FF: Best Keep This To Myself
Apr. 14th, 2007 11:47 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
quaggyTitle: Best Keep This To Myself
Series: Things Not Meant To Be (Part 2 of 4)
Part 1: Back Against The Wall
Part 2: Best Keep This To Myself
Part 3: Tilting At Windmills
Part 4: The Honorable Thing
Category: Angst
Disclaimer: I do not own The West Wing or any West Wing characters.
Rating: PG-13
Note: Ronna's got something to say about this situation. For story purposes, the election of the DNC Chair is held every 2 years in October. I know that this isn’t true in real life, but if Sorkin can make 2002 a Presidential Election year, than I should be allowed a little leeway too! Again a big that you to![[info]](https://stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
caz963 for being my beta and to seri_scribble for just being awesome and for telling me if I tipped my hand too much. She had to wait MONTHS to find out who the Other Woman was!
Please read Part One first.
October 2009
This is not what it was supposed to be like.
I had such expectations at the start of all this. Debbie had shown me what her life had been like and told me what mine would be. I stood at the threshold of the Oval Office with such anticipation. Everything was so amazing and orderly. It was the promise of a world that never came to be.
Debbie never told me that Senior Staff meetings would often resemble a stock exchange with all the noise and the yelling. She never told me that very little governing would be done as a result. She never told me what to do when the First Lady marched into the Oval Office with the sole intention of picking a needless fight or handing out a guilt trip. She never told me, because she never knew that world.
Things hadn’t been good for a long time. The fractures had probably been there for years. Maybe since the very beginning. Now this.
I found out by accident. It was late and I wasn’t supposed to be there. They certainly had no idea that they had an audience. He was leaning against his desk, hands on her shoulders with his head bent to hers. She was trying so hard not to cry and failing miserably. Even if I hadn’t heard them speak, I think that image alone would have told me what was happening. I wanted to join Margaret in her sobbing.
Josh Lyman was leaving us.
I knew I should let Josh and Margaret have their privacy to discuss his future plans, but I was rooted to the spot. Call me an eavesdropper or a spy. I don’t care. I wanted—needed—to hear what was going to happen now.
“So are you going to do this?”
“I think so. At least for a little while.”
“The President asked you to, didn’t he?”
She was clearly not talking about Matt Santos.
“What the…? How do you know everything?! I swear, Leo was right about you listening through keyholes!”
“I heard the two of you talking at the library dedication.”
“About the midterm elections!”
“It was the way you were talking about them. Like you were already in office.”
“And you’re positive the CIA never tried to recruit you?”
“Positive.”
“No wonder our foreign intelligence is such a mess. The President isn’t the only the reason I’m doing it, Margaret. I’ve been planning to leave for a while now.”
“I know. But I’d figured it wouldn’t happen until after the election.”
“So did I. And I was certainly never considering chair of the DNC. But the President makes a strong case.”
“How much time do we have before we leave?”
“Margaret,” Josh gasped with amazement. “I didn’t… I never…”
He cleared his throat, visibly moved. This was so typical of Josh Lyman. For a man who gave unconditional loyalty, he was always surprised when it was returned.
“I never expected…” he tried again. “You’ve held this post longer than anyone else has held theirs. I won’t be able to offer you anything on this level.”
“I followed my head not my heart when I chose not to follow Leo like I’d originally planned and I’ve never regretted anything more. I’m not about to make that mistake again.”
This conversation was becoming far more private than even my suddenly laissez-faire conscience could allow. I slipped down the darkened halls of the West Wing, trying unsuccessfully to keep my emotions in check. This, more than anything else, was the worst thing that could have happened to us. But I wasn’t surprised. I’ve seen Josh’s frustration at the President’s increasing inflexibility. Then, at the Dedication of the Bartlet Library, Josh seemed different, less one of “us” and more one of “them.” It was a subtle change. He was more the favored son of the previous administration than the leader of the current one.
Until recently, Josh and the President had never been openly opposed. I realize now that there must have been times when they disagreed, but we never saw it. Josh made sure it never filtered down to us. But then Matt Santos did something that Josh could not pretend to condone.
It was only a matter of time after that.
Josh Lyman is a one-woman man. So it would stand to reason that the concept of infidelity would baffle him. But he managed to shrug off his bewilderment and work for men like John Hoynes, I suppose, because he never considered their personal choices to be something about which he could reasonably voice an opinion. But the fact that the President was now involved with a member of his staff meant that it automatically became a problem that would affect all of us. And if news of his affair ever leaked outside the West Wing, we would have more problems than we could ever have imagined.
