TITLE: People Move On
AUTHOR: Micky Fine
DISCLAIMER: Check out the beginning.
SUMMARY: Didn't you read that already? It's why you're here, right?
SPOILERS: Right there in the first chapter.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Once again, thank you for the wonderful reviews; they're better than candy. This chapter is going to switch in between Josh and Donna's POV so I'll try to give you a clue as to who is narrating. Hope you enjoy this and any comments are very welcome.
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"C.J.!"
I hurry up to the tall woman who, like the rest of us, is hurrying off to go do one of the endless important things that needs doing.
"Josh, I really have to go review this tape of the speech…"
"I won't take long I promise."
C.J. gives me a look and then turns to face me with her arms crossed.
"Ok. But before you start, what was with the Goldilocks sleeping in your office this morning?"
"Actually that's what I want to talk to you about. That's my new assistant, Donna."
"Ah, Sam told me about her. She sounds like a real find."
"I'm glad you approve, C.J., 'cause I need you to do me a really big favor."
"What?"
"Well, Donna sold her car to pay for her plane ticket to get here, and she doesn't have enough money to pay for a hotel room. That's why she slept on the floor in my office. So, I was wondering if you would be willing to let her stay in your room."
C.J. gives me a slightly blank look.
"I know it's a lot to ask and I would have offered to let her stay in my room…"
"Josh, you didn't…"
"No, I knew you'd have a fit and the press would have a field day."
"Good. Well, I'll talk to her and check to see if I can put up with her. If I can, I'll ask her to room with me."
"Great, thanks C.J."
I'm so grateful that I'm tempted to hug her but instead I just give her my patented dimpled grin and go off to do something useful to the campaign.
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"Donna?"
"Yes?"
"Hi, I'm C.J. Cregg."
"It's nice to meet you. What can I do for you? Do you need to see Josh?"
"Actually, I came to see you."
"Me? What for?"
There is a long pause during which I suddenly feel like a beauty pageant contestant. C.J. looks me up and down, surveys my desk, picks up the family picture on my desk and then replaces it. Then she stares into my eyes and I suddenly have an inkling as to what a Vulcan mind meld is like. Then she smiles as if she's made a vital decision.
"Well, I noticed that you were sleeping in Josh's office this morning."
I feel a slow blush creeping into my face.
"Umm, yeah, you see…"
"It's fine, Donna, you don't have to explain it to me. I was just wondering if you wanted to share my hotel room. It's been paid for already but they gave me two beds and I can obviously only use one. Plus, it would be nice to have a roommate."
It's my turn now to consider C.J. and I quickly see that this woman is being fantastically generous and that I would be a fool to turn her down on account of pride. I smile.
"That sounds nice."
"Great."
C.J. stands up, sends an almost surreptitious glance in the direction of Josh's office, and then turns back to me.
"I'll see you later."
"Later."
I smile as I watch C.J. walk away and then peek my head inside Josh's office.
"Josh?"
He looks up.
"What's up?"
"Thank you."
I can see him preparing to act clueless so I give him a look. Seeing that I won't be fooled he just gives me a dimpled grin instead.
"You're welcome."
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"DONNA!"
I wait several seconds until Donna appears looking rather frenzied. Her hair is slightly askew and I'm suddenly curious.
"What were you just doing?"
"Wrestling with the photocopier. What do you need?"
I open my mouth, then absorb what she just said, and am about to question her further when she gives me a look that says, "Don't ask." I shrug and then continue with the reason I called her in here. I pick up the file and start reading aloud.
"Donnatella Moss. Birth date, well we'll skip the boring bits. Father: Irish. Mother: Italian. 3 siblings, two brothers, one sister. Apparently your school years were filled with spelling bees, band concerts, flute solos, and a Catholic high school. St. Luke's Secondary School. Did you wear uniforms?"
Donna is staring at me agape. She blinks and then regains her powers of speech.
"What the hell is this?"
"Your FBI file."
"You have my…I have an FBI file?"
"Your cat has an FBI file."
"How detailed is that thing?"
"Well, it confirms everything you told me about your college years. An interesting assortment jobs you had after you dropped out. Waitress, secretary, receptionist, sales clerk…"
Donna is rubbing her face with her hands.
