None of your Business – Chapter 8

Disclaimer: I don't own them, never will. This fic is for self satisfaction only.

A/n: We're almost there! For those of you who read this far, thanks for your perseverance.

Chapter Summary: Josh and Donna see each other on her first day back.

"Toby," I say as I walk into Toby's office at 7:00AM.

"Josh, what are you doing here so early? Did your new assistant give you an extra early wake up call?"

I give him a nasty look, to let him know I'm not to be played with. "I'm here to talk about the foreign policy part of the state of the union; I think you're not being aggressive enough. I think instead of using the words 'friends in the middle east', you should use the words 'middle eastern counterparts'.

"What? That's absurd. Stick to your job and I'll stick to mine."

"Then you should rethink your wording."

"And if I don't?"

"I'll convince Leo I'm right and then he'll make you do it."

"We'll see."

Toby can be a hard-ass when he wants to be. The truth is I'm not really all that worried about the state of the union. I just needed an excuse to be in the communications area this morning. Although Donna broke my heart and I am trying to get over her, I'm insanely curious to see her. I miss her face, I miss everything about her. This past month seemed like an eternity. I know it's not good for me to be around her, but I just need to see her when she comes in, even if it's just to confirm the fact that she doesn't love me.

After a few quiet moments, I hear a ruckus outside Toby's office. Women are chattering happily, and some squeals of delight break through the chatter. Toby gets up and looks through the blinds to see what's happening.

"Donna's back."

I freeze at those words. I can't seem to get myself to move from the spot I am on. I desperately want to go to the window and get a peek at her, but I don't want to show Toby my real feelings.

"She looks good. She's moving well on the crutches."

She does? I always thought she looked good. Does this mean she looks better than usual? I can't stand it. I clear my throat and walk out of Toby's office.

The first person I see when I walk out is Donna. She's actually nearer than I thought she was. She looks gorgeous with a new hairstyle, and she looks happy. Her smile is genuine and bright. She flashes it at me and makes eye contact. I'm just standing there, like an idiot.

"Hi Josh!" She seems happy to see me. I can't stand it. My conclusion from that last day at the hospital comes back full force and I feel like hiding. She doesn't love me at all. I have no effect on her. She is smiling at me like I'm just anyone else from the office.

"Hi" is all I can manage as I walk away as fast as possible.

The day went by without confrontation. When I saw her figure from far away, I' would make myself scarce. I could tell it was her from her outline with the crutches. I also made a point of not going anywhere near the communications bullpen.

I told my new assistant, Lisa, that if she needed to ask Donna anything, that she should go over to her new desk, and never, under any circumstance, bring her in here. I told her that if she needed to, she should make sure I'm not here before she brings Donna over.

Lisa is fine. She's not Donna, but she'll do just fine. As an assistant, I mean. I don't yell at her like I did to Donna, and I try to treat her with respect. I figure if I can keep her for a while, I can prove that I am not the monster people think I am. Especially now that Donna's back, I can't confirm everyone's prediction that I would chase away my new assistant with my allegedly bad temper.

So the day is over and I head straight to the bar. I need to relax a bit before I go home tonight. (What I truly know is that I need to get drunk so I can fall asleep tonight, otherwise I'd stay up thinking about my encounter with Donna this morning.)

I am on my second beer when some republican jackass sits beside me and starts telling me President Bartlett is a puppet. I can tell he's pretty drunk too. He doesn't know who I am, and he thinks I'm agreeing with him until I just get up from my barstool and punch him straight in the face. He collapses, unconscious, and I contemplate the pain on my knuckle. That felt good.

Apparently he wasn't here alone, because a group of men I imagine to be his buddies gather around me, and I start to insult them by calling them sleazy republicans. The bouncers from the bar get in the mess, and all of a sudden I am being pushed outside the bar, only to find a policeman, ready to arrest me.

Let's see, who can I call? I can't call Donna. I can't call Lisa either. She's new and she doesn't need to lose respect for me so early in our working relationship.

"Hello",

"Toby, It's me, Josh"

"It's three o'clock in the morning, give me a break"

"I've been arrested. I'm in jail, now. You're my one phone call."

"I'm flattered. What did you do?"

"I got in a fight at the bar. Can you come bail me?"

"Give me a good reason to leave the comfort of my home at this ungodly hour."

"Uh..." I try, but I can't think of anything. "I'd do the same thing for you if you were ever in the same situation?"

"Lame"

"Toby, stop joking around! My call won't last for ever, you know?"

"I think a night in jail would do wonders for your inflated ego."

"Toby, I swear, If you don't come get me out of here, I'll do everything in my power to make your life a living hell."

"Fine. You owe me big time."

TBC