Blame Aristotle
Chapter 7
Something To Talk About
SUMMARY: Josh and Donna finally get it together, now the trick will be to tell the others. This ought to be interesting…
A/Ns, Kudos & an explanation: the title's a nod to Bonnie Raitt. Sorry it's been a while, but this little thing called life has been consuming my attention. Hopefully I will get this wrapped up in a few more chapters. I apologize for the bizarre left-hand turn the last chapter took – it went off in a direction that I didn't expect. As always, feedback is appreciated, you've been a great help. Thanks folks! K
"Josh, I just have one question."
"What's that?"
"What's next?"
Josh cocked his head to the side and gave Donna a full-dimpled smile before answering.
"I don't know, but you know what the best part is?"
Donna shook her head. "No, what?"
"We get to find out together."
Donna grinned back at him. "Yeah."
Josh paused, a slight grimace replacing the grin.
"What's wrong?" Donna asked.
"There are just a few people we need to be talking to, sooner rather than later." Josh replied.
"CJ, the President, your mom, my parents, our friends – not necessarily in that order." Donna answered.
"Right – I think we should tell the President first, don't you? After all, if it weren't for him in the first place, we wouldn't be here." Josh smiled, thinking back to the early days of the first campaign.
"True, but then we HAVE to tell CJ and Toby, this is going to affect them the most if Santos decides to run." Donna pointed out.
Josh winced, not relishing the idea of facing CJ just now.
"Do we have to be in the same room? You know CJ's gonna want to kill me, and now that the Secret Service essentially works for her, she might actually follow through this time." Josh shivered at the thought of the damage CJ could inflict upon him – not a pretty thought.
Donna shook her head ruefully. "No, Josh, we have to face them in person, it will be fine."
"If you say so, but I really think…."
Josh's voice trailed off as his cell phone started to ring.
"Lyman."
"CJ! We were just talking…"
"You need to see me? Uh, when?"
"Now? Well, okay – see you then. Bye."
Donna chuckled as Josh snapped the phone shut.
"Let me guess – the timetable just changed, and not in our favor."
"Yeah, she needs to see me about…"
Josh's phone rang again.
"Lyman – Congressman! What can I do for you?"
Donna raised her eyebrows in question.
"Santos." Josh mouthed.
Donna's eyes widened as her eyebrows climbed higher under her bangs.
"That's your answer? Are you sure? Yes, sir!"
"I'll call you later – I have some things take care of… Yes, that would be part of it."
"Thank you sir – I'll be in touch." Josh closed the phone decisively.
"Well?" Donna waited for Josh to enlighten her.
"He's going to run – you are now looking at the manager of the Santos for President campaign." Josh informed her.
"Well, if anyone can get him elected it's you. I'm proud of you." Donna smiled at him, that smile that made him feel like he could conquer the world.
"Thank you Donna. It's not going to be easy, but I think I'm up for the fight. Not that I'm gonna like having to campaign against you, you know." Josh replied.
"I realize that, but who knows how this will all play out? We both may end up working for the Democratic nominee for the presidency. I really don't see either one of us working for a Republican, do you?" Donna smirked at him.
Josh shuddered. "Don't even begin to think about that possibility, I beg of you! It's not even funny to think about that happening!"
"Well, we should get going. When do you have to meet with CJ?" Donna asked.
"In about 2 hours, so I should get in touch with Debbie to see if the President has time to see me before then." Josh replied.
"Do you want me to go with you?" Donna inquired.
"Yes, because our life together, our life that has been on hold for the good of the Administration and other reasons, our life together finally gets to start now. Why not start it together by telling the people who have been such an important part of our lives for the last seven years? They deserve it, don't you think?"
"Not only do they deserve it, they've earned it, you know. They've had to put up with us and our obliviousness for so long, I think they'll want the chance to collectively "smack us upside the head" while congratulating us at the same time." Donna chuckled at the mental picture that was forming in her mind.
Josh winced again.
"It's the "smacking" that worries me, the rest, not so much."
"Josh, it's simple, just don't stand anywhere near CJ when we tell them." Donna suggested.
"Easy for you to say – she'll just hug you." Josh replied.
"Well, Josh, we'll just have to take the good with the bad." Donna flashed a smile at him.
"Yeah, but where does it say that I have to take the bad, and you get to take the good?" Josh scowled at her.
"But you love me, so it doesn't really matter, right?" Donna replied sweetly.
Josh groaned and hung his head.
"I am so whipped, and we haven't even…"
Donna just grinned and headed for the door.
"Donna…"
"Josh, the sooner we tell them, the sooner…." Donna allowed her voice to trail off suggestively.
Josh's eyes widened, struck dumb with the realization of just what she was implying.
