Summary: Weddings are funny things. You can see all the love around you, feel it, but if you're alone it just makes the loneliness worse. I don't want to be alone anymore.

A/N & Disclaimer: Hi! After great fantastic reviews for The Reason, I decided to write a sequel! It's not imperative that you read The Reason but it might help just if people or things that happened are mentioned. This story is set two years after and Matt Santos won the election for President. Josh and Donna are now both working for in the White House, Josh is the Chief of Staff for POTUS, Donna, I can't decide if she's Press Secretary or Chief of Staff for FLOTUS, I'll decide later on but it doesn't really matter because this story, aside from this chapter, will be taking place in California as our lovely couple, or not, attend the wedding of Congressman Samuel Seaborn and love of his life, Ainsley Hayes grins I can have so much more fun with Ainsley than Mallory. Um, I think that's everything, except to say that, while I do rule over everything because I'm that great, I don't own the characters. Any of them, except Jessica, Danielle and Faith, I might throw a couple more in but anyone you know isn't mine. Enjoy!

Feedback: I love reviews. Makes me happy when I log on and find emails waiting.

Recap

It was hard to believe how much had changed in the past month. Josh had gone from loving a woman in denial, to admitting his own denial, to loving Donna, which was the best night of his life, absolutely. But he still couldn't help but wonder about how much it had all changed. It had all been so perfect, what happened? He was pondering this as he subconsciously walked back to his office to get his backpack before he went home, alone, without her. He was tempted to make a detour, go to Donna's but he didn't know what to say and he was fairly certain she didn't want to see him. What was he going to do? He couldn't live without her, if he had he'd have let her go a long time, couldn't she see that?

He got his backpack and left, not noticing the post-it note stuck to the front of it. In unnatural silence he drove the long way to his apartment, the way that passed Donna's apartment. There were no lights on but he knew she was in there, he could feel it. Fighting the temptation to knock on her door until he knew what he was going to say, Josh drove on eventually finding himself in his own apartment.

Shattered and broken he sat on his couch and thought about all the times she'd been in his apartment, all the times he'd been in hers, every interaction the two had ever had, the day they met, the previous night…Basically he thought about her and soon his thoughts drifted to what he'd told Sam earlier that day.

I never believed in soul mates, I mean, it's all fairy tale stuff, right? The stories your parents read you to help you sleep, it's not real. At least, that's what I thought, until she entered my life. I never really realised at first, but she's mine.

He was so stupid, he should have realised sooner, she might still have left but at least they'd have had longer together. He looked around his apartment and gave a heavy sigh. He'd made an unconscious effort to keep it tidy after Donna had tidied it for him and seeing his backpack sitting on the floor by his door just made it untidy. He picked it up, ready to put it away when he noticed two things; the first was the post-it note on his bag, the second was a rectangular piece of paper underneath the bag.

He picked the latter up and noticed Donna's handwriting on the envelope immediately. He tore it open and read the letter inside.

Josh,
By now you'll have noticed I've gone and you'll still be wondering why, please don't worry about it, it's something that had to happen.
I've not been happy in my job for a while, you know that and I understand why you wouldn't let me go but I need to grow Josh and it's not happening with you. You tried, I know you did, but you slipped back so quickly and it's stifling me. You remember when we met? You knew instantly about 'Dr Freeride' and everything that had happened, I knew from the way you sounded you were nothing like that and I don't think you are, but you're still stopping me, you understand? I needed to get out of that before it happened again. I have a new job now, a place where I can grow fully and it's all because of you, I thank you for the opportunity.
And I know the timing couldn't be more worse, we finally find truth in each other and I leave but please, don't think it's because I don't love you because I do Josh, more than you'll ever know but that's why I have to leave. If we get together now then it'll be disaster for everyone…Us, the administration. We'll never be private, they'll think I'm with you to get ahead and there's been enough scandal in this administration it'll ruin the chances of all Democrats. I know you understand Josh, maybe one day we'll be alright but right now it can't happen. Another reason I had to leave, I can't stand to be so close to you after last night. So close and yet so far, it'd kill us both.
You know I'm right and I know we'll be together one day. Until then remember us Josh because it's just a case of wrong time, wrong place at the minute.
All my love
Donna

There were no kisses at the bottom of the letter, there didn't need to be, her words said it all and Josh, finally knowing the reason, didn't feel any resentment towards Donna. In fact, he felt more admiration and love for the woman than he had ever felt before. He looked at the post-it note and saw Donna's cell phone number scribbled on it. He immediately dialled the number, still unsure of what to say but knowing that if Donna could write that he could say something.

