Disclaimer: I don't own anything here, just an idea, but trust me you can't get anything from that! Leave me to live in fiction

Summary: Donna starts working for the White house as the Press secretary. She had no idea that her first statement will have to be about her getting a job without proper education. She tells them a story. And Josh watches…lousy summary, just give it a chance.

Thanks to:

Kursk – I'm glad you liker carol. I think that Donna at this point can't pinpoint her true feelings. She's still in a very weird place. But, not for long, if I can help it:)

Kala – I promise it won't be sad for long.

Jas – hope you liked the development

Amy77 – this was a little long wait, sorry, but it's longer than my last chapters. Hope you like it. I love Toby and his humor, so I tried to put it here. I'm glad it worked.

Madeleina – You know what…I completely forgot the trip to N.Dakota. And you're right, she was great there! It is interesting to see how Josh acts differently with two staffs. I tried to explain that here a bit. Hope you'll like it. There will be more if it, cause I like his interaction with people.

KristiP – I also don't like weeping Donna. She proved that she is a strong woman, and I don't plan to make her the weak one. Of course, emotions will make her a bit sensitive. :)

Chllaah – well, here you go!

Actress43 – here's more. Enjoy!

Soozy87 – I will try to keep it up! I'm already working on the next chapter.

Chapter 6 – The plan

Santos headquarters

"I still think we should have a press notice ready." – Edie said to Ronna who was walking next to her. – "I mean, I don't get it. Just because those reporters, who obviously decided to take the same drug today, backed away, doesn't mean that someone else won't pick this up."

"Edie, just drop it." – Ronny sighed. She knew that Edie was pissed. Not that she could blame her. – "The issue is resolved for now. We'll worry about it if it comes up again."

Edie looked at her colleague shaking her head unbelievingly.

"Did you use the same drug? How can you be so calm? I mean, you know how hard it was for Santos to win this nomination. This could screw up everything."

"Yes, I was there! All the way!" – Ronna raised her voice. She appreciated Edie's expertise, but she wasn't there for the ride. She joined up to work for Congressman Santos, presidential candidate, and not Congressman Santos who walked through small towns talking in diners about his plans. – "You have to put people in front of politics, Edie. And there is no scandal here. That's the reason why no one picked up on the story."

Edie stayed quiet for a second eyeing Ronna.

"Well, tell me something than."

Ronna nodded giving her a signal to go on.

"When Donna Moss exited that office…" – Edie said pointing the fingers towards Josh's opened doors. – "…crying, a few weeks ago, there wasn't a story behind it?"

Ronna stood there confused. Edie wasn't a part of the staff than. She couldn't know that.

"How do know..?"

"Ned told me a few minutes ago. When he heard that Donna Moss was the new Press secretary for the White house, he told me that she came here for a job, my job actually. And left here crying. Are you still sticking with your statement that there's no story?"

"Yes." – Ronna said determinately.

They were eying each other for a few seconds, when Edie's' secretary interrupted them.

"Excuse me, Edie, there's a phone call for you."

"Take a message." – she said not turning away from Ronna's glare.

"Ahm…it's from the White house. Donna Moss wants to speak with someone."

Both of women looked at the young woman acknowledging her presence. Edie simply nodded to her letting her know she will take the call.

"Well, I guess I'll go see if there is a story." – she turned around and went to her desk, leaving Ronna standing. Her eyes fell on Josh's office while she tried to decide whether she should tell him about the phone call. She decided against. Edie was pissed, but she wouldn't harm the Congressman.

Edie leaned back in her chair picking up the phone.

"She better not play superiority card on me" – Edie thought last. -

"Edith Ortega. How can I help you?"

Donna was feeling somewhat nervous. She wasn't looking forward to this phone call, no matter who picked up the phone on the other end. When she heard the voice answering, she took a deep breath.

"Hi, this is Donna Moss, White house Press secretary… Ms. Ortega…I'm sorry, you are?" – she forgot to ask Carol to who exactly she will talk to.

"I'm the Deputy Campaign Manager. What can I help you with?" – Edie politely asked.

"Wonderful, Josh's deputy."

