Bouncing Back

by: Rhonda and Evelyn

Character(s): The Women of the West Wing
Pairing(s): Josh/Donna, CJ/Danny, Toby/Andi, Zoey/Charlie, Will/Ainsley
Category(s): Humor, Romance, Post Ep
Rating: TEEN
Disclaimer: They're not ours and never will be.
Summary: Post-episode story for Inauguration: Over There
Spoiler: Red Haven's On Fire
Feedback: Greatly Appreciated
Authors Note: This is a sequel to Bouncing Inaugural Balls. Thanks so much for all the wonderful feedback. We had such a good time with these characters that we couldn't resist bringing them back for a little more fun. Enjoy!

"We should have brought more flashlights, it's really dark once you get away from the cabins," Andi commented, trying to watch where she was stepping on the uneven ground.

"Here," CJ said, handing Andi the flashlight she'd confiscated from a smitten Marine guard. "We don't want you falling and tumbling down a hill with Jack and Jill."

Andi grimaced at the bad joke, but gladly took the flashlight. "I can guarantee you that the twins are not going to be named Jack and Jill. Well, not Jack anyway. I kind of like Jill or rather Gillian."

"Gillian is a great name. Like Gillian Anderson," Zoey commented, walking up and letting Andi take her arm as they started down a steep slope.

"Who?" Abbey asked, beginning to regret allowing Andi to accompany them. Actually, she was beginning to regret leading any of them out into the night. None of them, including Zoey, were teenagers anymore and this was definitely something only teenagers would enjoy.

"Ma'am, I believe she starred on the now-cancelled television show, 'The X-Files'. She played an FBI agent who investigated the supernatural and aliens." Ainsley offered the First Lady a granola bar in addition to the television trivia.

"It was a cool show," Zoey added. "Lots of creatures jumping out of the dark at her and Mulder. Did you see the one where these things could change into trees or shrubs and you wouldn't know they were there unless you looked back and saw the red glowing eyes staring at you?"

"How interesting," Abbey grimaced, "and comforting considering our present circumstances." She glanced around the pitch dark glen and wondered just how many eyes were watching their progress. She knew the Secret Service and the Marine guards were out there, but still..." Maybe we should go back, fix some popcorn and watch a movie instead of this idiocy. I can't believe I thought this was a good idea."

"Popcorn?" Anisley's whole body seemed to vibrate with anticipation, like a dog waiting for a bacon snack.

"Hey, you guys don't have to stop because of me," Andi huffed. "A little walk won't hurt me. Some exercise might keep me from moving out of the mini-van category into the bus division."

"What's that smell?" Donna asked, coming to a sudden stop. Since she was in the lead, all the women skidded to a stop behind her, Ainsley dropping her chocolate bar that she had been in the process of unwrapping.

"A skunk," Debbie said, speaking for the first time during their trek. "It's getting closer too."

"Oh, my God," CJ hissed. "We've got to get out of here."

"But is it behind us or in front of us?" Zoey asked whirling around, trying to get a fix on the odor.

"There," Abbey pointed seeing one red glowing eye approaching.

"Too tall for a skunk," Ainsley nervously reflected. "I think it might be one of those alien things."

Andi calmly stretched and rubbed her lower back with both hands. "I smell a cigar. I think our alien smokes the same brand as my ex-husband."

"Mine are Cubans," Mac replied, unexpectedly materializing right in front of them. "Your ex-husband's too cheap to buy these. You ladies might want to get up wind. Goat boy had a little run-in with the wildlife out here."

"Are you okay?" the blonde Republican counsel anxiously asked the newest addition to the Bartlet staff. Everyone else had taken ten steps back away from the less-than-fragrant Will Bailey whose face, under the glare of the flashlight that Ainsley was shining on him, was beet red.

"I thought it was a hologram, but it seemed a little grainy, so I was going to adjust the focus dial," Will whispered, "and then Whiskey barked, and the next thing I knew..."

"It's not your fault," the tiny Southerner crooned soothingly, and the speechwriter smiled in gratitude at the compassion being offered. "Let's go back to the Lodge and I'll put you in a tomato juice bath," she suggested. She looped her arm around his, ignoring the stench, and they trudged back up the hill.

