Title: A Friend In Need
Disclaimers, etc. - As in Part 1
Part 7 of 9
**
"It's a pity Leo couldn't let Margaret come with us," Donna stated as she, Carol, Bonnie and Ginger made their way from Carol's car to the Chinese restaurant. The other three nodded their agreements and then entered the restaurant. It was an upmarket 'all-you-can-eat buffet' place that they had heard about and wanted to go to – Josh had told Donna about it after he and Sam came across it one evening on the way home from a bar.
"We're here to meet the Lyman party," Carol told the man behind the counter as they entered. Donna turned to her in shock.
"What do you mean the Lyman party? What's going on?" she asked suspiciously. Carol just grinned and shrugged her shoulders. The man led them around a corner into the main dining area and Donna's jaw dropped as she took in the sight before her; CJ, Toby, Sam, Margaret, Leo and Josh were all sitting around a long table, which was set for 10 places. "What are you all doing here?" she asked them, looking from one to the other in succession around the table, her gaze finally stopping on Josh.
"You didn't think I'd let your birthday go by unmarked, did you?" Josh asked as she received a chorus of 'Happy Birthday's' from everyone else.
"You did this?" Donna couldn't help the surprised tone in her voice. Josh just nodded and smiled as Donna looked to CJ for confirmation. When CJ nodded, Donna's face split into a huge smile, causing Josh's dimpled smile to appear. Josh pointed to the seat between him and Leo and Donna sat down, a look of wonder and surprise still on her face. The other new arrivals took their seats and everyone started chatting. "Shouldn't you be working, Josh?" Donna asked as she turned to her right to face him.
"Yeah, we're taking a big risk by all of us being here tonight you know; in fact, you could say the country is being sacrificed so you can celebrate your birthday."
"What do you mean, Josh?" Everyone had heard Josh's comment and they all stopped talking to hear his reply to Donna's question.
"Well, as you said, we're all here…" he replied, pointing to himself, Leo, Toby and Sam in turn, "which means that the President is actually trying to run the country on his own."
"Make the most of it Donna, the country may be a totally different place tomorrow," Leo grinned, causing them all to laugh.
*
Once a waiter had taken their drinks orders Sam turned to Donna.
"So, do you want to do the gifts now?" he asked.
"No!" Josh said quickly. Everyone turned to look at him with surprise. "I…I just think it'd be better after the meal, we don't want wrapping paper all over the table while we eat." Donna shrugged her shoulders in acceptance and the waiter returned with their drinks, informing them they could start helping themselves to the buffet. As everyone started standing up and heading for the food Donna began to look a little worried. Josh turned and placed a hand on her arm.
"Don't worry, Donna. Just sit tight and I'll get yours – I'm just waiting until the wolves have been fed," he said, pointing to their colleagues at the buffet and laughing as Toby pushed Sam out of the way to get the last of the batch of dumplings. Donna smiled at him and remained in her seat. When everyone started to arrive back at the table, Josh made his way to the buffet. He returned a few minutes later and the assembled guests shared looks of amusement as they watched Josh place a huge plate of food between him and Donna for them to share, rather than getting her a plate of her own. He quickly noticed their looks.
"What? She would have just eaten mine anyway, so it's easier this way," he tried to explain, but the amused looks just increased so he fell silent and started to tuck into the food – fighting with Donna for rice.
*
Once they were all fed, Sam raised the question of opening the gifts again. This time Josh agreed and he watched as Sam and CJ lifted some well-wrapped presents onto the table. Josh didn't make a move to lift his own one.
"We weren't sure what to get you at first, Donna. I had been going to ask Josh for suggestions and get him to chip in with us, but he told me he'd already gotten you a gift, surprising as it may seem," said CJ. Donna turned to look at Josh, who just gave her his 'I'm-Da-Man' look and grinned. "Anyway, Sam came up with a great idea, so all of us, except Josh, contributed. Hope you like them." CJ pointed to the three packages on the table and Donna stretched her hand towards the square box-shaped one.
"Actually, Donna, you should probably start with these," Sam instructed, pushing the two long, flat gifts towards her. Donna nodded and started to open one, with Josh telling her to hurry up; he was the only other person at the table who didn't know what it was. Removing the last of the wrapping, Donna revealed it to be a wooden photo-frame, with enough space for three photographs, which could be hung on the wall.
