Chapter 3:

The Plot: ALL MINE!!! (muah ah ah)

The Characters: John Wells owns em the lucky bugger

The Banter: All Josh and Donna BABY

Rating: PG -13 but with a few foul words

Acknowledging the following:

Shanapens: I will try not to disappoint, because scantily clad Josh is the best kind of Josh, outside of course to the wet Josh and the randy Josh and well, you get the idea. I do honestly believe smut has to be coming, no pun intended that's if they don't keep getting interrupted.

Mcgirl: Thanks, I love Josh and Donna. The present course in the story line is frustrating and season six's spoilers are not encouraging. We need kissing and banter to start ASAP!

Yanks: I need to keep it up with the banter I mean, since some really serious stuff just happened it had to take a back seat. But with them, it can't stay that way for long.

grr-krissy-grrr: you need to email me asap with a better email...

And now, currently on the West Wing: (voice of Ron Butterfield)

It's happening again! AGAIN I tell you! I can't believe it. Josh was shot, again! I am the leader of the free world and I can't even stop a gunman in my own house! The only thing I can do is watch my wife patch up his wounds and take his blood pressure.

Leo stands next to me, trying to show his support but that nagging feeling I felt when Josh was shot the first time, and when Morris' plane got shot down makes me want to send out the Marines.

I watch as she lovingly strokes his hand, Donna I mean. I can tell she's ready to crumble, and my wife sees it too. She smiles and tries not to let it show that she knows that Josh is going to need more than the medical attention that my wife can provide.

He needs to get cleaned up, and to have a visit from Stanely Keyworth, but that I already know.

"Mr. President?" Leo asks me bringing me out of my thoughts. We almost lost Josh again, and Donna... What is the world coming to?

"Yeah Leo, what is it?" I ask compelled to watch my wife apply steri-strips to Josh's check and ear. The bullet's trajectory was arcing up and an inch to the right he would have been dead, two inches down his neck would have been history and six inches down and they would have both been dead.

I can't help to think what these two have been through working for me. Sometimes I don't feel it's worth it. Sometimes, looking at how they love this country, I do. It's just, well, humbling.

"When you're ready, Ron has an update." He tells me. I bet.

"Thanks" is all I can muster looking at my wife, grateful that they are alive.

He's doing remarkably well, given the circumstances. I smile and give him my best bedside manner, when in truth I'm surprised he's doing as well as he is. About twenty minutes after everything quieted down, the EMT's showed up. I could say that he reacted well, but I'd be lying, badly. He didn't.

But now, after I finally see him calm, I can tell you that Donnatella Moss should not only get a raise, but a medal.

The moment the EMT's arrived, he panicked. He saw them and tried to bolt off the couch. All the color drained from his face and he began to hyperventilate when they brought the stretcher and the back board. Two teams came towards us, one for the downed secret service agent, and one for Josh and Donna.

"Hell no!" he shouted as he tried to run out of the room. He was still weak and after hyperventilating the only place he was going was down.

Men are such children.

When you tell them to sit, they get up. Jed was the same way when he collapsed in the Oval, they think they're invincible. The thing is, I wasn't going to let Josh prove my theory.

Donna, holding his hands, spoke firmly, but with such love. "Joshua! She's not going to let them take you. Sit down. Look! You need to let them fix your cheek. Look at us. This is your blood, Josh. LOOK!"

I watched at him recognize what was marring their clothes and thought: Yes, Donna get him to listen, really, men are such children.

He blinked, looked at his hands—bloodied from his wounds, then at his shirt—spotted heavily with his blood, then at Donna's shirt and lastly her neck—his cheek imprints against her shoulder just for good measure.

Then I saw him turn a rather interesting shade of green. Recognition, what a fascinating concept.

Not many people know that the sight of blood tends to make Josh sick. We figured that out pretty quick. He sat back down and closed his eyes, and Donna put his head between his legs while the EMT's set up.

"Breathe Josh, close your eyes and breathe. That's it. In and out, slowly. You've got to let them clean off your face and hands. You know you're not going anywhere. The stretcher isn't for you. They won't take you anywhere. It's okay." She crooned rubbing his back.

