Title: Gravitation is Not Responsible (15?)
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 was going to get into the Rules on this one…but they wanted to argue a little first.

"Ooh, I like the looks of that bag."

"You're out far."

"All the way down the hall. I asked the nurse to walk with me."

The petite woman smiled. "Now that your lady is here, I'll go back doing my pre-lunch check ins."

"Did you pester her?"

The nurse laughed as she walked away.

"How is wanting to work on my physical therapy a little on my own pestering?"

"Josh, she was busy."

"If she was too busy, she would have said no—"

"Not necessarily—"

"But I know that the guy next door to me is a real bastard to her."

"She told you that?"

"Not in as many words."

"And I'm sure you're always a pleasant person to her."

"I'm nice."

"Ha."

"What did you get me?"

"Tomato basil bisque."

"Ooh, I love that."

"Hungry?"

"Very."

"That's good."

"I've worked hard this morning."

"Hmm."

Josh shot a sideways glance at Donna. Maybe that hadn't been the best phrasing, but the hallway was not the best place for that conversation.

"Proud of me for getting so far?"

"Yes, Josh."

"You don't sound it."

"Why did you all of a sudden want to take a walk when you knew I would be here within the half hour?"

"Mad I didn't wait for you?"

"No."

Josh waited a moment for her to elaborate, but when she didn't, continued, " I just wanted to take a walk."

"This isn't just any walk, Josh. This is the furthest you've been."

"I got brave."

"Yeah."

"Now my room seems like a mile away."

"Do you need to sit down?" Her voice was suddenly full of concern.

"I'm okay for now."

"You're sure."

"I can do this."

Josh took a deep breath. Truth be told, he was fading fast, but he was determined to make it.

"You're putting on a show for me."

"Hmm?"

"I said, it seems like you're putting on a show for me."

"Am I?"

"I think so."

"Why would I be putting on a show for you?"

Donna sighed, and didn't answer. They continued, at a snail's pace towards his open door.

"I know you're mad at me."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"And why is that?"

"I…I did some work this morning."

"Yes, you did."

"I read some things. Called CJ, Toby, Sam. Nice calm morning--."

"I heard Sam's side of your conversation--"

"Yeah—"

"Didn't sound calm."

"It was! It really was. I just get…animated. You know that."

"I do."

"Where did you get that reading?"

"I—"

"Toby?"

"Yeah."

"This morning?"

"Yeah. He hid it under my newspaper."

"You couldn't wait—"

"I didn't ask for it!"

"You couldn't wait until I got back at noon?"

"Well, you said 12:30—"

"Josh!"

Around them, people looked up.

"Can we hold off on this until we're back in my room?"

"Hold off on what?"

"My scolding."

Donna chuckled in spite of herself. "Okay…"

"Twenty more feet."

"You didn't have to push yourself too far just to prove to me that the work didn't have any bad effects."

"What if I wanted to prove it to myself?"

"You thought that work--?"

"No, just wanted to prove to myself that I could do it period."

"And showing off had nothing to do—"

"Maybe a little."

"I thought so."

"I'm doing it though."

"You're doing great. Still steady?"

"Enough. My soup's getting cold."

"Aww, poor baby."

"You're not nice when you're patronizing."

Donna chuckled. "Has mom been by today?"

"Nope. Called this morning and asked if needed her while you were gone. I said I had plenty to keep me occupied."

"This being after Toby gave you—"

"Yeah. It wasn't like I told her not to come. She had something she wanted to do, but would have come in if I wanted her to. I was fine, so she's at the Archives today."

"Oh, good for her. I'm glad she's getting out."

"Me too." Josh took a deep breath, and paused. "The door."

"Before you get back in bed, do you need to—?"

"Yeah, that would be a good idea."

Josh made his way to the bathroom, and Donna hesitated at the door.

"Are you okay on your own?"

The last few times she had gone in with him, but he hadn't needed any help.

"I think I'll be fine. Just stay outside the door."

Donna did as she was told, and after a few minutes, Josh emerged.

"All by myself."

"Excellent."

He got back into his bed, and looked on hungrily as Donna unpacked the paper bag she was carrying. He quickly grabbed the cardboard bowl, and spoon.

"I love this stuff."

They ate in silence.

What's that?" he asked, putting down his empty bowl, eyeing her sandwich.

"Chicken salad."

"Can I taste?"

"You want a bite?"

Josh nodded. She held out the sandwich, and he took a bite.

"That's good."

"You want some more?"

"You think it's a good idea?"

"I think it's good you have an appetite. Here. Eat the rest of this half."

They finished eating, and Donna threw away the trash, then returned and sat facing Josh on his bed.

"So…"

"Yeah."

"You couldn't wait for me to bring things back for you tonight?"

"Toby asked me to look at these."

"You knew I was coming back with things for you."

"I just…I want to do something. I'm so bored! Especially with you gone!"

"Josh, I'm gone for 4 hours. At least one of which you're in physical therapy."

"What's so bad about me reading some things?"

"Josh, as much as you'd like to be back to where you were a week ago—"

"Reading isn't going to—"

"Josh, you're not really supposed to be doing anything yet—"

"Yet, you were going to be bring me things anyways—"

"Josh!"

"I..I'm just frustrated."

"You don't think I know that? I know how hard this is for you—"

"No, you don't!"

Donna took a deep breath, and stood up. Blinking furiously, she took a few steps toward the door and turned away.

Josh watched her for a moment, all anger leaving him when he saw just how upset he'd made her. Quietly, he scooted his legs over the side of his bed, and onto the floor. After steadying himself for second, Josh closed the distance between them, and wrapped his arms around Donna.

She gasped. She hadn't heard him get up. She quickly spun around, and hugged him tightly. They stayed that way for a few minutes, neither speaking.

Finally, Josh spoke, "I'm sorry."

Donna nodded into him. "Me too."

"You know better than anyone how this is getting to me."

"Josh, I'm not trying to make this harder…I just…I want to see you get better. As quickly as possible. You know how tedious those 4 hours I went in for today were? I want you back. But, Josh, you were shot less than a week ago! This takes time. And healing takes…takes effort. Compromise. You need to listen to your doctors. Keep up your great work on the therapy, the walking, the breathing, but the stress…the stress is a big thing, Josh. You've heard the doctor. We need to find a balance, Josh. I want to keep you happy. You know I do. But I care too much to let you screw up your recovery. You need to commit to this…I…I don't know how long I can fight you…we're just beginning this…I…I…don't know…"

"Donna…I…stop crying, please…shh…." He pulled her even closer to him, and stroked her back. "There you go. Calm down. Good. Good."

She began to pull away. He kissed her forehead.

"Do you think we can agree to some rules?"

He kissed her forehead again. "I think so."

"And you'll follow them?"

"I'll try."

"That's all I can ask I suppose."

Josh yawned. "Do you think we can have this conversation a little later though? I'm beat. A nap is in order."

"Sleep."

"Sit with me?"

"Yeah, I'm pretty worn out too."

"Sorry 'bout that." Josh titled her chin up, and looked her right in the eyes. "And I know you care. I know that."

He leaned in slowly, and she did as well. Their lips met. It wasn't sweet and gentle like the last few times they'd done this, but rather intense, and fiery. They stood, glued to each other, until the door opened, and the nurse popped her head in.

"Oh. I'm sorry…I'll be back later."

She left, but Donna jumped away.

Josh took a deep breath. "Wow."

"We shouldn't…"

"I know."

"That could have been any—"

"Yeah…" He climbed back into his bed.

She curled beside him. "We'll talk later."

"Yeah."

He closed his eyes, and took a deep breath to calm his racing pulse, as he snuggled against her.