A/N: Yes. It's true. The absolute LAST thing (barring clones of President Bush, maybe) the world needs is more post-Noel angst. What can I say. I just can't help myself. This was just a little idea that occurred to me and I had to write to see how it sounded. Meant as a sort of one-shot, addition to the episode kinda thing. I thought it was sweet. Anyway..... PLEASE tell me what you think, the reason I'm posting it is to garner some others opinions, so be kind :) (ps I don't like the end any thoughts on how to fix it WELCOME)

Thank you Donna

'Thank you Donna.' Josh said with mock exasperation as the pair walked in the door. 'Now, can I assume that you will be adopting your usual position of overly-motherly watchfulness on my couch for this evening? Because... you know... that couch is getting pretty well worn' he smirked at her, attempting a smile.

'Assume whatever you want, Joshua,' Donna replied firmly, 'I'm not leaving you alone to stick God knows what through all your other windows, you're in enough trouble with your landlord as it is.' He looked at her with a barely masked warmth. 'I'm staying right here until you look human again.'

'Oh, like that'll ever happen' he smirked. 'Ok' he eventually acquiesced, turning towards the kitchen.

Donna went to the cupboard to grab her usual spread for the couch. She started unfolding and spreading, until she felt a shift in the atmosphere in the room and realized that Josh hadn't left, he was just watching her. She paused, masking concern at the mixture of loneliness and fear on his face.

'Josh,' she spoke softly.

'Um, Donna...' he started, shifting uncomfortably.

'Yeah?' she asked, still gentle.

'It's just... you don't have to stay out here.' He said, almost inaudible.

'Josh?'

Looking up to see the expression on her face he released a little strained laughter and rushed, 'I'm not asking you to have sex with me or anything,' he tried to smile, 'it's just-' he looked down and paused.

'Josh-' she started.

'It's just I've got this big bed' he continued, 'and,' his voice broke a little and his nervous, playful tone softened, 'and I don't want to be alone right now.' He finished quietly.

Donna looked at him, looking so bashful, so different from his usual self, and blinked back tears. She closed the few feet between them and gently raised his gaze from the ground and into her eyes, 'It's ok' she sighed, 'You're not alone'. She watched his face as a tear broke free, running down his cheek. She tossed her head a little, bedroom-ways. 'Now come to bed,' a friendly smile teasing at her lips.

Impulsively, Josh kissed her on the cheek and hugged her, burying his face in her shoulder. 'Thank you, Donna' he whispered, not feeling alone for the first time in a long while. In what felt like forever.

'Come on,' Donna repeated, taking him by the hand and leading him away, 'come to bed'.

'You know,' Josh started as he followed, 'this doesn't mean I, you know, like you.'

Donna smiled, 'Me neither'.

Josh politely turned his back as Donna change into one of his oversized t-shirts and a pair of boxers. He turned back around just as she was snuggling under the covers and spoke as he stripped down to much the same, 'how come my boxers never look so good on me?'

'Joshua Lyman, were you peeking?' she asked.

'I'm male' he muttered as he crawled in next to her, 'what do you expect?'

Donna smiled on the inside even as she scowled at him on the out. 'Well maybe tomorrow I should ask Sam how I could go about filing for sexual harassment,' she joked.

'You do that,' Josh groaned, almost asleep before his head hit the pillow.

Donna gently stroked his newly stitched and bandaged right hand and watched his face. Now if only he were like his when he as awake, she thought.

'I'm here for you, Josh' she whispered in the dark.

'I know you are, Donna' he whispered back, shifting to rest his cheek on her shoulder and gently throw an arm around her waist, close but not too close.

And I need you. Came the unspoken ending to his sentence. Donna nestled back into him and lightly rested her arm on his hip, the two comfortably and equilaterally leaning on each other, figuratively as well as literally.

Soon the only sounds in the room were that of deep, paced breathing, the first real, comfortable sleep either of them had gotten since their delicately balanced relationship had been set off track by a one-inch piece of hot lead had been propelled into the air and landed up in someone's chest.