DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters or dialogue taken directly from the show. I do not claim to be a political expert, I am far from that, I am a biology major. Therefore I would like to preface this story with the notion I wrote this story out of pure love of the show and the characters. Thank you & enjoy.
Part 11: Sunday, August 6, 2000
"Mack, Leo wants to see you when you get a chance," Erin said nonchalantly as she flipped through notes. "And this message is for you." She stuck a post-it to my chest and scurried to her desk next to Donna's. It was miraculous to see how comfortable she was after just 3 months in the West Wing. She had come a long way from her "Mr. McGarry" and "Sam Seaborn's hot" phase.
"Thanks," I muttered absently as I walked into Josh's office. He was banging his head against the desk. "Josh what the hell are you doing?"
"Hitting my head against the desk – "
"I can see that, but why?" I stood in front of his desk. He looked up at me and his face was of complete defeat. "What's wrong with you?"
"It's going to be a long day – "
"And I can see you're starting it out on the right foot," I closed the door and sat on the edge of his desk. "You didn't come home last night. What did you have?"
"Work."
"You need sleep Josh … " I sighed and looked down at the open folder on his desk. "What's this?"
"Itinerary for tomorrow. Are you coming?"
"Can't," I shrugged and hopped off the desk. "I'll be at the University of Maryland with Alex. He's handing over a 5 million dollar check. I think they want funds for new science facilities."
"You think?"
"I know," I smiled and got off. Josh stood and leaned on the desk. "Hm, that wheel sounds squeaky, better get it checked out before it collapses on you and you break your neck."
"How did you get the money? I thought the proposal was turned down."
"Family funds," I shrugged.
"I bet it's nice to be rich."
"Josh, the chair.
"Got it."
- - - - -
Monday, August 7, 2000. 7:30am.
I stopped by the West Wing to pick up a few papers I had accidentally left behind.
"Hey I thought you weren't coming in today," Josh said as I walked through.
"I'm not, I forgot these," I held up a folder and headed for Leo's office.
"Will I see you tonight?"
"I'd count on it," I smiled.
"Hey Mack, you haven't been to your apartment in the last 24 hours have you?" he asked with an uneasy grin.
"No, I was at my parents, why?" he didn't answer. "Josh … what do you have to tell me?"
"Mack," he put his hands out in protest.
"Josh!"
"Mack they looked so little and pathetic – "
"Joshua Lyman I swear to God – "
"What's going on?" Donna stuck her head out.
I turned to her and threw my arms up. "He did it, Donna."
"Did what? Not – no!"
"Yes!" I looked over at Josh who was currently being double-teamed.
"It's just a few tropical fish … " Josh replied meekly.
"Doesn't matter!" I yelled. "They're animals, which means responsibility and I don't have time for more responsibility! You don't live in my apartment for more than two weeks and already you're buying fish!"
"Salt water fish nonetheless – "
"Donna!"
"Going … "
I turned to him with hands on hips.
"How many? And what kind?"
"It was a special … two clownfish, a starfish, and some yellow thing."
"Great, I have Nemo in my apartment! Where do you think we have room for this?"
"I put them down in the den," he gave a face. "Are you mad?"
"We'll talk later Josh!" I stormed over to Leo's office.
- - - - -
We arrived at the University of Maryland at 7:30pm. I looked at my watch as I became anxious; I wanted to get back to the White House in time to hear how the Town Hall meeting went. But my brother was a good crowd pleaser, with his golden checkbook that solved everyone's problems and radiant smile. He offered the University full support and assured them that "together we will build the future of America." (As if that was never said before.)
There was a reception afterwards upon, which we had prepared a speech just in case they had set up yet another podium for him to speak at. Of course they asked him to speak again. I was standing below the stage and off to the side. My watched read 9:35 – they were probably all back by now and drinking beer and watching a sports game.
"Mack, you have phone call."
"Tell them I'll call them back," I said to Erin.
"Mack, it's Margaret."
"What?" I ran out of the room and took the phone. "Margaret? What's wrong?"
"Have you turned on a television lately?"
"No, why?"
"The President's been shot – " I didn't hear the rest of her sentence, but dropped the phone and got the worst feeling I had ever felt in my entire life.
"Mack?" Erin ran over. "Mack what's wrong?"
I looked at her in complete shock. I ran back into the room and onto the stage. I put my hand over the microphone as Alex tried to comprehend what was going on.
"McKayla – "
"Jed's been shot," I said frantically.
"What?" he hissed.
"Margaret just called me and it's all over the news. Jed's been shot and we're leaving."
He sighed, not sure what to do. Thousands of eyes were on him and a camera rolling.
"Ladies and gentlemen, one moment. Please excuse the interruption," he shuffled me out of the room and turned to his secret service. "Bill, get me a chopper now. McKayla needs to get to Washington ASAP. I will finish here and then meet you in DC. Call Mary as soon as you arrive there."
