Title: A Friend In Need
Disclaimers, etc. - As in Part 1
Part 8 of 9
**
"Where's my present then?" Donna asked as soon as Josh closed the apartment door.
"Patience, Donnatella!" She pouted and Josh started to laugh. "Sit down, I'll be right back." He headed off to his bedroom and Donna sat down on the couch, took off her shoes, leaned back and closed her eyes. Josh returned a few moments later and sat on the coffee table in front of her.
"Donna," he said softly, "if you want to go to sleep, I'm sure this can wait until tomorrow." Her eyes flew open and he grinned at her.
"No way! Gimme!" She held her hands out in front of her expectantly, but Josh just batted them away and grinned again. "Josh!" she pouted.
"Yeah, in a minute, I promise." Josh looked at her seriously. "I just want to explain about the book."
"Josh, we've been over this, it's fine. I know you were only joking and I'll tell CJ to go easy on you."
"That's not what I mean. Look, I only organized the dinner on Wednesday. I wasn't going to do anything as I didn't think you wanted to celebrate. CJ told me I was being an idiot so I organized the meal--"
Donna interrupted him. "Thank you for that, Josh. You were right though, I didn't want to celebrate." Josh's eyes grew wide. "It's okay, I was just being dumb, feeling sorry myself, you know, being another year older with nothing much to show for it," she clarified.
"What do you mean 'nothing much to show for it'?"
"The usual; husband, children, you know, what every girl's supposed to want." She looked down when she spoke and her shoulders slumped a little.
"It'll happen for you, Donna, when the time is right." Josh's voice was very soft and he placed comforting hands on her shoulders.
She looked up at him. "Yeah, anyway, what were you saying?"
He removed his hands from her shoulders and placed them back in his lap. "Right, well, when I organized the meal, I already had your gift sorted out, but I didn't want to give it to you in front of everyone." Donna looked surprised. "I don't know why, I just felt I should give it to you in private, I wanted it to be a moment that only the two of us would share. I know it sounds dumb --"
"It doesn't sound dumb, Josh. It sounds nice, but you know, what would be even nicer would be me getting to see the gift you're talking about!"
"I'm getting there, let me finish!" Josh laughed. "I figured if I turned up tonight without a gift CJ would yell at me; of course, she's now going to yell at me anyway, but I didn't know that at the time." Donna was signaling to him to hurry up. "So anyway, when I told you yesterday that my meeting at the Hill overran, I was actually at a bookstore so I could get you another gift that I could give to you at the meal. I was going to get you a nice book, but I saw that one and it just kind of jumped out at me. I thought you'd find it funny." His voice was a little downcast as he spoke the last sentence.
"I did, Josh," Donna said, trying to reassure him.
"Yeah? Well, now you know why you got a dumb gift earlier; you know what I'm like when I'm put on the spot."
"I know, it's okay. Can we move on now please, I really want my other gift!" Donna was getting impatient again.
"Alright," Josh chuckled and reached behind his back to lift her gift from the coffee table. He held it out for her to take. "I just put it in one of those little gift bags, I thought I might mess the wrapping up since it's so small." Donna looked into the bag and removed a small, flat, black velvet box. She knew it was jewelry, but had no idea what was inside. "Well, aren't you going to open it?" Josh prompted gently. She nodded and lifted the lid on the box.
"Josh, it's beautiful, but I can't take this."
"You have to, the inscription wouldn't make much sense to anyone else." Donna looked up at him. "It's on the back," he explained.
She lifted the gift out of its box and looked at it properly. It was a 24ct gold locket and chain, with the locket about 5 inches long. She turned it over and read the inscription on the back, her eyes lighting up. The inscription read 'Thank You For Being Priceless' – there were no names as to who it was for, or who it was from, but Donna's heart melted.
"Josh?" Tears were forming in her eyes and she wanted to throw her arms around his neck, but something held her back.
"You told me the first day we met that I'd find you valuable."
"You remember that?" Surprise was evident in her tone.
"Of course I do. How could I forget a life-changing moment like that?" Josh's voice was husky. "I know I don't tell you enough, but you were right."
