Author: coffeeplease
Rating: PG-13 (few bad words, innuendo)
Category: Post-Ep for Freedonia, fluff
Spoiler Info: Everything through Freedonia
Disclaimer: John Wells, WB, NBC and Aaron Sorkin hold
the chip dip. Im just sitting here with a bag of
Lays. Dont sue, I beg of you.
E-mail address: jamhandy1@...
Archiving permission: Sure, just tell me first
Notes: Fluffy chicken batter, post Freedonia. Not only
is it fluffy, its kinda syrupy. Family Ties
reference.
Josh Lyman slipped out of the debate site and bounded
down the stairs of the building, like an energizer
bunny on amphetamines. The gamble of Santos speaking
live had worked beyond anything he had dreamed; the
campaign was getting traction now. He didnt know
whether to be flattered or repulsed that Amy still
wanted him, but at least a woman wanted him. Even if
it wasnt the one he wanted.
The one he wanted was sitting on the bottom steps,
talking on her cell phone. All he could see was shiny
blond hair, a coat and a hand making gestures. He
drank in all the details of her, slowing his pace
until he was right behind her. She didnt seem to
notice, she just kept talking on the phone. He sat
down behind her, as quietly as he could
We have this weird dinner thing going on, I hope hes
not reading too much into it.... I cant have dinner
with anyone else, I eat past their bedtime... I swear
to God, C.J., twelve year olds, Im surrounded by
twelve year olds.... yeah, I guess thats not that
different from Josh and Toby.... I miss Josh.... yeah,
Santos is having a big boost.... youll never guess
who Santos hired to prep him..... yeah.....yeah....
Josh couldnt get past the I miss Josh. His mind
kept replaying it on a loop and if it all possible,
his spirits were bursting through clouds at this
moment. He felt invincible.
Yeah... yeah... my mother made a tape of the damn
thing.... she said my hair looked very good... a
chicken suit, C.J., hes got to be losing what is left
of his little mind.
And Joshs balloon popped right there. He wondered if
Donna could hear it.
Well, C.J., I have to go.... definitely, you, me and
Jose Cuervo when I get to D.C.... gotta go, Josh is
sitting right behind me.... no, not like that!.....
okay, bye.
Donna snapped her phone off and turned around,
offering him a bright smile. Sorry about the losing
whats left of his little mind thing.
Josh shrugged his shoulders. Thats okay. Im not the
one screaming at people chicken suits.
Im not the one putting people in chicken suits.
CNN didnt catch me doing it. Everyone always said I
was Bartlets loose cannon, but I always knew you were
the one to bring the crazy. Josh tempered his remarks
with a big smile. He let it slide off his face slowly
and then he spoke softly. Your hair did look really
beautiful.
Donna smiled at him. Some would say that I helped
your campaign more then I helped Russell the past few
days. She scooted up a couple seats to sit next to
him. I shouted at the chicken, I convinced Russell to
be in the debate...
Wait... wait... you convinced Russell! Josh didnt
look like he comprehended. Donna felt her anger and
bile rise again, which saddened her. She was this
close to forgetting and forgiving.
Yes, I convinced Russell. I do speak to him, now and
again, you know. He does know my name. I do do a job,
Im not running around getting Will coffee or
anything! Donna looked the other way. How dare he
keep thinking of her as some secretary....
Donna, I didnt mean it like that. I swear to God, I
didnt. I just thought... I dont know what I thought,
but God, I know you do a job, I know youre good, I
know youre actually extremely good and if we had any
money, I would be luring you away right now. Donna
looked back at Josh and he actually looked humbled and
sad. She hesitantly put a hand on his arm.
Josh, please stop underestimating...
Ill stop. I swear, I didnt mean that to sound like
it did. Donna.... please believe that I have nothing
but the utmost confidence in you. God, youd make a
good addition to Santos.
If I switched to Santos, would you bring me coffee?
Donna said softly, peering into his brown eyes.
No... but I would bring you chicken. And there it
was, the Josh Lyman Dimple Effect. Donna couldnt help
but grin back at him.
But she was shocked when he covered her hand with his.
She was even more shocked when he stopped smiling and
looked away, his eyes squinting off in the distance.
She was about to ask him something, either what was
wrong or what he was thinking, when he suddenly turned
back to her.
What the hell is Will Bailey doing asking you out to
dinner?
This time, Donna didnt let herself get offended. She
knew, in a way, where this was coming from. Were the
only two Russell staffers old enough to remember Duran
Duran... Im sure he doesnt have those kind of
intentions. But she didnt believe that, and she knew
Josh wouldnt.
Josh looked straight ahead for a second and exhaled
loudly. Im not so sure, Donna. I think... I know how
guys are, not that you dont know how guys are. I saw
him looking at you back at the White House.
Ill turn him down delicately if the need arises.
Hes your boss. He shouldnt be... Josh stopped
suddenly and buried his face in his hands, smiling.
Oh jeez, I really shouldnt keep talking, should I?
Donna leaned towards Josh, smirking. Well, not out
here on the steps, Joshua, but if you want to run back
to your hotel room and get your equipment...
Josh raised his face from his hands. Amy did wrap
duck tape around me earlier, to keep me from sending
out the ad. I guess its a general theme tonight.
Were you naked at the time?
No! Josh looked at her an askance. Im not.... I
wouldnt go back to her, Donna. I hope you know that.
And I hope you know that Im not going to get
together with Will.
I know. Josh paused for a moment. He looks like a
geek in those sweaters...
Joshua!
Even though the cold of the steps was seeping through
his pants, Josh did not want this conversation to end.
Ever. Come on Donna, he looks like a cross between
Alex P. Keaton and Skippy with those things on.
See, no Russell staffer besides me or Will would get
that reference.