Then he shook himself out of his reverie, a slow but full-dimpled grin stealing over his face.
"Why, Donnatella, I do believe you have a very valid point. Would you like to accompany me on a most enjoyable errand?"
"Joshua, I thought you would never ask! I would be delighted to join you."
"Let's give them something to talk about, my dear."
"Oh, yeah, there will definitely be some talking."
The Oval Office, a little later
"Mr. President, Josh is here to see you." Debbie announced from the doorway.
"Please send him in Debbie, thank you." the President replied.
Josh entered the room, Donna at his side.
"Good afternoon, Mr. President".
The President looked up from his work and was pleasantly surprised to find that Donna had accompanied Josh to this meeting. He favored them with an appraising look, taking note of the slight glow of happiness radiating from the two younger people. He gestured for them to take a seat on the couch as he settled into the wing chair alongside.
" Well, Joshua, what brings you here? Is there something on your mind? A nagging bit of trivia eluding you? A question, perhaps? Confession?" The President questioned Josh with the gravity of a Supreme Court justice while mischief danced merrily in his eyes. Jed sat back in the chair and waited for Josh's response.
"Mr. President, our visit here today is both personal and professional. As you are probably aware, Donna and I have always had a unique, almost unorthodox working relationship, ever since she joined the first campaign. On so many levels, we have always been more than just "boss and assistant". Josh reached over and clasped Donna's hand in his and took a deep breath before continuing.
"Sir, over the last few days, things in our relationship have changed. As you know, Donna is now working for the Vice President's campaign, where I am certain she will be a valuable team member, much as she was when she worked for your administration. While I know that leaving the West Wing was not easy for Donna, I understand her reasons and I am proud of her for doing this. In a way, Donna leaving gave me a kick in the head and made me reevaluate my current situation. And I, actually I guess I should say "we", have made some decisions." Josh paused, uncertain how to continue.
Jed nodded thoughtfully, considering Josh's words.
"Is this conversation going where I think it is?" he queried solemnly.
"Sir?" Josh was perplexed by the question.
"Donna, has Josh finally pulled his head out of his ass?" Jed asked with mock severity.
"Yes sir, I suppose in "Lymanesque" fashion, he has." Donna answered proudly.
"He has finally admitted that he has been in love with you since you walked in that door in Manchester?"
"Yes sir." Donna replied, a slight blush stealing across her face.
Josh could only sit there, astonished at the turn the conversation had taken.
"Well, Donna, what was your answer?" Jed wasn't about to make Josh suffer alone, Donna needed to share in the misery – after all, all's fair in love and war.
"Mr. President, since I was waiting in Josh's apartment for him, what do you think?" Donna grinned, she was not afraid to play verbal handball with the President.
"Well, since I see no visible marks of violence or other bodily harm upon his person, is it safe to conclude that you are in accord with Mr. Lyman. Would that be a fair assessment of the situation?"
"Yes sir." Donna was quick to reply.
"I see. So your purpose here today would be to tell me that two people I have come to love and cherish as if they were my own children, two people that have given up so much literally in blood, sweat and tears, these two people have finally realized what the rest of us have known for the last seven years? Does that about sum it up?" Jed asked, although deep in his heart he knew there was something more.
"Well, sir, you are partially correct. Yes, we have finally admitted to ourselves and to each other what we have denied for so long. We realize that the time has come for us to act upon our feelings, we have waited too long already, we don't want to miss our chance to be happy together." Josh paused, taking a deep breath to steady his nerves for the rest of it. Donna gave his hand a gentle squeeze and nodded for him to continue. Josh smiled back at her and turned back to the President.
"Mr. President, it was ever my intent to be at your side from the start of the first campaign to the very end of your second term. However, recent events have caused me to re-evaluate certain elements of my life as well as certain goals. Almost losing Donna in Gaza, among other things, made me realize there are other things I need in my life besides the politics. I need Donna to be a part of my life, and not just in a professional capacity. I need this woman more than I need oxygen. Without her I am not whole, and I hope, I think she feels the same way about me."
Donna smiled warmly at Josh and his heart soared at the love he found in her eyes. The silent exchange did not go unnoticed by the President.
"Josh, I'd say that you've nothing to worry about on that score. But, I sense that there is something else that you wish to discuss." The President settled back in his chair and waited quietly.
Josh steadied himself and then looked straight at Jed.
"Yes, sir. As I said, I always intended to be here until the end. But to be honest, I can't do that now. For me to stay would do a disservice to both this administration and to myself. I serve at the pleasure of the President, and it has been a honor I shall never forget. The confidence and support you have shown in me these last few years, I can never forget that. But I find myself wanting to do something more, to continue your legacy if possible. I had a long talk with Leo, a conversation that made me realize what I need to do. I need to go out and find "my Bartlet", just as Leo did with you. And I think I have." Josh paused, watching Jed's face with more than a little trepidation.
