No response.

A moment later, Josh stuck his head out the door.  "Donna, you wanna get your ass in here?"

Donna shot him an eloquent look.  She didn't even have to lecture at this point, just remind him of the four thousand other times she'd told him not to shout with an arched eyebrow and a frown.

"Donna," he said, in a much less obnoxious tone.  "Would you mind joining me in my office momentarily?"

Ducking her head to hide a grin, Donna rose, then met his gaze with her best superior expression firmly in place.  "See how easy that was?"

"Right," Josh scoffed, disappearing into his office.

Donna followed him, her notepad in hand.  "What do you need?"

Josh dropped into his chair and leaned back, propping his feet on his desk.  "I need you to get the EPA stats from the counsel's office; I need them for--"

"The logging thing," Donna nodded, jotting it down.

"Right.  At some point, I would like you to get me in touch with someone who can explain the intricacies of the Green Lights Program--"

"Alternative lighting technologies, right?" Donna asked.

"Yeah."

"Who would you like to speak to--"

"I don't know, Donna," Josh interrupted.  "I'm saying, I need someone who can explain it to me so that I can explain it to Rossiter, who's running around town saying the GLP is imposing regulations.  He doesn't specify, of course, but he claims they're regulating like crazy over there at the GLP.  I don't know very much about the GLP, but I know for damn sure they're not a regulatory body, so if you could just find--"

"Josh."

He glanced at her, registered the expression on her face, and shut up.

Donna tapped her pen against her notepad.  "Anything else?"

"The Bureau of Economic Analysis is supposed to be releasing a report on--"

"Check your inbox," Donna told him, with a pointed glance in that direction.

Josh almost looked impressed.  "Okay.  I need Toby before the GLP thing, but preferably after the EPA thing, and, you know, lunch would be nice somewhere in the middle of all of that."

Donna glared at him.  "Anything else?" she asked, her words drenched in a sarcasm.

He waved a hand at her, already absorbed in a memo.  "No, that's it for now."

Donna was halfway out the door when he spoke again.

"Hey, there's a typo in this.

"Could you be more specific?" she asked, reaching for the memo.

"Well, you could consult Strunk & White, but I'm pretty sure you're using the wrong lay here."

Donna caught his gaze, one eyebrow arched.  He was smirking, of course, and using his 'aren't I clever' voice, which he thought was sexy.  It really wasn't.  She'd told him that a hundred times, but he never listened.

When she took the memo, she allowed her fingers to slide along his and she would swear that there were actual sparks between them. It didn't seem to matter how long they'd been together; they just... sparked.  "That's not a typo."

Josh smirked.  "Was it a secret code of some kind?"

"Secret code?"

"You know, you use the wrong laid on the days--"

"Josh, shut up," Donna hissed.  "Are you trying to get fired?"

He deflated a little.  "So it wasn't a secret code?"

"No."

"You don't think a secret code would be--"

"An incredibly stupid idea?" Donna interjected.  "Yes, I think it would be that."

"That was just a typo, then, huh?"

"A typo?" Donna lowered her voice and leaned on the edge of her desk, watching, amused as his gaze strayed to her neckline.  He'd long since confessed that he had a certain fascination with some of her shirts; specifically, the v-necks.  Lucky for her, she happened to be wearing one.  "No, it wasn't a typo."

Josh brightened, giving her an expectant look.

"It was improper word usage."  Donna flashed a grin at him and straightened up.

"You," Josh declared as she walked away, "are an evil woman."

Donna stuck her head back in the door.  "You say that like it's news to you."

"Fair point."  He gave her that lopsided grin.  "You're gonna get me something to eat, right?"

Donna's momentary good mood fled.  "You can't walk down a couple flights--"

"That's why I have an assistant," Josh smirked.

She had a happy image of strangling him with his damn silk tie.  "To do all the crap you don't want to do?"

"Yeah," he nodded.  "Oh, and to have someone to boss around."

An incredibly inappropriate idea struck Donna as she stood there in the doorway of her boss's office.  She let a slow smile appear and nodded.  "Ah."  It was the tone of voice that gave her away, she figured.  They'd been lovers long enough for him to recognize that particular note of anticipation.

