Author: Jo-Anne Storm
Title: To Court a Lady
Rating: PG-13 for a few choice words
Disclaimer: The West Wing and all its characters are a property of Aaron Sorkin, John Wells Production, Warner Brothers Television and NBC. No copyright infringement is intended.
Spoilers: Up through Season 4.
Summery: After a blow-up, Josh gets permission to date Donna.
Notes: There had to be at least one part that included Josh making a blunder and not even realizing it. And, of course, the requisite apology and make up. Pure fluff.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Leo was confirmed as Vice President of the United States. Barely. The battle to get the Senate to confirm him took the combined efforts of every member of the White House staff. Even Will's interns played a part, if only that of tracking down stubborn senators on the Hill.
With Leo confirmed and safely sworn in just that day, Josh breathed a small sigh of relief. Only a small sigh, though. Tonight the President and First Lady were hosting a ball in Leo's honor and had invited the Senior Staff to attend. Tomorrow would be taken up with vetting the short list for the position of Deputy Chief of Staff and all of the other logistics that came from elevating people.
Tonight was for celebration. Tomorrow was for work. Which was why Josh was on Donna's stoop, waiting for her to buzz him into her building. As per President Bartlet's request, Josh was suited in a white tie and tails. Or, he would be once Donna tied his tie for him.
A low buzz signaled the remote release of the lock, and Josh hurriedly opened the door and climbed the stairs to his girlfriend's second story apartment. She had opened the door a crack to allow him entry as she rushed around looking for a missing earring. He stood in the entryway, taking in her beauty.
She wore a dress borrowed from CJ, her hair up in some sort of twist. She had fretted over what to wear for a week because she didn't have the money to buy a new dress and didn't want to embarrass anyone by showing up in the dress she had worn to the Inaugural Balls. Josh, showing an amazing amount of sensitivity on the subject, had been the one to suggest asking CJ for help. As it turned out, Margaret had been in the same position as Donna, which led to a confusing jumble of trades. He thought Margaret was wearing the dress Donna wore to the balls, but was a bit unsure.
"You could come the whole way in," she stated as she inserted the missing earring.
"Cats."
"They're locked in Jamie's room, I promise."
With that declaration, Josh eased further into the apartment. The others had laughed at Josh when Donna had told them about his reaction to the demon spawn. It had happened the morning after the first Inauguration, when Josh had gotten a little too drunk on champagne and power and ended up at Donna's because for the life of him he couldn't remember the address of his new apartment. In his own defense, he had only moved in the week before.
Donna had taken him in as she had done in the months before when he had mourned his father and celebrated his success. Only then she had simply found his room key and led him there to crash for the night. Never were there concerns about roommates and demons.
He had woken up that morning hung over and unable to breathe. The hangover was easy to explain away. The breathing problem, along with the watery eyes, was quickly attributed to the monster who had decided that his chest would be a comfortable resting spot.
It had taken his own territory, all day, and two benedril to battle the effects of his allergy. Then he went and did a stupid thing by showing up the next night and starting the process over again. Donna had laughed at him once she realized why he hated the cats so much, but afterwards had always assured that they were locked away whenever he came over.
"You're beautiful," he told her as she finally came to a stop in front of him.
"Thank you," she smiled back.
He waited for her to lock her apartment behind her and then escorted her to the waiting car. That would possibly be the hardest thing for him to get used to. He was no longer allowed to drive himself where he needed to go. He had a car waiting at his beck and call, part and parcel of his new position.
He had also been forced to accept the damned card from the NSA. The Nuclear Event card. He had argued long and hard with both Leo and the President, but in the end had seen their reasoning that the Chief of Staff would have to be available for the President if something were to happen.
"Donna, about tonight," he started as they traveled towards the White House. "The press is going to be there."
"Yes, Joshua."
"I. I just want to make sure that you're OK with what's going to happen. They've been too busy with Leo- Vice President McGarry's- confirmation to notice us. That will change tonight."
"Are you saying you don't want to go?" she asked nervously.
"No. Well, yes, but that's because I hate wearing a monkey suit. I'm asking to make sure that you want to go. After tonight there may be press waiting at your doorstep. They may imply some horrible things. They might even try to contact your family."
She was silent for a moment, considering this. As she thought, he squeezed the hand he had been holding, silently reassuring her that he would be there for her.
"My parents know we're dating. I told them last week. I can handle the press, I think. 'No comment,' right?"
