Author: Erika
E-mail:
Title: Back Into Oblivion
Characters: Josh, Donna, Sam
Category: Angst
Pairing: Josh/Sam friendship
Rating: PG-13

Spoilers: Just to be safe, let's say all the seasons, but especially ITSOTG (I & II), Noel, and Disaster Relief
Summary: What happens when Josh is pushed over the edge?

Notes: I've had this story floating around in my mind now. Also, I just love the Josh angst. I decided to bring Sam into the story because of the brief mention of our beloved former Deputy of Communications.

Notes #2: To anyone who actually read this story back in '03, I'm so sorry to have left you hanging. After talking to my buddy Eliza about writing fan fiction again, I decided to get my act together and type out what I had written down.

Disclaimer: Josh is mine! All mine! And so is Bradley! sigh It was all just a dream.

ONE WEEK LATER
JOSH'S APARTMENT
THURSDAY, 6:24 P.M.

"Josh?"
"Hmm?"
"Josh?"
"Hmm?"
"Josh?"
"What?"
"Nothin'," Sam replied, innocently. Josh rolled his eyes. "Josh?"
"Hmm?"
"Josh?"
"Sam?"
Sam smiled to himself. "Touché."
"I can't believe you're doing this."
"What else am I supposed to do?"
"I don't know, maybe actually watch the movie?"
"Where's the fun in that? The writing's terrible!"
"You should know."
"That hurts."
"That's life."
"Josh?"
"Hmm?"
"Josh?"
"Oh. My. God."

AN HOUR LATER

"What should we do now?" Sam asked.
"Oh, are you done playing 'Josh, Hmm'?"
"For now."
"That's good news," Josh said, trying not to cause himself more pain while he stretched.
"Josh?"
"Don't even start!"
"No, I'm not...I just..."
"Faster, Sam."
"I don't think you should be going back to work so soon."
"You're probably right."
"I mean, think about it! It'll only have been two weeks, and you've got broken ribs that won't heal for another month!"
"Good point."
"I know you think I'm wrong, but I...Wait, what?"
"Everything you're saying is right and true."
"Redundant."
"Not really caring."
"Let's go over this again. You think I'm right?"
"Mmm-hmm."
"So when everyone says you need to rest and relax..."
"Now who's being redundant?"
"Josh!"
"Yes, Sam! I think you're right!"
"Who are you?"
"What?"
"What have you done with my best friend?"
"Shut up."
"So you're not going to be an idiot and go back to work on Monday?"
"Oh, no, I am."
"Josh..."
"Sam, I'm an idiot. You can't disagree with that."
"Haven't yet."
Josh glared at his friend, but continued on, "It won't be like last time."
"The fact that there was a last time..."
"Can we not?"
"I don't think it'll be good for you."
"I'll be fine."
Sam shook his head. "Josh, you put your hand through a window!" he shouted. Seeing Josh's wince made Sam feel guilty. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that."
"No, it's okay. And I did, there's no use pretending it never happened. But this wasn't Rosslyn, Sam."
"No, it was D.C. Right outside your apartment, D.C." Josh didn't reply. "Josh?"
"I just want to go back to my normal routine," Josh said quietly, fiddling with the buttons on his oversized pajamas. "Can you understand that?"
Sam let out a sympathetic sigh. "Yeah, I can understand that. But what you have to understand is that going back won't make it normal. Or did the crutches not help you realize that yet?"
"When do you have to go back to California?"
Sam frowned at the change of subject, but decided not to push it. "I've got a few more weeks to spare."
"How'd you get so much time off?"
"Three months of sick leave," Sam said with a grin. "And knowing the President has its perks."
"So does working for him," Josh teased.
"That time has come and gone, my friend."
"Well, I'm thinking I should have followed you out the door," Josh said. Sam looked at his friend curiously. Josh smiled. "Three months of sick leaves sounds really nice."
Sam laughed. "You had me going there for a minute."
"Don't tell Donna," Josh warned. "She'd freak out."
"Of course she would. If you quit, she doesn't have job."
Josh raised an eyebrow. "That's true. I think I know how to get her to bring me coffee now."
"You are a cruel man."
"Don't you forget it."
After a few minutes of watching Friends, Sam said, "Josh?"
"Yeah?"
"Josh?"
"Crap."

Sorry it's short! And sorry it skipped over to a week later. I just wanted to do Josh and Sam banter. Anyways, the next chapter will be up soon.