Title: A Friend In Need
Disclaimer, Summary, etc. - As in Part 1
Part 3 of 9
**
Friday
Everyone was in a good mood when Josh and Donna arrived at work bright and early on Friday morning. The President was joining the First Lady at their eldest daughter, Elizabeth's, for the weekend, and his good mood had been fairly infectious all week. Of course, the fact that it would be a quiet weekend while he was gone might have had something to do with it.
The President was scheduled to leave at 2pm and, for once, he was running on time – he'd been determined that nothing was going to get in his way. In fact, he had made sure that he had nothing scheduled past 1pm so that, even if something took longer than expected, he'd still have time. Due to this, he found it was 1:30pm and he had a spare half-hour, so he decided to have one of his wandering sessions, enjoying watching every one stand to attention as he passed – he wouldn't get much of that for the rest of the weekend.
Donna could hear the commotion in the corridors and knew the President was on his way. She groaned inwardly as she realized she was going to have to stand up as soon as he arrived and she looked around for her crutches, suddenly remembering that Josh had stolen them and taken them to his office – his version of making sure he knew where she was at all times.
"Good afternoon, Donna," came the President's voice from the corridor. She looked up to find him standing just outside her cubicle and she immediately tried to stand. Grabbing onto her desk, she pushed herself out of her chair.
"Good afternoon, Mr President. Are you looking forward to your trip?" she asked politely, pasting a smile onto her face as she realized that clutching the desk wasn't helping much.
"Indeed I am. Donna, is there something wrong?" he asked as he noticed a wince of pain cross her face.
"No, Sir. It's…it's just a little awkward trying to grab onto the desk that's all," she replied softly.
"Oh, of course; I forgot about your ankle. I'm sorry, please, sit back down." He motioned for her to sit but Donna remained standing. "Donna, it's fine, really, sit!" he ordered; this time, she obeyed.
"I'm sorry, Sir, I'd be fine if I had my crutches," she said, and then closed her eyes as she realized what she'd done.
"What do you mean? Where are your crutches?" the President asked with a questioning look on his face.
"They're in Josh's office, Sir," she answered meekly.
"Why?" At Donna's lack of response the President started to connect the dots. "Josh! Get out here RIGHT NOW," he boomed. The door to Josh's office immediately flew open and he ran outside, almost colliding with the President.
"Sir! Is something wrong?" Josh looked from the President to Donna, noting than Donna wouldn't meet his eye.
The President had a mischievous look in his eye as he asked, "Josh, why do you have Donna's crutches in your office?" Josh sported his deer in the headlights look again and then glared at Donna, before returning his gaze to the President.
"Er, would you believe me if I said I was looking after them for her?" he asked, staring down at his shoes.
"Well, that depends."
"On what, Sir?" Josh asked, not really wanting to know the answer.
"Well, do we have a phantom stealer of crutches in the West Wing at the moment, Josh? Is that why Donna's crutches need looking after?" The President was trying to keep a straight face, and valiantly fought to keep the amusement out of his voice. Donna, on the other hand, was covering her mouth with her hand to stop herself from laughing as she watched Josh try to form an answer.
"No, Sir." He swallowed hard as he looked at the President.
"Well, in that case, I don't believe your story. Do you want to know what *I* think the reason is, Josh?"
"Not really, but I know you're gonna tell me anyway," Josh muttered, just loudly enough to be heard. The President chose to ignore the comment.
"I think you have them so that Donna can't get away from you. You're worried that, now she has to put up with you at home as well, she's going to reach the end of her tether and leave, either that or she'll start hitting you with her crutches." The President's face split into a full grin as he said this and Donna couldn't help laughing out loud. Josh felt himself starting to laugh as well.
"You're definitely right about the last part, Sir." Josh grinned as he said it and looked directly at Donna. In return, Donna sported an evil grin.
"Well, Josh, I think to make it up to Donna, you should make sure she gets to leave early tonight." Josh started shifting uncomfortably when he realized the President was serious.
"With all due respect, Sir, I let her leave early last night and we still have a lot to do today." The President looked at Donna, who nodded to indicate Josh was speaking the truth.
