Chapter 4:

To all that have reviewed, keep them coming, they spur me on!

Yes, two updates so quickly, I was inspired!

Currently on the West Wing: (voice of Claudia Jean)

The Bullpen:

Is it against the law to have sex in the White House? I mean, I've been stalked, shot, manhandled and head shrinked, all in the last three hours. Oh, did I mention that I also professed my undying love to my assistant?

So is schtupping said assistant (and love of my life), completely off the chart here? I mean, I think I'm kinda due here...

What! Come on?! Look at her, could you blame me?

Because honestly, I'm getting kinda jumpy and the release would actually feel realllllllllly good right now, cause I'm feeling very uncomfortable if you know what I mean...

Josh is looking at me funny again. Probably thinking about some post traumatic sex. He's practically drooling. Can he be any more obvious?

"Joshua!" I tell him as we're sitting in my cubicle. It's just after 1:30. I know what you're thinking because now you're staring at my knees then my breasts and you keep shifting. Poor baby. If you keep doing that it will only get worse... "Stop staring."

Great... Now, he's smiling at me suggestively. He's trying the "dimples" which are making me shake my head. Like that is going to work. If I'm not careful they might. Oh dear...

"Hey Josh, hey Donna." Margaret says walking into the bullpen still dressed in her black witch's costume. Behind her in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt is Ainsley. Both are nervous, Ainsley especially.

"We uh—broughtyousomeclothes." Ainsley says very quickly, blushing furiously.

Poor Ainsley, she so embarrassed.

"Thanks! That's so sweet!" I tell them. I glance at Josh and mouth "BE GOOD". He's been obnoxious since Stanely had the First Lady give us something to chill us out. I'm fine, but you know Joshua. Sensitive system isn't restricted to beer. Such is my life.

Now he's got nothing stopping that mouth.

Oh goodness, he's gonna speak. I shut my eyes wishing he'd just go to sleep.

"We went through your coat Donna and found your keys." Margaret says holding a bag that looks suspiciously like Josh's.

"Why do you have keys to Josh's apartment?" Ainsley asks us looking rather perplexed.

"You went to my apartment?" Josh whines. BACK IT DOWN BIG BOY. I say with my eyes.

"That was kind of the point Josh. You needed a change of clothes. If you haven't noticed," Margaret says a little frazzled herself, "th-there's blood on you both and quite frankly you're freaking me out."

Whatever Josh was going to say, he closed his mouth. Score one for the sisterhood.

I couldn't be more proud.

He rises off my desk and comes towards them. He opens the bag which has both our clothes in it. Oh no Josh, don't speak. For God's sake don't say anything. God I need to keep him away from people right now. Joshua Lyman, the big mouth, has arrived.

"Don't worry Josh, your top secret collection of cartoon boxer shorts will remain a secret for only you and Sam." Ainsley lets slip before her hand flies up to her face in absolute mortification.

Oh MY GOD! She's sleeping with Sam! That's so cute. Oh, Sam!

Right now the recognition of her admission is just dawning on Josh. OH God Josh don't you dare!

I grab his mouth to shut him up. He's stronger than I am and shouts. "I knew it!"

Ainsley runs out of the bullpen so fast that all she probably can hear is Josh's victory dance as he shouts "I knew it. Tell Sam I knew it! YEAH BABY!"

Josh, you are such an asshole. Margaret runs after her glaring menacingly at Josh and I can't blame her. You are such a jerk.

"What?" he asks looking at me. OH you are in so much trouble right now.

"You're traumatizing her after she did a good thing Josh. You need to apologize." I say so friggen mad that I am going to strangle him. "Are you insane? Have you lost the ability to be thankful?"

I'm shouting at him right now looking at the smug look on his face. He comes within a few inches of my face and gives me a full dimpled smile. It's the 'I am so da man' face.

That will not work this time Joshua. You are in sooooooooo much trouble here. "She's being nice. Now go out there and apologize." I say pointing in the direction of Sam's office.

