Title:
The Path Which Has Led to the Present (17?)
Author:
Aerial312
Rating: PG-13. This one's got some swearing.
Category:
Humor/Fluff/Angst/Romance (a little of everything)
Spoiler Info:
Pre-Series.
Disclaimer: I own nothing…I just borrow.
Feedback:
Greatly appreciated. Sure. Just
let me know where its going.
"That bridge is going to be really pretty."
"Yeah, much nicer than the old monstrosity sitting next to it."
"Are they going to knock that down when the new one opens?"
"Eventually. The whole thing is coming down eventually."
"This timeline says its still like 5 years off."
"They'll never finish They've been working on it as long as I can remember."
"Bullshit. They hadn't even started when you graduated from college."
"How'd you know that?"
"We're looking at a time line. Construction didn't begin until 1991. They hadn't even begun the report stage when you graduated."
"And when was that?"
"1982."
Josh scowled and nodded.
"Feeling old?"
Yes, yes he was. "Just a little. What year did you graduate?"
"You know I didn't graduate from—"
Shit. He hadn't meant it to come out like that. "I know, I know. I meant high school." Which he had.
"We were talking college for you."
"What year?" Part of him didn't want to hear this.
"1991."
"Oh god."
"Josh, you know how old I am."
He hated being reminded that he was 13 years older than she was. "Yeah, but when held in direct comparison…"
Donna laughed and patted his back. "Old man."
Josh shoved her. "Come on, lets go to another exhibit."
"Not interested in the Big Dig?"
"We've been here for 15 minutes now—"
"You have a short attention sp—"
"My attention span is just fine when the topic interests me."
"Uh huh."
"I can sit and read domestic policy all day."
"But you can't take half an hour of hospitality."
"Right. That's what you're for."
"Oh?"
"You're doing a great job with that. Eric Leeds called me up yesterday, after the first meeting, to say thank you for sending the girl because she gives a damn."
"Really?"
"In exactly those words. You're joining us for the meeting with him and the DNC tonight."
"Who's us?"
"Senior staff. Leo, Toby, CJ, Sam…and Mandy."
"And me?"
"You're our point person on hospitality."
"You don't care if everyone finds out you've been pawning these meetings off on me."
"Nah. Leo will just be glad to see it was done well."
"Yeah?"
"He might be a little pissed, at me at first, for begging off, but he'll be pleased when he sees how well its come together so far."
Josh smiled as he watched Donna beam at his compliment.
"So what is the next step?"
"Tonight's meeting is about placement and stuff like that. It's a full team game now. But you're going to play with the team."
"That was a corny phrase."
"It was not."
"Yes it was."
"Oh…just so you're prepared..you're going to have to work with Mandy on this a little tonight. Get her up to speed on things like color choices and other stupid shit like that. This is her thing. Its what she's phenomenal at."
"Okay. I can deal with Mandy."
"Yeah?"
"I figure you're going to make yourself scarce, and I only get terse with Mandy when she starts getting snippy with you."
Josh wasn't sure what to make of that remark. "Why?"
"Because everything slows to a crawl when you two fight. Everything."
"Okay. Good then. I won't show my face. Now, can we please go to another exhibit?"
"Short—"
"We don't have that much more time. Do you want to only have seen like 3 exhibits at the Science museum?"
"No."
"Then stop being a pain, and pick where you want to go next."
Donna pulled the museum map from her purse. "The Theatre of Electricity."
The wandered down the gallery to the entrance.
"A show just begun."
"Well, lets go in."
They sat on a bench in the upper level. A large bolt of electricity shot from one of the giant orbs to the other. Josh grabbed Donna's hand. She was grinning broadly, and squeezed his hand back. This was going to be a fun half hour.
"And they have our giant banner?"
"Its hung already. We're on one of the upstage linesets. I thought that that would be better."
"Why?"
"Why? Oh. He took me out to the stage, and had the kid fly in all the batons from the giant truss they set up. There's ultimately going to be something on all of them, but he let me pick. Most of them cut off half the stage. The Governor will have a good deal of room, and not look crowded."
"He took you out on the stage?"
"Yeah. He was very kind to me—"
"Eric Leeds is an asshole. Why would he—"
"I think he sensed that I'd never done this."
"I'd think he'd take advantage of you."
"He was very nice."
"He and I don't get along."
"I think he's afraid of Josh…that's why he was nice to me."
"Sadly, that doesn't work for me."
"No."
"I ruffle too many feathers."
Donna laughed.
"Do you think I ruffle too many feathers?"
"I, uh… think that you are a …very determined woman."
"Which is a nice way of saying I'm a bitch."
"I—"
"Don't worry, I know I am."
"Um…okay."
"Is Josh joining us for this meeting?"
"No. He thinks he'll just cause trouble. And would much rather read education briefings."
"He would cause trouble."
"Eric called him up yesterday to tell him how much he preferred me to him."
"Of course he prefers you to Josh. You have tits. And Eric thinks that what he does is the most important thing in the world. So for a pretty young girl to take an interest in it, he's thrilled."
Donna chuckled. "I guess whatever it takes…within reason of course…I'm not saying—"
"I know what you're saying. Sometimes you have to flirt your way to what you want. I think we all do it."
"Yeah…"
"You do it with Josh. Its how you keep him in line."
"You think?"
"Josh is a player. He likes to feel important. To be revered. And you give him that. Which is why he likes you."
That wasn't the only reason Josh liked her, Donna hoped. She thought he respected her more than that.
"How did you come up with our requests for the catering?"
"I called Margaret, who spoke to Leo and Mrs. Landingham."
"Good."
"And our conference room?"
"Fully equipped. Fax, internet, several phone lines."
"How much of this was negotiated by Josh before—"
"Very little."
"Impressive."
"Thank you."
"Have you gotten to see Boston at all?"
"Today we went to the Science museum."
"You and Josh?"
"Yeah."
"Huh."
"He wanted to show me around a little. After all the boring meetings this week."
"I see. And did you enjoy it?"
"We had a great time."
"I think tonight you'll be able to take Josh's room. I'm going to steal him away again."
"Oh, uh, okay."
"Hopefully, he stops being a jackass and stays the whole night."
"Well—"
"Did he tell you about last time?"
"Briefly."
"He didn't like talking policy…did he go back to his room that night?"
Donna swallowed. Should she admit it? Mandy stared at her icily. "He did."
"Have you slept with Josh?"
"Excuse me?"
"I meant shared his room."
No, she hadn't. "Yeah, we've shared his room, on occasion." Every night for the last two weeks.
"Huh." Mandy was looking at her intently.
Donna busied herself in the paperwork in front of her.
"So how does that work, exactly?"
"The beds are big."
"You share the bed?"
To hell with trying to be vague. "Yes."
"Is that a good idea?"
Donna sighed. "Who knows?" It was the truth. It probably wasn't a good idea, but she wasn't giving it up for now, until she had to.
"It's not you know. Sleeping with your boss—"
"We're not sleeping together!" Donna caught her voice as it was getting loud. Mandy gave her a strange look. "Well, we're not sleeping together sleeping together. We're just sleeping. And usually for only like 3 hours."
"Appearances don't distinguish between the two."
Donna looked down at her shoes. She knew that. They were treading a fine line.