"Since I'm going away for the weekend, I very much doubt there's anything you have to do that can't wait. Donna, make sure you leave by 6pm this evening." Donna beamed at him and he turned to Josh. "Josh, you will drive her home and stay there. If you come back to the office it will no doubt mean that Donna has to clear up all your mess when she returns, so stay away, and that's an order!" The President was still smiling and Josh was looking down at his shoes again. "Is that alright with you, Donna?" He turned to her and winked.
"Yes, Sir! Thank you." She beamed at him again.
"No problem, it's what I'm here for." He turned to Josh again. "And before you start to protest, Mr Lyman, I've read the report concerning Donna's accident and I think you should consider yourself lucky that she's not suing you." Josh had the decency to look guilty and then looked at the President.
"Sir, don't you, you know, have a plane to catch or something?"
"What, do you think they'll leave without me, Josh?"
"No," Josh replied sullenly.
"Correct. Now, isn't there something *you* should be doing?"
"Yes, I have plenty of work to do, Sir, but I can't do it until you dismiss me." He smirked as he spoke, which he quickly regretted.
"I wasn't referring to work, Josh. Isn't there something else you should be doing, NOW?!" The President motioned in Donna's direction and Josh smacked a hand to his forehead.
"The crutches! Right." He darted into his office and quickly returned with them, moving past the President to hand them to Donna.
"Now, Donna, I don't normally condone violence, but in this instance, feel free to smack him around a bit." The President grinned at her and Josh in turn.
"Don't worry, Sir, I know how to handle him," she grinned back and Josh was looking as though he would do anything to escape the conversation.
"Good. Well, as Josh said, I have a plane to catch. Remember, 6pm, and have a good weekend." He said as he started to move away from the bullpen, back towards the Oval Office.
"Yes, Sir, you too," Josh and Donna replied in unison.
"You know that's not going to happen, right?" Josh said as he turned to Donna.
"Oh, it is, Joshua. The President just gave us both direct orders and I intend to follow them, even if you don't." Donna grinned at him before turning back to her desk to start working again. Josh let out a long sigh and returned to his office, closing his door behind him. The door opened again a few minutes later and Donna looked up to find him in the doorway to her cubicle.
"I'm still leaving at 6, Josh!" she stated, returning her gaze to her desk.
"Actually, that's fine." Donna's head snapped up.
"You're leaving at 6 as well."
"That's fine too." A grin was forming on Josh's face and Donna eyed him suspiciously.
"We are not working from home, Josh!" Donna pointed an accusing finger at him.
"Hey, I'm wounded by that accusation." He brought a hand to his heart as he spoke. "I was actually going to say that I'll invite Sam, Toby and CJ over after work to catch up but, if you don't want me to, then that's fine." He was grinning again, and the grin got bigger as he watched Donna trying to work out the 'catch' with his suggestion. Finally, she gave up trying to work it out.
"What's the catch, Josh?" she asked, pointing suspiciously at him again.
"Again with the finger?!" Josh replied, pushing her finger away. "There isn't a catch; I just thought you might like a change in company, or you know, some more company. I mean, if the conversation happens to turn to work-related matters then so be it, but it'll be nothing to do with me; you know what Toby's like, can't switch off!" Josh's dimples were out in full force and Donna shook her head, turning her gaze to her desk so he couldn't see her laughing. She composed herself and looked back up at him.
"Sounds like a good idea, but the first sign of 'shop talk' and you'll get one of my crutches somewhere unpleasant." She hoisted a crutch in his direction for added emphasis
Josh laughed, "Okay, but the same applies to the others, right?" Donna just grinned wickedly and Josh retreated to the corridor, heading off to invite Sam and Toby.
*
On the drive home, Josh informed Donna that CJ was putting an early lid on the press, helped by the fact that the President was now out of town, and that she, Toby and Sam would be over around 8pm. He also informed her that they were bringing the food and beer. Donna pouted as she reminded him that she couldn't drink alcohol with her pain medication and Josh just grinned and said "payback's a bitch, isn't it?" for which Donna swatted his arm.
*
Josh grabbed the first shower, so that he would have time to clear up the apartment before the others arrived. He took so long in the shower, trying to ease his back with the hot spray, that Donna was only just returning to her room, her robe wrapped around her, when the buzzer went, signaling someone's arrival; it was Sam. Josh buzzed him up and opened the door to greet him, shouting to Donna to hurry her up.