""Well, Ms.Ortega…" – Donna started.

"Edie."

"Excuse me?"

"That's my name. You don't have to call me Mrs.Ortega."

"Alright, Edie, I 'm calling regarding to today's conference I held. Now, I'm not sure if you seen it yet, however…" – Donna tried to find the right words, but Edie stopped her.

"Yes, we all saw it."

"We?"

"Yes, the Congressman and his staff – we saw it. Congratulations. You managed to put the fire down."

Edie's voice dripped with sarcasm, but Donna decided to ignore it.

"Well, than you know why I'm calling. I mentioned a few things regarding Josh Lyman to the Press to answer their questions. I understand how this could affect your campaign as well. So, I'm wondering if you have any actions planned regarding to the situation that I should know about."

Edie listened as Donna spoke. She could hear the discomfort in her voice. This wasn't easy for her, she could hear that. And she could here something else as well. Donna Moss was obviously very well trained in these kind of conversations; the one you have to make, when you need a favor, or you need to apologize. Of course, knowing Josh for some time, she knew that was a skill she had to learn.

"Well, Ms Moss…"

"Donna. You should call me Donna."

Edie remembering something and she wanted to push a few buttons.

"I'm curious, is it Donna or Donnatella?"

Donna's grip on the phone tightened.

"It's Donna." – No one called her Donnatella anymore, and she certainly wasn't going to allow this woman to call her that.

Edie's mind worked trying to come up with the right approach. She had to protect the campaign, and she had to put the distance between it and Donna Moss.

"Well, Donna, let me reassure you. We're really busy here and none of us thought about it much. So, no need to check on things on our end."

"You haven't?" – she wasn't expecting that they were losing any sleep over there. But, the thought of them, especially Josh, not caring at all hurt her. But, she wasn't going to admit that to anyone. Even to herself.

"No, we decided we won't make any statements. The past should stay in the past. Our program deserves to be presented without any side games. You understand that, right?"

Donna felt really uncomfortable with the way this conversation was heading. It was obvious that Edith wasn't her biggest fan, but she was speaking in the name of the entire Santos's staff. Actually, she was making it very clear that Donna Moss wasn't a factor in anyone's lives there. And she couldn't help but wonder if Josh instructed her to act like that. Suddenly, Donna felt trapped in that conversation. All she wanted to do was to hang up.

"Well, Mrs. Ortega, I guess, this is it, than. The White house is also not expecting any questions, but if they occur, we won't answer them."

"I think we agree on that. Santos's campaign has no statements regarding Josh in that situation." – Edith's answer was quick and harsh.

Donna was about to hang up when she heard a familiar voice over the phone.

"Who are you talking to?"

Edith jumped in her seat. She had no idea how long was Josh standing there. It was obvious that he didn't know who was on the other side. But, he knew it was about him. Something he hated. The situation was intense, but Edith was an expert on handling those kinds of situations. She motioned to Josh that she'll be in a minute. He stepped away a little, while Edith turned around from him. She had no plans to allow him to hear her next words.
"Well, I guess this is it. I'm sure you heard Josh in the background. The subject won't be mentioned ever again."

"I understand." – Donna simply muttered before hanging up. Her voice was cracking and she wasn't going to allow Edith to hear that.

"I guess this is really it." – painful thought was filling her mind and heart as she repeated the words – "The subject won't be mentioned again…"

Edith heard the tension in Donna's voice, but could care less. The point was to put as much as distance between Josh and Donna. She turned around towards Josh who was waiting.

"I though I was perfectly clear when I said we weren't going to talk about this?"

"You were. It was just one reporter from some local newspapers. I was just making it clear. No need to worry about this."

Josh nodded before heading back to his office. When he entered it, the strong urge to close them again overwhelmed him. He didn't know any of these people out there. And he meant what he said to Donna; he didn't trust any of them. It was easier to trust people when she was watching his back. Everything was easier when she was there. But, she was gone. No point to dwell on that. He saw that the congressman and his wife returned from their lunch, but he decided to stay in his office. The work won't get done by itself.

Helen looked around the office, obviously trying to find someone with her eyes.

