Waffles & Coffee Chapter 8 - Spike
Author: Willow
Summary: Josh and Donna cat sit.
Spoilers/Episode: Anything up to season 3
Characters: Josh/Donna, ensemble
Rating: PG-13
Friday Evening
"What's that?" Josh asked, pointing at the box Donna had just placed on his lounge floor.
"Candi needs someone to look after the cat."
"And it has to be you because.....?"
"He's mine as well."
"Donna! You know I'm not allowed pets."
"Mrs Malpas has a cat and a dog," Donna pointed out.
"Mrs Malpas is the Super's mother."
"Exactly. He can hardly tell you that Spike can't stay two nights, if his mother has pets in his apartment."
Josh couldn't really argue with that, as much as he wanted to. "Why only Spike?" he asked.
"Candi's taking Milly with her."
"To her parents?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"To see her mother."
"Candi's mother?"
"Milly's. Candi's mom's cat is Milly's mom."
"Not Spike's?" Josh asked, trying very hard not to smile.
"No, Spike's a stray who adopted us."
Josh couldn't help but grin, "Doesn't he feel left out when there's family reunion?"
"Are you mocking me?"
"Yes," Josh agreed. "Who in their right mind takes a cat home to visit its mother?"
"Can Spike stay?"
"No."
"Okay." Donna picked up the cat carrier. "Then I can't stay either."
"You're kidding me?"
"No. I can't leave him alone all weekend."
"Because he'll be upset enough at having missed out on the family reunion, him being an orphan and all."
"I'm serious."
"That's what's scaring me," Josh told her.
"What if he's in alone and something happens?"
"He's in alone all the time. What about when you're both at work?"
"Mrs Rigby has a key."
"Then why can't she.... ? She's away as well?"
"Yes."
"Oh God," Josh muttered. "Why can't we both stay at your apartment?"
"Because we promised Leo that any sleep overs would be at your apartment."
"Sleep overs? What are we, 10?"
"Either Spike stays here the weekend, or I stay at home, alone."
"Fine, he can stay, but if he makes a mess, sleeps on my bed, scratches or breaks anything...."
"You'll put me on your list?" Donna smiled.
"Yes," Josh agreed.
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Saturday Morning, Very Early.
"This cat is better than any contraceptive ever invented," Josh muttered. "I'm sure I said I didn't want him on the bed."
"Don't be mean," Donna told him.
"Put him in the lounge."
"I can't."
"Why?"
"He scratches at the door."
"What?" Josh asked. "If he's been scratching at my bedroom door and pulling the carpet.... "
"Oh stop moaning," Donna told him as she stroked spike. "See, he's a sweetie."
"Does he have to lie in between us?" Josh asked. "Every time I go near you he growls."
"He's a tiny house cat, Josh. Not a lion."
"Perhaps you'd like to remind him of that."
"You ignore mean Uncle Josh, Spikey. I love you," Donna told the cat.
"What was that voice?" Josh laughed.
"Uncle Josh is just upset because you're getting all the attention."
"Can we stop with the 'Uncle Josh' do you think?"
"I know you like cats, your mom told me you had a cat when you were a kid."
"Yes, but he didn't stop me having sex," Josh complained.
"You called him Marmalade," Donna laughed.
"I was five years old, he was orange," Josh pointed out.
"Yes, but you named his replacement Guinness, you were 18 then," Donna laughed.
"He was black and white. Stop changing the subject and move Spike."
"No, he's comfy. He's missing Milly."
"Fine," Josh muttered. "I'll just go to sleep then."
"Night, Josh," Donna smiled. "Say goodnight to Uncle Josh, Spike."
"Right, that's it." Josh moved the protesting cat, leaned over and kissed Donna.
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Saturday Evening
Josh, Donna and Spike had eaten dinner and Josh was making coffee in the kitchen. He looked down and grinned. "You could hear a fridge door open from three blocks away couldn't you?" He poured more milk into the saucer that Spike had claimed as his own. The cat lapped up the milk, then purred and rubbed around Josh's legs. "You're not having more ham," Josh told him. "Standing on your back legs looking cute won't help," he smiled. "I don't believe I'm doing this. Here," he gave Spike some cooked ham, which the purring cat ate out of his hand. Josh grinned, "Now will you eat your own food, it's making my kitchen smell."
"Ahh, I knew you liked him really," Donna smiled from the doorway.
"Hey, if feeding him ham from the deli stops him attacking me, I'm happy," Josh grinned. "You want to watch a movie or go out?"
"Movie."
"Me too."
Ten minutes into the film, Spike decided to sit on the coffee table right in their line of sight and stare at them.
"What does he want now?" Josh asked.
"Popcorn," Donna replied.
"He's a cat."
"He likes popcorn. He kicks it round the room and then eats it."
"That can't be good for him," Josh commented.
"We never give him the toffee stuff."
"'Cos he's watching his weight?" Josh asked with a grin. "Tell him we don't have any popcorn."
