Title Clubbing Part Ten ‘How are you getting on with Stephen?’ ‘Okay. He knows Stanley.’ ‘Is he helping you?’ Josh sighed. ‘Talking about it won’t change what happened.’ His hand went to his scar, and he rubbed his skin through his t-shirt. ‘I never thought. You had to take that off when Kenny came.’ ‘It’s okay Leo.’ ‘Take it off.’ ‘Why?’ Gently, Leo said: ‘Cos I said so.’ ‘No.’ Josh began to back away. Calmly, Leo waited. ‘If it’s not that big a deal, take it off.’ ‘I…I mean…you…no!’ Josh was breathing quickly, his face damp with sweat. Leo got up. He had no idea how much the shooting was still affecting Josh. Until he found out about the sleeping, and the problem Josh obviously still had with the scar. ‘Come here.’ ‘No! You’ll make me…’ Josh shook his head wildly, backing against the wall behind him until he could go nowhere. Leo stood quite still, waiting. Josh was staring straight ahead, his gaze fixed on the door. ‘Hurts…no…please…’ After a few more seconds, Leo had to move quickly to catch Josh as he fell to the floor. ‘What happened?’ Josh felt terrible. And he didn’t remember making it as far as his room. His hand went automatically to his chest and he was relieved he was still wearing his t-shirt. ‘You passed out.’ ‘I’m sorry.’ Leo frowned. ‘What do you have to be sorry about?’ Josh thought for a few seconds. ‘I don’t know.’ Leo smiled. ‘I think once you’ve had a rest, we’ll call the airline and go home.’ ‘Leo, no, please…’ ‘Are you sure you wanna stay?’ ‘Yeah.’ ‘Okay. Sleep some more. I’ll wake you for dinner.’ Josh turned onto his side and looked across at Leo who began to get up from the bed. ‘Don’t go.’ Leo stretched out his hand and stroked Josh’s hair. ‘I’m not going anywhere kid.’ ‘Tell me what the President was like when he was younger.’ Leo laughed. ‘Thinner.’ Josh smiled and pulled the bedclothes over his shoulder. ‘And?’ ‘Go to sleep.’ ‘Do you want to see it?’ ‘When you’re ready.’ Josh sat up and pulled his t-shirt off quickly, before he could change his mind. Leo looked at the patch of pale, uneven skin. Slowly, he put his hand out. He looked at Josh, saw the fear in his eyes and in his heaving chest. ‘It’s all right. Shhh.’ As his fingers made contact with Josh’s skin, Josh jumped like it had hurt. ‘It’s okay kid.’ Leo took a moment to work out that the splashes on the back of his hand were Josh’s tears. He sat back, breaking the contact. Josh howled as if in pain. Instantly, Leo moved towards him, his arms enclosing Josh’s upper body. For several minutes Josh gave voice to his memories of the pain, his anger and his confused feelings. Eventually, his cries turned to hitching sobs, then he began to calm, eventually leaning his head on Leo’s shoulder, unaware of the dampness from his tears and sweat. Leo hugged him tightly until Josh pushed him gently away with shaking hands. ‘I’m okay now. I’m sorry.’ ‘I’m sorry I didn’t know how bad it was for you.’ ‘I didn’t want to worry anybody.’ ‘Lay back down.’ Leo reached across the bed and covered Josh with the sheet. As he watched Leo get up and walk to the door, Josh said: ‘No-one’s ever touched it.’ Leo didn’t think Josh knew what he’d just said. ‘You keep a t-shirt on in bed?’ ‘Yeah.’ ‘You tell ‘em you feel the cold?’ ‘Who?’ ‘Women, Josh.’ Josh looked away, wiping his tears with his hand. ‘I…haven’t…not since…’ Leo smiled. ‘Josh, you’re not telling me you haven’t got laid for over a year.’ Quietly, Josh said: ‘Yeah.’ Leo’s smile disappeared instantly. ‘Kid, you gotta get past this.’ Josh looked desperately at Leo. ‘How?’ Leo let out a long breath. ‘We’ll work something out.’ ************ When Josh woke up, he noticed his electronic notepad on the chair at the side of his bed. He leaned across and picked it up. Leo had drawn a smiley face on the small screen. ************ ‘Josh, a Pamela Anderson Baywatch doll. I don’t know what to say.’ Donna held the plastic doll at arm’s length. ‘Yeah, well, David had to have someone to play with, right?’ Josh pulled the second doll out of the carrier bag. Taking it from him, Donna sighed. ‘Mitch, Josh. His name is Mitch.’ ‘Whatever Donna.’ Distributing presents took some time and Leo stayed in the Oval Office with Jed while Josh walked round the West Wing. ‘Did you have a good time?’ Leo perched on the edge of the desk Jed was sitting behind. ‘Yeah.’ ‘How’s Josh?’ ‘Okay, I think. Getting there.’ ‘He’s moved in with you.’ Leo didn’t bother asking how Jed knew. ‘Yeah.’ ‘I’m guessing he’s hard work. You coping okay?’ Leo smiled. ‘Yeah. Takes my mind off other stuff.’ Jed nodded. ‘He’s a good kid. Noah would be proud.’ ‘Yeah.’ Leo nodded his agreement. ‘Oh, I told him if he needs to sleep during the day, he can have a room in the Residence.’ ‘Does he need to?’ Leo made a face. ‘Yeah. So I’ve made him a doctor’s appointment Saturday afternoon.’ ‘You gonna go with him.’ ‘Yeah.’ ‘Okay. Let me know, yeah?’ ‘Sure. Now, tell me what I’ve missed.’ Jed groaned. ‘I made a list.’ ************ ‘What is that?’ Donna looked across at her desk. Which was covered in small plastic dolls. Margaret stared at the desk while Donna looked round the room. ‘Josh!’ Josh appeared in the doorway, his coat on, backpack still in place. ‘Let me get through the door Donna.’ ‘Do you know anything about this?’ Josh laughed. ‘What did I tell you? You need to keep them apart or they’ll get up to stuff. And this is the result Donna.’ Scowling, Donna began to sweep the dolls into the waste bin. ‘So was getting up a whole hour early worth it Josh?’ ‘Yeah Leo. It so was. And that thing about looking like I just walked in. Good idea.’ ‘Can we get on now?’ ‘Yeah Leo. You think Toby’s cigars have multiplied in the night too?’ Leo pulled a face. ‘I hope not. Six is definitely six too many.’ *********** Josh fidgeted in his seat, picking up old copies of Time and Newsweek only to put them back a few seconds later. Eventually, Leo reached across and put his hand on Josh’s arm. ‘Relax Josh. It’s just a check-up.’ Leo was relieved when the receptionist came across. ‘Mr Lyman? Dr Harrison will see you now.’ Josh looked at Leo, who hadn’t moved. ‘Aren’t you coming in with me?’ ‘Do you want me to?’ Josh nodded. Leo got up and followed him in. The doctor looked up from his notes. ‘Any other symptoms? Apart from the tiredness?’ Josh shrugged. ‘No. Well, I never feel really hungry. And…’ He looked across to Leo. Leo got up. ‘I’ll be right outside.’ Leo got up as Josh came out. ‘I’m anaemic.’ ‘And?’ ‘No, just that. I have to take iron tablets.’ Josh pulled a face. ‘And eat green stuff. And go back in a month.’ Leo smiled, relieved. ‘Sit there while I make the appointment.’ ************* ‘Get changed kid. We’re going out.’ ‘To the club?’ ‘Yeah. Hurry up.’ Josh walked into his room and called out: ‘What should I wear?’ Leo came up behind him and began rifling through the closet. He pulled out a dark green short-sleeved cotton shirt and grey chinos. ‘Friday nights the club’s busy. You don’t wanna get too hot.’ ‘Catherine.’ Leo came up behind her and she turned at the sound of his voice. ‘Leo.’ Then she scanned the room. ‘Who is that?’ Leo laughed. ‘Catherine!’ ‘What did you do to him? He looks so…calm.’ ‘I need a favour.’ ‘Oh?’ ‘Josh, this is Marie. She’s a friend of mine from way back. Marie, this is Josh. He works at the White House.’ The blonde woman smiled. ‘Hi. Wow, the White House. What do you do?’ Watching them from across the room, Leo smiled. ‘Thanks for this.’ ‘Well, we don’t want him forgetting what it’s for, do we? Jeez, a whole year? I get twitchy after a week.’ Leo laughed. ‘I know.’ His eyes following Catherine’s hand down his chest, Leo suddenly covered her hand with his own. ‘What is it kid?’ He was almost certain he knew what Josh was about to say. ‘Er, Marie and I are gonna…’ Leo nodded. ‘Here.’ He pulled a key from his wallet. ‘Don’t wake me up when you come in.’ ‘No Leo.’ *********** Waking up as he heard the key in the lock, Leo looked at the clock, squinting without his glasses. Two am. At least Josh would get a few hours sleep before they had to leave for work. And being Saturday it would only be the morning. Plenty of time for Josh to brag about his encounter with…Leo couldn’t remember the young woman’s name. He hoped Josh could. And could work out a way of explaining exactly how he met her. *********** ‘Good morning.’ Leo groaned as Josh pulled the curtains open. ‘Is it?’ ‘No, actually, it’s a great morning.’ ‘Someone got lucky last night.’ Josh blushed. ‘I made breakfast.’ ‘I hope you were careful.’ ‘Leo!’ Josh didn’t know whether to be angry or embarrassed at Leo’s comment. Framed in the doorway, Josh turned. ‘You set me up with her, didn’t you?’ ‘Go eat your breakfast kid. And take your pill!’ Josh walked towards the kitchen. ‘Yes Leo.’ Leo moved slowly as he felt aches in muscles he had forgotten about. Catherine was almost his age. But in a Hell of a lot better shape. Restraining a groan as he moved, Leo pulled himself out of bed, wrapping his robe around him. Handing him a mug of coffee, Josh watched Leo for several seconds. ‘I’m not the only one who got lucky, am I?’ ‘Watch your mouth, kid.’ Leo’s words were not matched by his failed attempt to suppress his smile. ************* ‘What the Hell are you doing?’ Leo surveyed the ruins that had been his kitchen. Wiping his hands on yet another dishcloth, Josh turned round. ‘Making dinner. Sit down. It’s almost ready.’ Leo backed out of the kitchen with his hands up in a gesture of surrender. ‘This isn’t bad kid. Where’d you get the recipe?’ ‘I bought a cookbook.’ ‘Does it have a section on ‘how to make as much mess as you possibly can’?’ ‘I’ll clear up.’ ‘Yeah kid. You will. Then come and watch TV.’ Josh settled onto the floor, leaning back against the sofa. ‘When the film is over, we’ll talk.’ Josh sighed theatrically. ‘Yes Leo.’ It was closer to ten than nine when the credits rolled down the screen. Leo put his hand on Josh’s shoulder. ‘Up you come.’ Josh settled into his usual position, his legs resting on Leo’s lap. ‘How are you feeling now kid? The pills helping?’ ‘Definitely. I’m less tired.’ ‘Did you sleep at all today?’ ‘No. I was a bit tired around three, but I was busy, so I didn’t have time to go up.’ Leo frowned disapprovingly. ‘If you need to, cancel stuff. The doctor said you needed to give the pills a couple of weeks. If you can’t manage, come and tell me, and we’ll re-organise things.’ ‘Yes Leo.’ ‘Now get to bed.’ Josh got up, yawning. ‘Night Leo.’ ‘Night kid.’ Josh squirmed as his head pressed against something hard under his pillow. His fingers reached around until they closed on something smooth and cold. Pulling it out, Josh realised it was the ring Leo had given him, weeks before. Getting out of bed, Josh walked into the kitchen where Leo was sitting, The Times open at the crossword in front of him. Leo looked up. ‘What’s up kid? Couldn’t sleep?’ Josh opened his hand. ‘Are you sure you want me to have this?’ Leo smiled. ‘Only if you want it.’ ‘I do.’ ‘Then put it on.’ Josh slipped the ring onto his finger. He pulled out the chair opposite Leo and sat down. ‘I want to start doing things properly. I know you’ve been going easy on me. From tomorrow, I want you to treat me like you treated Edward.’ Leo put his pen down. ‘Okay. From tomorrow, when I tell you to go to bed, you stay there unless there’s an earthquake.’ ‘And if the bed starts shaking?’ ‘I’ll tell you what to do.’ Josh tried to rescue the conversation from the weird tangent it had gone off at. ‘How about if I need the bathroom?’ ‘You don’t need me to tell you what to do, do you?’ ‘I can just go?’ Leo made a squicked face. ‘I’m not gonna be that much in control kid.’ ‘I was just checking.’ Leo wasn’t sure Josh wasn’t being flippant. ‘Bed. Now.’ ‘Yes Leo.’ On to the next part Home Send me feedback on this fic Return to the X-Files Fic Index Return to the West Wing Fic Index