Thank you so much for the reviews, I've been really inspired to keep this going. I have great ideas for future chapters, but I'm not sure how to get there. That's why this one took so much to write, and that's why it ended up being long enough to fit two separate entries, had a lot to add. Tell me if you like it!
Of course, I don't own any of this. Oh, and I do like Panda (if anyone know them I'd be surprised) but someone forced me into listening to them over, and over, and over, and OVEr for a whole weekend, so I had to vent.
-That was a short phone call-
Her soft voice resounded into the emptiness of her office just as she let her hand linger for a second on the telephone. Wow, her office. Or at least it would be, once she got all the files, binders, boxes of tapes and hundreds of compact discs sorted out.
She grabbed a couple of blue folders to stack them with the rest on the top shelve, and suddenly a few stapled sheets fell on the floor. As she picked them up she noticed it was one of the personal files from the campaign staffers. Toby had told one of her aides, Arthur, to get her everything they had on everyone working on a presidential campaign, "get their favorite songs if you must, but we just can't afford any more surprises, not even if they are Backstreet Boys related!".
It would have been funny to hear the name of a boy band out of Toby's mouth. Actually, it would have been hysterical to tease him about it, if only he hadn't been so damned serious. Everything was now serious and sad in an exhausting way in this building that she knew so well all those years.
Anyway, she had been eventually forced to get the boxes from different parts of the West Wing herself, with the help of Charlie, as Arthur was nowhere to be found.
A picture in the left corner of the first page caught her attention back to the file
-Well, that was predictable- She mumbled as she saw the title: "Joshua Lyman, Campaign Manager for Congressman Santos."
Obviously, not only the information in front of her, but also her peculiar choice of words blew off all of her pretense that the last phone call had been like any other. The truth was that, as soon as she heard his voice saying one of the phrases that so stubbornly replayed themselves in her mind, she felt weak.
It was so typical of him, just acting like nothing had happened. Whenever he did something really nice, he would make an effort the next time he saw her to show it was no big deal. Sometimes she even had to stop for a minute and remember if he had really done that nice thing, or if maybe she had been daydreaming or something of the sort.
And it goes as well with the bad moments. Like after the Cliff/diary thing, just to name one. They were so uncomfortable but he wouldn't acknowledge it even in the slightest. Now that they've had one their most difficult, tense, and revealing moments, it was just like him to appear on the other end of the line calling her "Donnatella". As if he hadn't just rejected her and, to make matters worse, said what she could only recall to be the most personal phrase they had ever shared. Out loud, sober and straight forward. The problem was she felt he had only said it as a consolation prize. He was still so angry at her for leaving that he wasn't even aware of all her professional growth. That's why he sounded so surprised over the phone. That's why he said he missed her. Because he still hadn't found "someone to answer his phones". But that was no longer her place. A cabinet file was closed loudly and she moved on to organize the next box.
An hour and a half later, as Donna was ending yet another phone call with a campaign manager, listening to his arguments about meetings and schedules, she saw a tall woman opening her door tentatively, almost turning back to leave when she realized her campaign liaison was busy.
-It's okay, I'm almost done- she whispered covering the receiver. – That's fine Bruno, let me check…ok, Wednesday, and please tell someone to send me those as soon as possible. – She gestured for her visitor to come in.- Sure, I'll call and get back to you, goodbye.-
-Bruno Gianelli?- CJ Cregg added as soon as Donna hung up.
-Yeah. I was surprised that he knew my name, that he even remembered me from before.- She answered while scribbling something into a notebook and crossing dates into a calendar.
-I'd be surprised if someone so involved in a presidential campaign didn't know at least where you've worked before. Anyway, I didn't mean to interrupt, but your assistant over there was…unavailable.– At the questioning look of the younger woman, she added- He had headphones on and was singing loudly. So I just decided to come in.
-Thank God for Margaret and those headphones! And you could have called me if you needed me, you are the Chief of Staff, and I'm not even near your office now!
-It's okay, I needed to walk a little. And why did you get headphones for what's-his-name?
-Arthur. He was driving me crazy with Panda.
-Panda? The Mexican rock band?
-Ok, that I didn't see coming. How do you know who they are?
-My niece, Hogan. She saw them perform during spring break and loves them.
-She does? Actually they are quite good. But try listening to their latest CD eight times a day and you'll feel like doing some serious body damage! Honestly CJ, their songs are all about this hurt and angry guy that got dumped by his girlfriend, so they make you feel depressed, aggressive, and a little suicidal.
-Sounds a lot like my regular day. – Her voice was serious and sad. – And sorry about Arthur, I hear they've been transferring him from place to place. I think he is, and I feel terrible to admit this, but I think he is the son of some congressman, and that's how he got here. Some bill needed approval and, you know how it goes. I'll get you someone better.
-No, no, that's fine. I don't need that much help.