"You never tell me I'm right, Josh, but I know I always am." Donna tried to lighten the mood a little as she was beginning to get overcome with emotion.
"Funny, Donna! I meant, you were right about being valuable. I don't know what I would do without you." He looked directly into her eyes and a single tear started to escape Donna's left eye. "I know I don't tell you often enough, but now you can wear this and know that I always feel it." More tears started falling down Donna's face. "Hey, don't cry. You…you do like it, don't you?" Josh was starting to panic.
"Of course I do. I just…thank you, Josh, I love it." Donna stopped crying and gave him a heartfelt smile. "Can you help me put it on?" She held it up for Josh to take and then bent her head towards him, holding her long hair out to the side so he could fasten the chain around her neck. When he finished she threw her arms around his neck.
"See, I knew you'd get all emotional, that's why I didn't want to do this in front of everyone!" Josh accused, a dimpled-grin forming on his face.
"Shut up!"
Josh put his arms around her waist and held her tight, balancing on the edge of the coffee table. They broke apart a few moments later.
"Well, it's getting late. I guess we should get some sleep," Josh said almost reluctantly. Donna nodded and rose from the couch, grabbing her crutches. She was extremely tired and knew she couldn't put weight on her ankle without it hurting again.
"Night, Josh," she said softly as she headed for the bathroom. Josh didn't say anything; he just stared after her. He went into his own room and got ready for bed, leaving only his boxers and a T-shirt on him. Remembering about Donna's water, he went to the kitchen, filled a glass and crossed to her closed door. He knocked gently and entered when Donna said it was okay.
*
"Here's your water." He placed it on the nightstand on the left side of the bed, closest to the door. Donna was lying on her right side, her back towards him.
"Thanks." Her voice sounded strange.
"Donna, are you okay?" Concern laced Josh's voice. Donna nodded in reply, but didn't turn to look at him. He crossed to the other side of the room and crouched down in front of her.
"Hey, you've been crying again, what's wrong?" Her only response was to turn onto her left side so that she was facing away from him again. "Donna?"
"I'm okay, Josh," she said unconvincingly.
"No, you're not. What's wrong?" He stayed where he was, realizing Donna didn't want him to see her for some reason.
"Nothing."
"Well, I don't believe you. You shouldn't be crying on your birthday. Is this about the thing you said earlier, about a husband and stuff?" Donna sniffed and Josh knew she was still crying.
"What are you doing?" Donna asked, still not turning her head, as she felt Josh climb into bed next to her.
"I know there's something wrong and you should talk about it. I'm going to be right here when you feel up to talking." Donna remained silent. "Donna, is this okay?" he asked hesitantly.
"Do what you want, Josh, it's your apartment!" she snapped. She felt Josh's body stiffen next to her. "I'm sorry Josh, I didn't mean to snap. I'm glad you're here." Still she didn't turn to look at him. Josh's response was to turn onto his left side so that he was looking at her back. He draped his right arm over her waist and pulled her back towards him, so that they were lying in the 'spoon' position. Donna stretched her right leg towards the edge of the bed, so that her ankle was protected, and clasped her hands under her head.
*
A few minutes passed where neither of them spoke.
"Donna?"
"Hmm?"
"Go to sleep."
"I was asleep, Josh; you just woke me up!"
"No, you weren't, I know you were awake."
"And how do you know that?"
"Your breathing hadn't changed."
"What?"
"When you fall asleep your breathing pattern changes, everyone's does."
"Whatever!"
"Are you ready to talk yet?"
"There's nothing to talk about, Josh, I'm fine, really," she insisted.
"I still don't believe you, but okay."
"Wouldn't you be better in your own bed?"
"Do you want me to go?" Josh sounded hurt.
"I didn't say that, it's just that I don't know if I'm going to get much sleep tonight and I don't want to keep you awake."
"I'm fine." Josh didn't tell her that he'd found that after the night they'd fallen asleep together in his bed, he had awoken more refreshed than any other night in as long as he could remember. "But, I'll go if you want," he offered. His right hand was still draped over Donna's waist and he felt her place her right hand on top of his. They laced their fingers together and Josh propped himself up on his left elbow. He leaned over the top of Donna and placed a light kiss on her cheek before returning to his position beside her. "I hope you enjoyed your birthday, Donnatella." Josh then moved tighter in to her and squeezed her right hand with his. They both soon fell asleep.
