TAH-DAH!

It's edited, to some extent. Thank you to TRINITYSTARGAZER3 and, once again, MISS JASADIN. I so appreciate the fact that you two wrote reviews so quickly!

So, here's chapter six. It's about 4,000 words long, which is four times the normal amount of my chapters. I hope people can get through it. To be quite honest, if I hadn't written it, I don't know whether or not I would have made it.

Now, I have one big question, then on to the main event:

Should I continue this story or should this be the end?

A comment on that subject would be highly appreciated.

Normally, I don't write my notes before I write my actual chapter. Today, however, I am writing the note beforehand.

I've had a lot of difficulty sitting down and writing this chapter, mainly because I know it has to be good, and because I know where I want to go, but am not sure where to start. So, in short: writer's block sucks.

Except, I don't really have writer's block. I have something more like writer's procrastination. And, I was also busy --- somewhat. I just couldn't find the time to play with my story, which normally would have been a terrible pity, but wasn't since I've been hesitant towards writing this.

Also, also, also, BIG THANKS to my two faithful reviewers, KURSK and MISS JASADIN. You two have been stellar in your constant reviewing.

If anyone else wants to join in on the reviewing, feel free! Seriously, anything from an emoticon to a complete non-constructive criticism would be, by me, appreciated. (Anyone notice the little parallel I just made? The very end? Ainsley Hayes talking to Lionel Tribby? Ha. I'm proud of myself for that one. Except, of course, I wasn't writing in iambic pentameter. Oh, season two, good season.)

Hope this turned out all right!

If it weren't against the law, Leo McGarry would have been dead by now.

His death would have been illegal, of course, because he would have been murdered.

In the bullpen.

With a stapler.

By Mr. Lyman.

Josh understood why he had to be in his office at 9:00 PM on today, the day that his relationship with Donna had become no big deal, but, still, he wanted to kill Leo.

With a blow to the head from a stapler.

It was very important to gear up for the big showdown over the Child Care Legislation, but, why couldn't Sam be doing it? Or Toby? Or anyone else in the entire world?

Scratch that. Anyone else besides Donna.

Seriously, Josh didn't care. His mother could be the one collecting information, and he wouldn't have been upset. Getting to the office early was no big deal, but, no, of course not, Leo wanted the information by midnight.

Before Josh turned into a pumpkin. How Cinderella.

Josh's train of thought was disrupted when is phone began to ring. I bet it's Donna, Josh thought to himself, Telling me that she wondered whether or not there had been an attack on the White House and I had been shot and killed. He picked up the phone, planning on hearing her sweet voice, whining about how his job sucked. Instead, he got Charlie Young.

"Hi, Josh."

"Oh. Hey, Charlie."

"Expecting someone else?"

"Sort of. What's up?"

"The President would like to see you in the Oval Office."

"Right now?"

"Yeah. And, just to give you a heads up, he's looking for information about you and Donna."

"Couldn't you have just given him the transcript from C.J.'s briefing?"

"Oh, believe me, Josh, I tried. He wants more information."

"I bet he does. I'm on my way."

Josh hung up the phone and put his face in his hands, sighing. It wasn't that he didn't like talking about the night he and Donna first kissed --- it's just that he wanted to be with her right now. Perhaps it was selfish, but, whatever. It's Donna. Any man would be selfish over spending time with her.

He pushed the chair out from under him forcefully, and began to walk, devising a plan as to how to explain the story to the President in the most concise manner. Yeah, he thought, The most concise way of telling the President what happened in more detail than C.J.'s briefing is just telling him that Donna and I first kissed in my office, late at night, after an argument. But, then, he'll want to know what the argument was about. Then I'm going to have to go into that day. And, what happened the week before. Dammit, I'm screwed.

Josh realized there was no way that he was going to be able to take the short road on this story. It was going to be complicated, but, so was the relationship. It fit.

Why was he feeling nervous? It didn't really matter that he was briefing the Commander-in-Chief. He did that all the time. Why was this time different? Oh, because he was bearing his soul to the leader of the free world. That's why. Josh then realized how truly short a walk it is from his office to the President's.

