Title: Confessions In the Lyman Light
Author: Angel Marie
Spoilers: Mostly up to present day; 5th season
Summary: Can a 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~"Prince of Passive Aggressive Behavior"
I will admit it could have been worse. Much worse if it hadn't been for CJ. Before she had talked to him, he was floating by my desk every 5 minutes giving me a random fact about himself. After, though. I had to practically worm my way into the topic.
"You know, Josh? I don't see what your problem is. I would be flattered to have guys gawking at me." His head shoots up so fast it's almost possible he may have caused his own whiplash.
"You talked to CJ?" He sighs as he finishes the more or less statement.
"She mentioned something about your conversation. Yes." He rubs his hand over his face before trailing it up through his hair. "And I still don't see the big deal."
"Of course you don't, Donna. You're a girl." I give him a hard stare. "Women." I set my notepad down and look at him intently.
"That has nothing to do with the fact that you're acting incredibly homophobic right now. And that shouldn't be the issue of this thing."
"I'm not homophobic." Again, I give him a hard stare. "Donna, I'm not. I know a lot of guys that are gay and it's never bothered me. I've supported it."
"Then why are you so weird about it now?"
"Because none of them were looking at me like that." I can't help but roll my eyes.
"How do you know they haven't been? As you like to tell me on a regular basis, you are an incredibly handsome man, Josh." I watch as he pulls out a file and starts to look it over.
"Donna, where's the International Trades Act information I asked for earlier?" His total lack at suave change in subject hasn't lapsed me. I'll get back to this.
"I gave it to Ryan this morning. He's been working on it. Why?"
"And have you been watching him?"
"Josh, he's a twenty something intern. He's a big boy. I think he learned how to do research in his high school or at least college years."
"I don't know. I just. . ." His drop off in words isn't uncommon when it comes to Ryan. I don't know why he dislikes him so much. He's really sweet. Maybe it's Josh's overly macho need to be the only guy with my attention. Maybe it's because Ryan is a lot like Josh was at that age; or so I'm told. Whatever it is, tempers flare—usually Josh's—when the two are around.
"Before I go, Mister Raymond called from Singles Magazine. He wanted to talk to you about some of the arrangements being put together for the interview. Should I call him back and patch it to you?" His face changes and I have to admit, I feel bad. What JC did was defiantly funny. But it really did put Josh's ego down a few more notches than usual. And we all know that's my job.
"Yeah. Yeah I'll talk to him."
"You're not afraid he might hit on you over the phone." I smile my adoring smile his way and he just shakes his head before closing the file and setting it to his side.
"No. No, I think I'm getting okay with it."
"Good." I turn and head out the door. I don't know if we should have a little more fun with Josh. But I just can feel things getting a little more interesting about this whole thing. I have a bad feeling it's going to be more so than we know.
* * *
So he just got off the phone with Rudolph Raymond from Singles Magazine. I don't know what was said but Josh has kept quiet about it since he got off the phone. It's not business. I know. But I just have to know what he talked about.
When he first called I got the impression things were not as smooth as would have been liked. That's to say, something's wrong. And if Josh knows something is wrong then that might be why he's not saying anything.
Is he cut from the list? Cause the word is out already and that's going to cause some problems. Was the interview moved to a time Josh knows isn't open? Cause I can rearrange his schedule to fit the guy in.
I can't just sit here and wonder about this. I have to kind out what I don't know. So I'm strolling casually into his office, placing a few folders I had on my desk down for him to look through. I keep myself busy, looking at some folders from his desk as I approach the subject.
"So what's going on with the interview?" I know he just looked up but then returns back to his stack. The stack I just added to, I might add.
"Ahh, they're going to need a free time to schedule a photo shoot. I'm going to need you to check my week." I stop dead in my tracks. I can't help it the initial shock has left me stunned.
