#cj x josh

[joshdonnas]

"If he was giving you every opportunity, you'd have grown out of this job three years ago. You can't blame him, he's never gonna find anybody else as capable as you. I wouldn't let you go, either."

No Exit (Season 5, Episode 20) THE WEST WING

[jessbakescakes]

ANNOUNCING: THE WEST WING TROPES FEST 2025: A fandom-wide prompt meme! This is a low-key, low-pressure prompt fest, and sign-ups are open now! More info here, but here's the gist:

Open to all ships, characters, and combinations thereof! Fandom-wide!

Anyone can prompt, regardless of whether you're writing or not.

You can claim as many prompts as you'd like!

Collection will reveal March 1, 2025.

Shout out to M/thefinestmuffins for allowing me to run with our project and make it shiny and new for the fandom this year!

Feel free to DM me with any questions!

[bartletslesbians]

The West Wing + Textposts (5/?)

Feat more of the darling Carol and a sneaky Andy/CJ one

[everythingisawayoflife]

MORE Random West Wing Headcanons bc I said so

i’ve gotten back into the show recently (esp bc i understand all the politics and crap) and i feel the need to talk about my favorite dysfunctional political administration

in the first post i made, i said ainsley and sam dated for two years before breaking up. well that breakup didn’t last very long. a month later, they started dating again. from that point, on they never left each others side. they live in georgetown with a rottweiler and four kids.

after being really involved in solving a finance crisis, josh was invited to throw the first pitch at the Mets game. when the camera zoomed in on him, he was visibly emotional.

donna was over at josh’s apartment so much during his recovery period, they’ve begun to have weekly movie nights. they continue this tradition even after marriage and kids.

josh and donna’s house has a wall in the hallway of their house when you first enter that is covered with their kids’ handprints - at first, it was just their oldest being naughty but they let it grow into the Moss-Lyman art exhibit. even sam and ainsley’s kids, and toby and andy’s kids have added their prints to the wall

there’s a weekend every summer where all of senior staff and their families come up to Manchester and stay on the Bartlet Farm at Abbey’s insistence - she wears the title of “Grandma Abbey” proudly

at the inaugural ball (aka s4 josh & donna), josh and donna spend so much time together that a lot of the people there going to congratulate josh on getting bartlet’s second term mistake josh and donna for husband and wife - as a joke, donna and josh let people believe it

^^they end up getting quite the talking to from abbey - because she’s mad they didn’t tell her first (and cj, who has to field press questions the next day and they almost caused a domestic incident)

as an april fools day prank, zoey and charlie covered bartlet’s walls in the oval office with sticky notes - sam helped and wrote a “your mama” joke in latin as payback for bartlet having fun with the staff

josh has a terrible habit of biting the skin around his nails until they bleed - he doesn’t realize how bad it is until he turns some papers into the president with large drops of blood on them - donna keeps spare bandaids at her desk

toby likes to have a little fun with donna and say things to deliberately get a reaction out of her - some are truths, some are lies. one truth is that he likes beans on toast. donna called him clinically insane.

leo really likes musicals. can he sing? hardly ever. but on days he finds he needs to relax, he puts on the original cast recording of oklahoma and everything turns out okay

donna unofficially adopts a sickly kitten that lived in the trash near her apartment - she names it Brownie and nurses it back to health

^^Josh is allergic to Brownie but doesn’t say a word to Donna until after they’ve been married and had kids when they reach the age where they start asking for pets

Donna is sort of a multiple-threat kind of girl - she was an excitable kid so she grew up knowing how to do all kinds of things - these things are tap dance for seven years, karate for two years, horseback riding has been the only constant in her life, she can knit and sew, and she even speaks a little french - josh LOVES it when Donna speaks french

josh is always cold, he’s never run warm. donna knit a blanket for him as a birthday present. he’s never said anything but it’s one his favorite things in the whole world

donna actually likes hearing some of the president’s obscure historical tidbits - she even goes so far as to learning some of her own to exchange with him

toby visits the veteran’s grave that he buried every year and even talks to him a little while he’s there

it took a solid 20 minutes after donna had their first kid to let someone else hold him besides josh. the third person to hold their kid was bartlet.