"Hey again, Charlie."

"You can go ahead in."

"Thanks."

"Good luck in there."

Josh took a few steps in.

"Josh, my boy!" the President yelled. "Come, come in! Sit down! Close the door! You, I'm afraid, have quite some explaining to do."

He shut the door and walked in, a frazzled expression on his face.

"Josh, you and I have had some lively discussions in our time knowing one another, wouldn't you agree?" the President said, sitting down in a chair and Josh following suit.

"Yes, sir."

"Then I must tell you I am hoping that this one will make the top five."

"Thank you for the heads up, sir."

"Josh, you must know by now that I am a romantic at heart, don't you?"

"I think you may have mentioned it at one time or another."

"Then surely understand why it is that I am so interested in learning about how you and the bright, beautiful, boisterous, and talented Donnatella Moss got together."

"Yes, sir, I do. And I'll tell Donna you think she's boisterous. She'll like that."

They paused.

"Okay, come on, get on with it! I'm a busy man, Josh. Governing can only take a small time out to hear you talk about your love life. Someone could blow something up any minute now, and before you know it, I could be whisked away to the situation room. You wouldn't want that, would you?"

"Well, if there were no civilian casualties---"

"Very funny. Now, spill."

Josh sighed and began to talk.

"Well, sir, as I am sure you know already, I first met Donna in Manchester at the Bartlet for America campaign headquarters, where she became my assistant."

Bartlet interrupted.

"Josh, I know the basic history behind you and Donna, I just want to get to the good part."

"I'm sorry, sir. I'll move along.

"So, about a month and a half ago, as you'll probably remember, I was spending a lot of time here working on marriage incentives and the bills we were trying to pass. I was very busy, and so I made Donna work as equally hard as me. Donna always works hard, sir, but in those few weeks, she worked like I've never seen her work before. Never missing a beat.

"We were spending quite a bit of time together, more than normal, and it was, to me, a thrill. Sir, I'm not quite sure if you've noticed --- other people have --- but, Donna and I have always had this 'thing' between us. I still don't know what it is to this day, but, that thing was making me absolutely crazy over spending time as much time with her as possible. I had the power to lock her in the office without receiving any complaints.

"Anyway, during one day in those weeks, Donna asked me if it would be okay if she went out with this guy for drinks that night. You know, she'd be gone for an hour, tops, and obviously I could manage without her, as we've done it before.

"But, here's where Donna went wrong. I didn't want her to have drinks with another guy. If she was spending time with another guy, liking another guy, then my chances were ruined. I was intrigued by the potentiality of finally being in the forbidden relationship.

"That's the thing though, sir, right there. It was a forbidden relationship. I started thinking, and knew that I had to let her go. She'd be back that night, and I was figuring that her date would go the way they usually do --- the guy seemed nice the first time she met him, but, the second time, when she spent more than ten minutes with him, she'd realize that he just wasn't her type. Then I could go back fantasizing about my pursuit of forbidden love and still feel like a decent human being. Things didn't work out according to plan, though."

"She came back, in high spirits, head-over-heels falling for the guy?"

"Exactly. She had met Mr. Right, and it wasn't her usual 'we met for five minutes at a party' Mr. Right. It was the 'we talked for an hour and had drinks and he was so sweet' Mr. Right. Give me five dates before that, and she would have come back upset. I would have been doing fine then."

"A turn of bad fortune for you."

"You can say that again. I was so --- violently upset with Donna then. She hadn't done anything wrong, I had been the one who let her go out, I wasn't behind with work; I was just being selfish. I'm still selfish to this day about Donna, but at least I now have just cause. That night I was being stupid.

"She came back and was just rambling on and on about the guy, and I just ignored her. She noticed I was ignoring her, but she rationalized that the reason I was saying maybe two words to her was that I was exhausted. Except, sir, I hold grudges. Donna came into work the next day and it was the same Josh she had left the night before.

"And then, I made my most idiotic mistake."

"You forbade her from seeing the guy?"

