Thoughts from the Shadows Come Into the Light

Response to Brandy's Challenge

PT. 3

A/N Thanks for the feedback – I know part 2 seemed a little lame – I think I drank too deeply from the keg of glory. Anyway, this is the final chapter and I'd like to think that I redeemed myself somewhat. As usual, all mistakes are mine alone, and I only can claim the various Secret Service agents for my own, except for Ron, of course. I have enjoyed giving his character a little depth. Enjoy! Karen

He just happened to be returning to the West Wing after briefing President Bartlet in the Residence. The late October evening had lured him outside and he decided a detour through the Sculpture Garden was in order. It was one of his favorite places on the grounds. The Calder piece was his favorite – the way it gracefully arched towards the heavens, much like the aspirations of man – ever-reaching, ever questing. The spot lights had yet to turn on, the piece was bathed in the last of the evening's sunset, which cast a coppery glow throughout the garden.

'Well, well, what do we have here?' The tall man smiled to himself as he watched the scene unfolding before him. 'I think I just might get to see something special.' He assumed a surveillance position under a flaming red maple tree to watch and wait.

The two people on the bench were absorbed in each other, oblivious to all else. Josh and Donna were sitting facing the Calder. Josh was straddling the bench, his arms wrapped around Donna's waist, his chin resting on her shoulder. Donna's hands were lightly resting on Josh's arm, her eyes closed and a soft smile gracing her face.

'I'll be. It would seem that these two have finally admitted what the rest of us already knew. Good for them.'

Ron Butterfield was about to continue his walk back to the West Wing when he noticed Josh changing his position. The agent watched silently from the walkway as Josh slid off the bench to kneel in front of Donna. Josh reached out and gently clasped Donna's hands with his own. Ron was too far away to hear the actual words but he had a pretty strong hunch about what was being said. His hopes were confirmed as Donna nodded her head joyously. Josh presented Donna with the ring just then, the diamond catching the dying rays of sunlight, bathing it in a fiery glow. Once the ring was secure on her finger, Donna collapsed into Josh's embrace, her face streaked with tears of joy. Josh returned her hug and then leaned back to brush the tears out of Donna's eye. The exquisite tenderness of Josh's action was mesmerizing. Ron's focus was broken by the crackle of the commlink.

"Eagle is back in the Oval."

"Understood. Butterfield out."

Ron looked over at the couple again. Josh had returned to the bench, now sitting next to Donna, one arm around her waist. Ron decided to make his presence known, and started down the path to the Calder. He stopped a few feet away before addressing the couple.

"Good evening, Donna, Josh. Nice night for a stroll in the garden, isn't it?"

"Why yes it is, Ron, yes it is." Josh replied with a smug grin.

"Donna, is everything OK? Josh hasn't done anything stupid, has he?" Ron wasn't above tweaking Josh once in a while ever since he tried to light that fire in the Mural Room.

"Actually Ron, everything is finally right." Donna replied with a brilliant smile.

"Well, may I be the first to offer my congratulations." Ron smiled.

"You saw what happened?" Josh quirked an eyebrow at the agent.

"Josh, you of all people should know that very little goes on around here that I don't know about." Ron replied with a grin.

"Ron, are you willing to 'forget' what you saw? We want to tell people in our own way." Donna looked at the agent hopefully, slightly worried that the West Wing grapevine might activate before they were ready.

"Well, Donna, I'd rather not forget this particular moment for personal reasons. However, I will treat this information as 'need to know' on one condition." As Ron spoke he assumed his so-called 'Annoyingly Stoic Agent' posture. Josh tensed, not sure what was coming.

"I see. That would depend on the terms, Ron." Donna wasn't afraid to take on the head of the President's security detail; she'd done so before successfully.

Ron's stoic façade never wavered.

"The terms are as follows: One, I get to dance with the bride."

"As many times as you want." Donna responded without hesitation.

Josh blinked as he realized he had been holding his breath.

"That's it? That's all you want?" Josh spluttered, at a loss for words.

"Josh, close your mouth and nod your head yes." Donna smirked.

Ron chuckled as Josh complied instantly with Donna's instructions.

"Excellent – Donna, I'll await your permission to declassify this information."

Donna nodded, a grateful smile on her face.

"Ron, just one thing." Donna said as she stood up to face the agent.

"Yes, Donna?"

"Thank you," she said as she raised up on tiptoe to place a swift kiss on Ron's cheek. She stepped back into Josh's embrace, savoring the slightly flustered look on the agent's face.

Ron took a step back and sketched a shallow bow to the couple.

"You are more than welcome, Ms. Moss. Now if you'll excuse me, I must return to my office. And again, congratulations." With that, Ron Butterfield started to walk away. After only a few steps he paused and turned back to the couple.

"Josh, the next time you want to put a goat in someone's office, please make sure my deputy is on duty, not me, okay?"

"Sure thing, Ron." Josh replied sheepishly as Donna giggled.

Ron nodded and continued walking. His thoughts returned to the scene he had just witnessed. It was a culmination that almost never happened.

Rosslyn, Mrs. Landingham, the MS, Gaza – all of it, blow after blow. Josh and Donna had made it through because they had each other. Even though Ron hadn't seen Josh while he had held vigil over Donna in Germany, he could well imagine it.

'Lesser people would have given up long ago, wouldn't have managed to hang in there this long. But Josh and Donna aren't "normal people", they were survivors who were fortunate enough to find each other and hang on to something special. It was a bit of a shame that so much had to happen to them before they were able to finally admit to what everyone around here had known for years.'

Ron smiled to himself again. His last conclusion was flawed, he realized. Josh and Donna hadn't been oblivious to the emotions all this time. No, they had known all along that they couldn't act on their feeling. So they resorted to a routine of banter and misdirection, a routine that fooled just about everyone else. Not everyone was witness to the late night work sessions that often became 'sleep sessions'. Sleep sessions for which the late-night duty agents had been given specific orders. Orders that included an agent detail to ensure their safe arrival home. Orders that had been handed down by Leo McGarry shortly after Rosslyn and readily agreed to by Ron. Leo was probably one of the few who realized the situation early on. Ron himself saw the proof that horrible night at GW, so when Leo had summoned him in to discuss a plan, Ron had no qualms about the idea.

Yes, Josh and Donna had known what the stakes had been. The price they had paid had almost been too high, but they had survived. Good Lord willing, they would be able to face whatever new challenges life had in store.

Ron returned to the Command Center, collected his messages from the watch officer and went into his office. After dispensing with the handful of messages, he opened the sweep log and made his entry.

21 October 2004

Butterfield sweep report:

Conducted routine sweep from the Residence through the Sculpture Garden. Yankee and Rolling Stone observed in Sculpture Garden at 1630 hours. Continued sweep through West Wing garden and Northwest Lobby. Returned to Command Center at 1650 hours.

Agents Torkelson, Murphy and Johnson on continuous sweep duty.

Agents Davis, Hall and Munroe currently deployed with Eagle.

All systems functioning, green across the board.

RB, Chief Agent, POTUS detail 1700 hours.

Ron threw down the pen and smiled. It would be enjoyable to watch as the rest of the story progressed. He would wait for Donna's signal, as he had promised. After all, knowing how to keep a secret was one of his many talents.

After all, a good agent needs to have a hobby he enjoys.

THE END!