-Of course you do, Donna! It's no small thing what you are doing in here, it's really…and we can't afford anymore failure.- She looked lost and exhausted. – Look, I just came to give you a heads-up on 732, it might turn into a thing.
-I thought it was going to stay pretty neutral. I just saw some paranoid posters on the web, calling it the SAB, did you know that?
-Let me guess, Surprise Abortion Bill?
-Oh, no. Let me guess, it will be an SAB?
-The President is… dangling his feet or whatever it is he does. I mean, it's good, I like to see him work to the last hour of everyday, even when common sense says he could just start packing, but that's not like him and I'm glad.
-Me too, it's one of the most impressive things about him.
-Yeah, but it might mean some conflict for you, just thought you should know. Tell Arthur to gather some information on the matter from both sides. Or tell someone else if you want to send him to another department, or out of the place for good.
-No, he's just a lazy kid, no harm there. But I'll be prepared for 732, thanks. Listen, CJ, I know…I mean. I know it's a ridiculous question given the circumstances but, are you okay? You look beyond tense.
-I just need to eat better. Really, it's nothing, lack of exercise maybe. I can't remember the last time I went to the gym. I used to have that time of the day for myself. And now…
-You should come with me one day, it really helps with stress, and now that I'm back in college that's pretty useful, even if I don't get much sleep.
-What? That's great Donna, I'm sorry, is this something you told me over the phone?
-Yeah, but it's just a couple of night classes, so it won't interfere with the job.
-No, that's fine. I'm just happy for you, sorry I didn't catch it when you said it before.
-Thanks, it's just a couple of easy subjects, so I'm not telling that much people. Actually, you and Carol are the only ones that know so far. Oh, and Toby, yesterday.
-Still, that's fantastic, it's good to know some of us are changing for the better, not the worse. God, I sound so dramatic. But congratulations, this is big.
-Thanks, but, really CJ. How are you?- This time she was looking straight into her eyes. And her answer came after a long pause and a deep sigh.
-Truth be told, I feel weak, and tired, and angry. I've never been so… drained. It's been awful. God, I'm just so glad you are here, Donna.
-Yeah, about that, thank you so much, C.J. Your phone call was a real life-saver. I know you could have called people much more qualified, but I swear I'll do my best.
-Are you kidding? I'm sure you could have found better jobs, Donna, don't you see it? Everything is falling apart in here, people are quitting left and right, and how could you doubt your qualifications for this particular position?
-It's just… you know I have no degree.
-Donna! I'm sorry if I didn't have the time to tell you this over the phone, but you are perfect for the job. Perfect. Look at you, you've now worked on three presidential campaigns, you are as expert as one can get on the Democratic Party and its flaws, as well as on those of the Republicans, because it's been your job to be aware of them. Through all the years you worked in the White House you became a very active participant in our share of law making, watching closely all the push and pull needed in real life to pass a bill. You've made great contacts with people in Congress and you know exactly how they work, and how they should work. Plus, during those months with Russell you gained enough experience in communications to sort out media and their tricks. You are exactly what we need because you can move in various fields, so that when it comes to dealing with one area or the other you are 100 capable of maintaining order and keep everything flowing before election day. Donna, you are qualified for this. And also, I trust you, and you have no idea how valuable that is to me right now, to the President. And how rare.
- You are right, I'm sorry, this is no time to bring up my insecurities- she tried to joke.
-No, I'm sorry I got a little carried away. But, please don't belittle yourself, Donna.
-I won't, I'm really working on that.
-Good. And we should do that someday.
-What's that?
-Going to the gym. I used to love starting my job after some good exercise, but now I have to be the first one here. Still, if I ever have a day that is not completely crazy and filled with exhausting meetings we should go… so yeah, probably any day now.
-see? At least you laughed a little just now.- As Donna turned to look at CJ she lost some of her balance and a bunch of binders fell loudly to the floor.
-That's it, let me help you.
-No, no, no. You are the Chief of Staff, you are not supposed to help me with boxes!– the tall woman gave her a pointed look. –Right, now I'm hearing what you heard. It's just that Arthur should be doing this, but, could you hand me those?
-The green ones on your desk? Sure. – She was getting the files when something caught her attention and she picked it up. – Oh my God, this is really a great picture, Donna!
-Which? Oh, yeah, it's one of my favorites of the whole staff.
-We all look so…close. When was it taken?
-Don't you remember? For the second campaign, Bruno wanted something natural for this magazine, I don't remember which. Charlie and I were really excited, it was our first official photograph with the senior staff. We weren't sure if we belonged there.
-Of course you did! Now I remember, Bruno kept saying it should be very spontaneous and friendly. He wanted us to look human, not political. No names, no titles or positions, no hierarchies. Just the footnote: Bartlet's team.
next chapter: a flashback into that picture. let's see if you know which one is it. And, an e-mail.