Title: A Friend In Need
Disclaimers, etc. - As in Part 1
Part 6 of 9
**
Thursday Night
"Josh? Are you ready yet?" Sam called through Josh's closed office door.
"Huh? Oh, not quite. Come on in though, Sam." Sam opened the door and entered to find Josh struggling with his bow tie.
"You haven't seen Donna, have you? I need her to tie this damn thing for me."
"Actually, that's why I'm here; I just got a message from CJ. She and Donna are still getting ready and we've just to meet them in the ballroom." Josh sighed as he continued to fiddle with his tie. "Do you want me to do that for you, Josh?" Sam offered.
"No! Donna knows how to tie it properly, I'll get her to do it."
"Josh, you can't go into the ballroom like that."
"I know. I'll wait outside while you go and check if she's in there yet, okay?" Sam nodded and the two of them set off towards the ballroom. They didn't use the formal entrance, where their presence would be announced; instead they headed for one of the back doors that led from the West Wing. Josh leaned against a wall outside while Sam ducked into the room to look for Donna.
"She's not there yet," said Sam as he emerged from the ballroom. Just at that, CJ and Donna's voices could be heard along the corridor. They turned a corner so that Sam and Josh could now see them and the men's jaws dropped. CJ was wearing a stunning ballgown and looked radiant. Donna was wearing a simple pantsuit with a red top, but it was evident that it was evening wear rather than office wear. However, to make up for its relative plainness, Donna had curled her hair and piled it on top of her head, leaving a few tendrils to hang down and frame her face.
"Something wrong boys?" asked CJ as they approached the men.
"Uh, no," Josh stammered. "You look great, CJ, both of you do," he amended as he turned to Donna. He held out the bow tie in his hand and gave her a pleading look. "Help!" Donna rolled her eyes at him.
"Honestly, Josh, have you not learned to do this by yourself yet?"
"No," he shrugged.
"Well, Sam managed his, couldn't he have tied yours too?"
"I didn't think he'd manage it as well, I'm sure he uses a clip-on," he whispered conspiratorially.
Sam turned to CJ. "Well, I don't think our presence is required here, CJ. Shall we?" He held his arm out for her and they entered the ballroom, leaving Donna glaring at Josh.
"Stand still, Josh. It's hard enough trying to do this while standing on one leg without you bouncing around."
"Oh, yeah, sorry; I forgot about that." Donna finished tying the bow tie, placed her hands on his shoulders and quickly smoothed out some of the wrinkles on Josh's tux jacket. "Shall we?" He held out his arm for her.
"Just hold the door for me, Josh." Donna indicated her crutches, making Josh realize that she couldn't take his arm. He held the door as instructed and followed behind her as she made her way into the ballroom, keeping a guiding arm just behind the small of her back. They quickly spotted Sam and CJ and headed over to them.
"Well, the President will be here soon, so I guess I'd better head over and join the others."
"What do you mean, Donna?" asked Josh.
"I'm sitting with the other assistants, right?" She waved in the direction of the table where Carol, Bonnie and Ginger were sitting.
"Not tonight. I figured it would be easier if we were sitting together, so you're with me," Josh replied, indicating their seats next to one of the invited guests. Donna looked surprised but nodded her head and the two of them made their way to the table so that Donna could sit down.
*
The dinner portion of the evening passed fairly quickly. The President's speech was well received and he didn't change too many words, much to Toby's delight. It was then announced that the dancing would start and that the President and First Lady would lead the way on the dance floor.
All the guests and staff circled the dance floor to watch the Bartlet's. As other couples started to join them Josh headed off to talk to a couple of people about a bill, leaving Donna to re-take her seat. Josh wandered over to Donna every so often to ask her some questions about people he needed to see, usually what their spouses names were, etc. and he also asked whether she was alright. After about an hour into the dancing he noticed that she was no longer in her seat and he started to look around for her.
"CJ, have you seen Donna?"
"Uh, yeah," CJ replied hesitantly.