Sam stepped into the apartment just as Donna shouted, "Alright! If you hadn't taken so damn long in the first place, I would've been ready by now." Josh just rolled his eyes at Sam and took the proffered beer from his hands, stuffing the bottles into his fridge.
"CJ and Toby went to get the food; Toby reckoned CJ would order something healthy if he wasn't there to supervise," Sam informed Josh when he asked where the others were. Just then, Donna yelled from her room.
"Josh?" Josh handed Sam an already cold beer and headed for Donna's room. Sam noted that Josh didn't knock before entering.
"What's up?" he asked her, trying to hide his double-take when he realized she was still in her robe - her very thin, very short, robe. She turned to look at him from where she was standing by the closet.
"Can I borrow a pair of your sweatpants? Carol only packed me one pair and they need to be washed."
"Sure, hang on a sec." Josh left the room and went to his own to get some pants, passing a bemused Sam in the living room along the way. He placed the sweatpants on the bed for Donna to take.
"If you leave your laundry in a pile I'll put it through the machine tomorrow, since you won't be able to carry it." Donna looked at him as if he'd grown another head.
"That's okay. Carol said if I put it all in a bag and take it to work, she'll do it for me."
"Oh." Josh looked downcast, so Donna thought she'd better explain to him.
"It won't just be sweatpants that need washed, Josh, there will be other stuff too, you know?" A look of enlightenment appeared on Josh's face and he smiled.
"Okay, but the offer's there." Donna nodded and Josh left the room to let her change. He had just got back to the living room when the buzzer went again and he opened the door for CJ and Toby.
"Where's Donna?" asked CJ as soon as she was inside and noticed only Sam and Josh in the living room.
"She's getting changed, she won't be long," Josh replied, taking the boxes of food from Toby. "What'd you get?"
"Pizza, Josh. What does it look like? What else comes in a box like that?" came Toby's reply.
"I meant, what kind of pizza? A manly kind or, you know, the other stuff?" He grinned at CJ, who glared at him.
"We got something for everyone, Josh and if you don't like it, tough!" CJ replied.
Josh headed to the kitchen to get some paper towels for them all and returned to find Sam and Toby had taken the two armchairs and CJ was sitting at one end of the couch. He sat down next to CJ and they all started to chat about how good it was to get a night off for once. Donna emerged from her room a few minutes later and looked around for somewhere to sit. Josh immediately noticed her and motioned to the space next to him on the couch. She nodded and sat down.
"CJ, would you like a drink?" Donna asked, looking past Josh to CJ at the opposite end of the couch from her.
"Why yes, Donna, I would love one." Donna nudged Josh in the ribs and he finally took the hint, standing up from the couch.
"Get one for Toby too while you're there, Josh." Josh turned to her.
"Anything else, madam?" he asked her, smirking.
"Well, I wouldn't mind a soda." She returned the smirk and Josh disappeared to the kitchen to get beers for CJ, Toby and himself and a soda for Donna. He returned to find Donna had lifted her legs onto the couch, across where he had been sitting, with her feet stopping just before CJ. He handed Toby and CJ their beers and Donna her soda and then casually lifted Donna's legs, sliding underneath them and placing her legs on his lap when he sat down. CJ and Sam shared a look and smiled.
"How's the ankle, Donna?" Sam asked.
"It's okay; I'm supposed to keep it elevated as much as possible," she replied, pointing to her bandaged foot.
*
The five of them ate pizza and shared stories about their pre-Bartlet lives for about an hour. Josh and Donna shared a pizza, with Josh placing the box on Donna's legs where he could reach it and handing Donna another slice whenever she was ready. He then found Donna stretching over to the coffee table to steal his beer, claiming that a couple of sips wouldn't hurt her. Josh just rolled his eyes and stole it back from her. When they had finished, Sam excused himself to use the bathroom and returned a few minutes later with a puzzled look on his face.
"Josh," he started, "I gotta ask, why is there a bubble-wrap covered stool sitting in your shower?" Josh and Donna shared a smile.
"Donna can't stand up in the shower, so she uses it," he explained and Donna lowered her head, slightly embarrassed.
"Oh, okay." Sam was about to ask something else when Josh's home phone rang. The phone was on an end table next to CJ and she lifted the receiver, passing it to Josh without speaking.
