Title: Gravitation is Not Responsible (17?)
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: My apologies for how long this one took…real life got in a way.

"Why do we have to meet in Toby's audience?" They stood outside the door, waiting for CJ.

"Sam, do you honestly think he'd be following me to someone else's office?"

"But, I have things to do."

"And yet you follow."

"You said it was important."

"It is."

"So I came."

"Hence the difference."

"Yeah. Are we going to get to watch you yell at Toby?"

"And why would I be yelling at Toby?"

"Josh said you were pissed that he snuck in work yesterday."

"I was."

"Are you going to give him a piece of your mind?"

"I'm not seeking out a member of senior staff to castigate him—"

"But should it come up…"

"If, and I stress if, he gets snippy when I present the Rules, he's going to get a piece of my mind."

"When does Toby not get snippy?"

"You've answered your initial question."

"What are these rules you speak of?"

"Oh, you'll see."

"No hint?"

"You can wait. I'm getting you all together at once for a reason. You talked to Josh this morning?"

"He called me twenty minutes ago."

"Glad to see he's up. I had to wake him up just to tell him I was leaving this morning. He wanted nothing to do with getting up. How did he sound? I was a little concerned…"

Sam smiled. "You woke him?"

"Yes. Why?"

"He doesn't remember you leaving. He was pretty grumpy about it."

"He was half asleep. I had to go."

"He was in a terrible mood."

"Not surprising…"

"Have you heard from him yet this morning?"

"No…"

"Does he give you the silent treatment?"

Donna nodded. "I let him have his moods."

"Does it bother you?"

"I try not to let it…well, actually I try not to let him see it bother me."

"But it does?"

"Sam…I don't want to get into this right now." Donna took a deep breath.

"You'll let me know if you do?"

"Yes. Thank you."

"All right, Donna," CJ sighed. "What do you want?"

"Let's go in."

She rapped on the door.

"Let's get this over with!" came the reply.

Donna led them into the office and closed the door. Sam and CJ took seat on the couch, while Toby stayed behind his desk. Donna opened her folder and began passing out the sheets she's prepared.

"What the hell is this?" Toby grumbled.

"The Rules?" CJ asked.

"For the interaction between Josh and work." Donna had typed up all the rules relating to work, omitting the more personal ones like the lunch rule.

"Assignments must come through Leo, and be delivered by Donna," CJ read. "We know this. Leo's made it very clear."

"Has he?"

"You know that, Donna."

"I suppose."

"What don't I know?" CJ smiled.

"Ask your colleagues."

"Boys?"

"It wasn't me," Sam laughed.

"Toby?"

"Hmm?"

"What did you do?"

Donna smiled slightly as Toby shifted in his chair.

"I brought Josh some documents yesterday," he answered softly.

"I couldn't hear you, Toby," CJ countered.

"I brought some documents to Josh yesterday."

"You didn't!"

"I did."

"And I'm guessing Donna didn't know."

"Apparently she found out," he looked pointedly at Sam.

"I was talking to him on the phone! She overheard parts."

"Toby, what was so important--?" CJ began.

"It was midterm stuff. Wasn't it?" Toby turned to Donna. "I'm sure you looked the stuff over."

"I did. It was."

"And what's so harmful about midterm stuff?"

"It's pretty safe as assignments go. What I take issue with was your not going through the proper channels. Josh has a very busy morning schedule with his most intense physical therapy session. Getting those documents distracted him, Toby. You were so kind to me yesterday morning, asking how I was doing, and then you slipped him that folder while I was in the bathroom—"

"Actually, you were just turned away."

"Toby!" CJ snarled.

"I figure, she's already pissed, might as well let her know the truth."

Donna shook her head. "Please, please guys, don't let this happen again. Especially while he's in the hospital. He's doing great, but he still has a long way to go. A very long way. And he needs to be able to concentrate on that part of the time. Please."

Sam nodded along with Donna. "We will do our best."

CJ looked over the list. "Has Josh seen these rules?"

"He agreed, and signed the original last night." Donna held up the looseleaf.

"This is quite an impressive phone call system," CJ smiled.

"Give him the rest he needs while not being overly restrictive."

"Oh how I wish I had been there to listen to the conversation that came up with these."

"He was good about it, CJ."

"You were pretty upset when you left here. She was, Toby."

"I've gathered."

"And?"

"I will attempt to follow the rules in front of me."

"Attempt?"

"That's all I can guarantee. And Donna, I promise I won't sneak work in behind your back again."

"Thank you, Toby. Thank you all. I'm not trying to be a pain…its just that…he needs…structure…right now…he needs to be able to recover…its only been a week. Thank you, guys."

She took a deep breath, turned and left the room.

"She's in rough shape," Toby commented.

"She gave it to you easy," CJ replied. "You should have heard what she was spewing in the car yesterday."

"That's not what I'm talking about."

"She's the one who sees it all, and is subjected to it all."

"Does anyone else think she's getting a little too close?"

CJ exchanged a glance with Sam. "Toby…"

"I'm just saying. They're spending nearly 20 hours of the day together—"

"And that's different, how?" Sam interjected.

"Next time you're there…watch them. Now, get out of my office."

Donna sat at her desk typing up a memo, when the phone rang.

"Josh Lyman's office."

"Hey."

"Hey you. I thought you were giving me the silent treatment."

"Did you wake me…before you left?"

"I did."

"I really don't…remember at all."

"Josh…?"

"I must have…barely been awake."

"You sound short of breath."

"I…I guess so."

"Josh--?"

"What time…are you coming…back?"

"I—what's wrong, Josh?"

"I'm tired."

"And short of breath. And in your room when you're supposed to be in physical therapy!" Donna took a breath, lowering her voice. "What's going on?"

"They sent me…back this morning. I…have a fever."

"Josh!"

"It's a…a low fever."

"What is it?"

"They drew blood…made me sick. But—"

"You got sick this morning?"

"I don't like…blood."

"They don't know what's causing it?"

"My wound…is infected. Nurse used…medical terms like…erythema and…purulent—"

"What does that mean?"

"Basically red…and oozing. Gross. Infected."

"Did she explain it to you?"

"I knew…the words…760—"

"Uh huh. It was fine yesterday."

"I know. Now…its not."

"Have they put you on anything?"

"They put…my IV back in. Something's hanging…from it. I'm not sure…when that happened… It's a little…fuzzy."

"Okay, I'm coming now."

"I wasn't…trying to guilt you."

"I know. I know…" Donna took a deep breath. "Do you want me to come back early?"

"Yes."

"Then I'm coming."

"I'll probably be asleep—"

"Josh…"

"I…just don't…want to…push you."

"You're having a rough day. I want to be there."

"Thank you."

"I'll see you in 15 minutes."