"You can make any comment you like. CJ will push the 'no comment' while in the Press Room. As far as I'm concerned, what you say outside of the West Wing is entirely up to you."
She nodded in understanding. "And your mom?"
"Told her a month ago. Her response was along the lines of 'about damn time.'"
She laughed with him as the car slowed to a stop. Reporters crowded around the entrance, looking like nothing more than paparazzi at the opening of some movie.
"Ready for this?" he asked as a Marine opened the door. She gave him a smile in response.
He exited the car first and then helped her out. The cameras flashed as he tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. He didn't bother trying to hide either them or his feelings from the cameras and knew that they would be splashed across the society pages the next day.
The Ballroom was exquisite, but paled in comparison to his date. The cameras flashed once again as they were announced. Dr. Bartlet's staff had organized the whole thing, so he didn't have to look after any last minute details. It was a nice change.
They danced and laughed, talked to the other members of the staff. Donna graciously accepted offers to dance from Toby and Will, while Josh danced with CJ, Andy, and Elsie. When the President was announced the stood and applauded him. When Leo announced they applauded so loudly that he actually blushed.
"Did you have a good time?" he asked when he walked her back to her door.
"Yes. I felt like Cinderella going to the ball."
"Does that mean I'm Prince Charming?" he smirked.
"I thought you were the frog," she teased as she unlocked the door and stepped through the opening.
"Well, I had a good time tonight," he told her as he propped himself up in the doorway. "I didn't have to worry about being the Chief of Staff or who we'd get to be Deputy. I didn't have to smooze too many politicians. It was a good night."
"Are you going to come in for some coffee?" she asked when she noticed that he hadn't moved from the doorway.
"Nah. I have to go in early tomorrow. I have an assistant that's a slave driver," he teased.
She frowned as she deposited her tiny evening bag on her coffee table. "Josh."
He remained silent, knowing that she would say whatever was on her mind in her own time.
"We've been dating for almost two months now."
"Yes," he confirmed with a smile.
"And. You've never. I mean."
"You want to know why I never 'come in for coffee?'"
"Yeah."
"The thing is, I don't feel the need to."
"Oh." She drew herself up ramrod straight. "I see. Good night, Joshua."
"Night," he said, closing the door as he left, never noticing the icy tone of her voice.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
He could only attribute his lack of comprehension on the sheer amount of logistical nightmares that occurred over the next few days. They had to move Leo's personal affects out of the Chief of Staff's office, which had to be done before Josh could take over. Likewise, Margaret had to clear her own space before Donna could have her desk. As a result, Josh spent two days running back and forth between his old office, his new office, and the Oval Office. Add to that the stress of selecting a deputy and receiving calls every few hours from a mothering Vice President and surely any sane person could understand why Josh didn't notice the fact that his assistant and girlfriend wasn't talking to him. He simply didn't have time to notice.
Once he was finally settled in his office and his new deputy, a woman by the name of Ellen Shinup, was settled, a new crisis erupted in the Middle East, which kept him away from Donna for another three days.
It was over a week since their last date when he finally had a chance to catch his breath and check on his lovely girlfriend.
"Hey," he said, leaning one hip against her desk. "How do you like having an office with actual walls?"
"Do you need something?" she asked shortly, not looking up from a memo she was typing.
"Dinner at the Palm tomorrow?"
"I'll set up the reservation."
"'Kay," he said with a happy smile.
She came into his office a few minutes later to tell him that the reservation was at nine and that he was about to be late for the President's meeting with the DNC. Once again his day flew by, as did the next one. He didn't have a chance to talk to her in any depth until he was knocking on her door an hour before they were supposed to be at the restaurant.
"Hey!" he greeted as she opened the door, only to stop in confusion when he saw that she was wearing casual clothes. "Donna, you know my schedule better than I do. Did you forget about dinner tonight?"
"No," she said as she tried to close the door in his face.
"Donna!" he yelped, managing to barely slip into the opening before she locked him out. He was completely confused as to why she would do such a thing until he noticed one of the demon cats rub up against his leg. The only time she didn't lock the stupid things up was when she was well and truly pissed at him.
"Donna? What did I do?" he asked, desperately trying to ignore the prickling of his eyes and nose caused by the proximity of the cat.
"Nothing, Josh. Absolutely nothing."
"'Kay. What was I supposed to do?" he ventured.
"Nothing."
