"Glad some of us get to leave before nightfall."Josh
muttered darkly as he continued on his way. It was
only as he neared his office that he saw that his
assistant wasn't at her desk.

Lyman sighed as he entered his office hoping that
Donna hadn't left mad at him. He had every intention
of apologizing to both her and Sam that afternoon but
time just got away from him. Somehow he'd make it up
to her.

********

It was another half an hour before Josh could wrap
things up enough that he could call it a day and head
home. When he arrived at his apartment Josh left the
light off as he tossed his coat haphazardly in a
nearby chair. He dropped his briefcase somewhere near the
closet and headed toward the tiny kitchen. Josh hoped
he had something more than three day old pizza and
potato chips because he was starving. As his hand
rested on top of the door handle of the refrigerator
the apartment was suddenly bathed with light.

Lyman yelped in surprise and whirled around. It took
his eyes a moment to adjust to the light but when he
did he found himself facing a living room full of
friends yelling surprise.

"W-what??" Josh stammered as he forced his feet to
move forward.

Donna grinned as she stepped into his line of vision
and placed a brightly colored party hat on his head.
"Happy Birthday, Joshua."

Josh stared at her blankly. "Donnatella my birthday
was last week."

Donna glared at him slightly, "We had this orginally
planned for last week but you going on the President's
trip to Oregon complicated things."she replied as she
handed him a small colorfully wrapped box.

"Happy birthday, buddy," Sam commented as he, CJ, Leo
and Toby approached the pair.

"Thanks," Josh replied as he glanced at Ziegler. "So
you knew about this too?"

The communications director smiled. "Your assistant
can be very persusive when she wants something done."

"The President sends his regrets that he and Zoey
couldn't be here," Leo interjected as he added his
present to the growing pile on the small counter. "But
with Abby's parent's coming in to visit....."

Lyman nodded with a grin, "Besides I think I would've
noticed a bunch of Secret Service agents in the hall."

********

An hour later the party was in full swing but the
guest of honor was nowhere in sight. Donna scanned the
crowded living room one last time before going to the
only other place Josh could be. The bedroom door was
open slightly and Donna spotted Josh sitting in a
chair near the window staring out at the dark Potomac
below.

"Josh?" Donna asked softly as she stepped into the
room. "What are you doing in here?"

Lyman didn't look away from the window. "I had some
thinking to do."

Donna sat down on the corner of the bed. "Josh, I know
we need to talk....."

Josh finally met her gaze, "Are you happy with Sam?"

Donna blinked in surprise....he still thought she was
with Sam?"Josh....."

Josh reached over and took her right hand in his. "I
know I handled things badly this week. I was just
surprised that you or Sam didn't tell me about your
relationship. But if you two are happy that's all that
matters."

Donna shook her head. "Joshua, Sam and I are just
friends. He helped me plan this party."

Josh blinked in surprise. "All the lunches and
dinners?"

Donna smiled. "With our schedules it was the only time
we could get together to go over the details."

Josh ducked his head briefly. "You must think I'm an
idiot."

Moss shook her head as she reached up to lightly touch
his left cheek."No, just a person with a very big
heart."

Their gazes locked for a long moment before Josh stood
moving over to a small table on the other side of the
room.

"I haven't opened your gift yet," Josh stated quietly
as he picked up the small box and moved around the bed
to sit down next to her.

Donna fiddled with her bracelet nervously. "I hope you
like it. Sam helped me pick it out."

"I'm sure I'll love it," Josh replied as he tore the
paper away revealing a red jeweler's box. He met her
gaze briefly before lifting the lid.

Nestled inside between folds of gold velvet was a
silver pocket watch with a picture of the White House
engraved on the front. Underneath the White House were
the dates of Bartlet's first term.

Josh tenderly took the watch out of the box and set
the box aside. He traced the engraving lightly before
opening the watch.

"My father used to wear a pocket watch," Josh
whispered his gaze never breaking from the small clock
in his hands.

"I'm sorry Josh.....I can take it back.....I had no
idea...." Donna replied as she started to stand.

Josh quickly caught her arm and gently pulled her back
down as he looked up from the watch. "No, Donnatella.
The watch is perfect. I couldn't have asked for a
better birthday present."

