Bouncing Inaugural Balls

by: Rhonda and Evelyn

Character(s): The Men 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: Inauguration: Over There
Feedback: Greatly Appreciated

"Hey! Take your hand off my..."

"Sorry. I thought that was..."

"Well, it's not. Andi might want to have more kids some day."

"With you? Ha! How did that happen anyway? I didn't think you ever left the White House. You always seem to be lurking in the halls."

"It just seems that way cause you're always trying to sneak into CJ's office."

"I don't have to sneak. I have Carol."

"Guys. Let's concentrate on the mission, please."

"Do you think Zoey wants kids?"

"Charlie, I swear if you don't sit still, I'm gonna toss you out the window."

"Sure, Toby. You and who else? I've seen you hiding from CJ, holed up in your office with the lights off and a newspaper over your head."

"Hey, you'd hide too if she ever threatened to shove a motherboard up your..."

"He was talking to me, Josh. I don't hide from her, I just send her notes whenever possible. Is this a non-smoking cab?"

"Unlike in Europe, everywhere in D.C. is non-smoking. But you can still drink. Hey, there's a bar up ahead. We could get a beer and I could check in with my editor."

"No stopping for beer. No stopping for red lights."

"Yes, we'll be stopping for red lights. I have future children to support."

"I might have future children too."

"Huh?"

"What?"

"Josh!"

"Hey. Everyone chill out. Future future. I don't have anything in the works now. Geez."

"Well, I heard you were seeing Amy Gardner while I was in Europe. I did an interview with her a couple of years ago when I wrote the book about the First Lady. Scary woman."

Charlie snickered. "He doesn't like to talk about that."

"So it was another Mandy-thing? Whips, chains, and Josh screaming? I missed a lot of good stuff while I was busy winning a Pulitzer and making piles of money."

"You mention that Pulitzer in every other sentence. Too bad your latest work isn't the same quality."

"Hey, Josh. I told you my editor let a researcher maul my story. Don't blame that White House staffer quote on me."

"I'm sitting on the lap of a Pulitzer-prize-winning journalist? This temporary job has just been one thrill after another. I didn't think anything could top the goat in my office."

"Nah, no whips that he's told us about - and he's told us more than anyone wanted to know. Scissors." Toby used his cigar and forefinger to mimic a cutting action.

Danny winced. "Scissors? Man, that must have hurt. What's that about a goat?"

"She actually cut his..." Will's high-pitched question was interrupted.

"Could we change the subject please? I'm getting hives just thinking about her," Josh whined.

"Okay. I saw this woman in the Mess the other day. Long, long blonde hair. She was eating a peach. She was eating a peach, a chocolate cupcake, a hot dog with sauerkraut and going back for seconds. Does someone know her name?"

"She's a Republican. Forget it." Josh braced himself as the cab fishtailed a little on the snow-packed street.

"I was just asking. Do you think she'll be at the ball?"

"What kind of aftershave are you wearing? Think Zoey would like that?"

"Charlie, could you please stop sniffing me... or am I still being hazed? You know my job officially ended this morning so you don't have to do that anymore. It's not that I'm complaining, mind you, but is this a normal part of working at the White House or just something special for me?"

"You're not that special. Believe me. You should see the section he wrote on ..."

"Guys. We've got a purpose here. Donna. Remember?"

"Yeah. Think Zoey loves me enough to take the fall if I screwed up?"

"Donna doesn't love that sailor."

"Submariner," Danny added helpfully. "It's important to have the facts straight."

"Whatever. Loose lips sink ships."

"But do you think Zoey would..."

"No."

"Nope."

"Don't think so."

"You're dreaming."

"No way." That voice got everyone's attention.

"Hey, you don't even know her!" Charlie shouted at the cab driver.

"After listening to you yap about her nonstop for the past 10 blocks, I feel like I do. Love triangle - spoiled President's daughter, rich French boyfriend, poor schmuck who works for a living - not even enough money to buy a coat. Easy enough to see who's gonna end up with the girl. "

"I have a coat. I'm just not wearing it to prove my love for Zoey."

"Yeah. Yeah. I hope one of you other guys has more cash than this guy has brains."

"I'm not sure why we need to do 'Good cop - bad cop' with Donna. Can't you just apologize and ask her to come with us to the Inaugural balls?"

Josh glared at Will.

"Okay. I get it. Bad cop. Me."

"Charlie, what the hell are you doing?" Toby growled.

"I wanna show him a photo of me and Zoey. It's in my wallet."

"That's my wallet you're pulling on. Get off me. Now."

"Fine, Po - key. I didn't want to sit on your lap anyway."

"Are these windows electric? I'm gonna see if you bounce."

"Speaking of bouncing. Who do I have to pay for the broken window?"

"Charlie, stay off me. I've already got Bill on my knee. Move over there on Josh's lap."

"It's Will. Not Bill."

"Sorry. CJ called you..."

"Ouch. Someone just hit me in the eye with their soggy cigar."

The cab suddenly stopped.

"One of you guys get up here with me." The sixty-something, retired, Irish cop pointed at Josh.

"You. Get up here and show me where Cinderella lives."

Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Sequel: Bouncing Back

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