practically floated into my office from our adjacent door and dropped to lie on his side on my couch.
"I changed my mind. Get out." I move my attention back to my work and don't have to look up to see the smirk I know is on his face.
"I knew that girl talk thing would work to my advantage one day."
"Yeah, because one possible positive is going to abolish all that other negative girl talk that's been circulating for years."
"Ah yes. But now it's going to be well known that I, Joshua Lyman, am a man of many talents." Spare me.
"Josh?"
"Yeah CJ?"
"Get out." He laughs lightly and I know well enough he's not going anywhere anytime soon.
"So what do you know?"
"Besides you're an elitist, Harvard, fascist, Yankee jackass? I don't know Josh, but I'm sure you're about to tell me."
"You bet your feminista, Berkley ass I am." From my peripheral vision I can see him sit up and lean onto his knees.
"Did Donna tell you the best part?"
"Josh." God he's on my last nerve. I take off my glasses and use my index and thumb to rub over my eyes once and pinch my nose. "Donna didn't tell me anything."
"But I thought she was the one to tell you—"
"I knew, Josh. The minute I walked in here this morning Carol handed me a note that said about it."
"Wow. It made your paper load?"
"Yes Josh, it really is that slow a day."
"Wow." Geeze, here it goes.
"Yeah, I know. Now get out."
"CJ, do you know what this means?" If there were a God in heaven, he would send a bolt of lightning to my office right now and hit this man in front of me. Or at the very least; me.
"That the world has gone to hell so far that the only thing I can fill my lid with is a complimentary Josh Lyman story?"
"Wow, CJ. I'm not gonna let you in on that scary visual you just gave me with that wording."
"Get out."
"Is it that bad?"
"Get out." He stands up and circles my chair.
"Is it that bad to let the world know that I am a great political leader and one of the sexiest bachelors alive?"
"I swear to God, Josh. You're about to be one of the sexiest bachelors dead in about five seconds—"
"Do you know you just called me sexy right there?" My head shoots up and I see his smirk clearly as I yell at him, "Get out!" His work is done; he smiles and takes a bow before exiting the door he entered through.
I tried so hard to get through this day without seeing him. Come to think of it, I thought I'd locked that door.
"Carol!" She enters only with half her body.
"Yes, CJ?"
"I gave you that key after I locked that door, didn't I?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Then how come Josh just opened it?"
"Well, Josh told me he needed it. I didn't know that..."
"He was going to open the door. Okay, thanks." That little egotist just had to gloat. I scan my desk and find a small book and chuck it at the wall next to me. When nothing happens, I look and find my glasses case and repeat the gesture. After a minute, the adjacent door opens.
"I swear CJ, if you have one of Toby's rubber balls I'm forming a coalition with Sam and Will."
"For what, 'rubber balls' rights'? Besides, they're both not here. Now sit your ass down."
"But you just kicked my out." All I have to do is look at him and he sits. Men really are trained like dogs.
"First things first, what are you getting my key from Carol for?"
"Well I knew it would be locked."
"Second, what the hell do you plan on telling them?"
"CJ, the guy is coming tomorrow to ask me a few questions about the people I've worked with, how I've helped their political stance, and how I got these adorable dimples." I can't help but roll my eyes.
"How did he get this interview cleared without going through me first?"
"The guy came by and introduced himself to Donna. He apparently was very charming and she didn't realize she was agreeing to the interview until it was too late. It's harmless CJ; an uncontroversial interview. Wouldn't you enjoy a few more of those?"
"Josh?"
"Yeah?"
"Get out." We meet eyes and he smiles at me. I watch as he pulls himself up from the seat and walks backward to the door.
"My dimples are adorable, CJ. You can't deny that."
"No Josh, I really can't. Nor can those diluted, medicated fans you love adoring you."
"You see, CJ. We are back to this. Just because you're jealous of my fan clubs doesn't mean they're medicated or diluted."
"I can't help it, Josh. The thought of two thousand people finding me irresistible—"
"'People'? You said 'people'."
"—just doesn't do it for me like it does for you." I finish and look over at him. He's leaning his back against the door molding, hands behind him.
"You said people just there." I can't help but get a happy over this opportunity.