Josh had always put the good of the country before his own self-interest. The way he used to look on Donna sometimes when we were on the campaign trail was heartbreaking. I never understood why he didn’t just ask her out for a cup of coffee. I mean, she worked for Russell, but it wasn’t like she was a Republican. Then I realized that unlike so many of his colleagues, Josh Lyman had never crossed the line with the woman who had been his assistant. Not even after she was nearly killed in Gaza. Because it would have been wrong. A man like that would never be able to understand another man who was willing to risk everything that everyone had worked so hard to achieve just for some sex on the side.
I’ve worked with Matt Santos for years and I saw things. I learned that many of the rumors were true. That despite a seemingly happy marriage with a healthy sex life, the then-Congressman would occasionally… look elsewhere. Especially when Helen was in Texas with no intention of coming to visit for months. He would find a young woman to have a quiet, meaningless relationship with for a month or two and then allow it to fizzle out. If Helen knew, I’m sure she dismissed it as unimportant. It was nothing to threaten what she had. Some people look at marriage like that.
But that sort of marriage could never survive the scrutiny to which the First Family is constantly subjected. We hadn’t even taken office when the first cracks began to show. And it only got worse. I wondered how I could possibly refuse when the President finally, inevitably, asked me to take his wife off “The List”. Surely, this wasn’t what Debbie had had in mind? But in the end, that wasn’t what happened. Josh instituted a policy in light of the war (whether at home or in Kazakhstan, he never did say) that the Oval would be at Code Word Clearance Only whenever the senior staff was present. And then he made sure that either he or Sam was staffing the President at all times. The First Lady was effectively blocked; which was just as well, seeing as these days, whenever she entered the Oval Office it was to let the President know that he was a jerk and a screw up and that the misery that was her life was solely his fault. (When faced with that every day, I guess it really isn’t all that surprising that the President would turn to someone who was his wife's complete opposite... someone who thrived on politics and the thrill of that world.) But Josh’s maneuvering put a visible strain on his own marriage. He wasn’t just blocking the First Lady; he was limiting his wife’s effectiveness. I could see the frustration in Donna’s eyes whenever she made her way over to the West Wing. She and Josh stopped leaving work at the same time and sneaking out for lunch together. It seemed to me that being together was too painful for them. I had forgotten how melancholy Josh had looked when we first met. Now I knew why. I began to wonder if this was going to be the first marriage to ever dissolve because of the infidelity of an outside party!
Then, Donna left with First Lady on the Chicago trip and Josh trudged into work the next morning as if the weight of the world was on his shoulders. I thought the worse had happened, but I was wrong. Margaret, who had been sick with worry for months, was actually giddy all day. And though Josh was certainly sad, he roamed the halls with a new purpose and determination. Clearly the Lyman household had stopped suffering the ills of the Santos’ marriage. And if that wasn't proof enough, when the First Lady finally consented to return, Donna, who was never one for public displays of lust, greeted her husband under the eyes of the President, most of the Senior Staff and a very disapproving First Lady with a kiss filled with so much passion and yearning I was surprised the two of them didn’t spontaneously combust right there on the spot.
Thanks to the First Lady, Josh and Donna have been apart more than they’ve been together these past few months. But they’ve apparently been making what little time they’d had together count. I don’t think anyone else has noticed yet, but in another four or five months, there will be another Lyman in the world. I supposed I should have realized what a baby would mean, though. But I was just so reluctant to imagine how this place could function without Josh Lyman that my brain refused to process it.
There had been a slow, inevitable shift during the campaign. When we first started out, it had just been me and Ned and our first loyalty (as much as an opportunist like Ned can be loyal) had been to Matt Santos, not this political machine called Josh Lyman. Bram coming on board heralded a change in the nature in the staff. He was loyal to Matt Santos above all else, of course, but he would give Josh the shirt off his back without question. Literally. After we won the nomination, the shift became more pronounced. Edie, who used to work for Senator Tillman, was the first staff member to have known Josh for more than a few months and it showed in the way the two worked together. Lou only joined the campaign because of her respect for Josh. Lester had actually worked for three years in White House Operations and it was clear that he would follow Josh just about anywhere. Then, of course, came Donna. As it stands now, most of the people here may respect the Office of the President, but their loyalty belongs solely to Josh Lyman. I don’t know what we’ll do when he leaves. Sam just doesn’t command the same level of devotion.
