"Are you okay?" she gets asked for maybe the ninetieth time since last night, and she just smiles. She's tired and her ankle hurts like hell because the morning's painkillers haven't quite kicked in yet. She took the day off from work but she couldn't stay in bed too long. So she called a friend to take her out to brunch.

She has a doctor for a boyfriend, so all her friends are doctors and nurses, too. Donna doesn't really mind. They're all nice enough, especially the nurses. She doesn't feel as uncomfortable around them anymore.

"It's good to see you again," Dorothy says. Donna keeps the smile plastered on her face and doesn't say a word. The waiter hands them both menus. "I should've called when Matt said you were back."

"Or somewhere in the two weeks between then and now," Donna offers in a tone lively enough to not kill the conversation before it starts.

"True," Dorothy chuckles. "So, tell me all about your adventures across America."

Donna laughs and talks about driving from Wisconsin to New Hampshire. She describes Josh and the campaign staff, South Carolina, Governor Bartlet. They're magical words, captivating, and she almost can't believe they're a distant memory. But she's here with Matt now, and she's happier. She's just had an accident and she's still happy. That's definitely something.

"This Josh guy sounds like he's really something," Dorothy says.

Donna's eyes tear away for just a second and she involuntarily conjures up an image of his face. "He is."

"Any chance you can set me up with him?"

Donna laughs.

"Guy like that," she says the words like they're syrup, "Probably takes you out to decent places."

"Maybe," Donna says. Dorothy shrugs. Donna doesn't quite recognize that look anymore. Three months away made her forget. "What happened last night? Some hideous bar experience you're trying to keep a secret?"

"No, actually, it was dull as hell. Lizzie and some new guy did nothing but sit in a booth and make out, John and Teddy played darts all evening, and Matt only had one drink before he had to dash off and rescue you."

Donna's almost speechless for a second. "He went?"

"Yeah, he stopped and had one drink, and then his pager went off, I think, and he made a phone call, and said you were in an accident and took off in a big hurry."

Donna feels the rage throbbing in her head. She gets up as the waiter comes to take their orders. She hears many hours of excuses and apologies while she stuffs her possessions into bags and boxes. Some are kind and begging, others rude and patronizing.

But at that diner, a hundred yards from the hospital, she already did the math and realized she had just enough money left for the plane ticket to catch up with the campaign. And the more he talks, the more she knows that that's just where she wants to be. So she goes.