There was a low buzzing of machinery filtering in through Josh's ears in a soft and muted way. The world almost sounded like it was playing in slow motion; it was difficult to make sense of. He felt dimly aware of several machines and a dull smell of sanitary cleaners.

He tried opening his eyes, but to no avail. Lifting his eyelids felt as difficult as lifting a 50 ton weight. There was a dulled pain radiating all across his chest that he tried to ignore, but couldn't. He tried to move a hand up to feel what was wrong, but couldn't quite get his hand to cooperate either.

A voice was starting to make its way through all the clutter filling his head. A familiar voice. Someone was reading to him. Josh tried with all his might to concentrate fully on the words and could make out that this person was reading about him. Achievements, schooling, and family members were all being discussed. Harvard, Yale, Fulbright scholar. Bartlet for America.

Josh was suddenly filled with a moment of panic. Was this an obituary? Was he actually dead? He thought about the pain resonating in his chest and wondered if you felt pain after death. A new noise came into his mind, the sound of a door opening and then a new, deeper voice speaking. The person reading to him went quiet and he missed it immediately.

"No signs of him waking up on his own yet?" the new voice was asking. If they were waiting on him to wake up that would mean he wasn't dead yet, right?

"Not really. I've seen his eyelids flickering, but other than that." Josh could hear the sadness in this person's voice and felt guilt rise through him at making them worry like this. The next thing he knew he felt pressure on his shoulder as someone started to try and shake him awake.

"Josh? It's time to get up," the voice was saying. "It's okay. Open your eyes."

Josh grumbled at the annoying shaking. He again tried to move his hand to bat the offending person away, but his hand still wouldn't cooperate.

"Josh," the voice said again, firmer this time. Josh felt somebody grab his hand and start running their thumb over the back of it.

"Come on, Josh," said the voice. This was the one that was reading to him. With an almighty effort, Josh cracked open his eyes marginally.

"Hey there," a man in a white coat greeted him calmly. Josh worked at opening his eyes further until he could see the man in front of him with salt and pepper hair fully. This was his doctor. He wasn't dead!

"How're you feeling?" the doctor asked as he rudely shined a flashlight directly into Josh's eyes. Josh grumbled and tried to turn his head away.

"Chest hurts," he said in a painfully raspy way. It hurt to speak. At seeing the new look of pain on Josh's face, the doctor explained. "Your throat is going to be sore for a few days. It's the aftereffect of having the breathing tube in there for so long".

Josh tired lifting his right arm and managed to tap on his chest once. His doctor filled in the blanks.

"Your chest is going to be hurting a little bit longer than that unfortunately." Josh saw the doctor making notes on a clipboard and let his head fall to the side where his eyes found the source of the familiar voice that was reading to him. A lopsided smile came to his face. She was staring intently at him, her mouth slightly open.

"Hey," he whispered.

"Hey," Donna whispered back. Her eyes were filled to the brim with unshed tears and her bottom lip was trembling.

"Alright, Josh, I'll be back in about an hour to see how you're doing," the doctor announced before replacing the clipboard at the end of Josh's bed and walking out of the room. Donna barely registered him leaving, her eyes never left Josh's face and Josh's eyes roamed over hers.

"M'not dead right?" he asked slowly. Donna saw him wince in pain after certain words, but let out a surprised laugh.

"No, you're very much not dead, Josh," she told him. Josh felt her grip on his hand tighten. "Thankfully."

"Just checkin," Josh replied. After a moment he kept speaking. "What happened?"

Donna had to lean in closer to hear him. She hesitated before answering, wondering if Josh was in any condition to hear the horrors of what happened a few nights ago. At her silence, Josh prompted her with a quiet "Donna?".

"You need to stop talking if it hurts your throat Josh," Donna scolded lightly. "I know how hard that idea is to you though." She smiled in relief when she saw Josh's lips curl upwards. Donna decided to tell him.

"Two gunmen opened fire on everyone leaving the town hall in Rosslyn. The secret service killed the shooters and they have a third man in custody." She saw a look of anguish cross Josh's face and pressed on.

"Everybody is okay Josh," she told him. "You're the one everybody was worried about."

Josh looked up at her. "Yeah?"

"Yes."

"Promise?"

Donna smiled wide at him. "Promise."

"Kay."

"Go back to sleep," she encouraged as she saw Josh's eyelids start to grow heavy. Josh kept fighting it.

"Stay?" Donna felt her chest fill with a certain emotion she couldn't quite put her finger on. She nodded immediately. "Of course I'll stay." Josh was out within seconds and Donna let herself lean back into the chair and slouch down. Her felt a huge weight lift from her shoulders now that she had solid evidence that Josh was still alive. Josh was alive and he would get better. She would do her best to assure that. They weren't fully out of the woods yet, but they were out far enough that Donna felt comfortable enough to take a breath.

The last two days had been hell. The uncertainty had been eating her alive. Even though the doctors were assuring her of their anticipation that Josh would run into no further complications, Donna feared the worst. How could she not? She had been able to think of nothing other than Josh and the tiny unborn baby within her belly. The idea that she would never be able to tell him about it was too much to bear. She let a hand drift to her stomach and closed her eyes.

