Author: Jo-Anne Storm
Title: To Court a Lady
Rating: PG-13 for a few choice words
Disclaimer: The West Wing and all its characters are a property of Aaron Sorkin, John Wells Production, Warner Brothers Television and NBC. No copyright infringement is intended.
Spoilers: Up through Season 4.
Summery: After a blow-up, Josh gets permission to date Donna.
Notes: This is the last chapter I'm planning on writing for this series. This takes place over 10 years after Josh and Donna's wedding, and gives a bit of a glimpse into the lives of our favorite characters. I hope you enjoy it.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Good evening, and welcome to 'On the Hill,'" Katie Reynolds greeted her television audience a moment after the lights rose in the studio. "Tonight I am pleased to be joined by White House Chief of Staff Joshua Lyman.
"Welcome, Josh. How are you?"
"I'm good, Katie."
"To give a little background on Josh, he was the floor manager to the House minority whip, Chief of Staff for Congressman Earl Brennan, worked for three years in the Senate, and advised former Vice President John Hoynes during his bid for the Democratic nomination before joining the Bartlet campaign as political director. He served President Bartlet as Deputy Chief of Staff for five years before being elevated to Chief of Staff. After the Bartlet administration ended, Josh went on to work as then- Congressman Seaborn's Chief of Staff. Now, he has returned to the White House, this time under Seaborn.
"Josh, one question I have to ask: you've had this amazing career in the background of the political arena. Have you ever thought of throwing your hat in?"
Josh smiled winningly at Katie, his dimples flashing. "I can honestly say that I haven't."
"Why not?"
"I think the best answer to that is something President Bartlet once said to me. He said something along the lines of 'Josh, you don't want to be the guy, you want to be the guy the guy depends on.' I know, that sounds confusing, doesn't it? What he meant was that I didn't want to be the guy in the spot light. I'm the guy in the back making sure that the things the guy in the spot light wants to happen actually happen."
"So we won't be seeing Congressman Lyman after the Seaborn administration ends?"
"You may, but I doubt that it'll be me."
"What are your plans once President Seaborn's term is up?"
"With any luck, that won't be for another six years. I'll cross that bridge when I get there."
"So Seaborn will run for re-election?"
"He hasn't made an official announcement yet, but yes, he plans on running again."
"Alright," Katie said, turning to face the camera again. "When we come back, Josh will take your questions."
The lights dimmed as she turned back towards her guest. "How're Donna and the kids?"
"They're good. Donna's actually lurking around here somewhere, no doubt reorganizing some poor unsuspecting soul's filing cabinet."
"You know you might get asked-"
"Yeah, it's OK," he said with a sigh. We talked about it on the way here and decided that I would be completely candid. As long as the caller isn't too belligerent, I should do OK."
"Back in five," a stage hand called.
Katie put her "professional face" back on and turned towards the teleprompter just as the studio lightened once again.
"Welcome back to 'On the Hill' with Katie Reynolds and guest Josh Lyman. Our first call is from Andy in Seattle. Andy, go ahead."
"Hi, Katie, Josh. I wanted to ask what the president plans to do about the lack of trained police officers?"
"Back at the West Wing our Communications Director, Will Bailey, and the Deputy Chief of Staff, Sonya Attwood, are drafting a piece of legislation that offers incentives for people to join the police force. It will be much like the teacher incentives proposed by the Bartlet administration, which proved to be a success."
"Next on the line is Jarod from here in DC."
"The Seaborn administration is a travesty," the man groused. "A whore- monger president, an unwed mother vice president, and every other piece of filth in that building just proves that there is something wrong with this country."
Josh's jaw tensed but he said rather calmly, "Everyone has a right to their opinions. And the majority of the country expressed their opinion that President Seaborn and Vice President Wyatt were worthy of running the country."
Katie quickly disconnected the call before Jarod could continue his tirade. "I think the press and the country has revisited past indiscretions enough. Moving on, we have Claudia from San Francisco."
"So, what's the President's plan to fight inflation?"
"Claudia Jean!" Josh cried happily. "How are you?"
"I'm good. How are you liking being in front of the camera, Katie?"
"It's a lot different than your Press Room. Folks, on the line is CJ Cregg, former Press Secretary for President Bartlet. CJ, welcome."
"Thanks, Katie. So, Joshua?"
"There is no definite plan to fight inflation at this moment. I can assure you that the country's top economists are working on how to battle the problem. I can also assure you, CJ, that Greg shares your opinion that I should not be allowed anywhere near the Press Room."
CJ laughed before excusing herself from the call, stating that she was sure that other people had questions for him.