"He got skunked," Danny observed, walking up to join the group, "but on the up side, I think our 'guests' will be stuck in a tree for quite awhile. I heard someone hit a high note that I think shattered my night vision goggles."

Toby and the President were right behind the red-haired reporter. Toby was showing the older man how the hologram projector worked, trying to keep the President from breaking it before Mac could return it to the CIA.

"Amy always did have an irrational fear of skunks," Josh added as he trotted up to join the women. He had met Ainsley and Will on the trail and gotten an abbreviated version of the night's events.

"She recognized family members she didn't like," Donna muttered.

"That was Frog boy screaming like a girl," Charlie explained bringing up the rear. "Amy was shrieking but it was mainly questioning Frenchie's manhood." Charlie then directed his gaze towards Josh, adding, "And yours too for that matter."

"What the hell are you doing here?" Abbey glared at the Deputy Chief of Staff - the same man she'd ordered to remain at the main cabin, not a half-hour earlier.

"Leo asked me to check with the President about committing an additional $5 million in humanitarian aid to victims of a tornado in Georgia," Josh quietly explained. "He also said to tell you that the Keene Women's Shelter has received the funding you sought for the education program."

"Amy said that there was no way the shelter would get any more money," Abbey exclaimed in surprise. "What happened?"

The Deputy Chief of Staff shrugged and walked over to stand next to Toby and the President, grinning at their tug-of-war over the expensive piece of experimental electronics.

"Josh fought Leo to get that funding," Donna whispered, staring at the First Lady who caught her gaze. The older lady nodded in silent acknowledgment that Josh had redeemed himself.

"Mr. President." Josh looked seriously at the Chief Executive, who had, through the intervention of the Secret Service, gained sole possession of the hologram projector from Toby. "I can get Leo on my cell phone so you can authorize FEMA into action. Then you can head back out again, and I'll follow up at the Lodge." Josh held out his cell phone.

The President waved off the phone, tossing the projector back to Toby with a smirk at his anxious scramble to catch it. "No, I've enjoyed Charlie's theatrical production, but the skunk kind of put a damper on my enthusiasm for more night maneuvers. I'll go back with you to the Lodge and we'll conference with Leo about the tornado aid and anything else we need to fix. I think we've set the wheels in motion..." He smiled, cocking his head towards the woods. "Now it's just a matter of letting nature take its course."

"I'll go on ahead and get Leo and the head of FEMA on the phones," Josh offered, wanting to get a little distance from the group. Will wasn't the only one who had a certain "odor" about him.

"I'll come with you," Donna said immediately, her own eyes starting to water at the pungent smell. Turning quickly to head back up the rocky path, she stumbled, and Josh hastily grabbed her by the waist, and pulled her back against him.

"I'll be right along," the President called after them.

"I'm right beside you, Jethro," Abbey said thoughtfully, watching the Deputy Chief of Staff and his assistant walk up the trail hand in hand. "You're going to need a shower before you do anything else. We're also going to burn the clothes you're wearing."

"I don't smell, do I?" He sniffed at his leather bomber jacket, hoping he wasn't about to lose a favorite article of clothing.

Abbey grimaced. "You might not have been in the line of fire, but a good scrubbing is definitely in order." She looked at the other men, wrinkled her nose, and added, "for all of you."

"Okay. You guys can take the rest of the evening off to air out," the Leader of the Free World offered, smiling. "It's just a coup and a tornado - Josh and I can handle it."

"Tired?" Toby asked his pregnant ex-wife as they neared the cabin he was sharing with Josh. He had his arm firmly tucked under hers to steady her on the uneven ground. "Or do you want to come in for some hot cocoa? I saw they had some packets and an electric teakettle."

"Cocoa would be nice," she said softly. "I'm fine," she added, smiling at him, catching the look of concern in his eyes. "Don't worry so much."

He led her over to the sofa and deposited her gently. "I don't mean to be a pain." He added water to the electric kettle, plugged it in, emptied packets of cocoa into two mugs, then crossed to the couch and sat down.

"I know." Andi grasped Toby's hand, her thumb lightly brushing the gold band on his finger that still spoke to his marital commitment, regardless of any legal documents . The two shared a smile and Andi rested her head on his shoulder. They sat quietly until the wailing shriek of the kettle pierced their reverie. Reluctantly, Toby rose, crossed to the kitchenette, and poured the hot water into the mugs.

