Title: A Mentor for Joanie Part 4/?

Summary: Joanie leaves Connecticut for Harvard and then Notre Dame.

Notes: Yes! She's finally moving on! Sorry, I had no intention of dragging this out as much as I have and it'll probably just get worse! Ack!

Disclaimer: not mine, Aaron's.

Archive: Yes but tell me, I like to gloat on the rare occasion that I can.

A Mentor for Joanie Part 4a: Dinner and a Movie and Phone Calls

I'm not a morning person. It runs in the family...damn gene pool. The alarm clock on my desk is ringing so loud the pillow I have jammed over my head can no longer filter the sound out.

Then it gets worse, my bed room door crashes open and my mother walks over to my windows, draws back the curtains and says in her best sing song voice, "Rise and shine sleepy head!"

"Mom," I moan, hugging the pillow tighter, trying to shield myself from the light...ack...the light!

"Get up Joan Claudia, you said yesterday at dinner that you wanted to come down and work at the campaign today," my mom says, walking back around to my bed.

"Yes, I mean no, I mean...what time is it?" I sit up and the blood rushes to my head so I get a little tipsy.

My mom grabs the pink alarm clock off my desk and holds it up so I can read 5:25.

"UGH!" I lay back down.

"Get up or I'll tell Jed he can use the hose on you," my mother threatens cheerfully before leaving, shutting the door behind her. Jed and a hose? I'm having horrible flash backs to my teen years. The door's only closed for about a second when it opens again, this time its Leo.

"You never were a morning person," he comments, grinning at my drowsy disposition.

"Get out, you evil man," I moan, pulling up the covers again.

"C'mon, Joanie, you gotta get up or we'll make your parents late...not to mention I think I saw Jed uncoiling the hose."

I'm up like a shot and going through my closet.

"Leo, I kinda need to get dressed," I say cause when I emerge with my suit for today he's still standing there.

"Oh...right...I'll be down stairs your father try to make breakfast."

"Laugh a minute, that's my family."

Leo leaves and I get changed into a black suit with a dark purple silk blouse. I slide my heels on and after putting on some light make up I walk downstairs to the kitchen where my family has reconvened.

"So when did you get in Leo?" my mom's asking him. They're all sitting around the large kitchen table.

"Late last night," Leo says. "I hope you don't mind I stayed over, Joanie told me it would be okay."

"It's no big deal," my mom shrugs it off. "Joan, you want a beagle?"

"Sure," I say.

"How'd you sleep, Joanie?" my dad asks.

"Fine," I grumble, suggesting otherwise.

"Guess not," Jed laughs and I kick him. "Ow! Mom, Joanieó

"Shut up, Josiah you're not six anymore," my mother says and hands me a bagel and cream cheese.

As soon as my mom's back is turned Jed and I exchanged faces with tongues stuck out. Only Leo catches it and he chokes on a piece of his waffle.

"I think I could have slept till one in the afternoon," I mutter and sit down next to my mom and Leo. "Except mom was mean and sicked sunshine on me."

"Your mother's an evil woman," my dad mutters and mom elbows him in the ribs.

"So what's next?" he asks, changing the subject.

We head to the campaign headquarters after breakfast where Toby, Sam, Charlie, Ainsley and Lori are already hard at work.

I walked through the doors standing next to Leo and I swear pair of blonde girls attack him...and then I realize they're his sisters.

"God what are you two doing here?" Leo asks, looking down at the girls. They're only eight, and identical twins, right down to the last strain of blonde hair. Virginia and Georgiaómost of us just call them Ginny and Gia.

"We wanted to say hello," Ginny pouts. "Plus we have off from school today!"

"Well then shouldn't you be doing something educational, like reading a book!" Leo asks.

"Yes Leo, cause that's everyone's idea of fun," I grumble. Not that I should talk, I'm a bit of a reader myself.

"See, Joanie gets it," Gia says.

"Can't you take us to the movies later?" Ginny asks. "Mommy said if you agreed she'd have Daddy give you some time off later."