*
Josh was woken by the ringing phone the next morning. He flopped onto his stomach so that he could grab the phone from the nightstand with his left hand while keeping his right hand laced with Donna's.
"Josh Lyman," he answered quickly and very quietly, not wanting to waken Donna.
"Josh, it's Leo." Josh brought the phone cord around the back of his head so that he could lie on his left side again, keeping his right hand on Donna's waist.
"Hey, what's up?" Josh glanced at the clock and saw that it was 9:21am.
"Nothing, just wondered if you were coming into the office today?"
"Uh, yeah, I guess. I just figured we'd have a lie in since we were out late last night." Josh's voice was still very quiet, almost a whisper.
"Josh, why are you whispering?"
"Uh, I don't want to wake Donna." Josh tried to sound nonchalant, but failed and steeled himself for Leo's reply.
"And how would you waken Donna? Josh, is Donna in bed with you right now?" Leo's tone sounded stern, and since Josh couldn't see the smile on Leo's face, or the twinkle in his eyes, he got defensive.
"Yes, but it's not what you think, I swear Leo." Josh's outburst made Donna stir beside him and he used his right hand to pull her tighter towards him.
"Oh? And you know what I'm thinking do you, Josh? What, are you a mind-reader now?"
"No, but I swear, Leo, nothing happened. We were just talking and fell asleep." Josh didn't tell Leo the position they'd fallen asleep in.
"I believe you, Josh." Leo lowered his voice so that Josh couldn't hear him mutter, "unfortunately."
"Do you want us to come in now?" Josh asked reluctantly; he really didn't want to move from his place beside Donna.
"Yes, I think you should. You were right about leaving the President to run the country alone last night, he started reading things we wouldn't normally let him see and now he's come up with a load of ideas. Taking last night off was your idea, so I'm not going to suffer listening to him alone," Leo said with light laughter.
Josh grinned. "Okay, hang on a sec." He removed his right hand from Donna's and gently rubbed her right upper arm until she rolled onto her back. Josh hadn't covered the phone with his other hand, so Leo could hear everything that was being said. "Hey, we have to go into the office," Josh said gently.
"Do we have to?" Donna whined.
"Yep, sorry, Leo's on the phone." He indicated the phone in his left hand. "We were right about leaving the President alone last night."
Donna rolled her eyes at him. "Wait, Josh, does Leo know we're in bed together?" Panic was clear in Donna's voice but Josh grabbed her right hand with his own.
"Yeah, don't worry, it's fine." He smiled warmly at her and she calmed down. On the other end of the phone Leo smiled and gave a 'thumbs up' signal to CJ, who was sitting in his office. "Why don't you grab the first shower and I'll make breakfast?" Josh suggested to Donna.
"Josh, you know I'm still here, right?" asked Leo, managing to finally draw Josh's attention away from Donna.
"Huh? Oh yeah, sorry, Leo. Just gimme another minute." Josh turned back to Donna. "Can you manage?" Donna nodded as she climbed out of bed, grabbed some clean clothes and headed for the bathroom. "Okay, Leo, I'm back," Josh said when Donna was out of his line of vision.
"I'm so glad to hear that, Josh, but I'd be more glad if I knew you were on your way in," Leo said dryly.
"I'm on it. We'll be there in an hour or so; as soon as we get dressed."
"Good. Check in when you arrive." Leo hung up the phone and turned to CJ, who was bouncing around wanting to know what Josh had said – she had caught Leo's side of the conversation and knew that Josh and Donna had spent the night in the same bed, but didn't know anymore than that.
*
The entire Senior Staff had to work that weekend. The President had indeed come up with some ideas and wanted to share them with everyone. Everyone was cursing the fact that the First Lady was abroad, meaning that there was no-one to stop the President from working.
