Title: Joshua
Category: Romance/Humor/Drama
Rating: PG-13
Summary: What happens when Josh finds out that he shares the same first name with Dr. Freeride?

Disclaimer: Not one inch of the West Wing belongs to me, not even a molecule of the air they breathe
Author's Notes: Feedback the best stuff on earth

Chapter 6

Donna stepped out of her car and breathed in the air. It was filled with politics and…was that pollution? Certainly it was nothing like Wisconsin air, but that was one of the reasons she loved it. Donna had rented a modest apartment on the outskirts of the Georgetown area and today she was moving in. Two car doors slammed closed behind her.

"Nice place," her boss's voice invaded her thoughts. He had given her a (very) little time away from work to get her things from Wisconsin after they won the election. He had also generously offered to help her move in.

"I think it was nice how Josh volunteered me to help out. Not that I'm not happy to do this for you, Donna," the young speechwriter said giving Donna a sunshine filled smile and then changing that smile into a stiff line when turning towards his long time friend. "But for future reference Josh, I could be at home sleeping right now or you know, not having to deal with a pissed off Toby because I'm taking a break from writing the inauguration speech." Sam could picture the bearded man crumbling up a yellow piece of lined paper mumbling to himself, blaming everyone from God to the dog he had when he was three years old for Sam's absence. He didn't know whether to grimace or smirk at the thought.

"Yep, it's real nice for you to help out, Sam," Josh said, slapping him on the back.

"Oh, Sam." Donna's blue eyes turned sympathetic. "I know what it's like; you can go if you want. Josh'll be able to handle this."

"Hey, I'm not moving you in all on my own!" Sam and Donna ignored him.

"Thanks but actually, Toby said I had to be back in an hour otherwise I'm not worthy to have my imprint on the inauguration."

"That's fine. It'll be fun being in charge of Josh for once."

"Hey!" Josh's voice squeaked as his brow knitted together. He stomped his foot in indignation reminding Donna fondly of her three year old niece.

"Why don't you two just follow me inside," she said pulling out her new set of keys. The metal felt cold and foreign to her hand but she didn't let these deliberations show. She was moving into a new place and soon everything would be familiar. "We'll have a look around and then get started."

"Great!" Sam replied, the fake enthusiasm seemed to drip even off his clothes despite the clown-like grin gracing his features.

- - - - - - - - - -

He could feel the rough sides of the box scratching against his hand. It had to be the hundredth one he carried in.

"Donna," he gasped as he kicked open the unlocked door. "How many is this?"

"Umm…I think that makes eight." But it feels like a hundred, he thought while flexing his fingers after putting down the box.

Josh had been alternating between bringing the cartons into her apartment and moving furniture around that had just arrived from IKEA. Luckily, he didn't have to bring the furniture up; his back would have given out and he didn't want her thinking he was a pansy. He had tipped the men who brought it in though, much to Donna's delight (she tried to dissuade him, but he knew by the way her mouth quirked up that she truly appreciated the gesture). He was being a gentleman. Josh knew how much she made and with this new apartment she couldn't really afford little things like that.

Sam had left about a half hour ago. He helped out Donna more than Josh. Two sets of blue eyes had stared at every inch of her apartment trying to decide where certain things should be placed and what colors should be used. Josh could have cared less which resulted in him having box duty and the current loss of feeling in his fingers.

- - - - - - - -

Donna watched as each of his hands bent in and out of loose fists. He hadn't complained to her all day which made her surprised but grateful. If Jay had to do something like this she never would have heard the end of it. She could tell Josh was feeling the strain but he would never admit it. He wasn't Superman, as much as he would like to think so. He needed a break.

"Josh," she said staring at him a moment longer than necessary. Something seemed to be changing although she couldn't identify what. "Have a beer with me."

"You have beer?"

"A girl's gotta be prepared." She pointed towards the kitchen. "Did you not see the bag of groceries I brought in when we first got here?"

"I was too busy trying to defend my manhood to Sam." His voice unconsciously got a little deeper and his stance a little stronger. "Not that I have to do that, because I am, of course, very manly."

"Of course," she said walking towards the fridge. Going against Josh's better judgment his eyes slowly made their way up and down her body, taking in every curve before she turned around. Was that sweat forming on his temple? Maybe he could open a window; it seemed hot in here.

"Are you okay?" she asked in that concerned voice she used when he wasn't getting enough sleep.

Josh cleared his throat and set a confused look upon his face making sure to arch one eyebrow. "Yeah, why?" She handed him his beer.

"I was talking to you and you didn't answer. Did you even hear a word I said?"