Josh's eyes widened and he started around the desk towards her.  "Donna, wait--"

"Sorry," she called out in a singsong voice, "I can't possibly chat.  I have way too many tasks to complete.  Boss's orders."

***

Donna didn't move from her position -- curled up in the corner of Josh's incredibly comfortable green couch -- when he walked in.  It took him a moment to notice her; the bastard was halfway through his mail before he glanced in her direction, she noted with irritation.

Josh stopped short and stared at her, a grin appearing as he tossed his mail aside.  "I knew it was a code," he told her in a disgustingly self-satisfied tone.

Rolling her eyes, Donna shifted a little, drawing his attention to her clothing.  Or lack thereof.  "It wasn't a code."

But he was no longer paying attention to the conversation.  Instead, his gaze traveled hungrily down her body, clad in one of his work shirts.  The fabric was indigo, a stark contrast to her alabaster skin, and she'd also put on a pair of his black silk boxers.

Josh swallowed hard.  "I like that code."

"It wasn't a code," she repeated.

"'Kay."  He didn't sound like he believed her.

"It was a mistake.  An innocent mistake."

Josh dropped his backpack into the armchair and wandered closer.  "I didn't think you were coming over for a few days."

"I wasn't going to," she answered, turning so that her back was against the arm of the couch.  She stretched her long legs out in front of her along the couch, crossing them daintily at the ankles.

"I'm glad you're here," Josh said, his eyes on her legs.

"We should really talk about something."

Josh froze, his gaze locking with hers.  "A--About what?" he stuttered.

Donna bit back a grin at his sudden discomfiture.  Let him squirm a little.  "Our relationship."

"What's wrong with our relationship?" Josh demanded, using his loud voice to cover just how unsettled he was.  If she weren't so irritated with him, she'd feel bad for making him worry unnecessarily.

Donna reached a hand towards him, beckoning him closer.  "Calm down, Josh.  I just think we should discuss your tendency to be..." she shrugged, "well, a jerk."

He stopped short halfway to the couch and gaped at her.  "I am not a jerk!"

Donna laughed outright.  "Please, Josh!  Give me a break -- all day at work you're rude and obnoxious and enamored with the sound of your own voice."

Josh gave her an honestly puzzled look.  "I've been like that since we met."

"True."

"You started this..."  He waved his hand around in the air between them.  "This thing.  That was all you."

"Yeah, you were an unwilling participant," Donna retorted dryly.  "I coerced you.  I know how threatening it can be when someone crooks their finger in your direction--"

"Okay," he admitted.  "It may not have been all you.  But you initiated it."

"I can't imagine why," she muttered.  "I don't understand the attraction, to be honest.  I mean, I guess it could've been that time I managed to rock so much in my little carseat thingie that I fell right off of the dining room table and onto the floor headfirst.  But we had this mind-boggling white shag carpet -- Can you believe that?  Shag carpeting in the dining room--" She shuddered--"But it's not like I slammed into concrete or anything--"

"Donna."

She blinked.  "Yeah?"

Josh broke out that irresistible smirk.  "Was there a point somewhere in all of the reminiscing about the groovy seventies?"

"Yes," she nodded.  "You always tell me what to do.  You boss me around."

The smirk grew more smug, if possible.  "Well, that would be because I'm your boss."

"I'm just saying," Donna trailed a hand down the buttons on her shirt and watched with satisfaction as the ego turned to lust, "it would be nice to explore a little... role reversal."

"What?"

Donna bit the inside of her mouth, hard, to stay her laughter.  The expression on his face -- eyes widened to an alarming degree, mouth hanging partially open -- it was really just too amusing.  "Josh," Donna said.  "Your voice just got really high."

He cleared his throat.  "What do you mean, role reversal?"

"Have you looked in your backpack?" Donna asked, freeing the first button from its hole.

Josh stared at her chest for a moment, then managed an intelligent "Huh?"

"Your backpack," she repeated, grinning.  "I left something in there for you."