"Well, where is she?"
"She's dancing with Sam."
"What do you mean? She can't dance with her crutches." His eyes darted frantically around the room looking for her and CJ placed a hand on his arm.
"They're outside, Josh," she said, pointing towards the door that Josh had entered the ballroom from earlier. "Sam said he thought of a way she could dance with him. She looked kind of bored, and lonely, just sitting there." CJ gave him a pointed look, which Josh ignored. He stalked off towards the door but, instead of opening it, he just pulled the curtain back slightly.
Josh was surprised to feel a pang of jealousy well up within him while he watched Donna and Sam dancing. Donna had her left foot on top of Sam's right foot and she was keeping her injured right foot just above his left one. Sam was taking her full weight and carrying her around instead of actually dancing. Donna's arms were around Sam's neck to steady herself and Sam's arms were around her waist. They were very close together, swaying in time to the slow music and both were smiling. Josh retreated from his spot and walked towards Leo and the President who were chatting beside the dance floor.
"Ah, Josh, just who we were looking for," said the President with a smile.
"Sir? Do you need something?"
"No, I just wanted to tell you that you can go home."
"What? Is something wrong? I'm supposed to stay until the end, or at least until you leave."
"Don't worry about it, Josh, these are special circumstances." Josh looked to Leo for further explanation.
"Josh, the President and I noticed that Donna is looking very tired; we both think that you should take her home. She's been here since early this morning and this can't be any fun for her, watching people dancing when she can't." Josh just looked at him, but didn't mention that she was actually dancing with Sam at that very moment.
"Are you sure? I'm sure Donna won't mind staying."
"I'm sure she won't either, Josh; she's very loyal. But, take her home." The President clapped an arm on Josh's shoulder, effectively dismissing him. "She's over there." Josh followed his gaze and saw that Donna was now back in her seat and was talking to Margaret.
"Okay, thank you, Sir. Goodnight." Leo and the President both nodded and were joined by the First Lady as soon as Josh left them.
*
"Hey, Donnatella, you okay?" Josh asked as soon as he approached her. She turned to look at him.
"I'm fine. You?"
"Yeah, a little tired though. Let's go home." Donna looked shocked.
"Josh, we can't. We have to wait until the President leaves." She looked to Margaret for confirmation of this protocol.
"It's okay, we've been given a special dispensation. I've been told to take you home," Josh explained.
"I don't mind staying."
"I know you don't, but I don't dare disobey another order, at least not this week," Josh smiled, holding out his hand to help her stand up. They bid Margaret goodnight and headed for the exit. Sam and CJ spotted them from their place on the dancefloor and grinned at each other.
*
As soon as they entered Josh's apartment, Donna collapsed onto the couch. Josh removed his tuxedo jacket and undid his bow tie.
"Tired?" he asked her gently.
"Yeah, it's been a long day."
"Not too tired to dance with me, I hope." Donna looked up at him standing in front of her, confusion on her face.
"Huh? Josh, I can't dance at the moment; I'm on crutches."
"You managed to dance with Sam," he pointed out, hurt evident in his voice.
"You saw?" she asked with surprise. Josh nodded but remained silent. "I think I crushed his right foot," she informed him with a grin; Josh couldn't help but return the grin.
"That's okay, it's only Sam. I'm stronger though, I can take it."
"You sure about that?" she laughed. Josh gave her a mock-offended look and crossed to his stereo. He put a cd into the player and lifted the remote control.
"C'mon, dance with me." He held out his hand to her.
"Okay, but it'll be easier if I take my shoes off." Donna bent down and removed her shoes, placing them on the floor in front of the couch. Josh looked at them, and his brow creased in puzzlement.
"Um, Donna? Why do you have one shoe bigger than the other?"
"It was the only way I could get a shoe on my bandaged foot. I had to buy two pairs, one in my regular size and one a size bigger."
"Oh. Well, you should really let me pay for the bigger size at least, it's not like you're going to use them again once your ankle is better."
