Thank you to Trish! My awesome beta!

AN: Please review and feel free to send ideas and suggestions. I can't guarantee I'll use them all, but I would love to hear your thoughts! I have a general outline for this story, but the next couple of chapters are a little fuzzy for me right now; I hope to get them done soon.

Donna was trying to decide if she wanted to cry or scream or do both. She'd been having trouble making ends meet and she was counting on him to do the right thing.

It happened as she was coming back from her extended lunch with her daughter; one of her favorite things everyday. She would pick Kat up from the OEOB daycare and walk her over to the mall where they would sit out on the grass and Donna would feed her. It was something she started doing as soon as they got in the White House. During the transition, she would bring Kat to work with her, where everyone would fawn all over her. After the inauguration, that wasn't a possibility anymore so Josh would let Donna take an extended lunch. He would also give her an hour off every night so that Donna could pick up Kat and get some dinner. Donna would usually go back to work for a few hours but would leave Kat with her neighbor Mrs. White, an older woman who reminded Donna of her own grandmother. Since that night a few weeks ago, she hadn't been coming back after dinner. Josh let her take home some stuff to work on instead. Their relationship had been strained since that night, but she couldn't think about that right now. She had too much on her mind.

On her way back from lunch, she had gotten another call from Michael. She had called him to ask him about the child support that he promised to give her, but now he was refusing that. He called to tell her that he didn't believe he was Kat's father and that he wouldn't pay anything. Donna couldn't believe that he would do this to her. He had never been spiteful but he was still upset that she left the second time and refused to give her any support like he had promised when she first told him she was pregnant.

Now she had to go to Josh, and ask him for a raise. It was the only way she could do this. She needed more income so that she could hire a lawyer and get Michael to do the right thing. It was either this or get a second job, and that wasn't really an option. She stood outside Josh's door afraid to go in. She watched him work, concentrating on a report. She could still remember his lips on hers and his weight pressed against her and she wanted nothing more than to give into those feelings but she refused to ruin Josh's life. A relationship between them would ruin Josh's career and she couldn't push him into the role of Kat's father.

"Josh?" She asked quietly.

He looked up a little surprised, "you're back late. Everything okay with Katherine?"

"Yeah she's fine," Donna assured him. "It's just I got this call after I dropped her off and that's sort of why I'm here."

"You need something?"

"Yeah," Donna hesitated, "I need a raise, Josh."

Josh sighed and looked down. "We discussed this before Donna; I can't get you a raise. We've only been in office for about three months. It's six months before a raise can be considered."

"But, there has to be some way around that, Josh. Please, you don't understand, I need a raise."

Josh looked up at Donna and noticed how upset she looked. He quickly stood and walked around to her. "Donna, what's wrong?"

"Michael called."

"Michael? Why was he calling you?"

"He was calling me back actually; I had called him about the child support he had promised me. I'm having a hard time taking care of all my bills and was counting on that extra income, but he's now saying he never told me he would help and that he doesn't believe Katherine is actually his daughter. I need to get a lawyer now and pay my rent. I need that extra money, Josh. Isn't there something you could do?" She begged.

Josh looked at her for a moment wishing, not for the first time, that he could hurt Dr. Freeride. He sighed in defeat. "Donna, I've tried. I've tried to get you a raise. You deserve more for all the work you do, but they won't consider it until six months."

"Okay. Thanks for trying Josh. I appreciate it." She turned to leave when Josh though of something.

"You know, I went to law school. This wasn't my area, but I took a couple family law classes. I could be your lawyer. I come cheap too, only one dollar for my services."

Donna smiled but shook her head. "I couldn't ask you to do that, Josh, but thanks."

"You didn't ask me, I offered. You do so much for me, Donna. Let me return the favor."

Donna was silent for a long moment before she spoke. "Okay. Thanks Josh."

"You're welcome." Donna turned and went back to her desk continuing with her work, feeling better about things.

