Fic: Puddle of Grace (2/?)
Title: Puddle of Grace (2/?)
Author: Buffyfan145
Beta’d by: Caitrin
Rating: T/PG 13
Fandoms: The West Wing & Felicity
Pairings: Josh/Donna, slight Julie/Ben, Zoey/Charlie, Abby/Jed, CJ/Danny, Josh/Carol Anderson
Setting: During early season 2 for both The West Wing and Felicity in 2000.
Summary: Julie Emrick goes on a search to find her biological father, Josh Lyman.
Note: Takes place mostly in The West Wing universe after Josh recovers from the Rosslyn shooting. Also, changed some of Julie’s back story and some season 1 Felicity events didn’t happen. I got the idea for this fic after remembering that Bradley Whitford played Julie’s (Amy Jo Johnson) biological father. Jane Kaczmarek, Brad’s wife at the time, played Julie’s biological mother Carol Anderson. After being so disappointed that the Felicity writers weren’t able to finish this storyline, this idea sprung to my mind. It’s my way of having it play out like I wanted it to, and getting to write my first Josh/Donna fic as well.
Disclaimer: I don’t own any of the characters or the songs used. This is just a fan writing for other fans.
Chapter 2
“They say this thing really helps relieve stress?” Josh asked as he threw the little red rubber ball across the room. His physical therapist said playing catch would actually help his muscles after the accident, but in Josh’s mind he felt like a kid again.
Sam Seaborn caught the ball from across the room. “Yeah. Can’t you feel the stress oozing out?” Both men laughed as Sam threw the ball back.
“Well at least Toby’s not throwing this. He might break a window.” Josh caught it easily, then threw it back.
“I’m still not sure how that window between our offices is still standing.” Sam laughed again as he tossed it back.
Josh caught it, then held the ball between his fingers. He’d still been worried about Donna after she left, and he wanted to ask his best friend what he thought. “Did Donna seem ok to you?”
Sam looked back at him, concerned. “Not at first, but she puts up a good front. It’s been hard on her since you’ve been in here.”
“I know.” Josh said even more worried and wished he could comfort her.
Sam leaned forward in his chair, looking like it was hard for him to choose his words. “Josh, is something going on between you and Donna?”
Josh didn’t know how to respond since he didn’t even know the answer himself. He ran a hand through his hair and looked his best friend in the eyes. “I’m not sure, but I think something is. Ever since the shooting something’s changed. It’s not just her, but me too.”
Sam was trying to hide his smile, but failing badly. “You've finally realized you’ve in love with her, haven’t you?”
Shock hit Josh hard. How did he know? “What?”
“Don’t try to deny it, Josh. We’ve all known there is something between you and Donna. That is no normal boss/assistant relationship. You both have been in denial for so long, but this accident changed things. It made you realize what you’ve been taking for granted.”
Sam hit the nail on the head. Still Josh tried to pass it off. “Even if I did have feelings for her, and I’m not saying I do, how would I even know if she likes me?”
Sam burst out laughing. “Is that a trick question? Where have you been these last 3 years? Donna adores you. You know how she’s been here day and night to check on you and we have to force her to stop. Why are you two so stubborn?”
“But we could never have a relationship Sam. It’s unethical, and the press would have a field day!” Josh raised his arms to exaggerate the point.
Sam got up to leave and grabbed his jacket. “Maybe, but two people would be really happy. Isn’t that all that matters?”
Josh thought about that question for awhile. When it came down to things maybe all that mattered were two people in love and everything else just faded away. “Where are you going?” Josh turned his head to follow Sam out the door.
“Home, since I have to help run the country and a little boy needs his sleep.” He kept walking down the hallway as Josh threw the ball at him.
It was still very warm and muggy like August nights usually are. Donna took out her diary to write about what happened that day. She had to admit there was a lot about Josh in that diary and her feelings for him. She just hoped no one would ever read it.
At least everything didn’t smell like cats in her apartment now that her roommate had moved out. That brought make fun memories of when Josh got drunk because of some floozy ex-girlfriend and yelled at the cats. He eventually would pass out on her couch and Donna would sometimes watch him sleep. She loved when a smile came across his face from a good dream and she hoped it was about her.