He eyed her warily as he picked up the cat and crossed to Jamie's room. Obviously, he thought as he quickly checked that the other demon was in the room and shut them both in, he had done something. Or he had forgotten to do something. For the life of him, though, he had no idea what his blunder was.
He hadn't forgotten any important dates. Even if Donna had not reminded him for some reason, he had roped his mother into keeping track of the important anniversaries of his life, including his first date with Donna. So he knew for a fact that he didn't forget her birthday, which was months away in any case.
It was possible that she was mad that he hadn't had time for her over the past week, but since she was the one who made his schedule, she knew damn well how busy he had been. That surely wasn't the reason.
"Donda," he sniffled, internally cursing the evil cats. "I obviously did sobething. Please tell be what I did so I can bake it up to you."
She glared at him as he snagged a tissue from the dispenser and blew his nose. Two tissues later he felt as if he could talk normally once again.
"What's wrong? Did the press give you a hard time or something?"
She sniffed in response, a reaction that told him he was in trouble even more so than her silence.
"Did you just want to stay in tonight? Are you mad that I assumed you'd want to get dressed up and go to the Palm? You used to complain to me that you never got to go anywhere, so I just assumed that you'd enjoy it."
Still, she remained silent, her back ramrod straight and her shoulders square.
Sighing in defeat, he sunk onto the couch and decided that if worse came to worst he would simply out stubborn her.
Donna glared at him for a moment before opening the door to Jamie's room, letting out the demons, and then disappearing into her own room. From the way she oh so carefully closed the door, he knew she was resisting the urge to slam it.
Absently, he petted the cat that wandered over to him, figuring that if he was going to be miserable because she was mad, he might as well do it right.
Jamie came home after he had been there for an hour. She silently raised her brows at his abject misery before gathering up her two cats, both of whom had decided to take up residence in his lap, and disappearing into her room.
Depressed and unable to breathe, he took off his suit jacket and used it as a pillow, eventually dozing off.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Coffee," Donna announced the next morning, setting a steaming cup on the coffee table.
"Ab I forgiven?"
"What did you do that needs forgiven?"
"I habe do idea. But whatever it was, I sincerely apologize."
She leaned back in the chair she had settled into and considered him. He really did look miserable. His nose and eyes were red, his hair and shirt rumpled. He had spent the whole night on her couch, her incredibly lumpy couch.
"You didn't want coffee," she stated.
"Coffee?" he asked, confusion written across his features. "Idcluding today, you've brought be coffee exactly twice. Ady time I ask you to bring me coffee, you sdap at be."
She retrieved a packet of benedril from her pocket and tossed it to him, receiving a "Thadks" in return. After he took the medicine and blew his nose several times, she tried to explain the reason she was so mad.
"After the ball. I asked you to come in for coffee. You said you didn't feel the need to."
Josh's brow furrowed in confusion. "'Coffee' is a code word, I take it?" At her nod, he continued. "And because I didn't want to come in last week and have 'coffee,' you're mad at me?"
"No, because you said you didn't feel like you needed any."
"'Kay. And you got mad at me because I didn't want to go straight for the 'coffee?'"
"Sounds silly when you put it like that," she mumbled.
He smiled, flashing his dimples, as he sank to his knees in front of her chair. "What I meant is that I don't want to rush into 'coffee.' I want to do this right, and if that means no 'coffee' for a year, then so be it."
"But. People who are dating-"
"Yes, they do. Because they're checking out compatibility. I don't need to do that."
"Huh?"
She smiled up at her. "I know you, Donna. I don't have to check to see if we're 'coffee' compatible. I know we are."
"How can you be sure?" she questioned, her voice small and confused.
With a shy smile he levered himself up until he could reach her lips and proceeded to kiss her the way he had been resisting doing for as long as they had been dating, and even before that. He poured just a portion of his passion and love for her into the kiss while burying a hand in her thick hair. He coaxed her mouth open and explored it with his tongue, taking in the taste of her and the overlying taste of coffee.
Finally, when his knees were protesting the hard floor they rested on, he lightened the pressure, ending the kiss. He immediately returned to her lips to place soft, soothing kisses on the now red flesh.
"I need to go change for work," he whispered before placing one last kiss on her lips. "As to your question: I know."
He dashed out the door, leaving her sitting dazed in the chair. Jamie stuck her sleep tousled head into the living room and sent her a questioning look.
"Wow," was all Donna could say, her hand pressed to her still-tingling lips.
