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.
Caia, thanks for reviewing again, sorry I may have been a bit strong with my words when Josh was speaking, I know he does love her! (It's so obvious I wish they would hurry up and get it together on the show!) They are just very in denial – its second nature to them to deny what they are feeling – that's my take on it anyway! Hope u like this chapter!
Thanks to everyone who reviewed!
When Donna got into the office on the morning of Charlie and Zoey's engagement party she sat down at her desk and started flicking through her copy of the Washington Post when she noticed a cream envelope with silver writing on it at the top of her pile of post and memos that got delivered every morning. Intrigued, she picked it up and opened it. A few heart-shaped sequins fell out and a slight hint of aftershave floated out as well, one that instantly reminded her of Josh, although she pushed that thought to the back of her head. Looking into the envelope she saw a small piece of paper, the same colour as the envelope. She pulled it out and read it quickly, her jaw dropping in surprise after she had read it through a couple of times to make sure she wasn't' imagining things.
Dear Donna,
I wish I could read your beautiful mind and see what your love for me is. I love you with all my heart and yet I have no idea if you feel the same way. Meet me in the boat house at the engagement party tonight at 9.30pm and let me reveal myself to you.
Yours always,
Your Secret Admirer
Picking up the phone, she dialled CJ's number; or rather what she thought was CJ's number.
"Josh Lyman!" the voice on the other end said.
"Josh?"
"Donna! What are you calling me for!"
"I thought I was calling CJ! Sorry! I'll see you in Staff ok!" Donna hung up the phone before Josh could respond, and paying a bit more attention, dialled CJ's number.
"CJ Cregg!"
"CJ it's me,"
"Morning Donna, what's up?"
"I got the strangest letter this morning; I need your help with deciding what to do about it. Are you free at 9 for a coffee?" Donna heard CJ shouting to Carol,
"Carol! DO I have any meetings at 9? OK thanks Carol. Donna?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm free for half an hour at 9.30, does that work for you?"
"That's perfect; I have to go see Josh at 10, so I'll see you at 9.30. Do you want me to come to you?" Donna replied, absentmindedly twirling her hair round her fingers.
""I'll come to you; I have to go and see Toby too to make sure he has bought our present for Charlie and Zoey with him." CJ replied,
"CJ, you know you could always just phone Toby right!" Donna asked rolling her eyes slightly at her friend's apparent blindness to her feelings.
"Yeah, but this way is more fun for me!" Donna laughed,
"Yeah OK, see you later then!"
"Bye Donna!"
Donna re-read the letter again, a little smile flickering across her face, not noticing that Sam was standing once again in the doorway to her office.
"What have you got there Donna?" he asked.
"Nothing, just a letter. I just wish I knew who had sent it!" Sam had to turn away slightly to hide his grin at the wistful expression on her face as she inadvertently glanced at a picture of all them from the Inaugural Ball.
"Okay!" he said, "You ready to go to Staff?"
"Yeah, let's go." She got to her feet and followed him to the entrance to the Oval Office where they bumped into Toby and Will also waiting to go in. Senor Staff went quickly and at the end Josh called to Sam,
"Sam go wait in my office a second will you?" Sam nodded, and with a chorus of "Thank you Mr. President's" they all trundled out and headed to their offices or whatever meetings they had scheduled next.
Josh walked into his office and closed the door behind him, "So uhh I was looking through all of my morning briefs and memos, and I found this letter amongst them." He held up an envelope the same size as Donna's. He pulled the letter out and thrust it towards Sam, "Read this" he said.
Sam took the letter and pretended to read it, since he knew very well what was written in it.
Dear Josh,
Everyday, I hope that you will come into my life and tell me how you feel because what I feel for you exists only inside my heart. You are the only man that can understand me, and only you can reach it; I give you the key, please unlock what you know can be the love you can only dream of.
Meet me in the boat house at the engagement party tonight at 9.30pm and let me reveal myself to you.