"Josh, we've been over this, it's fine. Besides, I'm sure you'll leave something else lying around for me to trip over soon enough and I'll be back to this state." She smiled as she said it, but it didn't stop the guilty look spreading across Josh's face. "Come on then, let's dance." She grabbed Josh's hand and he pulled her up from the couch. She took the same position she had with Sam, her left foot on Josh's right and her arms around his neck. Josh put an arm around her waist and pushed play on the remote control with his other hand, before throwing the remote onto the couch. He then put his other arm around her waist, drawing her even closer to him.
Donna started to chuckle as she heard the song that was playing.
"What are you laughing at?" Josh asked.
"I just can't believe you have the song 'Lady In Red'; did you actually buy it?"
"No," he admitted. "It's on one of those compilation cd's. Someone gave it to me as a gift." His voice was low and husky and he pulled Donna even closer, so that the whole of their bodies were touching.
"An ex-girlfriend?" she guessed.
"Actually, no, it was Sam. He thought I needed 'mood music' or something. Don't ask."
"Believe me, I wasn't gonna!" Donna's voice had also taken on a husky tone, despite her amusement, and Josh felt sensations in his chest as her breath passed his ear. They fell silent and swayed in time to the music, Josh not feeling energetic enough to try and carry her around the room.
"You okay?" Josh asked as Donna adjusted her position slightly.
"Yeah," she replied quietly.
"Here." Josh lifted her right arm from around her neck and held her hand in his left. He then motioned for her to rest her head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry you didn't have much fun tonight, Donna."
"Josh, it's fine. I was working."
"I know, but that's not the point. It was selfish of me to make you go, I probably could have handled it on my own."
"I think it was a case of I either went with you tonight or I would be sending out apology letters for the next three weeks." She grinned against his shoulder and Josh smiled, bringing their joined hands into his chest.
The song ended and the cd moved onto a slightly faster track. Donna lifted her head from Josh's shoulder and stepped back, her right hand still in his left.
"We should get some sleep," she stated softly.
"Yeah, I'll just switch this off." He reached for the remote and Donna lifted her crutches from the couch.
"Night, Josh," she said as she headed for the bathroom.
"Night," he replied softly. Donna emerged from the bathroom to find her glass of water in its usual place and her bed turned down for her to get into. She smiled as she changed into her pajamas and climbed into bed. In his own room, Josh too was smiling and beginning to realize that things were changing.
*
The weekend passed in a blur of work; bombings had occurred outside the US Embassy in Greece and the entire Senior Staff and their assistants had been called into the White House. It was nearly 10:30pm before Josh and Donna returned home on the Sunday night.
"Josh, are you remembering I'll be late into the office tomorrow?" Donna asked from her place on the couch.
"Huh?" Josh replied, walking through from the kitchen with two mugs of cocoa.
"I have a doctor's appointment at 8:30 tomorrow morning, about my ankle. I did tell you about it."
"Oh, yeah right, I remember. But why will you be in late?"
Donna rolled her eyes at him. "Because I can't be in two places at once, Josh!"
"What I meant was, won't you be coming into the office first and then leaving for your appointment?"
"Wasn't planning to. There's not much point; I'd need to get a cab around 8am to get there in time and it seems silly to go from here to the White House and then to the doctor's when I could just get a cab straight there from here."
"I'll take you," he offered, sipping on his cocoa.
"What do you mean? You have meetings."
"Senior Staff isn't until 10 and I don't have any meetings before then; I made sure of that, because I did remember about your appointment and I want to take you. We can go into the office early so I can prepare for my 11 o'clock and then we'll leave at 8." Donna looked at him incredulously.
"Josh, you can't take time off just to take me to the doctor's."
"I want to. I want to make sure you're okay," he said seriously.
"Okay, if you're sure. Thanks."
*
Monday Morning
"Leo, Josh is on the phone for you." Margaret popped her head round Leo's door.
"Josh, where are you?"
