George Washington Memorial Hospital

Josh pushed open the hospital door slowly and let out an audible gasp. There Donna lay looking extremely peaceful and beautiful despite the cuts and bruises that littered her arms and face. She was watching something on the television but she looked over when she heard the door.

"Josh! What are you doing here?" She didn't hide her surprise, she genuinely didn't think he would be there; Kim was in the other room after all.

"I came to see you," he said as he sat down. The smile already on his face shone brightly. "I wanted to make sure you're alright and to tell you something."

Donna studied him for a moment and frowned, this was uncharacteristic behaviour even for Josh. "I'm fine, just have a concussion. What do you want to tell me?"

"I didn't stop for beer and I didn't stop for red lights." He said, watching her face to see what happened next.

What happened wasn't what he expected. Donna's frown grew and slight annoyance cam into her voice.

"That's good Josh, you shouldn't drive when you've drunk but are you crazy?" This last word was almost a shout as she stared at him. "You didn't stop for red light? Your girlfriend was in a car accident because her stupid driver didn't stop and then you decide to do the same thing? You're an idiot!"

Josh's smile faded. He looked fearful and shrank back like a little child being scolded by his mother.

"I didn't stop for you!" He cried back. 'You could have said that better,' he thought to himself tauntingly.

Donna's eyes grew wide. "What?" She asked him quietly.

"I mean the reason I didn't stop was because of you," he answered, his voice back to normal. "CJ told me you'd been in a car accident and I panicked, I thought something serious had happened and I got in the car and I came here. I didn't care about red lights; I just needed to make sure you were okay."

Donna couldn't believe what she was hearing and she refused to accept what he was saying, what if she was misunderstanding him?

"Have you seen Kim?" She asked him, making him jerk his head up.

"Yes," he answered, regretting it instantly when he saw the hurt look on his face.

"So that's why you didn't stop then? Not for me, for her."

"No," Josh said, running a hand down her arm. "I had to see her first, to tell her…"

"Tell her what?" Donna asked him curiously.

"That we couldn't keep dating because I'm in love with someone else."

"Oh," she still wouldn't believe it was her - that was just too unbelievable. "How'd she take it?"

Josh's smile came back bigger than ever. "Good, turns out she was doing the same thing I was, hiding from our feelings."

Donna was silent, what was she meant to say? That she loved him, and then they'd live happily ever after? Life didn't work like that. Josh didn't seem to notice her silence, he carried on and Donna let him.

"I've loved you for so long," he spoke softly, glad they were the only two in the room. "I just didn't want to admit it and after what happened in Gaza and the Germany I should have told you one hundred times a day everyday but I couldn't. I was still afraid and when I saw you with Colin it just seemed like the perfect excuse not to."

Donna remained quiet afraid to say anything in case she couldn't. Her face was saying a lot though; fear, stunned, amazed and every other emotion imaginable.

"Say something," Josh pleaded her.

"Why didn't you say anything after he was out of the picture?"

This, Josh was expecting. "I fought it back, seeing you with Colin made me realise that you might not feel the same way and it'd be stupid for me to jeopardise our personal and working relationships if there was nothing there." He nervously placed his hand in hers. "But I don't care anymore, I love you and this is one close call too many to not tell you."

Donna blinked back tears furiously. "I love you too Josh -"

Her 'but' got cut off by a thrilled Josh who kissed her forehead gently. "I'm going to go see when you can leave."

Donna's tears caught in her throat and she felt like she couldn't breathe. They loved each other, sure, but what was going to happen? Nothing, she'd known the answer for a long time.

- - - -

Josh's Apartment

"I did it," Josh announced a few hours later to a stunned Sam over the phone.

"Did what?" Sam asked warily though his gut told him he knew the answer already.

"I told Donna that I loved her and she said it back," an ecstatic Josh boasted to his best friend.

Sam, with a mixture of happiness for his friend and amusement at Josh's attitude, smiled at the other end. "That's great Josh, but I thought you said you were in love with Kim and you and Donna were just boss and employee."

"Well I was lying, wasn't I?" Josh said like it was obvious, which when he thought about it, it was. "You know that so shut up."

Sam laughed, it was a little crackled in Josh's ear but he recognized the sound. "Alright, so are you going to tell me about it?" Sam asked eagerly, half for his own enjoyment and half because he'd promised CJ under pain of death that he would find out the details.

Josh spent the next thirty telling Sam everything that had happened in the hospital and afterwards when he had taken Donna home and, like the perfect gentlemen, had settled her into bed for rest, told her she was to have tomorrow off, no arguments, and then left, promising he would return the next night. It had taken Josh all his self control not to spend the night looking after her.

"Sounds good," Sam said but with a hint of doubt. Josh, too consumed by his happiness, didn't notice as he continued to talk to Sam about Donna for much of the evening until he eventually went to bed after a warning from Sam.