^^^donna has never seen josh more in love than when he held their kid for the first time. cj took a photo of josh gazing at the little baby swaddled in blue clothing with visible tears streaking down his face. it’s one of donna’s favorite photos.

Sam is really good at hockey. He takes his kids to hockey games whenever he can.

[p3ppermnt]

I’m cringe but I’m free (and CJosh is real)

[lassie-farce]

sam, josh, cj and toby sharing one hotel room in California 47th (s4 e16) is very polycule of them and i highly approve

[starship21zedna9]

I've started watching The West Wing for the first time since it aired. And I was in grade school when that show started. I always shipped Josh and Donna but Josh and Sam didn't occur to my young, foolish mind. Totally seeing it now though. And it doesn't take away from Josh and Donna. Josh has two hands etc. etc.

Also seeing some crazy tension between CJ and Toby that I definitely didn't notice when I was 8.

[fadeouttowhispers]

Fandom: The West Wing Relationship(s): CJ/Danny, CJ & Josh, Josh & Danny Word Count: 12,100 words Rating: G/T Genre/Tags: Season 4, Kiss of Distraction, UST, Emotional Hurt, Ambiguous Relationships, Longing, Mutual Pining Summary: “You don’t have to be so… intense about this,” CJ murmured, her tone bordering on playful, almost mocking, which bothered him. When her long fingers slipped to rest on his chest, running over his suspenders, his head began to blare Danger, but he was not moving. The worst part was that she could surely tell his heart was racing from her closeness—and she had him exactly where she wanted. Written for the TBW 2024 Holiday Exchange.  Originally Posted: 31 December 2024

[my-head-is-an-animal]

What She Deserves

Toby Ziegler x OFC (Kaitlin Stone)

Rating/Warnings: Implied Domestic/Sexual Abuse, Some Depictions of Violence, Smut 18+

Summary: Kaitlin Stone works with CJ, Toby has loved her for eight years, since the beginning of the campaign trail. Kaitlin's abusive boyfriend is the only thing standing in his way from getting what he wants and giving her what she deserves.

Chapter 14

Finally, I was able to go back to work. Nearly three months away from the White House and I was glad to be going back and finally getting my life back on track.

     People were kind, they were busy and getting on with their days quickly, but they all welcomed me back with smiles and kind words.

     I made it to my office and a vase with flowers was sitting in amongst papers and documents I presumably needed to get through. I placed my crutches to one side, hanging my coat up just next to them.

     There was a note sitting on top and I wondered who would have gone to the trouble of sending flowers at all.

     “Kaitlin, welcome back! Gimmie a call if you need anything. And I mean that. Jed.”

     ‘Hey.’

     I turned to see Josh gently knocking on my door.

     ‘Oh hey Josh.’ I smiled.

     ‘Welcome back.’

     ‘Thank you.’

     ‘Who are they from?’ He pointed to the case of bright pink flowers.

     ‘The President.’ I chuckled, not really believing I would be worth a vase of flowers. ‘Anyway, it was very kind of him. What can I do for you?’

     ‘Nothing.’ Josh shook his head. ‘I just stopped by to say welcome back. We’ve missed you around here.’

     Josh gave a brief nod and left me to work.

     The rest of the day was much the same. Ashley kept the work light enough that I wouldn’t have to leave my office too many times, but sometimes delivering my own message was exactly what I needed. Everyone stopped by to say welcome back, everyone except Toby who had been stuck in a meeting with some difficult congressmen all day. I didn’t mind, but as the day began winding down, I was grateful when he finally did stop by.

     ‘Hey.’ He stepped in as I was starting to pack up.

     ‘Toby.’ I smiled. ‘You finally got out of the meeting then?’

     ‘Yeah.’

     ‘How did it go?’ I frowned, clearly not well, but he seemed especially down about it.