"Thank you, it's gorgeous," she said as she smiled and looked at everyone. She moved onto the other long package and found it was the same. "Do I sense a pattern here?" she asked, causing them all to chuckle.
Sam pushed the other gift towards her and they all looked at her intently as she opened it. She opened one end of the wrapping paper and peered inside. Immediately, she removed her hands from the gift and sat back.
"Guys, I can't accept this," she stated, amazed at the gift's content.
"What? What is it?" asked Josh, trying to reach for the box. Donna stilled his hand.
"Donna, we want you to have it. We all chipped in." CJ gave Donna a warm smile as she spoke.
"CJ, it's too much. It must have cost a fortune."
"Donna, as CJ said, we all chipped in," said Leo, turning to face Donna.
"But I've seen these in the shops Leo, I know how expensive they are," Donna stated.
"Can someone tell me what it is?" Josh reached for the gift again and this time Donna let him draw it towards him and look inside the opened paper. "Oh, wow." His jaw dropped as he looked at the brand new, brand name digital camera inside.
"I managed to sweet-talk the store clerk into giving me a good deal, Donna. It didn't cost as much as you think. And there were 8 of us contributing."
"You bought this, Leo?" Donna asked incredulously. Leo nodded and smiled at her.
"I did, and I will be highly offended if you refuse to accept it." He reached for the box and pulled it away from Josh, placing it back in front of Donna. She stared at it for a few seconds before finally removing all of the wrapping paper.
"Why don't you try it out?" Leo suggested. "I made sure it had batteries."
Donna nodded and took the camera out of its box. Josh had gone very quiet and looked as though he wanted to be anywhere but at the table. Everyone was oblivious to this, however, as they waited for Donna to start using the camera.
Donna took a few pictures of everyone seated around the table and then CJ asked the waiter if he would take one of them all.
"You can put it in one of your new photo frames after you've printed it," CJ explained.
Everyone on the opposite side of the table from Donna moved around behind the others so that they would all be visible in the photo. The waiter asked them to move closer together so he could get them all in the frame. As they leaned closer, Josh realized that Donna's ankle would likely get hurt as he could feel himself getting pushed towards her right side. To prevent her being hurt, he quickly grabbed her around the waist and swung her round slightly, so that her upper body was lying across him with her legs pointing towards Leo on her left side. Shocked at the sudden movement, Donna turned to look at Josh. An unspoken communication passed between them and Donna realized what he was doing. She looked up at him and smiled and he returned it warmly; this was the moment the waiter chose to take the photograph.
"So, Josh, are you going to give Donna your gift?" Sam asked. Josh started staring down at the table and didn't respond.
"Josh, you did get her a gift, didn't you? You weren't lying to me?" CJ quizzed, looking pointedly at him.
"Of course I got a gift, CJ, you saw me bring it in here," Josh replied defensively.
"Good, well let's see it then." Josh reluctantly nodded and reached under his seat for the gift. He placed it on the table in front of Donna.
"Happy birthday, Donna."
Donna beamed at him and started to open the gift; her smile soon fell when she saw what he'd bought. She quickly tried to regain her composure; however, CJ had already noticed the change in her demeanor and shot Josh a look. He once again looked as though he didn't want to be there, in fact, he looked as though he wanted the ground to open up and swallow him.
*
Donna removed the gift from its wrapping and then stretched out her right hand and slapped Josh across the back of his head.
"Not funny, Joshua!" Josh gave her an apologetic look, but he knew he wasn't going to get off that easily.
"What is it, Donna?" CJ asked. Donna held the gift up for everyone to see. It was a book entitled 'How To Be A Good Assistant'. CJ, sitting opposite Josh, stretched over the table and also slapped him on the back of his head. Josh didn't say anything in response.
"Hey, what's with the post-it note sticking out of the book?" asked Sam, not noticing the death-glare Josh was shooting him. Donna flipped the book open at the marked page and had her attention immediately drawn to a section that was highlighted in yellow and had a note in the margin next to it in Josh's handwriting which said 'Take Note, Donnatella!'. She rolled her eyes and snapped the book shut.
"What does it say, Donna?" asked Bonnie, noticing Josh's glare but choosing to ignore it.
