Title: Gravitation is Not Responsible (4?)
Author: Aerial312
Rating: PG-13
Category: Humor/Fluff/Angst/Romance (a little of everything)
Spoiler Info: Post Rosslyn.
Disclaimer: I own nothing…I just borrow.
Feedback: Greatly appreciated. Sure. Just let me know where its going.

A/N: I wasn't intending to write tonight…but my muse came out.

Josh sat up and looked around his room. It hadn't exactly been the most restful sleep. Now that he was no longer sedated to complete exhaustion, his mind was racing and he couldn't stay asleep. Donna was curled up in her chair, awkwardly. Her knees were curled underneath her, and the thin hospital blanket was pulled up to her neck. As he watched her, in the corner of his eye, he spied the incentive spirometer. Well, that hadn't been so bad. He pulled the small machine on to his lap. He could do this himself.

Deep breath. Five, four, three, two, one. Nowhere near the yellow mark. Again. A little closer. Again. Just underneath.

"You trying all by yourself?" Kendra asked, walking over to his IV. "How's the pain?"

"Enh."

"Scale of 1 to 10. 10's the worst."

"Uh….4 or 5. It's not terrible, but I could do with less."

"Uh huh. Dr. Melvin's pleased that you did your coughing today. This button here is for you to press if you need more pain medication."

"Has that been there the whole time?"

"It has."

"And you didn't tell me because?"

"Because I just set up the machine to respond to that button, that's why."

"Oh."

"We weren't trying to trick you."

"Did she go eat?"

"She left for a little while. I have no way of knowing if she ate."

"She needs to eat."

"You need to eat too."

"I'm not hungry."

"You can't have it both ways, Mr. Lyman."

"She didn't just have 14 hours—"

"Doesn't change the fact that she hasn't eaten in as long as you."

"I'm worried about her."

"I'll tell you what. You drink some of your lunch, I'll bring an extra tray for Donna."

"That would be great."

"Now finish those breathing exercises. How're you doin'?"

"Close. But not quite there."

"Keep trying."

She left the room, Josh picked up the incentive spirometer again. He sat up really straight. Deep breath, in, in, in…yellow mark! In his excitement at hitting the yellow mark, Josh forgot to hold the inhale.

"Donna! Donna!"

Donna awoke with a start, and jumped to her feet.

"What! What's wrong?"

"Shhh…calm down, calm down. Nothing's wrong."

"Okay…"

"I did it!"

"What, what did you do?" Donna wiped the sleep away from her eyes.

Josh grinned. "I got the yellow."

Donna perked up. "Really?"

"Really."

"Show me."

Josh picked up the machine, and took a deep breath.

"Five, four, three, two, one. You did it!"

"I told you."

Donna leaned in and kissed his forehead quickly. "How many is that?"

"Two that've hit the yellow. I've done five total."

"That's great!"

Josh grinned, and looked up at her. She seemed so proud of him.

"Come on, again."

So much for reverence. Josh completed his last five, hitting the goal 3 times.

"Those last two seemed harder."

"This is a quite a workout for you."

"Yeah…"

"You got half. That's great."

Josh nodded. "Now I have to cough?"

Donna nodded, and grabbed the basin.

"Hopefully I won't need that."

He held the pillow over his incision, and coughed deeply twice.

"Still clear."

"Yeah."

"You think you can eat some?"

"We'll see. Did you eat earlier?"

"I left the room. Ask Kendra."

"That's wasn't my question, and I already asked Kendra. She confirmed you left for a few minutes. Why didn't you eat?"

"Josh…"

"I didn't want to be gone too long…"

She turned away. Josh sat back up straight, and grabbed her arm, pulling her to sit on the end of his bed.

"Scoot back."

"I can't sit on your bed."

"Yes, you can."

"Kendra will kick my ass."

"Just for a little while."

"Why?"

"I want you to tell me why you couldn't leave while I was asleep."

"Josh…" She pulled away, but just held tight onto her arm.

"Kendra's bringing a tray for you."

"I—"

"I have to eat a bit first. If I'm good, you get a tray."

"Oh jeez."

"She's tough."

"No kidding."

"She means well."

"I know…"

"Later, when my mom gets here, can you go pick up some things for me?"

"You want me to lea?—"

"Donna! I don't want you to leave. I know you won't leave unless someone else is here. But there are some things I would like to have. Mom will be here. Let her get settled in with me, then take a quick trip. Go home and get yourself cleaned up. Then take my key, and go to my apartment. I'm gonna make you a list of what I want."

"I suppose I should be glad that you're ordering me around again. Back to yourself."

"For now."

"Are you concerned?"

"Well, today wasn't easy. And even though I'm doing better…I…I don't know. It's really frustrating to not be in control."

"I know. You're doing a great job. You'll hit these obstacles, and get past them."

Donna sat back against Josh's pillow, beside him. She took his hand. They sat in silence for a moment.

"I'm not sure where my things are. Kendra said they were here somewhere—"

"Your keys and wallet."

"Yeah."

"They…uh…Sam said, that they…they cut your clothes off you."

Josh turned to face her. She had turned away with him, staring off at the steady beeping of the EKG.

"Hey…hey…look at me."

Donna shook her head.

"What's wrong? Donna, Donna, please don't cry…did you see me in the emergency room?"

Donna shook her head again.

"Calm down…"

"I—I just don't want to think about it---I wasn't sure if you knew…"

"It makes sense."

Donna turned back to him, and buried her head on his shoulder.

Josh sighed. "I wish I could wrap my arm around you right now, but I can't lift my left arm that far."

Donna smiled. "I'm fine here."

Josh stroked her hand lightly with his thumb. "You should make a copy of my key when you take it."

"Yeah?"

"I figure you're going to be around a lot…"

"I'll make a copy."

"Take a few bucks out—"

"I can afford a dollar twenty-five to copy a key."

"Okay, okay. I offered."

"Thank you."

"Copy the key."

"You're sure?"

"Donna, thinking about it, I'm surprised I haven't already made you a copy. I send you to my apartment often enough…"

"You two look comfy," Kendra came into the room carrying two trays of food.

"As comfortable as possible."

"You've got quite a sense of humor."

"He tries."

"Hey!"

"You seem to be feeling better."

"Until your next form of torture."

"Well, there's no more torture before lunch. Eat up."

"Mmm….broth…jello…and tea."

"Looks good, Mr. Lyman."

"Ha."

"Eat."

"Are you really going to withhold Donna's food?"

"No."

"Then what's my incentive?"

Kendra laughed and shook her head as she walked away. "Because I know that if you don't eat, she won't either…"

Josh looked to Donna, who was smiling at him expectantly.

"She's figured your role out quickly."

"Eat your lunch."

"I am, I am."

Josh picked up his spoon, and took a sip of his broth.