"Well, back to the cruel truth." – Santos sighed noticing his wife wasn't paying attention to him. – "You already tired of me?"

"Hm? Oh, no, no, just taking in the madness, that's all."

"Well, I gotta go and talk to Josh. Are you heading back to the hotel?"

"You know what, I think I'll stay a little."

Santos looked at her funnily. She never wanted to stay somewhere by her own choice. She hated the political scene. But, he knew better than to question her motives.

"OK, see you later." – he gave her a little kiss, before walking over Josh's office. The sight of the door opened surprised him.

Helen watched her husband go, and as soon as he entered the office she turned around and went to find Leo. He was sitting in his office, going through some papers.

"Hi, Leo, am I interrupting?"

"No, not at all. Come in. How was lunch?" – Leo motioned for her to sit down.

"Good, good." – Helen felt a little bit nervous. She knew she's going to look like the nosiest person in the world. But, somehow, she knew Leo wouldn't mind her questions. He was watching her waiting for her to speak. But, the words weren't coming from her mouth.

"Do you need me for something or are you just looking for a place to hide?"

She laughed realizing how silly she must look like.

"Actually, Leo, I need to ask you a few questions."

"Really? What about?" – he was truly surprised. Helen and he spoke for maybe a few minutes before today, and that was only on a need to know bases.

"Well, you see, I was never a big fan of Josh Lyman." – Leo chuckled at her approach, but he motioned her to continue. – "Well, today I saw something that I've never seen in these last few months. I saw, mighty Josh Lyman; confused, quiet, and, God help me for saying this, but touched. Something I thought I was never going to see."

She stopped for a second noticing a little smirk on Leo's face.

"What?"

"Well, I think today was a big surprise for all of you, that's all."

She looked at him suspiciously.
"But not for you?"

"Oh, God, no! Today was the first time in a long time I've seen Josh act like himself."

"Himself?" – Helen was still having problems to grasp that concept.

"Yes. I've known Josh all of his life, but I got to know him better when we were working in the White house together. And I have to say, I missed the old Josh."

Helen saw the love in Leo's eyes. It was clear that he saw Josh as a son, and not only because he knew him all of his life.

"I guess I should've known him than, ha?" – she laughed bitterly, but everything was planned. She wanted to get to the topic which held her mind occupied the entire lunchtime. If someone asked what her husband was talking about, she wouldn't know.

"Yes, you should have. Anything else?" – Leo was obviously not going to take her bait. He was a politician after all. However, he knew exactly what Helen wanted to know. It was what every woman who found themselves in a same room with Josh and Donna wanted to know.

"Well…I guess not. You know if you're not busy, maybe you can tell me a few stories. I'm really curious on how was the life there."

Leo decided to have some fun with her.

"Well, there are some good stories regarding C.J. For example, did you ever heard of her impersonation of "The Jackal"?

"No…but…"

"Oh, or when she needed to choose a turkey to pardon. That was good."

Helen realized he was messing with her.
"OK, I get it. If I want something, I should be straightforward."

"You're in politics now." – Leo smiled at her.

"Fine. I want to know what happened between Josh and Donna."

Leo though about it for a second. It was no secret, and she could get the answer from anyone. However, he didn't have the time to tell her the entire story. Even if he had the rest of the day off, it still wouldn't be enough to tell the whole story. He chuckled at the thought. However, another one crossed his mind.

"You know what. I think I have something you can use." – He stood up and went over to the closet, and he pulled out the box. – "These are the Inauguration tapes from over the years. And a few events as well. You can find out a few things from them. Feel free to watch them here. I have to go. Apparently there is something wrong with the shade of my powder, according to Annabeth." – he smiled as he placed the box in front of her. – "See you later"

He left the room and closed the door behind him. Helen remained sitting there, not quite understanding what happened. She carefully picked up the box as it was a bomb. Inside there were video cassettes, marked with numbers. She picked one and popped it into a VCR.

"Well, yes, this is going to be a piece of cake…" – she thought sarcastically. – "How am I supposed to see anything here? Oh, here's something. Ah, it's just Josh alone." – she fast forward the tape, recognizing faces in the process, but no one she was interested in at that time.

