Stone By Stone, Chapter 13, Sprung
Summary: Josh hopes that CJ won't notice when he takes Donna to a friend's wedding.
Spoilers/Episode: Set in an a/u that leaves cannon after season 5, Memorial Day. This chapter takes place a month after chapter 12.
Characters: Josh/Donna, ensemble.
Rating: PG
First Published: February 2006
Part II
Saturday - Holiday Inn, Bridgeport, Connecticut
Josh knocked on the hotel room door, while looking around to make sure no one was about. "Hey," he grinned when the door was opened. "Like your room?"
"It's very similar to every other hotel we've stayed at," Donna pointed out.
"I know. I wish we could have stayed at the Bay View with Mal and Pete but, well you know why we couldn't."
"I do. Which brings me back to the same old question, was this a good idea?"
"Sure it was. The invitation said Josh and friend, you're a friend."
"Just a friend?"
"Out there, yes. In here, you're much much more."
"Would you like to show me how much more?" Donna asked.
"I think I could do that. We have thirty minutes before we're meeting Mal."
Donna grinned, "You think you'll need that long?"
"Hey!" Josh objected and then smiled, "I can certainly try." He led her to the bed and they helped each other undress.
Twenty minutes later Josh propped himself up on his elbow and smiled at Donna as he brushed a stray hair of her face. "You think Mal'll understand if I call and tell her we're spending the day here?" Josh asked.
"Might need a cover story," Donna replied sleepily.
"Cars can be very unreliable," Josh smiled and fumbled around for his cell phone. "I'll text her."
"Good idea. What time's the reception?"
"6.30."
"Plenty time then."
"Unless we give that a miss as well," Josh grinned as he sent the text to Mal.
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Saturday Evening
While Donna was dancing with Pete, Mal took the opportunity to talk to Josh because she hadn't bought his story about the car breaking down for one minute.
"So you and Donna."
"Me and Donna what?"
Mal smiled knowingly. "You may have separate rooms, but I'd like to bet that one of them isn't being slept in."
Josh sighed. "We're trying to keep it low key."
"That's a good idea," Mal agreed. "So who knows?"
"Sam. We're going to tell the others soon."
"You shouldn't."
"Why?"
"The same reason that's stopped you acting on your feelings for the last six years. You're her boss."
"There's no rule..." Josh started to argue.
"Doesn't matter," Mal interrupted. "People will still question whether she should be working for you if you're in a relationship. You know that. Don't misunderstand me, Josh, I think it's great, you make a great couple and I'm happy you're happy. But if you want to keep working together you can't announce to the world you're in a relationship."
"You don't think your father'll approve?"
"I think as the chief of staff, he probably won't approve, no." Although Mal did wonder whether her father really could object to Josh dating Donna while he was dating Debbie. "You should mention something to CJ though, just in case someone takes a photo or sees something. She going to need to have her response prepared if someone asks her the question."
Josh studied Mal and then smiled. "When did you become so savvy?"
"You don't grow up with a father like my father, without picking up a thing or two."
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Sunday Afternoon - Washington
When they'd arrived back in Washington on Sunday morning, Josh had dropped Donna off at her apartment and then gone into the office to see what work he'd missed on Saturday. By lunch time, he'd backed some files into his backpack and headed home.
At 2 o'clock Donna phoned to try and tempt him to go out. "I really have to work," he said as he carried the phone into the living room.
"It's Sunday afternoon," Donna complained. "Look at the weather, it's lovely. Come on, just for an hour."
"Do you remember my schedule for tomorrow?" Josh asked.
"Yeah," Donna agreed.
"Sorry."
"I know your assistant can be a slave driver, it's okay. I'll see you later for dinner."
"See you," Josh hung up the phone and went back to the pile of work that was scattered across his coffee table.
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An hour later Josh heard the key in his front door. "Hey," he smiled as Donna entered the apartment.
"I came to help."
"Really?"
"Yeah, look, work clothes," Donna told him as she took off her coat.
Josh studied her neat, fitted pant suit and gave a cheeky smile. "Have I told you about the new office policy?"
"No."
"There are some strange rules," Josh replied. "For instance, no jackets are allowed."
"Really. Well in that case," Donna unbuttoned her jacket and revealed the tight fitting, low cut top underneath.
Josh stared for a second, before declaring, "Well, it would appear to be time for a coffee break."
"Does the new rule apply to men?" Donna inquired
"It does. We aren't allowed to wear sweaters."
"Let me help," Donna offered and led him to the bedroom.
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They were interrupted 30 minutes later by the door buzzer. "Ignore it," Josh told her. "They'll go away soon." He leaned over in the bed and kissed her as the door buzzer sounded again.
"It's very distracting."
"I could disconnect it," Josh muttered.
"I'm not sure you could," Donna laughed. "It could be important," she told him.
"Then they'll phone or page."
"You can't ignore the door. I'll spend the rest of the day wondering who it was."
"You're a little odd, you know that?" Josh smiled. "I'll get rid of them."
"Do it quickly," Donna smiled.
Josh padded across the apartment in just his boxers. "Yes?" he asked the intercom.
"Did I get you up?" Toby asked.
"No, come in." Josh pressed the button and returned to the bedroom. "Toby."
"I heard," Donna replied. "Tell me again why you don't have a back door?"
"What are you doing?"
"I'm getting dressed. He'll think I was helping you."
"Yes, excellent idea," Josh smiled.
"But only if you're dressed as well," Donna threw Josh's top at him and he grabbed his jeans. "You see, dating your assistant has many advantages."
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After an hour it was becoming apparent to both Josh and Donna that Toby was settling in for the afternoon so Donna made her excuses and left them to it.
"Donna often help you with work at home?" Toby asked.
"Sometimes," Josh shrugged.
"On a Sunday?"
"Yeah."
"Josh?"
"Yeah?" Josh asked nervously.
"Is there something you need to tell me?"
"I don't think so."
"If there was, you'd be sure to mention it to CJ wouldn't you?"
"CJ would kill me."
"If there was," Toby added.
"Yeah."
"How long?"
Josh sighed. "Since New Year." He waited for Toby to yell at him, to call him a fool.
Toby though didn't give away any hint of what he was thinking. "Who knows?"
"No one," Josh lied.
"Not even Sam?"
"Apart from Sam," Josh agreed.
Toby shook his head. "You like to live dangerously. Tell CJ soon, and then Leo."
Part 3 ...