"Steve from Nashville, your question."
The next hour of the two hour program continued in this vein. A few of the callers had beefs with the administration or with government in general, but the majority had legitimate questions about how things worked in Washington or about specific legislation. The question he had been dreading came before the last commercial break.
"Josh, has the death of your daughter caused you to influence Congress to file more funding into cancer research?"
Josh drew in a lungful of air and held it for a moment before expelling it in a rush. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Donna hovering worriedly. He shot his wife a reassuring smile and spoke seriously.
"There's an old saying that no parent should outlive their children. I've learned the truth of that better than I ever wanted to. However, the US donated thirty million to cancer research last year alone. That thirty million helped save the lives of thousands of people. I regret that Jessica wasn't one of the people that the research couldn't help.
"Do I push legislation funding cancer research? You know, I probably do. But I have also donated $200,000 of my own money to the cause. I did it because last month several little girls died of a terrible disease and not all of their parents could afford to help fund research."
"How is your family holding up in the aftermath of her death?"
We're. Getting better. There's a hole in my heart where she once stood. That hole will never heal, not fully. I thank God for every day that he allowed her to stay in our lives, and I thank God every day for my wife and sons."
"How are the boys?"
"They're great. My eldest, JL, who is ten, wants to play for the Mets. Colin wants to be a paleoanthropologist. He can't even pronounce it, but he wants to be one."
"You must be very proud of them."
Josh nodded. "You know, before I got married or had kids, I thought that my political successes would be the legacy I left behind. Now, I know that everything I did before, everything I'll do after pales in comparison to being part of a family."
"And we'll be back in a moment."
The lights dimmed once again and Donna hurried over from her position on the sidelines. "You OK?"
"Yeah. Hey, Katie, do you-"
"No. Go, give your kids a hug."
Josh nodded gratefully and stepped off the stage with his arm around Donna's shoulders, both giving and taking strength. Katie watched as he detangled himself from the clip-on microphone and then as they traversed the sea of cables in the studio.
"Welcome back," Katie said once the lights had come back on. "I want to thank White House Chief of Staff Josh Lyman once again for taking time out of his busy schedule to sit with us tonight. Please join me next week when will welcome Majority Leader Richard Shultz as well as freshman Senator Charles Young. Have a good night."
"And. We're out!" the stage hand called.
Title: To Court a Lady
Rating: PG-13 for a few choice words
Disclaimer: The West Wing and all its characters are a property of Aaron Sorkin, John Wells Production, Warner Brothers Television and NBC. No copyright infringement is intended.
Spoilers: Up through Season 4.
Summery: After a blow-up, Josh gets permission to date Donna.
Notes: This is the last chapter I'm planning on writing for this series. This takes place over 10 years after Josh and Donna's wedding, and gives a bit of a glimpse into the lives of our favorite characters. I hope you enjoy it.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Good evening, and welcome to 'On the Hill,'" Katie Reynolds greeted her television audience a moment after the lights rose in the studio. "Tonight I am pleased to be joined by White House Chief of Staff Joshua Lyman.
"Welcome, Josh. How are you?"
"I'm good, Katie."
"To give a little background on Josh, he was the floor manager to the House minority whip, Chief of Staff for Congressman Earl Brennan, worked for three years in the Senate, and advised former Vice President John Hoynes during his bid for the Democratic nomination before joining the Bartlet campaign as political director. He served President Bartlet as Deputy Chief of Staff for five years before being elevated to Chief of Staff. After the Bartlet administration ended, Josh went on to work as then- Congressman Seaborn's Chief of Staff. Now, he has returned to the White House, this time under Seaborn.
"Josh, one question I have to ask: you've had this amazing career in the background of the political arena. Have you ever thought of throwing your hat in?"
Josh smiled winningly at Katie, his dimples flashing. "I can honestly say that I haven't."
"Why not?"
"I think the best answer to that is something President Bartlet once said to me. He said something along the lines of 'Josh, you don't want to be the guy, you want to be the guy the guy depends on.' I know, that sounds confusing, doesn't it? What he meant was that I didn't want to be the guy in the spot light. I'm the guy in the back making sure that the things the guy in the spot light wants to happen actually happen."
"So we won't be seeing Congressman Lyman after the Seaborn administration ends?"
"You may, but I doubt that it'll be me."
"What are your plans once President Seaborn's term is up?"
"With any luck, that won't be for another six years. I'll cross that bridge when I get there."
"So Seaborn will run for re-election?"
"He hasn't made an official announcement yet, but yes, he plans on running again."