"OK, here's the speech…no need to hear that now. Next…next…next…great! I managed to pick one tape where there's no action! Why would these tapes be interesting at all? Donna was Josh's assistant. Why do I get the feeling Leo was trying to mess with my….oh wait, here we have something." – she hit the play button at the same time Josh and Donna were entering the hall. And she was wearing his coat, obviously, considering the fact he was shivering. They were entering arm in arm and her mouth hit the ground.

"Well, this is a sight you don't get to see every day…well, unless you worked in the White house for the past 7 years, that is." – the camera was showing some not familiar faces now, so she fast forward it a bit more.

"I'm sorry, are my eye deceiving me…is that Josh Lyman dancing? And with what appears to be his assistant. Well, well, you have some nice moves, Mr. Lyman. Too bad I can't use this to mock him a bit." – she started to talk to herself. And she enjoyed the fact. – "OK, let's see what else is here." – she fast forward it a little more, and something simple caught her eye. There they were, Donna and Josh standing next to each other. She was taking a full glass away from him, obviously saying how he can't drink any more. As she turned around to put the glass on the table he picked another from the waiter who was walking bye, just so she can take that one as well.

She could almost hear him whine. It was a well known maneuver. Almost rehearsed. Next she saw was Donna fixing Josh's bow tie.

"Well, isn't this cute? And he even doesn't look mad. I wonder what he would do if Edie came to idea to fix his tie. He would probably strangle her with it." – she chuckled at the though. Only than she noticed they weren't alone. She leaned towards the screen trying to recognize the face. It was so familiar, but she couldn't place it anywhere. She paused the tape, as she walked to the door and opened them. Carefully she looked around noticing Ronna standing at her desk. She approached her, and nudged her in the back to get her attention.
"Mrs. Santos, what can I do for you?"

"Can you come with me for a second?"

"Ahm…sure. What do you need?"

"Just follow me." – both women entered Leo's office, and Helen shut the door behind them. – "Come closer."

They approached the TV, and Helen hit the play button again.

"Who is this guy standing next to Josh?"

Ronna got closer as she tried to recognize the face. She didn't dare to ask why Mrs. Santos wanted to know.

"I think that's Danny Concannon."

"Danny Concannon…" – Helen's face showed realization and understanding as she shook her head. – "One of the most important political reporters. No wonder why no one was expecting any question from the Press. It was all old news to them. And they had the front seats watching it live."

Than she realized Ronna was still watching her. She smiled feeling a little embarrassed.

"Thanks a lot, Ronna. Would you mind if I begged you not to say about this to anyone?"

Ronna smiled motioning that she will keep her mouth shut.

"If there's nothing else…"

"No. And sorry for taking you away from you job." – she apologized again as Ronna left the room. She shut the TV down removing the tape from the VCR. Suddenly a realization hit her. She pulled out calendar from her bag, and flipped a few pages, until she found the right one. A smile crept up her face.

"I almost forgot…" – she quickly pulled out her phone and dialed hers assistant.

"Yeah, hi, it's Helen…No, I'm still with Matt. Listen, you know that event I wanted to skip…yeah, that one…well, I think we should make it a priority. OK, let me know!" – she hung up still smiling. Both, Josh and Matt, and a lot of people she didn't know tried to convince her how it would be good if she attended that event. But, it was crossing over with another one she had planned. Of course, situation changed. She put all the cassettes at their place, and placed the box back on its place. Closing the door behind her she marched towards Josh's office, like a woman on a mission.

"Mrs. Santos, everything OK?" – she heard Edie's voice.

"Never better, Edie, never better."

She knocked on the door and after a very loud "come in" coming from Josh, she entered the room.

"Helen, what's up?" – Matt asked seeing she was flushed.

"Oh, nothing, just wanted to inform you how I will take part on that women event in the White house. Now, don't want to interrupt anymore. See you later!" – she closed the door behind her, leaving two very confused men inside.

AN – I apologize for the long wait. College is really interrupting my time to write. :)

Anyway, I would really want to know what you think about this so far, so don't be shy!

And feel free to make suggestions! Kiss!