Oh God, how could she be so blind about her feelings? She had had them for so long and now she was sick of pretending. Donna hadn't meant to cry like that in front of him, but once the tears came they wouldn’t stop. Not that she minded. She loved feeling his arms around her as she held him and he soothed her. It just felt so right and she felt so safe there. Almost like she could stay forever with him.
Why did she have to be in love with a man she knew she could never have?
Julie waited in the elevator as it climbed a few floors. After getting to DC, it hadn't been too hard to find the hospital. She had gotten a taxi and made her way there. Now that she was here she was so nervous to finally meet Josh, her father. Julie had no idea what to say and hoped the words would somehow come.
The doors dinged open as she reached the 8th floor. A man with short dark hair and kind blue eyes held the door for her. She had to admit he was pretty cute.
“Sorry about that. Ladies first.” He smiled.
“Thanks.” Julie smiled back and walked out. She found the nurses’ station immediately to the right. “Hi. I’m looking for Josh Lyman’s room?”
A young Asian nurse, maybe about 22, smiled. “Are you friend or family?”
Well, she couldn’t just say ‘Oh yeah, I’m his daughter he’s never met and doesn’t know exists.’ So she went with the safe option.
“I’m a family friend, like a niece of his.”
The nurse still smiled, as if her expression were frozen in place. “He’s in room 807. It’s just to your left.”
“Thanks.” Julie headed off in that direction, even more nervous.
She paused by the doorway, seeing it was slightly open. Moving slowly, she stuck her head in the doorway and she saw Josh sitting there watching CNN. His hair looked disheveled and he seemed bored with what he was watching.
“Why don’t they ever report things I need to know?” He picked up the remote and changed it to the Mets game. “Now this is much better. Come on Piazza!”
Julie smiled as she watched Josh get into the Mets game. She found it funny he was a Mets fan, being from Connecticut. Her adoptive father Peter had taken her to many games, as had her ex Ben. She wouldn’t say she was a diehard fan, but she didn’t mind baseball. It made her wonder if they had ever gone to some of the same games.
Julie was about to walk in when the nurse came up beside her. “I was going to let you know visiting hours are over. I know it wasn’t much time. I’m sorry.”
Julie gave a sad smile. “It’s ok. I’ll just come back another time.” She then rushed off with tears in her eyes, as the nurse watched, concerned.
Josh turned as the nurse came back in. “Another check before bed, Mr. Lyman.” She smiled.
He reluctantly shut off the TV, knowing the routine by heart now. “Ok.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t able to let your visitor stay," she said while checking his monitors.
Josh perked up. “Visitor?”
“Yeah, a pretty young girl, maybe just about 20. She seemed kind of upset.” The nurse got his chart and wrote some things down. “All right, we’re all done, and good night, Mr. Lyman.”
Bewildered, Josh replied robotically. “Yeah, night.” He had no idea who this visitor was. How he hadn't known someone was there or who it was was beyond him. He’d have to tell Donna about it tomorrow.
Tears flowed from her eyes as Julie sat on the bench outside the hospital. Her suitcase and guitar case were on the sidewalk beside her. She knew she should have gone in there, but she had chickened out again.
“Are you ok?”
Julie dried her eyes and looked up to see a girl about her age with reddish-brown hair and green eyes looking concerned. She had a young woman next to her and a young man who looked like he was talking to his watch.
“Yeah, I’m ok.”
The girl sat down. “Obviously you’re not, or you wouldn’t be crying. Did something happen?”
The girl seemed really kind and Julie felt like she could trust her. “I came looking for my dad and I found out he lives here. I was given up for adoption and I tried to find my birth parents. My birth mother said my dad lives here now and I just saw him in the hospital.”
“Is he ok?” The girl touched Julie’s arm and it felt comforting.
Julie smiled. “Yeah, he’ll be better. He still doesn’t know I’m his daughter or that I even exist. He survived a gunshot wound. He was just doing his job and got shot at Rosslyn.”
The other girl’s face seemed to pale. “Rosslyn?”
Julie continued, not noticing. “It turns out my birth father works at the White House for the President.”
The girl took Julie’s hand. “Are you saying your dad is Josh Lyman and he has no idea about you?”
Julie looked at her, surprised. “How did you know?”
“My name is Zoey Bartlet.” She smiled as Julie’s mouth dropped in surprise. “Looks like your dad works for my dad.”