Title: To Court a Lady
Rating: PG-13 for a few choice words
Disclaimer: The West Wing and all its characters are a property of Aaron Sorkin, John Wells Production, Warner Brothers Television and NBC. No copyright infringement is intended.
Spoilers: Up through Season 4.
Summery: After a blow-up, Josh gets permission to date Donna.
Notes: There had to be at least one part that included Josh making a blunder and not even realizing it. And, of course, the requisite apology and make up. Pure fluff.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Leo was confirmed as Vice President of the United States. Barely. The battle to get the Senate to confirm him took the combined efforts of every member of the White House staff. Even Will's interns played a part, if only that of tracking down stubborn senators on the Hill.
With Leo confirmed and safely sworn in just that day, Josh breathed a small sigh of relief. Only a small sigh, though. Tonight the President and First Lady were hosting a ball in Leo's honor and had invited the Senior Staff to attend. Tomorrow would be taken up with vetting the short list for the position of Deputy Chief of Staff and all of the other logistics that came from elevating people.
Tonight was for celebration. Tomorrow was for work. Which was why Josh was on Donna's stoop, waiting for her to buzz him into her building. As per President Bartlet's request, Josh was suited in a white tie and tails. Or, he would be once Donna tied his tie for him.
A low buzz signaled the remote release of the lock, and Josh hurriedly opened the door and climbed the stairs to his girlfriend's second story apartment. She had opened the door a crack to allow him entry as she rushed around looking for a missing earring. He stood in the entryway, taking in her beauty.
She wore a dress borrowed from CJ, her hair up in some sort of twist. She had fretted over what to wear for a week because she didn't have the money to buy a new dress and didn't want to embarrass anyone by showing up in the dress she had worn to the Inaugural Balls. Josh, showing an amazing amount of sensitivity on the subject, had been the one to suggest asking CJ for help. As it turned out, Margaret had been in the same position as Donna, which led to a confusing jumble of trades. He thought Margaret was wearing the dress Donna wore to the balls, but was a bit unsure.
"You could come the whole way in," she stated as she inserted the missing earring.
"Cats."
"They're locked in Jamie's room, I promise."
With that declaration, Josh eased further into the apartment. The others had laughed at Josh when Donna had told them about his reaction to the demon spawn. It had happened the morning after the first Inauguration, when Josh had gotten a little too drunk on champagne and power and ended up at Donna's because for the life of him he couldn't remember the address of his new apartment. In his own defense, he had only moved in the week before.
Donna had taken him in as she had done in the months before when he had mourned his father and celebrated his success. Only then she had simply found his room key and led him there to crash for the night. Never were there concerns about roommates and demons.
He had woken up that morning hung over and unable to breathe. The hangover was easy to explain away. The breathing problem, along with the watery eyes, was quickly attributed to the monster who had decided that his chest would be a comfortable resting spot.
It had taken his own territory, all day, and two benedril to battle the effects of his allergy. Then he went and did a stupid thing by showing up the next night and starting the process over again. Donna had laughed at him once she realized why he hated the cats so much, but afterwards had always assured that they were locked away whenever he came over.
"You're beautiful," he told her as she finally came to a stop in front of him.
"Thank you," she smiled back.
He waited for her to lock her apartment behind her and then escorted her to the waiting car. That would possibly be the hardest thing for him to get used to. He was no longer allowed to drive himself where he needed to go. He had a car waiting at his beck and call, part and parcel of his new position.
He had also been forced to accept the damned card from the NSA. The Nuclear Event card. He had argued long and hard with both Leo and the President, but in the end had seen their reasoning that the Chief of Staff would have to be available for the President if something were to happen.
"Donna, about tonight," he started as they traveled towards the White House. "The press is going to be there."
"Yes, Joshua."
"I. I just want to make sure that you're OK with what's going to happen. They've been too busy with Leo- Vice President McGarry's- confirmation to notice us. That will change tonight."
"Are you saying you don't want to go?" she asked nervously.
"No. Well, yes, but that's because I hate wearing a monkey suit. I'm asking to make sure that you want to go. After tonight there may be press waiting at your doorstep. They may imply some horrible things. They might even try to contact your family."
She was silent for a moment, considering this. As she thought, he squeezed the hand he had been holding, silently reassuring her that he would be there for her.
"My parents know we're dating. I told them last week. I can handle the press, I think. 'No comment,' right?"