     ‘I don’t wanna talk about it just yet.’

     ‘That bad?’

     ‘Yeah.’ He said, taking a seat and running his hand over his face. ‘Tell me about your day?’

     ‘It was good.’ I nodded, still smiling. ‘Everyone’s been very kind, and the President sent flowers.’ I chuckled.

     ‘That was good of him.’ He remarked.

     ‘Yeah, I don’t know the last time anyone got me flowers.’ I shook my head still chuckling.

     ‘I went back and forth when you were in the hospital.’ He suddenly admitted. ‘But I didn’t know if you even liked them.’

     ‘Oh, it’s okay, I wouldn’t be able to keep them alive anyway.’ I waved the gesture away. ‘It’s the thought that counts.’

     ‘Yeah.’

     Toby was quiet for a while. I spoke with Ashley about getting some prep work for the following day ready, while Toby sat in my office thinking. I didn’t want to disturb him, but there was something I wanted to tell him. Now was as good a time as any.

     I closed the door behind me and placed my crutches in the corner again. Toby’s eyes slowly dragged up to mine.

     ‘I wanted to say something to you.’ I said, watching him sit up a little straighter and give me his attention. I swallowed nervously. ‘I…’ I hated that my courage was faltering. ‘I just wanted to say… thank you for saving my life.’

     Somehow my courage had completely fallen away, and I was basically whispering by the end. Why did I even open my mouth?

     I felt Toby stand up and take a couple of steps towards me. We were quiet for a while.

     ‘Will you look at me?’ He asked, softly. I just about managed to bring my gaze up. It made him smile and I was still struggling with why. ‘You never have to thank me for that. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.’

     I wasn’t sure what to say, but I knew what I wanted to do; however, Toby beat me to it.

     ‘Can I hug you?’ He asked it so sincerely, like if the answer was no or I hesitated then it really was fine.

     ‘Yeah.’ I breathed.

     Slowly and with all the care he could muster, Toby took another step towards me. His hands carefully wrapped around my waist as mine went around his shoulders. He was warm and gentle, and I wanted to cry, I hadn’t felt so cared for in such a long time.

     ‘Are you okay?’ He whispered next to my ear, I couldn’t help but let a couple of tears go.

     ‘Yeah, Toby.’ I half laughed. ‘I’m happy here.’

     I felt him smiling into my shoulder. ‘Good.’ He hummed.

     I have no idea how long we stood in my office just holding each other, but I could have fallen asleep, he was just so soft and warm and safe. He was the polar opposite of Dan in every single way, and I was so happy when I was with him.

     We probably would have stayed like that forever, had someone not knocked at my door, breaking the warm bliss we were in.

     Toby slowly pulled back, his hands resting lightly on my waist. He smiled again and stepped away.

     ‘Yeah?’ I called, seeing Ashley come around the door with a few things for me to look at.

     Toby had left without me noticing, but I could still feel him wrapped around me and it still made me happy.

Toby’s head was in a tailspin. He hadn’t even realised it until that moment, but he’d never hugged Kaitlin before, in fact, he was almost certain he’d never touched her before, aside from an unintentional graze when they were sitting beside each other.

     Holding her was perfect. She was perfect. Her body in his hands, her beautiful figure pressed against him, her steady breathing next to his ear. It was peace like he’d never known.

     Toby wasn’t even thinking that hard on her words, she’d thanked him for saving her life, but the horror of the state he’d found her in still haunted him. When he was having a particularly bad day, he could still feel the blood on his hands.

     Toby was glad she’d signed the paperwork and was going ahead with pressing charges. He would help her in anyway he could, but he was aware that she would have to do most of this on her own.

If you liked this, please consider supporting me ☕ thanks for reading!

