Josh disappeared down her street and Donna recoiled back to the living room couch consumed with tears. Olivia had settled back down – her interruption had only been momentary, but had caused more damage than Donna could have suspected. The underlying fact in everything was that Josh still had feelings for Donna. He'd admitted it to Olivia and had shown Donna with his actions. It was undeniable. His kiss, his touch – it was love and Donna knew it. But Josh was right. What had changed? He was still a politician and fathering a child with Donna when she was his assistant still equaled a scandal. There was no good way to spin it. Did she want him to be with her again? She'd left before because she loved him too much to ruin his career. Sadly, she still believed that this was the case. But she missed him so much. She missed his smile and his touch. She missed their banter and arguments. She missed his dimples and his hair. Kissing him felt so normal. She allowed herself to be sucked into him. She allowed herself to be seduced by his charm and sincerity. She allowed herself to get caught up in his sweetness and generosity. Maybe she was just in need of a man, she thought. Maybe Josh was just easy because he was familiar. Maybe this was something worth considering, she thought as she pulled herself off of the couch and made her way to the kitchen to clean their mess.

Josh drove home in silence – no radio and no cell phone. He drove quickly and almost blindly. When he made it to his garage, he honestly couldn't remember how he'd gotten there. The night was a blur. He couldn't believe he'd let things get so out of hand. How could he have admitted all those things to Olivia? He knew there was a baby monitor in the room – that's how he'd known she was stirring. He let his guard down and he would try to make sure that he didn't make that mistake again. Kissing Donna had been so easy. He'd been dying to kiss her since she'd left him all that time ago. Her lips were always so warm and inviting. And no matter what, her mouth always tasted of peppermint. She was sweet and sexy all at the same time. And she was so damn innocent, he thought shaking her head. She really just missed him and that's why kissing him felt so right to her. And he'd allowed for it to go on because he'd just felt so at ease with her. He trusted her implicitly. And now, he was sure she was pissed at him. She had every right to be for the way he'd reacted. But she was right, he smirked. She called him on not being able to just make out with her. He wanted to make love to her right on the living room coffee table. If Olivia hadn't interrupted them with her cooing – he'd still be there most likely. Donna had the ability to make him go crazy and to abandon all senses of reality. He needed to go inside, he decided as he lugged himself out of his car and up his side stairs. He crept into the quiet house and was greeted with candles and soft music when he made it to the living room.

"Is the Princess okay?" Lynne asked quietly.

"Donna just needed a list," Josh sighed. "What's all this?" he asked, looking around the room and then noticing Lynne's scantily clad body.

"I wanted to welcome you home," Lynne said as came in front of him and nipped at his neck.

"I have an early meeting," Josh sighed, shaking his head. "I'm sorry you went through all this trouble," he said, looking around.

"Wait," she said. "You're leaving? You're going to bed?"

"Yeah," he sighed. "I just have to get some sleep tonight," he told her and turned away and walked upstairs. For whatever the reason, he couldn't get into whatever Lynne was offering at the moment. When he closed his eyes he pictured him and Donna on the table and that was not what he wanted going through his mind when he made love to his fiancé. He got upstairs and poured himself a tall glass of scotch. He grinned as he swallowed some of the brown liquid. He never understood the people who would have the desire to get drunk but insisted on using small glasses. The larger glass suited his purposes much better, he thought. Before crawling into bed, he poured his second glass. He couldn't remember why he'd thought he should get a wet bar in the bedroom, but it worked out for him that night. He needed to drink it and if it wasn't up where he was, he'd need to go to it and pass Lynne and her seduction routine. Who knows, he thought. After a few drinks maybe he'd be up for it. But for now, he'd stay alone is his room.

---- The next day ----

Josh came over that next evening after work – like he'd said he would. He brought Donna some of her favorite take-out chicken and gave Olivia her third stuffed donkey – he'd decided they'd start a collection. He played with Olivia while Donna ate her dinner and went through her class registration books. He bathed Olivia while Donna cleaned up around the living room. It almost made sense. They ran like a well-oiled machine. Anyone would easily be able to commend them on working together as a team. Anyone who didn't know them, anyway.

Josh didn't speak to Donna. In fact, he avoided her completely. He dropped the food off on her kitchen table and nodded to her and then to the food. She took that to mean it was her food and that she should eat it. Josh then took Olivia from her playpen and proceeded to entertain her and bath her and Donna laid low because Josh didn't seem to want to initiate contact with her. He came downstairs around 8:30 to tell her he was putting Olivia down for the night. He was cold and distant.

"Donna," he called from the middle of the stairs. "I'm putting Olivia to bed. If you want to say good night to her, you should probably do that now or something," he mumbled.

