Waffles & Coffee Chapter 2 - Not Before Time
Author:
Willow
Summary: Josh has a question for Donna.
Spoilers/Episode: Anything up to season 3
Characters: Josh/Donna, ensemble
Rating: PG-13


Saturday

"You and Amy broke up then?"

"Hey, Charlie," Josh replied as he collected his photocopies and walked to the coffee machine. "Is there something I can do for you?" he asked with a knowing smile.

"No, I was just passing."

"What time are you leaving?"

"We're supposed to leave at 3. So?"

"I hope you and the President have a nice trip," Josh grinned.

"Ah, misdirection, very good," Charlie smiled. "So?" he asked again.

"It's 1.20, you should probably be helping the President pack or something."

"You don't want to talk about it then?"

"No," Josh agreed, as he poured two coffees.

"I'll see you Monday then. But let me know when there's something I should know," Charlie grinned and walked away toward the Oval Office.

Josh headed to his office, handing Donna a cup of coffee as he passed her desk. "You got any plans for this weekend?" he asked her.

"It's 1.30 on Saturday, Josh, half the weekend's already gone," Donna replied. "Why, what did you want me to do? I thought with the President being away, I'd at least get Sunday to myself, I've made plans."

Josh looked a little dejected. "Okay. Well we've finished here so feel free to start your weekend when ever you like," he replied and walked into his office.

Donna watched him and sighed. "What did you want me to do?" she asked from the doorway.

"Nothing. I was just making conversation," he replied, nodding toward the ringing phone. "You going to answer that?"

Donna picked up the receiver, "Josh Lyman......"

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Donna was walking to her car when she heard Josh calling her name. "Yes, Josh," she asked when he reached her.

"I wasn't asking you to work tomorrow, I was just wondering what you were doing," he said.

"Okay," she replied. "I've got to go, I've got a hairdresser's appointment in five minutes and it's a twenty minute drive."

"Okay, I'll see you on Monday," Josh said as Donna started to walk away. That didn't go quite as he'd planned. 'Why can't I just ask her out for a meal?' he wondered. 'We've been out together plenty of times, I don't normally have a problem asking her.' But this time there was always the chance that she'd realize he was asking her on a date, then she might laugh and he'd have to find a new job, in a new city.

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Two hours later, Josh was sat outside Donna's building waiting for her to get home, although he was unsure what he was going to say when she did. Should he just pretend he was passing and thought she might like something to eat. That might work, except he was pretty sure that her roommate had noticed him sitting there, so maybe not. Perhaps he should go and leave it, after all, their relationship was fine just the way it was. But was it? A knock on the window made him jump.

"What are you doing?" Donna asked.

"Donna. I was just.... passing." 'Oh yeah, that's the way to charm her, Joshua,' he thought.

"Passing?" she smiled.

"Yeah. Do you fancy going for something to eat?"

"Why? What do you need?" Donna asked suspiciously.

"Well, food," he smiled.

"No strings? No work? This isn't a bribe?"

"Donnatella Moss, I'm shocked." Josh had the full dimpled grin now. Bantering he could cope with.

"Okay, what time?"

"Eight. Wear something smart."

"This is work isn't it?"

"No. I thought we could go somewhere nice for a change."

Donna smiled. "Okay. I'll see you later."

Josh drove off and Donna went into her apartment. "He's been out there for ages," Candi told her. "What did he want?"

"We're going out for something to eat later."

"Ah," Candi said with a knowing smile.

"What does that mean?"

"It's about time is all."

"Candi! We're just two friends going out for a meal."

"You keep telling yourself that if you like," Candi laughed.

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"I enjoyed that," Josh smiled, as they left the restaurant.

"Me too. It's still early, we could go and get a drink or something."

Neither of them made any attempt at conversation as they walked through Georgetown, both seemed lost in thought. Josh suddenly stopped when the arrived outside his apartment. "Weren't we supposed to be going for a drink?"

"Yeah," Donna replied. "How'd we end up back here?"

"You want to go in or shall we go to the Taps?"

"Where's Sam?"

"New York."

"Let's go in," she smiled.

They climbed the stoop and went into Josh's first floor apartment. Although it looked the same as the last time they were there, somehow, something was different. They'd both gone quiet again, Donna sat on the couch, then stood and closed the blinds. Josh went into the kitchen. "Coffee or beer?" he asked.