"You know I'm not sure he'll understand me, Josh. He is a cat after all."
"Yet he knows we're watching a movie."
"Yeah, he's a little freaky like that," Donna agreed.
"Hang on." Josh stood up and walked to a table at the back of the apartment where he sometimes worked from home. He tore a piece of paper off the pad, rolled it into a ball, walked back to Spike and threw the paper ball at him. Spike watched it for a second and batted it back to Josh with his paw. Josh flicked the paper onto the floor and Spike chased it. When he caught it he held it in his front paws and pummeled it with the back ones, much to Josh's amusement.
"And you claim not to like him," Donna smiled.
"I just wanted him to move away from the TV screen," Josh smiled as he settled back down on the couch.
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Early Sunday Morning
"This is ridiculous," Josh moaned.
"What?" Donna murmured from the other side of the bed
"This," Josh helpfully elaborated.
Donna opened her eyes, looked over at Josh and tried very hard not to laugh. "You see, he does like you."
"You think?"
"He wouldn't be lying there if he didn't," she grinned. Spike was lying fast asleep, curled up in a ball on Josh's chest and purring gently. "And he's purring, he must be happy."
"Yes. He's happy that he's found a way to suffocate me. Will you get him off me. Every time I move he digs his claws in."
"Don't move then," Donna laughed, climbing out of bed and walking into the lounge.
"Where are you going?" Josh called.
"Just lie still," Donna instructed, returning with a Polaroid camera.
"No. You're not taking my picture. Donna!" Josh pleaded. "As soon as the flash goes off he'll...... oww," he yelled. When the flash went off, Spike jumped and dug his claws into Josh's chest. "Yes, see, that's what I was going to say."
Donna though was comforting Spike. "I'm sorry Spikey, I didn't mean to make you jump. It'll make a funny picture though," she told the cat.
"It really won't," Josh assured her.
"Hey, Spike," she continued. "I think Uncle Josh will pay good money to make sure this picture doesn't end up in the West Wing."
"Will you stop calling me 'Uncle Josh'."
Donna ignored him, she was showing the picture to Spike. "See, Spikey, it's a good picture of you."
"Give me that," Josh made a lunge for the picture, but Donna was quicker.
"No chance," she laughed. "See," she held the picture out, "it's good. CJ'll appreciate it."
"You are not taking that into work."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Okay," she agreed.
"Okay?"
"Yes. Here you are," she handed him the picture.
"Thanks," he replied, a little suspiciously.
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Monday Afternoon
"You still cat sitting?" CJ asked Josh as they left Leo's office.
"No, Candi's back later this evening," Josh replied. "Of course now we'll have to have them whenever Candi goes away."
"It must be love," Margaret commented as they walked past her desk.
"How come everyone seems to know about Spike?" Josh asked CJ.
"Donna must have told them."
"Well I wish she wouldn't, I'm not allowed pets."
"I think most people who work here keep bigger secrets than, 'Josh has a cat in his apartment'," CJ laughed.
"Yes, but it's the little secrets that get out."
"Hey," Ainsley caught them up. "Spike's a cute cat," she told them.
"You want him?" Josh offered.
"I'm not allowed pets," Ainsley replied.
"Shame," Josh smiled, "if you think of anyone....."
"I don't think Donna would like that idea," Ainsley pointed out. "I'll see you later, I've got go and see Sam and Toby."
As CJ walked into her office, Josh suddenly stopped. "Hang on," he said. "How did Ainsley know what Spike looks like?"
"I don't know," CJ shrugged, "Donna must have shown her a picture."
"Okay," Josh agreed as he walked away to his office.
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Twenty minutes later, Sam appeared in Josh's office doorway. "Afternoon. I believe you and Spike are getting okay now," he grinned.
"What?" Josh asked suspiciously.
"You and Spike....... "
"Hang on a minute," Josh said. "DONNA," he shouted.
"Master," Donna smiled from the office doorway.
"There was more than one photo wasn't there?"
"What makes you say that?" Donna asked.
"Ainsley's never seen Spike, yet she thinks he cute. Nanci said he looked like a very contented cat."
"How do you know they've never met him? They may have been to my apartment."
"True," Josh agreed. "But Margaret hasn't been to my apartment. Yet strangely enough she knows that I have the same duvet cover as her."
"She visited you after the shooting," Sam intervened.
"Donna bought that duvet cover last week."
"Ahh," Sam smiled.
"Yes."
"In that case....." Sam began.
Josh ignored him and looked at Donna. "Where's the photograph?"
"I'm not entirely sure," Donna smiled.
"What?"
"I was showing Charlie and Nanci, when the President walked in and asked what they were laughing at. That's when I left."
"So what you're telling me is that the President has it?"
"Possibly," Donna admitted.
"What's it of?"
"Spike."
"And?"
"You."
"It's a picture of Spike curled up asleep on my chest?" Josh guessed.
"No," Donna protested.
"Then?"