Masterlist

[jrueships]

so lame

[unseenacademic]

Anything Else I Need to Know

Summary: Five times the staff of Bartlet for America interrupted a barbecuing session and one time CJ interrupted a different kind of session. Inspired by CJ’s quote from “The Fall’s Gonna Kill You” (2 x 20):

“During the campaign, we were in Manhattan, Kansas, at a Sheraton, or a Marriott, I can't remember, but we were in Manhattan, Kansas... And I came to your suite early to tell you we'd be doing Nightline that night and we had to get to an ABC affiliate. And I think by then the two of you were so used to people walking in and out of your room that you didn't hear me open the door. And I was almost sure I saw you giving the President an injection of something.”

It got me thinking, what other things did the poor staffers see while campaigning?

[futurefemalepolitician]

does anyone know where to find the west wing logoless or a scene pack acc, I want to start editing for the fandom but have had zero luck finding scenes

[onekisstotakewithme]

having feelings about Josh and CJ both having tunnel vision during the transition stage between administrations, and both Danny and Donna use the same talking points on them.

[twwpress]

Weekly Press Briefing #72: November 5th - 11th

Welcome back to the Weekly Press Briefing, where we bring you highlights from The West Wing fandom each week, including new fics, ongoing challenges, and more! This briefing covers all things posted from November 5 - 11, 2023! Did we miss something? Let us know; you can find our contact info at the bottom of this briefing! 

Challenges/Prompts:

There are no open challenges/prompts that we know of this week. Do you have a challenge or event you’d like us to promote or know of one we’re missing? Be sure to get in touch with us! Contact info is at the bottom of this briefing.

This Week in Canon:

Welcome back to This Week in Canon, where we revisit moments in The West Wing that occurred on these dates during the show’s run.

Season 1, Episode 7: The State Dinner aired on November 10, 1999.

Season 2, Episode 6: The Lame Duck Congress aired on November 8, 2000.

Season 3, Episode 5: War Crimes aired on November 7, 2001.

Season 4, Episode 7: Election Night aired on November 6, 2002.

Season 5, Episode 6: Disaster Relief aired on November 5, 2003.

Season 6, Episode 4: Liftoff aired on November 10, 2004.

Season 7, Episode 7: Live Debate Episode aired on November 6, 2005.

Photos/Videos:

Here’s what was posted from November 5 - November 11:

Allison Janney posted a reel of Christopher Walken dancing (from a Fatboy Slim video) along with a message celebrating the end of the SAG-AFTRA strike.

Amy Landecker posted photos of herself, Brad, and their former Transparent castmate Paula Newsome at the opening night of Alex Edelman’s show Just For Us. 

Bradley Whitord posted a promo image for Alex Edelman’s show Just For Us along with glowing praise. 

Dule Hill posted an announcement and celebration post about the SAG-AFTRA strike being over. 

Dule Hill posted a video of himself tap dancing on the helipad on the roof of the St. Regis Mexico City. 

Janel Moloney posted a photo of her beagle Ollie curled up on an outfit she had laid out. 

Mary McCormack posted a photo of herself limbering up before a day of walking the picket line, a photo of herself walking with her “WB warriors” Ever Carradine and Elizabeth Wachsberg, and a photo of herself with her “union strong sisters” (including Allison Janney) along with a message of solidarity. 

Peter James Smith posted photos from backstage/behind the scenes on Upload (3rd season now streaming on Amazon Prime): 1 | 2 | 3 

Donna Moss Daily: November 5 | November 6 | November 7 | November 8 | November 9 | November 10 | November 11

Daily Josh Lyman: November 5 | November 6 | November 7 | November 8 | November 9 | November 10 | November 11

No Context BWhit: November 5 | November 6 | November 7 | November 8 | November 10 | November 11

@twwarchive: November 9 

Edits/Artwork:

#ABBEYBARTLET: showing a little décolletage… by @livsbenson [VIDEO EDIT]  season 2 joshdonna you were everything to me!! by @nacejisbon [VIDEO EDIT]

Editors’ Choice: 

We are taking a week off and will be back with fresh recommendations next time! 

Fics:

Presenting your weekly roundup of fics posted in the tag for The West Wing on Archive of Our Own. 