"You can make any comment you like. CJ will push the 'no comment' while in the Press Room. As far as I'm concerned, what you say outside of the West Wing is entirely up to you."
She nodded in understanding. "And your mom?"
"Told her a month ago. Her response was along the lines of 'about damn time.'"
She laughed with him as the car slowed to a stop. Reporters crowded around the entrance, looking like nothing more than paparazzi at the opening of some movie.
"Ready for this?" he asked as a Marine opened the door. She gave him a smile in response.
He exited the car first and then helped her out. The cameras flashed as he tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. He didn't bother trying to hide either them or his feelings from the cameras and knew that they would be splashed across the society pages the next day.
The Ballroom was exquisite, but paled in comparison to his date. The cameras flashed once again as they were announced. Dr. Bartlet's staff had organized the whole thing, so he didn't have to look after any last minute details. It was a nice change.
They danced and laughed, talked to the other members of the staff. Donna graciously accepted offers to dance from Toby and Will, while Josh danced with CJ, Andy, and Elsie. When the President was announced the stood and applauded him. When Leo announced they applauded so loudly that he actually blushed.
"Did you have a good time?" he asked when he walked her back to her door.
"Yes. I felt like Cinderella going to the ball."
"Does that mean I'm Prince Charming?" he smirked.
"I thought you were the frog," she teased as she unlocked the door and stepped through the opening.
"Well, I had a good time tonight," he told her as he propped himself up in the doorway. "I didn't have to worry about being the Chief of Staff or who we'd get to be Deputy. I didn't have to smooze too many politicians. It was a good night."
"Are you going to come in for some coffee?" she asked when she noticed that he hadn't moved from the doorway.
"Nah. I have to go in early tomorrow. I have an assistant that's a slave driver," he teased.
She frowned as she deposited her tiny evening bag on her coffee table. "Josh."
He remained silent, knowing that she would say whatever was on her mind in her own time.
"We've been dating for almost two months now."
"Yes," he confirmed with a smile.
"And. You've never. I mean."
"You want to know why I never 'come in for coffee?'"
"Yeah."
"The thing is, I don't feel the need to."
"Oh." She drew herself up ramrod straight. "I see. Good night, Joshua."
"Night," he said, closing the door as he left, never noticing the icy tone of her voice.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
He could only attribute his lack of comprehension on the sheer amount of logistical nightmares that occurred over the next few days. They had to move Leo's personal affects out of the Chief of Staff's office, which had to be done before Josh could take over. Likewise, Margaret had to clear her own space before Donna could have her desk. As a result, Josh spent two days running back and forth between his old office, his new office, and the Oval Office. Add to that the stress of selecting a deputy and receiving calls every few hours from a mothering Vice President and surely any sane person could understand why Josh didn't notice the fact that his assistant and girlfriend wasn't talking to him. He simply didn't have time to notice.
Once he was finally settled in his office and his new deputy, a woman by the name of Ellen Shinup, was settled, a new crisis erupted in the Middle East, which kept him away from Donna for another three days.
It was over a week since their last date when he finally had a chance to catch his breath and check on his lovely girlfriend.
"Hey," he said, leaning one hip against her desk. "How do you like having an office with actual walls?"
"Do you need something?" she asked shortly, not looking up from a memo she was typing.
"Dinner at the Palm tomorrow?"
"I'll set up the reservation."
"'Kay," he said with a happy smile.
She came into his office a few minutes later to tell him that the reservation was at nine and that he was about to be late for the President's meeting with the DNC. Once again his day flew by, as did the next one. He didn't have a chance to talk to her in any depth until he was knocking on her door an hour before they were supposed to be at the restaurant.
"Hey!" he greeted as she opened the door, only to stop in confusion when he saw that she was wearing casual clothes. "Donna, you know my schedule better than I do. Did you forget about dinner tonight?"
"No," she said as she tried to close the door in his face.
"Donna!" he yelped, managing to barely slip into the opening before she locked him out. He was completely confused as to why she would do such a thing until he noticed one of the demon cats rub up against his leg. The only time she didn't lock the stupid things up was when she was well and truly pissed at him.
"Donna? What did I do?" he asked, desperately trying to ignore the prickling of his eyes and nose caused by the proximity of the cat.
"Nothing, Josh. Absolutely nothing."
"'Kay. What was I supposed to do?" he ventured.
"Nothing."