He is entirely too lucky to have that woman at his side. After tonight, I think he might realize that, if he doesn't I'll just sic CJ and Sam on him, then Toby for the hell of it.

He sat up slowly and Donna nodded to the paramedics to start cleaning it off him. Their touch was so alien to him that he jumped grabbing onto her, but one touch from her put him at ease.

Children, I tell you, all of them.

That kind of love is rare these days. I envy their years ahead. But then again, this is

Josh, and realistically I kind of feel sorry for Donna, but not really.

"All right." He said as they began to work on his face and neck.

Right now his eyes are closed and they're washing the residual blood off his face. Next will be his arms and he's whining, so I know he'll be all right. I want to give them something, but Donna is giving me the eye. As if to say, don't, not now. Let him deal with this on his own.

She looks at me with such exhausted eyes. I wish I could sedate them both, but a note that Lily gives me tells me that someone may be on his way and for that I am so grateful.

Thank God.

12:30 am

The Oval Office

"We've got the shooter." I tell the President and Leo as we stand in the Oval office. Almost three hours have passed since the initial shots were fired. The look on their faces is one of relief and veiled rage.

It isn't surprising. I understand it. But I never say it aloud, even though one of my agents took two bullets in the back.

I am calm, that's my job—to remain calm; just as it's their job to stand in front of the bullet.

This in no way means I have to like it when it does happen.

"Was anyone else hit Ron?" the President asks me.

"Yes." I tell him through gritted teeth. "Jarrod Wilkins. He was protecting Ms. Moss. He went down after the first shot and took two in the back."

"How many?" was the next question.

"6 so far. We're still pulling slugs out of the wall. It was a high powered rifle. We got it and-"

"Please tell me we didn't train this lunatic." The President shouts. "So. Help. Me. God!"

"Thank you Ron." Leo tells me giving me a signal. I know when it's time to go. I've got a long night ahead of me."

"Thank you Mr. President." I tell him and discretely leave. From the hallway I can still hear him ranting. I am too, just internally. We all do what we have to, whatever it takes.

I got shot, again. I can't believe it. Again, and not because I'm dating my assistant, who just happens to be blue eyed, and Aryan in appearance.

It's because I'm a Jew.

First, it's because a black man was dating a white woman, but now it's because I'm a Jew. What's next?

Right now the Secret Service agents are standing guard on either side of the room. Ainsley, Margaret and CJ have mobilized and have gone away. God knows what they're doing. Donnatella, my love is sitting on the couch with me, and has been since she arrived.

I'm one lucky son of a bitch.

God, I almost lost her. I can't stop staring at her, touching her. Something inside me wants to make sure she's real. She's so beautiful, how come I never really saw that before?

Oh great she's giving me the look, "the stop fidgeting" look.

"Hey." I say touching her face. I get to do that now. No more inadvertent touches, or well, you know. That thing we do. I am allowed, that's right, I am da man!

Don't think we won't drink from that cup, now it's just more fun.

"Hey." My angel says to me. "Let them finish Josh."

Those rabid EMT's are taking my blood pressure again. You people should be relieved! I've got a friggen heart beat!

"I'm glad you weren't hurt." I say closing my eyes for a moment. Holding her hand is so good right now because my heart is slamming against my chest.

"I know." She says quietly. But she really doesn't know. I'm glad. No hell, I'm ecstatic. Not a scratch, there is a God. And he's a Democrat.

Oh great, how she's giving me "the I know what you're thinking" look.

"Joshua." She tells me. "Sit still." Okay I was wrong about the look. Oh great here comes the pout! Can't. Withstand. The. Pout.

No fair.

I give her the "but Mom" face. It doesn't work. Why is that?

Then she hits one out of the park. She smiles, a great big Joshua, you just won the election smile. "Joshua, we'll get through this. Whatever it takes."

And my life, at this point can only get better.

"Leo," the President asks me. "How soon can we get Stanely Keyworth here?" Good idea—Stanely would be really good right now.

"You're in luck. He's in Baltimore on a conference. Want me to call him?"