"Josh Lyman." The room fell silent, not wanting to disturb Josh. "Oh, hi. Yeah, she's here…huh? Yeah, she's doing okay. Hang on, I'll let you talk to her." He turned to Donna, placing his hand over the receiver. "It's your mom. Do you want to take this in my room, it's closer." She nodded and Josh took the cordless receiver into his room, placing it on the bed. Donna pushed herself up from the couch and followed him. Josh closed the door softly behind him and returned to his seat on the couch. The four senior staffers picked up their conversation again, with Toby and Sam arguing over who should get the last slice of pizza; CJ settled the argument by taking it from the box herself.
*
Donna spent the next ten minutes talking to her mom on the phone, assuring her that her ankle was okay and that she was just staying with Josh to make things easier for herself. She ended the call and kept the phone in her right hand as she grabbed her crutches and stood up. Moving away from the bed, she found it awkward to hold the phone and the crutches and proceeded to drop the phone, watching it crash onto the floor. Her mother had just spent ten minutes telling her that she had better be very careful while she was staying with Josh as she could easily annoy him and get herself fired. Normally, Donna wouldn't let it get to her, she knew her mom was only really teasing her, but she was tired and dropping the phone was the last straw. She collapsed back onto the bed and felt tears welling up in her eyes. She tried to compose herself a little and shouted for help to pick up the phone.
"Josh?" she called through the closed bedroom door. No response.
"Josh?" she called again, a little louder. This time, the door opened and CJ walked in. CJ took one look at Donna's tearful face and immediately closed the door behind her, moving to sit beside Donna on the bed.
"Josh went to the bathroom. What's wrong, Donna?" Donna turned towards her.
"I…I dropped the phone and I can't reach to pick it up," she said, pointing to the phone on the floor. CJ bent down and picked it up, switching it on to check for a dial tone.
"It's fine, don't worry about it." When Donna still looked worried, CJ put the phone on the bed beside her and placed a comforting hand on Donna's arm.
"What's really wrong, Donna?"
"I don't know, I just…" CJ looked at her intently and Donna felt herself relax a little. "It's that time of the month; I'm usually not this bad, but it's weird, you know, being here." She gestured around the room with her arms. "I feel like I'm intruding, it's not fair on Josh; I know you and Leo practically forced him into this." She looked at CJ, with her bottom lip trembling. CJ wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"Donna, you don't need to worry, Josh wants you here." As Donna started to say something, CJ continued, "I know he probably made it sound like Leo and I forced him into this, but we really didn't. He wanted to have you stay here so he can help you, he just didn't think Leo and I would be very happy about it, with how it could look to the press." Donna turned to face her.
"Why did you agree to this? I mean, I know you said it wouldn't be a problem and it hasn't been but, why did you take the risk?"
CJ contemplated her reply. "Because it's good for Josh." Donna gave her a questioning look. "He finds it so difficult to look after himself sometimes, I thought it would be good for him to have to concentrate on someone else." CJ gave Donna a pointed look. "I've noticed a change in him this past week; he's been much more attentive to you."
"That's just his guilty conscience," said Donna, with a small smile on her face.
"No, I don't think it is. He's realizing that this is his chance to repay you for everything you've done for him over the years and he needs that opportunity." As CJ said the last words there was a gentle knock on the door and Josh entered.
"Hey, everything alright in here? Sam said you were calling for me, Donna?" He looked at her intently and Donna smiled.
"I'm fine, just had a slight phone incident."
"Okay, you coming back into the living room?"
"We will, Josh, we're just in the middle of some girl talk," CJ replied. Josh rolled his eyes and shook his head in mock-disgust and left the room, closing the door again. CJ turned back to Donna. "I think the real reason you're upset right now, apart from the damn time of the month thing, is that you're finding it difficult reading Josh with the change in your dynamic."
Donna moved so that she was now lying back against the headboard, legs up on the bed. CJ stood up and moved to the right side of the bed, lying down next to Donna.
"What do you mean, CJ?"
"Well, you said you feel like you're intruding. That's because this is Josh's place and not yours; you feel you have to wait for his permission to do things, he's the boss. It's different from the way it is at work and it'll take some getting used to." CJ had turned to face Donna and was thankful that Donna didn't look away.
"He's the boss at work as well, CJ." Donna smiled slightly as she said this, the tears beginning to disappear.