"She wanted to go out for drinks again. I specifically told Donna that I needed her in that night because we had an insurmountable amount of files to go through. I told her that if she didn't show up that night, she would be hurting the administration, you, me, and the American people."

"Did you really have something that important for her to do?"

"No. Not at all. So, when I gave her the assignment, she got angry, rightfully. So, then, instead of I not speaking to Donna, Donna wasn't speaking to me."

"How long did that last for?"

"A day and a half. She finally decided to confront me about how I was banning her from seeing people because I didn't think that they were good enough for her. Which was true. Those guys weren't good enough for Donna. Hell, sometimes, I don't think I'm good enough for Donna."

"You aren't. But that doesn't matter, you love her, and she loves you, that's all that matters, Josh."

"Thank you, sir. "

"What happened then?"

"I'm sorry?"

"What happened when she confronted you about how you were locking her away?"

"Oh, well, we got into a screaming match, which was 95 percent Donna in the beginning."

"But, near the end?"

"Near the end I yelled back. And exposed myself. A lot."

"Ah, the bold confession of true love."

"Yes, sir, but it wasn't really the bold confession. More like the jealous, mediocre confession."

"Well, what did you say?"

"I started in by saying that she had already been through a relationship with someone who completely under-appreciated who she was and what she did.

"That, to find someone who was worthy of her adoration, that she needed to know the person thoroughly.

"That, if she was going to fall in love with someone, she had to try them out for some time. She had to tell them what her life was like, what her job was like; how late she would be home at night, how long she would be at the office.

"I told her that she needed to find someone who understood her. Who wouldn't laugh at her quirks. Who would be ready to console her when she cried. Someone she had been to hell and back with, through thick and thin, night and day, right or wrong. Someone who knew that they couldn't live without her.

"I told her that she was too good for some guy she met at a party and asked her out for drinks without really getting to know her. I told her that knowing her is to love her. I told her that I knew her and I understood her. I told her that she was too good for anything less.

"I told her that if the guy didn't know that when he saw her every day he would smile at the sight of her face, she was too good for him. I said that if the guy didn't feel like he needed oxygen support to get by when she was away for days at a time, she was too good for him.

"I told her that I knew what it felt like to be away from her wanting the oxygen support. I knew what it felt like to see her every day and smile. I told her I knew what it felt like to love her and how she needed someone who felt those things, or else she should walk. Immediately. No questions.

"And then I stopped talking. And then there was a lot of silence."

"What happened next?"

"She walked out of my office, grabbed her stuff, and left."

"Did you chase after her?"

"No. I just stood there. I was in shock. I didn't know why I had said all those things to her. I didn't know what she was thinking. It was like I had just ripped out my heart and stuck it into her face for her to see, but, she didn't take it. She didn't deny it either. I just couldn't believe I had done it."

Josh was in a daze, remembering what it had felt like. Bartlet interrupted him.

"When did she come back?"

"What?"

"When did she come back?"

"Oh. The next morning."

"Did you say anything? Did she say anything?"

"She avoided eye contact with me when I came in, and then finally came in fifteen minutes later to tell me what I had to do that day."

"And then did you talk about it?"

"No. I tried to say something, but she was strictly business.

"I went through the day thinking about her, and how I could fix our relationship. I didn't know whether I should say that I hadn't meant what I had said the night before, that I was being too hard on the people she dated, that I was being just my egotistical self when I mentioned how I was perfect --- I just had no idea what to say, and I couldn't ask anyone for advice without it looking suspicious.

"I think I ended up waiting until around 7:30 until I called her into my office and asked her to shut the door. I said I was sorry and that I shouldn't have attacked her the way I did and said what I had said. All she said was that she accepted my apology and that she really had to finish getting some memos in order for the next day, so I let her go, and sat in my office for another hour, trying to work. But, I couldn't get anything done because I knew she was outside my door, just a few feet away.

"I went out of my office, and mostly everyone was gone. Sam, Toby, and C.J. were in with the speech writing staff trying to write that commerce speech --- basically everyone left in the building besides Donna and me were in there.

