Title: Our Next Life
Category: Romance/Humor/Drama
Rating: PG-13
Summary: "Join me in ten years," the message said. "Then we'll see what happens next."

Disclaimer: Since I own them you all must pay ME for the use of them…oh, wait…that's not me. Don't own them, never will : (
Author's Notes: Feedback Love

Chapter 10

He was staring out the window of his office, his feet on the ledge while he lounged in his chair, a file on his lap. Most would think that the Deputy Chief of Staff was enjoying the view before him or deep in thought about an upcoming political battle or a prospective bill, but in actuality he was thinking of how he had screwed up yet again.

He had a tendency to do that, but this time he was going to fix it. This time he was going to…

"Josh!" He jumped, his feet falling to the floor with a loud thud, and then the forgotten file fell, spilling its contents everywhere.

"Donna! You're really gonna kill me if you keep sneaking up like that, you know?" He bent to pick up the papers as she walked over to help.

"I called your name three times! How could you not hear me?"

"I'm an important man, Donna, I was doing important things!"

"Yeah, like what?" He raised an eyebrow at her.

"I'm the Deputy Chief of Staff!"

"I've heard." She stared at him for a second. "I saw you sitting there, you weren't reading."

"I was…I was doing things…" He needed misdirection, they were good at that. Then he remembered that it was she who sought out him. "What did you need?" Her eyes focused on the papers.

"I was wondering if I could leave an hour early, I…I have a date." Josh looked at her, desperately trying to get Donna's gaze to meet his.

"You know I can't let you leave early for a date."

"Josh, please." She moved her focus towards him, begging with her eyes. "I really need to change my shirt and wash off this ink before I go out…please." Using that look and that voice he could deny her nothing, even if he knew he should. Josh was fully aware he throwing her into the arms of another man but he couldn't help himself.

"Yeah, sure, you can leave early." Her cherry lips formed a smile, one that made him smile back, even if his stomach was dropping. He just had to re-formulate his plan, and make it move faster.

"Thank you so much." She leaned forward to give him a hug before they both stood up and she placed the file back on his desk. "It really means a lot."

"Yeah, yeah, but just know that now you're going to have to finish everything that you would have done in that hour before you leave today."

"I'm two steps ahead of you, boss," she said as she fled through the door, shutting it behind her. Now he had to figure out what extra work he could give her before she leaves, oh yeah, and the plan, he had to figure out a new plan. That was going to set him back an hour. His day just kept getting better.

- - - - - - -

Arguing. That was the answer, arguing. He could give her as much work as he wanted and she would still leave, but when they're having a disagreement she wouldn't just give up and walk out. He decided to use that weakness for his benefit. He was a genius! Josh sauntered over to her desk.

"What's his name?" She was typing up notes on the budget for him.

"What?"

"The guy's name, what is it?" he asked, although he already knew. She pursed her lips.

"Eric."

"Eric, like in 'The Little Mermaid?' Nice." Josh smirked. Donna's head swung to look at him.

"How did you…when did you…'The Little Mermaid?' What are you, a closet Disney freak?"

"Everyone knows 'The Little Mermaid,' Donna!"

"No, they don't, not like you. Adults don't know the name of Ariele's love interest in the movie."

"Toby," Josh yelled out to the man walking by. "What's the name of Ariele's boyfriend in 'The Little Mermaid?'"

"Eric," Toby yelled back and walked a few more steps before he stopped. He stood, thinking over the words he had said in his head and then turned back towards the bullpen. "No one heard that," he stated and then continued on his path, content that his threat would keep everyone quiet. Josh smiled smugly at Donna.

"He's got children, Josh, a little girl." At that moment Toby stuck his head back in the area.

"By the way, I have a baby girl, that movie is one of the main themes of her life. So…yeah," he said and left.

"See!" Donna exclaimed. He didn't have a comeback so he resorted to Plan B, although he still had arguments up his sleeve, but he had to save them for later.

"I need you to get these files," Josh said, handing her the list. She read it over.

"But…these are all, downstairs…in boxes! This is going to take me forever!" she replied exasperated.

"Then you better hop to it." He got off her desk and walked back to his office, leaving her fuming.

A/N: I'm trying to make them longer for you guys, so hopefully my effort paid off and it's longer and still good. Tell me what you think, please!