Title: Bashert (1/6)
Author: Aerial312
Rating: PG-13
Category: Fluff
Spoiler Info: Santos administration
Disclaimer: I own nothing…I just borrow.
Feedback: Greatly appreciated. Sure. Just let me know where its going.
A/N: Since I still don't know where "Glimpse…" is going…

PRESENT: Santos Administration, early March.

Donna leaned against the doorframe of Josh's office. He was absorbed in a large briefing book, and didn't notice her. His jacket was strewn across the back of his chair, his shirt sleeves rolled up. It was obvious he'd forgotten about the cocktail party they were supposed to go to for the First Lady's child healthcare initiative. She stepped into the room.

"Hey."

Josh looked up. "How long have you been standing there?"

"A few minutes."

"Sorry, I was caught up in…" He looked her up and down, taking in the short black dress she was wearing. "I forgot about a thing, didn't I?"

Donna nodded. "The child healthcare—"

"Fuck."

"In the East Room."

"I'm swamped."

"You don't have to stay long."

"I am so behind on this reading. We were in the Sit Room all day. This has to be done for tomorrow's session."

He looked back up to find her frowning at him.

"I don't have time for a cocktail party."

"This is our first big push."

"The West Wing will be represented. Sam, and Lou, and the President, of course—"

"That's not what I meant."

"Donna, I need to read this! Do you see how big it is and how far I am?"

"You don't even have to leave the building."

"Donna—"

"This is important, Josh."

"It's a cocktail party."

"To me."

"I—"

"Fine." Donna turned, and walked toward the door.

"Donna…" he jumped up quickly, and caught her by the arm.

"This is all we ever do, Josh."

"What?"

"Argue about why you can't do something. I haven't seen you outside of your office in a week."

"I've been busy!"

"I know that! I know you have a lot going on, but there's got to be some balance—"

"I haven't found it."

"You haven't tried."

"We've only been in office a month."

Donna shook her head.

"Fine, I'll go to the damn cocktail party."

Donna looked at him sadly. "Josh…maybe…maybe this isn't meant to be."

He stepped back and clenched his jaw. "What are you saying?"

"I don't know."

"Are you breaking up with me?"

She bit her lip. "I don't want to—"

"Then what?!"

"Josh, I love you, but it seems like I'm the only one trying to make this work. I want it to work, I do, but I need more than this—"

"Are you going to give me another ultimatum?" he huffed, crossing back to his desk.

Donna sighed, and closed her eyes. "I just want you to think about what's important to you."

Josh looked up at her. "I…"

"Think about it." She crossed in and kissed him on the forehead. "Now, I'm going to this cocktail party."

She left the room quickly, leaving Josh staring at her wake. He raked his fingers through his hair, and sat back in his chair, closing his eyes. He didn't hear the connecting door open.

"Why am I not surprised to find you still here?"

"Sir," Josh jumped up.

"What keeps you at your desk?"

"Forced Depletion in Kazakhstan."

"Ready to head down to the East Room?"

"I'm not going, sir. I've got to finish this."

"This is a big deal for our ladies."

"I…Donna know knows I'm not going."

"I can't imagine she's happy about it."

"Sir…"

"Going through a rough patch?"

"I'm not sure I'm comfortable—"

"Sorry. It just seems like after all you two have been through, and I've heard stories—"

"We'll work it out."

"She keeps you sane, you know. I'd heard that. Wasn't sure I believed it, until about a week after she joined the campaign the campaign. My wife pointed it out to me, how different you'd seemed. You two just understand each other—"

"I wish it were that easy."

"These things don't just come like that," he snapped his fingers. "You've gotta work at them. I still have to work at things with my wife."

"Yeah…"

"Don't give up too soon."

Josh nodded blankly.

"Come to the cocktail party."

"I don't think she wants to see me until I've thought it out."

"Show her you care about this thing she's worked so hard on, Josh."

"Is that an order?"

Santos sighed. "It's not an order. But I'd strongly advise it."

"Thank you, sir. I…I might come down a little later. Have a good time, sir."

Josh picked his book back up, as the President left shaking his head.

SANTOS CAMPAIGN: A few weeks before the election.

"How did the rally go?" Josh asked, entering the conference room, wiping rain off his face.

"Good," the Congressman accessed.

"What happened during the press conference?"

"I don't know what's with her today," Lou growled. "She's been irritable and short with everyone all day."

"Is she okay?"

"I don't fucking know. She snapped that she didn't want to talk about it before stalking off."

"Helen tried to find out, but she wouldn't talk to her either."

Josh nodded. "When did it start raining?"

"Just after the rally. Why?" Santos asked.

"Just wondering. It's really coming down. Well, I'm going to go take my chances asking Donna about the VFW thing tomorrow—"

"Don't," Lou sighed. "Let her sleep. We want her in a better mood tomorrow."

"I'll just check in quick."

He took off for the elevator. After about a minute of knocking, Donna answered the door. She was wearing a robe.

"What?"

"I just wanted to talk about the VFW thing tomorrow morning."

"I said I wanted to be left alone."

"Oh…I didn't…I just got here."

She looked at him for a moment before nodding, and stepping back for him to enter.

"Can you wait like 10 minutes? I was just about to take a bath, and I really need it."

Josh looked at her. She looked exhausted and drawn, more pale than usual.

"Go ahead," he smiled. "I have some stuff to read."

"Lie down. Get comfortable. I won't be too long."

"Take your time," he told her, settling on the already turned down bed on his stomach.

"If you want to talk to me, from out here, go ahead."

He nodded, and sighed as he watched her go. She was trying really hard not to show it, but there was a slight limp in her walk. Josh pulled a folder out of his bag and looked at it, before looking up at the bathroom doorway.

"How far behind were you guys today?"

"Not bad. The rain slowed things down a little."

"Getting here?"

"Everywhere. It started to rain everywhere we went today."

"Ugh."

"Yeah."

"And the about-to-rain is worse than the rain."

"Yeah…does your arm still get stiff in the bad weather?"

"Not so bad anymore."

"Good…"

"Is the warm water helping?"

"Oh, uh…I don't know. It's been a long day, so two minutes in the bath…"

"Yeah. Well, I'll let you relax while you're in there."

She chuckled ruefully. "It's okay."

They fell into a comfortable silence, as Josh leafed through a folder, laying his head on a pillow.

Ten minutes later, Donna emerged in a t-shirt and sweatpants to find Josh asleep, assorted papers around him. She smiled, and gathered the papers up, laying back against the pillow beside him. Josh stirred as she settled down. She sighed and rolled to face him. Still asleep. Rationalizing it as she couldn't bear to wake him, Donna flicked off the light and curled beside him, pulling the blanket up to cover them. He smiled into her hair, and wrapped his arm around he waist. She was going to get the sleep she needed.

TBC