So We Meet Again.
No real spoilers, ok, maybe some of 7th season.
Disclaimer: I don't own nothing, just the ideas.
Note: I have no idea where this came from...These will be very short chapters but you will see why as you read. :) Enjoy!
SUNDAY - 10:24 AM.
A man is being followed closely by another man, but you can't see either of them, only their legs. As they approach a dark, entry way, in the background you hear people talking over other people, as well as chains being dragged. All the sounds echo throughout the building. At this point is it obvious that the man is being escorted by a guard through a jail facility. They round the corner to a bunch of cells where all the noise comes from. A bunch of guys yelling at one another. The man and guard stop at a particular cell. As the man comes into view, Toby Ziegler's eyes shoot up in surprise. Toby blinks a couple of times before responding.
"Josh?" he asks in shock.
Josh laughs nervously, "Hey Toby."
The guard opens the cell.
"What are you doing here?" Toby blinks again because he can't believe his former colleague is right in front of him.
The guard turns Josh around to reveal handcuffs around his wrists. He unlocks the cuffs from Josh and pushes him into the cell. As an act of answering Toby's question, the guard slams the cell and locks it. Josh is face to face with Toby. They stare at each other for the longest time before any more words are spoken.
"Um, Josh, I know things are tight with visits, but come on!"
"Toby..."
"Come to think of it, that guard didn't look familiar at all..."
"Toby."
"So how did you pull this one off?" He folds his arms to his chest.
"Pull what off?"
"This act."
"You think this is an act?"
"Well, yeah, why else would you be in here?"
"Do you really think I would go this far to just visit you?"
Toby thinks about that for a moment.
Josh sighs, "I'm not here for a visit. I got arrested."
"Right."
"Does it look like they are about to let me out!" he yells as the guard walks away.
"Wow."
"What?"
" I never thought we'd be in the same room with each other again. I certainly didn't expect it to be here, in a room, that there's no real escape."
"Yeah. Best we stay on opposite side's of the room?" Josh looks around the very small cell, "Not much chance of that." He turns his attention back to Toby, " So this is your home, huh?"
"Mi casa su casa, I suppose." he says dryly. Then. " Wait a minute. How is it that we're in the same cell?"
"Full house, maybe?" He was really hoping Toby wouldn't figure it out.
"No... Josh, what is going on?"
"Nothing! I really did get arrested!"
"Oh, so it's just a coincidence that they put us together?"
"I guess. I don't know..." he looks down.
"Josh!" he warns.
"What?" Off Toby's icy glare, "Alright! I requested to be in the same cell as you, okay? You know, I still have some strings."
"Why?"
"Why? From working in the White House." He looks over at Toby who is not at all amused. "Not what you meant huh?"
Toby shakes his head.
Josh sighs and starts again, "I requested to be in the same cell as you."
"Again, I ask why?"
"Does it matter?"
"Actually, yes."
"Why?"
"Are you gonna beat around the bush or tell me?"
"Can I get back to you on that?"
"Josh, I swear to god..."
"Ok. Damn! I couldn't stand that in the White House, I certainly won't be able to stand for your threats in such close corners...There's actually two reasons. One, you were right..."
"Right about what?"
"C.J. never went to the President. You were right. Are you happy?"
Josh turns away from Toby and sits down on the bench. Toby sighs and sits down next to him.
"Josh, I just wanted you to be aware that I know how she is and how she thinks. She's a different monster when she is in charge."
"Yeah, you had a very pleasant way of pointing that out to me."
"Do you see where I am? Did you really think I was in the mood to hear your whining?"
"Will you ever be able to talk to me without so much disgust in your tone?" Josh stands. "You know maybe I should've beaten the shit out of you that night. At least there would be a real reason for hating me."
Toby gets up laughing, "You think you can take me, huh?"
Josh thinks about that one for a moment.
He mumbles, "No."At that momentthings seem more calm between them.
"Josh, there is something you aren't telling me. So what is it?"
"Nothing!"
"You think I can't tell when you're lying? I mean I know we haven't worked together let alone been in the same room together in a while but I know you better than you think. There's more to this than C.J. Working in the White..."
"Alright Toby. You can stop your little spiel. I get your point. Yes, you're right there is something else."
"I'm waiting."
"Santos wants me replaced."
"What? Why?"
"He thinks I can't take him to the finish line and he's right."
"Josh, he wouldn't be where he is now if it weren't for you. What the hell is he thinking?"
"I've done all I can do."
"So who does he want?"
"What?"
"Who does he want to replace you?"
"Leo. And if you think about it. He's perfect! Don't you think he can do better than me?"
"No."
"No?"
"Yeah, you did all the work, you're the right guy for the job."
"Wait a minute, you have been harping on me about how I don't have the right guy."
"True. I still don't think Santos will win, but no one would be able to take a nothing Congressman to be the democratic nominee for President, better than you."
"Ok, why can't you talk to me like this more often?"
"Shut up, Josh."
"That's more like it." They share a smile.
"Josh, I certainly don't hate you and I'm sorry I have been so terse with you lately but look at how I am paying for it."
Josh looks around again. He sees a bunker bed, a toilet and a bunch of scribbles on the wall.Josh feels howcold and clammy it is.
"This sucks." he declares.
"That's a big 10-4."
"This is where they are going to keep you for a year?"
"No. I'm still waiting for the hearings so this is just a holding place for me."
"Well, now I'm experiencing what you are going through."
"I highly doubt that, Josh. You, I imagine are in here for a short period of time, as for me, I'm stuck here for a year at least. By the way, why are you in here?"
"Funny story actually."
"Funny, ha ha, funny?"
"Depends on how you look at it."
"Well, since it looks like we have some time, might as well make the best of it. Wanna talk about it?"
"With you?"
"Well, if you want to speak to the walls, I'll be more than happy to plug my ears. Of course with me!"
"Yeah. Okay."
Silence.
"You gotta speak up just a bit louder there, Josh."
"Oh, sorry. Donna and I got a little out of control last night."
"Oh, this should be good!"
Ignoring Toby's reply, "I was feeling down about things and I owed her a dance from Ellie's wedding."
"So you went dancing?"
"No, well yes, but... Do you want to hear about this or not?"
"Is it more exciting than what you have already told me?"
"Oh yeah!"
TBC