"You and I both know that's not true, Donna. Certainly, there are times where he has to exert his authority but you don't work for Josh, you work with him. Look, I really don't think you have anything to worry about, it probably is just a combination of your hormones, pain and being incredibly tired. Believe me, if Josh didn't want you here, he would have asked me to find a way to get you to leave by now." Donna chuckled at CJ's words. "Why don't we change the subject. What did Ginger tell you about her new boyfriend when you had dinner last night?"
*
While CJ was calming Donna down, Josh, Sam and Toby had started discussing work again.
"You do realize if Donna catches us talking like this I'm gonna be in trouble," Josh stated to an amused Sam and Toby.
"What are you talking about, Josh?" asked Sam.
"She threatened me with bodily injury if tonight contained any shop talk."
"And you don't think she's behind that door with CJ right now discussing work, or at least people we work with?" Toby asked, pointing towards Josh's closed bedroom door.
"Ah, but office gossip doesn't count as shop talk, Toby; don't you know anything about women?" asked Sam, receiving a glare from Toby in response.
"Anyone want another beer?" Josh asked, standing up from the couch. Sam and Toby nodded, so he headed off towards the kitchen; Sam soon joined him.
"So, how's it going, Josh?" Sam asked as Josh removed three beer bottles from the fridge.
"How's what going?"
"You know, living with Donna?" Josh's head snapped up and he stared at his friend.
"Sam, I am not living with Donna!"
"Well, what do you call this then?" Sam asked calmly, although there was a small smile forming at his mouth.
"Donna is staying with me while she recovers." Josh waved his arms around for emphasis.
"Right, whatever. So, anyway, how's it going? How many fights have you had?" Sam had a mischievous glint in his eye.
"None."
"Really? Hmm…" Sam trailed off and Josh looked at him questioningly.
When Sam wasn't forthcoming, Josh asked, "What?"
"Nothing, I just thought you might have found it weird, being with her practically 24 hours a day."
"That's nothing new; you know the hours we work," Josh replied, being deliberately obtuse.
"Yeah, but you usually have at least a few hours apart overnight. You don't find it weird coming home and going to work together?"
"No. No…it's actually kind of nice," Josh admitted. Sam turned his head to hide the grin on his face.
"How do you mean nice?"
"Well, It's been a long time since I shared an apartment with someone. Even when I did, it was with Mandy and we always fought over stupid things; you know, who left the cap off the toothpaste. I guess I thought it was supposed to be like that." Josh had a wistful look on his face.
"And it's not like that with Donna?"
"No, we have a routine."
"A routine?" Sam was becoming more amused and intrigued by the second. "She's only been here a few days."
"I know, but we have one. Donna gets up first and showers; it takes her so long to dry her hair and get ready that I can shower after her and still be dressed before her. I then make breakfast and we sit down and eat, while listening to the news on the radio."
"Since when do you eat breakfast?"
"Since Donna bangs her crutches on my door so that I have time to make it."
"So, having her here is good because it means you get to eat breakfast?"
"No. It's other stuff, like last night; I had to go to a late meeting on the Hill and expected to come back to a dark apartment, with Donna asleep in bed. However, when I got here she was lying on the couch, asleep; she'd waited up for me. It just…it felt really good to have someone here when I got back. It feels good to have someone to say goodnight and good morning to. Do you know what I mean?" Josh looked at Sam.
"Yeah, I do. What you have to ask yourself though is, would it feel good with just anyone, or only with Donna?"
Just as Josh was about to reply, Toby yelled from the living room, "Are you guys brewing the beer in there, or what?" Sam and Josh laughed and grabbed the beers, joining Toby back in the living room. Once they were seated, Sam looked over at Josh and noticed a contemplative look on his face.
*
A few minutes later, Josh's bedroom door opened and CJ emerged, closing the door behind her. Josh immediately looked up.
"Where's Donna? Is she okay?"
"She's fine, Josh; she's asleep. We were talking and she started drifting off. I managed to get her under the covers, I think you should leave her for a while; I don't think she's been sleeping properly the last few nights." Josh nodded and grabbed his beer again, looking over at the closed bedroom door.
"Guys, I think we should head home. Josh looks pretty exhausted too," said CJ, looking from Toby to Sam. They both nodded their agreement and stood up. They all bid Josh goodnight, keeping their voices low so that Donna didn't wake, and they left.
