Title – Clubbing Part Four ‘Can we Leo, please?’ As they walked past the pet shop, Josh had stopped and was staring at the brightly-coloured fish in the large tanks he could see through the window. They had agreed Josh could have a low-maintenance pet, and, talking to people at work, he’d settled on fish. It was no coincidence he’d dragged Leo down the small alleyway to a shop several people had recommended. ‘I’m not getting stuck with cleaning them out and stuff. You want them, you take responsibility for them, okay?’ ‘Okay.’ Josh was already half-way inside the shop doorway before Leo finished speaking. The shop owner was knowledgeable and talked to Josh at length about which type of tank and fish would best suit his lifestyle. Reluctantly, Josh admitted that he probably didn’t have the time for a large tropical tank and settled for a medium-sized coldwater tank, suitable for about half a dozen fish. The tank and fish were the tip of the iceberg, Leo soon discovered. Pumps, lights, filters, foods, tank accessories, the shop owner went through them all. Leo ended up sitting at the back of the shop flicking through the day’s newspaper, waiting for Josh. ‘Leo, can you carry some of this?’ Leo looked in dismay at the pile of stuff on the shop counter then stared at the total on the electronic cash register’s display. Frowning, he pulled out his wallet. ‘Josh, you didn’t buy a shark or anything, did ya?’ Josh followed Leo’s gaze and saw the final cost of the items the man had told him he couldn’t do without. ‘Hey, is all this really necessary?’ ‘Yeah. And you’ll be back in a month or so for some more stuff, I guarantee it. It’s an all-consuming hobby.’ ‘Money consuming, you mean.’ Leo said sarcastically. ‘If something’s worth doing…’ Leo raised his eyebrows as he handed over his credit card. ‘Whatever.’ Josh put down the tank he had been trying to work out how to carry comfortably. ‘Leo, you don’t have to…’ Leo shook his head only slightly, and Josh stopped in mid-sentence. The man hadn’t noticed the exchange, and began to explain how Josh should set up the tank. ‘You can come back next week and get the fish. I’ll give you a voucher for 10% off if you buy them here.’ ‘Fish are extra?’ Leo couldn’t believe what he was hearing. The man nodded. ‘Yeah. Tank needs to settle for a week before you put the fish in.’ Leo put up his hands, pushed his credit card back into his wallet, and began to gather up the bagged up boxes covering the counter, shaking his head. *********** Leo looked into Josh’s room as he walked past on his way to the kitchen. Josh was unpacking everything he’d bought, putting things into the tank only to move them around a few seconds later. Smiling, Leo shook his head and went into the kitchen to prepare the dinner. ‘Josh, come eat.’ ‘Just a second.’ A little more firmly, Leo called: ‘Now Josh.’ Josh stood in the doorway and called across: ‘Come and see what you think.’ Leo got up and walked into Josh’s room. He had to admit the tank did look good. Even without any fish in it. ‘It’s nice Josh, now wash up for dinner.’ ************* Although he’d found it initially difficult, being at work with Leo, Josh began to relax in the second week, and didn’t worry so much about making a slip. On the Friday night, he was dying to tell someone about his fish tank which he was going to stock with fish the following day, but he couldn’t. Not without anyone he told wondering why he had set it up at Leo’s apartment. As they sat at the kitchen table, each working on the file of folders in front of them, Leo finally gave in to his concern. ‘Josh, what’s up?’ ‘I’m getting my fish tomorrow.’ Leo frowned. ‘I thought you’d be looking forward to it.’ ‘I am.’ ‘But?’ ‘I can’t tell anyone.’ Leo had been concerned Josh wasn’t feeling well. He was relieved that he had been wrong, and smiled. ‘How about if I ask Edward if David could come over?’ Josh brightened immediately. ‘D’you think he’d let him?’ ‘Probably. If I stayed home this time.’ Josh dropped his head, staring at the table. ‘I told you I was sorry about that.’ ‘Josh, you can’t choose to obey only those rules you like. David said he told you very clearly he couldn’t leave the apartment.’ ‘Yeah.’ ‘Yet you went anyway.’ ‘He didn’t have to come.’ ‘Josh, David would walk into a wall if you told him to. He’s been a sub too long to question someone’s instruction. Josh looked up then, his eyes challenging. ‘Is that how you want me to be?’ ‘No Josh. But it’s how Edward likes David to be.’ ‘Are you coming with me tomorrow?’ ‘Do you want me to?’ ‘Yes.’ Seeing Leo’s slight frown, Josh added quickly: ‘Please Leo.’ His frown softening, Leo looked from the pile of work he’d bought home to Josh’s pleading face. ‘Okay. But we just get the fish and get out. We were in there for hours last week.’ Josh smiled. ‘Okay.’ ************* Sunday They had only been home a little after their weekly shop while when the doorbell chimed. Josh opened the door and smiled when he saw Leo had apparently convinced Edward to let David come over. ‘Hi Josh.’ ‘David. Come on in.’ As they walked through the sitting room, heading for Josh’s room, Leo looked up from the crossword. ‘David.’ ‘Leo.’ ‘Where’s Edward?’ ‘Just parking the car. He’ll be right up.’ The two men were almost at the end of their closely-fought chess game when they heard laughter from Josh’s room. They looked up and Leo called through: ‘You two keep it down, okay? We’re trying to concentrate out here.’ Josh appeared in the doorway. ‘Sorry Leo.’ ‘Lunch Leo? It’s the least I can do to make up for winning. Close game though, could have gone either way.’ ‘Yeah.’ Leo agreed. ‘Do you have a favourite place?’ ‘Yes. A little Italian place. The owner had a few money troubles a while back. I bought it, and he gives me a discount. He wanted to offer me free food, but I told him it didn’t make sound economic sense. David likes Italian too, so we try to go about once a month. Haven’t managed it for weeks, what with work and everything. What do you say?’ ‘Sounds fine.’ Leo turned and called through the half-open door: ‘Josh, David, we’re going to eat. Give the fish some peace and quiet.’ ************* ‘This is great food.’ Edward smiled. ‘I’m glad you like it Josh. So how are you two getting along?’ Josh looked at Leo, uncertain how to respond. Leo shrugged. ‘You can be honest Josh. I won’t be angry.’ Josh sighed. ‘It’s harder than I thought it would be.’ Edward frowned. ‘Specifically?’ ‘I don’t get to stay up late much any more.’ ‘And?’ ‘All my clothes are different.’ Edward had to work hard not to laugh. ‘So you’re less tired and dressing better? Yeah, it must be tough.’ Josh laughed in spite of himself, and David joined in. Only Leo didn’t seem to find Josh’s comments amusing. ‘Is there anything you actually like about our arrangement?’ He snapped. Immediately Josh realised he’d upset Leo and began to backtrack. ‘Leo, I didn’t mean…I mean…it’s just…’ Floundering, he was grateful when Edward interrupted. ‘Leo, give the kid a break. He’ll settle to it. Right, Josh?’ Josh looked nervously at Leo, who was still not looking at him. ‘I’m trying Sir.’ Leo said nothing on the drive home, and Josh was grateful when he stopped the car and he could at last get away from the anger radiating from the drivers’ seat. ************* ‘Leo, what did I do? You’re angry with me, and I don’t know why.’ ‘Forget it kid.’ Knowing it was probably a dangerous thing to do, Josh pulled Leo’s newspaper from his grip and held it tightly. ‘No Leo. Tell me.’ Angrily, Leo’s eyes went from his newspaper, crumpled in Josh’s tight grip, to Josh’s face, his eyes betraying his nervousness. ‘Edward asked you how we were getting along. He did not ask you to critique my rules.’ ‘That’s what you’re angry about?’ Josh seemed genuinely lost. ‘Watch TV in your room until dinner’s ready Josh.’ Josh was upset at Leo’s reaction to his mistake. Which had been accidental. ‘You said you wouldn’t be angry, and then you were, and you still are. I didn’t do it deliberately. I’m sorry.’ Ignoring him, Leo hissed: ‘Did you hear me?’ Deciding he wasn’t going to get anywhere, Josh dropped Leo’s paper to the floor and went to his room, slamming the door. Leo sighed, retrieved his paper, and decided he wouldn’t bother opening Josh’s door. ************ Monday ‘Donna, where’s Josh?’ ‘He said he had a meeting Leo. I don’t have a note of it, so I don’t know who it’s with.’ Sighing, Leo walked into Margaret’s office. ‘Cancel my four o’clock. If I’m not back by six, go home.’ ‘Is everything all right Leo?’ Margaret’s usual concern for Leo’s well-being was compounded by his sudden alteration to his afternoon. ‘Yeah. I’ll see ya later, okay?’ ************ Packing hadn’t taken Josh long. Very little was actually his. He sat for several minutes staring at the fish. He’d miss them. But he was hurt by Leo’s reaction to his mistake, and he had been all but ignored all day. He was writing a note about their feeding when he heard a key scrape in the front door lock. Picking up his backpack and holdall, Josh got as far as the bedroom doorway before he saw Leo’s concerned face. ‘Josh?’ ‘It’s okay. I’m packed.’ Leo’s concern hardened a little when he realised Josh was leaving. ‘Where are you going?’ ‘I’ll probably check into a hotel. Is there someone in my apartment?’ ‘Yeah.’ Leo nodded. He couldn’t help the edge to his voice. ‘I’ll get them to move out tomorrow.’ Josh put his hand on the front door. Then he turned back. ‘You don’t even care that I’m going, do you?’ ‘What?’ A little less loudly, and with an edge of nervousness, Josh snapped: ‘I’m moving out and you don’t care.’ ‘Josh, I told you. You’re free to leave any time in the first month.’ Josh nodded. ‘Yeah.’ Later, Leo realised Josh had left his ring. ************ Maintaining their working relationship after what had happened proved harder than they imagined. Josh was still sulking several days on, and Leo was still angry that Josh had given up so quickly, and over such a stupid thing. And he was left with the fish. ************* They had an opportunity to be alone in Leo’s office on the Friday afternoon, and Leo looked up from the briefing they were both working on. ‘You should come and take the fish back to your apartment. I told you I wouldn’t look after them.’ Josh shrugged. ‘Fine. I’ll come over tonight.’ ‘Was your apartment okay?’ ‘Yeah. Clean. It even smelled nice.’ Leo half-smiled. ‘It must have been quite a shock.’ ‘It’s small, compared to your place.’ Leo nodded. ‘Yeah.’ Wanting to apologise, Josh said quietly: ‘I’m sorry I upset you.’ ‘Forget it. It’s done now.’ ‘I didn’t mean to.’ ‘I know kid. Forget it.’ 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