Donna got up and walked directly up the steps. She was careful not to turn and look at Josh as she passed him.

Josh waited until she was well ahead of him before he turned on his heels and followed her up to their daughter's room. He gave Donna a chance to be with Olivia alone before he went in. He hung back by the door for a bit. He just watched Donna with Olivia and he had to smile. It was the first time he'd really looked at Donna that night and he couldn't help smiling. He knew what so many had said was true – motherhood agreed with Donna completely. Her face glowed when she talked about Livvie, but beamed when in Livvie's presence. Donna was absolutely radiant in the dim lighting. She damn near took his breath away. He almost didn't notice her moving away from Olivia's crib.

Donna walked past him and smiled softly. "Sorry," she mumbled. "She's all yours."

Josh wanted to say something back, but he couldn't find his voice with Donna's close proximity. He nodded and watched her disappear down the hallway. Josh turned to Olivia and kissed her head lightly. "Night, princess," he whispered hoarsely. "I'm trying make this work," he told her. "I really am trying," he said, shaking his head as he walked out of the room.

Josh made it downstairs as Donna had on CNN. He sat down next to her for a moment and watched as an expert critiqued the squanal-proned legacy of the Bartlett Whitehouse. He watched Donna's face contort as they brought up Sam and his call girl and the President's MS and the First Lady's fondness for pain pills – just to warm up. "This is all crap anyway," Josh had said as he got up and turned off the television. "Don't watch it before you go to bed."

Donna turned to protest or argue with him over the turning off of her television, but she stopped when he shook his head as he saw her approach.

"I'll be by tomorrow," he said simply, avoiding eye contact with her.

"Night," she called out as he closed the door without sparing her a second look. Donna fought the overwhelming urge to cry or to yell or to throw something at him out the front door. This was classic Josh. He'd retreat into himself and ignore the problem at hand. Last night screwed him up more than she thought. Hopefully it'd get easier.

The coming weeks brought more of the same for Josh and Donna. No talking, just strictly the family thing. That was all they seemed to have anymore. Donna didn't discuss politics with him. He didn't ask if she'd decided on courses yet. He asked how Olivia was doing. After a while he'd asked Donna if he could take Olivia on Sundays. Donna agreed and things went on as they'd been. There were all family, all the time.

After a while, even Lynne grew concerned with his withdrawn demeanor. "What happened with Donna?" she asked.

"Huh?" he 'd asked her right back as he tried to watch the Mets on television while Olivia napped on "his Sunday" with her.

"Donna....things with you two have been...off, lately," Lynne said with a shrug. "Not that I care, or anything," Lynne tried to play it off. "I just worry...ya know....about you sometimes," she said, looking at the television.

"Donna and I are fine. We only need to be with each other when we're with Livvie and that suits us fine," he said, grabbing some chips from the bowl.

"But you guys were like...friends or whatever. Now you don't even talk about her at all. It just seems odd," she said, shaking her head. "But never mind," she sighed. "Forget I asked."

"Already did," Josh smirked. "Shh! Piazza's up!"

Lynne hushed and shook her head. "Sorry," she whispered and grabbed her bag. "I'm gonna run out for a bit. Olivia should be down for another hour or so," she told him. "Call me if you need something."

"Bye, babe," Josh mumbled as Piazza struck out.

When Lynne left, she picked up her cell phone and called Sam.

"Hello?" Sam asked into his phone.

"Sam...it's Lynne. Are you busy?" she asked.

"What's wrong?" he asked with a sigh.

"I just wanted to see if maybe we could have a pow wow. About Josh," she said.

"We?" he asked.

"You, me, and Donna," she mumbled. "Will, too, I guess."

Sam laughed at the prospect but then stopped when he realized that she wasn't joining in on the laughing. "You're serious?" he asked.

"Something's not right," she told him. "We've all noticed it."

"Yeah," Sam nodded in agreement. "The Diner?" he asked.

"Yeah," she said. "In a half hour?"

"Okay," he said. "I'll call Donna and Will. They like me better," he laughed.

"When you're right, you're right," she tossed back and disconnected.

----At Josh's place----

"What?" Josh asked as he picked up his home phone.

"Josh?" his Mother asked. "You okay, honey?"

"Great Mom," he sighed. "I was watching the game..."

"I could let you go," she said quietly.

"No," he said. "The Mets are gonna lose anyway." He smiled, "What's up, Mom?"

"I just wanted to know how you've been lately? Donna says you've been a little preoccupied or something," she told him.

"What the hell are talking to Donna for?" he demanded. "Why don't you talk to Lynne about me?"