"Really?" Donna asked quietly as her blue gaze
searched his face.

Lyman nodded. "My father told me once that he wore the
watch to remind him of how far the country had come.
When I look at this I'll remember him and our
friendship. Thank you, Donnatella."

Donna smiled her eyes bright with tears. "You're
welcome, Joshua. Happy Birthday."

Josh met her gaze for a long moment before leaning
forward and capturing her lips in a kiss that was full
of promises and passion.

When they finally broke apart Josh pulled away from
her slightly so he could see her face. He reached over
and gently wiped away her tears.

"I thought I had missed my chance with you,"Josh
whispered huskily.

Donna shook her head not quite believing what was
happening. "You've always had my heart, Joshua."

Josh reached up and gently caressed her left cheek. "I
was a fool for not acting on my feelings for you
sooner, Donnatella. But I was so afraid of losing our
friendship."

"That will never happen," Donna promised softly.
"Speaking of friendships.....I think there's somebody
out in the living room that you owe an apology too."

Lyman grimaced as he recalled his arguement with Sam.
"Yeah," he replied quietly as he stood pulling Donna
up with him. "Besides you owe this birthday boy a
dance."

********

As soon as they stepped back into the living room CJ
handed him a small paper plate with a piece of cake.
"Was begining to think you had abandoned your own
party, Josh."

Lyman shook his head with a smile as he took the cake
from her. "No,just had some things to straighten out.
Looks like you kept the party going though."

CJ grinned not blind to the fact that Josh and Donna
were holding hands. "I almost had to do the Jackal but I decided to save
that for later."

Josh laughed as he scanned the living room. "Sam still
here?"

CJ gestured toward the far window. "Talking with
Mallory by the window."

"Thanks," Josh replied as he stepped away from Donna
and turned back to face her. "Be right back. Remember
you owe me that dance."

"I'll keep my dance card clear."Donna quipped.

Josh nodded before turning and melting into the crowd.

**********

"You're kidding....." Mallory O'Brien replied with a
wide grin. "Dad always told me you fell off a boat but
he never told me the whole story."

"No, I'm not kidding."Sam replied quietly. "And I'd
rather not talk about it any more."

Mallory placed a hand on his upper arm. "Oh come on,
Sam. You can't leave me there...."

Sam glared at her slightly. "I don't want to hear any
more boat jokes.Especially from you."

Mallory's eyes twinkled michevously. "Would I make
boat jokes?"

"Yes," Sam replied firmly.

"Hey."Josh greeted as he approached the pair.

"Happy Birthday, Josh," Mallory replied with a smile.
"Like the hat."

"Thanks," Josh replied as he reached up to take the
hat off. He had completely forgotten he had the thing
on. "Sam, can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Sure," Seaborn replied as he leaned back against the
windowsil.

"I'll see if I can drag my father out onto the dance
floor," Mallory replied as she quickly excused
herself.

Lyman glanced down at the paper party hat in his hands
as he twirled it between his fingers. "Sam, I...."

Sam shook his head. "Forget it, Josh."

Josh's head snapped up. "I should've handled things a
lot different."

Seaborn nodded. "True. But if I had been in your shoes
I might have jumped to the same conclusion."

Josh sighed as he leaned back against the windowsil.
"That's just it I shouldn't have."

Sam turned to face his friend. "Josh, if I had
romantic feelings toward Donna I certainly would've
gone to you first."

Lyman grinned. "So do you have feelings for my
assistant."

Sam shook his head. "No, but it's clear that you do."

Josh nodded as he placed the hat back on his head.
"Yeah, that might be the only good thing that came out
of this mess."

Sam blinked in surprise. "You finally told her?"

Josh glared at him slightly. "What do you mean
finally?"

Sam laughed as he shook his head, "Josh, we were
taking bets on you two during the campaign."

Lyman raised an eyebrow, "The *campaign*?"

Sam placed a hand on Josh's shoulder and gave him a
gentle push forward. "Just go and dance with the lady before she realizes
her mistake and leaves you in the dust."

"Not a chance of that happening." Josh replied softly
as he met Donna's gaze across the room.


End