"Do I ever?" He grinned at her, dimples and all. She rolled her eyes in response and sat on the ground, her back against the divider between the kitchen and the living room. After a moments hesitation he joined her, twisting off his beer cap in the process. He took a sip and then spit it back into the bottle, making a painful noise. Donna's eyes grew wide.

"What? Is something wrong with the beer? Did I buy bad beer? I don't buy bad beer!" She raised her bottle to her lips to try some herself.

"NO! Stop!" Josh almost knocked the beer out of her hand as he held up his, looking a little sheepishly at her with a shy grin. "I just want to make a toast to you...and…and to this new apartment and…your new start, your new life."

"Josh, that was…" He took a deep breath as her mouth broke into an appreciative grin. She clinked her bottle against his before taking a sip and all he could think about was the way he loved how his name flowed smoothly from her mouth. "Thanks for helping out today, this woulda been hell to do by myself."

"No problem." He looked around the area, finally taking the apartment in. The living room that they were sitting in was relatively big and had a counter (against which they were leaning) that divided it from the kitchen. There were also several doors. Some led to closets, the bathroom, and another to the hallway outside. Two led to a bedroom; one would be Donna's the other her roommate's. He took another appreciative glance around. This place was a steal. "When does your roommate move in?"

Donna swallowed her beer before replying. "I still have to find one. I figure I'll advertise. It shouldn't take too long to fill the spot." She waved her bottle around as she spoke, using it to illustrate her point in a way that Josh struggled to not consider endearing.

Maybe he should have her transferred before they begin work in the White House. The idea had been running through his mind for awhile. At first his feelings for his assistant had been purely lust. Josh just felt like ripping off her clothes because she was a beautiful woman. Normally, he could keep those thoughts and actions under control, but lately it's been becoming more difficult. Sam had cracked a few jokes, but basically Josh just hoped no one else had detected it. He finished off the last of his beer and noticed the sun setting. Maybe he would speak with Leo about it tomorrow.

- - - - - - - - -

Finally, box number thirteen, Josh thought as he pulled it towards him. It was the last one, salvation was just around the corner, and all he had to do was bring it up a few flights of stairs and then finito, he was done. Of course after thinking this and jinxing his luck Josh had only one way to go – down, literally. After missing the third step on the first staircase the box fell out of his hands, a loud crash sounding throughout the stairwell. His body soon followed and he landed spread eagle on the floor, gaining bruises from where he made direct contact.

He began slowly to move his right ankle and foot, then moving to his left. They seemed to be fine. He lifted each of his legs in the air and put them back down. Then he assessed his arms and hands. Nothing seemed to be hurt --

"Oh my God. Josh, are you okay?"

-- except his pride. Donna's voice drifted down to him and he heard her footsteps on the stairs.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. There's no need to come down here, I'm fine," he pushed himself up but her footsteps didn't stop. "Donna!" he yelled forcibly but making sure not to sound mean. The sounds of her shoes on the stairs paused. "Don't come down here, I'm fine." He looked up to find her a flight up staring down at his face. Josh smiled to reassure her. "I'll be up in a second." Donna nodded her head and slowly began the journey back to her apartment. He watched her for a second before turning his attention to the box on the floor, some of the contents had scattered out of it. He stretched his limbs and began picking up the mess. There wasn't much to it, basically stuff like a hairbrush, shoes, a decorative pillow, and a photo album which had flown the farthest away from the box. Josh walked towards the door to retrieve it. The cover was facing down and when he flipped it over he stopped in his tracks.

On the front of the album was a picture of Donna with some guy. That's not what shocked him. Underneath the picture written in Donna's hand was "Joshua –and– Donnatella." He studied the jacket a little longer. She looked good. Younger and…happy. The red dress she was wearing clung to all the right places and the way Joshua had his arm around her…He wasn't going to go there. Yes he was. The name – his name – was making him sick to his stomach. Joshua –and– Donnatella. Joshua –and– Donnatella. Joshua. He was Joshua, he thought, stating the obvious, and not some undeserving asshole. He kept studying the name, running his fingers over it, trying to find a difference. J-O-S-H-U-A. Exactly the same. Maybe he should flip through the pictures, make sure that this Joshua was who he thought he was and not her brother or something.

Josh lifted up the cover but then slammed it quickly shut. He didn't have to look; he knew what awaited him on the rough paper, glossy photos of a man who he hated with a woman that neither of them deserve. And did he really want to see Donna all cozy with this jackass? No. He would put the album gently back and forget about it. He heard another loud crash and looked down. So much for the gently part. He bent down, shoved the album under a few things and picked up the box. The edges seemed to burn his skin. The sooner he could get out of here the better. Joshua. His mind kept spinning. How many times has she said that name? While she laughed at him? While she yelled at him? When he made her moan?