Handing one to Andi, he sat back down on the sofa, stretching his arm around her shoulders as she leaned back against his chest.

"How did you get roped into this caper?" Andi asked mischievously, sipping the warm beverage.

"Team Toby," he whispered.

She leaned forward so she could turn to catch his eyes. "Team Toby?" she pushed. "What's that?"

He tugged at her to resume her former position, and when she had snuggled close again, he whispered, "Charlie, Josh, and Danny have joined forces with me to..." He hesitated.

"To what?" Andi demanded.

"To help convince you to marry me," he confessed. "It looks like the President and Mac have also enlisted."

"How long has this been going on," Andi squeaked.

"Since the Fall when we were in North Carolina at Debate Camp. We have t-shirts and hats."

"You've got good friends," she said softly.

"We've been backing each other up."

"At the Inauguration, when you left with Josh," she murmured.

"Right. At least that has finally worked out. Josh and Donna seem so happy together," he said squeezing her hand. "So far we're one for four," he sighed, the disappointment clear in his voice.

"You're definitely at least two for four." Andi laughed. "You should have seen the made-in-America hickey on Zoey's neck."

Toby pumped his fist in the air. "Yes!"

Andi rolled her eyes at the victory shout. She took his hand, and turned in her seat to face him.

"I was so scared when I found out I was pregnant," she began, and he squeezed her fingers in silent support. "We'd wanted a baby so much when we were married and not being able to have one, all those fertility treatments, the miscarriages, the anger, the disappointment..."

"Shhh. It's behind us. We're having not one, but two beautiful babies," he whispered, reaching out to touch her swollen belly. "You are magnificent."

"You've been wonderful to me, patient, loving, caring." She held his hand against her womb and they smiled as little feet poked against her skin.

"I'm afraid they're both going to be soccer players," Toby mused. "I'll have to take back all the baseball equipment I've purchased."

Andi finished her cocoa and put the mug on the coffee table. She turned to face her ex-husband, and brushed a hand along his cheek. "It's getting late."

He smiled and stood, pulling her up next to him. "I'll walk you back," then leaned in for a soft kiss. As he started to pull away, she pulled him close, put her arms around his neck, and deepened the kiss.

"Where's the Team Toby t-shirt?" she asked quietly. "I think you need some female members."

"I'll get it for you," he said with a grin and started for the bedroom.

"That's okay, just put it on the nightstand. I might get cold in the middle of the night."

"Tell me again why it is that you and your dog are here in my room, drinking my bourbon?" Debbie kicked off her dusty pumps and moved to take the filled cut-glass tumbler being offered by the man in grease-paint and camouflage. Sitting down on the edge of her mattress, she wondered if she really wanted to get involved with an ex-CIA agent turned cab driver.

"Whiskey doesn't drink," Mac quipped, draining his glass and reaching again for the bottle he'd spied during his first foray into her bedroom when he'd been in the audience for the de-gluing operation. "I'm not sharing a cabin with Skunk boy tonight. Whiskey wasn't too thrilled about it either. She's got a sensitive nose."

The dog, lying in the corner of the room, lifted her head and barked in agreement.

"She's not the only one," Debbie dryly responded, holding out her glass for him to refill. "You both could use a bath." She really didn't mind the smell. She minded the feelings the man stirred up inside her.

"You wound me - and my dog." Mac chuckled, sitting down beside her and filling her glass with another inch of the amber liquid. "I thought we could use this time to get to know each other."

She really shouldn't have drunk the bourbon on an almost empty stomach, it was making her more loquacious than normal. "I think I know enough. The only difference between you and my ex-husband is that you're a trained killer, travel with a large dog, and drive a cab for a living."

"So your husband smokes Cuban cigars, likes country music and is celebrated for his sexual prowess?"

"Not exactly," she admitted, sipping at her drink. "But you both have a similar attitude. I've sworn off men with attitudes."

"Really? Quite a job you've got for yourself then, darling. I guess the President is an easy man to work for?" Mac laughed at her disgruntled expression.

