Title: Heart Condition Chapter Six

Rating: Teen

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the West Wing characters etc. Just trying to play a little, so please don't sue!

Author's Note: Finally, the long awaited (by you and me both!) Josh and Donna conversation! Of course it wouldn't be Josh and Donna if they got it all out in one chat, would it?

Chapter Six

Donna dozed on and off in a chair next to Josh's bed. Every time he shifted or murmured in his sleep, she jolted awake in a panic. Sometime around five AM, Josh's shifting became more pronounced and Donna looked up to find him awake and lucid for the first time. She eyed him warily, unsure what to say or do now that he was aware of his surroundings.

"You're still here?" Josh whispered. His words sent a wave of déjà vu through her as she smiled and nodded slightly. They had been at each other's bedside far too many times.

"Yeah, I'm still here." Donna's voice wobbled as she spoke. Josh studied her for several minutes before speaking again.

"Will won't be happy." He commented with a trace of bitterness in his voice.

"What Will thinks about the situation really doesn't interest me any more." Donna commented cryptically. Josh raised an eyebrow at her, so she continued. "I quit. He came storming over here a few hours ago, insisting I leave and that this looked bad. So I quit."

"He's right. This does look bad." Josh commented, but did not seem concerned about it.

"There are things in this world that are more important than politics."

"And I'm one of them?" Josh was a bit incredulous that after all that had happened between them she could even begin to think that. Donna leaned over and kissed his forehead lightly.

"You may be the only one."

They sat in silence for quite a while, both trying to digest what had just happened. Neither dared to meet the other's eyes, but both kept darting furtive glances at the other. Finally, Josh broke the silence with the question that had been on his mind since Matt Santos had informed him she was there.

"Donna… what are you doing here?" His voice was husky and a bit unsteady, but his warm brown eyes met hers. Donna considered the question for a moment before returning it to him.

"I could ask you the same thing."

"I'm here because six years ago some jackass put a bullet in my chest and made my heart defective." Josh answered, knowing that wasn't what she meant.

"No, Josh. I meant, what AM I doing here? Why did you list me as your emergency contact?" Again her words were met with silence as Josh pondered the right thing to say. Finally, he decided it was better to be honest with her at last.

"Because I need you." He whispered brokenly, his face a picture of inner turmoil. Donna released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Josh met her eyes and again asked "Donna, why are you here?"

Tears pooled in Donna's eyes yet again and fell in a steady stream as she reached out for his non-IV hand. Squeezing it gently, she whispered back.

"Because I need you."

They sat holding hands, comfortable in the silence for the first time since they'd known each other. Josh reached up to wipe away Donna's tears and she leaned into his touch.

"I'm scared." Josh admitted a few minutes later.

"Me too." Donna agreed softly. Josh shook his head.

"No, not about us, about this." He said and put his hand over his heart. Donna reached up to stroke his face, running her hand through his messy curls.

"It's a simple procedure, Josh. You'll be awake the whole time."

"That's even worse. I don't want to hear them cutting into my chest." Josh shuddered.

"What would help you feel better about it?"

"Can you… would you come to my surgery? You know, talk to me to distract me from what's going on, and hold my hand when I'm scared?" Josh asked, suddenly as vulnerable as a child. Donna took a deep breath, unsure that she was strong enough to be in the operating room with him. The need in his eyes made her decision for her.

"Of course. As long as it's ok with the doctors, I'll be there."

"Thank you."

"We should call your mom." Josh looked at Donna like she had taken leave of her senses.

"It's not even sunlight yet, my mom won't be awake for hours." Donna chuckled at his ignorance.

"Josh, I'm pretty sure your mother hasn't slept all night. I talked to her yesterday and let her know what was going on. She is on a seven AM flight from Miami. She's probably at the airport by now and I know she'd feel better if she heard your voice."

"Okay. You talk to her first, she'd rather talk to you, I'm sure." Josh urged.

"You are crazy, but if you want." Donna picked up the phone beside Josh's bed and dug her mini-address book and phone card out of her purse. After locating Sylvia's cell phone number, she dialed the number and waited for a response. "Hi Sylvia, it's Donna. No, nothing has happened. I have your son here, ready to talk to you. He's very surprised that you are awake. Ok, I'll see you in a few hours. Bye, Sylvia." Donna handed the phone over to Josh, who took it with some apprehension. Sylvia Lyman had the hovering, over-protective mother bit done pat and was certain to lay into him for not taking better care of himself.

"Hi Mom! It's a minor procedure. Mom, I do take care of myself! Yes, I took my medication. These things just happen. Mother, please don't start crying. You are not going to be the only remaining Lyman. I plan to be around a long time. Yes, maybe even long enough to give you grandchildren. You'll have to ask Donna that when you see her Mom. That's enough, Mother! I'll see you later. Have a good flight! Goodbye!" Josh hung up in a huff and rolled his eyes.

"Only my mother could turn a get well phone call into a guilt trip about her not having any grandchildren yet." He remarked with frustration. Donna laughed, having heard these arguments for years. "Don't laugh, she's ready to pull you into the argument." Josh warned. Donna stared at him, completely speechless.

"Wh- Why would she include me? I'm not her child." She stuttered. Josh shifted in the bed, discomfort all over his face.

"Uh… she seems to think you're going to be the one to bear these grandchildren." Donna stared at him as if he'd grown another head. After an uncomfortable few minutes, Josh amended. "Maybe this is a conversation for a later date. I, uh… didn't mean to scare you or anything. We haven't even talked about dating or anything. I'm sure you haven't even thought about kids yet." Donna shook her head, but Josh was staring at his feet and missed it.

"No, I've thought about it. I just… I uh…never thought we'd be in a place to actually discuss it." She said with difficulty.

"Seems like maybe we're jumping a few steps along the way. But it's good to know I'm not the only one imaging little Donnatellas running around." Josh smiled. Donna found herself fighting back tears again looking into his dancing eyes.

"You're not the only one." She confirmed, taking his hand again.