"Guys, no," Leo moans. He sounds as old as the twins.

"Please, Leo, please," they begged in unison.

Leo pauses before grinning slowly and saying, "Okay, I'll come but only is Joanie comes too."

"What?" I exclaim. I think I may have been bamboozled.

"Come, Joanie, please!" the twins turn their pouting faces towards me.

I glare over their blonde heads at their brother, who has the audacity to be grinning.

"You are an evil son of a bitch."

"There are children present Joan," Leo points out.

"We don't care," Gia shrugs. "We hear Daddy use ëem all the time, like when he saidó

Leo clamps a hand over Gia's mouth just in time.

"Gia, do me a favor and don't repeat anything Dad says," Leo begs. "Now what movie are we seeing?"

"The new Disney one!" Ginny says excitedly.

"Oh god what have I done," Leo grumbles.

"Well what ever it is, you pulled me in too, so you're stuck now," I say, now I'm enjoying this.

"Okay guys, we'll go to the movies later, for now, let me and Joanie work," Leo instructs and the girls go bouncing off to find Ainsley or Sam to tell them what Leo just agreed too.

"You are so going to pay for this later," I mutter as we walk.

"I know, believe me, I know."

The rest of the day I work in and out of the campaign office, going on errands and attending meetings. I love working at the campaign, its fun; I can't really explain it. It's just such a strange adrenaline rush.

I got off of work at five so Leo and I could take the twins to the movies. Some how we managed to drag Lori along too, claiming it would be a celebration of the Three Musketeer's reunion. She didn't buy it and in the end Leo had to lift her up and put her in the car.

We ended up seeing a cute animated movie and I sat with Lori and Leo while the twins giggled in the row in front of is. We caught dinner after and Lori and Leo and I had a chance to talk after Leo was forced to hand over fifty bucks to the twins for arcade games. It was a noble sacrifice...that Lori and I sure as hell weren't going to do.

"So how's Harvard?" Lori asks after Gia and Ginny go hopping off in search of prizes.

"Fine," I shrug. "Better now that I don't have to room with the slut Kiki."

"Your old room mate?" Lori giggles. "I remember when I visited you the first time. She left all these kinky sex toys lying out..."

"Lori we're sitting in Chuckie Cheese, I don't think it's best place to discuss kinky sex toys," Leo points out.

"Oh grow up, at least I didn't scream it."

"You're voice is piercing Lori."

"Blame my parents," she states. "So why aren't you rooming with Kiki the kinky sex slut anymore?"

"Lori," Leo moans.

"Because Leo and I decided we could put our income together and get a decent apartment," I say.

"So you guys are living together now?"

"Yup," I say.

"Isn't that weird when Kevin comes over?"

Ugh...Kevin. I had secretly been hoping I would be able to live through this visit without hearing that name.

"Kevin and I...broke up," I say slowly. Leo isn't surprised; he was there when the whole thing happened...it wasn't pretty.

"Seriously?" Lori gasps.

"Yeah...he was...well...sleeping around," I roll my eyes. I so do not want to re-live this.

"That ass hole! I'm going to kill him!" Lori yells and I swear I see a couple heads turn our way.

"Leo already tried," I smile.

"I broke his nose and gave him a shiner, at least," Leo mutters, looking proud of himself. Yes, Leo was there when I found out about Kevin and Kiki...yes Kiki the kinky sex slut...now we know who she was having it with. Kevin tried to argue his case and I tried unsuccessfully to kick him out. I know karate damn it, I could have kicked his ass...Leo just beat me to it. None the less that's when Leo decided we should move in together...just in case Kevin tried to come back. I doubt he ever will...and I don't care. I hope he's happy with Kiki the kinky sex slut.

"Good for you Leo," Lori says happily and raises her glass. "You're better off without him, Joanie, he was an ass hole."

"Thanks Lori," I grin.

We finish out drinks, gather Gia and Ginnyówho each won a big purple bunny stuffed animal and watching Leo try to fit them in his small BMW was amusing, I must admit. We drove first to Lori's house and dropped her off.