"Yeah. Make it happen. Send in CJ when you get a chance. I also need to have---Charlie!" he snaps. He's tired and frazzled. I need to get Debbie to call the Surgeon

General and get him to check on his blood pressure.

Charlie comes in quietly, as always never far from him. I see that CJ, Sam and Toby are hovering outside the Oval. I walk towards my office and sit at my desk.

I'm worrying about his MS. We don't need another night like the one when he had the flu. It's late and I'll bet he's not on his game right now. I gotta call Stanely now. But first I'll get Abbey. He needs to be calm and she's gonna help make that happen.

"Margaret? Where the hell is MARGARET!" I shout and Ginger comes in all nervous. Jeez I hate when I do that. It seems everyone is yelling tonight. What a night...

"She went to Josh's to get them something, well that isn't blood stained. Toby told me to sit at her desk in case you needed anything." She tells me. Good girl. No problem, I think as she looks at me. "Is there anything you need?"

Inside the Oval, I hear the President talking, loudly.

"Charlie, I need the number for Donna's parents. I don't want them hearing about this on CNN. LEO!" he bellows from his desk. Oh, this is gonna be one of those nights...

I pop my head inside, Ginger right behind me. "Yes, Mr. President?"

"Call Josh's mother will ya? I don't want the Miami Herald telling her that her son was shot."

Debbie is escorting the Surgeon General in with Abbey right on his heals. God I love it when we all think alike. She's just as worried as I am. She gives me a look, one I know well and walks back to her desk. It's now 1:30 am. So much for an early night.

Back in the residence, Josh sat on the couch he'd been sitting in since the mayhem of the shooting had died down. All that remained of the paramedics were gauze pads and bandages on the table. Donna sat by him and sighed. They had been through something bad, again.

She held his hands, and sat silent watching his hands shake. He didn't like it when others knew of his weaknesses. He was trying to be his smug self, but she knew him better.

Outside of the two room chamber, everyone waited. CJ, Toby, Sam, Zoey and Cathy were all pacing like expectant parents when they saw the First Lady and her detail come towards them. She knew what they were dying to ask.

"Hello everyone. He's fine physically. His blood pressure is a little higher than I'd like but Donna's presence is helping."

"Can we see them?" CJ asked everyone's eyes pleading with her.

"I'd wait." She ordered looking towards the man being escorted towards them. She sighed when she saw Stanley. "Stanely, thank God."

"Good evening Dr. Bartlett. How is he? They told me he was hit. How's Donna?" he asked as everyone gasped.

Everyone assumed it was flying glass. The hallway was littered with glass. No one thought it was a bullet, except for Toby who's heart was in his stomach since they carried him in kicking and screaming.

"Grazed him, to think any closer he'd of been dead, both of them actually. I haven't told him it was a bullet, but Donna suspects."

"How does he look?" Stanely asked in observer mode.

"Scared to death, how do you expect him to look? Christ Stanely."

"Alright. I'll be in there. How is everyone else? You all holding up okay?" he asked looking to CJ first; he noticed her twitch slightly and made a mental note that she'd need to talk to someone from his office anyway.

'Shook up' was the vibe he got but he knew that they'd all be okay. But Josh, he wouldn't bet the farm just yet. A relapse was very possible so he waited until he could tell for himself.

"Stanely, it's good to have you here." Dr Bartlett said relieved.

"I'm here as long as you need me." He told them as the agents opened the door. He put his coat and briefcase down on the chair by the door and walked across the large room to the smaller one guarded by agents.

I see them sitting together. That's good. He needs her right now. He looks good but looks are always deceiving.

"Hey guys." I say as I walk towards them slowly. He's definitely hiding his fear, but Donna sees right through it. He's wanting to be strong for her. Good, it will give him something to do other than worry and think about what could have happened.

"Hey Stanely." Josh says trying to get up. His voice is cracking, and from what I have been told, these are the first real words he utters besides those he spoke while hysterical.

I stop him. He doesn't need to get up.

"Hey Josh, hey Donna. Busy night?" I say looking at their body language—it's very intimate.

"Yeah." Donna snorts.