I honestly don't know why I am. Josh is an amazingly gorgeous man for his age. No, I'm not saying I'm interested in him and that's why I've noticed. It's just hard not to when you work with the guy every day, for 16 hours, all year long. But the fact that he's doing a shoot for this thing is just really amazing to me.
"Umm, I think you have a free lunch in two days. Or you could schedule it on a Sunday. Those aren't usually that busy so I don't think it would make much of a difference." He nods and marks his signature on a few papers. He then hands me the folder with the papers and looks at me.
"Okay. Then call Raymond back and let him know the shoot can start sometime on Sunday, if that's okay." I take the note down quickly and nod at him. "And do me a favor." I look down at him and that wicked grin is back. "Tell CJ I can't help I'm so wickedly handsome that they need an excuse to take pictures of me."
"Well you changed your tune." He stands and swaggers towards the door as I follow.
"What can I say? My sex appeal knows no boundaries." I follow him through the hall toward Leo's office.
"Yeah, neither does your ego." He gives me a goofy grin before stopping at the door to the office.
"I want those numbers from the International Trades Act by the end of the day." I nod once again and watch as he hits his hand off of the door frame and enters, giving a greeting to Margaret before entering into Leo's office.
I think my break is over.
* * *
I wasn't wrong. Ever since I talked to him outside Leo's office, he's had that spirit back into him. And with the spirit comes the senseless Lyman trivia. Right now is no exception.
"Did you know I was the first person in Hoynes' committee to start organizing his presidential candidacy?" He's perched himself on the corner f my desk and is watching as I type up some memos he's put together through the day.
"No Josh, I didn't. I guess I really didn't know all that much about you." I can feel him leaning in closer to see the computer screen and it's really unnerving. "Do you mind?" He doesn't pull back but instead, continues to look over my typing. "Josh?"
"Hmm?"
"Stop it." He finally realizes that he's really close and pulls back.
"Senator Holms was the first person I ever got elected. And believe me when I tell you how hard that was." He just keeps rambling on like nothing else.
"Josh?"
"Yeah Donna?"
"Is there anything left for you to work on?" He stands up and picks something up off my desk and looks it over.
"No." I notice it's an old glass apple paper weight my sister gave me a few years back and I reach over to snatch it from his grasp.
"Then why aren't you headed home?"
"What time is it?"
"Josh, there are clocks on the wall. Clocks in multiple time zones, might I add. And yet you're still asking me what time it is?" And even after all that I watch as he checks his watch on his wrist.
"It's only nine o'clock, Donna."
"Josh?"
"Yeah."
"Your watch sucks. It's ten."
"Ten? No way. My watch may suck because it's a few minutes off but I don't think it's a whole hour off."
"Josh, it's ten."
"Says who?"
"Says the military who keep the clocks on the wall working. Says the official government that keeps a POTUS clock on the wall. Says everyone, Josh."
"Then how have I not noticed that I've been an hour behind? How do you explain that, Donna?" I stop typing and turn in my seat to look at him.
"Josh, you are not the most punctual person. And it's quite possible that I've had you an hour early, in your book, for the last week and it's actually been right on time."
"Why the last week?"
I can't help staring at him as if he just grew a second head. How can a person be so oblivious?
"Josh, last week was daylight savings time. You obviously didn't set your watch back." And then the thought hits me. "You haven't checked that crap watch for a week?"
"Well I guess not."
"You rely on me to direct you that much?"
"Yes?" I roll my eyes and swivel back into my space at the keyboard. "So what are you working on, anyway?"
"Those memos you need for tomorrow's senior staff meeting."
"How much more do you have to do?" I give him an odd look over my shoulder before turning back to the typing.
"This and then file away some of the files on your desk. Why?"
"Just curious." I realize he's looking over something else from my desk again.
"Josh, why aren't you going home?"
"I'm not tired." He wasn't even paying attention to me as he looks at the object intently.
"Well grab Toby and go for a beer." I notice his hip leaning against my desk and turn to look at him.