"This is so unfair. You call me in here to make fun of me and then you're going to kick me off the campaign. Think you could just cut to the last part?"
"Donna, I'm not going to kick you off the campaign."
She looks at me surprised and I return the look.
"Why would I get rid of you? You're doing a fantastic job."
"Well, you have my file so I thought that that meant…"
"Donna, we have to check the files of everyone who works on the campaign with the candidate."
"Oh."
She smiles at me.
"So did you holler at me for any particular reason other than this?"
"Nah, I just wanted to call you Donnatella."
She rolls her eyes at what I'm sure she thinks is my juvenile behavior.
"How did you end up with that one anyway?"
"Well, Dad picked Donna, which means lady in Italian but Mama didn't really love it. So, when Dad went to get some coffee Mama had them change my name to Donnatella. My Dad still hasn't gotten over it and Mama still laughs at him. She tells him that Moss women are far more wily than the Moss men think."
"I'll keep that in mind. You're an interesting woman, Donnatella."
"You have no idea."
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I'm so hungry. I'm pretty sure my stomach has started digesting itself in an effort to gain some form of nutrition. I resist the urge to go and get something from the vending machine and instead have another sip of water. I again mentally break down how much money I have left and how much I'll need to get to South Dakota in a few weeks. I then take another drink of water. I really need to start getting a paycheck soon before I have no internal organs left. My contemplation of my lack of food is interrupted when Josh emerges from his office again and approaches my desk.
"Hey, Donna."
"Hello, Josh."
"Hungry?"
"Why?"
"Well, a bunch of us were planning on going out for dinner tonight and I was hoping you would come so that you could meet everyone else."
"By everyone else you mean Toby."
"Well, umm, yeah. I think it might be easier for you if you met while there's food around. He might be distracted a little."
"I don't know why you're so concerned. C.J. says Toby is a really good man."
"Oh, he is, he can just be, well…Toby."
"Un-huh."
"So, you want to come?"
"I don't know…"
"C'mon. I'll buy you an appetizer."
"Promise?"
"Sure."
"Ok."
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The appetizer is gone. It had arrived just before I went to the bar to get a drink and now that I've returned it's gone. How could one woman possibly eat so quickly? I look at Donna who is now sipping a glass of water and then shrug.
"So, what's everyone having?"
C.J. and Sam both detail their plans for pasta dishes while Toby mumbles something about a hamburger. I turn to Donna with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh, I'm full."
I blink.
"You're full?"
"Yup."
"Donna that appetizer wasn't that big."
"I have a small stomach."
"Ok."
I give Donna another look and am about to insist she get something when the waitress arrives and I forget all about it. I then have to send my hamburger back three times before its charred to my tastes. When the burger is finally a crispy critter I settle in to wrestle with my meal. As I'm chewing my burger I watch Toby. For once he isn't giving me that long look that I've been getting every time I mention Donna to him. In fact, he isn't watching me at all. I turn to see what he is staring at and watch Donna steal a fry off of my plate.
She chews it slowly and then takes a long drink of water. I continue to chew and pretend like I haven't noticed. A few seconds later she snitches another fry. I'm astounded. I've never had any employees who have eaten my food. In fact, I've had one girlfriend and a few good friends that felt comfortable enough to share food with me. I've known Donna less than two weeks and she's already pilfering my fries. I don't know whether to be flattered or concerned. I watch her take another fry.
"Donna, are you sure you aren't hungry?"
She quickly grabs her glass of water and takes a huge swallow.
"I told you before, Josh, I'm fine."
"You're sure?"
"Yes."
I shrug and turn back to my burger. Over the top of the bun I make eye contact with Toby who gives me an indescribable look and then turns his attention back to Donna who has just stolen another fry.
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"Did you know Francis Scott Key used pencil to write 'The Star Spangled Banner'?"
"No, Donna, I didn't."
"I did."
"You would, Sam."
"Josh, be nice to Sam."
"I am."
"Un-huh."
"Donna, do you know how much the director of Gone With The Wind was fined for the line, 'Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.'?"
"$5000."