He eyed her warily as he picked up the cat and crossed to Jamie's room. Obviously, he thought as he quickly checked that the other demon was in the room and shut them both in, he had done something. Or he had forgotten to do something. For the life of him, though, he had no idea what his blunder was.
He hadn't forgotten any important dates. Even if Donna had not reminded him for some reason, he had roped his mother into keeping track of the important anniversaries of his life, including his first date with Donna. So he knew for a fact that he didn't forget her birthday, which was months away in any case.
It was possible that she was mad that he hadn't had time for her over the past week, but since she was the one who made his schedule, she knew damn well how busy he had been. That surely wasn't the reason.
"Donda," he sniffled, internally cursing the evil cats. "I obviously did sobething. Please tell be what I did so I can bake it up to you."
She glared at him as he snagged a tissue from the dispenser and blew his nose. Two tissues later he felt as if he could talk normally once again.
"What's wrong? Did the press give you a hard time or something?"
She sniffed in response, a reaction that told him he was in trouble even more so than her silence.
"Did you just want to stay in tonight? Are you mad that I assumed you'd want to get dressed up and go to the Palm? You used to complain to me that you never got to go anywhere, so I just assumed that you'd enjoy it."
Still, she remained silent, her back ramrod straight and her shoulders square.
Sighing in defeat, he sunk onto the couch and decided that if worse came to worst he would simply out stubborn her.
Donna glared at him for a moment before opening the door to Jamie's room, letting out the demons, and then disappearing into her own room. From the way she oh so carefully closed the door, he knew she was resisting the urge to slam it.
Absently, he petted the cat that wandered over to him, figuring that if he was going to be miserable because she was mad, he might as well do it right.
Jamie came home after he had been there for an hour. She silently raised her brows at his abject misery before gathering up her two cats, both of whom had decided to take up residence in his lap, and disappearing into her room.
Depressed and unable to breathe, he took off his suit jacket and used it as a pillow, eventually dozing off.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Coffee," Donna announced the next morning, setting a steaming cup on the coffee table.
"Ab I forgiven?"
"What did you do that needs forgiven?"
"I habe do idea. But whatever it was, I sincerely apologize."
She leaned back in the chair she had settled into and considered him. He really did look miserable. His nose and eyes were red, his hair and shirt rumpled. He had spent the whole night on her couch, her incredibly lumpy couch.
"You didn't want coffee," she stated.
"Coffee?" he asked, confusion written across his features. "Idcluding today, you've brought be coffee exactly twice. Ady time I ask you to bring me coffee, you sdap at be."
She retrieved a packet of benedril from her pocket and tossed it to him, receiving a "Thadks" in return. After he took the medicine and blew his nose several times, she tried to explain the reason she was so mad.
"After the ball. I asked you to come in for coffee. You said you didn't feel the need to."
Josh's brow furrowed in confusion. "'Coffee' is a code word, I take it?" At her nod, he continued. "And because I didn't want to come in last week and have 'coffee,' you're mad at me?"
"No, because you said you didn't feel like you needed any."
"'Kay. And you got mad at me because I didn't want to go straight for the 'coffee?'"
"Sounds silly when you put it like that," she mumbled.
He smiled, flashing his dimples, as he sank to his knees in front of her chair. "What I meant is that I don't want to rush into 'coffee.' I want to do this right, and if that means no 'coffee' for a year, then so be it."
"But. People who are dating-"
"Yes, they do. Because they're checking out compatibility. I don't need to do that."
"Huh?"
She smiled up at her. "I know you, Donna. I don't have to check to see if we're 'coffee' compatible. I know we are."
"How can you be sure?" she questioned, her voice small and confused.
With a shy smile he levered himself up until he could reach her lips and proceeded to kiss her the way he had been resisting doing for as long as they had been dating, and even before that. He poured just a portion of his passion and love for her into the kiss while burying a hand in her thick hair. He coaxed her mouth open and explored it with his tongue, taking in the taste of her and the overlying taste of coffee.
Finally, when his knees were protesting the hard floor they rested on, he lightened the pressure, ending the kiss. He immediately returned to her lips to place soft, soothing kisses on the now red flesh.
"I need to go change for work," he whispered before placing one last kiss on her lips. "As to your question: I know."
He dashed out the door, leaving her sitting dazed in the chair. Jamie stuck her sleep tousled head into the living room and sent her a questioning look.
"Wow," was all Donna could say, her hand pressed to her still-tingling lips.