"It basically says that one of the criteria for being a good assistant is to bring your boss lots of coffee." Sam grinned as she spoke, knowing CJ would be yelling at Josh later, and that Donna would completely ignore the book.
"Josh, how could you?" asked CJ. "Couldn't you have been nice for once?" Josh looked extremely guilty and he chose to remain silent.
"It's okay, CJ," Donna said. "At least I now have something to stop my desk wobbling." She gave Josh a small smile and Josh was thankful that any further comments from anyone were stopped by the arrival of the waiter with the check.
Josh grabbed the check as soon as it was placed on the table and announced that he was paying for everyone.
"No way, Josh!" stated Sam.
"I want to, it was my idea and it's an extra gift for Donna." The tone of Josh's voice let everyone know he didn't want to be argued with, but none of them wanted Josh to pay for their meals.
"Look, why don't we all get our own but chip in a little extra to cover Donna's?" CJ suggested as a compromise. Everyone, except Josh and Donna, agreed and started to get money out.
"No, I'll pay for my own, but thanks for the offer," said Donna.
"Donna, it's your birthday, you're not paying for your own meal," came CJ's reply.
Josh placed a wad of cash on the table. "She doesn't have to, I'm paying for ours," he stated, leaning back and throwing an arm casually across Donna's shoulders. Everyone else nodded and Donna turned to Josh.
"I'll settle up with you later, Josh," she said quietly.
"No you won't, Donna," he replied, speaking into her ear so that no-one else could hear him. "This is my treat; happy birthday!" His left arm was still around her shoulders and he gently squeezed her left upper arm with his hand before returning his arm to the table.
"So, where are we going now?" asked Sam, looking around the table.
"The bar around the corner is pretty nice, and usually has dancing and stuff on Friday nights, why don't we go there?" suggested Bonnie. Everyone nodded, except for Leo. He leaned over to Donna.
"Donna, if you don't mind, I'm going to head home. I have some things to do in the office tomorrow." Donna looked a little disappointed and Josh, who had heard what Leo said, decided to reply.
"Leo, why don't you come for a little while?" he asked. Leo shook his head and Josh continued, "Look, I won't be drinking either since I'm driving, if that's what you're worried about."
"It's not." Leo gave him a definitive look. "I just think I'm a little old for 'Friday Night Dancing' these days."
"What, and Josh isn't?" replied Donna, smirking at Josh.
"Hey, easy on the age jokes, Donna. Remember, you just became another year older yourself!"
"Yeah, but I'll never be as old as you Josh!" she retorted, causing Leo to roll his eyes at them both.
"Pardon me for interrupting this little dispute, but I think we should all be going before the restaurant throws us out." They all started to stand up and make their way to the exit, with Josh helping Donna from her seat and keeping a guiding hand behind her as they made their way to the street.
"Well, goodnight everyone," said Leo; he then turned to Donna. "Donna, enjoy the rest of your birthday. Don't let Josh's idiocy with his gift spoil it for you." He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and then gave Josh a warning glance before walking off towards his car. The rest of them made their way around the corner and into the bar Bonnie had mentioned.
*
Bonnie, Ginger and Margaret quickly found an empty area and started pushing tables together so they could all sit down. Josh insisted on buying the first round and headed off to the bar with the drink orders. Sam followed behind to help him carry them.
"What's up with you tonight, Josh?" asked Sam as they stood at the bar waiting for the drinks.
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know, you just seem a little…quiet."
Josh rounded on him. "Why didn't you tell me what you were all getting Donna for her birthday?" he questioned with a little anger in his voice.
"What? Don't you like it? Do you think Donna doesn't like it or something?" Sam asked worriedly.
"Of course Donna likes it, who wouldn't? But it's made me look really dumb, and kind of mean, with the gift I gave her."
"To be honest, Josh, we're not the ones who made you look that way." Josh gave him a questioning glare. "What possessed you to buy something stupid like that for her, are you out of your mind?"
"I don't know…I didn't know what to get her and I saw that; I thought it would be funny."
"Well, you got that one wrong, didn't you?" Sam's tone was pitying and Josh's shoulders slumped.
"Yeah. I just…do you think she's pissed at me?" Josh asked in a quiet voice.