Yours always,
Your Secret Admirer
"Wow! Someone's got it bad!" he said, looking up with a grin, "Do you have any idea who it's from?"
"No idea whatsoever. What do I do?" Josh replied looking confused and a little worried.
"Well go of course, you are going to be there anyway, it's only a short way from the house to the boathouse!" Sam replied.
"Yeah, I can do that." Josh said, taking a deep breath, "Thanks Sam."
"No problem buddy, I better head off to the Hill for the meeting with Matt Skinner."
"See you later."
Sam headed to the Hill as he had said but while he was on his way, he rang Mallory and got her answer phone. "Hey baby, they got the letters, I think they are both gonna go. Josh was so confused, and all the time he was talking about it, he was staring at a photo of him and Donna! I don't think he even realised he was doing it! This is so going to work! Love you lots, see you at lunch."
"So Donna, what's this letter about?" CJ asked as she walked through the door and sat herself down on the visitor's chair.
"It came in this morning, look!" CJ took the letter that Donna threw in her direction.
"Wow Donna! Who do you think it is?" she asked.
"I have no idea," Donna sighed.
"Well who would you want it to be!" CJ asked with a grin on her face, noticing as Sam had that Donna's eye were glued to the picture of the Inaugural Ball the entire time she
was contemplating her answer.
"I dunno CJ, its not like I really have time for a relationship! But honestly I don't have a clue who it could be."
"Well you will find out later. You are going to go right?"
"Well I suppose so, I mean, what have I got to lose." Donna replied, smiling gently.
"That's the spirit! You lucky thing, getting yourself a secret admirer!" CJ said teasingly, "If only I could be so lucky!"
"Yeah but CJ you've got Toby..!" Donna teased back. CJ just rolled her eyes at her,
"I do not have Toby!" She exclaimed, "Are you going up to Manchester with the plane with the President?"
"Yeah, you're coming up with Leo, Charlie and Zoey right?"
"Yep, So I guess I'll see you up there. I've gotta go and harass Tobus for a second."
"Ok CJ, see you later!" Donna called as CJ headed out of her office towards the Communications bullpen.
Josh got his bags together and headed towards Sam and Donna's offices.
"Sam, Donna, are you ready to go?" he called as he walked through the bullpen. Sam appeared in the doorway,
"I'm ready go and get Donna, I think she is talking to Danny about his role at the party tonight since he has been invited as a friend and not as press." He said. Josh nodded, dumped his bags ok the floor outside Sam's office.
"Donna!" he called as he walked to her office. He stopped short when he saw her reading something with a fond smile on her face. "Whatcha reading?" he asked from the doorway. Donna looked up in surprise and quickly hid the piece of paper under another pile of papers on her desk.
"Josh!" she exclaimed, "I didn't here you arrive, which is kind of rare for you!" she added after a thought, poking her tongue out at him.
"Ha ha," he replied, returning the gesture with a cheeky grin. "Are you ready to go? The cars are waiting."
"Yeah, just let me grab my bags," Donna replied, getting up and picking up a small hold-all from her sofa. It was a little heavy and she stumbled slightly as she lifted it onto her shoulder. Josh moved quickly and put his arms out to steady her, his hands ending up on either side of her waist. They stood like that for a second before they both blushed and moved away from each, looking slightly uncomfortable.
"Do you want me to carry that for you?" Josh offered. Donna smiled in surprise.
"As long as I don't have to bring you coffee!" she answered with a cheeky smile. Josh rolled his eyes at her and reached for her bag. "Thanks Josh!" she said, relieved to get rid of the weight.
"My God Donna, what have you got in there!" Josh said, "Bricks! You do know we are only going to be in Manchester for two days right?"
"A girl needs options Josh, you never know who is going to be there!" Donna answered as they joined Sam in the bullpen and headed towards the cars that would take them to Air Force One and onto Manchester.
TBC
Sorry, I know I promised that this chapter would be about the party, but I decided to put in a section about when they got the letters. Next chapter will be the party, I promise!
I love feedback! Please review!