"It was dark and it was quiet, except for Donna organizing and moving papers. I came by and said Hi, and she came right out at me, saying

'You know, you really shouldn't do that to me.'

'What?'

'Lie to me.'

'Donna, I'm sorr---'

'No, you don't understand. You can criticize whoever I go on dates with, but you can't say things you don't mean about you.'

'Wait, what are you talking about?'

'Last night, Josh. Last night! Why are you making this so difficult?'

'Donna, I'm not trying to make you more upset. I already tried to apologi---'

'And I said that I accepted your apology. It's just that you said something that you didn't apologize for and I don't know what to think about you. I don't know if you meant it, and I really can't take this!'

'Donna.'

'Josh, are you in love with me?'

'I---'

'You said you were, last night, out of context. That's what's been driving me insane, Josh. You have always denounced the people I have dated, and you're implying it's because you're in love with me. If you have been in love with me, why haven't you just said it?'

'Because I've been scared! I'm scared, Donna. I'm scared out of my mind. I'm scared because I know that I am in love with you. I've never been like this before. It scares me. I don't want to lose you, but I know I can't be with you. I'm scared because if you and I were to become something, we'd be hurting the people that we work with. The people that have always been there for us. I'm not in a position that makes it easy for me to date someone, especially not when she's working for me. You're my subordinate, and right there makes it national scandal!

'Yes, Donna, I'm in love with you. I sound absolutely insane, but, you and I have spent so much time together. I know so many things about you, I know the way you act --- I know stupid things that no one really needs to know about. I go crazy when you're living your life separately from mine. It drives me crazy, Donna, but I can't do it. We can't be together. I want to, so badly. But I'm scared. My position doesn't allow us to be together.'

'That's crap, Josh. That's absolute crap! You're scared? You're admitting that you're a coward? What is wrong with you? Do you really think that it would be that important that you and I are together? That the world would stop, stare at us, and think that the Bartlet Administration condones inter-personnel dating?

'Look at Charlie and Zoey, Josh. Aside from the fact that they're an interracial couple and have been shot at, the media hasn't had a frenzy over them. The President's personal aide and his daughter. If Charlie were white, no one would care at all. The fact that a bunch of lunatic white supremacists decided that Charlie should have been killed is not a statement that two people dating from within the President's spectrum is completely out of line.

'You, Josh, are being an absolute coward. I can't believe you. You are so righteous in whatever you do. You fight for people's rights. You try to make the world a better place. But, when it comes to making yourself happy and making someone else happy, you lose. You fail.'

"And then she walked into my office with some files to put on my desk, so I followed right after her, slamming the door as I walked in.

'I'M SORRY, DONNA. I am really, and truly, one hundred percent sorry! I want to throw the rule book out the window. I want to be free of the chains that frown upon you and I being together. I'm crazy about you. I'm in love with you. I want it to --- I just --- you're amazing, Donna. You really are. I don't even deserve you. But I want to be with you, more than anything I've ever wanted in my entire life. It's stupid. This sounds stupid. But it's true. And it's real. And it sucks, Donna. It sucks.'

'Then change it!'

'How?'

'Forget about everything when it comes to you and me. Just let it be what it is.'

'I can't do that, Donna.'

'Yes, you can. I know you can. Josh, please. Don't do this to me.'

"She started crying --- a lot.

'This is horrible Josh. I can't believe you. I don't know if I can trust you ever again. I can't believe this. I said I'd never admit this to you, and here I am. Look at me, Josh. I'm standing here, in your office, crying because I've realized that you love me, but you can't do anything about it. You're going to just stand there, and wish that things would change. Nothing's going to change Josh, nothing. Nothing will change unless you do something.'

"The tears were just falling rapidly. I didn't know what else to do. It's impossible to look at someone you care for that much and not hold them. So I reached out and took her into my arms.

'Donna. Come here.'

"She reluctantly came to me and I just shhh-ed her and stroked her hair. She just kept talking as I held her.

'Why can't you just change it, Josh.'

'I want to, I really do.'

'I thought I lost you once, but you survived and now you're here.'

'I know that. And I wouldn't be here without you.'