"I talk to Donna because I've always liked her. She's the mother of my granddaughter. And she knows you very well. And for your information, I have talked to Lynne. She thinks you're a little not right as well. I have to talk to the women in your life or else I'd never know anything about you except what they say on television or in the papers!" his Mother exclaimed.

"Do you have a point?" he asked.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Nothing," he said quickly.

"Lynne says you drink," she said.

"I'm of legal age," he reminded her.

"Yes you are. But...a bar in the bedroom?" she asked.

"It's a big house," he sighed. "And who the hell cares? It's my house anyway."

"It is," his mother agreed. "I just worry about you is all."

"Mom," he whined. "I'm a grown man!"

"You're my son still," she proclaimed. "Now seriously...what's the deal with you and Donna? Even Lynne is concerned by your lack of connection to her."

"Mom...we share Olivia. That's all we've got. She left," Josh sighed. "That's what happens."

"Josh," his mother sighed. "That girl loves you," she insisted.

"And I'm engaged to Lynne. Funny how things don't work out, isn't," Josh spat.

"Joshua!" his Mom yelled. "You're being a jackass now."

"Mom," he said. "I'm done with this conversation. Olivia's waking up and Lynne ran out for a bit so I've gotta go take care of her."

"Give her a kiss for me. I'm going to try to come and visit soon," she promised.

"I love you, Mom," he said before hanging up.

----At the Diner----

Sam sat with Lynne at a wrap-around booth in the back of the diner. Sam was careful to scout the place out so that there weren't any reporters lurking around and to eliminate as many looks as possible. Unfortunately the worst look came from one of the invited guests.

"Please tell me you're both joking," Donna said as her face contorted into a horrifying position and her eyes stared icily at Lynne. "She hates me!"

"Sam thinks this is a good idea," Will insisted as he drug her over to the booth and forced her inside, next to Sam.

"Hi Sam, Lynne," Will smiled at the two people.

"Hi," Sam said and Lynne just looked as the waitress came over and took their drink order.

Once she left, Donna took a deep breath. "Why are we all here?" she demanded of Lynne. "If this is your idea – start talking."

"What happened between you and Josh?" Lynne asked Donna point blank. "What happened once you got into your new place?"

"What do you mean?" Donna asked, afraid of where this was headed.

"I'm worried about him. Despite what you all think," she said, pointedly looking at all of them in the eye. "I love him. I love him and he's scaring me. I thought I saw him when he was in the middle of a huge funk, when Donna left and all," Lynne sighed. "That was nothing compared to the way he acts now. He spends a lot of time at home, but he'd rather be alone than have company. He's stopped working his crazy hours...the ones he used to live for. He drinks...a lot and alone. It worries me from time to time. He's built his tolerance up so much that I'd lose count if I tried to tabulate what he goes through in week. And he's not him anymore," Lynne sighed helplessly. "He doesn't smile unless he's with Livvie anymore. He used to light up if someone mentioned her name."

"He says she reminds him of me," Donna whispered. "That's probably why he's stopped beaming when people are talking about her," Donna explained. "He's upset with me."

"Why?" Lynne asked. "What happened? Did you guys have a fight?"

Donna just looked at her and tried to form a coherent thought.

"Donna...that stuff about the adoption of Livvie," Lynne pressed. "It was all me...not Josh. I was jealous and insecure. She's your daughter. I'm just happy to be able to know her. She's a great kid. You and Josh did real good."

Sam and Will looked back and forth between the two girls – amazed by the civility that they exhibited.

"I just want to make sure he's okay. Can you help me?" Lynne asked. "I love him."

"I have to go," Donna sighed and got up.

"Donna," Lynne called after her, but it was too late. She was gone. Lynne sighed loudly and turned to her two remaining guests. "I was nice, wasn't I? I know I've been...um...not so nice in the past...but jealousy seems to bring out the worst in me."

"You were nice," Will said, somewhat surprised.

"She's just upset I guess," Sam sighed. "We're all worried about Josh."

"I have to live with it!" Lynne said as she slammed her hands on the table. "How can I get through to him? How can I help him?"

"I don't know," Sam shook his head. "He's never been much of a drinker...until recently."

"Donna was always yelling at him because of his delicate system," Will recalled with a smile.

"He's always drinking something...unless he's with Livvie," Lynne sighed. "I'm at my wit's end!"

"Lynne, can I say something that you might not like?" Sam asked.

"Shoot," she said. "I can take it."

"What if something happened with Donna....like not a fight," he asked quietly.

"Do you know something?" she demanded.

"No!" he was quick to quell that thought. "I just say what if. I mean...maybe something...happened and it's awkward with Donna and he feels guilty with you. It makes a little bit of sense."

