The West Wing
"In Plain View"
This is set after the episode "20 hours in L.A.".
Summary: A misunderstanding brings Josh and Donna's
feelings for each other to the surface
"So, are you ever going to tell me the story about Sam
falling off the boat?"Donna Moss asked as she looked
out at the full ballroom.
Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman shook his head as he
leaned back against the bar. "Nope."
The young blonde woman turned to face her boss.
"Josh..."
Lyman took a sip of his champagne as he watched the
President mingle among the guests at the latest high
price fund raiser. "Sam will kill me."
"Leo knows."Donna pointed out as she set her empty
glass on the bar.
Josh nodded. "Leo was there."
"You know I can find this out from others."Donna
replied with a grin.
"Yep."
"You're not going to tell me are you?"Donna asked with
a frown.
"I can't."The brown haired man in his thirties replied
as he turned to face her. "If you knew the
circumstances you'd understand why Sam will
toss me out the nearest fifteenth story window."
"So tell me."Donna prompted with a grin.
The bartender cleared his throat loudly gaining their
attention. "Excuse me, Sir, would you and your wife
like another drink?"
Josh stiffened and shook his head at the younger man.
"We're not married...she's just my assistant."
"Smooth, Josh."Sam Seaborn commented dryly as he came
up behind his friend having overheard the last part of
the conversation and Donna's quick exit.
Lyman glanced at the deputy communications director
and then at the empty spot next to him. "Damn. So do
you want to help me get my foot out of my mouth?"
Sam grinned as he leaned against the bar. "You're
going to have to do that yourself. From what I've
heard she's had a rough week."
Josh blinked in surprise. "Rough week?"He repeated as
he scrambled to think of anything during the past week
that had been out of the ordinary.
Sam nodded. "Her boyfriend dumped her."
"Oh man."Josh replied. "What is it going to take to
get me out of this hole?"
"More than a raise and a few days off."Sam replied
with a grin as the bartender placed a beer in front of
him.
Josh sighed as he turned and scanned the room for his
assistant. "So how is it you know more about my
assistant's love life than I do?"
"Kathy sometimes forgets to shut her end of the
intercom off."Seaborn replied as he turned and
followed his friend's gaze. "I don't think
you're going to find her here, Josh."
Lyman nodded as he tossed a few bills down on the bar
and stepped away. "I'll see you tomorrow."
********
It was midnight by the time Josh left the fundraiser.
Leo had snagged him just as he had reached the door
wanting him to meet certain important
members of the Democratic Party. Now as he stood at
the door to Donna's apartment Josh hesitated about
knocking, not wanting to wake her. But he
knew he couldn't leave things the way they were. He
couldn't stand to have her mad at him even if he did
deserve it.
"Donna?"Josh called after knocking,"It's me."
"It's late, Josh."Donna's replied wearily the door
remaining closed.
"Just give me five minutes."Josh pleaded beginning to
think he should have brought a peace offering like
flowers.
One long silent minute stretched into five and Josh
could detect no movement behind the apartment door.
Lyman rubbed a tired hand over his face before trying
again. "Donna, I know you're mad at me and you have
every right to be....."
Donna Moss opened the door cutting off his sentence
Not meeting his gaze she simply tuned around and
retraced her steps to the sofa.
"I'm not mad at you."Donna replied quietly as she sat
down.
Josh closed the door behind him and walked into the
living room sitting down in a chair next to the sofa.
"If you're not mad, why did you leave so quickly?"
Donna leaned back against the cushions. "Would it be
so terrible to be married?"
Lyman winced inwardly quickly realizing just how badly
the comment had hurt her. "You know I didn't mean it
the way it sounded, Donna."
Donna stood and walked over to her window, which over
looked the Potomac River. "I'm not sure I know
anything any more."
Josh came to stand next to her as he placed a gentle
hand on her left shoulder. "I know it's been a rough
week for you.....but the guy's a fool for letting you
get away."
Donna returned her attention to the window shaking her
head slightly. "I thought I had found the right guy,
Josh."
Lyman hated seeing her so hurt. He didn't know when
but his feelings toward her had changed from
friendship to something more. Tonight had
just brought those feelings to the surface. But how
did he let her know how he felt without sounding like
he was taking advantage of the situation?
Donna sighed and leaned against the wall near the
window. She had over reacted at an innocent comment.
He had come here to apologize so why was
she dumping all of this on him? When she had first
started working with Josh during the campaign she had
a crush on him, but had quickly realized the romantic
feelings wouldn't be returned.
Donna turned and walked away from the window. She
picked up a empty glass from the coffee table and
walked into the small kitchen placing it
in the sink. The blonde woman shut the light off in
the kitchen and turned around surprised to see that
Josh was still standing near the window.
"Josh."Donna began as she walked around the small
kitchen counter. "You better go if you want to get any
sleep there's a senior staff meeting at five thirty."
Lyman stepped away from the window and crossed the
short space to the kitchen. He gently took her hands
in his.
"I know my timing sucks and by saying this I'll
probably not only lose the best assistant in the world
but my best friend."Josh stated as he looked into her
eyes,"But I'm in love with you."
Donna felt tears begin to form not sure she had had
heard correctly."Josh...."
Lyman gently placed his right hand under her chin as
he shook his head.
"No, let me finish. I don't know when my feelings
toward you changed,but they have. Tonight just made me
realize how precious you are to me. I know with us working together it'll make this more
complicated but I'm willing to do whatever you want to
make this work."
Donna tried to speak but tears clogged her throat. She
saw hurt start to dawn in his eyes as he thought she
didn't feel the same way. She reached up and wrapped
her arms around his neck pulling him close.
"I love you too, Josh."Donna replied as she finally
found her voice, "I always have."
END