"Can we talk?" Donna asked.

Josh emerged from the kitchen and looked a little scared when he sat down next Donna.

"What's going on with us?" Donna asked.

"I dunno, I'm not very good at this," Josh replied. "You may have noticed?"

"Well, yes," she smiled. "Can I ask you something then?"

"Go on."

"Is this our first date?" Donna asked nervously.

Josh looked slightly embarrassed. "I was sort of hoping so," he replied. "I did warn you I wasn't very good at this."

"That's okay, because, as first dates go, this one's good."

"Really?" he smiled. "So it's alright if I do this?" He asked, reaching over and kissing her gently on the lips. Donna responded and the passion between them, a passion that been contained for far too long, was soon threatening to boil over. "Hang on, shouldn't we.... ?" he started to say, a little breathlessly. "No" Donna interrupted him. She opened his shirt and rubbed her fingers down his chest as she carried on kissing him. 'Ah to hell with it', he decided, lifting Donna's top over her head and caressing her breasts with his mouth. He took her hand and lead her into his bedroom were they fell on the bed, still kissing.

Four hours later, Donna woke and looked over at Josh. He was lying on his back, naked, with a sheet across his hips, and soundly asleep. She gently traced the scar than ran down the middle of his muscular chest and leaned over to kiss the smaller scar on his left side. He opened his eyes and gave a sleepy smile. She lay her head on his chest and they fell back to sleep. At 7.00, Donna woke again and found she was alone. She started to sit up, when Josh returned to the room with coffee and toast.

"Morning. I knew I'd have to get my own coffee," he smiled.

"Oh I don't know, after last night I think I would have brought you coffee. If only to make sure you were awake enough for a rerun."

"I think that could be arranged," he smiled and climbed back into bed beside her.

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At 9.30, they were awakened by the phone ringing. "Yeah?" Josh answered.

"Morning, Josh."

"Hey, Sam. What can I do for you?"

"Do you think you could drop my gray suit off at the cleaners. I need it for the thing on Tuesday and I forgot. I could wear the blue one but...... "

"Sam, I'm gonna have to stop you there. I'll see you this evening." Josh hung up the phone and grinned at Donna.

"That could have been important," she told him.

"Not as important as this," Josh replied, he leaned over and kissed her again, before pulling away. "I'm supposed to be meeting CJ in half an hour," he said. "I can cancel, but we really should tell her about us." His words bought him back to reality. He looked over at Donna. "There is an us isn't there?"

"I thought it was just last night," she said seriously. "I mean the meal was nice and then there was nothing on the TV," but she couldn't keep a straight face. "Of course there's an us you idiot."

"Good," he smiled and lay back on the bed.

"Get up and go running. I'll be here when you get back."

"Come with us."

"No. That's not my idea of a relaxing Sunday morning. You and CJ go running, I'll have a nice, long, hot bath......" she smiled at the look on his face and then hit him with a pillow. "Get up."

"If you insist," he grinned, turning toward her.

"Josh!"

"Okay." He got out of bed and walked to the bathroom. Ten minutes later, he was stood at the bedroom door in shorts and t-shirt. "Should I tell her, or shall we keep it a secret for a while?"

"A secret romance," Donna mused. "We'd never be able to fool any of them. You're living with Sam for a start."

"I could kick him out," Josh suggested with a smile. "Yeah, you're right, we'd never be able to do it. So should I tell her or should we do it together?"

"You tell her." Donna looked worried, "Is this going to be a problem? I mean, what are Leo and the President going to say? And what about the press?"

"It'll be fine. I'll talk to CJ." He leaned over and kissed her. "See you later, Donnatella," he smiled dimples and all.

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"You're very quiet, Joshua," CJ said when they returned from jogging.

"Sorry, I was thinking."

"Sounds worrying," she smiled.

"CJ," he began.

"Yes?"

"You promise not to get mad?"

"Oh God, what did you do?" she asked.

"Nothing. Well nothing wrong anyway."

"Josh?"

"Donna and I are, well, .....together," he looked worriedly at CJ.

CJ stared at him, a huge smile spreading across her face. She walked over to him and hugged him. "It's about time. God, Josh, what took you so long?"

