Raindrops and Realizations pt.2

Previously:

"So, want to hear my plan?"

Donna sighed, knowing that this discussion had to happen. She nodded for Josh to continue.

"OK, so we have October 4&5 to work with - what we do is this - I call Calley and arrange to meet. He gets an hour to read the diary. If he finds something we turn it over to him. If he doesn't find anything, the matter's closed. I let him know under what circumstances 'his' pages will be used. That should take care of it."

"Circumstances?" Donna asked, a trace of worry in her voice.

"Leaks, innuendo, that kind of thing," Josh paused, biting his lip.

"Josh?"

Josh debated how best to couch his words.

"You understand how ugly things could get, don't you? You knew it when you came to me with your resignation as well as the diary. Leverage, you said. I have to admit you floored with that - I wasn't thinking straight then."

"Then I saw you walking in the rain without an umbrella, looking like you could use a friend. And there isn't anyone you can talk to about this, except me. And all I could do was ream you out and send you home alone. Some kind of friend, huh?"

Josh clasped his hands together and rested his chin on them. He took a deep breath before raising his head again.

"I can't guarantee how this comes out, Donna, I won't lie to you. It's going to depend on Calley. At this point we don't know if he'll deal. But we have to try."

He waited as Donna considered his words. He watched as emotions washed over her face - desperation, shame, resignation. Finally she looked him in the eyes.

"I'll call him now," Donna said quietly.

"Donna, you have to be absolutely sure about this - once we start you can't back out."

"I know, Josh. I made this mess, I'll do whatever it takes to fix it."

"Okay, as long as you're sure…"

"I am, Josh."

"Good - I'll call Calley - I have to insist that you have no further contact with him, understood?"

"Trust me, no more Republicans."

"That's my girl, now hand me the phone."

Donna gave the phone to Josh and went to the window and watched the rain fall. What had once been a light drizzle had escalated into a steady downpour. A streak of lightning sizzled across the sky - the storm was getting worse. Donna smirked at the irony.

Across town, the thunder rolled long and loud. Cliff Calley had just enscounced himself on the couch with a large cup of coffee and the morning paper. Granted it was closer to dinner than breakfast, but the events of the day hadn't allowed for a leisurely perusal until now. He was barely into the meat of the sports section when his cell phone chirped at him.

He looked at the number and blinked in surprise. Donna Moss was the last person he would expect to call - especially now. 'I shouldn't talk to her' he thought, but he hit the 'talk' button anyway.

"You know you shouldn't be calling me," he began, dispensing with the pleasantries.

"She didn't, I did." Josh Lyman's voice almost gave Cliff heart failure.

"Why Josh, I didn't know you cared," Cliff quipped, trying a little misdirection as he tried to figure out what Josh wanted.

"Cut the cutesy crap - I want to meet, tonight." Josh decided the pit bull persona was in order. He wasn't just trying to protect the Administration, Donna deserved to have someone fighting for her, he wasn't about to sacrifice her if he could help it. He squeezed Donna's hand reassuringly as he waited for Cliff's reply.

"Why?"

"Come on, you know why; 9 pm, the fountain at Mason Plaza."

"What happens then?" Cliff finally got his mind focused - he had a fair idea of what was coming.

"You'll find out then, not before and certainly not over the phone," Josh informed him curtly.

"What if I don't show?"

"Do you really want to find out?" Josh shot back in a low voice, more a controlled growl.

"Well, when you put it that way…May I talk to Donna?"

"9 pm - be there." With that, Josh disconnected the call and looked at Donna. The uncertainty was back in her eyes.

"Donna, don't worry - Calley's smart,he'll show. He has as much to lose as you do. Except you would be hurt more."

"Why do you say that?"

Josh bit his lip - while he knew the realities of political intrigue and dirty dealing and that Donna was aware of the damage potential, telling her was a hard thing for him. She was a good person, too good a person to withstand the scrutiny and insidiousness of a smear campaign. She was waiting for him to explain so he took the plunge and hoped for the best.

"You are a woman, and in this town you how hard it is to earn respect. With your looks, no degree, no political background before the campaign, the insinuations about how you got your job would be just the beginning. Men can bounce back from that, but it would be harder for you, even though you've done nothing wrong. Even though you have earned the respect and admiration of the President and First Lady, the entire senior staff and Admiral Fitzwallace. Matt Skinner keeps threatening to lure you away. But if the diary becomes an issue, none of that would matter. You know that, don't you."

Donna nodded her head, then walked away from Josh.

"Donna, what's wrong?" She was being too quiet for Josh's liking.

In a whisper barely audible she asked, "Did you read it?"

TBC -Baw hah hah!