"See you tomorrow!" She called and hugged each one of us before going to the house.

"See you!" Leo called and started driving towards my house. There was silence, both of the girls had fallen asleep in the back, and Leo didn't say anything for awhile.

"Ask Leo, I know you're going to."

"Did talking about Kevin bother you?"

"No," I sigh.

"Don't lie Joanie."

"I'm not lying to you, Leo, it doesn't."

"Joanie..."

"Okay it does a little...but not a lot," I say. "I'm getting over him, Leo, just give me a little more time."

"Okay," he says.

"And if you stops by the apartment I'll break his arm."

"Well you go girl."

I grin at him and we finally reach my house.

"I'll call you in a bit," I say.

"Okay, I'll wait next to the phone," he promises. "Good night."
"Night."

I leap out of the front seat and walk up the small paved stones to the front door of my family's Connecticut white manor. It used to belong to my grandmother, but when she decided to retire to Florida my dad leapt at the chance to buy it. I sleep in the room that used to be his, Noah in what used to be another library and Jed in my dad's sister Joanie's old room. I was named after my father's sister, apparently she died in a horrible fire when my dad was young...he doesn't talk about it.

"I'm home!" I call when I open the door.

"Joanie!" My mom squeals. "Hurry, come quick!"
I throw my coat into the closet before walking in to the living room. My dad is on the phone and my mom looks giddy.

"Yes sir, absolutely...I know...of course...well thank you, that means a lot to us," My father says into the phone. He looks up and sees me. "You want to talk to her? Just a second, sir."

He hands me the phone and I must admit I'm a little confused.

"Hello?" I say.

"Joanie!" the voice of Josiah Bartlet greets me. "Just wanted to say I can't wait for our talk next Tuesday! Its fast approaching you know."

"I know sir, I can't wait either," I grin widely. Both of my parents are smiling from ear to ear.

"Well that's good. I'll have lots to talk to you about, so be ready to write!"
"I definitely will, sir."
"Thanks Joanie, have a good night."

"I was already having a good night, sir, you just made it better."

"You talk like a lawyer...hell you talk like your father."

"I have been told."

"Good night, Joanie, I'll see you next Tuesday."

"Good night, sir," I say, breathless now and hand the phone to my father. He exchanges similar good-byes before hanging up the phone. I don't start screaming and jumping till the phone's hung up, I swear.

I run to my bedroom as fast as I can. Must call friend!

I just got off the phone with Josiah Bartlet! He's excited about next Tuesday! Actually excited! God I'm so giddy! My parents were so happy for me, I could tell they were.

I pick up the small black phone and start dialing before I realize somebody else is using it.

"Josiah Samuel Lyman get off the phone!" I'm suddenly thirteen again.

"Jesus Joanie, use your cell and stop freaking out!"

"Ugh!" I hang up the phone and pull out my American flag cell phone and frantically punch in Leo's pager number. He never has his damn cell phone on and if I call his house I can't be sure I'll get him. Plus we long ago made pager codes. If I punch in 612911 and I'll get a call moments after. I was born June twelve you see and adding 911 proves its an emergency.

I hang up after paging him and the phone rings a second later.

"Leo!" I yell in to the phone.

"Christ, Joanie, you just blew my ear offó

"Leo shut up for a second," I say frantically. "Something just happened!"
"Kevin didn't call you did he? I'll kill him, Joanie, Lori and I willó

"Leo for god's sake shut up so I can tell you Josiah Bartlet just called me!"

"Bartlet called you?" this got his attention.

"Yes!"

"Wow, Joanie...what'd he say?"
"Just that he couldn't wait till next Tuesday," I say, smiling. "Oh god, I'm so nervous Leo."

"Calm down Joanie, its not any where near Tuesday yet. Tomorrow Lori and I will help you think of what you're going to ask him, okay? That way you're prepared."

"Thanks, Leo," I sigh, feeling better. "God, just three more days...I can't wait!"

"Don't worry Joanie, three days will go by way too fast."

"Yeah, I guess you're right," I say.

