Title: The Path Which Has Led to the Present (28/35?)
Author: Aerial312
Rating: PG-13.
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.

A/N:

"So I hear you saved us on the Ulrich thing."

"I cleared up the common misconception that Josh screwed up."

"He really didn't?"

"No, CJ. He did exactly what Leo told him to do."

"I'm just asking."

"Everyone's asking. First Toby, then the Governor."

"Leo?"

"Surprisingly, no."

"Surprisingly?"

"Well, Josh was pretty drunk when Leo called."

"Ah, not exactly confidence inspiring."

"If you recall, you and Sam got us toasted."

"In fact, I don't recall much about last night."

"Me either."

"You don't?"

"No. There are large gaps. Josh says we beat you guys at darts…"

"I've played darts?"

"CJ!"

"No, I remember playing darts…in the vaguest of terms…I remember throwing them."

Donna laughed.

"So Leo wasn't actually one of the ones to chew Josh out for the Ulrich thing?"

"The more I think about it, he was expecting it."

"And he didn't warn us?"

"Probably better that way."

"Care to elaborate?"

"Think about it: Josh trying really hard to achieve something, or Josh knowing that he's just giving the guy lip service?"

"Leo didn't want the attitude to come out."

"My guess."

"Have you shared your guess with Josh?"

"Not exactly."

"So when did Leo switch this meeting? None of us knew until after that Josh was taking it."

"Margaret knew. Leo called late. It wasn't long after we left Sam trying to cart you up to your room."

"That was a comedy of errors. Wait—were you there when Leo called?"

"Yeah…he was trashed CJ. I had to make sure he didn't hurt himself."

"Okay…Did you answer the phone when Leo called?"

"No, he did." In fact, Donna didn't exactly remember the phone call. She knew it occurred, and that it occurred late, but everything after leaving the bar that night was fuzzy.

"What did Leo warn him?"

"I don't remember CJ! I told you, that night is blurry."

"So you were there with Josh, in his room, very late, and it's all a blur? Just what the press spokeswoman wants to hear."

"CJ!"

"Donna, the story you've told me so far, should probably stay between us. That's the kind of story that fuels gossip columns."

"We work late all the time. I'm in his room till all hours every night."

"I'm sure you're roommate loves you coming back in the middle of the night—"

"She loves being able to sleep with whomever she wants, whenever she wants, and not worry about my walking in on it."

"Not worry?"

"You know what I mean—"

"No, I don't."

"She's asleep—"

"Donna, do you stay in your room with Ginger?"

"I—"

"Answer the question."

"Not in a while, no."

"I am going to rip—"

"CJ, no! It's not what you think, really, its not."

"Your relationship with Josh—"

"Is professional—"

"Donna, if you're sleeping in his bed, its not just professional. Has anything—"

"We've never done anything…"

"You don't sound so convinced."

"I…"

"Does Josh remember what happened last night when you both went back drunk?"

"No…"

"Fuck. Donna, be careful. I'm sure he means well, but Josh doesn't always think things through. This is a bad idea."

"I know."

"At this point, with four days left of the campaign, what is, is, but Donna, if we go to Washington…"

"We've got to get more professional."

"Yes. I'm sorry that it has to work that way, but yes. I assume he's keeping you on?"

Donna nodded.

"Good. You keep him in check like no one else can. Just be aware of that line."

"I will."

"Now, I'm beat. You should go get some sleep while you can. Long day tomorrow with the debate."

"I think we've got the war room set up already."

"You're not working through the night?"

Donna shrugged. "Its still early. Only 11."

CJ shook her head, and started down the hall. "I am taking advantage of the 6 hours of sleep I get."

Donna waved goodbye to the older woman, and headed toward their war room of the day. Josh sat at a table, in dim light, reading from a large stack of briefing memos. His tie was strewn across the table, and his shirt partially unbuttoned with the sleeves rolled up. Donna stood in the doorway and watched him for a moment before entering.

"Whatcha reading?"

"Education."

"Exciting?"

"Ha."

"You should get some sleep tonight while you can. Every night left we travel through the night."

"I know."

"You don't sound convinced."

"I'm never going to catch up on this reading."

"Do you need to before the election at this point?"

"No…"

"Come on then. Get five or six hours of sleep, so you're in top form for all the debate prep tomorrow."

Josh stood up, and Donna led him toward the elevator, flicking off the lights as they left the room.

"We're at debate prep all day, right?"

"Yeah. You're the campaign representative, with Leo trying to milk donors—"

"That's a disturbing image."

Donna laughed, and continued. "We're not going to any of the rallies, we'll be dealing with site set up and that kind of thing."

Josh nodded. "Who's our point person?"

"Evelyn Clark."

"Right. Remind me of that tomorrow when I forget again."

They arrived at their room, and Donna opened the door. Josh trudged in and flopped onto the bed.

"You know, now I'm tired. I wasn't before."

"Well, that's good…maybe you'll actually sleep."

"I do actually sleep, when I lay down to do it—"

"Its just getting you to that point."

"Right."

After a moment of silence, Donna sat down on the bed, and said quietly. "CJ knows."

"Hmm?" Josh propped himself up on his elbows and looked at her.

"CJ knows I still stay here."

"How?"

"I accidentally mentioned that I was here when Leo called in the middle of the night last night, though I don't actually remember the phone call."

"Was she pissed?"

"A little. Not too bad, because there's only four days left."

"Yeah…did she ask what time Leo called?"

"More or less…which of course I couldn't answer."

"You passed out, I think, while I was on the phone with Leo."

"Did I?"

"I think so…I almost didn't answer the phone becau—oh shit…" Small details from the evening before were creeping into Josh's mind, and suddenly, he was almost positive he had kissed Donna. Why couldn't he remember that?

"Oh shit what?"

"That would have been bad if I hadn't answered, because it was in important call." Josh looked up at the ceiling, trying to remember something, any detail, about kissing Donna.

She lay back, and turned on her side to face him. "What did you just remember?"

"I…uh, nothing. My mind's just racing all over the place."

She looked at him for a minute longer, but he wasn't elaborating. Donna got up and pulled out her usual pajamas.

"I'm gonna get ready for bed. You should too. Josh?"

"Hmmm?"

"I said you should get ready for bed."

He nodded, and followed her with to the bathroom door with his eyes.

When Donna reemerged 5 minutes later, Josh was laying under the covers in his boxer shorts and t-shirt. She crawled in and scooted beside him. Josh wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close to him.

"Thank you again for standing up for me today."

"And the tally grows."

"CJ?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I'm glad I've proved them wrong…though I imagine I'm going to get quite the lecture from CJ tomorrow…"

"I think so…sorry."

"No one knew for over a month—"

"No one said anything for over a month—"

"There was no proof."

"And now, unfortunately, there is."

"What now?"

"Four days left."

"Yeah...four days." Josh pulled Donna as close as he could, resting his nose against the back of her head, breathing her in. That kiss was going to make this harder than he ever imagined. He guessed it was good that she didn't remember it, his memory was going to be difficult enough to remedy. He just had to make sure it didn't happen again.