"Mack," Erin walked up very slowly. She looked like she just lost her mom. "Mack, I'm so sorry but … Donna just called and … Josh was shot also."
Alex's eyes and mine locked. A nauseating feeling over took me and I ran into the bathroom and threw up.
- - - - -
I threw up about three more times in the helicopter ride to George Washington University Hospital. By the time I reached the hospital I was completely dehydrated and weak. I had thrown up every meal I had consumed and just for good measure, got sick as soon as I walked into the hospital. When I arrived in the waiting room, Donna, Toby, CJ, and Sam were there.
"Mack … " Sam said meekly.
I was completely disheveled. I had removed my blouse after throwing up all over it and put on a spare sweatshirt Alex had with him. My hair was falling out and the mascara had formed beautiful black circles under my eyes.
"Mack," Sam walked over to me and hugged me.
"Where is he?" I asked. I had cried enough.
"He's in surgery – "
"Take me to him – "
"Mack, he – "
"TAKE ME TO HIM SAM!" I yelled.
He took me to the operating room. I thought I had squeezed the last tear out of my eye but from somewhere deep inside my body found more to pour out of my eyes. I pressed my hand to the glass and began sobbing. Sam caught me in his arms and brought me to the ground where I just cried for a good two minutes.
"Mack," he too was choking back tears, "you just have to believe that he will pull through … "
"I – love – him – so – much … " I curled into a ball.
"I know. And he does too … "
"McKayla."
"Daddy?" I looked up and saw my father walking over in scrubs. "Get up and come with me. Thanks Sam."
"Yes Sir," he stood and helped me up.
"Daddy," I hugged him and let a few tears fall.
"Come with me … " he took me to an isolated room. "Jed is fine he has no organ damage. Josh is not okay. He has a collapsed lung and arterial bleed. His procedure is sure to take at least 12 hours. Dr. Keller is in there, he is a good doctor and I would trust him with my life. Do you understand what I am saying?"
I looked up at him.
"This may be the last time I see Josh alive … "
He sighed. "Yes."
"Okay," I sighed.
"Do you want to scrub in and tell him anything?"
I changed into scrubs and washed up, put a mask on and entered into the busy room. It was beeping and clanging and his chest was wide open. Blood and guts didn't bother me; I had seen it all as the daughter of a doctor. I slowly walked up to Josh and squeezed myself into the mess of doctors and nurses.
"Two minutes McKayla," my father said sternly.
"Hey you," I smiled down at him. "This isn't exactly what I meant by I'll see you later, but I guess it's better than nothing." I forced a chuckle. "You pull through and I'll let you keep the damn fish – we'll call it even." I leaned in closer. "You know I never told you how much I love you, Joshua Lyman. I did the moment I met you and I've only been waiting fifteen years for you to come back into my life … Be well … " I kissed his forehead through the mask and left the OR.
- - - - -
"McKayla I'm running for President."
"Don't lie to me Jed," I said as I walked through the Capitol, talking on my cell phone.
"No, I'm not."
"C'mon, why spend the energy? Senator Hoynes is going to win the Democratic nomination and everyone knows it. You're a great governor, who put it in your head that you can go on to being President?"
"Leo."
"Well Leo's got his head in the clouds."
"He got your father going."
"Yeah well – "
"Just come to the headquarters for a weekend and meet the staff."
"Who's on it?"
"CJ Craig – "
"Never heard."
"Leo McGarry. Toby Ziegler. Sam Seaborn – "
"Gage and Whitney Seaborn?"
"Yeah. And Josh Lyman – "
"You're joking," I scoffed. I threw my bag on my desk. "C'mon Jed, you know I don't speak with Josh Lyman. We hate each other."
"I don't know McKayla, I think you two have chemistry."
"And you're a real expert as far as love."
"Of course," Jed laughed. "McKayla, I'll make a bet with you."
"Sure."
"I'll bet that you and Josh end up together somewhere down the road."
"And what happens if you win?"
"If I win then you have to run for Senate."
"Against my brother?" I laughed.
"No, when he runs for President."
"Okay. And if I win?"
"I'll buy you a puppy."
"I don't want a puppy."
"I'll buy you a cat."
"Jed … " I leaned back in my chair and waited for my computer to load.
"Fine, I'll take you anywhere in the world you want to go."
Silence.
"Seriously?"
"Yep."
"Anywhere?"
"How long are you going to wait until you decide we're not ever going to get together?"
"Until either I die, one of you two gets married or both."
Pause.
"Deal."
"So you'll come visit us in New Hampshire this weekend?"
"Goodbye Jed," I hung up the phone.
- - - - -
I opened my eyes and realized I was in the waiting room, resting my head on Donna's shoulder, still in scrubs. I got up and looked for someone to take me to the White House.