"You should go to sleep."

"Ordering me around now?"

"Would you ever listen to me?"
"Probably not, but now I'm tired so I just may," I admit.

"Go to sleep," he states. "Night."

"Night," I say and hang up the phone. I lie back on my fluffy comforter and stare up at my ceiling. It doesn't take me very long to fall asleep, remember I'm still getting over jet lag! I don't remember what my dream was about...I never do. But I went to sleep prepared for tomorrow.

Lori and Leo were true to their promise, they spent all the next day going through the interviews I had gone through with my parents and theirs and formed questions out of it all. By the time we were done I had so many index cards I could drown in them.

We also had kinda taken over my father's office...whoops. He walked in after a meeting with CJ and tripped over one of my many cardboard boxes.

"Joan Claudia!"

"Uh oh," I mutter from where I sit with Lori and Leo. I turn around to see my father picking himself up off the ground. "Hi Dad..."
"Joanie, what is all this?" He asks.

"Research," I say.

"For what? For gods sake you have half the Connecticut library in here!"

"For when Joanie meets with Mr. Bartlet," Lori says.
"We're making index cards."

"Index cards?" my father moves forward and takes some of the cards out of my hands. "Good god you've become your mother."

"Dad," I roll my eyes and grab the cards from him. "I only have two more days to prepare for this! I leave tomorrow!"

"You're leaving tomorrow?" my dad frowns.

"I told you twelve times yesterday dad when we went to the baseball gameó

"Ah ha! You see your error there, don't you?"

"I made the mistake of assuming you could listen to your daughter and pay attention to a baseball game at the same time?"

"Yes...and don't be a smart ass."

"I know, you'll build a dungeon."

"I keep threatening, one day it'll happen."

"Am I interrupting something?" my mom asks, appearing at the door.

"Just your daughter announcing she's leaving tomorrow," dad says.

"She told us twenty times yesterday, Joshua, where have you been?" mom rolls her eyes. Good job mom. "Did you take my advice, Joanie?"

"Index cards," I say, and Leo Lori and I hold up our stacks to show her.

"You're turning her into you," my father accuses.

"Better than you," mom laughs. "Josh you have to talk to Sam aboutó

"I know, I know, I'm going," he says. "Joanie, we're going to have dinner at home tonight, okay? Big family thing?"

"Does that mean the entire extended family?" I ask, smiling.

"Yeah, Lori, Leo, tell your parents."

"No prob," Lori nods.

My parents leave and Lori Leo and I go back to our index cards.

It's a rare day my parents can have dinner together with the kids. But that night they were true to their word and so was my extended family. Sam and Ainsley showed up with the twins and Leo, Toby and CJ with Lori and I noted with interest that CJ's stomach was getting bigger everyday.

Charlie was late because he had to pick up his fiancee at the airport.

"Zoey! Hey!" I say when they walk into the living room.

"Hiya Joanie," Zoey says and hugs me. "My Dad told me about next Tuesday, he's really excited."

"Me too," I say. "Leo and Lori have been helping me prep."

"It'll be fine," Zoey shrugs it off. "You'll do fine. He's just a man Joanie, contrary to what your parents have told you, he's just a man."

"Sometimes I forget that," I admit.

"Sometimes I do to," she laughs. "You know you should call me next time you're in Connecticut...Lori and I will take you shopping."

"And single handily make every mall in Connecticut go broke," Charlie mutters and Zoey playfully elbows him.

"Sounds like fun," I laugh.

"Joanie!"

I turn towards my little brother, Jed who's holding out the phone towards me. "You gotta phone call."

"Excuse me," I say to Charlie and Zoey and walk towards the phone. "Hello?"

"Hey, I'm missing a party aren't I?"

I instantly get a big grin on my face.

"That's what you get for choosing to live with the gorilla's instead of your family."

"There's a difference?"

"Ha ha Noah."

"Well you know me, the odd ball in the family," Noah laughs. That's true. He's the only one who didn't pursue anything related to politics. My parents are proud of him, though, he has a Ph.D. for Christ's sake. "How's the campaign?"