"Finish your drink and I'll show you the couch in the tv lounge." Debbie ignored his question but not the dirt-streaked male hand that had suddenly appeared on her knee. "Forget it. There's not enough liquor in that bottle to get you in my bed tonight."

Grinning, his teeth the only white thing on his paint-smeared face, Mac squeezed her leg. "I'll take your words as hope for the future then."

Debbie hid a smile and removed his hand. Standing, she walked to the door and opened it.

"Take it any way you want as long as you take it and your dog out of here."

"You're a hard woman, Debbie Fiderer. But you're growing on me." Mac emptied his glass and got to his feet. Snapping his fingers at Whiskey, he and the Irish Wolfhound reluctantly followed her out of the room.

Neither saw the grin spreading across her normally taciturn face.

They were once again spending quality time together in his assigned bedroom's attached bathroom. This time wasn't quite as pleasant as the first, Will thought as he looked down at the pieces of tomato clinging to his bare chest. He was sitting in a red-splattered bathtub in his once-white boxers, trying without much success to maintain some sense of dignity.

"Ainsley? I thought you said tomato juice?" he politely inquired as the blonde enthusiastically poured another can of diced tomatoes over his back.

"We used all the Navy cook had in stock. They're having several cases flown in, but I didn't think you'd want to wait."

"Oh. Well, yes of course." He wondered if he should mention again that he could probably bathe himself, even if tomatoes were being used in the place of soap.

They had returned to the cabin, both gasping for air and eyes watering. On Ainsley's instructions, Will had stripped off his clothes, except for his boxers, on the small porch outside the front door. He had been mortified until he'd noticed that Ainsley had piled her clothes on the top of his. Then he'd just been distracted by the lace teddy she'd had on under her casual clothes. Well, not so much the garment but what it revealed. He didn't even remember getting into the tub or taking the first of several hot showers while waiting for the tomato juice to be delivered.

Now the lace teddy was almost as red as his boxers, as Ainsley rubbed the pulpy mixture on his body, trying to rid him of the pungent odor. His life was just insane, Will concluded watching her small hands trail down his chest. Down. Down. Oh, God, he couldn't help himself.

"Are you feeling okay?" a concerned Ainsley asked when he suddenly jerked away from her, unsuccessfully trying to stand in the slippery tub. "Be careful." She reached out to steady him.

He tried to regain some footing on the porcelain but it was impossible - the tomatoes, the juice - the soap from his showers, his natural clumsiness, fate - they all conspired against him. Flailing about with both arms, Will only managed to drag her down into the tub with him.

Reclining on top of him, her blonde hair littered with tomato pieces, Ainsley started giggling.

Opening his mouth to apologize, Will could only gasp in mortification as he again felt a hardening in his groin.

This time, since she was in position to verify the problem first hand, Ainsley realized what was causing his discomfort. Delighted, she smiled at him. "Aren't you just the sweetest thing to be embarrassed about that?" She shifted a little further up his body and placed a quick kiss on his open mouth.

"Huh?" Will's face reddened to match his bath water. Sweet wasn't exactly the image he wanted to cultivate, especially with a beautiful woman who was reminding him more and more of a mother cat cleaning a kitten, as she touched his face and chest wiping off tomato bits, her torso and legs rubbing against his skin. If she didn't stop soon, he'd... "Ainsley?"

"Yes, Will?" She picked another piece of tomato off his forehead.

"I would like to verify that you actually like me? That you don't just feel sorry for me?" Will stammered on without waiting for her to reply. "I know I haven't exactly been at my best when we've had occasion to...well when we've ...had encounters. So I'm not sure why you... I can't believe it's just my Rice Krispies Treats that... "

Ainsley smiled at him. "You're a very charming, handsome man, and one that I want to get to know better, especially if you agree to give up Whiskey."

Will brightened, risking putting his arms around her. "Really? Because I've never made Whiskey any promises. She'll get over me as soon as she finds a squirrel to chase."

"I'm absolutely serious," she replied, leaning in to kiss him again, then pausing at the last second to let him close the final few inches. "And don't knock the power of Rice Krispies Treats."

Will solemnly nodded, then cupped his hand around the back of her head, bringing her mouth to meet his. His life was insane. But he wouldn't change a thing.

Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9a | 9b

| << back | send feedback | The National Library |