She is sitting next to him, Josh's arms around her and she's leaning against his chest with her back up against him. He completely surrounds her. His body is saying 'I'm here to protect you.' Her knees are touching his, a blanket is on her lap covering what I can only assume is the lower part of her costume. She still has his bloody handprint on her neck, and her shirt has the tell tale stains of his injury. What I notice is that they are very tactile, and completely unaware of it.

"What happened?" I ask. I can see that this question has many possible answers and I don't expect a direct answer. Sarcasm, Josh's favorite defense mechanism is what he'll use.

Then he surprises me. "We got shot at again."

I can tell Donna is angry, rage is swelling in her. She hears the fear in his voice just as I do and is furious. I notice he begins to look away for a few seconds and she begins to stroke his arm. This calms them both and I continue.

"But before that." I need to know what Leo didn't brief me on.

They both hesitate, as if bringing it up would harm them again. "It's okay, it's over and you're both safe here."

"We got death threats earlier in the week." Josh says in a small and quiet voice, his tone is resonant of Christmas two years ago, devoid of emotion.

"We?" I ask not expecting that. They were both threatened? But why? Interesting.

"It was the same bastards that shot him the first time. This time they wanted to kill..." Donna started but began crying before she could finish the sentence. She was shaking and suppressing a mixture of anxiety and rage.

Josh pulls her closer and kisses her cheek and rests his chin on the top of her head. I can tell that Donna is closer to a breakdown than Josh, but I'm hoping that talking to each of them will avoid that.

"Donna? Take a deep breath now, you're safe, tell me who was the target?" I say as she looks at me with wide frightened eyes. Josh is stroking her hand and looking away, not wanting me to see what he's thinking, but I already know.

"M-me." She whispered before her eyes watered up again. "We both were but I was supposed to die first."

"It was white supremacists, the same ones from Rosslyn." Josh volunteered stroking Donna's arm. They compliment each other so completely. I am amazed it took them so long to finally admit their feelings to each other.

I know this because I know Josh. He is so at ease now, even under the circumstances. Only because he has her at his side, is he so calm. I relieved at this because I need them to address why and when, then how so they can face it.

"What did you do?" I ask adjusting my position in the chair.

"Besides get all pissed and freak out? Not much. It's kind of hard when they threaten to kill me, but Donna. I was mad as hell." He say holding her hand and playing with her fingers. He isn't looking at me. He doesn't want me to see the fear still in his eyes. That's typical Josh, avoiding what he thinks will make him look weak.

There's more to tell. But I can wait.

"So, how did you find out?" I ask. Donna's face drains of all color. This is the second time I have seen her do that. The first time was at Christmas when Josh had his breakdown.

"I was in the bathroom and looked at my fax machine. There was a paper in it, it said that it wasn't his anniversary and they don't forget. But what we didn't find out till later was that they had a code inside what they wrote, besides knowing where we lived they said She dies first." She says speaking quickly and nervously as she says the words aloud. I see them both tense up. Josh is clenching h is fist and his jaw is set in a hard line.

He's angry, very angry in fact.

"Stanely they called her a Jew loving bitch. Can you believe that?" Josh tells me while Donna shakes a bit. I hate to see her like that, she's a strong woman. "How could they? They don't know us. They can't know us."

"Then what?" I see what he's getting at. Intimate knowledge of them, that's what he's wondering. How could they know them? Whomever threatened them had to have information of an intimate nature. This I file away for later. I will tell Josh but not tonight. He's too raw.

"They gave us a detail." Josh tells me, but I can see he's thinking otherwise. He's thinking what I am. Who knew them well enough to use that kind of threat?

Stanely is making us go there. I don't want to. But I know it's for the best. Donna is shivering in my arms and I'm so friggen pissed about that I want to explode. It's someone who knows us.

"They gave us a detail." A lot of good they fucken did. I got shot again.

"You don't like that." He tells me. Yeah no kidding. No one likes a bulls eye painted on their back.

"Not really, but if it kept them from hurting Donna I could care less." And that is mostly true. I'd keep her locked away forever if it meant her safety.

"What about you?" he asks. Now I'm getting the 'don't give me bullshit look.'

