Title: Clubbing Part Thirteen Josh picked the post up from the box, wincing at the discomfort as he bent down. There was a letter from the clinic. But it was addressed to Leo. ‘Leo, can I ask you something?’ ‘Sure kid.’ ‘Why is the clinic writing to you and not me?’ ‘Don’t worry about it kid.’ ‘Are you ill?’ Leo laughed. ‘No!’ ‘Then why?’ ‘Go lay on your bed kid and we’ll change your dressing.’ ‘How come I’m not allowed to have secrets, but you are?’ ‘Cos I’m older.’ ‘Leo!’ ‘Shut up and lay still kid.’ ‘Morrison Clinic.’ ‘Hi, this is Leo McGarry. I received a letter from you yesterday, but unfortunately it was soaking wet, and I don’t know what it was about.’ ‘Hold on please…oh, here we go. It was just a copy of your final bill. As you paid cash, rather than claiming on your medical insurance, it’s standard procedure. I’ll send another one out today.’ Quickly, Josh stammered: ‘Oh, um, that, er, won’t be necessary, really.’ ‘Oh it’s no bother at all sir. I’ll get right to it.’ ‘Thanks.’ Josh dropped his cell phone into his backpack and went down to the mess to get some lunch. ********** Josh walked into the kitchen and realised there was a letter lying on the table. ‘Dear Mr McGarry, Further to your telephone call yesterday, I enclose a copy of your recent payment for your records…’ He leaned against the wall, his head resting on the cold surface. Whispering, he tried to reassure himself ‘Maybe Leo won’t…’ He was startled by a voice from the doorway. ‘Won’t what? Wonder how he called the clinic without actually dialling the number? Be concerned that his mail is getting wet?’ ‘Leo, I can explain…’ Leo came into the kitchen and flicked the light on. ‘Oh, this is gonna be good.’ ‘You paid for it.’ Leo nodded. ‘Yeah.’ ‘Why?’ ‘Because you’re too young to be making love with the light out.’ ‘Did Maria tell you..?’ Josh didn’t really want to know, but asked anyway. ‘No. Catherine said was she was bruised. She asked her why and Maria said…’ Josh stared at the floor. ‘I wouldn’t let her turn the light on and she walked into the nightstand.’ ‘Yeah.’ ‘I’ll pay you back.’ Leo shook his head. ‘I have a better idea.’ ‘You’re not serious!’ Josh stared at Leo in disbelief. ‘You can’t make me.’ Leo took Josh’s arm and led him to the kitchen table. ‘Don’t push me kid.’ Josh stared at the huge pile of ironing and groaned. ‘For a month. It’s not fair!’ ‘And I don’t expect creases. Now get on with it.’ As slowly as he could, Josh unfolded the ironing board and reached the iron down from the shelf. ‘There’s a film on at nine. You get it half done in the next hour, you can stay up and watch it.’ ‘How will I know when I’ve done half?’ ‘Oh you’ll know, kid.’ ‘Party invites?’ ‘Come sit down.’ ‘Are we having a party?’ ‘We will be.’ Josh lost a little of his earlier sulkiness. ‘When?’ ‘Soon.’ ‘When?’ ‘Shut up and watch the film kid.’ ‘What kind of party?’ ‘One more word and you finish the ironing.’ Josh settled down. Josh was sitting at the kitchen table, the pile of blank invite cards in front of him. ‘Can I invite who I like?’ Leo put the coffee pot back onto the hotplate. ‘Such as?’ ‘Sam and…’ ‘It’s not that kind of party, kid.’ Josh made a face. ‘You mean only people from the club.’ ‘Yeah kid. We’ll have another party and you can invite who you like, okay?’ ‘Do I have to do more ironing before I get the invites?’ Leo handed Josh a coffee mug. ‘You have to do the ironing either way, kid.’ ************ ‘I’m not wearing those Leo!’ ‘Put ‘em on, or go without. Your choice kid.’ Leo pulled a long-sleeved white shirt and Josh’s favorite jeans from the closet. He laid them next to the briefs he’d dropped onto the bed earlier. They were not the usual underwear Josh would wear. For one thing, they were more closely related to Speedos than boxers. Sighing theatrically, Josh started unbuttoning his shirt. ‘Leo!’ Josh stared at him in amazement. He had changed too. Into a pair of tight black jeans and a short-sleeved black silk shirt, tucked into the jeans. Leo walked into Josh’s room. ‘You ready?’ ‘You mean am I wearing the briefs they made with the scraps of material left over when they’d made the proper sized ones?’ Leo waited, eyebrows raised. ‘Yeah. I’m not going commando for anyone.’ Josh followed Leo into the living room. ‘What time is everyone coming?’ ‘Siddown.’ Josh was unused to sitting on the couch. He almost dropped to the floor, only stopping when Leo patted the couch next to where he sat. ‘Do you know what today is, kid?’ Josh wasn’t going to go for the obvious response, Saturday, and shook his head. ‘Your three-month trial period is up.’ ‘I didn’t know I was on trial.’ Josh couldn’t help sounding annoyed. ‘I didn’t tell you. You’d have behaved perfectly for a while, then slipped back after it was up.’ ‘This is what the party is for?’ ‘Partly. I want you to promise me something.’ ‘What?’ ‘That you’ll trust me tonight.’ ‘I do Leo.’ ‘Josh?’ Josh began to panic. ‘What’s going to happen?’ His mind automatically went to the stupid underwear he was wearing. ‘You’re gonna have a good time. You might even get lucky, kid.’ ‘You’re hiding something.’ ‘Catherine and I will take care of you, okay?’ ‘You’re not gonna tell me, are you?’ ‘No kid. Now, put everyone’s coats and stuff on my bed. And remember, behave. You do not drink unless I say you can. I want you sober tonight.’ ‘I was looking forward to tonight.’ ‘Like I said, you’re gonna have to trust me, kid.’ ‘Why does that not sound reassuring?’ Leo got up, ruffling Josh’s hair. ‘You worry too much.’ ‘With good reason, right?’ The doorbell sounded. ‘Let the caterers in, kid.’ ************** David came over, dragging a shy younger man with him. ‘Josh, this is Ben.’ Josh smiled at the kid in his mid-twenties, blond hair from a bottle and perfect smile from an expensive orthodontist. ‘Hi.’ ‘I’m with Michael.’ David laughed. ‘Lucky you. Drink?’ ‘I’ll have a…’ Josh reached a bottle from the kitchen counter behind him. ‘Scotch.’ Ben nodded. ‘Okay.’ ‘Michael, huh?’ David looked across the room to a handsome self-assured man in an expensive suit. Who was surrounded by a group of people including Leo and Edward. ‘Where in the Hell did you meet him?’ Ben blushed furiously. ‘At his office. I work for a PR company. He hired us.’ David and Josh laughed. ‘Well, it’s different, I suppose. Josh felt sorry for the kid. ‘So what do you do Ben?’ ‘I’m a photographer.’ ‘Photographed anyone famous?’ David was intrigued. Josh left them alone and walked over to Ian. ‘Ian, how are you?’ ’Hi Josh. Nice party.’ ‘Thanks.’ Harry came up behind them. ‘The end of trial period parties are always great. Until we have to leave.’ Josh groaned. ‘And I can’t even have a drink.’ ‘Why not?’ ‘Leo told me not to.’ ‘Oh well, maybe later he’ll make up for it.’ Squirming at the discomfort of his underwear, Josh muttered: ‘He’d better.’ ‘Quiet everyone.’ Leo’s voice carried over the various conversations, silencing the guests instantly. ‘Thanks. Now, we all know why we’re here, right? I have a couple of things to say. One, thanks for coming. Two, um, Josh get over here. Two, after Edward, I told myself I was too old to start again. Then there was Josh.’ There was a gentle ripple of laughter while Leo jerked his head at Josh, who moved to stand at Leo’s side. ‘And three months and one day on, after a couple of rough patches, we’re here.’ This time there was applause, and a few whistles. Leo waited for silence. ‘Yesterday, I was walking by Josh’s office, and I read the plate on the doorframe. ‘Joshua Lyman. Deputy Chief of Staff. Only there isn’t room for the whole thing. So it reads ‘Dep’ instead of ‘Deputy’. I’ve walked by that plate, must be hundreds, maybe thousands, of times. And yesterday was the first time I realised what it actually said.’ Leo smiled at Josh who was standing awkwardly at his side. Edward came across with two envelopes, one thickly padded, the other smaller and unpadded. He handed them to Leo, who handed the first, heavier envelope to Josh. Opening it, Josh pulled out a large engraved sign. ‘Joshua Lyman. Deputy Chief of Staff.’ Josh looked at it for a few seconds, before whispering: ‘Thank you.’ Edward took the doorplate and envelope from him and Leo handed him the second envelope. As he opened it, Josh pulled out the ornately hand-written certificate and skimmed it. Leo looked across to the puzzled faces. ‘It’s a half share in my half share of the club.’ There were a few gasps, and, Leo noticed, a few disapproving looks. ‘I’m aware that it’s…unusual…for a slave to have such a document. But I’m getting older, and I don’t want to leave Catherine to run the club alone. I have no children, no-one to leave it to. So I chose Josh. Who will inherit the remaining share on my death.’ This time even Josh noticed the disquiet among the guests. Leo waited until the room was almost silent, then looked from Josh to Catherine. His voice hardened, making Josh cringe. ‘Anyone who has a problem with my gift to Josh may leave now.’ Leo waited a few seconds, and, although there was a background of whispers, no-one moved. ‘Good. Now, I was hoping someone Josh and I met on our recent vacation to New York would manage to be here tonight, but it appears he’s been held up. So, please carry on the party.’ ‘You okay kid?’ Not meaning it, Josh managed: ‘Yeah.’ ‘Look, we’ll talk about…’ The doorbell interrupted whatever else Leo had been about to say to him and he walked across to the door. ‘Hi Josh.’ ‘Kenny!’ Josh hugged the man and called out: ‘Leo, look who’s here.’ ‘At last.’ Leo muttered. ‘Sorry, couldn’t get a cab.’ Leo relaxed a fraction. ‘You’re here now. Josh, go with Kenny.’ Mindful of Leo’s strict instruction – Josh was to relax not sleep – Kenny worked slowly on Josh’s shoulders and back, relieved when he finally heard the last of the guests leaving, and the sudden quiet after the noise of the party. Leo came in and jerked his head at the door. Sleepy, Josh didn’t move as Kenny got up and Leo took his place. ‘Relaxed now?’ ‘Yeah.’ Josh mumbled. Leo put a hand on Josh’s back and Josh turned slowly. ‘There’s a reason I bought Kenny here.’ ‘I thought there might be.’ ‘I wanted you to calm down after the party.’ ‘And?’ Josh knew Leo too well to miss out on the sudden edge of nervousness. ‘If you wanna do things properly, I should stop calling you ‘kid’.’ ‘What would you call me?’ ‘Remember when I was talking about your nameplate?’ ‘Yeah.’ ‘I decided on ‘Dep.’ ‘As in ‘Deputy.’ ‘Yeah. Traditionally, slaves have a single-syllable name.’ ‘Dep.’ Josh tried the name out. ‘And also, traditionally, slaves have their name marked somewhere on their bodies.’ Josh swallowed hard, the effects of the massage fast disappearing. ‘That’s why you made me wear the stupid underwear?’ Leo smiled, rolling Josh onto his stomach. ‘Yeah.’ ‘Will it hurt?’ Leo rubbed Josh’s back and shoulders. ‘Maybe. But I’ll stay with you the whole time.’ ‘Where?’ Leo put his hand in the small of Josh’s back. ‘Here.’ ‘How?’ ‘Tattoo.’ ‘What if I say no?’ ‘Then Catherine and Ron and Kenny leave.’ ‘Ron’s gonna do it?’ ‘Yeah. So, I’ll let you think about it.’ ‘No. Just get on with it.’ ‘You sure kid?’ ‘No. Yes. Way to be decisive Lyman.’ Leo got up. ‘I’ll be back in a second.’ Catherine sat on the edge of the bed, stroking Josh’s face. ‘Josh, you need to be totally sure about this.’ ‘Leo wants me to.’ Catherine’s hand moved to cup Josh’s chin, lifting his gaze to meet hers. ‘This isn’t Leo’s decision honey. And he won’t be angry if you say no.’ ‘He’ll be disappointed.’ ‘You’ll never hear that from him. And you mustn’t let that influence your decision. It’s your body.’ Josh moved his hand to Catherine’s. ‘He did something even though he knew everyone would disapprove.’ ‘You mean the share in the club? They’ll get over it.’ ‘And he did this…’ Josh’s hand moved to the place where his scar had been. ‘He wants you to be happy.’ ‘So I can do this for him.’ ‘Josh, you do it for yourself. No-one else.’ ‘Okay.’ Catherine smiled. ‘Now, do you want Leo in here, and me? Or just Ron? Or no-one? Your decision.’ ‘You and Leo. No Ron.’ Catherine stroked Josh’s nervous face, laughing quietly. Then her smile faded. ‘You sure you want this?’ Josh nodded. ‘I hope the walls are sound-proofed.’ ‘After all you’ve been through? This’ll be easy.’ ************** Leo had asked Kenny for two reasons. Firstly, he really did think a massage would help Josh relax. Secondly, if Josh decided to go ahead with the marking, and Catherine decided she didn’t want to stay, Leo wanted someone else Josh felt comfortable with on hand. Catherine came out of Josh’s room. ‘Leo, go sit with him while Ron gets set up.’ ‘He’s gonna do it.’ ‘Did you think he wouldn’t?’ ‘No. But he’s doing it for him, right?’ Catherine took Leo’s hand in hers. ‘No, he’s doing it for you. He just thinks he’s doing it for him.’ Leo didn’t even pretend to understand Catherine’s comment, but didn’t want to leave Josh alone, so walked into his room. ‘Do you want to see the transfer? I’ll use it to guide me, but it’s exactly what it’ll look like when it’s done.’ Ron had followed Leo’s instruction. The lettering was to be as simple as possible. The easier the design, the quicker it was done. ‘No.’ Josh’s voice sounded loudly in the quiet room. ‘Okay. This’ll just be cold. Try and keep still.’ Josh gasped as the alcohol swab wiped across his bare flesh. He lifted his head slightly, and Leo frowned. ‘It’s not hurting your stomach, laying like this?’ Josh shook his head. ‘No.’ Leo saw Ron opening the packet containing the needle. ‘Okay, lay back down now.’ ‘Catherine?’ Immediately, Catherine got up. ‘What is it Josh?’ ‘Take Leo for a walk.’ Catherine took Leo’s hand, pulling him to his feet. ‘Come on.’ ************** ‘All done. Lay still.’ Josh gasped for breath and relaxed for the first time since the needle had punctured his skin. ‘Look.’ Josh lifted his head slightly and focussed on the Polaroid Ron held up. ‘It’ll look better in a day or two when it’s healed.’ The close-up of the black lettering, small and plain, made him shiver. He was marked. Permanently. As Ron applied a small dressing pad, Josh winced. ‘Where’s Leo?’ Covering Josh with a sheet, Ron opened the bedroom door. ‘All done.’ Leo walked in, sitting on the edge of the bed. ‘I am so proud of you.’ Josh rolled onto his side, handing Leo the photograph. ‘What do you think?’ ‘I think you’re mine.’ He leaned down and kissed Josh gently on his damp forehead. 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