The Politics of the Past

Chapter 2: The Confession

The campaign for Governor Jed Bartlet was a whirlwind. Each day brought new challenges, from fundraising dinners to heated debates over policy and strategy. But through it all, Josh Lyman and Erika Jefferson had to put aside their personal history and focus on getting the job done. Their professional relationship was tense at times—every now and then, a stray comment or look would hint at the shared past they were still trying to navigate. But, for the most part, they kept their heads down, working toward a common goal.

A Week Later - Campaign Office, Washington D.C.

Josh sat at his desk, going over polling numbers, when Erika walked in, holding a stack of papers. He glanced up at her, his brow furrowed.

"You look... serious," he said, not bothering to hide the teasing tone in his voice.

Erika raised an eyebrow. "And you look like you've been staring at those numbers for hours, hoping they'll magically change. They won't."

Josh rolled his eyes but couldn't help the smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, well, if you don't have any good news for me, I might throw this at you."

"I'm not your secretary, Josh," she replied dryly, tossing the papers onto his desk. "We need to talk about strategy for the next debate. You know, the one where Governor Bartlet has to show the public he's a serious contender."

Josh leaned back in his chair, rubbing his hands over his face. "I don't need to be reminded. I've been pacing around this office, reworking the damn thing in my head for hours. But something's not clicking, and I'm running out of time."

Erika crossed her arms and gave him a scrutinizing look. "Well, you're not going to figure it out by brooding. Let's work through it."

As the two of them fell into a familiar rhythm—working side-by-side, throwing out ideas and pushing each other's thinking—it felt almost like nothing had changed. They had always been a powerful team in college. Their chemistry was undeniable, their minds sharp and complementary. But this time, it was different. This time, there was more weight behind every decision, and the stakes were higher.

Erika caught herself watching Josh a little too long, the way his brow furrowed in concentration or how his voice carried that certain tone of passion when he was really fired up. It reminded her of why they had been so drawn to each other in the first place.

Later that Evening — A Bar in Georgetown

After hours of strategizing and planning, the campaign team had decided to take a break. Leo insisted everyone get out of the office for a bit of relaxation, so the group had gathered at a local bar. The mood was light, but for Josh and Erika, the familiar space felt... different. It was hard to ignore the fact that they were back in each other's orbit, and the tension that once existed between them seemed to have evolved into something more complex.

Erika was perched on a stool, nursing her drink, when Josh approached. His gaze was more intense than usual, and she could tell he was about to say something.

"I think we need to talk," he said, his voice low but steady.

She didn't even hesitate. "About what, exactly?" she asked, her expression neutral, though there was an undeniable flicker of curiosity in her eyes.

He hesitated for a moment, studying her face. "About us. About... whatever this is." He gestured vaguely between them, as if it could somehow explain everything.

Erika took a slow sip of her drink, considering his words. "There's no 'us,' Josh," she said flatly. "We're working together. That's all this is."