"I hated it. I didn't want it, they reminded me too much of before." I say.

Back it off Stanely.

But he won't. That's now what he does. Bastard. I hate this. I begin to fidget. Donna senses my tension and looks up at me. God how I love her blue eyes. I smile at her and its all okay. Now Stanely can ask me anything. I have my Donna so its all okay.

"You're alive and that's what counts." He tells me. Yeah, tell that to the other agent who's at GW plugged up like I was. WAHOO for me. "Leo said you had an episode earlier." He asks me calmly.

No I didn't.

"If you call going ballistic because I didn't know if Donna had a bullet in her head an episode, then yeah, I had an episode."

I feel Donna tense up in my arms. Oh no, this can't be good.

"You don't remember afterward?" he says to me raising his eyebrow.

OH shit what did I do? Shit. Shit. Shit. This can't be good.

"No." I mutter. Donna feels stiff like she knows something and its bad.

"You don't remember being wrestled to the ground by four Secret Service Agents, or Leo trying to talk to you?"

I'm shaking my head no.

"How about when the President sat and tried to talk to you?" he asks me. NOT GOOD.

I keep shaking my head. "No. Only Donna, my Donna."

"Okay. Relax Josh, didn't hurt anyone." Relief--let me tell you, it's a beautiful thing.

"Stanely, can I ask you a question?" I ask. I'm gonna regret asking this but here it goes. "Did the bullet hit me? I felt the hot stinging pain and I can't seem to get the smell out of my nose. And I have that taste in my mouth again."

"Yes, it was the bullet. It's the gun powder and adrenline. Those two are very powerful things for your senses to have to deal with. You and Donna are very lucky." He tells me. You aren't kidding.

"I know. You have no idea." I squeeze her and she sighs. She's realizing that it's almost over. Just a few more minutes...

Then he nails us good.

"So, you and Donna?" he says to us smiling.

My face is hot right now because Stanely just said the words 'so you and Donna?'. Confirmation time, time to say, yeah I'm dating my boss. There goes the administration...

I can feel Josh's heart beat fast and strong and I know he's trying to control himself. "Yeah, two plus two equals a bushel of potatoes?" he says.

We all laugh knowing what that means. He smiles and blinks, I can tell he's happy for us. So am I for that matter. No more well, you know... I can feel things without having to hide.

"I'm going to recommend for at least the next few days that you and Donna have as little outside interference as possible. No work and absolutely no press. You need to stay together, you're stronger that way." You bet your ass we are Stanely.

"Kay." Josh says not have the least problem with that. Truth be told, neither am I.

"A good shower and a mild tranquilizer will help that panic you're feeling. I'll be staying in the residence until you are both released. Josh, how's the face, and that ear looks a bit angry, you sure you don't wanna get that looked at?"

"Nah, I'm gonna be fine." He tells him. I think, yup he's gonna be just fine.

"I'm glad you two finally woke up. It's nice. You look like you fit. That's good. Dr. Bartlett is going to give you both something mild and something for the pain Josh, no driving, no cart wheels. Got it?"

He's too funny. I can't help but smile.

"I'll see you both tomorrow afternoon. By the way, there are some people outside that are very worried about you."

Aw! Stanely you're so nice. God, he's so nice. Josh is so lucky.

"Yeah." Josh says but not before checking with me. He can feel I'm needing some quiet first. Can you blame me? Since the whole thing started we haven't been alone. "Give us a minute."

"Sure. I'll be in the residence tonight if you need me. Good night." He says leaving.

"Thanks Stanely." Josh says shaking his hand.

I am so glad that's over. I watch as he closes the door and we are finally alone.

"Hey." I say to Josh who has been quiet for over a minute. "Whatcha thinking?"

He turns me to face him and I can see him on the verge of crying. It's been a crazy night. Oh, baby don't fall apart now.

"I thought you were dead." is all he says to me and I fall apart again. "I saw you go limp and I thought, oh God that's it, I'm done. She's gone and there's nothing left now. I'm gonna die..."

Oh Jesus! Oh Josh, no, don't think that baby... I'm kissing his forehead. Stay calm baby we're all right.

