When Lighting Strikes Twice
Rating: PG-13 to be safe
Couples: J/D
Category: Angst, Drama, Romance
Summary: This wasn't suppose to happen. You didn't bury people who were young enough to be your child. That wasn't how life was supposed to work. However, fate seemed to be out to get them all.Disclaimers: These characters aren't mine (god knows I wish that they were) they belong to Aaron Sorkin etc.
Author's Notes: This is my first fanfic so tell me if you like it. This takes place in the second term of the administration, but since it is an AU Sam is still at the White House, and will is not. Major Major Angst Alert!! You may want lots of tissues. I even had a hard time writing it. Please read and review. Your comments will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you to all those who have reviewed this so far your comments mean so much I hope that you all continue to enjoy the story.
Chapter 5
The Night things did go bump
November 15
1:30 AM
They had all got into the awaiting limo and had then been dropped off at their appoint areas. As Toby had said Sam was dropped off at his apartment while CJ and Toby were dropped off with her. They entered into the apartment and as she had predicted there was an overwhelming feeling of Josh. She took a deep breath and walked in. CJ took the coats they had and then they all sat down, Donna on the couch next to Toby, while CJ took a big armchair.
"So, Sam will be here soon. We'll all eat and then you have to get some sleep. Always we all have strict orders from the President, First Lady, and Leo that you are not allowed to go into the West Wing tomorrow. They said that even if went you won't be allowed in so the recommend that you don't even try."
CJ said it all in one breath like she didn't want say, but knew she had to. Donna nodded to show that she understood just as Sam entered. The meal was uneventful and only lasted about 10 minutes. No one really talked, which was good. She didn't think that she would be able to have a pleasant conversation. Right she was using all her strength so that she wouldn't break down again. They finished eating and Toby said that Donna should get some rest. She went to the main bedroom and closed the door.
She laid down and looked at the clock. 1:45 Josh had been dead for nearly 4 hours. She felt the tears slip down her face. It had only been 4 hours and yet it felt like an eternity had gone by. How was she going to survive if this was what it was going to be like when even a minute seemed to last longer than a year. However, that question was to remain unanswered until at least morning for exhaustion was now beginning to set in.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
It was awful. She saw Josh, saw his attacker start to pull out the gun. She knew what was going to happen now, and she had to prevent it. She screamed at the top of her lungs for Josh to move, to get out of the way, there was a gun. However, Josh remained motionless, not seeming to hear or see her. She did everything she could to try to get his attention, but her efforts were in vain as she watched helplessly as the gun was fired. She saw the bullets hit him, and watch as he fell to the ground the look of recognition flash in his eyes and, then saw it replaced with a look of pure terror. He mouthed 'help me' and then his eyes fluttered shut. The world then seemed to open up to her as she ran to him. She dropped to her knees and took his head and placed it on her lap. She smoothed his hair telling him he would be fine all the while as she was yelling for help. However, help seemed to not be possible, on one can to help her or even stopped to look at her. Everyone was completely ignoring her. Even their friend wouldn't stop as they passed by one by one. She watched as the blood grew into a bigger puddle around Josh and his skin started to pale. His breath started to become labored. She looked around for help one last time and saw who was it? It was Josh's grandfather, she recognized him from the picture Josh had in his office. He came up to her and she asked for help one last time, but he only shook his head and knelt down besides her.
"It's time for him to come with me."
"No, please no. Don't take him with you please. I need him. We all need him. Don't. Not now it isn't his turn yet."
The only response was the shaking of the head 'no'. Once again she was forced to deal with the death of Josh as his labored breaths stopped all together. She watched, as he died this time. Living through the experience that she had been spared once, and yet the world seemed to decide that she couldn't just let her be and that she had to go through it anyway. She broke down sobbing and the world just seemed to keep spinning without her.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Toby woke with a start and took a second to get his bearings. He was on the couch of Donna's apartment. Everyone else was gone, as he had told them to get some sleep that he would stay with Donna for the rest of the night. He was trying to figure out what had wakened him. Then he heard it again a scream to get out of the way. It was Donna, but what was she talking about? He almost ran to the bedroom, he was about to open the door, but thought better of it and knocked. There was no answer so he let himself in.
"Josh move! Damn it! He has a gun move!"
Toby shuddered. She was having a nightmare, one that definitely had to do with Josh.
"Nooo! Josh don't worry you'll be fine. Will someone please help me?! This man has been shot. I need someone to call 911."
Toby winced as Donna went through several minutes of pleading for help from anyone. However, the worst shock was when he heard his name and everyone else's for that matter placed in the mess of pleads. Then the worst came.
"No, please no. Don't take him with you please. I need him. We all need him. Don't. Not now it isn't his turn yet."
He wasn't sure whom she was pleading with, but knew that this would most likely be the end. This thought was proved true with Donna bursting into sobs. Toby saw this opportunity to wake Donna. He shook her gently.
"Donna. Wake up. It's a nightmare. You need to wake up."
He gave her one more shake before she woke up. He was not prepared for the sight that met him. Donna's eyes were red and full of pain and suffering. She had tears streaming down her checks as she started to shake. That best Donna looked like she had been to Hell and then back again.
"Donna, are you alright?"
He knew that she wasn't, but he need to find out how not all right she actually was.
"Toby? Toby I saw it. I watched it happen. I saw the gun be drawn, and then the trigger being pull, and I couldn't do anything to get him to move. I saw how scared he was the instant he realized that it was happening again. He looked so so fearful, like a frighten child, and all I could do was hold him. I couldn't even get help. No one would help me. Why? Why didn't any of you help me?"
That struck a nerve. He had been sure when he first heard it, but now he was certain of one thing; Donna had tried to get help and not one of them, anyone that she considered a friend, had stop. They had left her. They had left Josh to die. The thought made him stiffen.
"Toby I had to watch him die. Why can't I just get away from it? Why did I have to go through it all again? Isn't once enough?"
With this Donna buckled under it all, and gave into more tears. Toby warped his arms around her and just held her as she cried herself to sleep. What was he going to do? Not only was he worried about Donna; he was also worried about himself. Josh had been a great Friend and like a brother. He wasn't ready for this and neither was anyone else so he asked himself again, what was he going to do?
TBC