*
By the Monday, Donna had completely stopped using crutches. Her Physical Therapist said she was doing well and it was planned that she would move back into her own apartment on the Saturday – by that time her ankle would be strong enough to take the three flights of stairs. Neither Josh or Donna said much about her moving out. Josh was glad she was feeling better, but he wasn't looking forward to living on his own again. He liked having someone else around and he was amazed that he and Donna hadn't fought the entire time she'd been staying with him. They'd had minor disagreements, like they usually did, but they were always light-hearted, more like banter than real arguments. For her part, Donna was looking forward to returning to her own apartment as she'd always felt a little uncomfortable at Josh's, feeling that she should always ask his permission before doing anything. However, there was also a part of her, a big part, which didn't want to go. She knew she would still see him every day at work, but it wouldn't be the same. Although he would still be driving her to and from work for a couple more weeks until she was allowed to drive again, they wouldn't be sharing their late night cups of cocoa, and the early morning routine of breakfasting and brushing their teeth together would not be happening anymore.
*
When Wednesday rolled around, Josh was feeling miserable about Donna's impending departure. He paid Sam a visit in his office late that afternoon.
"Hey, Sam."
Sam looked up from his desk. "Hey, Josh, what's up?"
Josh closed the door behind him and sat in the chair opposite Sam's desk. "Are you doing anything tonight?"
"Well, I'm not working if that's what you're asking. I have a date with a good book and a couple of beers."
"How about changing that to a date with me and a couple of beers in a bar?"
Sam looked at Josh closely. "Is something wrong?"
"No. I just figured we haven't had a 'guy talk' in a while."
"Is this about Donna?"
"What? What makes you say that, Sam?" Josh's tone was defensive.
"I'm right, aren't I?" Sam accused. Josh remained silent. "Okay sure, come by when you're ready to leave."
"Okay, thanks." Josh stood up.
"Hey, Josh?"
"Yeah?"
"What about Donna?"
"Sam," Josh replied in a warning tone.
"No, I just mean that Donna usually comes with us when we go out. If you don't invite her, she's gonna wonder what's going on."
"Ah, yeah. I thought I'd tell her that you needed to talk to me, alone. I'll take her home first though and we can go to the bar near my place"
"Well, you can try telling her that, but I don't think she'll believe you."
"Why not?"
"Because I usually tell her anything that I tell you, since I know you would tell her anyway."
"I wouldn't!"
"Yes, you would, and you do. Anyway, tell her it's about me and I'll back you up."
Josh nodded and left the office.
*
"Donna?"
Donna looked up to find Josh standing at the doorway to her cubicle. She smiled up at him. "Hey, what's up?"
"Nothing. I just thought I'd better let you know that I'm going out tonight." Donna looked surprised and her tone of voice in her reply gave away her feelings.
"A date?"
"Kind of." As Donna's eyes widened, Josh quickly amended his statement. "With Sam! He wants to have a 'guy talk' so, I'm afraid I can't invite you." Donna's demeanor returned to normal.
"Okay, well I'll see if I can get a ride home with someone."
"No, it's okay. We're gonna go to the bar near our place --" Josh stopped when he realized what he'd said and then recovered his composure and continued, "I'll drop you and my car and then walk to the bar."
"You're not going to drink too much, are you, Josh?" asked Donna, in a mock-angry tone.
"Would I?" Josh grinned. "You don't mind being on your own tonight?"
"Actually, it'll give me an opportunity to do something I've wanted to do for a while."
"What's that?" Josh was curious.
"Take a long, hot bath."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Since you have a separate shower cubicle and bathtub, your bath is nice and deep. I've been wanting to take a bath since I was allowed to start taking the bandage off my ankle, but I didn't want to take one when you were around."
"Why not?" Josh sounded hurt.
"Because I want a long bath and you'd be hammering on the door after the first half-hour," Donna grinned.
"Yeah, you're probably right," he admitted. "Hey, you're not gonna make the bathroom smell all girly, are you?" Donna just widened her grin.
*
Sam found a quiet table in the corner while Josh bought drinks at the bar. As soon as Josh sat down, Sam started asking questions.
"So, this is about Donna and how you don't want her to stop living with you?"