"Are you, Donnatella Moss. My assistant. My assistant that states I have a delicate system. The one that constantly refuses to let me drink because I end up at your apartment drunk."
"Get to the friggin' point, Josh."
"Are you suggesting I go out and get drunk with Toby?"
"No, I'm suggesting you go out and have a drink with Toby. I never said to get drunk." He grins devilishly at me and I know it's coming.
"But I have a delicate system."
"Josh?"
"Yeah."
"Shut up and go away." He stands up and moves the piece from my desk back into place. Or, what I can assume is where he thinks it was at before.
"I'll see you in the morning?" He asks it as if my answer's going to be no. Maybe it should be.
"No." He doesn't even notice. He walks right into his office and seconds later comes right back out.
"Did you say 'no'?" I won't even look up at him. He deserves this.
"Yes."
"And why won't I see you in the morning?"
"You will."
"Then why did you say 'no'?"
"Cause I can." He just shakes his head as he moves into his office and grabs his stuff. When he exits, he's looking at that stupid watch. "I'll see you at six." I hit a few keys as I address him.
"Josh." He pauses and turns toward me. "Your watch." He looks down, takes it off his wrist and tosses it my way. I turn in time to catch it and turn it so the arms are exactly as the clock's on the wall is. Why do I do what I do next? I don't know.
I totally bypass the time and move it to 6 am before I pick up the apple he'd been looking over a little while ago and smash it into the face of the watch. I then calmly replace the apple on my desk and toss the remains of the watch at him.
"Donna?"
"Yeah?"
"What'd you do that for?"
"So when you come in tomorrow I'll be here and your watch will say six o'clock."
"Donna?"
"Yeah."
"Will the clocks on the wall say six o'clock?"
"Will you check the wall?" I hit the enter key for the printer and turn to him, a bright smile on my face. He smiles back before shaking his head.
"Okay. Night Donna."
"Night Josh."
Maybe tomorrow he won't bother me with pop-Lyman-culture trivia. Maybe.
But I think him checking those clocks is going to happen first.
Author: Angel Marie
Spoilers: Mostly up to present day; 5th season
Summary: Can a 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~"Prince of Passive Aggressive Behavior"
I will admit it could have been worse. Much worse if it hadn't been for CJ. Before she had talked to him, he was floating by my desk every 5 minutes giving me a random fact about himself. After, though. I had to practically worm my way into the topic.
"You know, Josh? I don't see what your problem is. I would be flattered to have guys gawking at me." His head shoots up so fast it's almost possible he may have caused his own whiplash.
"You talked to CJ?" He sighs as he finishes the more or less statement.
"She mentioned something about your conversation. Yes." He rubs his hand over his face before trailing it up through his hair. "And I still don't see the big deal."
"Of course you don't, Donna. You're a girl." I give him a hard stare. "Women." I set my notepad down and look at him intently.
"That has nothing to do with the fact that you're acting incredibly homophobic right now. And that shouldn't be the issue of this thing."
"I'm not homophobic." Again, I give him a hard stare. "Donna, I'm not. I know a lot of guys that are gay and it's never bothered me. I've supported it."
"Then why are you so weird about it now?"
"Because none of them were looking at me like that." I can't help but roll my eyes.
"How do you know they haven't been? As you like to tell me on a regular basis, you are an incredibly handsome man, Josh." I watch as he pulls out a file and starts to look it over.
"Donna, where's the International Trades Act information I asked for earlier?" His total lack at suave change in subject hasn't lapsed me. I'll get back to this.
"I gave it to Ryan this morning. He's been working on it. Why?"
"And have you been watching him?"
"Josh, he's a twenty something intern. He's a big boy. I think he learned how to do research in his high school or at least college years."
"I don't know. I just. . ." His drop off in words isn't uncommon when it comes to Ryan. I don't know why he dislikes him so much. He's really sweet. Maybe it's Josh's overly macho need to be the only guy with my attention. Maybe it's because Ryan is a lot like Josh was at that age; or so I'm told. Whatever it is, tempers flare—usually Josh's—when the two are around.