They cant all be twelve.
Oh it seems that they can be, Donna smiled slightly.
Dont worry, Josh, Will has been a gentleman. Hes
never laid a hand on me.
Suddenly Joshs eyes turned dark. He thought of Wills
hands on Donna, he saw it in his minds eye and in an
instant, he snapped. I think that Will wants you,
Donna. If he does anything you dont like, Donna, tell
me. Tell me, even though you know that I might, I
dont know, beat the shit out of him. I dont care how
a fist fight between two campaign managers plays in
the press, the thought of him touching you makes me
crazy.
Donna sat quiet for a moment and decided to go for
broke. And the thought of you getting back together
with Amy makes me crazy as well, although I doubt she
and I will be getting into a fist fight. So maybe,
someday, you and I should really think about why these
things make us crazy and come to some conclusions.
The first thing that came into Joshs mind, he spoke.
Im afraid of those conclusions. His voice was
nothing more then a whisper.
So am I.
What if we dont conclude the same thing?
Is that really what youre afraid of? Donna looked
at him hard.
Yes, Josh looked back at her and damned if he didnt
look very afraid. Im also afraid of the...
intensity... of my conclusions.
Intensity?
I cant just tumble into you sideways, Donna He
turned his body towards her. Because I would break
harder then you would.
Her breath caught in her throat, Donna couldnt help
but look at the two naked pools of chocolate brown
that were looking at her in... terror. They also
showed a great deal of love, which she had seen
before, but never this unabashedly. She also noted
that his hands were shaking.
Josh, I think we would conclude the same thing. And I
dont think you would break harder then I would. But
youre right that you cant tumble into me sideways.
But I dont think you could... even if you tried to.
And I think thats what youre scared of. Im not
Mandy and Im not Amy and it would never be like it
was before. And youre not Dr. Freeride or Jack or
Colin and you better believe that frightens me.
He couldnt believe that they were talking about this
and he knew he had to keep going, even though the fear
he felt pierced him like a blade. He also felt
strangely liberated, as if each word was taking a
pound off the yoke that had been around his shoulders
for eight years.
His voice sounded strange, even to himself. In a way,
Im no better then them, Donna. They at least tried.
They at least had the balls to do something. And it
doesnt seem to matter that my feelings for you are a
thousand times more powerful then anything they could
even comprehend, in the end, Im just a...
Chicken? Donna supplied with laughter in her voice.
He smiled and laughed slightly. Thats metaphor for
you. I see you on CNN, yelling at some guy I sent over
there in a chicken suit. Probably felt to you like you
were yelling at me.
I have to admit, it did a little... Donna put her
hand on top of his. It was cathartic.
I bet.
Youre not a chicken, Josh. She squeezed his hand
for emphasis. I dont know what plant, animal or
mineral you are, but you are not a chicken.
Leaning in a bit closer, Josh turned his hand over and
threaded his fingers through hers. Its a shame you
dont know. You know me better then anyone else and if
you cant figure it out, then theres no hope for the
rest of the world. He squeezed her hand and then
continued. Then again, I dont want anyone else
trying to figure me out but you.
Donna closed her eyes. I think thats a conclusion in
and of itself, dont you, Josh?
I know what the conclusions are, Donna, I just dont
know what to do about them. He began rubbing her
thumb with his, making small circles. He looked down
at their joined hands and then looked up again at
Donna.
So this was it. They kept gazing at each other,
knowing that after eight years of dancing, the music
had stopped. If they walked away from the evening and
nothing more had been done, then probably nothing more
would ever be done. Josh and Donna both deliberated in
their heads which was more frightening, nothing or
something, failure or the fear of failure. Josh
finished his calculations first.
He grabbed the back on Donnas head, pulled her
towards him and covered her mouth with his. It was a
bit frantic and a bit tender, both slow and fast.
Joshs hand remained on the back of Donnas head,
massaging her hair, while his other hand circled her
back. Donna put her ams around his neck and pulled
herself closer. Closer, closer, closer... until Josh
lifted her up and put her in his lap.
And then it was nothing if not hot and frantic. They
both knew they should move their activities elsewhere;
it looked like they were having sex on the steps the
way their bodies and hands were moving. But neither
could really stop, even if Will Bailey and Amy Gardner
had come down the steps and thrown buckets of ice
water on them. Even if the stray Santos aide came from
the building and cleared his throat a few times.
Which, of course, was exactly what happened.
Josh peeled his lips away from Donnas and gave the
volunteer a withering glance.
Mr. Lyman, Im sorry, but the Congressman needs you
inside.
Ill be there in a few minutes, Josh said, his head
turned back to Donna and her amazing lips and glowing
hair... he noted that she had not made one move to
leave his lap and her hand was squeezing her arm.
The volunteer bolted from the scene, before Josh could
get him to swear secrecy. Josh pressed his forehead
against Donnas.
I dont want you to get up, Josh whispered, kissing
her softly.
I know.
Josh kissed her again. Im afraid I have to be
presentable, though, in the next few minutes and I
cant exactly just untuck my shirt for these people.
I know that, too. Donna slid off his lap. Josh
grabbed her hand and landed multiple kisses on top of
it.
We have to talk some more. Donna continued.
Where are you staying?
At the Marriott. She gave a little grin. Same room
you stayed in eight years ago during Bartlet for
America.
Ah, I had more money then, Josh stroked her face
lightly, his spirits beyond the moon. And more hair.
Room 312. Donna stood up and began gathering her
things. Josh stood as well, thinking of naked old men
to get rid of the tent in his pants. Just as she was
about to leave, Josh grabbed her and captured her
lips.
Ill be there in an hour. We can come to multiple
conclusions. He breathed into her ear.
Donna grinned back at him. Dont forget to bring the
chicken.