Jed nodded thoughtfully, considering what Josh had said. He knew what Josh had gone through, in his personal life as well as in service to his administration. Too well did Jed know – Rosslyn, PTSD, and that was only part of it. There was the MS, the death of Mrs. Landingham, and there was Donna. The memory of Josh's reaction that terrible day when they got word of the attack on the CODEL – Jed couldn't fathom what would have happened to Josh if Donna hadn't survived. He sent up a silent prayer of thanks that these two were given a second chance and were FINALLY able to act upon their feelings.
Jed cocked his head and looked at Josh. "Who's the guy?"
"Matt Santos, from Texas." Josh replied, waiting for the President's reaction.
"He's done good work in Houston, do you think he's the real thing?" Jed asked, knowing that Josh could not lie to him – Josh couldn't bluff his way through a poker game, let alone something this important.
"Yes I do. And apparently he thinks so too. Just before we came over here he called me to say that he wants to go for it. That is, as long as I become point number 10 of the 9 point plan I presented him to get him to run." Josh responded, with just a touch of wonder in his voice.
The President smiled. He could see that Josh was already plotting in his mind the best way to get his candidate out there. Josh always loved a good fight, and being the underdog never seemed to faze him. With a slight smile, Jed turned to Donna with a piercing gaze.
"Donna, don't you think working for opposing campaigns will be a problem?" he queried.
Donna shook her head.
"No sir, because we've already decided that at some point we will both be working for the Democratic nominee for president. It just remains to be seen who that will be. But until that's been decided, we have to work apart for a time. I need to do more, in my own right, outside of the sphere of Josh's influence. I have enjoyed my time in your service, Mr. President, and I can never repay you for the opportunity. I just hope that you are able to be proud of both of us, even though we have left the Administration." Donna couldn't continue, tears were threatening to fall. Josh put his arm around Donna's shoulder and hugged her to his side.
Jed just shook his head in wonder.
"Donna, believe me, I am as proud of you and Josh as if you were my own children. I have had the privilege of watching you both grow into strong, confident people. You have been a crucial part of this Administration, Donna. Not too shabby for someone who doesn't have a degree, wouldn't you say? As long as you remain true to yourselves and believe in what you are fighting for, neither of you could disappoint me." Jed paused, watching as the significance of his words hit home.
Josh and Donna were both smiling through their tears, grateful for the blessing they had just received.
The President made a show of checking his watch. "Look at the time! I believe I have another meeting in… wait for it…." He paused at the knock on the door.
"Enter!"
Debbie stuck her head into the Oval Office.
"Mr. President, Leo and your senior staff are waiting."
"Send them in, Debbie. Oh, and call Charlie over will you? And then come back in for this meeting, please."
"Yes, Mr. President." Debbie replied.
CJ, Leo, and Toby filed into the Office. They were a bit surprised to find Donna and Josh there ahead of them, and slightly intrigued that the President was inviting Debbie and Charlie to the meeting.
Once everyone was present, the President stood up and walked over to stand behind the couch where Donna and Josh were sitting.
"Now that we are all gathered, Josh has a couple of announcements to make. But before he speaks his piece, I want to say that I have already given my blessings. Josh, go ahead." The President laid his hand on Josh's shoulder.
All eyes turned towards Josh.
Josh swallowed, gave Donna's hand a reassuring squeeze and turned towards his friends, his family.
"I have two things to say. First, and most importantly, Donna and I have finally gotten it together. We have talked things over and we are going to take our relationship to the next level, and hopefully beyond. Secondly, and I know that this will be a shock for almost all of you, I am leaving the Administration to become campaign manager for Matt Santos. I plan to put him in the White House." Josh paused, waiting for his words to sink in for his friends.
No one spoke for quite some time. Then typically, everyone spoke at once, at the top of their lungs to some degree or another.
CJ - "Joshua! I could kill you!"
Leo – "Well thank god you finally woke up!"
Toby – "Josh, I already have enough to do, I don't need your job on top of everything else!"
Charlie – "Yes, I knew it, I knew it had to happen."
Debbie – "Thank god I don't have to find a new assistant for Josh."
Donna motioned Josh and Jed towards her with a evil gleam in her eye.
"Well Josh, I think we definitely gave them something to talk about."
Josh threw back his head and laughed out loud.
"You certainly did, Donna, you certainly did!" Jed replied with a smile.
Josh yelped and jumped off the couch.
"CJ, that hurt!"
TBC
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