Apologies to my beta reader Lexi for posting before your response. But I really needed to get this up here. If you noticed anything, let me know and I'll repost.
Wow, I've been bad about updating. Sorry everybody. I've got some excuses.
School started. But luckily I have a study for now and can write during school. Happy!
Versipellis is a lazy bum.
Yeah, I think number 2 is the best answer there. Anyway, I felt so bad that I'm starting typing this at 7:30 on a weekday night. That's right; I'm missing the West Wing. Don't you feel loved? But I refuse to miss tomorrow. I want to see Josh yell at the Capitol Building.
Anyway, here's the chapter.
CHAPTER 7
Brandy was like a hyperactive hamster, Fiona decided as she watched her roommate bound up the street toward the White House. Brandy was staying with Fiona for the long weekend and they were going on the White House tour today. Though Fiona really didn't give a rat's ass about the building's history and architecture, she was hoping maybe to see CJ while they were there.
Half an hour later Fiona's mind was drifting as the tour guide explained what was so fascinating about yet another staircase. Brandy listened intently next to her. Both were jerked back to reality by a voice calling Fiona's name.
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Josh felt like shit. Ever since they'd gotten back from California he'd been having nightmares. He'd be sitting at his desk and Sam would come in, all mangled and bloody. Sam wouldn't speak; he'd just stand over Josh, staring accusingly. Then Josh would hear his voice inside his head. "You should've died." He'd say, "Not me." Josh knew that the real Sam wouldn't have said anything like that but that didn't make the words any less painful. Last night Josh had decided that he just wouldn't sleep. It was a pretty good plan except for the fact that he was now sleep-deprived and had a caffeine headache.
He had spoken with President Fryer and apologized for his behavior. He felt sorry about insulting the man, but not for yelling. Fryer didn't know that though. He'd accepted the apology but things were still pretty cool between them.
He walked down the stairs and passed a tour group. Then he backtracked. Was that...?
"Fiona?" he called into the group.
The whole group turned around. Fiona's eyes lit up in recognition. The girl next to her's jaw dropped.
"What are you doing here?" Josh asked.
"I'm here for the summer." Fiona replied. "This is my roommate Brandy. Brandy, this is Josh Lyman."
She really didn't need to tell Brandy who he was. Brandy followed politicians like movie stars and Josh was her James Dean. Fiona suppressed a smirk as Brandy almost fell over herself, shaking Josh's hand.
The tour guide hesitantly cleared her throat. "Sorry." Josh said, "I'm just going to take these two."
The group continued to the next staircase. "Come up to my office." Josh said.
Fiona nudged Brandy along as they crossed into the west wing. She was a little worried that her roommate might faint. They got to Josh's office and sat down. He sat behind his desk, elbow on the top and chin on his fist. Now that she was looking at him carefully, Fiona thought he looked a lot worse than he had last time she saw him. Obviously he wasn't clinging to life under hundreds of pounds of rubble but he had dark circles under his eyes and a dazed look about him.
"So," he said, "What's happening? What brings you down here?"
"I'm interning at the Washington Post." Fiona said, "Brandy came down to stay with me for the weekend so we decided to take the tour."
"Did you like it?"
"Loved it." Fiona lied.
Josh gave her his famous smirk. "How?"
Brandy was still goggling at Josh. He smiled at her. "First time in Washington?" he asked.
"Y-yeah."
"Did you go to all the monuments?"
"N-no. I just got here y-yesterday."
"And you're staying until when?"
"Tuesday."
"Hmm." He frowned at Fiona. "Do you still write for your school's paper?"
"Yes. They call me the White House correspondent."
Josh laughed. "The President is giving a speech on Tuesday morning for the ACLU. I have a few extra tickets if you'd like to come."
Brandy managed to wait until they were in a cab home to faint.
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Willa sighed. She really hated that Donna woman. She acted like she was soooooo cool, being Deputy Chief of Staff. Well, Willa knew that she had never been Sister of the Year in any sororities. Willa had been for all her years at college. So there!
She knew that Donna used to have this job. Mr. Lyman always talked about her, telling Willa how she had done everything and telling little boring anecdotes that he seemed to find hysterical. But Willa knew she was a better assistant. She brought him coffee, called him "Mr. Lyman" and never talked back. He liked her better, she was certain of it.
Maybe she could get him to fire Donna. It wasn't like he needed a deputy. Not with the whole staff working for him. Yeah, she'd make him choose between Willa, his ever-present, hardworking, good-tempered assistant, and Donna, his snarky, sarcastic deputy who didn't do anything but bitch at Willa all day. Yeah, Donna was going down!