"Yes Josh, I did. And if you think it's only hormonal women drooling over their keyboards at talk and pictures of you then you really are more naive than I thought." His blank pause is enough for my delightment but when I see him open his mouth, I can't help but feel a tingle.
"Hey CJ, you don't think this reporter guy is going to ask anything about my appearance, do you? I mean, he might ask. . ." His baffle is the sweetest thing. This is my prize. My hell day has been paid in full.
"Josh, with those adorable dimples you're so proud of, I'm almost certain he's going to want to hold a photo shoot." His face falls. My God, this is euphoric. His head turns to the side into his office and he shouts, "Donna!" before pulling the door closed again. There was no part of that that wasn't fun.
* * *
It's the strangest thing and in the last six years, I've learned to just walk with it when it happens. I was just getting coffee when Donna walked up to me.
"What did you say to him?"
"Who, Josh?"
"Yes. He's paranoid about this reporter and keeps changing the topic. I just want in on it so it lasts longer." Ah, yes. If anyone would know my motives, it would indeed be Donna.
"I mentioned that it's more than crazy women that drool over him and now he thinks the male reporter is going to be ogling him during the interview."
"CJ, that's ingenious."
"Well you know, Donna. I didn't get this job for my looks."
"I always believed that but now I have proof to back up my theory." And just like that, she turns a corner and is gone. That's how it goes in the White House. But before my solace can sink in, Toby has now made himself my wing man.
"Why the hell were you briefing the press on Josh's number one spot in 'Single's Magazine's Top Fifty Successful Bachelors of the Year' this morning? Is that a breach in national security or just a cause for mass alarm?"
"I don't know, Toby. Personally I'd like to think both."
"CJ." Hs voice has risen as it's prone to do.
"I don't know, Toby. But what am I supposed to do? It's a slow news day and I brief what I'm brought."
"You brief what you're brought?"
"Yes."
"CJ?" We both pause in our steps.
"Yeah?"
"Leave the alliteration to me." And before I have a chance, he's already heading in the opposite direction. What crazy things these walk and talk meetings are. It's as if they know exactly when my coffee needs a fill. I enter back into my office with a shake of my head and swing the door closed with a light push.
* * * * *
So, how's that for a first chapter. I've written before but this is my first (and possibly only) West wing story. (Some of you may think that a blessing.)
Feedback is much loved, ingested, and used as nourishment.
Author: Angel Marie
Spoilers: Mostly up to present day; 5th season
Summary: Can I news day be so slow as to make Josh Lyman the center stage? And what makes him so special right now. (Hint, it's not a secret plan to fight inflation.)
Disclaimer: They are not mine. They belong to Aaron Sorkin, John Wells, the Warner Brothers Corp, NBC, etc. etc.
Author's Note: Each chapter is written in a Point of View (POV) from one person, per chapter. They will then change as the chapters change. Confused? Good. P.S., Don't hunt me down. (that's probably not a good way to start a story, huh?)
Part: 1~ "It Helps Not to Know Him."
So this is stupid. Of all the things I should be working on Wednesday morning in the White House, this defiantly shouldn't be one of them. No news day could possibly be this slow.
I've been considering taking my case to Leo. Show him the slip of paper Carol handed me at 7 o'clock this morning and beg him to do something.
Yes, I said bed. That's how desperate I am about NOT doing this.
I seriously think Leo should advise the President to start... well, something. Make something an issue so as to keep me busy with press briefings. The press' hungry growls would be a comfort about now. They would be a piece of cake.
I've called Carol in here 5 times now, asking if this is a joke. Every time she's assured me of its authenticity. My God this isn't happening.
"Carol!" She reluctantly immerges from her desk. I can tell she thinks I'm going to ask again.
"Yes ma'am?"
"Can you get Donna for me?"
"Yes ma'am. Is this about—"
"Yeah, Carol. Because there's no other business for the White House Press Secretary but this right now and I want to make sure there isn't a misunderstanding."
"CJ, why is this so unbelievable? Josh has—"
"I know. It's just going to make things more difficult for some of us here."
"I think it's great that—"
"Carol." I know I've interrupted her 3 times now but I just don't want to hear it again. She stops and looks at me expectantly. "Donna?" She nods before exiting the doorway. I glance at my blank note pad as I wait for her arrival. The fact that this is all crazy has yet to laps my mind.