Lately, I’ve been catching myself doodling a campaign slogan. People would call me crazy if they knew what I was thinking. It’s an idea more than ten years ahead of its time. And even if that time should come, there would still be the difficult task of convincing him. But I don’t care. The thought is enough. It reminds me that Jed Bartlet was not the last of his kind. That there are still honorable men with brilliant minds eager to serve and willing to sacrifice all for their country. And I was lucky enough to work for one of them. So I don’t care what anyone thinks.
Lyman for America. Now and always.
Go to Part 3: Tilting At Windmills
Series: Things Not Meant To Be (Part 2 of 4)
Part 1: Back Against The Wall
Part 2: Best Keep This To Myself
Part 3: Tilting At Windmills
Part 4: The Honorable Thing
Category: Angst
Disclaimer: I do not own The West Wing or any West Wing characters.
Rating: PG-13
Note: Ronna's got something to say about this situation. For story purposes, the election of the DNC Chair is held every 2 years in October. I know that this isn’t true in real life, but if Sorkin can make 2002 a Presidential Election year, than I should be allowed a little leeway too! Again a big that you to
caz963 for being my beta and to seri_scribble for just being awesome and for telling me if I tipped my hand too much. She had to wait MONTHS to find out who the Other Woman was! Please read Part One first.
October 2009
This is not what it was supposed to be like.
I had such expectations at the start of all this. Debbie had shown me what her life had been like and told me what mine would be. I stood at the threshold of the Oval Office with such anticipation. Everything was so amazing and orderly. It was the promise of a world that never came to be.
Debbie never told me that Senior Staff meetings would often resemble a stock exchange with all the noise and the yelling. She never told me that very little governing would be done as a result. She never told me what to do when the First Lady marched into the Oval Office with the sole intention of picking a needless fight or handing out a guilt trip. She never told me, because she never knew that world.
Things hadn’t been good for a long time. The fractures had probably been there for years. Maybe since the very beginning. Now this.
I found out by accident. It was late and I wasn’t supposed to be there. They certainly had no idea that they had an audience. He was leaning against his desk, hands on her shoulders with his head bent to hers. She was trying so hard not to cry and failing miserably. Even if I hadn’t heard them speak, I think that image alone would have told me what was happening. I wanted to join Margaret in her sobbing.
Josh Lyman was leaving us.
I knew I should let Josh and Margaret have their privacy to discuss his future plans, but I was rooted to the spot. Call me an eavesdropper or a spy. I don’t care. I wanted—needed—to hear what was going to happen now.
“So are you going to do this?”
“I think so. At least for a little while.”
“The President asked you to, didn’t he?”
She was clearly not talking about Matt Santos.
“What the…? How do you know everything?! I swear, Leo was right about you listening through keyholes!”
“I heard the two of you talking at the library dedication.”
“About the midterm elections!”
“It was the way you were talking about them. Like you were already in office.”
“And you’re positive the CIA never tried to recruit you?”
“Positive.”
“No wonder our foreign intelligence is such a mess. The President isn’t the only the reason I’m doing it, Margaret. I’ve been planning to leave for a while now.”
“I know. But I’d figured it wouldn’t happen until after the election.”
“So did I. And I was certainly never considering chair of the DNC. But the President makes a strong case.”
“How much time do we have before we leave?”
“Margaret,” Josh gasped with amazement. “I didn’t… I never…”
He cleared his throat, visibly moved. This was so typical of Josh Lyman. For a man who gave unconditional loyalty, he was always surprised when it was returned.
“I never expected…” he tried again. “You’ve held this post longer than anyone else has held theirs. I won’t be able to offer you anything on this level.”
“I followed my head not my heart when I chose not to follow Leo like I’d originally planned and I’ve never regretted anything more. I’m not about to make that mistake again.”
This conversation was becoming far more private than even my suddenly laissez-faire conscience could allow. I slipped down the darkened halls of the West Wing, trying unsuccessfully to keep my emotions in check. This, more than anything else, was the worst thing that could have happened to us. But I wasn’t surprised. I’ve seen Josh’s frustration at the President’s increasing inflexibility. Then, at the Dedication of the Bartlet Library, Josh seemed different, less one of “us” and more one of “them.” It was a subtle change. He was more the favored son of the previous administration than the leader of the current one.
Until recently, Josh and the President had never been openly opposed. I realize now that there must have been times when they disagreed, but we never saw it. Josh made sure it never filtered down to us. But then Matt Santos did something that Josh could not pretend to condone.