"No, but I think she's hurt. I mean, you went to all the trouble of arranging for the meal, and even managed to persuade Leo to come with us, yet you got her a stupid gift. Why, Josh?" Sam knew there was something else behind Josh's gift selection, he just didn't know what it was.
"I…well, I didn't expect you guys to get her something so extravagant," Josh said defensively.
"Josh, quit trying to blame us." Josh was about to reply when the bartender returned with the rest of the drinks and Sam and Josh carried the trays over to the group.
*
They had been in the bar for around a half-hour when the DJ appeared and started playing some music. A few people headed out onto the dancefloor and Donna was soon dragged out there by Bonnie, Ginger, Carol and Margaret. Josh was brooding over his drink, avoiding CJ's glares, but repeatedly kept glancing at Donna on the dancefloor. When she returned to the table, Donna made a point of sitting next to Josh, trying to let him know that she wasn't mad at him. She really hadn't expected him to get her a fantastic gift, although she knew he was more than capable of surprising her when he wanted to; she was just glad that he had given her the opportunity to spend the evening with her friends.
*
Donna had only been sitting for a couple of songs when Sam asked her to dance. She agreed and grabbed Sam's hand to stand up.
"Hey, don't you think you should rest for a little bit?" asked Josh, pulling on Donna's arm.
"I'm fine, Josh. I used the crutches all day, even though I don't really need to, so that I would be able to dance tonight – I thought it was going to be a girls night out remember." Josh nodded, but he didn't look pleased at her decision. He watched Sam and Donna dancing for a minute and then headed to the bathroom. On his way back, he stopped to speak to the DJ before returning to his seat.
"What were you talking to the DJ for?" Donna asked when she sat back down with Sam.
"Hmm? Oh, I was just asking him to turn the music down a little bit; don't want your ears getting damaged, you're not as young as you used to be," Josh grinned and Donna swatted him on the arm. CJ grabbed hold of Josh and dragged him onto the dancefloor. He sent some pleading glances in Donna's direction but she just laughed at him.
CJ took the opportunity of dancing with Josh to ask him what he thought he'd been doing with Donna's gift.
"Look, CJ, I already had this conversation with Sam," he stated, stepping back from her slightly.
"Yeah? Well now you're going to have it with me."
"CJ, I don't want to get into this. Donna's not mad at me, so I don't see why you should be."
"Josh," CJ said in a warning tone. Josh remained silent and, as soon as the song ended, he bolted back to his chair.
*
An hour or so later the DJ announced that the next song would be the last of the night. The song was a special request, but the requestor had asked him not to reveal who requested it, or who the song was for. Josh immediately turned to Donna.
"I know I messed up, but will you dance with me?" he asked quietly, half-expecting to be rejected.
"Of course I will, Josh."
He took her hand and led her onto the dancefloor. The DJ waited for the floor to fill up before he started the song. Josh looked around and noticed Sam was on the dancefloor with Ginger and CJ was there with Toby. The song started and Donna immediately recognized it as 'Wonderful Tonight' by Eric Clapton. Her left hand was in Josh's right and her right hand was around his waist, with his left hand resting at the base of her spine. They started to slowly move in time to the music and Donna raised her eyebrows at him, silently asking him if he made the request; he nodded and she smiled warmly.
"I'm sorry for the gift thing, Donna," he whispered, looking into her eyes.
"Josh, it's okay. I'm not mad at you."
"I know, but I want to explain --"
"There's nothing to explain, I should have given you a list." She grinned at him and Josh started to relax.
"Yeah," he laughed. "But, really, that wasn't your real gift."
Donna moved back a little. "What do you mean?"
Josh pulled her closer to him. "I got you something else, I just…I didn't think I should give it to you with everyone around; I wanted to surprise you when we got home. I guess I kind of blew it though…I didn't expect everyone else to get you a digital camera!" Donna smiled at him; he looked like a child who had just lost his favorite toy.
"You've got me intrigued now."
Josh grinned and pulled her closer still, so that her head was resting on his left shoulder. CJ had noticed their new position and pointed it out to Toby before motioning to Sam and Ginger. It was also noted by Carol, Bonnie and Margaret, who were sitting at the table watching the proceedings.
When the song finished, Josh led Donna back to the table, still holding her hand. He kept hold of it until they sat down and Sam and CJ grinned at each other.
They soon all bid each other goodnight and Josh drove Donna home.
**
TBC