"So, you think it's okay then?" he asked.

"I'm not your mother, you don't have to ask my permission to date a girl," she laughed.

"Oh God, I've got to tell my mom," he moaned.

"I thought your mom and Donna got on well?" CJ asked. "Ahh I see, that's the problem," she smiled.

"Yes," he replied, with a small grin. Then he looked seriously at CJ. "What about the press? I mean, I'm her boss, it could look a little, well, off."

"Yeah, I've thought about that," CJ replied, she has after all been expecting this for quite some time now. "To be honest, Josh, most of the Press Corps have been expecting something to happen between you two for years. There's the gutter press, who I suppose will try and make something of you dating your his assistant, but no one who matters will listen and it'll blow over quickly. Does Leo know?"

"No. We haven't told anyone." He saw CJ's surprised face, "You're a good friend CJ, to both of us. Anyway," he smiled, "you're always my first call, remember."

CJ returned the smile. "You should tell Toby and Leo sometime today. I'd wait to tell Sam until he gets back, we don't want him getting over-excited at his friend's wedding."

CJ did wonder how Leo was going to react though. No matter what she had said to Josh, she knew that some parts of the press and the Republican Party, and even some of their own party, were going to try and make something of this and Leo, Chief of Staff, was bound to be worried about how this was going to look. However, Leo the favorite uncle/surrogate father was going to be very happy, of that she was certain.

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"Are you sure I shouldn't come with you?" Donna asked.

"Nah, I'll be fine." Like CJ, he was worried about how Leo was going to react and he didn't want him blowing up in front of Donna.

"Okay then, I think I'll go and see CJ. We have girly stuff to discuss."

As Josh drove to see Leo, he planned what he was going to say. He knew Leo liked Donna, especially since Rosslyn. His main fear was that Leo would want to move Donna and that was an idea Josh would fight. He arrived at The Watergate Hotel and went up to Leo's suite, knocked on the door and waited. He know he should have rung first and made sure Leo was in, but there was a small part of him that hoped he wasn't. A part that was out of luck, Leo opened the door.

"Josh, come in."

"Hey, Leo, I won't disturb you for too long," Josh said nervously.

"You're not disturbing me," Leo told him. "Drink?"

"No, I'm fine." He followed Leo into the living room and sat down, standing up again almost immediately and starting to pace. 'This is ridiculous,' he told himself. 'For God sake, this is Leo, just tell him.' He stopped pacing and turned to face his boss. "Leo, I need to talk to you about something."

Leo watched the younger man. "Go on," he said cautiously.

"I don't know what White House policy is on this. Actually I suppose it's something I should know about, but I don't." He saw Leo's impatient look and sat back down. "Okay, here's the thing. Donna and I are dating." Leo didn't say anything and the silence stretches on for almost a minute. "Leo, say something. Even if it's to yell, just say something," Josh pleaded.

"You thought I'd yell at you?" Leo asked.

"Well, the thought did cross my mind."

"How long has it been going on?"

Josh looked at his watch. "About eighteen hours," he replied.

"Why would you think I'd yell?"

"Because I know how it looks, to anyone who doesn't know us or wants to get at us. CJ thinks the press won't be too much of a problem, not that we're thinking of announcing this in the Post or anything." Josh knew he was starting to ramble, but Leo's quietness was making him nervous.

Leo was torn between wanting to congratulate Josh for finally dating someone who made him happy, and wanting to shout at him for not thinking of the consequences. That wasn't fair though, if Josh hadn't thought of the consequences he wouldn't be looking so worried now. Leo loved Josh like a son and wanted him to be happy. After everything he'd been through he deserved that. Leo was actually a little hurt that Josh would imagine he'd think otherwise.

"Leo?"

"This may be a really stupid question but, does she make you happy?"

"What? God yes!" Josh's face lit up. "She's amazing, she's funny and clever, I can totally be myself with her, she doesn't expect me be anything else. She's.... Donna," he smiled.

'So how could you imagine I wouldn't be happy?' Leo thought. "I bet your mom's pleased?"

"I haven't told her yet," Josh admitted. "I told CJ this morning. She told me years ago that she's my first call with anything, and she tends to get violent if she's not," he smiled. "But, no, nobody else knows."