"I'm still at the doctor's office with Donna. I thought I'd better call 'cos I'm not gonna be back in time for Senior Staff."
"I thought you left at 8am for the appointment; it's now 9:30, shouldn't you be back by now?"
"Yeah, I thought I would be."
"Is something wrong? Is Donna okay?" Leo asked with concern.
"Yeah, she's okay. The doctor said she can start easing off on using her crutches now, but she has to see a physical therapist. She needs to build the strength back up in her ankle since it hasn't been used for the last couple of weeks," Josh explained. "They can fit her in at 9:30, so I thought it was better to take that appointment instead of her having to wait a day for another one."
"And you have to stay with her?" Leo asked, although he already knew the answer.
"I don't want to leave her on her own, Leo. And I certainly don't want her trying to get a cab back to the office after the therapy appointment – I think she'll be pretty tired. Look, I'm sure I can get any necessary info from Sam or Toby--"
Leo interrupted him, sensing Josh was beginning to get annoyed. "It's okay, Josh. Stay with Donna and make sure she's okay. Check in with me when you get back." Josh hung up the phone and retook his seat next to Donna. She turned to him.
"Leo pissed at you for missing Senior Staff?" Donna's face and tone were serious.
"Yeah, a little, but it doesn't matter."
"Why?"
"Because Leo wouldn't be Leo if he wasn't pissed at me for something," he grinned.
"Josh, why don't you go back to the office? I can get a cab back."
"No, don't worry about it, Leo's fine with it."
"There's no real need for you to be here, Josh."
"Yeah, there is." Donna arched an eyebrow, curious as to his meaning.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I'm figuring the Physical Therapist is going to say you haven't been getting enough rest and we both know that's my fault – I'd rather hear it direct from him than through you, I think he'll be nicer to me."
Donna shot him a look. "He'll be nicer to you than me?"
"Yeah, 'cos you would just say you were fine and I would accept it. However, you would then tell CJ what he actually said and she'd inform me through either yelling at me or hitting me, or a combination of both. Like I said, it's better I get it from the therapist," Josh grinned and Donna couldn't help but laugh.
*
"Now, Donna," said the Physical Therapist, "the exercises I've shown you so far you can do on your own, but the rest really need someone to help you. Is there anyone that can do that?"
"Yes! I can," exclaimed Josh eagerly, glad to finally be able to make a contribution. "I'll also make sure that she does the exercises three times a day as you've instructed." Donna shot him a look but Josh ignored her and continued, "Is there anything else she needs to do?"
"You do know I can speak for myself, right?" Donna asked before the Therapist could answer. Josh just smiled.
"As long as she does the exercises and comes here a few times she should be able to stop using the crutches probably by the end of the week." Donna's face brightened at the news and Josh turned his head away from her, not wanting her to see he was disappointed. He wanted her to get better so she wasn't in pain, but he knew when she stopped using the crutches she could go back to her own apartment. The doctor, who had already been filled in on Donna's current living arrangements, continued, "However, Donna, you will need to build up the strength in your ankle before you can start rushing around again and climbing a lot of steps. It might take another week." Josh's face brightened and Donna looked at him curiously. He remained silent.
"You said I need to come back here a few times?" Donna asked.
"Yes, I think a couple of times this week and next week should be enough. Let me check my diary." The Physical Therapist opened his desk diary and checked for spare time. "I can fit you in Wednesday and Friday mornings if that's alright?"
"That'll be fine," Donna replied.
"Wait, shouldn't we check my schedule first?" asked Josh.
"Why?"
"So that I can bring you."
"Josh, you can't take more time off just to bring me here. I can get a cab." Josh didn't look happy but he didn't push the subject further.
*
The Tuesday came and went and was fairly uneventful – except for Josh causing a commotion by excusing himself from a meeting with Toby so he could help Donna with her exercises, much to Donna's embarrassment.
Despite Josh's protests, Donna still insisted on getting a cab to and from her Physical Therapy appointment on the Wednesday, which meant she was out of the building for around an hour and a half; CJ took advantage of this to talk to Josh.
