Title Clubbing Part Eight Josh finished packing, finally resorting to sitting on his suitcase to get it closed. He could see Leo standing outside his room, looking at his watch, impatient to leave. At last, he managed to work out how to get the clasps closed without sliding off the slippery surface and jumped down, dragging the suitcase behind him. ‘Josh, did you leave anything in your closet?’ ‘I wasn’t sure what I’d need, so I decided to bring everything. Well, almost everything.’ ‘I’m not sure Edward’s apartment is big enough for your clothes and the two of us.’ Josh looked down at his bulging case. ‘Should I unpack some of it?’ Leo scowled. ‘No, we’re late enough as it is. The taxi’s probably already downstairs. Come on.’ Getting Edward to agree to let them borrow his apartment for a week had been easy. Getting the time off had been harder. But, as there was no such thing as a ‘good’ week to have off, Bartlet had had just shrugged. ‘Sure. But both of you out in the same week?’ ‘Josh has never been to New York.’ ‘Never?’ Apparently not. So we’re going.’ ‘Where are you staying?’ ‘A friend’s apartment.’ ‘Have a good time.’ Leo smiled. ‘Oh I will.’ ************** In the cab, in the plane, then in the cab in New York, Leo kept up a flow of friendly chat and Josh relaxed, looking forward to the trip and excited when they arrived. When he closed the apartment door, his smile disappeared immediately and he dropped his case on the floor at Josh’s feet. ‘Go unpack. My stuff first, in that room, then yours, in there.’ Leo waved at the two bedrooms. ‘Then find out what we can have for dinner. If we have to eat out, use this map to make reservations somewhere nearby. If there isn’t anywhere decent within walking distance, remember to book a cab.’ He handed Josh a small guidebook to New York which was bulked out by the enormous, neatly folded map glued to the inside back cover of the book. ‘It’s almost six. Don’t book anywhere before nine. We’ll both need to shower and change and I want to have a rest before we leave.’ Josh made a quick mental list of all the things he had to do, then carried the cases into the bedrooms. Leo spent what he judged was enough time in the bathroom showering and shaving to allow Josh to unpack his clothes, then walked into the bedroom, a towel around his waist. Josh was hanging up the last few items of clothing and Leo stood in the doorway, watching Josh, who, intent on his task, was unaware of Leo’s presence and jumped when he was startled by Leo’s voice behind him. ‘Tell me where you’ve put everything.’ Josh pointed as he worked his way round the various closets and drawers. ‘Underwear in there. Sweaters and sweatshirts in there. Shirts, slacks, suits, jeans all in here.’ ‘Okay. Go unpack your own stuff then think about food. I’m getting hungry.’ As he walked out, Leo thought he heard Josh mutter something about how ‘A thank you would be nice’. ‘Get back here.’ Josh stopped and turned. ‘What?’ ‘You did as you were told. That’s good. But if you want praise, you’ll have to earn it kid.’ ‘How about politeness?’ Deliberately misunderstanding, Leo smiled. ‘You’re learning. We’ll work on your manners this week.’ Seeing he wasn’t going to get anywhere, Josh walked into his own room and began to unpack. Leo watched him for a couple of minutes then closed the door and began to get dressed. ************ ‘Do I have to sit on the floor of the restaurant while you eat?’ Josh had managed to find somewhere within only a few minutes walk which seemed to have an extensive menu and reassuringly expensive prices. Josh had made a call to the place and checked both the location and the menu before making the booking. Now he was concerned at how they would handle their first meal out with the new arrangement in place. Leo seemed cross Josh had even asked the question. ‘Of course not. When we’re in public you’ll behave as you always have. With a little more politeness.’ Reassured, Josh walked at Leo’s side as they turned the corner he hoped the restaurant was on. Trying not to let his relief show, Josh relaxed a little as he recognised the name above the door. ‘Okay, it’s across the street.’ ************* Leo skimmed the menu as they stood in the doorway. ‘There isn’t anything with broad beans on.’ ‘What?’ ‘I won’t pick something out for you that you don’t like.’ ‘I don’t get to choose?’ As he asked the question, Josh already knew the answer. ‘No. Come on.’ Josh followed Leo into the restaurant with a sinking feeling. He wished he’d been more detailed in his food likes and dislikes when he had had the chance. It was too late now. He doubted Leo would listen to his list of foods he didn’t like. He also didn’t want to risk making Leo angry before they’d ordered. He could quite imagine Leo getting up and walking out, leaving him hungry. He had no doubt Leo would find something to eat. The restaurant was small, cosy, and fairly quiet. It was out of the main tourist routes, and was mainly the haunt of locals. Leo took the menu Josh had been given as soon as the waiter left them alone and tucked it behind his own. ‘Do you want a beer with your food? They don’t do wine by the glass. Next time, check before you book somewhere or you’ll have to go without alcohol.’ Josh made a mental note, wondering if Leo would allow him to carry some sort of electronic notepad. He decided to make a mental note of that and ask in the morning. The waiter came back to take their order and Leo ordered the same thing for both of them – soup to start, then chicken. The waiter left a basket of breadsticks on the table. Josh pulled one out and began to bite it. ‘Don’t eat too many. I don’t want you leaving your food because you ate the whole basket.' Josh gave Leo a pained look and got a frown in return. ‘You’ll have to make a list of things you can’t eat, and those you just don’t like. You will have to tell me if I make a mistake and order you something you can’t eat. I also do not want a great long list of things you won’t eat. Unless it’s on religious grounds, I expect you to eat most things. Except broad beans, perhaps.’ The waiter cleared away the main course plates and came back with the dessert menus. Leo shook his head slightly. ‘I’m full. Josh?’ Josh wasn’t sure what Leo meant. Was he not supposed to have anything? Was Leo simply asking him if he wanted something? He stared at Leo, waiting for some indication. ‘You can if you have room. I’ll have a coffee. Black, two sugars.’ The waiter nodded, left Josh to choose while he went to fetch Leo’s coffee. Josh handed Leo the menu. ‘I told you, Josh. I don’t want anything.’ ‘But don’t you want to choose mine?’ Leo shook his head. ‘Go ahead. You’ve been well-behaved all day.’ Josh brightened at the praise, deciding on sorbet. He was full, but his sweet tooth wouldn’t let him leave without something to round off the meal. The waiter took his order, returning in a few minutes, bringing Leo a refill at the same time as a huge dish of assorted flavour sorbets. Josh looked dismayed at the amount of dessert in front of him, but began to eat slowly. ‘If you’ve had enough, leave it. I’d only have been cross if you hadn’t finished your main course.’ Relieved, Josh laid the spoon on the plate and sat back. ‘That was really good.’ ‘Yeah. Good choice.’ Smiling, Josh didn’t even think about how quickly he’d come to value Leo’s praise. And resent missing out on it if he made a mistake. ***************** ‘Leo, don’t be cross…’ Leo raised his eyebrows. ‘Kid, I can’t be cross until you tell me whatever it is you've been trying to say since you got up.’ ‘I thought I might get one of those electronic notepad things so I don’t have to remember everything.’ ‘What do you have to remember?’ ‘Things you say.’ Leo smiled. ‘If you want to. We’ll go shopping this morning. You can buy a David Hasselhof Baywatch doll for Donna.’ ‘Here.’ Leo reached into his jacket and handed Josh a tightly-folded wad of money. ‘Get something for everyone. Nothing too tacky, okay? I’ll meet you outside here in a couple of hours.’ Leo saw Josh’s face as he realised how much money there was. ‘Hey kid I wouldn’t have won if you hadn’t distracted the others.’ ‘I was just sitting there.’ ‘Yuh. And they couldn’t wait to get out so they could try it at home.’ Leo laughed at Josh’s wide-eyed surprise. ‘Now get outta here. And don’t be late back.’ ‘Okay. Thanks.’ Leo nodded at the department store. ‘Go on.’ **************** Alone, Josh sat on the floor of the apartment, his new gadget in one hand, the instruction booklet unfolded on the floor beside him. He fitted the batteries and turned it on. Leo had dropped him off, then given the taxi an address and left him with instructions to check the food they had left and buy whatever they were low on. There was a small convenience store at the end of the block which Josh had seen the previous night as they walked to the restaurant. He decided to spend a while working out how his notepad worked, then do the shopping. The sound of the key in the lock surprised him. Looking up, he realised he’d been sitting on the floor for over an hour. He hadn’t given a thought to the shopping. Scrambling to his feet, he ran into the kitchen and pulled open the fridge door. ‘What did you get?’ ‘What?’ ‘Food. What did you buy?’ ‘Um, I haven’t been yet.’ ‘I’ve been almost two hours kid. What have you been doing?’ Leo looked pointedly at the organiser. ‘Did you figure out how it works?’ Thinking he’d been let off, Josh smiled. ‘Yeah, you can…’ Leo put his hand out and Josh handed it over. ‘There’s pen and paper by the phone. You get this back when you learn to prioritise properly.’ ‘I bought you something.’ Leo looked up from his newspaper. ‘When?’ ‘This morning.’ Taking the long thin package from Josh, Leo pointed at the couch. ‘Siddown.’ ‘I’m sorry I didn’t do the shopping.’ Leo sighed. ‘Don’t be sorry kid, be smart. We gotta eat breakfast. You had all afternoon to play with that thing.’ ‘I thought I could use it to make a shopping list.’ ‘Did you?’ Josh stared at the floor. ‘No. I lost track of time.’ Leo got up. ‘You don’t deserve it, but we’re going out. Let’s find you something to wear.’ Remembering, Leo unwrapped the package Josh had given him. The navy blue tie was decorated with a number of tiny embroidered pictures of the Statue of Liberty. Leo smiled. ‘Thanks kid. Now come on.’ He jerked his head towards Josh’s bedroom. ************ ‘Andrew is expecting us. I’m Leo McGarry.’ Leo waited in the entrance of the club. Josh stood at his side, shifting nervously from one foot to the other. The doorman smiled politely. ‘I’ll go see where Mr Barron is Sir. Please, have a seat.’ Leo sat on one of the heavily-upholstered leather seats. ‘Andrew runs a club like ours here in New York.’ Josh looked nervously around the lobby. ‘Just relax kid. No-one expects you to be perfect tonight. Just do as you’re told, you’ll be fine, okay?’ ‘Leo…’ Leo looked up at Josh’s anxious face. ‘I know kid. I haven’t been here before either.’ ‘Yeah, but you’re, you know…known.’ ‘Not in New York. Edward is. I’m a new face, same as you.’ ‘What if I do something wrong?’ ‘Then I’ll tell you.’ ‘I don’t know anyone.’ ‘Andrew’ll make sure you have someone to talk to.’ Slightly reassured, Josh relaxed a little. The people walking around were completely ordinary looking. He wasn’t sure why, but he had imagined he’d be able to tell which role each of them had. After the first few attempts, he gave up. He was much too nervous to concentrate on anything other than the evening ahead. ‘Leo, hi, come on in. There are some people I want you to meet.’ Leo turned. ‘This is Josh.’ Andrew nodded politely. ‘Charles is looking forward to meeting someone from DC. He’s from there. Follow me.’ They walked into the club and Josh realised it was similar to the one in DC. ‘Josh? Hi, I’m Charles. Come and have a drink.’ Josh looked at Leo, who nodded. Josh followed the younger man across the room and perched on a barstool next to him. ‘So how long are you in New York?’ ‘Until Saturday. We fly home Sunday morning.’ ‘What will you have?’ Charles pointed at the extensive range of bottles lined up against the wall. ‘ Josh scanned the labels. ‘Scotch. Ice. Please.’ ‘Sure. So where have you been so far? ‘Shopping on Fifth Avenue. Dinner at a little Italian place round the corner from our apartment.’ ‘Leo has a place here?’ ‘No, it belongs to a friend of ours.’ ‘Have you done the sights?’ ‘We’ve hired a guide for tomorrow.’ ‘You’ll have a great time. So how long have you and Leo been together?’ Josh counted back. ‘Six weeks. You?’ Charles laughed. ‘Sixteen years.’ There was a pause while both men drained their glasses. Josh almost didn’t ask his next question. But he found himself saying the words almost before he could stop himself. ‘Don’t you think it’s a bit stupid? I mean, the whole slave thing? We’re adults.’ Charles seemed more amused than annoyed. ‘You’re still on trial, right?’ Josh nodded. ‘Yeah. We had a hiccup a couple of weeks back, but I’m really trying.’ ‘On your first anniversary, remember asking me that question. And think how you feel then compared with how you feel now, okay?’ ‘Okay.’ 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