Leo was a little taken a back by that, and the hurt disappeared. "Josh, anyone who knows the two of you is going be very happy for you," he smiled, "the rest don't matter. I know, there'll be some who try and make a thing out of it, but we'll survive, we've survived worse, in fact we're getting pretty good at it. You and Donna haven't done anything wrong."

"So you're okay with it?" Josh asked, unable to believe this was going so well.

"Who are you asking? Leo, old friend of your father's or Leo, Chief of Staff."

"The first."

"I couldn't happier. You two are good together. I hate to sound like Margaret, but you really are," Leo smiled.

Josh was very happy to hear that. However, "And the second, Leo CoS?"

Leo wondered how much to make Josh sweat, but he relented. "Like I said, we'll get through any problems. Anyone who isn't happy for you just doesn't know you. What were you expecting?"

"I dunno," Josh admitted, but he still looked pensive. "What about work, Leo. I mean there aren't going to be any changes are there?"

"Changes?" Leo asked. "God no. Where the hell do you think I'd find another assistant who'd put up with you?" he smiled. "One thing though, Josh. You want me to tell the President?"

Josh looked worried again. "You think he's gonna be mad?"

"Are you sure you're a Fulbright Scholar, you didn't bribe someone? 'cos you can be pretty stupid at times," Leo asked. "The President's just going to want to know what the hell took you so long."

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CJ and Donna were sat in CJ's apartment drinking coffee and discussing Josh. CJ had meant what she'd said to Josh, she was extremely happy that her two friends had finally worked out what everyone else had known for years. She had always suspected the reason that Josh's relationships with Mandy and Amy didn't work was because they weren't Donna and they knew it. The only other person Josh had shown any interest in was Joey Lucas, and she knew full well where Josh's affections really lay, even if he didn't.

"When you going to tell your parents?" CJ asked.

"Never," Donna replied.

CJ thought Donna was joking, but saw that she wasn't. "Why?"

"They won't like him."

"Again, why?"

Donna suddenly looked very miserable and CJ wished she'd said nothing. "Lots of reasons," Donna sighed. "He's a Democrat."

"So are you."

"Yes, but they think it's a rebellious phase I'm going through," Donna replied. "Also, he's older than me and he's my boss."

"I guess," CJ agreed doubtfully. "I've never thought about the age gap." She supposed 11 years may seem a lot to Donna's parents. "As for him being your boss, why would that matter to them?"

Donna leaned back in the chair and stared into space. Should she tell CJ the real reason her parents already didn't like Josh? Should she tell her that it had nothing to do with his age or his job? She was going to have to tell Josh, so maybe she should see how CJ reacted.

"It's not just about that," Donna began. "You don't realize what they're like. They're......" She trailed off. How do you explain that you think your parents are, at the very least, a little bigoted? "It's just that, they don't mix with people who are different to them. They don't have any friends from different cultures or even different backgrounds. I'm not saying they're racist, they're good people...."

"That doesn't make them racist, Donna. It just means that they need a wider circle of friends."

"No, there's more to it than that," Donna continued. "It's not just that they don't know people from other cultures. They don't want to know them. They believe that America takes in too many immigrants." She looked across at CJ. "They think that the refugees from Eastern Europe, who came here during World War II, should have been sent back once the war was over."

"Josh's parents....."

"I know," Donna interrupted. "The fact is that they won't like Josh because he's Jewish and his parents came here from Poland." There, it was said, it was out in the open. "How am I going to tell Josh?" she asked.

CJ couldn't believe that Donna came from a family like that. She was saved having to answer Donna's question by the door buzzer. "Hello."

"Hey, CJ."

"Toby. I thought you were staying in watching sport?"

"I got bored."

"I'm flattered. You can come on up, but be warned it's girly talk in here."

"Hi, Donna," he called into the intercom as CJ buzzed him in.

"You won't say anything to Toby about my parents?" Donna asked.

"No," CJ agreed. She could just imagine Toby's reaction.

Toby entered the apartment and held out a six pack of beer. "I brought drink," he announced.

"You know, a different kind a drink might be nice occasionally," CJ told him.

"I went to Josh's first, but no one's home."

"Once again, I'm flattered," CJ smiled.

"He's at Leo's," Donna told him.

"You always know where he is?" Toby asked, sitting in one of the comfy chairs. "You two could be married. What's he doing at Leo's?"

