Like A Bad Penny

by: Evelyn

“Donna, get a grip,” CJ started to argue. “She may be a bitch, but this is like moving into scary stalker stuff. You really think she’s capable of that?”

Josh didn’t say anything. He turned back to the desk, picked up the photos that were to accompany the story in the National Enquirer, and stared at them again. Putting them back down on the desk, he then engulfed Donna in his arms, held her close, and murmured, “I’m so sorry, so very sorry. I can’t believe I could have been such an idiot.”

“Josh, are you saying you agree with Donna? You really think that this is some kind of ‘Fatal Attraction’ business from Amy? C’mon, I don’t like her, but she’s a major player in this town. Why would she do this?” CJ looked at Josh and Donna with doubtful eyes.

“It’s the only thing that explains what she said last week,” Josh said quietly.

“What do you mean?” CJ demanded.

“Last Thursday, before everything blew up between Donna and me, Amy called and asked Donna what she had been doing at my apartment the previous Sunday. Donna asked me how Amy knew they we had been together and I just blew it off thinking it didn’t matter. Then once I told Amy that we were through, I just forgot about it. I didn’t know it would come back to bite me like this,” Josh said ruefully.

“And she’s doing this because she’s so broken-hearted that you dumped her? You’re charming, mi amor, but...” CJ persisted.

“Nah, she doesn’t even like me,” Josh replied. “This is all about power. Amy Gardner doesn’t like to lose and she’s playing a game that makes me the loser no matter what I do.”

“How do you figure that?” CJ asked.

“It’s all about perception. Obviously I can’t represent the President if I’m caught in a sex scandal,” Josh said heatedly

“We can fix this. We’ll spin it, that’s what they pay me for. I’ll make it seem like, hell it is, the great American love story...,” CJ said with fire in her eyes.

“I’m sure you can spin it,” Josh spat out. “But Amy wins anyway because, in the short run, she manages to paint Donna as...as...”

“A whore,” Donna said in a whisper.

“Well, I’m not ready to concede the win to the bitch,” CJ said with determination. Lowering her voice, she looked straight at Josh and added, “But the story in The National Enquirer isn’t even the bad news.”

“God, what else?”

“The House Government Oversight Committee is considering hearings on whether you and Donna used tax payer dollars to finance your affair,” CJ admitted.

Josh inhaled sharply and Donna buried her face in his chest.

“I think we need to see Leo,” Josh said, pulling away from Donna.

Just then the phone rang, once, twice. On the third ring, Josh reached over and picked up the receiver. “Josh Lyman.” His face softened and he said, “She’s right here.” He handed the phone to Donna and whispered, “It’s your mother. CJ and I are going to see Leo. We’ll be back soon.”

Chapters - 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Sequel - A Few Bumps in the Road

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