Be warned - this is a Josh / Donna shipper story with some others mixed
in. My apologies to any medical personnel on the lists, I'm no expert in
medicine. If you can correct me - please do.

White House: four hours after the Attack.

Josh walked into the West Wing of the White House showing his ID. Everyone
was on edge even four hours later. He turned the corner and headed to his
office. Donna was waiting right there. "Are you ok?" was the first words out
of her mouth. "Broken wrist. The Secret Service agent pushed me down." He
took off his coat to reveal a sling and a white cast. He handed Donna a bag
and walked toward the Oval Office. "What's this?" Josh turned toward her,
"My pain medication. Doctor wouldn't let me go without it."

Mrs. Landingham was sitting in her normal spot when Josh turned in to the
outer office. He saw Charlie's desk. It was going to be tough for a while.
"Josh, they're all waiting for you." He nodded and walked in.

The President, Sam, and CJ were sitting on the couches. Their attention
automatically turned to him. "What do you know?" the President asked. He
looked pale and nervous. Josh took a breath and began his report. "Leo went
into surgery when I left. He was hit in the left leg, just below his hip.
Toby has a sprained ankle and a broken rib. GW is keeping him over night for
observation." No one wanted to ask the next question. Finally CJ asked with
her voice cracking. "What about Charlie?"

Josh sat down. "The doctors said that the bullet that hit Charlie was lodged
in the lower part of his spine. The MRI showed that the spinal column was
intact. What they are worried about is swelling. They're working now to see
if they can get the fragments." Sam stood up and held on to the fireplace.
"What about his sister?" President looked up. "The Secret Service is going to
bring her here. I think it may do Zoey and Abby some good to have her with
us."

Josh nodded. "What's next?" CJ spoke up. "I've got a briefing in five
minutes." Sam and Josh looked at CJ then looked at the President. President
Bartlet sat for a moment and chose his words carefully. "CJ - tell the press
about the injured and update their conditions. Josh were there any civilian
injuries?" Josh nodded. "Total of five. Two broken wrists, a broken leg and a
dislocated shoulder." Sam wrote this down. "I thought you said five?" Josh
nodded and the President understood. "Get me a family contact. I want to make
this call myself."

The President stood and walked to his desk. What remained of his senior staff
also stood. "Josh," the President said. "Stay a moment." Josh returned to his
seat as Sam and CJ left for the briefing. When the door closed, the President
turned to Josh. "I'm going to need you to help me for a while, at least until
Leo can come back. I'm naming you Acting Chief of Staff." Josh sat up. It was
then that Jed Bartlet saw the sling. "Are you alright?" Josh nodded. "Broken
wrist. It happened when the Secret Service shoved me down." President nodded
his understanding. "Get together with Margaret and Donna. Find out what Leo
was working on. Maybe when Leo is up to it, you can confer with him." Josh
stood. "Now if you'll join me, I've got two ladies upstairs to bring up to
speed." Josh held up the President's jacket the best he could. A Secret
Service agent saw the problem and took the jacket from Josh.

After another hour, Josh got back to his office. Donna was waiting inside.
She ran around the desk to hug Josh. // Good thing I closed the door. // He
thought as he put his good arm around Donna's waist. "I'm so glad you're ok.
I'm not sure what I would have done if you were hurt any more than you are."
Josh held her closer. He remembered what had flashed before his eyes. It was
her. "Donna," Josh said as he broke their embrace. "I need to tell you
something." Donna looked at him with red eyes. He stroked her cheek. "I love
you, Donnatella Moss." Donna started to cry again. Josh held her against his
chest. "What's the matter?" he asked her softly. Donna looked into his eyes.
"I love you too." He exhaled loudly. He lifted her chin so their lips met.

They stayed that way for a second. Then there was a knock at the door. It was
Joey and Kenny. "Are you ok Josh?" Kenny said interrupting for Joey. "I'm
fine and glad you're here. While Leo is recovering, the President asked me to
fill in as Acting Chief of Staff. I'm going to need the three of you to help
me out. Joey, I'd like to tell the President that you've agreed to stay on as
Acting Deputy Chief of Staff." Joey looked surprised as Kenny signed what
Josh had said. "I'd be honored," Joey said in her own voice. Josh looked at
Donna and smiled. "Ok then - let's get to work."