It was only a matter of time after that.
Josh Lyman is a one-woman man. So it would stand to reason that the concept of infidelity would baffle him. But he managed to shrug off his bewilderment and work for men like John Hoynes, I suppose, because he never considered their personal choices to be something about which he could reasonably voice an opinion. But the fact that the President was now involved with a member of his staff meant that it automatically became a problem that would affect all of us. And if news of his affair ever leaked outside the West Wing, we would have more problems than we could ever have imagined.
Josh had always put the good of the country before his own self-interest. The way he used to look on Donna sometimes when we were on the campaign trail was heartbreaking. I never understood why he didn’t just ask her out for a cup of coffee. I mean, she worked for Russell, but it wasn’t like she was a Republican. Then I realized that unlike so many of his colleagues, Josh Lyman had never crossed the line with the woman who had been his assistant. Not even after she was nearly killed in Gaza. Because it would have been wrong. A man like that would never be able to understand another man who was willing to risk everything that everyone had worked so hard to achieve just for some sex on the side.
I’ve worked with Matt Santos for years and I saw things. I learned that many of the rumors were true. That despite a seemingly happy marriage with a healthy sex life, the then-Congressman would occasionally… look elsewhere. Especially when Helen was in Texas with no intention of coming to visit for months. He would find a young woman to have a quiet, meaningless relationship with for a month or two and then allow it to fizzle out. If Helen knew, I’m sure she dismissed it as unimportant. It was nothing to threaten what she had. Some people look at marriage like that.
But that sort of marriage could never survive the scrutiny to which the First Family is constantly subjected. We hadn’t even taken office when the first cracks began to show. And it only got worse. I wondered how I could possibly refuse when the President finally, inevitably, asked me to take his wife off “The List”. Surely, this wasn’t what Debbie had had in mind? But in the end, that wasn’t what happened. Josh instituted a policy in light of the war (whether at home or in Kazakhstan, he never did say) that the Oval would be at Code Word Clearance Only whenever the senior staff was present. And then he made sure that either he or Sam was staffing the President at all times. The First Lady was effectively blocked; which was just as well, seeing as these days, whenever she entered the Oval Office it was to let the President know that he was a jerk and a screw up and that the misery that was her life was solely his fault. (When faced with that every day, I guess it really isn’t all that surprising that the President would turn to someone who was his wife's complete opposite... someone who thrived on politics and the thrill of that world.) But Josh’s maneuvering put a visible strain on his own marriage. He wasn’t just blocking the First Lady; he was limiting his wife’s effectiveness. I could see the frustration in Donna’s eyes whenever she made her way over to the West Wing. She and Josh stopped leaving work at the same time and sneaking out for lunch together. It seemed to me that being together was too painful for them. I had forgotten how melancholy Josh had looked when we first met. Now I knew why. I began to wonder if this was going to be the first marriage to ever dissolve because of the infidelity of an outside party!
Then, Donna left with First Lady on the Chicago trip and Josh trudged into work the next morning as if the weight of the world was on his shoulders. I thought the worse had happened, but I was wrong. Margaret, who had been sick with worry for months, was actually giddy all day. And though Josh was certainly sad, he roamed the halls with a new purpose and determination. Clearly the Lyman household had stopped suffering the ills of the Santos’ marriage. And if that wasn't proof enough, when the First Lady finally consented to return, Donna, who was never one for public displays of lust, greeted her husband under the eyes of the President, most of the Senior Staff and a very disapproving First Lady with a kiss filled with so much passion and yearning I was surprised the two of them didn’t spontaneously combust right there on the spot.
Thanks to the First Lady, Josh and Donna have been apart more than they’ve been together these past few months. But they’ve apparently been making what little time they’d had together count. I don’t think anyone else has noticed yet, but in another four or five months, there will be another Lyman in the world. I supposed I should have realized what a baby would mean, though. But I was just so reluctant to imagine how this place could function without Josh Lyman that my brain refused to process it.
There had been a slow, inevitable shift during the campaign. When we first started out, it had just been me and Ned and our first loyalty (as much as an opportunist like Ned can be loyal) had been to Matt Santos, not this political machine called Josh Lyman. Bram coming on board heralded a change in the nature in the staff. He was loyal to Matt Santos above all else, of course, but he would give Josh the shirt off his back without question. Literally. After we won the nomination, the shift became more pronounced. Edie, who used to work for Senator Tillman, was the first staff member to have known Josh for more than a few months and it showed in the way the two worked together. Lou only joined the campaign because of her respect for Josh. Lester had actually worked for three years in White House Operations and it was clear that he would follow Josh just about anywhere. Then, of course, came Donna. As it stands now, most of the people here may respect the Office of the President, but their loyalty belongs solely to Josh Lyman. I don’t know what we’ll do when he leaves. Sam just doesn’t command the same level of devotion.