He shook his head, trying to throw the thoughts far away. At least now he wouldn't have to talk to Leo or deal with breaking in a new assistant. She didn't have feelings for him, just liked his name. Overall, he tried to convince himself, this was a better situation. He would never have to act embarrassed and Donna and he would never turn into another office affair that people would talk about around the water cooler. No, this was for the best, this is good. Yeah, perfect he thought as he kicked open the door, walked to the nearest open space and put down the carton a little harsher than he had intended. He stood up and wiped his hands on his jeans, trying to get the filth off.

"You okay?" Donna's voice interrupted his deliberations.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine," Josh replied distractedly. "I gotta go."

"But I was…" she trailed off and for the first time he looked up at her standing in the doorway to the kitchen wearing an apron, her hair pulled into a bun, her sleeves rolled up, and holding a wooden spoon. His eyes softened and his legs, moving at their own accord, took a step towards her. "You were what?" he asked, his voice smooth like honey as he took another step closer, almost able to reach out and touch her.

"I was cooking dinner," she said quietly. Josh could see it in her eyes, her silent and nervous desire for him to come closer, pulling him in. By now he was a foot away from her, invading her personal space. He pushed away a stray piece of hair behind her ear. "Josh," she breathed as her eyelids fluttered shut, trying to fill her senses with his touch. He, on the other hand, froze. He couldn't do this, not after…

When Donna opened her eyes a split second later Josh had already pulled on his coat. He didn't say anything until she met his eyes. "I got to go." Now he was studying the floor, noticing that there was a pull in the rug right next to his left foot. "Uh, is there anything you need me to do?"

"I…umm…" Her face was taking on a shade of red he had never seen before but she pulled herself together and cleared her throat, willing her voice not to betray the quiver going through her body. "No, I'm ok." Her gaze flicked quickly around the room and landed on him again. She never knew her carpet was that interesting. "Are you sure you don't…I was making pancakes for dinner, do you want some?" He finally met her gaze and gave her a shy smile. Donna knew he loved pancakes. She had found that out after she tried to steal some of that off his plate in Indiana and he stuck his fork defiantly into the piece she was trying to get. She hasn't touched his pancakes since. That he didn't like to share.

"Thanks, but I…I really have to go." He had his hands shoved deep into his pockets.

"It's ok, I understand." He headed towards the door and pulled it open. "Josh." He turned his head to look at her. "Thanks." She paused again, looking into his eyes. "For everything." He smiled at her and closed the door behind him. He couldn't even take a full two steps before he leaned against the nearest ugly mustard colored wall, letting out a breath he wasn't aware he'd been holding. He pushed his head against the partition, groaning. Despite everything he still loved the way Donna said his name.

- - - - - -

It had been several minutes since Josh walked out that door but her breathing was still uneven. Her cheek felt like fire where his fingers had danced and she flushed, thinking about the scene that had just played out in her kitchen doorway.

Donna stuck the batter in the fridge and pulled out a microwavable meal. As she stuck the dinner in to be warmed up she debated whether to make the pancakes and bring them to work tomorrow as a thank you to Josh and Sam or whether she should just toss it. After a moment she decided that since they had both helped her and they did deserve to know how grateful she was. But mostly her decision was based on the way brown eyes lit up at the mention of pancakes.

- - - - - - - - -

Josh could smell it a mile away. Someone had pancakes. He quickly got to his feet like a gopher popping out of a hole, his eyes shifting in every direction, analyzing each scene, looking for the delicious breakfast food and trying to smell his way towards it. He came around his desk and leaned against it while looking about. A few interns were gathered in the corner. They were drinking coffee and laughing – no pancakes there. A little further to the left Toby was picking up a donut and handing CJ a cup of coffee. Obviously if Toby was eating a donut he didn't have pancakes or at least didn't know they were in the immediate area. Josh moved his eyes a little more to his left and there in his doorway was his blonde haired assistant holding a gorgeous plate of pancakes and the bottle of New Hampshire syrup they kept around.

Donna's mouth quirked into a smile as she found his eyes glowing at the sight of the breakfast. She deposited the plate on his desk and then noticed that his gaze still hadn't left the food. He gulped. Josh had been kicking himself ever since he left behind her offer of pancakes last night. "Thanks for helping me, Josh." She smiled at him as he internally cringed. He had to stop doing that. It really wasn't that big of a deal if some gomer she had dated shared his name. Had she ever made Joshua pancakes? Probably, he thought, finding himself jealous.

"It was no problem at all." He went to sit behind his desk ready to dig in.

"I mean it. You've really…been there for me, and I appreciate it." He gave her a real smile at the compliment.

"Anytime, Donna, anytime," he replied before taking his first bite.

A/N: I hope you still like it. Feedback/suggestions/criticism welcome!