*
Josh cleared away the empty pizza boxes and beer bottles and then quietly opened his bedroom door, just a crack. He saw Donna's sleeping form and smiled. Closing the door quietly, he moved off to the guest room. Once there, he removed his jeans, shoes and socks, leaving him in a T-shirt and boxers, and got under the covers in what he now considered Donna's bed. He lay back for a few minutes, thinking over some of the things Sam had said. Suddenly, he realized he hadn't left a glass of water for Donna and he noticed her pain medication on the nightstand next to him. Figuring she'd need them, he got out of bed, picked up the bottle of pills and padded to the kitchen. He filled a glass with water and crossed to his own room, quietly opening the door.
He had just placed the glass and bottle on the nightstand when he heard Donna stir.
"Josh?" Donna's sleepy voice was very quiet. Josh turned to face her and smiled.
"Hey. Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."
"It's okay." Donna rubbed her eyes and then noticed what Josh was wearing. "Where are the others?"
"They left about twenty minutes ago."
"Oh. I'm sorry," Donna said quietly, making Josh look at her closely.
"For what?" he asked gently.
"For ruining your night." Donna could feel a lump in her throat and tears forming in her eyes and she looked downwards to avoid Josh's gaze.
"How did you ruin my night?" His face crinkled in confusion.
"You invited your friends over; one of them had to come in here to help me and then they all left early, no doubt because I'd fallen asleep. I'm sorry." Her bottom lip was trembling throughout her statement.
Josh sat down on the edge of the bed, next to Donna's legs and turned to face her.
"You didn't ruin anything; we had a good night. You seemed to be enjoying yourself, until your mom called!" Josh grinned and Donna couldn't help but return it, though very slightly. "That's what tonight was about, you seemed kind of down all day." Donna looked taken aback, she hadn't thought he had noticed.
"I'm okay. It's just…you know what? I'm not gonna finish that sentence," she smiled and Josh decided to try and tease her to cheer her up further.
"Donna! You can't start something and then not finish it, that's not what Democrats do!" The dimpled grin made its appearance and Donna swatted him on the arm. His tone then became more serious. "Really though, what is it? You can tell me."
Donna looked at him and pondered whether she should reply.
"Time of the month, Josh, that's all." Josh's jaw noticeably dropped and Donna laughed.
"Oh, well that's alright." At Donna's glare he amended, "I mean, at least it's not something I've done. Is there anything I can do?"
"No, thanks. I'm fine…I was fine until my mom called."
"What'd she say this time?" Josh had always had a feeling that Donna's mom didn't like him.
"Nothing much really." A thought struck Donna and she became worried. "Oh, you don't mind me giving her your number do you? I called her a couple of days ago to tell her what happened and she asked for it; it's too expensive to call my cellphone." She rushed the last sentence and Josh smiled.
"Donna, it's fine. I want you to treat this place as your own. Now, what did your mom say to get you upset?"
"The usual, complaining about me not visiting."
"When was the last time you were home?" Josh became thoughtful, trying to remember the last time off Donna had taken.
"It's been a while," she admitted. "It's too expensive to fly home just for a couple of days."
"No wonder your mom gets mad if that's what you tell her. Family means more than money Donna, believe me." Donna bit her lip and looked down.
"That's not what I tell her."
"Then what do you say?" he asked, watching Donna's head raise and a smile appear on her face.
"I tell her I have to work."
"What?! No wonder she wasn't very pleased with me when I answered the phone tonight!" Josh's tone was one of mock-anger.
"No, she was mad at you tonight because she knows how I hurt my ankle." Donna grinned at him and Josh looked guilty.
"Oh, so she was mad at you for not visiting more?" Josh asked, trying to change the subject.
"Not really, she just tries to guilt me into it or make me feel like I'm missing out, she never really means it though. It doesn't normally bother me but…" she trailed off.
"But what? She got you at your vulnerable time of the month?" he grinned.
"No, she just told me some news from home that made me wish I was there." She suddenly seemed sad and Josh didn't know what to do.
"You can go, if you want. I can't give you a raise, but I'll pay for your flights," he offered, his voice gentled. "You probably shouldn't be working right now anyway." Donna looked at him and the gratitude he saw in her eyes made him feel strange. He stood up and walked around to the other side of the bed, lying down on the same spot that CJ had occupied earlier. Donna turned her head to face him.