I look up at the knock on my door and see Donna's head peaking in. I wave her in. "Close the door, please Donna." She smiles slightly at me as she does so and takes a seat across from me.
"What's up, CJ?" I hand the note to her before answering.
"Do you know what this is about?" She seems to show some sign of recognition and gave a weak half smile.
"Yeah." She pauses to take a deep breath. "Yeah, CJ, I do. And it's all my fault."
"What?" I can't help but show my surprise in my voice. "Donna, you of all people should have known better."
"I know CJ. I know and there isn't a day I don't regret more than that one. It's just; he charmed me and everything he said..."
"You do know we are all in for a long ride over this, don't you?"
"I know." Poor Donna seems stressed as she answers but even more so when she crosses her arms to lay on the edge of my desk and lays her head down on them. "I know," came again in a miserable, muffled tone. I have to reflexively jump back when her head shoots up to look at me. "What can I do? I feel terrible about all of this."
I'll admit I want to throw something at her. But of all of us, she is the one that is going to get the worst wind.
"I don't think there is anything anyone can do. We're all locked into it. I guess the best thing to do is ride the storm out." I watch as Donna nodded once with a solace look.
"Is there anything else, CJ?"
"No, no, you can go." She gets up and moves to the door and as she opens it, I have a thought. "Donna." She pauses and looks at me. "When'd it happen?"
"A week ago. I swear CJ, I thought it would be harmless. Not this." I swear I never would have been able to say that as calm as Donna just has. And in that, I know she means it.
"It's okay. Thanks" I stare for a moment and don't pay attention as my door closes. My day's about to suck.
* * *
Why do I answer out of reflex? Most people I know would ask, "Who's there?" before granting entry. Nope. My reflexive response to a knock is, "Come in." Man do I need to rethink my response.
"So did you hear?" The look on his face is of pure bliss. And I'm almost positive it has nothing to do with the event as much as the boasting. He has practically floated into my office from our adjacent door and dropped to lie on his side on my couch.
"I changed my mind. Get out." I move my attention back to my work and don't have to look up to see the smirk I know is on his face.
"I knew that girl talk thing would work to my advantage one day."
"Yeah, because one possible positive is going to abolish all that other negative girl talk that's been circulating for years."
"Ah yes. But now it's going to be well known that I, Joshua Lyman, am a man of many talents." Spare me.
"Josh?"
"Yeah CJ?"
"Get out." He laughs lightly and I know well enough he's not going anywhere anytime soon.
"So what do you know?"
"Besides you're an elitist, Harvard, fascist, Yankee jackass? I don't know Josh, but I'm sure you're about to tell me."
"You bet your feminista, Berkley ass I am." From my peripheral vision I can see him sit up and lean onto his knees.
"Did Donna tell you the best part?"
"Josh." God he's on my last nerve. I take off my glasses and use my index and thumb to rub over my eyes once and pinch my nose. "Donna didn't tell me anything."
"But I thought she was the one to tell you—"
"I knew, Josh. The minute I walked in here this morning Carol handed me a note that said about it."
"Wow. It made your paper load?"
"Yes Josh, it really is that slow a day."
"Wow." Geeze, here it goes.
"Yeah, I know. Now get out."
"CJ, do you know what this means?" If there were a God in heaven, he would send a bolt of lightning to my office right now and hit this man in front of me. Or at the very least; me.
"That the world has gone to hell so far that the only thing I can fill my lid with is a complimentary Josh Lyman story?"
"Wow, CJ. I'm not gonna let you in on that scary visual you just gave me with that wording."
"Get out."
"Is it that bad?"
"Get out." He stands up and circles my chair.
"Is it that bad to let the world know that I am a great political leader and one of the sexiest bachelors alive?"
"I swear to God, Josh. You're about to be one of the sexiest bachelors dead in about five seconds—"
"Do you know you just called me sexy right there?" My head shoots up and I see his smirk clearly as I yell at him, "Get out!" His work is done; he smiles and takes a bow before exiting the door he entered through.
I tried so hard to get through this day without seeing him. Come to think of it, I thought I'd locked that door.
"Carol!" She enters only with half her body.
"Yes, CJ?"
