The rest of the ride to the hospital was in silence, except for the music in the background. When they finally arrived, parked the car, and got out, Donna put the keys in her purse and reached for Josh's hand again without saying a word, which was fine with him. Their fingers intertwined as they walked in and up to the desk at the nurse's station.

"Hi, I'm Donna Moss, and this is Josh Lyman. We're from the White House and phoned ahead. He needs to get his hand checked out," she said to one of the nurses.

"Yes. That's right," the nurse replied, dressed in a festive nurse's uniform and a pair of reindeer antlers on her head. She handed Donna a big clip board. "I need you to fill these out, Ms. Moss, and, Mr. Lyman, come with me please."

Josh began to walk away with the nurse, when he saw Donna sit down in one of the chairs.

"You're not coming in with me?"

"No," she replied. "I'm going to wait out here filling out paperwork, but I'm not going to leave until you're done. I'll be right here, okay?"

"Okay."

Josh stood still.

"Mr. Lyman?"

"Yeah, one sec," he said, turning to the nurse. He sat down, taking the seat next to Donna, taking her hand.

"I really, really appreciate all you're doing for me with this, Donna."

"Don't worry about it. I just wish I could have helped more, you know?"

"I know, but you're doing as much as you could do." He paused. "Except, of course, if you could come in there with me…"

"Josh," she smiled, "are you afraid?"

"A little."

She laughed, rolling her eyes.

"You'll be fine. And I promise, I'm not leaving. When you're done I'll be right here to take you home."

"Okay," he said, reluctantly, beginning to get up. He then bent down and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "You are amazing, Donna. Don't beat yourself up."

Donna couldn't help but blush. Under any other circumstances, a kiss on the cheek from Josh would have been dream-like.

"Thanks," she mumbled quietly.

"Ready, sir?" the nurse asked.

"Yes."

Donna watched as they walked out of sight and returned to filling out all of Josh's information, her mind racing. Tonight, as horrible as the reason why they were in the hospital, had been indescribable. She and Josh had held hands, twice, and he had just kissed her on the cheek. It – as horrible as it was to say it – almost made her happy that Josh had needed her to help him again. That she could save his life.

Wait, what am I saying? Donna thought. I'm happy that Josh almost died because I get to take him to the hospital and let him hold my hand, or more rather I hold his hand? How sick and twisted is that? I shouldn't be happy because of this. I am the one who could have stopped it. But, there's nothing I can do anymore. I can't go back and change things. If I could, I'd certainly not let Josh go to Rosslyn. Or, I'd let Ron Butterfield know what was going to happen at that office building. But that's why I hate thinking about changing the past. I can't change it, I'm here, now, with the past that I've already had.

But why do I care so much about Josh's well-being? Sure, I don't want him to die – I don't want anyone to die. But, there's something else. I feel as though if Josh were to die, I'd die too. Or, I'd want to die. He's my boss, yeah, but there's something more than that. He's my friend, yeah, but there's something more than that. I know there is. There always has been, but I've never been willing to admit it before. But, now, tonight, maybe I am. Josh let our fingers intertwine, and kissed me on the cheek. I just don't know what to do. I feel so responsible for having him nearly kill himself. I don't know whether or not I could start something with him.

I should just let tonight be what it is. Let this be a memory I can keep forever. A time where Josh needed me, and I helped him. Because I love him: like a friend, maybe more than that.

She stopped staring at the forms, blank, and gave them their required information. Within twenty minutes, Josh was back, walking out, looking relieved.

"You okay?" she asked.

"Yeah. Nothing too bad, I had to get a few stitches, but it's not infected or anything. I did a pretty good job all by myself."

"Good."

"Yeah. Perhaps there's a career in medicine for me after this political gig is over."

"You really want to get out of politics?"

"Actually. No. Never. I love my job."

"Me too. Even though my boss can be a pain in the ass sometimes."

"Ha, ha, ha. We all set to go?"

"Yeah, your forms are all in order."

"Then, let's go."

Josh reached for her hand again and interwove his fingers with hers, turning around and waving goodbye to the nurse at the same time.

"Merry Christmas, Mr. Lyman," the nurse called out.

"Thanks, you too."