What do we love? TRANSITION! When do we want it? ...um, not right now! We've just had TWO chapters of transition! How much more transit do you NEED?

I promise that I'll actually write a real chapter tomorrow. Perhaps with a bit less dialogue. An actual chapter, you know? Maybe like my first one. Or, maybe more like my second, which is dialogue with a story. We'll see. I've just been terribly busy today, and still have a ton of work left. I did manage to write this thing, which is actually pretty long, but I didn't actually move the plot. At all. This story is about Josh and Donna, and, yet, there is no actual Josh or Donna in this chapter. Just lots and lots and lots of poor dialogue. Darn.

TOMORROW. Tomorrow will be a day for an exciting chapter, I hope.

Oh, and I didn't proof read at all. Just to warn you.

The Oval Office is the room in which the President of the United States of America devises and executes complex strategies and makes decisions for the good of the American people. Tonight, however, it would become a living gossip column.

"What's this I hear about Josh and Donna?"

Leo looked up from his memo. "You didn't catch C.J.'s press conference, sir?"

"No," the Commander-in-Chief replied. "I was in the middle of a meeting with the Ambassador to Paraguay, and then all hell broke loose with a national scandal involving the highest ranked Republican member in Congress and I had to try to act in a manner that didn't make me look heartless or un-presidential."

"Oh. Yeah."

"So, what happened?"

"Well, sir, this is probably a matter you would rather take up with Josh."

Bartlet rolled his eyes. "I plan on taking it up with Josh, Leo, but I'd like to know what the whole situation is about."

"You mean you don't know anything?"

"No."

"Well, in that case, I can have Margaret get you a transcript of C.J.'s briefing. That way you wouldn't have missed a step."

"Leo, just tell me."

There was a pause.

"Well, sir, I'm a bit hesitant ab---"

"I can tell you're hesitant, Leo, but if I knew what the situation was that was making you hesitant, I might be a little more at ease."

"It's just I don't like talking about other people's relationships when you could just ask one of them yourself."

The President's eyes widened. "What do you mean, relationship? Has something occured between the two of them?"

Leo sighed. It wasn't that it was a terrible thing that Josh and Donna were dating. It was a terrible thing that he would have to be the one to tell the President. As much as he loved Jed Bartlet, he wasn't in the mood to hear him ramble on about life and love and the work place for ten minutes before asking Charlie to find Josh. There was no use in putting it off. Leo had to be the one to tell him.

"It seems, sir," he said, rubbing the side of his face, "that Josh and Donna have begun to date."

"They're dating? Leo, when did all this start?" Bartlet's excitement level grew.

"Are you sure you don't want me to get you the transcript? It would give you all the information."

The President swiped his hand in the air. "Ah, alright. Enough with you. I can see clearly you're not the romantic type. You're off the hook for this one."

"Thank you, sir." Leo took a step towards his office. "I'm going to go back and make some phone calls if that's okay."

"Sure," Barlet replied, smiling. "I'm going to stay a bit, find out a good story."

Leo turned around. "Be sure to take good notes," he said seriously. "Abbey will want to hear everything before she talks to Donna."

"Should I call in one of the secretaries?"

"Nah, just take a mental note. Even if you forget some stuff, you know she'll be in talking to Donna the next morning."

The President chuckled. "Have a good evening, Leo."

He took a step back and sat down in his chair, thinking for a minute. Folding his glasses and placing them on the table he stood up, walked over, and opened the door.

"Charlie?"

"What can I do for you, sir?"

"I need you to get Josh and tell him to come in here."

"Yes, sir. Would you like him right now?"

"Yeah." said, Bartlet and beginning to walk back in to the Oval Office. He stopped and said "Say, Charlie, you wouldn't happen to know anything about the situation with Josh and Donna, would you?"

Charlie put the phone down from his ear and stopped dialing.

"Well, sir, I do know what was told in the press briefing."

"No, no," Barlet replied. "I was wondering if you knew anything more than that."

"Sir, I'm not really comfort---"

"What is it about telling me about the relationship between by Deputy Chief of Staff and his assistant? You and Leo --- both of you --- tell me nothing. I am the President, you know. Nearly all-powerful. If you committed a crime, I would have pardoned you, but now I'm not so sure."

"Well, thank you for your kindness in potentially pardoning me." Charlie said skeptically. "But, all do respect, sir, I think the reason why Leo and I are both avoiding telling you more details than you know is because we're trying to protect ourselves."

"Protect yourselves? From what?"

"A long lecture."

"From whom? Josh?"

"No, sir."

"From me? Charlie, what could I possibly have to say about two people dating?" The President looked shocked.

"Well, from previous experience, you have spoken to me quite a bit about how courtship was done in your time. And in the time of the Romans. And Medieval Europe."

"All worthwhile information, Charlie."

"Yes, sir, but then you're talking to me for ten minutes, and that means that it's ten minutes I could have been finishing work, ten minutes I could have been home sooner, ten minutes I could have been sleeping."

Bartlet gave him a look.

"It's not that I don't fully appreciate the wisdom that you share with me," Charlie said, retreating, "it's just that I've heard it before, and I wouldn't want you to strain your vocal chords by talking to me, and to Josh."

"You think you're funny, don't you."

"Not particularly, sir, but I really do have work to do. And, I still need to actually call Josh. Would that be okay, Mr. President?"

"Alright, alright." Bartlet said, walking over and grabbing the door to the office walk back in and shut it.

"But, honestly, Charlie, who are you to be saying what's in the mind of the White House Chief of Staff?"

"Sir, I believe, in this case, I know what Leo is thinking."

Arguing with Charlie right now was a losing battle.

"Oh, fine. Just get Josh in here, will you?"

"Absolutely, sir."