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Title: Chances Author: Cindy Brewer email: cindyryan7@yahoo.com Disclaimer: I don't own the West Wing characters but the ones you don't recognize are mine.:) Rating: PG Author's notes: This story is set five years from West Wing's first season. For purposes of this story's timeline Bartlet didn't win reelection. Many thanks to Amanda for letting me borrow Caitlin and for her valuable input on this story.:) Single '' quotation marks indicate a flashback.
A black haired waitress showed Sam and Josh to a table by the window. Once they were seated the women took their orders and then disappeared into the crowd with practiced ease. The two friends stared at each other for a long moment before Seaborn spoke. "What are you doing back in D.C.? I thought you said you'd never come back here." "Lots of things change."Josh replied quietly as he absently twirled a fork in his hands. "How's Caitlin?" "With Donna...she left this afternoon."Sam commented a little more curtly than he had intended. Despite everything Josh's eyes widened with concern. "She and Rachel okay?" Sam nodded. "Physically yes, but they miss you. What the hell are you thinking?" Josh winced and looked out the window. "I take it you heard I filed for divorce." "Which I still can't believe."Sam replied with a shake of his head. "Why, Josh? You two seemed fine at Leo's birthday party." "That was before."Lyman stated quietly a slight tremor in his voice. The question jogged memories that Josh didn't want to think about....even now. "Before what?"Sam asked sharply. "Before...."Josh replied but stood abruptly and tossed a few bills onto the table. "Josh...."Sam called as Lyman started to walk away from the table. "Before what....what happened?" "Ask Caitlin."Lyman snapped."I'm sure Donna's already filled her in." Sam let him go knowing he wouldn't get anything more out of Josh that night. As he turned forward Sam glanced down at his wedding band and smiled at the memory it brought. Maybe it was naive to think this way but Sam knew that he and Caitlin would be together forever. Just like Josh and Donna. That is if he and Caitlin could fix whatever it was that had gone so horribly wrong. ****** Caitlin gently touched her friend's shoulder. "When was the last time you slept?" Donna sniffled and shook her head. "I-I can't remember....." "Come on...."Caitlin replied gently pulling Donna out of the kitchen. "You get some rest. Tomorrow we'll track down Josh and get the two of you to talk." Donna shot her a disbelieving look but was too exhausted to argue. She tredged up the stairs and stopped in front of Rachel's room. Donna gently opened the door a crack and peeked inside. "It'll work out, Donna."Caitlin promised quietly. "It has to. You and Josh are meant for each other." "I used to believe that."Donna replied sadly as she shut the door to her daughter's room and turned and walked down the hall to her own. Caitlin stood in the hallway and sighed. Whatever else happened tomorrow she was going to talk to Josh. Somebody had to knock some sense into him. ******* Jed Bartlet padded sleepily into the kitchen just as his wife Abby hung up the phone. "Telemarketer?"The former President asked as he sat down and poured a glass of orange juice. Abby grinned as she sat down across from her husband. "No, your daughter." "Which one?"Jed replied as he reached for a piece of toast. "Caitlin."Abby commented as she poured a bowl of cearel for herself. "She and Sam have a fight?"Bartlet asked as he took a bite of toast. Abby shook her head. "No she's just wanted to let us know that she's staying in Chicago with Donna." Jed paused halfway through his bite of eggs. "Everything okay with Donna and Josh?" "No."Abby replied sadly. "From what Caitlin said Josh has filed for divorce and for full custody of Rachel." Jed eyes widened in surprise and he swallowed the eggs to keep from choking. "Has he gone insane?" "We don't know the whole story, Jed."Abby admonished quietly. "All marriages have their rough spots, even ours." "Is Josh still living with them?"Bartlet asked as he reached for his cup of coffee. Abby shook her head sadly. "No." "Oh."Jed replied quietly as he returned his attention to his breakfast. ******** end of part 3 TBC
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