Disclaimers: Same as before

Author's notes: I never liked the fact that Donna left the White House, it seemed to out of character for her. I guess they were leading up to it in the show, but it did make her seem ungrateful considering all that Josh had done for her. So I gave her a reason, and it has been mentioned and noted along the way, but in this chapter we find out the truth. Josh learns too many truths at once. This is another transition chapter. Big changes are to come.

Then Everything Changed.

Chapter 25

I called him Mr. Lyman. I can't believe I did that. I yelled at Leo. My. God. LEO. And Will…well he deserved it. My god what have I done? Screw that, it wasn't that bad. They still have their jobs thanks to me and Santos was simply using me to get back on Helen's good side.

Screw them all to Hell. Ha!

Ball all that hatred and anger up. Hold on to it. Loathe them for everything they have done.

Say it. I hate Josh Lyman. Say it again I hate Josh Lyman. I don't care that he didn't take his sunglasses off the whole trip or that he bought be flowers in the middle of the night.

"Sorry" that's all he could say. 760 on the SAT for that? Please.

Say it again, I hate Josh Lyman.

This is the same exercise I did when I started working for him. Same thing I did when I realized I loved him. It worked last time. Right?

Who am I kidding?

You can't turn off every emotion you felt for someone in one day, no matter what horrible things he says.

I need to focus on other things. Not Josh Lyman related. However the other options aren't that much better.

Death threats

Attempted rape

Betrayal

Unemployment

Dying childless and alone and getting eaten by my neighbor's cats.

Suddenly pining over Josh doesn't seem that bad.

We pull up to the White House and Jackson starts to get out of the van.

"No you stay with them, they are going to need you more."

"But."

"I will be in the White House, it is the safest building in the world. Nothing is going to happen to me."

He concedes only because the event will be outside and that always freaks him out a little bit. Jackson assures me, he will be back in two hours.

The other van that carries Josh, Will and Congressman Santos pulls away.

I want to look back, but instead my eyes are focused in front of me. I love this lobby, so grand and majestic, history oozes out of every fiber, every termite.

I breeze past security, to be greeted by my sisterhood. Margaret and Carol, holding frappachinos and Krispy Kreme. I am embraced with a bear hug. Emotions sweep over me.

Do not cry in the lobby, this majestic and historic lobby.

"Hey Honey, we missed you."

"Its good to be home." I whisper, knowing full well, this isn't my home. They lead me down the hallways. I feel empty here, everything is familiar but different. Margaret is pregnant, CJ old office is empty and…

"Donna!" Cliff Calley is working here.

"Hi Cliff." I am truly not in the mood for this at all.

"Glad to see you are back."

"Thanks"

"You wanna come in to my office, we can talk about the Republicans tax plan, I would love to hear your input on it."

"It isn't your office." My loyalty surprises me a little bit.

I think I hurt his feels a little bit, but I've been on that pony and I am really not interested in getting back on. No sense on leading him on. I am done with men for a while.

I head into CJ's office. Bitterness bites at my heart. This should have been Josh's office.

CJ gets finishes her phone call. "DONNA!" Her embrace is the sweetest. "You look great."

"You're lying."

"Yeah."

She whispers in my ear. "You have a doctor's appointment today at 2:30."

"CJ, I am fine."

"Look you have either go to my guy or I'll call Dr. Bartlet."

"I'll go to yours."

She kisses my forehead. "So what sort of job would you like here at the White House?"

"I really haven't thought about it."

"Really?" She knows I am lying. Annabeth walks into the office. I can tell where this one is going.

"I don't know, maybe something that has to do with the Press?"

Annebeth beams, "That's great sweetie I already started cleaning out CJ's old office. We will start you off slow, and I'll train you every step of the way and by the end of the week you will be a pro!"

"End of the week?" I choke out. CJ steps in.

"Today you are going to lick your wounds, we are going to hang here, eat and talk about how much men suck."

"Thanks." The sisterhood is a strong and wonderful thing, when you are in a sisterhood, you are never alone. Annebeth sits on the chair waiting for more instructions.

"Donna!" Charlie comes running into the room. I gaze at CJ, she shakes her head. She didn't tell anyone why I am here, none of the details. They are the best and the brightest, they know something happened but no one will ask for details for now. Charlie wraps his arms around me.

"My God, Charlie what is on your face?"

"Do you like it?"

"Who told you a mustache looked good? You look like a child molester. I refuse to speak to you until it is gone."

"But."

"No buts."

"Good to have you back."

I don't answer, why hasn't anyone stepped in a put an end to this? Charlie walks away discouraged. I plop down on the couch and start drinking my fancy iced coffee. Neither CJ nor I talk for a few minutes. Our silence says enough.

"How is the President?"

"He had an MS attack last night."

"Oh my God! Is he ok?"

"He is resting for now. I sent Toby down there already, looks like if you didn't call, he would have been introducing them any way."

"Well let's hope he doesn't do anything stupid."

"Like what?"

"Tell them the real reason I left the White House."

"Oh he isn't that stupid."

I pace waiting for them to arrive. I didn't sleep last night, three cups of coffee is my fuel. The black SUV pulls up. Wow they look horrible, pale, and hung over and sleep deprived.

"How could you do this? It's DONNA!" Both Will and Josh stare at me through darkened and glassy eyes.

"Which one of us are you talking too?" Will flatly responds.

"You. I'll start off with you. Sure I wasn't expecting much from you, the man who left Jed Bartlet for Bingo Bob, but still. Sam had seen something in you. I saw it briefly. But it was Donna who kept telling us not to give up on you. So when I went to the President telling him there was a concern about you, she seemed the logical choice."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Shut up Josh.

"We were all in the room, CJ, the President, your perfect master, Leo and myself. Donna volunteered to join the Russell campaign, not to get him elected, but to put you back on the right path. And what do you do? You throw her to the wolves."

Will looks like I have punched him in the spleen and ripped out his stomach in one motion. The confusion on Josh's face is replaced by rage.

"You took her from me!"

"Look what you did when you had her!" I spit back. "You called her a whore!"

"She was kissing Justin Hall. She knew who he was, she should have known better, she should have never been alone in a room with him."

"How the hell was she supposed to know who he was? YOU weren't even working for Bartlet when it happened."

"What? No, I was at the fund raiser with… Hoynes." He hands cover his face, the blood drains from his face.

"Why would you call her a whore? She was nearly raped!" Will get off your high horse, it doesn't suit you.

"What?" His voice laced with horror and panic. Huh? He didn't know.

Leo steps in, "Will, enough."

"Damn it Josh, think, where were his hands?"

Josh starts shaking and turns away from the group.

"Look, we will deal with all of this later. Right now, play nice, put on a happy face and smile for the cameras." Hisses Leo.

What could we do, Dad has spoken.

Congressman Santos looks back as he ascends to the stage, and Leo is quick to follow. Will hesitates, debating to whether or not to say something; he opts against it and follows his new master. Leaving only Josh and myself.

"Lyman, we are done."

"What?" Asshole isn't even listening to me.

"Don't go back to the White House, you are not welcome there. I am done with you, now and forever."