Josh went back to his report before thinking about what he offered. He couldn't be her lawyer. It wouldn't work. As much as he wanted to help her, he was too close to the situation. There were too many conflicts of interest. He hung his head in defeat. He gave her some hope, said he would help and now he'd have to back out. This was not a good first step in showing her that he was dependable. He had to come up with something.

As he thought about it, Sam kept coming to mind. He was far enough away from the situation but at the same time was someone that Donna trusted.

He smiled at Donna as he left his office. "I'm just going to see Sam, if anyone needs me." He said as he walked down the hall.

"Sam, you have a minute," He said while walking into Sam's office.

"What's another word for determination to use in this speech?" Sam asked not looking up from his notepad.

"Resolve?"

"Maybe…"

"Sam, can I ask you something?"

"Is it about Donna?"

"Yes."

"Did you kiss Donna again?"

"No, Sam. I just need your help."

"Okay, what can I do?" Sam asked. Josh began the story, telling Sam about what Michael had promised and what he was now saying. He told him about how Donna was having money troubles and how she needed a lawyer. He told Sam about how he had volunteered his services but then realized he was too close to it all and that he wanted Donna to be able to depend on him. Finally, he asked Sam if he would represent Donna.

Sam agreed readily. He saw Donna as a younger sister and wanted to help her in anyway he could. Josh offered his thanks and left for a meeting.

Later in the day Sam stopped by Donna's desk.

"Hey Donna. Are you leaving soon?" Sam asked noticing that it was almost six.

"Yeah, I'm just packing up some work to take home with me."

"That's great. Give Kat a kiss for me."

Donna smiled at him; glad that her friends cared so much for her daughter. "Sure."

"I was wondering if we could find a time to chat?"

"You want me to find time for you to meet with Josh?" Donna asked confused as to why Sam would want to schedule time.

"No with you, about Michael. I want to plan out your case and talk to you about options."

"You want to…" Donna trailed off, confused. Josh wouldn't have told Sam,right? Josh wouldn't have betrayed her, right?

"Josh didn't tell you, did he?" It was more of a statement. Sam knew the answer by her reactions.

"Didn't tell me what?" She asked trying not to be angry with Sam. This wasn't his fault.

"That he asked me to be your lawyer since he realized that he was too close to the case?"

"No, he didn't tell me that. If he felt he was too close to the situation why didn't he just say something? I can't believe he told you?!"

"Donna, calm down. He thought he was helping."

"But-"

"Donna, I don't think any less of you," he said, understanding why she was getting upset. "You're my friend; I want to be able to help you and Josh really did think he was doing the right thing. He wanted you to know that you could depend on him."

Donna nodded. "Okay, but promise me you won't tell anyone else. Please? I just don't want anyone to know how foolish I was to go back to him."

"I'll never say a word. Lawyer-Client confidentiality and all," he said seriously.

"Thanks, Sam."

"You're welcome," Sam responded as he noticed Josh coming down the hall. "Please don't be angry with him Donna. He had good intentions."

"I won't." Sam smiled and left the bullpen, saying 'hi' to Josh on his way out.

"Hey, Donna. Ready to call it a night?"

"Yeah, I was just packing up."

"Great. I need to talk to you about something before you leave."

"You mean about how you asked Sam to be my lawyer and told him all about my situation."

Josh froze, cursing himself for not going to her right away. "I'm sorry Donna, I just realized that after I told you I would be your lawyer, that I couldn't and I thought Sam would be a good substitute. I was going to talk to you about it."

Donna sighed, "I know, Josh. I just don't want everyone to know about Michael and my stupidity. I know you were only trying to help. But please, can we not tell anyone else?"

"Of course. I'm sorry."

Donna paused, "It's okay. Thanks for helping," she said as she placed a kiss on him cheek. "I'm going to head out."

"Okay. Give Kat a goodnight kiss for me."

Donna smiled, "I will. Goodnight, Josh."

TBC…