Okay I'm in trouble here. The dimples have ceased to be effective. Donna's giving me a murderous look. I admit it, I was rude. I need to apologize, I really do. But I'm right. Sam's been holding out on me. And I feel really good about that fact right now.

Oh damn. She's giving me the pout. I can't withstand the pout.

CAN'T.LOOK.AT.THE.POUT... Her arms are crossed and she's pissed.

"Donna!" I whine. I don't wanna do it. All I wanna do is get you naked and fondle those incredible breasts and oh damn she's looking at me again...

"Joshua, go make nice." She orders. If I have to, you're coming with me.

Two agents follow us, discretely. Out of her fridge she grabs a muffin and places it in my other hand. I would have never thought of that. God I'm really lucky.

We reach Sam's office and she's sitting with her knees up in his chair crying. She's a pitiful sight and it's my fault. Donna's right. She's always right, except of course when I'm right, then I'm da man...

"Oh good lord! What could you possibly want? Haven't you done enough?" she cries turning away.

Okay Donna! She's poking my back right now. All right already.

Now I really feel bad. I'm getting the eyeball from Donna. I can feel it burning the back of my skull. "Ainsley, I'm sorry. Really." I'm giving her my best puppy eyes.

Shit, it doesn't work.

"I'm being an asshole. Trust me. My self control is pretty bad right now and...please, I'm sorry. Forgive me. I was a jerk." I hate it when women cry...

"Duly noted." She says sniffing. She's tired. I hadn't noticed that before. "Is that for me?"

"Yeah." I say handing her the muffin. I'm scoring points now. I am DA MAN again! I am the bulletproof MAN. Okay that went too far.

I smile at her giving the dimples a test drive. She smiles back and unwraps it.

I am so good.

Back at The Bullpen:

Josh won't let me walk ten feet from him and its not because he got shot. He's feeling really good right now.

Yes, people pharmaceuticals are a wonderful thing.

His face looks good under the circumstances and there shouldn't be any scarring, not that his fan club would care, they have faxed in their requests and expressed wishes for his speedy recovery...

"The Lyman Ho's of greater Toledo send their wishes and offer their services as nursing staff, sponge baths included and encouraged. UGH!!!!! And those "Addicted to the DCOS" (greater DC chapter) wish to tell you that if you need comforting in your time of pain and suffering that they have comprised a list, complete with glossies to help "ease you into ecstasy"." He's laughing now which makes me so mad, and this he knows. "You get off on that you sickie, don't you?"

He smirks. "I can't help it if the dimples do things to women." Yeah right... If anyone knew you like I did, they'd be running.

I roll my eyes. He smiles even bigger which causes him to grimace. Serves you right!

Take a swig from the cup Josh, down it all at once. I'm going to my desk praying that the night is almost over. I'm ready to wash this blood off and slip into crisp cool sheets and sleep, with Josh. Finally...

"DONNA!" he whines. How surprising. He's tired and I know that he's so close to either falling asleep, or doing something else rash--shouting at Ainsley, notwithstanding. I keep looking at my watch wondering when the secret service is going to tell him it's time to go.

They won't say anything because it's not their job, but I wish it all the same.

"Donnatella! May I see you in my office for a moment?" he asks suggestively. Guess his sensitive system after all isn't immune to the effects of the cup. His got the 'I wanna get some' look in his eye.

I smile in victory, he knows that the faxes have hit a nerve and now he wishes to prove his undying loyalty

Whatever it takes. Victory is mine, victory is mine, oh yeah baby, victory is mine. Maybe I'll actually get some... Josh Lyman luvin. YEAH BABY!

"Why Joshua? It's nearly three what could you possibly want at this hour?" I am coy and affronted by the unwanted and completely offensive faxes. That's it Joshua, come to me. I am soooooo good.

"I-"he begins pulling me into the office by the waist. His eyes are dark and I know that look... Over the last two years he's tried to hide it but its all to clear what it means.