"Hey."
Josh looked up from his desk. "Oh, hey, CJ."
"Got a minute?" Josh nodded and CJ sat down in his visitor's chair.
"What's up?"
"I was just wondering what you're planning for Friday."
"Huh?" Confusion showed on Josh's face.
"Donna's birthday! You did remember, didn't you Josh?" CJ's tone was one of exasperation.
"Yes, I remembered! I've even got her a present," Josh said smugly.
"Oh, so you remembered when Donna presented you with her 'wish list'?" CJ grinned.
"No. Actually, she hasn't even mentioned her birthday to me."
"Really?" CJ was surprised but Josh nodded. "Hmm, so anyway, what do you have planned?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I assumed you would be doing something on Friday night, you know, taking her out for dinner or something. Sam and I were wondering if we could join you."
"I'm not doing anything."
"What?!! Why not?" CJ's voice got louder and Josh automatically sat further back in his chair.
"Because, I figured, when she hadn't mentioned it to me, that she doesn't actually want to do anything to celebrate," Josh replied defensively.
"Typical!" Josh just shrugged his shoulders. "You're honestly not going to do anything?"
"I'm honestly not."
"You're an idiot!" CJ stated as she left his office, slamming the door behind her for emphasis.
*
Donna returned from her Physical Therapy appointment and popped her head round Josh's office door.
"Hi, just letting you know I'm back." Josh immediately looked up and smiled.
"Hey, how did it go?"
"Ugh! He made me let go of the crutches and start walking on a treadmill."
"And this was bad because?"
"Because I have been putting all the weight on my left leg and had adjusted my stride to suit. Trying to change back was awkward and painful."
"Ah, yeah. I see you're still on crutches though." He pointed to the crutches under Donna's arms.
"Yeah, but he still thinks I shouldn't need them by the end of the week."
"So, did he change your exercises?"
"N…no." Donna dipped her head as she spoke and Josh grinned.
"Spill it, Donnatella!" he commanded.
"There's nothing to spill, Josh."
"Really? Can I see the exercise sheet he gave you then?" Donna stuck her tongue out at him. "Mature, Donna. All you needed to say was 'you're right Josh, he did change my exercises, thank you for showing concern', but I guess you can't handle admitting I'm right." The dimpled grin was appearing.
"I wouldn't know if I can handle it, Josh, I've never had to try it before!" Donna tried to control her laughter, but failed, and Josh shot her a 'not funny' look.
"Yeah, yeah. The exercises?"
"They hurt, Josh!"
"Tough, Donna!" He gave her a gentle smile as he continued, "They'll help you in the long run, isn't that what you used to say to me?" Donna rolled her eyes.
"I knew this would get around to talking about you sooner or later. Is this your way of revenge?"
"No, I'm just trying to help."
"Hmm, not buying it. Anyway, I have work to do." Donna turned to leave his office but his voice stopped her.
"I can always phone your Physical Therapist and find out." He gave her an evil grin.
"That's why they have such a thing as 'patient confidentiality', Josh!" she shot back. "And don't think playing the White House card would work either." Donna chuckled as she left the office, knowing full well that she would eventually have to tell Josh the new exercises as she would need him to help her with some of them – she was just putting it off as long as possible, simply to annoy him.
*
Donna entered Josh's office again about an hour later and sat down in the visitor's chair.
"Come to beg for my help with your exercises?" he asked as he looked up at her.
"Yeah, right! No, I've come to ask for a favor."
"Really?" Josh leaned back in his chair. "And do you think trying to insult me earlier bodes well for me granting this favor?"
"Well, that depends."
"On what?" Josh was grinning and now sitting forward in his chair again with his elbows on his desk, intrigued as to what her answer would be.
"On whether you are currently my charming, intelligent, handsome, loveable boss, or if you're being, you know, you." Donna grinned right back at him.
"Way to butter me up there, Donna."
