Remembering How To Laugh (Prompt 4, Josh Lyman)

[callmedirk.livejournal.com]

Title: Remembering How To Laugh
Author: Sara callmedirk
Rating: G
fic_variations Prompt/Claim: Laugh/Laughter//Josh Lyman
Words: 264
Spoilers: Um. In The Shadow of Two Gunmen Pts 1 and 2.
Warnings: None.
Author's Notes: Am trying to get ahead of my brain and pound 10 fics out this round. Forgive my rambling. And forgive the goofily written Josh. I'm just now trying to get him into my writing brain. Heh. I'll try to get better. Seriously.



Laughter had filled the room the day of the Illinois Primary. Governor Bartlet had just taken the state, and amidst the cheers and peals of laughter coming from the entire staff, Donna stood at the door. Josh was beaming as Leo grabbed him into a tight hug, and Josh remembered yelling something about crappy music and that the Doobie Brothers needed to be brought in.

Sam and CJ were doing a poor imitation of the robot in the middle of the room, and Leo was grinning more than they had ever seen him grin before. Even Toby was beaming, rubbing a hand over his forehead.

Josh could still hear the laughter of his friends and colleagues echoing in his ears as he sat at the airport, backpack clutched in his hands. Not two hours earlier, Donna had interrupted the joyful night by telling Josh his father had died. He'd stopped smiling immediately, feeling his heart sink to his stomach. He swallowed and nodded, the numbness filling him.

Josh hadn't laughed for a week, knowing he had to mourn properly. But now, sitting once again in the Bartlet for America campaign office and hearing CJ's infectious giggle made him smile a bit, his own laughter bubbling in his throat.

Jed Bartlet laid a gentle hand on Josh's shoulder and leaned close.

"He'd want you to laugh, Josh," he said softly. "Do it for him,"

Josh nodded and finally allowed himself a quiet chuckle, remembering his father's rich laugh. He had to move on and laugh again, for his father's sake, as well as his own.