"Can you gentlemen please excuse me? I want to talk to Donna for a few minutes."
I turn to see that Toby has approached our group where Sam and I have been annoying Josh with trivia. Toby turns to me and gestures that I go ahead of him to his office. I do as he indicates and once we reach his cubicle-like space he closes the door.
"So, Toby, what can I do for you?"
"I just wanted to talk to you for a little bit, Donna."
"Ok."
There is a long pause during which Toby gives me a thoughtful look.
"Did I do something wrong?"
"Oh, no, Donna. I know it may be hard to tell but I'm very impressed with you. You have spunk and panache. You've put up with Josh for two weeks and not gone crazy. You have a fantastic work ethic and you know how to talk to people."
I feel myself blush at Toby's compliments.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"So, why did you call me in here if it isn't to disapprove of me?"
He gives me a long look.
"Donna, how much money do you have?"
I give a start at the forwardness of his question.
"Why do you ask?"
"Well, its just things I've noticed. I almost never see you eat anything. Just a donut in the morning and lots of water all day. And last night in the restaurant that appetizer that Josh bought you disappeared faster than coffee at Starbucks. And then you were stealing fries from his plate."
I blush at the last statement. I didn't think anyone had noticed. I suddenly feel the need to preserve the Moss pride.
"I'm fine. I just don't eat much. And the thing with the fries last night is a habit from when I used to go out with my boyfriend."
Toby seems almost convinced until my stomach gives an unmistakable growl. Then he gives me a look.
"I haven't had my donut yet."
I straighten out my shoulders and silently dare him to humiliate me by telling Josh that I haven't been eating because I don't have enough money. He makes eye contact with me and then shrugs, admitting defeat. He then opens a drawer in his desk and pulls out a pie.
"Want a slice?"
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Donna slips quietly into my office, places a few files on my desk, removes other ones and is about to leave again when I speak.
"Hey, Donna?"
She turns around.
"Yes?"
"What did Toby want to talk to you about?"
"Nothing. He just complimented me on my work. Oh, and he gave me a piece of pie."
She turns to leave but stops when I speak again.
"He gave you a piece of pie?"
"Yes."
"He gave you a piece of pie?"
"I just told you, yes."
"Donna, he never gives anyone pie."
"Well, he gave some to me. Anything else?"
"Nah."
Donna leaves and is replaced by Sam.
"Hey, Josh, we're going to have a meeting in a few minutes."
"Ok, I'm coming."
I finish reading one of the files Donna put on my desk and then head out into the relatively quiet main office. Half of the staff and all of the volunteers are at the site where we'll be holding a town hall meeting this evening. I see Toby, Sam, and C.J. seated at a small table near the window and I saunter over to join them. As I walk towards the group I pass Donna.
"Hey, Donna?"
"Yes, Josh?"
"Could you use that amazing talent of yours to get me a decent cup of coffee?"
Donna gives me a look I don't understand then and then says slowly, "You want me to get you coffee?"
"That's what I just said, isn't it?"
Donna gives me another look but then heads off in the direction of the coffee pot so I dismiss it and continue towards the group. I plop down in the chair next to Sam.
"Before we start I want everyone to know that Toby gave down a slice of pie."
Sam gives Toby an injured look.
"You give her pie and you won't give me any?"
Toby mumbles under his breath.
"What was that, Toby?"
"I said you can afford to buy your own pie."
The sentence strikes me as odd and I'm about to ask what Toby means when I hear Donna's voice from just behind me.
"Here's your coffee, Josh."
And suddenly my nerves are filled with the sensation of having icy cold black coffee poured right into my lap. Toby and Sam are attempting to hide their smiles and C.J. is laughing outright. I crane my neck backwards and see Donna standing there with an empty frosted mug in hand and a gleam in her eye. She then hands me a roll of paper towel.
"I put a change of clothes in your office."
There is a long pause as C.J., Sam, and Toby attempt to get themselves under control while I attempt to soak up all the liquid that was poured into my lap. Once it is quiet Donna speaks again.
"Anyone else want coffee?"
"No," comes from the group simultaneously.
"Ok."