She hadn't seen him move that fast since the campaign.  Josh ripped open his backpack and practically stuck his head inside.  He rifled through the contents eagerly, then dropped it back on the chair.  He gave her a disappointed look.  "I don't see anything gift-like in here."

Donna turned her head a bit, hiding her smile behind her hair.  "What is in there?"

"Just my physics books," he said, his voice nearly drowned out by the frantic sounds of his digging.  "And a couple of ties.  I don't remem--"

Finally, she thought.

"Ties?" Donna prompted.  "Are they silk?"  She met his dumbfounded gaze with a seductive smile.

"I--"  He swallowed hard.  "I didn't put these in here.  Why..."

Donna swung her legs over the edge of the couch and pushed herself upright.  She sauntered over to where he stood, a silk tie dangling from each hand, and stopped mere inches away from him.

"You," she told him, running one finger lightly down the impressive muscles of his arm, "really need to learn that when you want something, it always helps to ask nicely."

***

Predictably, Josh completely ignored her words and reached for her, dropping the ties on the floor in the process.  Donna backpedaled, nearly tripping over the coffee table, then stood a few feet away from him, arms crossed over her chest.

"Joshua," she pouted.

He stared at her.  "What?"

"Do you ever listen to me?"

"Yes," he answered reflexively.

"What'd I just say?"

"'Do you ever listen to me?'"

Donna rolled her eyes.  "Before that.  Before you started getting all grabby."

He smirked.  "Grabby?"

"You know what I mean."

"Not really."

"Josh."

"You said I should..."  It was almost comical, watching him try to figure out what she'd said.  Finally he gave her a frustrated look.  "There was sex implied, I know that much."

Donna crossed her arms and glared.  "I should leave right now."

He had the nerve to actually grin at her.  "Okay, but you might get arrested, considering you're not wearing any pants."

"Joshua," she warned.

"C'mere," he said.

Frustrated, Donna bent down and scooped up the abandoned ties.  "You," she told him, straightening, "are an idiot.  Do you know what I'm going to do to you?"

His grin got wider, and, Donna noted with interest, the bulge in his pants got bigger.  "I don't know, but I hope it has something to do with those neckties."

"It does," she said, stepping towards him, letting her hips sway seductively.  "I'm going to take these soft, silk ties," she drew out her words, using her sexiest tone, "and strangle you with them!"

Josh gaped.  "Donna, I--"

"You are going to learn how to play nice with others, Joshua, a lesson you apparently missed in elementary school."

"Must've been when I skipped that one grade, huh?"

"Do you really think your brain is your sexiest feature?"

He shifted his weight, adopting an overly casual, model-in-GQ kind of pose.  "If you prefer my body, well, I guess that'd be all right with me."

Donna looped one tie around his neck and yanked him off balance.  He stumbled right into her clutches, and she brought his mouth down to hers.  The kiss was hot and frantic and very promising.

Then Donna pulled away, leaving Josh gasping slightly for breath.

"If you want my mind or my body," Donna told him, letting the tie drop down onto his chest and smoothing the soft material with her fingertips, "you're going to have to ask me nicely."

"Donna, will you please have sex with me right now?"

Donna groaned, half in irritation, half in arousal.  As annoying as he was, the man did have his charms.  And his noticeable arousal was among the largest of his many, many charms.  She reached out and cupped him through his pants, squeezing him until he moaned.

"That's your idea of asking nicely?" Donna demanded, gathering a fistful of his shirt in her free hand and pushing him backwards.  "To bed with you."

He beamed at her.  "Well, it worked, right?"

"No," she answered, leaning in to nip at his neck.  "It most certainly did not.  I plan to tie you to the headboard.  Then, if you ask nicely, I may touch you, or I may not. I may fuck you, or I may not."

"God," Josh gasped, thrusting a little into her hand.

She grinned and released him.  "Now strip."

***

Josh settled on the bed a bit nervously, his arms crossed over his naked chest.  "Why can't we just have sex?"

"Because," Donna answered, "we're playing by my rules tonight."

"Your rules?"

"Yes.  My rules.  Your yelling and demanding and insulting?  All of that's against the rules."

He nodded thoughtfully.  "If I break the rules, will you punish me?"