"Thanks, but it would be too late anyway." Josh gave her a questioning look and she explained, "My niece, Emily, is going on her first date tomorrow night and I wish I was there to see her off." Donna looked wistful.
"A date?! But she's only, what, 9?"
"She's 12, Josh! She was 9 the last time you saw her; people do grow up, well some anyway." She gave him a pointed look.
"She's 12, really? Huh. Still, isn't 12 a little young to be going on dates?" Donna looked surprised.
"Not really, no."
"When I was 12, I was only interested in sports and stuff, certainly not dating. No-one really dated at that age."
"Yeah, well, you probably didn't have a lot of choice; you know, it's nice to have electricity when you go on dates and I don't think they had invented that when you were 12." She grinned at him and Josh pouted.
"Don't start with the age jokes, Donnatella," he warned. "How old were you when you went on your first date?"
"14," she answered.
"Really?" Josh looked surprised.
"Yeah. How old were you?" She didn't expect him to answer, this was the sort of conversation that he usually sought to avoid.
"I was 16. Her name was Laura," he replied. When he saw the look on Donna's face he decided to quickly change the subject. "So, who is this gomer that's dating your niece? Is he good enough for her?" Donna swatted him on the arm again.
"Josh, don't call him a gomer. I don't know much about him; his name is Robbie and he's in her class at school. Emily hoped he'd ask her to the school dance this coming Wednesday but he asked her out for tomorrow night instead. She figures if it goes well, he'll then ask her to the dance.
"Ah, so he's not a dumb gomer then. He has enough sense to find out if she's worth being seen in public with."
"What's that supposed to mean?" There was a warning tone in Donna's voice. "They'll be seen in public tomorrow."
"Yeah, but probably not in front of all his friends. He's saving that for the school dance, but only if she passes his test first."
"Josh, he's 12 years old, I really don't think he's learned how to play the 'Lyman Dating Game' yet," Donna stated.
"They're never too young to learn. You just make sure she doesn't get hurt, dating can be a nasty business, everyone needs someone to look out for them." Josh looked at her intently while he said this and Donna could feel herself starting to blush. She dipped her head.
"Whatever. Anyway, I should give you your bed back." She started to move but Josh stopped her.
"Don't worry about it. You're already comfortable, I can take your bed; you're supposed to rest your ankle and keep walking to a minimum and you're already here." Josh's tone was determined and Donna nodded reluctantly.
Josh didn't move from his place on the bed, instead he said, "So, tell me about this first date of yours that you had when you were 14."
"No! Tell me about Laura!"
"Why won't you tell me, was he a complete gomer?" Josh's dimpled grin was out in full force.
"Josh!" she warned.
"Okay, I'll tell you about Laura first and then you can tell me about gomer number one." Josh started to tell Donna the story of his first date – how a friend had convinced him to double date with the girl he wanted to date and her friend, who was interested in Josh. As he told the story, Donna grabbed some painkillers and swallowed them. Unfortunately, the second pill got stuck in her throat and she started to cough; Josh was immediately alarmed.
"Donna, are you okay?" He sat up and looked at her.
"Yes." Her voice was hoarse from coughing and she was still gulping water trying to clear her throat. She finally put the glass back on the nightstand and settled back into bed. A few seconds later she was coughing again and she had to sit back up. Josh reached for the glass of water but she waved his hand away. He then started to rub her back with his left hand, not knowing what else to do. She continued to cough and Josh found it awkward to help her when she had the covers wrapped around herself, so, he climbed under them and placed his hand on the lower part of her back, under the covers, and started rubbing it to relax her. She finally stopped coughing, but looked exhausted and was breathing quite heavily from the exertion of coughing.
"Okay?" he asked gently, keeping his hand on her back. She nodded and gave him a weak smile. Josh returned the smile, stopped rubbing her back and moved his hand around her back onto her upper left arm, pulling her towards his chest. He moved further down into the bed and Donna laid her head on the top of his chest as her breathing slowly started to return to normal.
"So, where was I?" Josh asked. "If you think you're getting out of telling me your gomer story, think again!" He continued his first-date story but it wasn't long before he realized that Donna had fallen asleep again. He knew he couldn't move her head from his chest without waking her and decided to wait until she was in a deeper sleep before trying to leave. However, sleep soon overcame him as well.
**
TBC