"Before I go, Mister Raymond called from Singles Magazine. He wanted to talk to you about some of the arrangements being put together for the interview. Should I call him back and patch it to you?" His face changes and I have to admit, I feel bad. What JC did was defiantly funny. But it really did put Josh's ego down a few more notches than usual. And we all know that's my job.
"Yeah. Yeah I'll talk to him."
"You're not afraid he might hit on you over the phone." I smile my adoring smile his way and he just shakes his head before closing the file and setting it to his side.
"No. No, I think I'm getting okay with it."
"Good." I turn and head out the door. I don't know if we should have a little more fun with Josh. But I just can feel things getting a little more interesting about this whole thing. I have a bad feeling it's going to be more so than we know.
* * *
So he just got off the phone with Rudolph Raymond from Singles Magazine. I don't know what was said but Josh has kept quiet about it since he got off the phone. It's not business. I know. But I just have to know what he talked about.
When he first called I got the impression things were not as smooth as would have been liked. That's to say, something's wrong. And if Josh knows something is wrong then that might be why he's not saying anything.
Is he cut from the list? Cause the word is out already and that's going to cause some problems. Was the interview moved to a time Josh knows isn't open? Cause I can rearrange his schedule to fit the guy in.
I can't just sit here and wonder about this. I have to kind out what I don't know. So I'm strolling casually into his office, placing a few folders I had on my desk down for him to look through. I keep myself busy, looking at some folders from his desk as I approach the subject.
"So what's going on with the interview?" I know he just looked up but then returns back to his stack. The stack I just added to, I might add.
"Ahh, they're going to need a free time to schedule a photo shoot. I'm going to need you to check my week." I stop dead in my tracks. I can't help it the initial shock has left me stunned.
I honestly don't know why I am. Josh is an amazingly gorgeous man for his age. No, I'm not saying I'm interested in him and that's why I've noticed. It's just hard not to when you work with the guy every day, for 16 hours, all year long. But the fact that he's doing a shoot for this thing is just really amazing to me.
"Umm, I think you have a free lunch in two days. Or you could schedule it on a Sunday. Those aren't usually that busy so I don't think it would make much of a difference." He nods and marks his signature on a few papers. He then hands me the folder with the papers and looks at me.
"Okay. Then call Raymond back and let him know the shoot can start sometime on Sunday, if that's okay." I take the note down quickly and nod at him. "And do me a favor." I look down at him and that wicked grin is back. "Tell CJ I can't help I'm so wickedly handsome that they need an excuse to take pictures of me."
"Well you changed your tune." He stands and swaggers towards the door as I follow.
"What can I say? My sex appeal knows no boundaries." I follow him through the hall toward Leo's office.
"Yeah, neither does your ego." He gives me a goofy grin before stopping at the door to the office.
"I want those numbers from the International Trades Act by the end of the day." I nod once again and watch as he hits his hand off of the door frame and enters, giving a greeting to Margaret before entering into Leo's office.
I think my break is over.
* * *
I wasn't wrong. Ever since I talked to him outside Leo's office, he's had that spirit back into him. And with the spirit comes the senseless Lyman trivia. Right now is no exception.
"Did you know I was the first person in Hoynes' committee to start organizing his presidential candidacy?" He's perched himself on the corner f my desk and is watching as I type up some memos he's put together through the day.
"No Josh, I didn't. I guess I really didn't know all that much about you." I can feel him leaning in closer to see the computer screen and it's really unnerving. "Do you mind?" He doesn't pull back but instead, continues to look over my typing. "Josh?"
"Hmm?"
"Stop it." He finally realizes that he's really close and pulls back.
"Senator Holms was the first person I ever got elected. And believe me when I tell you how hard that was." He just keeps rambling on like nothing else.
"Josh?"
"Yeah Donna?"