Donna bit back a grin at the undercurrent of lust and anticipation in his voice.  "In a manner of speaking."

"What's that mean?"

"It means sit back, ask nicely, and you'll have the best night of your life," she answered, pulling the last button free from its hole.  The indigo shirt hung down, open from her neck to her panties, and Josh groaned.

"And the ties?" he managed.

"Right," she grinned, grabbing them from the bedside table.  "Pick a comfortable position, cause you're not gonna be able to move until I'm done with you."

"God."

"I prefer 'Goddess,' but yours works too."  Donna smirked at him as she looped the soft fabric around his wrist.

Josh watched in silence for a few moments, then opened his big, idiotic mouth.  "You're tying that wrong."

Donna paused mid-knot to give him a glare.  "Josh, this is quiet time."

"You should use a slip knot, because--"

"Do I look like a boy scout?"

He smirked at her.  "Okay, when we're naked, please refrain from mentioning organizations of--"

"Josh."

"Though come to think of it, if you could scare up a Girl Scouts uniform, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have any objections."

"Josh!"  Honestly, sometimes she didn't know whether to laugh or cry when he got started.

He lifted one shoulder in a careless shrug.  "Just a suggestion.  By the way, you're gonna want to tighten this knot right here--"

"I'm not lashing you to the masthead, Josh, though that idea gets more appealing every time you open your mouth."

"I'm just trying to help."  He tried for an injured tone, but the smirk kind of ruined it.

"You're not," Donna answered flatly.

"I'm not?"

"Not even a little bit."

"So I should shut up then?"

"Bingo."

***

***

Josh was standing beside Donna's desk in the bullpen harassing her, as usual, when CJ came barreling into the bullpen and barked, "Josh, did you--"

"Good morning, CJ," Josh beamed at her.

Donna looked on from her desk, amused, as CJ gave him an incredulous look.

"What's with you?"

"It's a good morning, don't you agree?"

CJ turned to Donna.  "What's with him?"

Donna grinned and shrugged.  "The lessons I've been giving him about being nice are starting to sink in."

Josh smirked until CJ turned back to him, then he tried to look innocent. Donna stifled a laugh because, really, Josh Lyman and "innocent" were sworn enemies.

CJ studied Josh for a moment, then held up a hand.  "I don't really even want to know about that.  Listen, did you see Rossiter on Larry King?  He was going on about the GLP again, and--"

"Do you have the tape?" Josh interrupted, still looking quite pleased with himself.

CJ shifted her weight, crossing her arms over her chest and fixing him with a suspicious look.  "I thought you were going to watch."

"Larry King?"

"Yes, Josh.  Larry King."

"I was going to," Josh shrugged, cutting a look in Donna's direction.

Donna quelled the urge to kick him.  He probably thought he was being subtle, the big idiot.

CJ's eyes narrowed.  "But you didn't."

"Nope," he admitted cheerfully.

"May I ask why not?"

Donna flinched.  That was CJ's Enforcer tone; she only brought that out when she was about to kick some ass.

Josh, of course, seemed totally oblivious to his impending death.  He let that stupid smirk out to play, and said, "Well, CJ, I was a little tied up at the time."

It took all of Donna's considerable self-restraint not to strangle him on the spot.  She kept her expression carefully blank as CJ's perceptive gaze turned her way.

"You know what," CJ said, shaking her head a little.  "I really just don't want to know.  Whatever works, Donna."

Then CJ gave Donna a wink and walked off, leaving an open-mouthed Josh and a mortified Donna staring after her.  Josh turned very slowly to Donna.

"Okay, see, what just happened here--"

"Save it for later, Josh," Donna interrupted.

Josh nodded.  "I'm gonna get a little punishment, aren't I?"

"Oh, yeah."

The corner of his mouth quirked upwards.  "I gotta say, I'm kinda looking forward to that, Donna."

She glared at him.  "Go away."

"'Kay."

Donna watched him until he disappeared into his office, then ducked her head and smiled.  What an idiot.

Now, of course, she just needed to come up with a suitable form of punishment.  This, Donna thought, could be a whole lot of fun.

***

THE END

10.20.04