Donna's POV
It's almost Election Day and also D-Day for me. Just three days after we go to the polls to see if President Bartlett gets re-elected I am due in court to testify against Eric Black. It's been two months since I identified him and since then the case against him has gotten stronger and stronger.
But I can't think of that right now. We are still campaigning, working 18 sometimes-longer hour days. I know I work that most days anyway with Josh but right now it's even more important. President Bartlett announced his MS a while back but it doesn't seem to have done any damage. Well it did a little in the beginning; people were annoyed he had disclosed it. There were cries of Why had he not told anyone? I understand in a way. I mean, we both kept secrets, his more important than mine but still we had kept them. At least if he wins re-election his secret will be over. It will prove that people still trust him. As for me my secret though it's out will neverbe over.
Eric's trial starts on Friday. I am already nervous. Who wouldn't be? I have to walk into a room full of strangers and tell my story. It is going to be so hard. In the back of my mind I know I will have Josh waiting for me at home when it's all over. He has been so great since this all broke. We have been dating steadily now since we professed our love. Still no one knows and I want to keep it that way. The President can't cope with another scandal. He's dealing with enough right now. I just have to get through the next few weeks with as little emotion as possible.
It's Sunday night around 9.30pm and we are all still working hard. These last few days of campaigning are always the worst. I remember them from the last campaign, they were fun then. This time around it's more like damage control. We have to make sure the President keeps his seat; he deserves another term in the White House. So do we. We have worked hard and got a lot of work done, good work.
Anyway the time is ticking by and Josh hasn't emerged from his office in about two hours. I am about to go in and make sure he is all right when CJ walks past. "Donna, is he in?" The press secretary asks.
"Yeah, I was just about to check on him. He hasn't been out in a while. On you go CJ." I wave her into his office. As she enters I catch a quick glimpse of the man who has stolen my heart. He looks so tired, and I know that look won't disappear for a few weeks yet.
Josh's POV
Just two days till Election Day. Things have been so hectic over the last week and it's not going to get any better. I haven't been home since Wednesday I think. Donna has been great keeping me in clean suits and fed. She's always been able to tell when I need to eat and right now I haven't been doing all that great at making sure I am taking care of myself. I have my head stuck in the same book that I have had since about 5pm this afternoon. The night turned dark ages ago and I have no idea what time it is. CJ has just walked into my office and asked me something. "Sorry CJ can you ask again?"
"You not listening to me again josh, I don't know." CJ smiles at me. "Is Donna all right?"
"Yeah, I think so. I know she's worried about Tuesday and then she's due to give evidence on Friday so that's playing on her mind as well. But you know our Donna, she's a tough one." He told his friend.
"Okay mi amour, but just keep an eye on her." CJ warned her friend. Just by looking at Donna she knew there was something not quite right.
ELECTION NIGHT (Still Josh's POV)
The day arrived and people have been at the polls all day. We are standing in the Roosevelt Room watching every screen we have in there. So far the numbers are good but we won't know until we here from the key states.
The day has been hectic and I haven't had any time to spend with Donna. I feel guilty. She's been there for me for the last week and I have hardly given her the time of day. All I want to do when all this is over is take her into my arms and tell her just how much I love her.
We are still being careful and so far no one suspects a thing. I just wonder how long we can keep it a secret. I mean as much as I love Donna, can I really keep it a secret for the next four years. That is presuming that we win this evening, which is looking more and more likely as the night wears on. I haven't seen Donna in about an hour, but I know she's around. It's weird but I can tell when she is in the same room as me. I can sense her presence, same way she can with me. I presume that she is standing with the other assistants. I only know that when it's announced, either way I want to envelope her in a huge hug. She deserves it with all the work she has done in the last while.
I spot where she is standing as a huge cheer sounds throughout the room and I know that we have won. "Yeah!" I call out. I can't help myself. We have managed to keep our place in the White House. President Bartlett has kept his presidency, it seems his announcement about his MS hasn't upset to many people.
I scan the room again and I see her standing on her own in the corner. I smile the hugest smile I can at her. She smiles back but it isn't a Donna smile. It doesn't reach her eyes. I know she's happy that we've won but she has Friday on her mind. I start to make my way over to her, but get stopped along the way by Leo, Toby, Sam and a very emotional CJ. By the time I reach the door Donna is no longer there and I have no idea where she is. I decide to go and look for her but just as I am about to leave the room, President Bartlett, Mrs Bartlett and Zoey enter the Roosevelt Room to a huge cheer. "We did it!" Is all that he can say? "Thank you to everyone."
Donna's POV
We've won a second term and I am so happy. I have a job for another four years, that I am happy about, but what about my relationship with josh. I love that man so much I don't know whether I can keep quiet for another four years. I look up when the cheer goes up and see him smile at me. I attempt to smile back at him; I hope he doesn't notice that it's not a genuine smile. One of those I cannot muster tonight I'm afraid, I watch as he attempts to make his way across to me but when Leo stops him, I manage to sneak out the door. I head back down to the bullpen and collect my things. I spot one of the interns heading back towards the party. "Hi there, listen can you do me a favour and give a message to Josh Lyman? Can you let him know that Donna's gone home?"
"Sure, isn't it great?" I can only nod at the young girls excited voice. But I know she'll deliver the message. I jut need some time.
Josh's POV
When I have finally managed to move away from people I head out the room to find Donna. "Excuse Mr Lyman." I turn to where one of the young interns is standing. "I have a message for you from Donna. She's gone home."
"Did she say anything else?" The young girl shakes her head before disappearing into the party. Donna has me confused just now. I don't know what she wants, but if she went home, that means she wants to be alone, right?