"Is there anything left for you to work on?" He stands up and picks something up off my desk and looks it over.
"No." I notice it's an old glass apple paper weight my sister gave me a few years back and I reach over to snatch it from his grasp.
"Then why aren't you headed home?"
"What time is it?"
"Josh, there are clocks on the wall. Clocks in multiple time zones, might I add. And yet you're still asking me what time it is?" And even after all that I watch as he checks his watch on his wrist.
"It's only nine o'clock, Donna."
"Josh?"
"Yeah."
"Your watch sucks. It's ten."
"Ten? No way. My watch may suck because it's a few minutes off but I don't think it's a whole hour off."
"Josh, it's ten."
"Says who?"
"Says the military who keep the clocks on the wall working. Says the official government that keeps a POTUS clock on the wall. Says everyone, Josh."
"Then how have I not noticed that I've been an hour behind? How do you explain that, Donna?" I stop typing and turn in my seat to look at him.
"Josh, you are not the most punctual person. And it's quite possible that I've had you an hour early, in your book, for the last week and it's actually been right on time."
"Why the last week?"
I can't help staring at him as if he just grew a second head. How can a person be so oblivious?
"Josh, last week was daylight savings time. You obviously didn't set your watch back." And then the thought hits me. "You haven't checked that crap watch for a week?"
"Well I guess not."
"You rely on me to direct you that much?"
"Yes?" I roll my eyes and swivel back into my space at the keyboard. "So what are you working on, anyway?"
"Those memos you need for tomorrow's senior staff meeting."
"How much more do you have to do?" I give him an odd look over my shoulder before turning back to the typing.
"This and then file away some of the files on your desk. Why?"
"Just curious." I realize he's looking over something else from my desk again.
"Josh, why aren't you going home?"
"I'm not tired." He wasn't even paying attention to me as he looks at the object intently.
"Well grab Toby and go for a beer." I notice his hip leaning against my desk and turn to look at him.
"Are you, Donnatella Moss. My assistant. My assistant that states I have a delicate system. The one that constantly refuses to let me drink because I end up at your apartment drunk."
"Get to the friggin' point, Josh."
"Are you suggesting I go out and get drunk with Toby?"
"No, I'm suggesting you go out and have a drink with Toby. I never said to get drunk." He grins devilishly at me and I know it's coming.
"But I have a delicate system."
"Josh?"
"Yeah."
"Shut up and go away." He stands up and moves the piece from my desk back into place. Or, what I can assume is where he thinks it was at before.
"I'll see you in the morning?" He asks it as if my answer's going to be no. Maybe it should be.
"No." He doesn't even notice. He walks right into his office and seconds later comes right back out.
"Did you say 'no'?" I won't even look up at him. He deserves this.
"Yes."
"And why won't I see you in the morning?"
"You will."
"Then why did you say 'no'?"
"Cause I can." He just shakes his head as he moves into his office and grabs his stuff. When he exits, he's looking at that stupid watch. "I'll see you at six." I hit a few keys as I address him.
"Josh." He pauses and turns toward me. "Your watch." He looks down, takes it off his wrist and tosses it my way. I turn in time to catch it and turn it so the arms are exactly as the clock's on the wall is. Why do I do what I do next? I don't know.
I totally bypass the time and move it to 6 am before I pick up the apple he'd been looking over a little while ago and smash it into the face of the watch. I then calmly replace the apple on my desk and toss the remains of the watch at him.
"Donna?"
"Yeah?"
"What'd you do that for?"
"So when you come in tomorrow I'll be here and your watch will say six o'clock."
"Donna?"
"Yeah."
"Will the clocks on the wall say six o'clock?"
"Will you check the wall?" I hit the enter key for the printer and turn to him, a bright smile on my face. He smiles back before shaking his head.
"Okay. Night Donna."
"Night Josh."
Maybe tomorrow he won't bother me with pop-Lyman-culture trivia. Maybe.
But I think him checking those clocks is going to happen first.