Leo sighed as he rubbed a weary hand over his face.
"Josh, if I've told you two once I've told you a
thousand times. I can fight my own battles."
Josh ducked his head slightly. "I'm sorry, Leo, I just
thought with everything that you had on your plate you
didn't need this added to it."
"Either way," Bartlet interjected. "You should've come
to me with this."
Sam glanced at Josh then back at the President. "We
thought we could squash it before it gained any
power."
"Well that didn't happen did it?" Bartlet replied a
little more sharply than he intended to. "I want to
send Lillienfield a message that he can't do this
again to any member of my staff."
Leo stood. "I'll brief CJ in case Lillienfield tries
to use the Press again."
Bartlet nodded. "Thanks, Leo."He turned back to Sam
and Josh. "Sam, meet with Toby and Leo and figure out
a strategy."
Sam nodded as he stood. "Yes, Sir."He replied as he
followed the Chief of Staff out of the Oval Office.
"What do you need me to do, Sir?" Josh asked quietly
as he looked down at his folded hands.
"Find Donna and bring her home," Jed replied as he
stood and placed a reassuring hand on the younger
man's shoulder. "Lillienfield's probably filled her
head with God knows what. Reassure her that she has a
place here no matter what."
"Thank you, Mr. President," Lyman replied softly as he
stood and quickly left the office.
********
Josh returned to his office pausing for a moment to
look across the busy communications bullpen.
He should've handled the resignation thing better but
it had come completely out of nowhere.
The Deputy Chief of Staff jumped slightly when his
cellular phone rang. Josh had completely forgotten he
had it on him.
Josh pulled the phone out of the inside pocket of his
suit coat. "Lyman?"
"Josh? It's me," Donna replied quietly.
Lyman quickly stepped into his office so he could hear
better. "Donna? Where are you? I'm sorry about
earlier...."
"So am I Josh, about everything," Moss replied
wearily. "Can you meet me?"
"Just tell me where and when," Josh stated as he
reached for a small pad of paper and a pen.
end of part 11 TBC