"Fine," I sigh. "You know...everybody's working hard."

"Doesn't surprise me," he says. "Jed told me about Bartlet."

"Jed's got a big mouth."

"You're nervous," it wasn't a question it was a statement.

"A little."

"Don't be, you'll be fine."

"Everyone seems to be saying that."

"Cause it's the truth."

"Stop Noah."

"Well...listen, I gotta go, but give mom and dad my love okay?"

"Okay, love you too little brother."

"One damn minute Joan," he grumbles but I bet you he's smiling. "I'll see you."

"Bye."

I hang up the phone and turn back to my groups of friends and family. I dive right back into the laughing and merriment which is followed by a dinner that I'm sure my mother had catered, she isn't a bad cook its just that she hasn't done it in a while.

It was fun, I enjoyed just sitting back while my parents and their friend relived some white house moments of their own as they were preparing to put my father in it.

"I remember when Sam and Josh almost burnt down the White House."

"You what?" Leo and I gaped.

"We didn't burn it down...we just lit a small fire," Josh shrugs and he's grinning.

"I said it was a bad idea," my mom clucks.

"Yes and even then Josh didn't listen to you," Sam laughs.

"You didn't either!" my father shoots back.

And it goes on and I make small notes in my head to ask Bartlet about some of these things.

I head up to bed late, after the last guest left. I go to my room and flop down on the bed.

"Joanie?"

"Yeah?" I ask, my voice muffled cause its wedged in my pillows.

"You gonna come back on voting day?" its my dad. I look up and smile at him.

"Oh course Dad, I wouldn't miss it for the world."

He's grinning now.

"Good, well, get some sleep, you have too many plane rides ahead."

"Right...yeah...hopefully I won't get sick."

My dad laughs, "go to sleep!"

For once I'm happy to obey.

When I wake up the next morning and get ready to go, it was like I was leaving for college all over again. Whenever I come home its like I never left. All the people, the surroundings, I love them all. I was sad when I had to leave, I guess I'll always hate coming home because I always hate leaving. I finished packing my stuff up and the whole campaign crew seemed to go to the airport to see Leo and I off.

I've been on way too many planes lately, from Harvard to Notre Dame, to Connecticut, back to Harvard only to leave again for Notre Dame in a day.

"Bye mom," I say when they announced our plane over the PA system.

"Bye Joanie, come back soon, okay?' she says and hugs me.

"I will, I promise," I say.

"Call me after Tuesday," dad says when I get to him.

"I will," I say and start heading towards the gates. "Bye guys!"

"Bye!" they chorus, waving at me.

"Wait, Joanie!"

I turn to see Lori running towards me.

ëI couldn't find a parking space," she explains, out of breath. "I want to give you something."

I watch as Lori reaches into her pocket and pulls out a small necklace.

"Oh my god, Lori, you kept it?" I laugh as she presents it to me. It's a small charm of the sun, cut in half so it makes tow necklaces. Lori and I have had them since we were eleven and found them at this small antique store on the corner of Connecticut Avenue. I gave Lori the second half of my sun when I moved away to go to Harvard, I wanted her to have it.

"Take it back," Lori said. "And when you come back to visit, you can give it to me again."

"Thanks Lori," I said and hug her. "I'll call you when I get home."

"Okay, and Leo!"

Leo turned around from where he was talking with his mother, Ainsley.

"Yeah?"

"Take a couple nights off, would ya, you big dork," Lori grunts.

"You know Lori between you and Joanie I'll never miss my mother," Leo laughs.

"You think we haven't talked to your mother about that?"

"It's a conspiracy."

"Get on the plane," I laugh and we both wave goodbye to the crowd one more time before walking towards the plane. I turn back one more time to wave at them all and promise myself I'll come home again as soon as possible. My whole extended family...I'll miss them every day I wake up in Harvard.

"C'mon, Leo," I say and sling my carry on bag over my shoulder. "Let's go home so I can sleep."

"Seems to me that's all you've been doing."

"I am so going to push you out of the plane."