- - - -

Donna was crying into her pillow when the guitar-like sounds of They Say that was her cell phone ring tone sounded. She knew who it was instinctively. Josh was the only one who rang that early. She shut out the sound, letting it ring off. It rang again, and again, and again until eventually the tune annoyed her so much that she answered it.

"Josh, please don't," she whimpered down the phone.

"I got your letter," he said, ignoring her plea.

"Good," she answered. "So now you know, leave it at that until it's time."

"And how will I know when that is?" He asked her urgently.

A small smile played on her lips, he wasn't angry with her. "When the reasons don't matter."

"They don't matter to me now."

"But they will, one day they won't, and then love will be enough Josh but right now it's not."

With that she hung up on him. When he didn't ring back she knew he was alright and that no matter what happened, they would both be waiting for that day to happen. The day when the reason had no consequences. Until then they would wait, and hope and remember because that's all there was left to do.

- - - - - - - -

White House

It wasn't easy for either of them at first having to live without each other, to this day it still wasn't but seeing each other as much as they did throughout the campaigns it became more bearable. It had to, they couldn't see each other every few days and feel like dying every time; they had to get past it. And slowly they did. Of course, they still pined for each other as only lost soul mates can but they slipped back to a routine they had been practicing since day one. The one where they hid their feelings from the world and each other in favour of the charade that no feelings existed. It had got them through eight years already, it couldn't fail.

Only one person knew of their night together and the agreement reached the next night, and being in California he wasn't likely to ruin the pretence any time soon. So there they were, and their act worked well, on others anyway. During the day, on social occasions, they could lie and pretend and shut it all out as much as they liked but on those lonely nights they both faced neither could stop the memories flooding their thoughts. Nor could they on those rare occasions when they were left with time for private reflection in their hectic life.

This was one such occasion, for one of them at least and the memory of them during the reinauguration ball of former President Bartlett was shattered when the ringing of a phone trilled in the silent room.

"Josh Lyman," he answered it eagerly. It was the first thing he'd had to do all day.

"Hey, it's me. How's it going?" The voice was on that belonged to his best friend Sam Seaborn.

"Not too bad, just settling back in. First day and all that."

"You taken over Leo's office?"

"Yeah, it's not like he'll be using it anymore, is it?"

"No," Sam answered wistfully, thinking back to the good old days. "Guess not."

There was silence for a moment as both men thought back to days less than 8 years ago. So much had changed since then.

"What about you? Is it hectic?" Josh broke the thoughts this time.

Sam sighed heavily. "Isn't it always? I've only been in Congress a few months and I've got a wedding in a week…Which reminds me, any chance you can get here early?"

"How early?" Josh asked, already reaching for his planner.

That was the only plus he could find of Donna leaving, he had to learn to organise himself because no other assistant compared to her organisational skills.

"As soon as?" Sam asked hopefully.

"I'll see what I can do," Josh answered, though he couldn't see it being a problem.

It was only the first day of the new administration and so there were very few meetings that he couldn't reschedule and even if he couldn't reschedule them, he was Chief of Staff now, he'd get someone else to cover for him. It was just a matter sweet-talking President Matt Santos and if anyone could do that it was Josh.

- - - -

Donna was transferring a small photo into the top draw of her new desk from its six-year home in her bag when the phone rang making her drop it and slam the drawer shut hurriedly in surprise.

"Donna Moss speaking," she answered politely but warily. She was always afraid when her phone rang in case it was Josh, not that that would be a bad thing, she just wasn't ready and if he'd found out where she was working now then the call should be coming any time soon.

"Donna, thank God!" It wasn't Josh, in fact, the voice wasn't even male. It had a Southern twang Donna hadn't heard for a while now.

"Ainsley, is that you?" Donna asked confused. After Ainsley had left the White House they'd drifted apart, not that they'd ever been particularly close but they'd had a connection which was lost when she left. They'd spoke since, but not often, and rarely during work hours.

"Of course, who else has a voice this sexy?" Ainsley responded confidently.

Donna laughed a little. "So what can I do for you?"

"Well, Sam's managed to lose the RSVPs and I'm making last minute touches to the seating plan so I just wanted to make sure you were still coming."

"Of course!"

"Great, are you and Josh coming together?"

"Josh?" Donna squeaked his name. How could she have forgotten he'd be there? He was Sam's friend, the best man even, that wasn't something to forget. "No," she answered eventually.

