A Few Bumps in the Road

by: Evelyn

Disclaimer: Aaron Sorkin owns everything.

Category: Romance, Josh/Donna

Spoilers: Everything through Season 3

Rating: YTEEN

Author's Note: Special thanks to Shelley for her fabulous editing and insight into all things Sorkin. This follows 'Calling the Question' and 'Like a Bad Penny.' It helps if you've read those stories, but if not, please know that Josh and Donna are finally together and the Evil Amy is gone! Thanks.

"Well, should we bring in the guard dogs to sniff for explosives?" Josh asked, only half in jest.

Donna sat down on the chair without a word.

"Hey, guys," CJ popped her head into the office. "Ready for the meeting, Josh?"

"Yeah, just a minute," Josh said, staring at Donna, who seemed lost in her own world. "On second thought, go ahead. I've just got to finish up something. I'll be right there."

CJ looked quickly at the two of them and backed out the door, closing it behind her.

"Aren't you going to open it," Josh asked, leaning back on his desk.

Donna shook her head, as if awakening, and said, "Oh, of course," and slid her fingernail under the flap.

She took out a single sheet of paper, on which Josh could see was a handwritten note.

Reading the letter, Donna suddenly laughed.

"So that's a 'boy I can't believe what a jerk this guy is' laugh, right?" Josh asked, concerned.

"No, it's a 'he wrote a funny joke' laugh," Donna answered, still chuckling.

"Funny, as in, 'ha, ha' funny?" Josh asked in surprise.

"Well, Phil always did have a good sense of humor," Donna explained patiently. "It's one of the things I liked about him when I first met him. He made me laugh"

"We are talking about Dr. Free Ride here, Donna," Josh answered sharply. "You remember the guy who made you drop out of college so he could go to medical school."

"I know exactly who we're talking about," Donna said. "But he wanted to know if I was planning on having him audited now that I work for the President," she giggled.

"I don't see what's funny about that," Josh said indignantly.

"He was joking," Donna laughed.

"I'm not." She looked up to see a very serious look on her fiancee's face. She smiled and gave him a hug.

"You'd better get to the meeting with Bruno. They're waiting for you."

Josh started walking to the door, but turned and said quizzically, "He just wrote to ask if we were going to have him audited?"

Donna was silent for a moment and then said quietly, "Actually, he's in town and asked if I'd meet him for a drink."

"No."

"What?"

"What didn't you understand? I said 'No way in hell are you going to meet him'."

"Did you say I couldn't meet him," Donna asked incredulously.

"You got that right," Josh answered quickly and firmly.

"Excuse me. I wasn't asking for your permission."

"And you don't have it," Josh said angrily. "It's out of the question."

"First of all, I'll go if I want to. And second, I want my grandmother's relish dish."

"What the hell has your grandmother got to do with it?" Josh sputtered.

"I left my grandmother's cut glass dish at the apartment when I joined the campaign. Phil is in town for the AMA convention and brought it with him."

"Wasn't that convenient?" Josh said snidely.

"Probably. I'm sure he wanted an excuse to meet me," Donna acknowledged, "but I still want it back."

"I'll buy you another one just like it. Besides, you haven't seemed to miss it in all these years," Josh said, his anger growing.

"It was my grandmother's. I remember seeing it on her holiday table every year when I was growing up. I am sorry that I didn't take it with me," Donna started to explain, trying to remain calm.

Josh rolled his eyes.

Donna's resolve evaporated and her irritation grew. "What do you care if I meet him for a drink?"

"He's your ex-boyfriend, Donna. Enough said. Do you think it'd be fine if I met Amy for a drink" Josh retorted.

"Hell, no. But that's because she's a psycho, not because she's your ex-girlfriend." Donna snapped.

The two of them glared at each other when there was a tentative knock. The door opened and there stood Ginger, clearly sensing the tension in the room and uncomfortable to be intruding.

"Toby wanted to know when you would be coming to the meeting, Josh" the red-headed assistant said tentatively.

"I'll be right there," Josh growled, and Ginger quickly retreated into the hall.

"This isn't finished, Donnatella," Josh said picking up his backpack.

"You bet it's not," Donna answered sharply.

Chapters- 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

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