Donna then turns on her heel and heads back to her desk. I hop up from my chair and walk quickly after her. I then take her arm in a loose grip and lightly push her towards my office. I close the door and then let myself go.
"What the hell was that?"
"That was me making a point."
"And the point is?"
"I don't get you coffee."
"Why? I've had fifteen different assistants who all got me coffee."
"Well, maybe you should hire one of them and I'll go."
"What, no, Donna, that's not what I meant."
"Then what did you mean?"
"I just want to know why you won't get me coffee."
"You really don't."
There is a look in Donna's eyes that I can't describe but I automatically feel my throat constricting in sympathy. She looks angry, sad, and defeated all at the same time. It's enough to break anyone's heart. I'm about to say that I really do want to know why Donna has such an aversion to bringing me coffee when the door opens and Sam's head pops in.
"Sorry to interrupt but, Josh, if you're going to change you need to do it now. We're leaving for the hall a little earlier than planned. Leo wants us to talk over a few things with the Governor before the meeting."
"Ok."
The door closes again.
Donna's head has started drooping and I notice that she's holding onto the back of the visitor's chair with white knuckles. I come around the desk and lift up her chin. Her blue eyes are inexplicably watery and her face is pale.
"Donna, it's fine. You don't have to get me coffee. It's probably better if I get it myself. I'll realize just how much I drink everyday."
Donna gives me a weak smile.
"Well, I should get out and let you change."
She indicates with her hand towards the pile of clean clothes, neatly folded, on my desk chair. I look at her puzzled.
"How on earth did you get those?"
"Ah, we Moss women. Very wily."
"I see."
Donna's hand is on the doorknob when I speak again.
"Don't think you're going to get out of telling me why you won't bring me coffee."
"I didn't think you'd let me."
With that she disappears out the door and I turn to the clothes that she somehow managed to steal from my suitcase in my hotel room. I lift up the shirt and mutter to myself.
"Very wily."
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It's amazing to realize just how many people are actually working on the campaign in South Dakota. When did I come to this conclusion? Well, about five minutes ago when they started streaming into the office to celebrate the success of the town hall meeting that just ended. There are people everywhere, most of them carrying an alcoholic beverage in some shape or form. I would join in the celebration but I'm suddenly feeling tired so I go into Josh's office and flop into his desk chair. The sounds of the reveling just outside the door carry into the room and leaning back I let the noise just wash over me.
I'm on the verge of sleep when Josh bounces into the office.
"Donnatella, how are you sleeping right now?"
"Well, I wasn't sleeping just yet."
"Donna, you can't sleep now, the Governor just did a fantastic job. Like a fantastically fantastic job."
"Josh, have you been drinking?"
"Not yet."
"Ok."
I lean my head back, as a sudden wave of fatigue washes over me once more.
"C'mon Donna, have one drink with me and then you can come back and sleep for a little while."
He's tugging at my hand like my nephews do when they want me to play. I sigh in resignation and then stand up slowly. Josh pulls on my hand and then forges ahead of me into the growing crowd. I attempt to follow him but everyone wants to toast me for no other reason than that I'm there. I'm pretty sure that if I were a houseplant they'd toast me. Josh reaches the fridge and pulls out two beers. He turns to hand one to me but his face suddenly lines with concern.
"Donna, are you ok? You look really pale."
I attempt to answer but I'm distracted by the sudden appearance of green spots on my vision and the feeling of being too warm. Suddenly I feel myself falling and everything goes black.
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I freak out.
"Donna! Donna! Donnatella Moss!"
The people standing close by crowd around attempting to see what happened and I feel overwhelmed and frightened right down to the pit of my stomach.
"C'mon, Donna, wake up."
I'm holding her hand and gently calling her name when the crowd surrounding us parts and Abbey Bartlet strides forward.
"What happened?"
"I don't know."
Abbey grabs Donna's wrist and feels for a pulse. She then puts a wrist to Donna's forehead. Her brow wrinkles and she pulls a small flashlight out of her pocket and checks Donna's pupils. Then she checks her pulse again.
"Ok, let's move her."
Toby and Sam move forward to help me but I scoop Donna up and follow Mrs. Bartlet into Leo's office and lay Donna down on the couch there. Toby, Sam, and C.J. follow us in but Abbey closes the door before anyone else can enter.