"I try," she smiled sweetly.
"So, what's the favor?"
"Well, it's not so much of a favor as a question."
"Continue." Josh waved his arm to indicate she should expand on her statement.
"Do you have anything planned for Friday?"
Josh looked at her intently. "Like what?"
Donna seemed a little taken-aback at his nonchalant response. "Uh, erm, well I just wondered if you had…dinner plans, or anything."
"Not that I know of." Josh held her gaze and noticed her shoulders slump a little. "Why? Are you asking me out to dinner?" he grinned.
"No. It's just…well…" she trailed off.
"Yes?" he prompted.
"Well, Carol, Bonnie & Ginger have invited me out for dinner on Friday night and I wondered if I could go."
"Oh. What's the occasion?" asked Josh, again holding Donna's gaze.
"Nothing, just a girl's night out." Donna hung her head as she responded.
"What time would you need to leave?"
"The meal is at 7:30 and we're going to go to Carol's to change first, so I guess we'd need to leave here around 5:30."
"That's kind of early."
"I know, but we need time to get ready, Josh."
"Okay, I guess you can leave early, but we'll come in early on Friday morning."
"I might have known," Donna pouted.
"Hey, I can always change my mind entirely."
"Thanks, Josh," she said softly as she left his office.
*
Thursday saw Josh and Donna working late into the night and by the time they got home they were both exhausted. Donna had been fairly quiet since their discussion on Wednesday regarding her leaving early on Friday – she was a little put out that Josh wasn't remembering it was her birthday. Josh hadn't said too much either, thinking that she was maybe a little depressed about being away from her family on her birthday. They carried out their routine of taking turns for the bathroom and Josh fetching Donna's water before they bid each other goodnight and headed to their respective rooms to sleep.
*
Josh knocked gently on Donna's bedroom door early on Friday morning.
"Come in," came the sleepy-voiced reply. Josh nudged the door open and entered with a tray of scrambled eggs, toast and coffee. Donna rolled over and her face registered her surprise at the sight before her.
"Happy Birthday, Donnatella!" Josh grinned as he walked over to the bed and handed the tray to Donna.
"You remembered?"
"Of course! I am a man of occasion, as you know."
"And breakfast in bed is all you could come up with?" she grinned.
"Hey!" Josh's mock-wounded expression made an appearance. "I had to get up extra-early to prepare this!"
"Thanks," Donna laughed as she took a sip of coffee. "Are you not joining me?" She motioned to the tray of food.
"Well, I have a plate in the kitchen…"
"Bring it through." Josh nodded and left the room, returning moments later with his own plate of eggs and toast, along with a glass of orange juice.
"No coffee?" asked Donna, pointing to the juice in surprise.
Josh smiled. "No, I thought I'd steal yours." He reached for her mug but she caught his hand mid-swoop. Josh lightly rubbed his thumb against the top of her hand and held her gaze. She let go after a few seconds and they both turned their attention back to the food.
*
A few people wished Donna a happy birthday when she got to the office, but no-one made a big deal out of it. She left for her Physical Therapy appointment and returned to find that Josh had already left for his meetings on the Hill and wouldn't be back until around 5pm.
"Josh?" Donna walked into his office. "It's nearly 5:30, can I go?" Josh looked up.
"What? Is it that time already?" He glanced at his watch and then leaned back in his chair, running his hands through his hair. "Yeah, you can go."
She smiled at him. "Thanks, Josh. Hey, don't work too late, okay?"
"I'll try. I might even be home before you," he said, looking directly at her. "Have a good time tonight, Donna, you deserve it."
"Yeah, I just…" she trailed off.
"What?" He looked at her intently.
"Nothing," she smiled. "See you later, Josh."
"Bye, Donna. See you at home." It had become his ritual saying for when Donna left before him, and he knew that he enjoyed saying the words; he got a warm feeling in his heart as they left his lips. He stared out the door until he could no longer see her figure in the corridor and then returned his gaze to his desk.
**
TBC