"Tell him," CJ smiled.

"We're dating," Donna grinned.

That got Toby's attention. "You and Josh?" he asked.

"No, me and Leo."

"Very funny," Toby said and smiled. "About time. When did this happen. No forget that, it happened about four years ago. What I meant was, when did you realize what had happened?"

"Last night," Donna replied. "Josh has gone to talk to Leo, he's been gone quite a while now. You think everything's okay?"

"Why wouldn't it be?"

"They seem to think that Leo'll be pissed because Josh is dating his assistant. They think it might look bad," CJ replied.

"If Sam had jumped Bonny in a store cupboard, then Leo'd be pissed. But you and Josh, he's hardly taking advantage of you is he. Most people'll just be surprised it took you so long."

CJ and Donna both stared at him. "Well, Toby, you old romantic you," CJ smiled.

Toby just glared at her. "How long's he been gone?" he asked Donna.

"Couple of hours. What if he says I have to move? I mean he could couldn't he?"

Toby didn't reply because he thought that was a distinct possibility. CJ though was trying to be more optimistic. "He'd never find any one else to your job. Don't worry," she said.

"I just wish he'd phone," Donna sighed.

"It'll be fine," Toby told her. "Leo thinks the world of Josh. He'll be happy for the two of you," again CJ and Donna just stared at him.

"Okay, who are you?" CJ asked. "Where's the real Toby?"

"Hey, if that's your attitude, I can take my beer and go," he smiled. He was genuinely very pleased for Donna and Josh and it had put him in a good mood.

The door buzzer sounded again and CJ answered it. "Good afternoon, how may we help?" she asked.

"Have you been drinking?"

"Come on up, Joshua."

A couple of minutes later Josh walked into the apartment. "How'd it go?" Donna and CJ asked at the same time, while Toby handed him a beer.

"He's fine about it," Josh smiled. "Actually I think he was a little hurt that I thought he'd be angry."

"What did you expect?" Toby asked.

"You should have brought him with you. We could have celebrated together."

"He's meeting Mal."

"She could have come too," CJ said, "call him. Though really Sam should be here as well."

"His plane lands at 5," Toby told them. "We could all do something tonight." Then he smiled, "Unless you two have other plans."

"What's happened to you?" Josh asked.

"He's happy. It won't last long," CJ laughed.

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"Hey, you didn't have to pick me up," Sam smiled as he walked through the arrivals gate.

"No problem. I wanted to talk to you."

"What's happened?"

"A couple of things," Josh replied, trying hard not to smile. "Firstly, I forgot to take your suit to the cleaners, sorry I've had a busy day."

"That's okay. What was wrong this morning, you sounded distracted?"

"You could say that."

Sam looked at Josh. "What's going on?"

"I had a date last night," Josh grinned.

"Oh God, please tell me it wasn't Amy," Sam said, before he had time to stop himself. "Sorry, it's not that I don't like Amy, it's just that.... she didn't exactly make you happy did she. All the two of you did was fight and...." Sam suddenly stopped walking and looked at Josh, who was laughing at Sam's obvious discomfort. "Who was it?" he asked.

"Donna," Josh smiled.

Sam couldn't speak for smiling, he regained control of his face and said. "That's brilliant. Wow. How was it? Sorry that sounded like I'm back in college. Still, how was it?"

Josh just grinned and carried on walking to the car. "We're all going to CJ's tonight, apparently me and Donna dating is something that needs celebrating."

"It is," Sam agreed.

"How was the wedding?" Josh asked.

"Excruciating," Sam sighed. "Lisa was there."

"That's the real reason you phoned," Josh realized. "I'm sorry I cut you off."

"Hey you had good reason," Sam told him. "Everyone wanted to know who I was dating, it made me feel 19 again. Do you know how long it is since I had a date?" he complained.

"Mal's coming tonight," Josh smiled as he climbed into his car.

"Really," Sam gave Josh a thoughtful look. "Is she still seeing, what's his name. Gary something?"

"No. They broke up last month sometime."

"Really," Sam repeated. "Me and Mal at a party. Could be fun."

"Certainly could. Leo's coming too," Josh laughed as he pulled out of the airport and drove back into Washington.

Chapter 3 - Families.......