"Ahem." A voice says from Josh's chair. BUSTED. OH GOD!

"Dr. Bartlett." He says clearing his throat and standing oh, so straight, like that will work...

"Good evening Joshua, and why pray tell are you still in this part of the White House?" she asks so smooth that I am in awe.

Wow, way to handle "da-man". She's giving Josh the eyeball and I know he's shaking in his shoes. No one messes with the First Lady.

I wonder covertly, hoping not to betray my amazement and relief, if she handles the leader of the free world like that? Best not to think of some things.

Oh my... Josh is stammering. I think this is a turning point. Wow, he's speechless. This is definitely a major thing.

At some point, I will inform the sisterhood of yet another victory of the prowess of men and we will celebrate.

"So that means that you and Donna will be going up to the residence now, since you obviously have nothing to do. Stanely has ordered no contact with any staff or press for at least two days, and that means rest. Now with that in mind, I know that I won't need to physically sedate you will I?"

"No ma'am." I hear us both say. Good. My eyes say thank you to Mrs. Bartlett and I am more than happy to go to the residence and watch her walking passed us then giving me a smile.

I cannot believe what I just saw. My Donna (and now I can proclaim to the roof tops that she is my own sweet Donnatella) is in cahoots with the First Lady. It's a conspiracy.

"I tried to tell you Josh. She's a force to be reckoned with." She says to me as I grab the bag that holds all our unmentionables. Man this is heavy.

"You're telling me! Hey, we need to do something, you know, nice for Margaret and Ainsley."

I can tell I have stunned her. Yes, I am admitting that a Republican did something nice for me. The earth can just swallow me whole now.

"Oh Josh." She croons. I am so da man right now. Maybe that will make up for the faxes, maybe not...

Our detail follows us, which right now consists of six men. Big men, men with guns. And tonight especially, this is a little detail I'm very thankful for.

"Donna?" I ask as we reach the bedroom. "There's only one bed."

"I can see that." She says equally stunned. This is definitely a conspiracy.

The suite is so beautiful. There is a large four poster bed, a fireplace with a fire in it. The bed linen have already turned down and the pillows are fluffed and a television and dvd player has been wheeled in and put adjacent to the gorgeous upholstered couch.

I, Donnatella Moss, am in heaven. And, did I mention that Joshua Lyman, the object of years of unrequited love, is closing the door with him inside?

Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus.

"Hey." He says to me sitting on the couch. He looks exhausted. The night is catching up on him. He's pale and shaky and I can also see that the meds are wearing off.

"Hey." I say to him sitting on the floor in front of him. "You need to shower, and then some sleep."

"Tell me something I don't know. You need to wash, you still have my blood all over you." He's worried now, I can tell.

Up to now, squeamish Josh has been very numb to the blood, but that's all done now. It's all rushing at him now--the sounds, the smells, the pain, the sight of the blood. Right now he needs to be led, and handled and I can do that for him.

"Take off this T-shirt." I say pulling it over his head as gently as I can.

He's so tired poor thing. I remove his watch, undo his shoes and remove his socks. He's really ready to drop. "Come on, let's get you cleaned up. Then it's my turn and we can sleep. I am so ready for sleep."

"Kay." He says, no banter just thankful eyes looking up at me in wonder. "I don't know what I'd have done if you got hurt."

"Sh. Not now, none of that now. Just wash Joshua. Here." I say handing him his favorite soap and putting his shaving kit in the bathroom. "I'll be close by. You just get cleaned up. And be careful of your face."

I kiss him softly on his lips and move to the aforementioned cheek, He smiles and yawns. Time for me to lay out our things and get Dr. Bartlett to give me some more pain pills.

"Stanely." I say as he walks into my office.

"Leo." He answers sitting down. It's been a long night and we are all very tired.

"How are they?" I ask looking to him for answers. I'm worried about Josh and he knows that.

"Good. I thought I'd see much worse but they're actually good. The next few days will be rough. They'll need some rest. Plus no press. I mean it. They're in the residence. I saw the First Lady reading them the riot act on the way over. They should rest."