Lately, I’ve been catching myself doodling a campaign slogan. People would call me crazy if they knew what I was thinking. It’s an idea more than ten years ahead of its time. And even if that time should come, there would still be the difficult task of convincing him. But I don’t care. The thought is enough. It reminds me that Jed Bartlet was not the last of his kind. That there are still honorable men with brilliant minds eager to serve and willing to sacrifice all for their country. And I was lucky enough to work for one of them. So I don’t care what anyone thinks.
Lyman for America. Now and always.
Go to Part 3: Tilting At Windmills
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2007-04-14 04:36 pm (UTC)You're really getting good at this. I LOVE the conversation between Josh and Margaret. It's such a great way to do that.
And it's really difficult to suggest Josh maybe running for President without making it sound too ridiculous, or too 'easy' or neatly packaged (too fangirl, basically), but I think you've really managed to do it. Working it from the point of view of a loyal, but new staffer is a brilliant move. Brilliant.
QUAGGY for America! (Or, at least for the fic-lovers of America. And the world.)
no subject
Date: 2007-04-14 05:22 pm (UTC)Writing the part about Josh for Preisdent was tricky, mostly because it had to be realisitically done. But there's a lot of Jed Bartlet in Josh (maybe even more than there is Leo) and in many ways, it seemed like a natural progression to me. So I let Ronna take that that outlook. Will it ever happen? Who knows! But it's nice to dream a little.
no subject
Date: 2007-04-14 04:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-14 05:26 pm (UTC)Thank you very much for your kind words! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
no subject
Date: 2007-04-14 04:45 pm (UTC)I can already see the napkin and the 9 point plan, but I'm wondering who will be his Leo.
Great story. So much pain and division. I can't wait for the next part.
no subject
Date: 2007-04-14 04:52 pm (UTC)There, now that I have made that request. . . .
no subject
Date: 2007-04-14 05:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-14 05:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-14 05:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-14 05:16 pm (UTC)Though if Josh was looking for someone to be his Leo... my money is on Charlie.
no subject
Date: 2007-04-14 05:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-14 04:50 pm (UTC)That is all for know. I wil definately have to reread both to say how much you rock, but for now just wallow in your rocking-ness and been done with it.
Good schedule, 'cause I like good stuff Saturday morning.
no subject
Date: 2007-04-14 05:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-14 04:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-14 05:39 pm (UTC)Ahh!
Date: 2007-04-14 05:34 pm (UTC)Some of my favorite WW moments were the ones when Josh subtly became the leader of the group. You know, like after the censure when he tells Sam and Toby to get it together and write the SoTU? You've captured that.
Damn, you're good. :-)
Re: Ahh!
Date: 2007-04-14 05:47 pm (UTC)Yes, Josh is a little manic at times... but he has mat ured a lot over the course of the series. He steped into Leo's shoes a full ten years before I would have said he was ready! You just can't count our boy out!
no subject
Date: 2007-04-14 06:06 pm (UTC)I'm totally drawn in; as usual, the ending comes too soon.....can't wait for the next part.
no subject
Date: 2007-04-14 07:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-14 07:17 pm (UTC)Loved it. Loved what Margaret said to Josh. I like Ronna's observation most people are more loyal to Josh. And I liked the observation about Josh being more one of "them" not "us".
Are you sure you don't want to just post the next installment too?
no subject
Date: 2007-04-14 07:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-14 09:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-15 06:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-15 03:27 pm (UTC)Damn - I just knew that whole fanfic writing thing was going to be a problem! *g* Thanks!
no subject
Date: 2007-04-14 10:23 pm (UTC)Well done, love.
no subject
Date: 2007-04-15 06:28 am (UTC)This is so good!
Date: 2007-04-15 12:45 am (UTC)I love Ronna's take on Josh and the idea that Margaret would put Josh into Leo's vacated shooes...wibble.
And that Josh and Donna brought out the PDA in spades...about time. Especially in front of the Santos's.