"Alright," Katie said, turning to face the camera again. "When we come back, Josh will take your questions."
The lights dimmed as she turned back towards her guest. "How're Donna and the kids?"
"They're good. Donna's actually lurking around here somewhere, no doubt reorganizing some poor unsuspecting soul's filing cabinet."
"You know you might get asked-"
"Yeah, it's OK," he said with a sigh. We talked about it on the way here and decided that I would be completely candid. As long as the caller isn't too belligerent, I should do OK."
"Back in five," a stage hand called.
Katie put her "professional face" back on and turned towards the teleprompter just as the studio lightened once again.
"Welcome back to 'On the Hill' with Katie Reynolds and guest Josh Lyman. Our first call is from Andy in Seattle. Andy, go ahead."
"Hi, Katie, Josh. I wanted to ask what the president plans to do about the lack of trained police officers?"
"Back at the West Wing our Communications Director, Will Bailey, and the Deputy Chief of Staff, Sonya Attwood, are drafting a piece of legislation that offers incentives for people to join the police force. It will be much like the teacher incentives proposed by the Bartlet administration, which proved to be a success."
"Next on the line is Jarod from here in DC."
"The Seaborn administration is a travesty," the man groused. "A whore- monger president, an unwed mother vice president, and every other piece of filth in that building just proves that there is something wrong with this country."
Josh's jaw tensed but he said rather calmly, "Everyone has a right to their opinions. And the majority of the country expressed their opinion that President Seaborn and Vice President Wyatt were worthy of running the country."
Katie quickly disconnected the call before Jarod could continue his tirade. "I think the press and the country has revisited past indiscretions enough. Moving on, we have Claudia from San Francisco."
"So, what's the President's plan to fight inflation?"
"Claudia Jean!" Josh cried happily. "How are you?"
"I'm good. How are you liking being in front of the camera, Katie?"
"It's a lot different than your Press Room. Folks, on the line is CJ Cregg, former Press Secretary for President Bartlet. CJ, welcome."
"Thanks, Katie. So, Joshua?"
"There is no definite plan to fight inflation at this moment. I can assure you that the country's top economists are working on how to battle the problem. I can also assure you, CJ, that Greg shares your opinion that I should not be allowed anywhere near the Press Room."
CJ laughed before excusing herself from the call, stating that she was sure that other people had questions for him.
"Steve from Nashville, your question."
The next hour of the two hour program continued in this vein. A few of the callers had beefs with the administration or with government in general, but the majority had legitimate questions about how things worked in Washington or about specific legislation. The question he had been dreading came before the last commercial break.
"Josh, has the death of your daughter caused you to influence Congress to file more funding into cancer research?"
Josh drew in a lungful of air and held it for a moment before expelling it in a rush. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Donna hovering worriedly. He shot his wife a reassuring smile and spoke seriously.
"There's an old saying that no parent should outlive their children. I've learned the truth of that better than I ever wanted to. However, the US donated thirty million to cancer research last year alone. That thirty million helped save the lives of thousands of people. I regret that Jessica wasn't one of the people that the research couldn't help.
"Do I push legislation funding cancer research? You know, I probably do. But I have also donated $200,000 of my own money to the cause. I did it because last month several little girls died of a terrible disease and not all of their parents could afford to help fund research."
"How is your family holding up in the aftermath of her death?"
We're. Getting better. There's a hole in my heart where she once stood. That hole will never heal, not fully. I thank God for every day that he allowed her to stay in our lives, and I thank God every day for my wife and sons."
"How are the boys?"
"They're great. My eldest, JL, who is ten, wants to play for the Mets. Colin wants to be a paleoanthropologist. He can't even pronounce it, but he wants to be one."
"You must be very proud of them."
Josh nodded. "You know, before I got married or had kids, I thought that my political successes would be the legacy I left behind. Now, I know that everything I did before, everything I'll do after pales in comparison to being part of a family."
"And we'll be back in a moment."
The lights dimmed once again and Donna hurried over from her position on the sidelines. "You OK?"
"Yeah. Hey, Katie, do you-"
"No. Go, give your kids a hug."
Josh nodded gratefully and stepped off the stage with his arm around Donna's shoulders, both giving and taking strength. Katie watched as he detangled himself from the clip-on microphone and then as they traversed the sea of cables in the studio.
"Welcome back," Katie said once the lights had come back on. "I want to thank White House Chief of Staff Josh Lyman once again for taking time out of his busy schedule to sit with us tonight. Please join me next week when will welcome Majority Leader Richard Shultz as well as freshman Senator Charles Young. Have a good night."
"And. We're out!" the stage hand called.