"Shame, you two were always good together…" There was a bit of background noise and Donna assumed Ainsley was talking to someone. "Hey, Donna? Do you want to come down early? Like tomorrow? You can help me with this seating plan then we can spend the week catching up and doing girly things. It's been a while."

Donna considered it, she was tempted. "I don't know, I've only just started this job –"

"Oh come on, it'll be fun. I'm sure the no one will mind."

Against her better judgment Donna spoke the next words. "I'll see what I can do."

"Great!" Ainsley cried happily. "I'll sort you somewhere to stay. See you tomorrow."

"But…" Donna tried to interrupt but Ainsley had already hung up.

'What have I let myself in for?' Donna wondered sitting at her desk.

- - - -

"Mister President, may I have a word, please?" Josh asked, knocking on the adjoining door later that day.

"Josh, of course," Matt answered, seemingly glad of the company. "There's no situation is there?" He added as an afterthought.

"No, no, nothing like that," Josh said as he sat down. "I just – uh – I was wondering…You remember Sam Seaborn? You met him in California." Josh reminded.

"The one who's getting married?" Matt asked confused at the conversation.

"Yeah, and you remember I'm the best man and I was taking the weekend off to go down there? Well now he wants me down there a little earlier to help him out."

"How much earlier?"

"Well, he didn't actually say but I was thinking tomorrow."

Matt let in a sharp intake of breath. "Tomorrow? That's a little sudden Josh."

Josh looked down at the floor sheepishly. "Yes sir, I know but I can arrange cover and it'll only be for a week," he spoke quickly.

"But it's our first week Josh –"

"Exactly, you don't need me here for that."

"We always need you," Matt said sincerely. Josh opened his mouth to interrupt but Matt cut him off. "But it looks like Sam needs you more."

Josh wasn't sure he heard right at first but the smile on Matt's face told him he had. "Thank you, Mister President."

He began to leave and Matt spoke after him.

"One week and no time off for the next year, even if you're dying."

Josh grinned at him and nodded before finally leaving the Oval Office for his own office where he began sorting out plane tickets and a hotel for the next week.

- - - -

"Ma'am?" Donna enquired a couple of days later.

"Mmm?" Was the distracted response.

"Would it be alright if I took a few days off?"

"I don't see why n…What?" Her boss looked at her with wide eyes.

"Well see, my friend is getting married next weekend and she wants me to go down there a few days early."

"Close friend is she?"

"Not really," Donna admitted sadly. "I've barely spoke to her this past year, it's been longer since I saw her."

"Then why are you going?"

"Because she's my friend."

"Hmm…Where's the wedding?"

"California," Donna answered immediately.

"That's a long way, Donna."

"I know ma'am but I'll be on my cell the whole time."

"What's your friends' name?" The woman asked with interest.

"Ainsley Hayes."

The woman's eyes widened further. "That blonde Republican with the smart mouth?"

Donna nodded. "She's marrying Congressman Sam Seaborn, Deputy Communications Director during President Bartlett's first term."

"He's a Democrat?" Helen looked surprised.

"Yes," Donna answered in a tone that suggested she saw and loved the irony in that.

Her boss looked thoughtful. "Are they a good match?"

"Oh, yes, ma'am. They're forever arguing but in a really cute way. They had a bit of trouble about eighteen months ago when Mallory visited them –"

"Mallory?"

"Leo McGarry's daughter," Donna explained before continuing. "But they got over it because that's what you do when you love someone, isn't it? Fight the demons that threaten you..."

Donna went oddly quiet and the woman she was speaking to looked her over with concern. She looked the same as always but there was something hidden in her eyes that looked almost regretful.

"Donna? Are you alright?"

Donna blinked and looked apologetic. "Yes, ma'am sorry, you didn't say anything important did you?"

"Everything I say is important Donna, but no."

"Of course ma'am, well sorry."

Her boss nodded, "Alright, well I think we can manage a week."

Donna smiled at her boss graciously. "Thank you ma'am. I'll make sure everything's sorted before I leave."

"I know you will, have a good week."

"I will, and ma'am? Try and keep your husband from ending the world, this will be the only holiday I have for a long time."

Donna could hear the laugh she got as return right up until she closed the door to the office then she headed back to her office to arrange the plane tickets.

- - - -

As Donna sorted out the details, her boss picked up her phone.

"You better of told him 'yes'," she warned to the person on the other end.

"Helen, of course I did honey. You too?" Matt asked his wife.

"Of course, you can phone Seaborn and tell him it's all set."