'You should live your life the way you want to. Change it, Josh. Revolution.'

"There was silence. I just kept hugging her and she kept sniffling. Then the sniffling stopped, and we were just standing there, holding one another. I pushed away, leaned down, and kissed her. And then after that I pulled away and said

'I'll change.'

"She then started kissing me, and, that's how it all started. That's where it began, sir."

There was a brief pause. The rhythm of the conversation had changed.

"You're becoming the seed of change, Josh. You both are."

"Thank you, sir."

Another pause.

"Charlie made a joke earlier about how, when talking about true love, I go into talking about true love in different ages: Roman Times, Medieval Times, and my generation, and how I would keep someone here for hours, talking to them all about love and my knowledge of it."

"I can see where he would get it, Mr. President."

"Both he and Leo wouldn't dare tell me about what happened between Donna and you, all because of their fear of my historical data. But I'm glad I scared them."

"Why's that?"

"Because you, Josh, just opened up to me more than I've ever seen you do before. Sure, I know things about you; we talked the night your father died. But this is something positive you're opening up about. You're happy, Josh, I can tell."

"I am, sir."

"I don't ever want to hear you say that in the matters of your relationship to that wonderful girl, you cannot do certain things due to your job to protect me. You have my blessing on this, Josh. I support Donna and you entirely. I've stood by Leo when he was attacked for his alcohol and drug addiction, and I'll stand by you two on much less dramatic circumstances.

"Now, get the hell out of here and go see that girl."

Josh smiled. "Thank you, sir. You have no idea how much what you just said means to me."

"Eh, well, it's the best I can do right now. Plus, I'll be making my wife a very happy woman when I inform her of this development with full details. You deserve a little bit of my good wishes."

"Glad to help as I can."

The President stood up and walked over to his desk. Josh stood there, watching him.

"Really, Josh, go! I've had enough of talking to you. Go home and see Donna, and tell her I say congratulations. Tell her that her boyfriend has quite a catch, and, if he ever hurts her, to come directly to me. I can have the secret service on her in no time."

"I'm not quite sure that's legal, sir."

"Oh, sure it is! You've seen Zoey's detail. All I have to do is adopt Donna, and then no one would care. As a member of the first family, she's entitled to the Maryland National Guard, for goodness sake. Now go!" Bartlet said, grabbing his briefcase and walking towards the door.

"Actually, sir, I can't leave just yet. I have to finish some stuff for Leo. He wanted it by midnight."

The President stopped. "Leo told you to do that?"

"Yes, sir."

"Josh, don't listen to him. Leo's having a bit of fun with you, that's all. Certainly you remember what he did with Sam and Mallory. Go home. I'll take care of him."

Josh smiled. "Thank you, sir." He walked out of the room with a spring in his step, knowing that soon, he would be seeing Donna and would be able to tell her that the President thought she was boisterous. It was quite the compliment.

Bartlet walked over to Leo's office and opened the door, looking in to talk to the Chief of Staff.

"Good evening, sir. How did your meeting with Josh go?"

"Leo, did you tell him to stay here to finish up some stupid assignment of his before midnight?" Bartlet started in on Leo immediately.

Leo smiled. "Yeah, well, I thought I'd have a little bit of fun with him."

"The poor boy just got his relationship out in the open! He deserves a celebration. You, my friend, are not a romantic."

"Well, I told Donna about it. I think Josh'll be pretty happy when he walks in the door."

The President looked shocked.

"Leo! Setting up things for your fellow workers? When did this start?"

"Just a whim. The kid's been through enough hardship. Let him bask in the new enjoyment."

"Tomorrow's going to be a long day, you know. You really ought to go home and get some sleep. Everyone else is."

"Thank you, sir. I promise I'll leave within the hour."

"You better."

"Have a good night, sir."

The President walked out of Leo's office and outside into the portico. When he walked towards the residence, all he could think of was how he and Abbey got together. It was nothing like Josh and Donna, But romances are never all alike, are they? He smiled. It was good to have his staff happy. It was even better when the staff found happiness in one another. Even more when the staff found love.