Title: Peripheral Vision

Author: Tinkerbell99

Rating: T

Disclaimer: The characters are not my creation, they belong to someone else.

Summary: And so it was that Donna joined the campaign, but what else happened that day? Told through the voices of those on the outside of the main event.

Final Chapter: On the Periphery

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"My fellow Americans…"

The rally is an exhibit of American patriotism at its best. Those observing it would see an energetic, enthusiastic, intelligent candidate ready to lead. They would see red, white, and blue, hear the shouts and chants of supporters.

"Today, I met a man. I sat in his kitchen and I heard his story…"

But if one were to look away for a moment, they might find the edges of the stage. The sidelines here are filled with players, not in the forefront, but in the background…on the periphery.

"A man forgotten by America as it is, but not by America as it should be…"

To the side of the stage is a tall brunette holding a stepstool. She clutches the arm of a shorter balding man holding a clipboard. They exchange a glance, a silent nod, and an almost imperceptible smile of pride and commitment.

"Let us not forget not only the past, but also the unseen present…"

The balding man turns to a younger man with dark hair and hands him a yellow notepad and a pen. He begins to lecture the young man, gesturing to the legal pad, then swatting at wires from a nearby speaker. The younger man seems amused, then starts nodding in earnest as the older man begins to point frantically at him with the pen.

"To turn away from the familiar, to observe what is so often unnoticed…"

In the shadow of the lights, a tall redhead is trying in vain to hand a shorter, older man a selection of what appear to be fitness pamphlets. He throws his hands in the air in frustration and stalks over to a trash can. Tossing in the pamphlets, he walks away. One need not look hard to see the grin he fails to suppress. The redhead looks slyly around, then stealthily removes the trash can from its current location and carries it away.

"In a nation of many, we shall not forget the few. In a time of struggle, we shall not forget the promise. In a world of singular focus, we shall not forget the periphery…"

Near the lower corner of the stage, there's a glimpse of shiny blonde hair. A young woman carrying a clipboard and wearing a "Bartlet for America" button makes her way through the crowd. There's an appearance of pride and an edge of awe in her eyes. Perhaps the most intriguing part of this scene would be the man standing slightly to the side, watching his new assistant with amusement, respect, and a light in his eyes.

"We shall not forget the promise of a new beginning…"

All this, and more, if only one would observe the periphery.

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A/N: Thanks for reading! (About time I finished this.) Not quite the ending I'd envisioned, but I guess that happens sometimes and I think I kind of like it after all. Hope you enjoyed!