"Alright, now who can tell me anything important about her."
"Well, she was looking really tired when she was in my office before. I think she was almost asleep when I came in. I dragged her out there and just before she fainted I noticed that she looked really pale."
"Hmm."
Toby looks internally conflicted for a moment and then speaks.
"She hasn't been eating."
"What?" both Mrs. Bartlet and I ask simultaneously.
"Or at least, she hasn't been eating properly."
"What do you mean?" I ask again.
"Haven't you noticed? All she ever eats is one of the donuts that are around every morning and then she drinks lots of water. Occasionally someone shared some leftovers with her but mostly she's been living on a donut a day. Why do you think I gave her a piece of pie today?"
I lean back against Leo's desk and study Donna's face. She's still too pale and I notice that she's unhealthily thin. I'm gazing at her face when Abbey's voice interrupts my thoughts.
"Do you think it's an eating disorder?"
"No, she just doesn't have money. Actually, she probably has money but I think she's saving it for when we leave for South Dakota."
"Why, how much is she being paid?"
I speak slowly.
"She isn't."
Mrs. Bartlet whirls on me.
"She isn't being paid?"
"No, she's technically a volunteer."
"The woman who's been working her butt off for you isn't being paid?"
"No."
"For the love of…Josh, put this woman on payroll."
"Yes, ma'am."
"When she wakes up give her something to eat. Sugar and carbs would be best for right now. They'll hit her bloodstream fastest."
With that, Dr. Bartlet opens the door and strides back into the main office. Toby, Sam, and C.J. follow her out. I'm left sitting in the visitor's chair in Leo's office watching Donna breathe.
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I walk meekly into the office the next morning. I feel like I'm being watched by everyone and walk with my head ducked down towards my desk. I've just removed my jacket and put down my purse when Josh pokes his head out of his office.
"Donna, can you come in here a minute?"
I nod. He disappears again and I square my shoulders in preparation for a lecture. When I woke up last night in Leo's office, Josh had been very polite and concerned. He told me I had fainted. Then he took me out for ice cream. He didn't say a word about why I had passed out but I knew that someone would have told him that I hadn't been eating. He took me back to the hotel, walked me to my room, gave my shoulder a squeeze and then walked towards his own room. I figured that he didn't want to freak out at me so shortly after I had fallen to the floor due to a lack of sufficient blood sugar levels.
I had dreaded coming into the office this morning, especially after the lecture I got from C.J. this morning. I lecture she gave me while watching me eat every bite of the breakfast that she ordered for me. If C.J. was freaking out like this I knew Josh would be worse. Josh, I knew, had a reputation for freaking out.
I walk quietly into his office and then close the door behind me. I wait for him to start speaking but he studiously ignores me in favor of the file he's reading. Finally, I speak softly.
"Hey."
He looks up.
"Donna."
"Yes?"
He studies me for a few moments and then speaks again.
"I'm not going to lecture you, C.J. did that for you already I'm sure."
I nod.
"I just want to say that, you don't have to keep secrets from me. I know how much pride is involved when it comes to money and being self-sufficient but you can tell me if you're having trouble. With anything. I know I'm your boss, but I also like to think that we've become friends."
"We have," I say softly.
"Good. Now, as a friend, I want you to know you can tell me anything you want and if you're having problems please let me know. Oh, and don't ever stop eating again. I really don't want to have to watch you faint again. It's not good for my health or yours."
I give him a wry grin and turn to go.
"Oh, wait, I have something for you."
I turn back and he hands me an envelope.
"What's this?"
"Your pay slip. You'll notice that it covers everything from the first day since you 'volunteered'."
I look at him, surprised, and I feel tears starting to well up. Josh gives me a panicked look that says please don't cry. I quickly smile at him and speak hoarsely.
"Thanks."
He smiles back.
"You're welcome."
I stand there as we exchange glances until Josh finally breaks off.
"Well, you should get back out there. You have a paying job to do and all."
'I do, don't I?"
"Of which part of the description is not bringing me coffee."
"Bet your ass I won't."
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To be continued…