Spoilers: This continues to feed off "The Portland Trip."

Archive: Sure, let me know where and keep my name
attached.

Author's Note: We all know it's Stacy's doing...

Summary: Sequel to "Over Done."


Flowers & Food (1/1)

CJ opened her office door and dropped her briefcase on to the couch.
Unfortunately, Josh was lying on the couch, so he took it in the
stomach.

"Sorry Josh," she said, retrieving her case. "You look like hell.
And I don't mean in a good way."

Josh waited for the lightbulb to go off.

"What did you do?" she demanded.

He could almost feel the heat from the lightbulb.

"Joshua..."

"I screwed up," he admitted. "I pushed too hard. And then I said
something stupid."

"If you didn't look so pathetic, I'd smack you upside the head
again. What did I tell you? Didn't I tell you not to screw this up?"

"Actually, no."

"Well I meant to. And I know I told you to stick with holding hands
and walking in the snow last night. Could I have been any clearer
that you should take it slow with Donna?"

"I'm guessing yes," he moaned and put his head in his hands.

She sighed. "Josh!"

"What am I going to do?"

"Is she coming in today?"

"She didn't quit, if that's what you're asking," he said.

"It's Saturday, Josh. Is she coming in today?"

"I...I don't know. She's not here yet."

CJ sat at her desk and twirled a pencil. "Okay, I have a plan. I'm
going to call Donna and ask her to come in to help me. You're going
to go out and buy her flowers. Women like flowers, Josh. I know
it's a stereotype, but we really do. And get her some breakfast.
You have to suck up now, Josh. You must have re-set to about square
one."

He stood. "Okay, flowers and food. Girls really like that?"

"Women, Josh."

"Right. Women. You'll help me fix this?"

"Auntie CJ will make everything better," she assured him. "For
Donna, not for you. After that 'girl' crack, I'm not interested in
helping you. But I feel a certain responsibility for Donna."

"Why?"

"Sisterhood. Go Josh."


CJ had asked Donna to come right to her office. She was still
wearing her coat while she sat on the couch.

"And then he said something stupid," CJ concluded.

"Well, yeah. It was just all happening so fast, CJ." She stared at
her hands. "I've wanted it for so long..."

"Donna, remember the three things?" Donna nodded. "Did you remember
them last night?"

"I remembered the three things. But he'd had three glasses of wine,"
she said as if it explained everything.

Evidently, in CJ's mind, it did explain everything. "Then you were
absolutely right to do what you did. Donna, this is touchy enough as
it is. You're his assistant, and more than a few people aren't going
to like this. Now, I'm going to ask Josh to come in here and lecture
both of you for a moment."

"CJ..."

"Yeah, this started out with my spying on you. It's grown by leaps
and bounds now," she said. "Because if this doesn't work out..."

"If this doesn't work then there's no chance for you and Toby."

"Excuse me?" CJ asked.

"See, Josh and I aren't the only ones who can hide from reality.
Think about that one."

"Okay, back to you and Josh. If this doesn't work out, the West Wing
is going to be a very difficult place to be. Josh!" she yelled. He
opened the door and entered, closing it behind him.

"Okay, dinner again tonight," CJ instructed. "Nothing to drink,
Josh."

"Not a drop," he agreed.

"And Josh, let's remember that no means no."

He glared at CJ.

"I'm not intimidated by you Josh Lyman. So save that look for
someone who is. Now tell Donna."

"Donna, I'm sorry I was an idiot. It wasn't the first time. It
won't be the last. I would be honored if you would go out to dinner
with me tonight."

"I'd love to."

"Good," CJ said. "Great. Donna, there's breakfast and flowers for
you at your desk."

She looked stunned.

"Women still like roses, right?" Josh asked.

"Yeah, Josh," Donna said, taking his hand. "Women still like roses.
And food. Food is really good."

"We'll go as slow as you like, Donna. We've got all the time in the
world." He stroked her cheek and she closed her eyes.

"Okay, I seem to have ceased to exist," CJ said. "So I think I'll go
find some coffee." CJ closed the door on her way out to give them
some privacy.

"Hey, CJ," Toby said. "Want a muffin?"

-END-