Disclaimer: I don't own anyone, although I wouldn't mind owning Sam ;-)
This story takes place in my own timeline – Santos got voted in as President, Leo is the VP, Josh is COS, Sam, Deputy COS, Toby kept his job as communications director, Will is his deputy, CJ is COS to Leo and Zoey and Charlie are there because they are still close to all the staff.
Thanks to all of you who reviewed, I hope u like this next instalment! I'm sorry if the language/phrases i usesometimes seem odd, I'm English, it's not my fault! If u want t know how it turns out pls review, I need to know what u guys think!
Three days later Charlie stopped by to have lunch with Toby and Sam. Once they were seated at a corner table in the mess. Conversation invariably turned to the old days and eventually to the President, or ex-President as he was now, Bartlett.
"He asked me about Josh and Donna the other day you know," Charlie said, "he wanted to know why we haven't done anything to get them together." Sam and Toby both smiled at that, they both knew the President Bartlett's thoughts on that particular couple and how they should have been together since Rosslyn, if not before.
"He told me to tell you both to expect a phone call from him at some point; he wants to help with our plan. If we ever come up with one that is!"
Sam sighed, "all the ideas I think of just sound stupid, would it not be easier to just knock their heads together and see what happens, or maybe locking them in a room could have some potential….!"
Toby rolled his eyes at Sam, "What are we, 12! I think we need some female help on this, its about time we asked Zoey, Mallory and CJ for some help I think."
"I thought you might say that and hey, what do you know..! look who is here.." Sam gesticulated to the doorway where the three women were making a beeline for their table.
"Spanky, you couldn't have thought of a more subtle place for this meeting!" CJ asked, "what if one of them walks in?"
"Nice to see you too CJ!" Sam responded, "and in response to your question, Josh is meeting with Leo and Donna is having lunch with Carol, Ginger and Margaret."
"Well I suppose that's something, nice to see you criminal mind is almost on the same level as my own!"
"What!" The boys all looked at her completely confused, while Zoey and Mallory traded amused glances.
"Oh never mind, lets get planning shall we!" CJ said, a hint of amused exasperation.
"We were thinking that whatever we come up with should be either at the Christmas Ball or at the party the Bartletts are having at the Manchester house to announce Charlie and Zoey's eng…"Mallory's voice trailed off when she noticed the look of surprise on all of the guys faces, "Wait Charlie, you hadn't told them yet!"
"I wanted to wait for Zoey, and we were very busy planning the thing!" Charlie said sheepishly.
"You finally asked her?" Sam asked
"Yes," Charlie smiled and gave Zoey's hand a quick squeeze.
"Well congratulations!" Sam said, a big smile appearing on his face as he stood up to give the couple a huge hug, a gesture that Toby repeated a couple of seconds later.
Charlie smiled, "Thanks guys, I'm the luckiest guy in the world, but lets get back on topic shall we?"
"So like Mal was saying," Zoey continued, "we were thinking wither Manchester or Christmas, what do you think?"
"Well I guess that the party in Manchester will be before Christmas so why don't we start with that one and if we fail there then we still have a second shot?" Sam said, "but how do we actually do it?"
"We need to get at least one of them to admit their feelings to us," Toby piped up, "It's the only way that anything is going to work." Zoey whispered something to Mallory, who smiled and nodded, "You can leave Donna to us, we have a girls night in planned for tomorrow, lots of wine chocolate and cheesy chick flicks. We will get the truth out of her one way or another. You guys work on Josh. Wind him up about a fictional guy that Donna is dating or something. Just don't get him too drunk, Donna says he has a sensitive system!"
"OK so we have that part done, now what about the party?" Charlie asked, "That's a kinda important thing too!"
"I still say we should lock them in a room together until they admit it!" Sam muttered half under his breath, grinning slightly at Toby's obvious annoyance at the suggestion.
"Sam…." He started to say before he was cut off by CJ,
"You know, Spanky might just have an idea there, I mean sure it's not the most complicated plan in the world but with a little fixing it could work."
"You're still calling me Spanky!"
"Get over it!" CJ responded, poking her tongue out at him.
"So, how do we improve this plan then?"
"Well," Zoey started, "there are a lot of rooms in the house, you are all going to be invited to sleep there…. All the rooms have double beds, and I'm sure we can arrange it for Josh and Donna to share a room for starters. My parents are for this as much as we are!"
"So if all else fails they will at least be sharing a bed, that's got to start something surely!" CJ said with a grin, "Who do I get to share a bed with!"
"T…"Zoey began before she stopped at the look on Toby's face. "Anyway the locking them in a room together thing.."
"A power cut!" CJ exclaimed as a flash of inspiration occurred to her. "nothing is more romantic than candlelight, so could we arrange for the power to go…. Ok maybe not, but we could do a simple note thing?" The guys looked confused for a second, so CJ rolled her eye and continued, "We write them both a note form a 'secret admirer' asking them to meet somewhere at a particular time. We can do the place up with candles and things and if necessary lock the door until we have success!"
"CJ that's a great idea!" Toby exclaimed
"You want to make out with me right now dontcha!" CJ said with a grin. Without missing a beat, Toby replied, "Well when don't I!" There was a moments silence in which they both stared rather dopily while the others exchanged looks, obviously thinking the same thing, Looks like we might be doing this again sometime soon…
"Yeah CJ I have to agree, that's a truly inspired plan." Sam added, "So where do we get them to meet?"
"The library, it's a beautiful room and it has a view of the lake." Zoey suggested
"Nah how about the boat house itself, it's a little more deserted, a little more romantic," Mallory suggested
"That's perfect! Ok you girls work on the letter to Josh and we'll do the one for Donna, and we can ask Mrs Bartlett for help on the decorating the room since, you know, its her house and all!" Sam said.
"Sam, you know you don't have to call my mum Mrs Bartlett anymore, she's not the First Lady anymore!" Zoey said, clearly amused,
"Yes well that's another conversation entirely and unfortunately I have to go now." Sam replied
"Why?"
"Because Josh just walked past the window and even he isn't stupid enough to not get that something's up. Mal, walk out with me?" Sam replied jumping to his feet.
"Sure, see you later guys, Zoey, CJ I'll see you guys tomorrow night! My place at half 7, let Donna know ok!" Mallory said, following Sam out of the mess followed by a chorus goodbyes.