Josh/Donna

Errors and Omissions by Chinesepapercut | Rated M | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress

Domestic Days by spooky_spacegirl | Rated G | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress

Come Back, Be Here by MatthewsMary | Rated E | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete [Editor’s Note: While this fic is listed on AO3 as complete, it has continued to update and appears to be a WIP]

On the Trail by Tyrols | Rated G | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress

it’s tough to feign indifference, baby by coldswaters | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete 

Other Pairings/Gen Fic

Getting Both by E_Rocc | Rated G | Christopher Mulready, Roy Ashland, Jed Bartlet (No Pairings Listed) | Complete

it started off with a kiss... now it ended up like this by imawkwardlysoc | Rated G | Sam Seaborn/Original Female Character | In Progress

right or wrong by helsinkibaby | Rated G | Ainsley Hayes/Leo McGarry | Complete

The Language of Tomorrow by silasfinch for justdreaming88 | Rated T | Ellie Bartlet/Original Female Character(s) | In Progress

PA Stories by pipisafoat | Rated T | Josh Lyman (No Pairings Listed) | In Progress

Two For the Road by onekisstotakewithme for miabicicletta, Luppiters, daylight_angel | Rated G | C.J. Cregg & Toby Ziegler (No Pairings Listed) | Complete

Breathe by GlitteringNiffler | Rated T | Abbey Bartlet/Jed Bartlet | Complete

The Vice Presidency  by pipisafoat | Rated G | Leo McGarry/Original Female Character(s) | Complete

Come Apart by krazykitkat | Rated M | Danny Concannon/C. J. Cregg | Complete

Multiple Pairings

War & Peace by miabicicletta for krazykitkat, onekisstotakewithme | Rated T | Danny Concannon/C. J. Cregg, Josh Lyman/Donna Moss, Andrea Wyatt/Toby Ziegler, Abbey Bartlet/Jed Bartlet | In Progress 

THE WEEKLY PRESS BRIEFING TEAM CAN BE REACHED VIA THE FOLLOWING METHODS:

Twitter: @TWWPress

Email: weeklypressbriefing@gmail.com

Feel free to let us know if we missed something, if you have an event you’d like us to promote, or if you have an item that you’d like included in the next briefing!

xx, What’s next?

[1jemmagirl22]

You know, going into Season 6 of The West Wing was like this eternal pile of fear and anxiety at what I knew was to come as the devoted Josh x Donna shipper I am. The beginning, not as bad as I thought, even better in fact. Then I get to episode 5, episode 5 is where it all goes down hill.

Cause, you see, the other thing I went in to season 6 with was, the White House can’t possibly be treating Josh as badly as the dozens of Josh and Donna fan fictions I’ve read imply. I just finished episode 8, and I can say with absolute certainty, the hate on Josh by everyone around him is so much worse than what I imagined. 

When I say everyone, I mean everyone but Donna, and even she’s about to pull one big bad punch at him (Not that she does not deserve the freedom she’s about to get and my feminist ass doesn’t love her for it, but my gods I’ll hate her for like two episodes because Josh’s pain will haunt me!), has just hit him again and again and again for no reason. CJ has become, quite honestly, someone I really hate, whenever she’s in a scene with Josh, and I know, I know it’s only going to get worse but seriously why was everyone so cruel to him?

Leo and Donna make sense. Leo is pushing him to find a candidate, Donna is feeling with PTSD and self confidence issues, but everyone else? The only person I kind of give a pass to is Toby, he’s probably about as pissed as Josh, but it’s his default so okay. But CJ? Will? The President? They are all tearing at him every chance they get and my gods its maddening. 

I know it gets worse, and I’m probably going to rant about it tomorrow, or later today depending on my never, but my gods I’m loosing it already how am I going to make it to season 7? How am I going to make it past the immense hardship poor darling Josh is hitting soon?!

Can anyone who’s managed to make it through this torturous section of this amazing show tell me your secret so I can make it through?

[imawkwardlysoc]

i may or may not have forgotten to upload the links to the new chapters and posted them... but hey! chapters 23-30 are out now!