Summary: Future-fic; knowing your teacher doesn't mean special privileges, more like the opposite.

Author's Note; inspired by a review from kcat1971 of one of my other stories, so it has a similar premise...

Disclaimer: The Author does not own "The West Wing" or any associated characters and situations, using them for entertainment purposes without permission or intent to profit. Please be upstanding for Big Block of Cheese Day.

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"Professor Lyman"
By J.T. Magnus, 'Turbo'

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There had been a cartoon on cable shortly before President Bartlet's first term in the White House that had a memorable catchphrase for the main character; 'today is a great day... for science!' While he was most definately no scientist, Josh Lyman perfectly understood the sentiment of waking up and feeling great, excited to spend a day doing something that was loved. There had been a time in his life when that had been politics and, to a degree, it still was; but he wasn't involved the same way he had been when he was younger - watching as Leo McGarry destroyed his marriage, his health and most of his friendships so that he could keep playing the political game had been the ultimate lesson Josh had needed in knowing that there was a time to get out of the District. Now Josh preferred to play politics from a more distant position; instead of directly taking part himself, he was in a place where he could shape and guide the political players of the future. He doubted almost anyone could have expected years ago when he'd been part of the White House Senior Staff that one day he'd become a Professor of Political Science at Georgetown; Senator or Congressman, yes, even Governor if anyone had been asked, but never Professor.

There was, actually, a Senator Moss; and the truth was that even Josh would admit she was better for the position than he would have been. It was like President Bartlet had once told him, Josh preferred being the man behind the man - or woman. Maybe he was no-longer able to spearhead the push to get a bill passed or a candidate elected, but he liked where he was; making sure people understood the intricacies of the American political system and knew what they were getting into before they became involved in politics themselves. Besides, he was horrible at apologising, even more when it was for other people, he didn't have the same knack that Donna had when they were in the White House.

What he did have was a new semester, a new class, and proof that the world thought he was the butt of its jokes. So many new faces, so many new minds to try to reach, and standing out like a Republican at a Democrat's campaign headquarters was one face Josh had twenty years to be familiar with since he'd been their teacher and mentor since their father had forgiven him for the whole 'Mets hats' incident when they were still a baby. It being some two decades later meant that they were in his classroom, sitting there with a knowing expression on their face while waiting for him to call the roll.

Deciding it was probably best to get it over with, Josh began to read off the names on his class roster, going through them at a steady pace until he reached the last name; "And Mister Ziegler-Wyatt, don't think you'll have it easy. I'll be expecting more and better from you than anyone else here."

"No problem, Professor, I'm your huckleberry," the younger man answered with a grin.

"Okay, first off, I don't think most people even know what that means anymore; second thing, that was the worst name-based pun I have heard in twenty years," Josh informed him bluntly, knowing that if it wasn't for his wife's love of obscure trivia, he wouldn't even know what it meant.

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Author's Note: The 'Mets hats' incident is a nod to Alilily's story "Babies and Credit Cards".