"I gave you that key after I locked that door, didn't I?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Then how come Josh just opened it?"
"Well, Josh told me he needed it. I didn't know that..."
"He was going to open the door. Okay, thanks." That little egotist just had to gloat. I scan my desk and find a small book and chuck it at the wall next to me. When nothing happens, I look and find my glasses case and repeat the gesture. After a minute, the adjacent door opens.
"I swear CJ, if you have one of Toby's rubber balls I'm forming a coalition with Sam and Will."
"For what, 'rubber balls' rights'? Besides, they're both not here. Now sit your ass down."
"But you just kicked my out." All I have to do is look at him and he sits. Men really are trained like dogs.
"First things first, what are you getting my key from Carol for?"
"Well I knew it would be locked."
"Second, what the hell do you plan on telling them?"
"CJ, the guy is coming tomorrow to ask me a few questions about the people I've worked with, how I've helped their political stance, and how I got these adorable dimples." I can't help but roll my eyes.
"How did he get this interview cleared without going through me first?"
"The guy came by and introduced himself to Donna. He apparently was very charming and she didn't realize she was agreeing to the interview until it was too late. It's harmless CJ; an uncontroversial interview. Wouldn't you enjoy a few more of those?"
"Josh?"
"Yeah?"
"Get out." We meet eyes and he smiles at me. I watch as he pulls himself up from the seat and walks backward to the door.
"My dimples are adorable, CJ. You can't deny that."
"No Josh, I really can't. Nor can those diluted, medicated fans you love adoring you."
"You see, CJ. We are back to this. Just because you're jealous of my fan clubs doesn't mean they're medicated or diluted."
"I can't help it, Josh. The thought of two thousand people finding me irresistible—"
"'People'? You said 'people'."
"—just doesn't do it for me like it does for you." I finish and look over at him. He's leaning his back against the door molding, hands behind him.
"You said people just there." I can't help but get a happy over this opportunity.
"Yes Josh, I did. And if you think it's only hormonal women drooling over their keyboards at talk and pictures of you then you really are more naive than I thought." His blank pause is enough for my delightment but when I see him open his mouth, I can't help but feel a tingle.
"Hey CJ, you don't think this reporter guy is going to ask anything about my appearance, do you? I mean, he might ask. . ." His baffle is the sweetest thing. This is my prize. My hell day has been paid in full.
"Josh, with those adorable dimples you're so proud of, I'm almost certain he's going to want to hold a photo shoot." His face falls. My God, this is euphoric. His head turns to the side into his office and he shouts, "Donna!" before pulling the door closed again. There was no part of that that wasn't fun.
* * *
It's the strangest thing and in the last six years, I've learned to just walk with it when it happens. I was just getting coffee when Donna walked up to me.
"What did you say to him?"
"Who, Josh?"
"Yes. He's paranoid about this reporter and keeps changing the topic. I just want in on it so it lasts longer." Ah, yes. If anyone would know my motives, it would indeed be Donna.
"I mentioned that it's more than crazy women that drool over him and now he thinks the male reporter is going to be ogling him during the interview."
"CJ, that's ingenious."
"Well you know, Donna. I didn't get this job for my looks."
"I always believed that but now I have proof to back up my theory." And just like that, she turns a corner and is gone. That's how it goes in the White House. But before my solace can sink in, Toby has now made himself my wing man.
"Why the hell were you briefing the press on Josh's number one spot in 'Single's Magazine's Top Fifty Successful Bachelors of the Year' this morning? Is that a breach in national security or just a cause for mass alarm?"
"I don't know, Toby. Personally I'd like to think both."
"CJ." Hs voice has risen as it's prone to do.
"I don't know, Toby. But what am I supposed to do? It's a slow news day and I brief what I'm brought."
"You brief what you're brought?"
"Yes."
"CJ?" We both pause in our steps.
"Yeah?"
"Leave the alliteration to me." And before I have a chance, he's already heading in the opposite direction. What crazy things these walk and talk meetings are. It's as if they know exactly when my coffee needs a fill. I enter back into my office with a shake of my head and swing the door closed with a light push.
* * * * *
So, how's that for a first chapter. I've written before but this is my first (and possibly only) West wing story. (Some of you may think that a blessing.)
Feedback is much loved, ingested, and used as nourishment.