Author's Note- This post episode story is part of a trilogy. The first story is the post-ep for S1 E16 Lies, Damn Lies & Statistics. The epilogue will take place in a post-ep for S5 E 16 Eppur Si Mouve (coming soon.) Each story can be read as a stand alone, but they are all part of the same Alternative Universe.

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As I get back from the hill, I stop to grab a cup of coffee. I know I'm running late and I'm sort of expecting Donna to hit me with a crack about my sucky watch, but she's remarkably silent on the topic.

"Donna?"

"Yeah."

"Did you get me the meeting with the Vice President?"

"I did, but you're not going to be happy." Oh. This is why she's not making a comment about the fact that I'm running late, cuz I'm already going to be punished.

"Jogging!"

"Yeah."

"We couldn't really, this time, just sit in chairs?"

She smirks at me. "He's jogging at 2; it's the only time he could fit you in."

"Okay, order me boiled chicken and some pasta. Nothing like a meeting you have to carb-up for." That earns me another smirk. She doesn't mind at all when I have to exercise and eat healthy. This is a win-win for her.

"You're supposed to be at the town hall prep right now."

Still no comment about my watch. She's really holding back today.

I zip into my office to drop my backpack off. "Yeah, I'm headed to the Press Room."

Donna calls out from the bullpen. "It started 10 minutes ago."

As I drop the backpack on the desk, I notice something. My chair is missing. "Donna?"

"Yeah?" She says as she joins me.

"Where's my chair?"

"We have to go." She's deflecting. She walks out of the office and I follow her over to her desk.

"Where's my chair?" I try again.

"What chair?"

Well, now I know for sure she's up to something. "The chair I sit in at my desk." I try to keep my tone reasonable.

"It's at the shop."

"At the shop?"

"You said one of the wheels was wobbly."

"Yeah, you call up a guy in maintenance, he uses a screwdriver."

"Well, I sent it to the shop."

"I didn't even know there was a shop."

"It's not so much a shop as it is. . ."

"What?"

"My friend Curtis."

"Your friend Curtis." I don't like Curtis. I don't like the way Curtis looks at her. And I definitely don't like Curtis touching my things.

"Yeah."

"Is fixing my chair?"

"I'm throwing him some work."

"And how much is Curtis charging the Federal Government to fix the wobbly wheel on my chair?"

"He said he'd have to take a look at the job."

"At his shop."

"Yeah."

"Okay."

Donna looks back over her shoulder at me. I think she's surprised that I acquiesced so quickly. I give her a smile. I may not like Curtis, but I'm not going to spout off about it. I love her. She loves me. There's no need to make this into something. The thing with Joey a couple weeks ago was enough.

. . . . .

When I get back from jogging with Hoynes, Donna meets me in the lobby and walks with me to the Gym so I can shower.

"You look really hot." She snarks in a low tone shortly after Ed and Larry pass us, putting just enough emphasis on hot that I'm not sure if she's being flirty or just harassing me over the fact that I got stuck jogging with Hoynes.

I just raise an eyebrow and wait to see where this is going. When we get to the basement it's pretty well empty.

"Seriously," She looks me up and down hungrily, "I could just jump you right now. Your arms . . ." She takes a deep breath and exhales slowly. "My man is fit."

We arrive at the locker room door and she smiles brightly at me. "Well! Think of me in the shower!" Then she turns and walks away slowly.

I linger in the doorway watching her until she rounds the corner. Then, of course, I think of her while I shower.

. . . . .

Well, that was bad. I hate disappointing Leo. I didn't even think about how he'd feel about the situation. I, mean, of course, I'd want us to get the pilot back alive and unharmed even if there wasn't an upside politically. But there is one. I was only thinking about it that way.

Then going for a hug. Duh. I mean it's work. So we don't do that. I guess for a second it just felt like he was channeling my Dad. He'd always give me a hug after scolding me. And the way Leo moved his arm. I guess I just got caught up in the moment.

Stupid, Josh! Be a person. Think of the human side. But don't take it too far. Remember this is work.

"Hey, you. Penny for your thoughts." My beautiful wife calls out to me from her desk. When I look up she's smiling at me and I immediately start to feel better. I know this secret is wearing on both of us, but I just don't want to take the chance of Leo moving her to another department.

I need her near me. She's my better half. She balances me. She knows when to comfort, and when to kick me in the pants. She knows when to ask questions, and when to demand answers. She's organized. She's a great researcher. She's brilliant. God. I just love her so much.

I give a little head tilt and she gets up with her notepad and follows me into my office. Once through the door, she looks me over then shuts it.

"What happened?" She asks gently.

"Oh nothing. Just a little misunderstanding with Leo. It's fine now."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

She walks over to me and wraps her arms around my shoulders and pulls me in tight. I bury my face in her neck and breath in her essence, absorbing some of her strength. We don't say anything, letting the moment linger just a bit longer.

"Better? She asks as she pulls away.

I give her a genuine smile. "Yes."

"Okay. Would it be alright if I didn't go to the town hall tonight? I'm feeling a little tired."

"Are you okay?" I feel my brow furrow. Donna doesn't get tired. Is she sick?

"Yeah. I'm fine. My stomach's just been a bit wobbly today. And we need some groceries. I figured I'd stop at the store on the way home. And then take a little nap before you get there. Then we can have a late dinner and go to bed early. What do you think?"

"That sounds a like a great plan." Since the door's still closed, I give her a quick kiss on the forehead and then whisper "I love you" in her ear.

"Love you too." She mouths before heading back to her desk.

. . . .

As we leave the building, I'm walking with CJ and Sam. Zoey and Charlie are bantering just ahead of us. It's cute. Donna will want all the details. She finds them adorable.

When we are almost through the gates, I point CJ and Sam toward our car. Then I feel my phone buzz. It's probably Donna checking in after grocery shopping. I pause for a moment.

Then suddenly I hear popping noises. What the hell is that? Firecrackers? Stupid. . .

No. It's gunshots. People are running in all directions, I'm forced into the gate and I grab it with both hands trying to stay upright.

And then I feel a sudden burning. PAIN. I grab at it to make it stop, turning and stumbling towards something.

My mind goes hazy, as the world around me slips in and out of focus.

I've got to get away. I've got to get home. I have to get to Donna.

I can't go any further. I feel myself crumbling but I manage to sit down and put my back against a wall.

Donna. Donna. Donna. Her name echoes in my head in an agonizing rhythm.

I put one hand over the other and trying to keep myself together. It's hot and sticky. But I'm freezing.

Don't look down. Don't look down. Stay present. Don't let go. Get back to Donna.

"JOSH!"

I'm here, Toby. Find me. Help.

"Josh! Didn't you hear me shouting for you? I didn't know where the hell you…"

Toby . . . I try to tell him I need help but nothing comes out.

Toby looks at me in a way I don't understand. Oh god, am I already dead? Then he finds his voice.

"I need a... I need a doctor! I need help!"

As Toby screams, I feel the world tilt. But a strong hand catches my head and lowers it to the concrete. As blackness claims me, I want to tell Toby to tell Donna that I love her but . . .

In between moments of blackness and jagged bursts of pain, I hear voices. I feel someone gripping my hand tightly. I hear my name. I hear crying.

But I don't hear Donna.

An incredible jolt brings me back from somewhere and I realize that I have to start over. I have to get to Donna. Where is she? Where would she be? I can't. . .

Faces . . .words . . . Donna? Start over. Don't quit. Don't give up. Start over.

I manage to rip off the thing holding me back.

"I have to get to New Hampshire." I tell anyone who will listen. I have to start over. I have to get back to Donna.