Regardless of what happened next between the two of them in the months to come, at least her child would have a living, breathing father.

Donna was sitting in the same chair she had been in for what seemed like an eternity when she heard a tentative knock at the door. She looked up to see CJ, Sam, and Toby quietly enter the room. They all looked exhausted. The frenzy that had been taking place at the White House the past few days had been to a level no one had experienced before and they had to handle it with two of their most important members down.

"Hey," CJ said quietly as they walked in. Donna smiled at their arrival. They had trickled in sporadically over the past two days, but their demands at the White House meant none of them could spare more than just a few moments.

"How are things at the White House?" Donna asked them.

"Finally calming down a notch," Sam said with a deep sigh of relief. He pulled up a chair next to Josh's bed and crashed into it. CJ moved to sit next to Donna. Toby just stood hesitantly, a noticeable way away from the bed.

"How long are you staying?" Donna asked them. The sun outside was just beginning to creep towards the horizon as evening settled upon the world around them. There was a stillness to the hospital at this time of day, Donna noticed. The pinkish hue of the sunset was engulfing the whole room in lines of orange traced into the walls as the sun's reflections surrounded them.

"Leo kicked us out," Sam told her, with only a small pout. Donna felt relieved at that.

"How is he?" Toby asked Donna from across the room. Donna rose her head to meet Toby's gaze. "He's doing okay, considering. He was awake for a few minutes a while ago."

"Did you talk to him?" Sam asked urgently. Donna nodded.

"Yeah," she replied quietly. "I told him what happened. I don't think he remembers any of it," Donna continued. "At least not right now. He was worried about if anyone else got hurt." She saw CJ and Sam's faces break into smiles at that.

"He didn't remember the President and Leo coming to see him a day ago?"

Donna shook her head. "I don't think so."

"You know, I think I need some coffee," Sam said after a moment. He pushed himself up out of his chair. "Anyone want anything?" CJ asked for something before Toby spoke up, "I'll come with you".

"Donna?" Sam asked. Donna looked hesitant before shaking her head.

"I've had enough coffee," she lied. Toby stared at her for a long moment before turning to follow Sam out of the room.

When they were gone, CJ immediately gave a significant look at Donna.

"Did you tell him?"

"No, CJ, how could I tell him right now?"

"You need to tell him eventually," CJ replied.

"Preferably when he's able to actually lift his head off the pillow," Donna said bitterly. CJ blinked and nodded. "Yeah."

"Listen." Donna turned her head to look at CJ again. "Have you made a doctor's appointment yet?"

"I-" Donna began, feeling guilty. "There hasn't been time, CJ, I've been spending all my days here-"

"No, no, Donna, I know. I'm sorry. I just wanted to say if you wanted someone to go with you while Josh is stuck in bed. I would come. If you wanted me to," CJ finished lamely. She looked uncertain. "If you wanted some moral support."

Donna didn't know how to respond, she hadn't even thought that far ahead as to book an appointment with a doctor. It hit her suddenly how that was probably something she should have done as soon as possible. She'd heard stories about false positive pregnancy tests.

"I can bring pom-poms, if you like," CJ spoke up again, a small smile on her face. Donna laughed.

"I guess I should go pretty soon," she sighed.

CJ nodded. "You really should."

"I doubt Josh will be able to get there for a few more weeks," CJ said sadly, her eyes skimming over her sleeping friend.

"He starts physical therapy in a day or two," Donna told her. "But the doctor said it'll take a while for him to get his mobility back."

"Doesn't seem right," CJ said. "A Josh Lyman that sits still?"

Donna let out a laugh. "Not like him at all."

"Look at this stubble," CJ said with a grimace, she leaned forward to examine the stubble found on Josh's cheeks and gently ran a thumb down it. "Can't we have one of the nurses shave it?"

"No!" Donna said immediately. CJ turned to look at her confused.

"I just-" she stammered. She didn't know how to tell CJ that the stubble on Josh's cheeks had been a welcome addition every morning Donna saw him. The stubble was a sign that there was still life in Josh's body. Even when the rest of Josh had remained largely unconscious, the stubble continued to grow and Donna managed to take comfort in that.

"I like it," she said simply. CJ gave a sympathetic smile and pulled her hand back.

After a few moments of silence between them, Donna spoke up again. "I'd like that, CJ." CJ looked at her. "If you came with me." CJ smiled and nodded.

"Okay."

"I just. I can't tell Josh yet. Not while he's like this." CJ looked a little less sure at this, but nodded still. "Okay."

"You're not still mad at me?" Donna asked. CJ let out a laugh.

"Oh I'm still pissed as hell at the both of you," she began. Donna gulped. "But until we know how we're actually going to handle this there's no use in punishing you." Donna gave a strained smile at that and CJ continued.