"Donna hasn't mentioned anything," Will said shaking his head. "Wouldn't she have mentioned something?"

"Maybe she's embarrassed. We all know she didn't leave him for lack of the Lyman love," Sam laughed, recalling the phrase they'd used all the time.

"I know," Will said shaking his head. "It's just odd that she wouldn't mention it. I mean, we talk to her like everyday."

"And since she's gotten the house...hasn't she been a little more quiet and withdrawn?" Sam asked.

"Josh has," Lynne chimed in. "Sam...I think you're right," she sighed.

"Hey guys," a voice said pulling over a chair to the open end of the table.

"Do we know you?" Lynne asked.

"I've seen you before," Sam said, thinking back...trying to place the guy.

"I work with Danny at the Post. Remember," he smiled. "Michael."

"Yeah," Will smiled. "What's going on?"

"I just was walking through and saw you all talking and thought I'd pop over and say hey," Michael said. "What are we talking about?" he asked. "I couldn't help to notice Josh's not here," he said, looking around the table before settling his gaze on Lynne. "Is he okay?"

"Of course he is," Will jumped in. "Why do you ask?"

"I thought no one liked the new wife-to-be," Michael said, with a wink at Lynne. "No offense, sweetheart," he told her. "I just find it odd that you'd all be here with her is all."

"We all ran into each other and thought we'd grab a bite to eat," Sam smiled easily. "Nothing exciting. And we like Lynne just fine. We've know her a long time."

"Right," Will agreed.

"Thanks boys," Lynne smiled. "But I should be getting home. I want to make sure Josh is okay with Liv," she started to say when Will cut her off.

"I'm sure he's done painting the living room by now," Will laughed. "Probably covered in paint," he added, hoping to keep the fact that Josh was with Olivia a secret from the prying reporter.

"I hope I still have a house," Lynne smiled, catching on. "Bye boys," she smiled. "Nice to see you again, Michael," she added and dashed out the door.

"She seems friendlier than I remember," Michael smiled after she left.

"She's fine," Will smirked. "We should get going," he said, nodding to Sam as Donna flew in the door.

"Listen," she started before she looked at the guests at the table.

"Donna," Sam smiled at her. "What's going on?"

"Where'd she go? I was going to talk to her," she said looking for Lynne.

"You remember Michael from the Post, right?" Sam said directing her attention to the salivating reporter. "He was working with Danny."

"Hi, how are you?" she smiled.

"Who were you looking for?" he asked. "Josh's fiancé just left."

"I'm sorry?" she said trying to act normal. "I was looking for CJ. She was in here earlier."

"I thought you two didn't get along right now," he pressed. "We're fine," she insisted. "I'll just call her I guess," she said, looking at Will for help.

"Can I give you a ride home?" Will asked. "Sam and I were just leaving," he smiled at Michael. "Good to see ya, man."

Nice to see you all, too," Michael grinned as they left. "Something's definitely up," he murmured to himself as he watched Sam and Will usher Donna into Will's car.

Inside the car, Donna sighed. "I'm sorry," she told them. "I'm not helping any of this."

"What's wrong Donna?" Will demanded. "What happened with you and Josh? You have to tell us. We all want what's best for him and for you and...surprisingly Lynne, too."

"She really does seem concerned for Josh," Sam agreed. "Donna, honey," Sam pleaded. "Tell us what's going." Donna sighed and shook her head. "Let's go back to my place before Olivia comes home. I'll tell you everything," she conceded.

---- Josh's Place ----

Lynne opened the door quietly and wandered into the living room. She had to laugh at what she saw. Josh was lying on the floor in his Mets jersey asleep and Olivia was sitting up on his stomach in a Mets cheerleader outfit just watching him sleep. It was adorable. She walked over and picked up Olivia off of his stomach. "Hey there Missy," she smiled. "How'd the Mets do, huh?" she asked.

"They lost," Josh sighed when he rolled over.

"I thought you were asleep," Lynne smiled.

"Nah," he smirked. "Just resting my eyes for a bit," he told her. "You were gone for a bit."

"Yeah," she smiled.

"Everything okay?" he asked, pushing himself up from the floor and placing a kiss on her cheek as he plopped down next to her on the couch.

"I could ask you the same question," she countered.

"Can we not go there for once?" he asked. "Can't we just enjoy the rest of the day together before I have to take Olivia back to Donna's?"

Lynne smiled. He was in a good mood, and that was rare. "Want me to make some dinner?" she asked.

"That'd be great," he said and kissed her soundly on the mouth. "Thank you."

"Yeah," she sighed and gave him Olivia and trotted off to the kitchen.