"Sam, how many times do I have to tell you, Donna is not living with me!"
"Okay, but this is still about you not wanting her to move out, isn't it?"
"Yeah," Josh admitted reluctantly. "I dunno, Sam, I can't get my head around this. I'm going to miss her and it's crazy 'cos we'll still see each other about 18 hours a day at the office."
"Yeah, but she won't be there when you go to sleep at night and when you wake up in the morning…and she certainly won't be asleep in your arms, in the same bed as you."
Josh's head snapped up. "You know about that?"
"Leo told us."
"He WHAT?" There was anger in Josh's eyes.
"Hey, calm down. He just wanted us to know that he's fine with whatever happens between you two and that we should all start preparing for it."
"What are you talking about?" Josh knew exactly what Sam was meaning but wanted to buy some time so he could form an argument.
"Oh come on, Josh, we're not blind. We all know that things are changing between you and Donna and we all support you."
"Sam, you're wrong. Nothing is changing between us, it can't. Leo and CJ would kill me."
"No, they won't." As Josh raised his eyebrows in disbelief, Sam continued, "Why do you think they suggested Donna staying with you in the first place?"
"What?!!" Josh's voice was beginning to get louder and Sam hastily tried to explain.
"Josh, they thought this could be a kind of trial run. If you and Donna managed to survive living together, sorry staying together for a couple of weeks, without any major fights, they figured that you could survive anything…particularly when Donna has been dependent on you for once, instead of the other way around."
"Sam, what the hell…?"
Sam grinned at him. "What are you complaining for Josh, it's what you want, isn't it?"
"I don't know," Josh replied quietly.
"What?!!" It was Sam's turn to be surprised. "Josh, are you crazy? I know it's what you want."
"What if I hurt her?" Josh sounded like a scared little boy and Sam couldn't help but smile.
"Josh, you know as well as I do that there are no guarantees in life, but you have to take risks. What do you want to do?"
"I don't want her to move out."
"She has to."
Josh shot Sam a look. "So, why the hell are you telling me that you all support it?"
"I'm not telling you that. I'm telling you that we support you and Donna getting together, but she can't actually move in with you, Josh, not yet."
"But, you keep saying that she's already living with me, so what's the difference?" Josh's brow was creased in confusion.
"A couple of things. One; at the moment, CJ can spin it to the press, if she has to, because of Donna's ankle. It's pretty much healed now, so there's no other reason for her to be there. The other thing is that I don't think Donna would want to stay."
Josh looked stunned. "I thought…I don't know, I just got the feeling that…" he trailed off and started waving his arms around.
"Don't get me wrong, Josh, I think Donna wants this as much as you, but she won't be ready to move in with you yet; that'd be like jumping a whole heap of steps. I know you guys know each other inside out already, but you know what I mean."
Josh nodded slowly and his shoulders slumped. "So, what do I do, Sam?"
"Talk to her. Make sure she realizes you're serious and it's not just because you're going to be lonely again after she moves back to her own place. Also, make sure it's what she wants."
"You just said it is what she wants."
"Yeah, and I believe that, but what do I know? Have you two ever talked about this?" Josh shook his head and Sam nodded. "That's what I thought. Josh, she's probably pretty confused right now about everything that's been going on over the last few weeks. If you haven't told her how you feel, she's probably feeling a little self-conscious. Talk to her."
"I will," Josh promised. "You don't think it'd get dragged through the press? I mean, I can handle it, but I don't want Donna to get hurt, Sam. I couldn't let that happen to her."
"Don't worry, Josh. CJ will handle that if she has to, but given that no-one has really bothered about Donna staying with you the last few weeks I don't think they'd say too much about you dating."
"This would be different though."
"Yeah, but everyone knows how much you two care about each other. In fact, I'm pretty sure most people think you've been dating for a while. You know there are rumors, right?"
Josh nodded. "Yeah, but if we confirm it…"
"Josh, we've all put our lives on hold for the administration, it's time one of us got to have our life back. If anything, this will make you work better." Josh looked at him questioningly. "You've worked really well since Donna's been staying with you, it's like you've got a new energy."