"Besides, I think we all need each other right now. Now more than ever," she said, emotion creeping into her voice. Donna looked up at her and CJ saw the tears in Donna's eyes. She saw the events of the past few days showing clearly on Donna's face, etched into every line of her. She reached out to put a comforting hand on Donna's knee. "We'll get through it, Donna."

Donna nodded and CJ pulled her in for a tight hug. She felt a twinge of guilt for not giving Donna a hug sooner because from the way Donna had clung to her, CJ could tell she'd been needing one.

"He's still here Donna. It's going to be fine." They pulled away from each other just as the door swung open again. Sam and Toby entered balancing cups of coffee just as Donna was swiping away stray tears. The two men looked unsure before CJ broke the tension.

"Did you add my two sugars?" she asked, getting up to meet them halfway to grab her coffee.

"Yes," Sam answered defensively. "I won't be making that mistake again any time soon." CJ looked triumphant as she grabbed the to-go cup from him. She savored the warmth that spread through her hands.

They all jumped when a mumbled "hey" came from the bed. Josh was watching them through heavily lidded eyes, looking thoroughly exhausted.

"Where's my coffee?" he asked them.

Donna immediately replied with a smile. "You don't get coffee." Josh turned his head to look at her and frowned.

"That's not fair," he said, letting his head fall back against the pillow. Donna noticed the raspiness of his voice was still evident, but Josh didn't seem to be wincing in pain now as he spoke. Toby, Sam, and CJ had all gone still. Donna looked at them and realized this is the first time they had seen Josh awake.

"How are you feeling?" CJ asked tentatively. She and Sam both moved to retake their seats next to Josh's bed. Toby remained standing at a distance.

"Shitty," Josh replied bluntly.

"It's nice to see you awake," CJ replied. Her voice was soft and gentle in a way it very rarely was when she was talking to Josh. Josh gave a smile. They could all tell he was only half with them. The exhaustion tied into the seemingly endless amount of pain meds made that evident. They could see he was trying though. Trying to be present in the moment and talk with them.

"What's the President doin'? Josh asked. At this point he could remember Donna telling him they were shot at. She had told him everyone was okay. Josh didn't realize the existing trauma that statement had covered up.

"He's uh," Sam started, he gave a look to Donna, silently asking her if Josh knew. Donna shook her head and Sam looked around at the group, wondering if he should continue.

"What, Sam?" Josh asked. They watched as Josh pitifully tried to push himself up on the bed. He mostly failed with a huff.

"Josh, the President is fine," Sam started, staring at Josh intently to gauge his reaction. "He was shot in the abdomen, but has already been through surgery and is a few days away from a full recovery."

"What!?" Josh exclaimed. He immediately went to push himself up again using both arms but quickly cried out in pain when he put too much weight on his left side. Donna jumped up to try and settle him as he squeezed his eyes shut in pain.

"Ah," Josh moaned. He moved his right arm up to cover his eyes and didn't notice as Donna pressed the call button to bring a nurse into the room. Everyone in the room looked on in horror as they saw the pain so clear in Josh's face.

"Josh, the President is perfectly fine," Donna reiterated, she leaned in close to make sure Josh could hear her. "There's nothing you have to worry about. He's actually been in here a few times worrying about you."

Josh's eyes were still covered by his arm, but Donna could see him listening.

"He'll be upset if he knew you were working yourself up over it, okay?" she said soothingly. She had grabbed onto his hand and felt Josh squeezing it tight.

A moment later a nurse came bustling into the room.

"What's going on?" she asked, pushing her way past Sam to the bed. She started checking Josh's vitals.

"He found out about the President and got a little worked up," Donna supplied. The nurse added something into Josh's IV line and turned to glare at the people in the room who weren't Donna.

"I don't like having so many people in here," she said sternly. CJ immediately perked up.

"Please don't make us leave, this is the first time we've got to see him awake."

The nurse shook her head as they noticed Josh's pain seemed to lessen. "He won't be awake for much longer, when he's out we'll need you to leave," she said with an air of finality that left nothing up for debate. She left the room and Sam immediately began apologizing.

"I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have said anything," he said quickly. "Josh, I'm sorry." Josh had removed his arm and looked spent.

"He's okay?" Josh asked weakly. Everyone in the room assured him that he was; Toby too.

"Seriously Josh, he was up just hours after his surgery to come and check on you," CJ said with a smile.

"Okay," Josh replied weakly. It shook all of them to see Josh this weak. The man was normally bouncing off the walls with energy, to see him unable to even push himself up the bed was alarming.

"You'll feel better soon, buddy," Sam told him reassuringly. Josh gave a short laugh that said he didn't believe him and they watched as Josh quickly succumbed to sleep again.

CJ glanced over at Donna, who still had Josh's hand clutched between hers and sighed as she noticed Donna's hand had strayed to her belly again. With a look round to the others in the room, she hoped nobody else thought twice about it.

Donna looked up and noticed where CJ's eyes were focused on her and hurriedly removed her hand. It was becoming a habit she realized; it brought her comfort. Being reminded of the intimate connection between her and Josh now grounded her in the reality that Josh was still here. She would never take that for granted again.