"Did he remember anything?"

"No. But that's not surprising right now. He's still in shock." He tells me. "A couple of days from now he'll be remembering more. But I wouldn't push it. He knows about being shot Leo, he knows it wasn't flying glass."

Damn. I hoped he'd not have to deal with that.

"Don't worry he's okay. Donna helps. I'm happy they're together. It took them long enough."

"Yeah, helluva time to have that happen. The press will have a field day with it." I tell them.

"Spin it. Start with the first shooting, show how she brought him back. Leo, he's good for her and you know she's good for him. Don't let the media nightmare pull them apart." He tells me a little more animatedly then he wants. I know Stanely, I feel the same.

"We're already working that. CJ gave me a similar speech. Don't worry. Speaking of CJ, you might want to say hi, she's not doing as well as would have hoped."

"I noticed that too. Yeah, I'll stop by before going to the residence." He tells me.

"Margaret will get you anything you need." I tell him thanking him with a firm handshake.

"Leo?" he asks me. "Something to consider, the note that was faxed. It seemed kinda personal didn't it."

I hadn't considered that fact. But thinking about it I wonder, did someone give them personal information? Was there a connection? Oh damn, is there a leak...

"Margaret!" I shout and my beautifully dressed assistant is there, as always. "Get me Ron Butterfield, and then go home and sleep."

"I sleep when you do." She tells me. What a girl.

"Okay." I tell her. She's gonna do what she wants anyway. Whatever it takes...

Josh stepped out the hottest shower he'd ever taken to see his favorite Harvard T-shirt and boxers sitting on the counter. He was careful to not aggravate his face and looked in the mirror. He wasn't happy with the three steri-strips on his cheek and two on his ear but avoiding a bullet meant to kill him was something he was not going to complain about.

It felt good to be clean, he thought.

Donna was looking out the window into the darkness. The lights were off and it was deathly quiet. He padded over to her and touched her shoulder bringing her out of her thoughts.

"Your turn. The water is good. Come on." He said looking at her. She'd been crying again. "Sh." He told her pulling her into his arms.

He let her cry for a while. He stroked her hair and knew that she was so very tired. He walked her to the shower and sat her down on the toilet seat. He walked in with another T-shirt and shorts, and carried her vanilla scrub bath gel and shampoo, which he secretly thought had some sort of aphrodisiac in it because he always wanted her really badly after getting a whiff of it.

He turned the water back on and got it hot and kissed her forehead. "Wash up, when you're done we'll sleep. I'm beat." He told her standing her up. The tears spilled down her face again and he brushed them aside. "Don't be long."

She wasn't.

He sat on the couch watching the fire and waiting for her. He never thought that they'd actually take another shot at them. Staffers get threats, they'd been over that too many times before. But no one actually, except the once, tried it.

But the people that had done it knew things that most people didn't. The fact that he was a Jew, and the fact that him and Donna had a "thing".

Could it be someone who knew them? Someone in the West Wing? He tried not to think about that. It was too staggering to contemplate. Someone trusted tipping of fanatics. Aiding and abetting terrorists... That was what he thought of them as, terrorists.

"Josh?" she asked walking over to him.

"Yeah?" he asked standing next to her.

After a moment, seeing him so lost in thought she sighed. "It's nothing, let's go to sleep. I can't think straight any longer. Did you take the medicine I left out?"

"Yeah. Relax, we're safe." He told her smiling as best he could... For now.

"I'm sorry." She said looking at him as he sat her on the other side of the bed.

For what? "Is there anything you needed to be sorry for?" he asked her.

She shook her head no. "I didn't think so. Come here." He told her slipping into bed beside her. He remembered how she would stay with him during his first recovery, how she was always there when he would wake up trembling.

He pulled her into his arms and listened to her breathe, slow and even. His eyes closed and he felt the pull of sleep. With the secret service outside their door, they both rested.