It always bothered me how Mrs. Santos never showed Josh any love...in a happier White House, I always imagined that they would grow to be friends, especially once she finds out more about him. (I can totally see her thinking "Geez...I don't know you *at* *all*") But the idea that she thinks less of Donna for being with Josh...no one gets away with that!
Re: This is so good!
Date: 2007-04-15 06:36 am (UTC)I love the Josh/Maragret dynamic. I think they would see a bit of Leo in each other. I refuse to imagine Josh with any other assistant!!
Helen Santos was always a bit of a mystery to me... especially since she seem to change between seasons. By the end of season 6, it seemed that she and Josh had come to an understanding. You could see them being very Abbey/Leo later on. But that, just like everything else that was cool about Helen, seemed to disappear by season 7. I kept wondering what had happened to the woman who was willing to morgage her house for a losing Texas campaign! And I'm not really sure this new Helen would be cool with the fact her new CoS was with her husband's CoS.
no subject
Date: 2007-04-15 10:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-17 04:15 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-16 01:02 am (UTC)My favorite part is that Donna is 4 months pregnant and Ronna can tell; it makes me happy.
Also, thinking back to the last season and how much Mrs. Santos complained about having to do things and changing her routine, I can actually see a lot of this taking place.
I'm not totally sold on the idea that he's been having affairs for years, but I can see how her resentment and complaining might lead him to shut her out and do this.
no subject
Date: 2007-04-17 04:20 am (UTC)Thank you! It's such a small thing, but I like the idea.
I'm not totally sold on the idea that he's been having affairs for years, but I can see how her resentment and complaining might lead him to shut her out and do this.
Yes, my general take on Matt Santos is much more honorable than the man I'm painting here. But I figured if I was going to take a dark look, I might as well go all the way.
no subject
Date: 2007-04-16 05:20 am (UTC)Ha! How do you like them apples?
I know you really don't care, but it's all I've got sweetie :)
no subject
Date: 2007-04-17 04:21 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-17 08:34 pm (UTC)I normally HATE the Josh running for office storyline, but this works. It's not a deep-seeded desire, but rather a desire of those who know him. I can buy that much easier!
no subject
Date: 2007-04-18 03:10 am (UTC)Josh running for President out of some deep-seeded desire is totally contradictory to his nature! For all his reputation of being arrogant, he has no desire for the limelight and very little ego. I think the only way he'd run was if someone convinced him it was his duty... or thrust it upon him much in the same way he trusted it upon Leo.
WOW!
Date: 2007-04-25 03:06 am (UTC)Re: WOW!
Date: 2007-05-02 03:40 am (UTC)Re: OMG, OMG
Date: 2007-05-02 03:15 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-27 01:09 am (UTC)It's simply a brilliant idea to use Ronna's voice - well done!! Can't wait to read the next part.
no subject
Date: 2007-05-02 11:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-05-24 01:36 am (UTC)For a man who gave unconditional loyalty, he was always surprised when it was returned. This strikes me as a very true, very brilliant insight into Josh. Thank you.
Josh Lyman is a one-woman man. So it would stand to reason that the concept of infidelity would baffle him. I love this line. So very true, as well.
I never understood why he didn’t just ask her out for a cup of coffee. I mean, she worked for Russell, but it wasn’t like she was a Republican. Then I realized that unlike so many of his colleagues, Josh Lyman had never crossed the line with the woman who had been his assistant. Not even after she was nearly killed in Gaza. Because it would have been wrong. A man like that would never be able to understand another man who was willing to risk everything that everyone had worked so hard to achieve just for some sex on the side.
This entire chapter is filled with brilliant insights into the Josh we all know and love and this part was another one I loved. Very nice explanation for why nothing happened between Josh and Donna while they were on different campaigns (and for so long when they were on the same campaign).
It reminds me that Jed Bartlet was not the last of his kind. That there are still honorable men with brilliant minds eager to serve and willing to sacrifice all for their country. And I was lucky enough to work for one of them. So I don’t care what anyone thinks.
Lyman for America. Now and always.
You know, I personally don't like the whole 'Josh becoming President' thing in fics (it's Sam for me) but you've managed to write it so I believe it and I see it too.
no subject
Date: 2007-05-28 12:58 am (UTC)Lyman for America. Now and always.
Date: 2008-09-10 09:22 pm (UTC)....and
Date: 2008-09-10 09:28 pm (UTC)Re: Lyman for America. Now and always.
Date: 2008-09-19 12:31 am (UTC)If you've read enough of my stuff, you'll realize I like playing with misdirection. I try not to too often though or people will expect it.