"Don't ruin this Josh, it's too important."

- - - -

Donna's Apartment

All day Donna had jumped at the slightest sounds, expecting Josh to come in at any minute. It wasn't that she didn't want to see him; it was just that she didn't want to give him the news she would undoubtedly have to. She had always been the practical of the two, that's why she was so good as his assistant but it was also why she knew that they couldn't be together. This was what she didn't want to tell him because she didn't want it to be true and because she knew it would break both their hearts.

Eight o'clock came the knock Donna had been dreading. She padded her way to the door and opened it to see Josh's body, his head covered by the biggest bunch of flowers Donna had ever seen. He moved them down slightly so that his brown eyes looked at her closely.

"Hey," he said with a charming smile. "These are for you," he said handing her the flowers.

She didn't say a word as she took the flowers and went to put them in a vase. As she artistically arranged each one she noticed the different kinds in there; pink and red camellias, white violets, tulips, roses, orchids, white lilies and daisies. Donna smiled at the bouquet, knowing every single one of them he had carefully picked to express his feelings. She hugged him and immediately regretted it when, taking in his smell, she let go of her inhibitions and willingly accepted the kiss he gave her.

That first kiss was perfect; it was as though the world stopped. Donna could hear nothing and see nothing and feel nothing except Josh's arms around her and the feel of his lips. It was all she needed to forget every reason she'd had doubts about him coming over. Every reason. She kissed him again and again, each kiss just as perfect as the last with growing hints of pressure and desire in them. It wasn't long before they headed to her bedroom, years of pent-up feelings being expressed in a night of pure joy.

They both slept soundly in each others arms that night, their perfect night. It was with great sorrow that morning came and they both had to go to work. Even more sorrow when Donna woke up from her peaceful slumber to find Josh looking at. She smiled at him but inside her heart break. She'd dropped her guard and now they were both going to pay dearly.

'Idiot,' she thought to herself as she showered. 'What were you doing, this is going to be harder than before now, a lot harder.'

The water washed away the stray tears that fell from her eyes before she got out and went back to her bedroom to find Josh still there in his trousers, shirt clinging to his toned stomach. Donna didn't blush this time, she just fought back all her feelings, especially the ones that made her want a repeat of last night.

"Josh?" She asked pointedly when she saw him watching her. "Get outside."

He gave her an impish grin before stepping out into her main apartment and making some coffee for them both. Ten minutes later, coffee made and poured, Donna stepped out looking as beautiful as ever, maybe more so. But she looked afraid.

"What's up?" He asked her as he handed her the coffee, frowning as she avoided his attempt to kiss her.

"Nothing," she lied obviously. "But we need to get to yours so you can get changed." Josh nodded, already heading out of her apartment. "And Josh? No one can know."

He nodded, understanding her caution to be that of one trying to avoid public opinion over their new found relationship.

A/N That should please a few of you before the next, and final, chapter. There'll be a epilogue too, so technically there are two chapters left and in both of them you'll see why I wanted the conversations between Josh and Donna. Now to the responses:

kursk are all my chapters great? You write that at the beginning of everyone! Well, now you've seen Kim help them and you've seen Josh's 'declaration', what else do you want to see?

Caia I based Kim on annoying friend of mine, you should have seen her face when I showed you the review and heard all the things she wanted me to do and say to you! Best 20 minutes of my life, lol. Donna didn't die yay! But she's not really alright is she?

Lu78 Now you know, he went to both, but he definitely wanted to go to Donna's first.

JDfanatic There's one more twist to come, and it's a good 'un!

Nicole10 Glad you like it. Josh only wanted both of them so that he could talk to them both at the same time, as it was he had to do it singularly, which worked out better all round obviously.

miss jasadin wipes browThere wasn't that many people, thank God! So, they got it together, what do you think? Realistic or not?

Meganfitz You liked it that much hugs Thanks! And my lips are sealed, don't you worry.

Clear Reaction As you heard there's more, just a little bit but I'll make it thrilling, gripping stuff…It might be a little repetitive though… I'm glad you like it, might soften pain that's due to come any time in the next 36 hours…

Yoshielf We're not quite there yet but it'll be good.

Kaatsukii That better not have been the scary swaying/bobbing dance thing, 'cos that should never be associated with such a fantastic piece of writing:D Oops, Danielle, I should make sure she knows there are more chapters, doesn't save the link you know, how silly of her…

Thanks to everyone! The reviews have nearly filled up the 5th page, except for those last two lines of the chapter! R&R! WAIT! This review came wjile posting this chapter!

love2readfanfiction2 Not long, not long at all, I'm glad you liked it. Yeah, I finished HBP, loved it. Won't go into details for those who haven't but your son has great taste in books :D