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These were good seats. Fiona and Brandy sat down at a table a few feet from the podium with Josh, CJ, and a few other members of the White House staff. The man sitting on CJ's other side caught Fiona's eye. He didn't look much older than her and he had a geeky sort of charm. When Josh and CJ introduced them all, she found out his name was David Calloway. He sort of ducked his head at her and she felt a blush inching up her face. Normally Brandy would have giggled and teased her relentlessly all night but she was too busy staring awestruck at everything around her, especially Josh.
The speech lasted about fifteen minutes. Fiona didn't understand a lot of what was said but the others nodded approvingly, even Brandy. When it was over Josh shook his head in amazement.
"Is it just me," he whispered to CJ, "or did that sound like something Toby would write?"
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There was a reception afterward with breakfast food on long tables. One basket was full of corn and blueberry muffins. Fiona was reaching for the last corn muffin when somebody took it.
It was David Calloway. "I'm sorry," he said, holding it out, "You were going for this, weren't you?"
"You can have it."
"No, no, I'll have a blueberry."
"If you're sure..."
"I am." He picked up a blueberry muffin and took a giant bite. "My favorite."
She smiled and took a small bite of hers. He scooped some home fries onto a plate and they sat down.
The conversation turned toward education. David, being a former teacher, had a lot of input. Fiona turned to agree with him about teacher strikes and stared in horror.
"What happened to your face?"
David's face and neck were covered in hives. "I'm allergic to fruit." He admitted.
"Why'd you eat it then?" Gary demanded.
"I didn't want to take the last corn muffin. Is my throat swelling?"
"I'll bring you to the hospital." Fiona said, "Brandy, can you get a cab to the airport?"
"I'll bring her." Josh offered. Brandy choked on her food.
"I'm so sorry," Fiona said to David, "It's my fault."
"No, it's because my deputy's an idiot." Gary grumbled.
Josh and CJ exchanged looks. Fiona stood up and David, wheezing, followed her out the door.
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Yeah, a long wait for a not-so-great chapter. Sorry about that. I'll try to get the next one up quicker. Only three more left!
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Queen C – WHAT DO YOU MEAN ANGEL'S BEEN CANCELLED???? Aw man! Anyway, I'm not positive that it's the last season but there's a very very good chance that it is. I know I'm probably going to be stoned to death for saying this, but that might not necessarily be a horribly bad thing. I absolutely love this show and will be heartbroken when it's no longer on, but without Sorkin there's no way to recreate the first few seasons. Shadow of Two Gunmen; Somebody's Going to Emergency, Somebody's Going to Jail, Noel. There's just no returning to that. There's still potential for some great things to happen (Get Sam back here and hook up Josh and Donna already!) but I don't think they could ever surpass the second season. I'm sorry you came in so late though. That really sucks.
Sarah H. – Good tears or bad? : ) Thank you very much. I'll do my best. I'm going to glow for the rest of the day for having my work called "amazing".
Lexi Lyman – Man, I took nearly as long as you to update. Yeah, I guess I forgot to change the name the second time. I'll have to fix that. (You notice how I say I'll do these things and never get around to it? I'm kind of like that in my home life too. Yeah, I'll get around to that math homework...)
Bartlegg – You're right, this season wasn't the best but it is fun to watch them again. I'm not looking forward to that one with Hoynes though. As much as I love CJ and wish she were my aunt (or best friend, either works) the thought of her and Hoynes, ewwww.
Demonicamazon – I couldn't get to the link you gave me so I went on Google and I think I found it. John Goodman's coming back? Cool. I wasn't all that fond of his character at the beginning of the season but that episode when they go to the dead President's funeral and he comes in with his dog, I dunno, that scene at least kind of grew on me. And I'm glad you liked the chapter. : )
Shadowesque13 – I loved designing his room. I was in a room in the place we were staying when I wrote this chapter and I kind of used that and pictured what Sam would have on the walls there. I figure living in Orange County his room was probably much bigger and nicer than the one I was in but oh well. And what you said about CJ telling them, I didn't incorporate that into any of the chapters but I may have to do that in chapter 8. I dunno, I just assumed that she already told them but I probably should have something in there, shouldn't I?
Laurie Beth – That one was your favorite? Thanks. (smiles goofily) I really have to add in more to the subplot about CJ. Hmm......
WhiteCamillia – If this was a real episode that would mean they killed off Sam. I would be writing in scary, threatening letters to bring him back instead of writing fan fiction. I think Josh is one of the best characters I've ever seen in anything. He's just so complex. Not to mention that fact that Bradley Whitford is an incredible actor. Sorry about taking so long to update. I promise the next one will be sooner.
Kursk – J/D isn't going to be a central point to this story, but who am I to argue with canon? There will be a mention of it later, though none of the story line will focus on it. I'm glad you liked the chapter and thank you.