Title: The Path Which Has Led to the Present (7?)
Author: Aerial312
Rating: PG
Category: Humor/Fluff/Angst/Romance (a little of everything)
Spoiler Info: Pre-Series.
Disclaimer: I own nothing…I just borrow.
Feedback: Greatly appreciated. Sure. Just let me know where its going.

A/N: It occured to me as I wrote this part that the last two chapters have been lacking in the stream of thought commentary...I may rework them

"The train was a good idea."

Donna and Josh sat in a cluster of 4 seats, riding forward, with their feet on the backwards facing pair.

"Because you're too afraid to drive into Manhattan."

"Josh, I've never driven in a major city—"

"Just Madison—" he grinned.

"Yes, Just Madison. Have you ever driven into Manhattan?"

"No…not exactly."

"Not exactly?"

"I drove into Queens to visit a friend once."

"That doesn't count."

"Yes, it does. Queens is part of New York City."

Dodging the question, like a true politician.

"Yes, but my question was if you'd ever driven into Manhattan."

"No, I've always taken the train in."

"Ha!"

"But I'm not afr—"

"Yes, you were."

"No…I'm just not allowed to drive today, isn't that correct."

He jabbed her in the arm as he made his point.

"Anyways…" Donna began, "we'll make it into the city earlier than expected. No traffic."

"Do you want to sight see a little? Is that what you're getting at?"

"Actually, I was thinking that I might try to find cuter shoes to wear with this dress."

Josh groaned.

"What? You don't have to join me."

"Of course I do."

"Why?"

Josh sat up, and turned to face her. "I am not letting you wander the streets of New York City by yourself."

Aww. That was so nice of him. Nice, but condescending. "I'm a big girl."

"You're a 25 year-old, pretty, blonde girl from the Midwest."

"So?" He did just call her pretty…but he was still patronizing.

"So, you'd be an easy target."

"So you're coming shopping with me?"

"The stipend burning a hole in your pocket?"

"I…its just…I have this absolutely beautiful dress…I want to…I can probably find something that'll do it justice for pretty cheap." The dress was gorgeous. Donna knew she didn't really have anything that would stand up to it, but she had already been too floored with Mrs. Lyman's largess to indicate as such.

"Relax. I'm just teasing. That's what the money is for…the little things that come up…so you can get by in this crazy environment."

Donna sighed. "I guess I should think more about food and lodging."

"No, this stipend…its not enough for you to think about lodging…wait till you've got a real salary. What we've been doing works for now, yeah?"

"Yeah…" He was suggesting that they continue to share a bed for the foreseeable future. Okay, twist her arm.

"I ga—you're getting a stipend now," Josh began.

What was that little slip at the beginning?

"Because I want you to be able to take care of yourself. You're important to me…my office falls apart without you, as we learned. I need you on top of your game, not worried that you'll run out of money and get sweet talked into going back to Dr. Freeride again."

Oh boy. Here was the conversation that they never had at the beginning of the week.

"I'll never go back to him again."

"Good."

Good? What, was he jealous?

"I didn't really want to leave…the only reason Roy was able to persuade me to come ho—come back," for some reason Donna couldn't bring herself to call Wisconsin home. "the only reason was that I was flat broke"

"I wish you'd told me," Josh said quietly.

"It wasn't exactly the right time for that…"

"I know, but—"

"I just didn't know what to do…I was a wreck, no money, no food…and his offer became more and more appealing…I couldn't bother you," Josh started to protest, but Donna continued. "What? You wanted me to break down crying because I had no money when you had much tougher things, like your father's death on your mind? Josh, I couldn't do it."

Donna's eyes were glazing over, and Josh took her hand.

"So, I went back. For three miserable weeks. I was terrified when I first got back…that you'd hate me for leaving."

"Never. I was upset, but—"

"I should have been there for you then…I mean, your da—"

The tears were flowing now.

"Donna, its okay."

"I should have been there."

Josh pulled Donna into his arms. "You came to your senses."

Sniffing back the tears, Donna smiled, and settled against Josh's shoulder. His arms felt so good. Strong and warm. She could get used to this. But really, she couldn't. She knew that. As good as he felt, he was off limits.

"So, I can probably find what I need at a Payless."

"I'm sure we can find one of those. What does your dress look like?"

"You've seen it."

"Hung over my mother's arm. Not on. You had just taken it off when I came up to the attic."

"Well then, you're just going to have to wait until later. Be surprised."

"I hate surprises."

"You'll like this one." Uh oh. Had she really just said that out loud?

"Well, we'll see if we live up to the hype…ow!"

She pinched his side, hard.

"You deserved that."

They sat in silence for a little while. The train plunged underground.

"Almost there…you awake?" Josh looked down at Donna, who was still settled comfortably against his chest.

"Mmmhmm…just thinking."

"About what?"

"How hard was it for you to finagle getting me a stipend?"

"Not hard at all." Not exactly a lie.

"No?"

"No. You deserve it. Leo just can't put you on salary yet."

Truth was, she'd never heard of anyone being put on stipend, and had the suspicion that he was doing this out of his own pocket. He'd never admit it. She was better off not knowing for sure.

"Well, thank you." That was general enough.

Josh smiled. "No problem. You're invaluable, remember that."

"I'll try."