But I can't because I remember too.

"I saw the blood and thought that you were dead too. I think I passed out. I..." Oh damn, I wasn't going to do this.

"I saw them dragging you and it was so fucken bad Donna. I couldn't stand it. I blew. Totally blew."

"Didn't know your own strength huh?" I laugh, crying like a five year old, taking a baby sip from the cup.

"Very funny." He smirks tracing his thumb against my cheek. "Are you okay now?"

"I am now. Where's your cape superman?" I ask him. I couldn't resist his lips on mine and well you know, how could you resist those dimples... I'm gonna kiss him again. Then he says something that blows my image of a romantic post I'm gonna get killed scene.

"In the closet with my tights." He replies biting my lower lip. Good lord, big swig baby!

His forehead is against mine and we laugh, a healthy relieved laugh, which makes me feel better. "You are so bad Josh, but I love you despite that fact."

"Despite it?" he chides. That's right, work that nerve why don't you? I just said I love you and you go fishing for compliments? Go figure.

"Because of it." I remind him. "By the way, let me tell you, you've got great reflexes for a man of you age."

That did it, the smirk is replaced by a hand on my ass slapping it. OW! But hey, I kind of deserved that.

The door opens and I can't stand one more second. "We've got to see him Stanely." I demand looking at the ATVA therapist gravely.

"Sam, give them some time." He says looking at his watch. "10 minutes. They need to talk alone for a few minutes. Then you can go in but not for too long and send Dr. Bartlett to see me."

Looking at CJ who's changed into her clothes to do the briefing I notice she's shaking still. I remember when I pulled her down after Rosslyn and how she shook then too. MSNBC and CNN were already reporting the shooting and we had to get this nailed and quick.

Leo and the President are walking towards us with the First Lady holding her black bag. We greet him and he says to us looking tired, "I want to see them, before you all, if that's all right." I can't believe he's asking permission, talk about humbling. Wow.

None of us are going to argue with the President of the United States. But it's nice to be asked all the same.

The doors remain open and while we wait seeing the First Lady and Stanely chat, no doubt about Josh. God I hope he's okay. Donna looked so stunned when she came in. It's all so shocking.

We can see and hear everything that's going on. And from the looks of everyone in the room, we can all feel better now. It's all going to be just fine. Josh is smiling. Thank God!

"Hey kids. How you holding up?" We hear the President ask. As if he has to ask.

By this time we had moved into the big room still watching them from across it. I can see CJ inching towards them like a magnet. She's as anxious as I am

"We're sorry to screw up the party." Donna blurts out. She's kinda jumpy. Can you blame her?

"Nah! It was getting kind of lame anyway. Hey listen, you're gonna stay in the residence for the next few days." He tells them as he sits next to them in one of the chairs.

This is not a request.

Josh interjects which of course is pointless at this point because the President has made his mind up. "That's not necessary. We can go back to the office then home. CJ's gonna need our help."

"And risk the wrath of the First Lady, no way?" The President says laughing. "We'll get you set up in one of the guest suites."

Donna blushes because she just realized that the President is giving them his blessing.

THANK GOD. My two best friends are needing a break.

"Good night you two. I'm glad you're safe." He says and kisses them on the foreheads like his own children.

As he passes he smiles, the way a father smiles when his children please him. I never get tired of working and being around this man. Can you blame me?

"GET A ROOM." I hear CJ say and laugh so hard my eyes tear. Thank God for the sisterhood.

Josh gets up and drags me with him. Hugging everyone hard and kissing everyone, including Toby, Josh does something I will remember till I die, he smiles, a grateful thankful smile.

"How you feeling?" Toby asks him as he gets a slap on the shoulder and a good hug.

"Not bad. How you feeling?" he retorts.

"Grayer than usual." He replies. Good ole Toby. I kiss his cheek despite his sarcasm.

"Jeez it's a party now!" Josh says feeling better than he has in hours.

Everyone laughs loudly at that but I need to remind them. "Don't encourage him." I say but that makes everyone laugh harder. "I mean it, next he'll think he's bulletproof."

More laughter.

I guess we're a weird bunch.