"He's kind of draped across you," she smiled.
"Donna!"
"I think I'll just go and write a speech or something," Sam muttered, trying very hard not to grin as he left Josh's office.
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Monday Evening
"Is Josh still here, Leo?" Jed asked.
"Probably," Leo replied. "I think he's avoiding going home until the cat's left."
"It's a very cute looking cat," Jed commented.
"When have you seen Donna's cat?" Leo asked.
"I've seen a photograph," Jed smiled.
"Okay," Leo replies. "He's probably in his office."
"Haven't you seen the photo?" Jed continued.
"I'm not that interested in Donna's cats, Sir."
"I bet Margaret's seen it?" Jed asked, as Margaret put some papers on Leo's desk.
"Sorry, Sir, seen what?" Margaret asked.
"The photo of Donna's cat."
"Oh yes," Margaret laughed.
"I'm just going to go and find Josh," Jed smiled.
Leo watched Jed leave and then turned to Margaret. "Why do I get the feeling I've missed something?"
"Well," Margaret began. "On Saturday night Donna woke up just as it was coming light, she wanted a drink but she'd forgotten to take one to bed with her....... "
"Is this a long story?" Leo asked.
"Do you want to hear it?"
"Not really," Leo admitted.
"Anyway," Margaret continued, completely ignoring him. "She looked over at Josh, and Spike was lying draped across him...... "
"She took a picture?"
"Yes."
Leo grinned, "Josh'll be livid."
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"Josh."
Josh looked up, "Mr President."
"I was looking for Donna," Jed smiled.
"She's gone home, Sir."
"And left you here?"
"Well, if I'd gone with her, I'd have had to go the supermarket."
"Donna does your shopping for you?"
"Not normally, Sir."
"She's being punished?" Jed smiled.
"She's made me cat sit for the weekend. I'm out of milk, tuna, ham..... "
"And camera film," Jed finished.
"Sir, please tell me..... "
"I wanted to give her this back," Jed interrupted, holding out a Polaroid photograph.
"Oh God."
"It's a very good photograph," Jed smiled. "He certainly seems to like you."
"He was just trying to crush me," Josh replied as he took the photograph off Jed. "Thank you, Sir."
"Don't mention it, Josh," Jed smiled. "This is all good fun, but can we be serious for a minute?" Jed asked, sitting in the visitor's chair.
"Yes, Sir."
"When Leo told me that you and Donna had started dating, I was a little concerned," Jed admitted. "But I was wrong. The relationship hasn't affected your work and, well frankly the press seem relieved. What I'm trying to say is, I may not have shown it at first, but I am pleased for you and Donna. She's a very special girl, Josh, you know that."
"Yes, Sir," Josh agreed, wondering where this was heading. When Jed didn't continue, Josh asked, "Is this a 'hurt her and you'll have me to answer to' talk?"
Jed laughed, "Well her family are in Wisconsin, she needs someone to look out for her."
"I wouldn't worry about that, Sir. She's got CJ, Toby, Margaret, not to mention my mom," Josh smiled.
"She's gets on well with your mother?"
"My mom likes Donna better than me."
"Mothers and daughters, Josh," Jed smiled. "What about her parents?"
"They like her as well," Josh deflected the question.
"And you?" Jed asked, knowing that he'd crossed the line between president and aide, but Josh was more than that to him, all the senior staff were.
"I haven't met them," Josh admitted. "We've not been to Wisconsin yet."
"But you're going to?" Jed asked.
"Sir, I'm sorry but, with all due respect, why does it matter to you?"
"I'm a father, Josh. I have three daughters. If one of them had been dating a guy for four months, I'd want to have met him by now."
"You'd want to meet him regardless of whether you thought you'd like him, wouldn't you? You'd want to meet him and you'd try and get along with him just 'cos he was dating your daughter."
"Yes," Jed replied. "I swear Ellie's boyfriend's only around because of who she is, but Abbey tells me Ellie's smarter than that and I just don't like him because his father turned down Notre Dame in favor of Yale," he smiled, then studied Josh, "Donna's parent's don't like you?"
"I think the fact that I'm older than her and her boss is an issue for them," Josh told him. He had no intention of telling the president the real reason Donna's parents didn't like him.
"Plus her parents are Republican," Jed smiled. "I hear things," he said in answer to Josh's questioning look.
"Yeah, that doesn't help," Josh admitted.
Jed watched Josh, he had an idea that there was more to it then that, but he knew Josh wasn't going to tell him. He also suspected that Josh was upset by their attitude. "I'll stop harassing you," Jed said and stood up. "If they're not proud that their daughter's dating you, then they're idiots, Josh," he told him and smiled, "Even though you didn't go to Notre Dame."
"Harvard and Yale, Sir," Josh smiled, quickly adding, "which are obviously inferior to Notre Dame."
"Good boy," Jed smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Good night, Sir. And thank you, that was a nice thing to say."
Chapter 8, Forever Delayed....