"I know, I felt it. She just makes me--"
Sam interrupted him. "You know what, Josh, I don't think I'm the person you should be saying this to. Talk to Donna, decide if you both want this, and if you're ready for it, and then talk to Leo and CJ. It'll be fine." Sam clapped a hand on Josh's shoulder and stood up. He shrugged on his jacket and Josh followed him out of the bar. They said goodnight and Josh headed home, everything Sam had told him fluttering around his brain. He knew he couldn't talk to Donna yet, not until he'd sorted his thoughts and feelings out, but he knew he had to before she moved out.
*
Donna heard the key turn in the lock and moved from lying on the couch to sitting up on it.
"Hey, how'd it go?" she asked as Josh hung up his jacket.
"Huh? Oh, it was fine."
"Get everything sorted out with Sam?"
"Yeah. How was your bath?"
"It was good, although my mom called in the middle of it."
Josh laughed. "Did you answer or did the machine get it?"
"I answered, but didn't talk for long; I said you wanted into the bathroom," she grinned and Josh rolled his eyes.
"How come I always get the blame for everything?"
"Just lucky I guess!"
Josh shook his head and went to the bathroom, closing the door behind him. The door opened a second later and Josh strode back into the living room.
"You made the bathroom smell all girly!" he accused, pointing a finger at Donna; she smirked at him.
"So?"
"Donna! I have a reputation to think of!"
"Josh, who's going to know? The smell will be gone by tomorrow, unfortunately."
"Hmm!" He stalked off towards the bathroom again amidst Donna's laughter.
*
Josh stopped by his bedroom before he returned to the living room and sat down next to Donna on the couch.
"I got these done for you, you don't have to use them though." He handed her some small pieces of paper and Donna looked at him in confusion. "They're for your locket," he explained. "I got them reduced in size so they'd fit in it; I didn't think you'd put any photos in it yet. Like I said, you don't have to use them."
Donna looked at the papers in her hand; they were indeed miniature photographs. "Where did you get these?" she asked in surprise.
"They were taken when we were at Shenandoah."
"I remember this one," she said, pointing to the photo that had been taken of them sitting at the picnic table. "But, I don't remember this one." It was a photo of Donna lying with her head on Josh's chest and her right leg slung between his legs.
"You were asleep. I got the guy who told me about the picnic place to take it. I couldn't resist," Josh admitted with a smile and a shrug of his shoulders.
Donna smiled at him. "Thanks, I'll put them in the locket later, when I take it off." Josh nodded. "Could I…" she trailed off and Josh gave her a questioning look. "Could I have the regular size photos as well?" she asked hesitantly.
"You can have copies, but not the originals," Josh replied.
"Why not?" Donna was confused.
"Go look in my bedroom."
"What?"
"Just go look," Josh said, not moving from his spot next to her.
Donna stood up and crossed to his room. When she opened his bedroom door she immediately spotted the photos in a frame on his nightstand. Donna felt a fluttering in her heart and fought to remain calm; she didn't want to presume why Josh had the photos there. She'd thought he was going to finally fulfil her dreams on her birthday when he said he'd wanted to give her the locket in private. She thought he'd meant it was because he wanted it to be the first step towards a relationship, but he hadn't made any sort of move like that and she had shut herself away from him that night, finding it difficult to control her disappointment; she didn't want that to happen again. She walked back into the living room and sat down in an armchair.
"You saw them?" Josh asked and she nodded but remained silent. He smiled. "I'll get copies made for you, I want to keep those."
"Thanks." Donna's voice was quiet.
"Hey, are you doing anything tomorrow night?" he asked suddenly.
"Not that I know of, oh, you're not going to make me work late are you?"
"No, I just thought we could maybe go out to dinner, you know, celebrate your recovery."
Donna smiled at him. "Okay, that sounds good."
"Great, I'll even let you pick where we go. Check my schedule tomorrow and then book somewhere." She nodded. "Okay, well, I'd better get some sleep." Josh pushed himself up from the couch. "Night, Donna."
"Night, Josh," she replied, watching him enter his bedroom before making her way to her own room.
**
TBC