Title: Gravitation is Not Responsible (27/?)
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: Okay, here's the real chapter 27. Attached the wrong document the first time. Visit my archive: http://aerial312. .

"Help! Help!"

Donna jerked awake, and looked over at Josh, who was thrashing beside her.

"Joanie! Run! Run, Joanie. Help! Help! My sister!"

Donna took a deep breath, slightly reassured that this was a nightmare, and he wasn't actually in any real trouble. Josh's right arm flailed into her. She cried out.

"No! Joanie, you've been hit. We're gonna get help. We're gonna!"

Josh reached out and grasped Donna tightly, almost painfully, in his arms. He nearly had her trapped.

"Josh!"

"Joanie, it's okay. You're not gonna die! You're…you're not! Stop bleeding! Stop!"

Donna leaned back against his chest, and stroked his tense arms. "Shhh…it's okay…it's okay."

He squeezed her even tighter, and began to sob against her.

"Joanie…Joanie…no…wake up…please? Please, Joanie?"

His sobbing grew more intense as Donna tried to free herself enough to sooth him.

"Josh…Josh! Listen to me sweetie. We're here in your bedroom."

His grasp relaxed, as his whole body shuddered in sobs. Donna took her opportunity, and spun herself around, one knee on either side of his lap, pulling him tightly against her, and rubbing his back.

"Baby, it's okay. It's okay. Wake up. No one's bleeding…no one's dying…shh…it's okay…I'm here."

He buried his head against her neck, as she rubbed circles on his back.

"I've got you. I've got you. Wake up."

"Donna?" He choked.

"Right here. I'm right here."

"Donna!" he exclaimed, squeezing her into him.

"I'm here."

They stayed, clutching each other tightly until Josh's breathing finally calmed. Donna pulled back slightly to look at him.

"How're you doing?"

"Exhausted."

"Yeah. That was quite a workout."

"What…what…?"

"You don't remember it at all?"

Josh shook his head.

"It was a mix. It was Joanie, and the shooting…back and forth."

"They always seem so vivid, but then, I can't remember them."

"Maybe that's better?"

"But then I wake up soaked with sweat, sobbing and out of breath. Why didn't I have these nightmares while I was in the hospital?"

"I don't know…you're soaked! We should get you changed."

"You're drenched now too."

Donna nodded. "Are you okay for me to move now?"

"Yeah…" Josh released Donna's waist, and she climbed down and began rummaging through the bureau. Josh climbed out of the bed, gripping the rail.

"Wow, I'm light-headed."

Donna dropped the clothes she was holding to the floor, and brought her hand up to his lower back to spot him.

"I've got it."

"You're sure."

"Yeah."

"Do you need my help with your shirt?"

Josh nodded, and they repeated the procedure that had worked earlier. Donna retrieved a towel from the bathroom, and returned, handing it ot him. Josh dried off his chest, then hesitated.

"I can't reach my back."

Donna took the towel, and ran it over his back and neck."

"New shirt."

Ten minutes later, they were both in dry clothes. Josh sat on the bed, staring off into space.

"What do ya need?"

"I hurt like hell."

"Awww…the doctor called in the new prescription, but it was after the pharmacy closed."

"No way in hell am I taking the other one."

"Right."

"I don't know…could you give me like four Advil?"

"Yeah?"

"It'll be something at least."

Donna nodded and disappeared into the bathroom. She returned bearing water and a bottle of ibuprofen. Josh was leaning back against his pillow, and Donna reached up to stroke his forehead.

"Four?"

"That's the most I can…right?"

"I think so."

She handed him four pills and he downed them in a gulp.

"What do you want to—?"

"I don't know. Not sleep."

"Okay…"

"You can if you want."

"That's okay."

"I'm just gonna read or something…"

"I can—"

"Don't let me keep you up."

"Josh…I'm planning on staying with you all day tomorrow, why does it matter if I stay up with you now? I can sleep later."

"You look tired."

"So do you."

"I can't sleep now. You think you can get me to, don't you? I don't want to."

"Josh—"

"I don't want to."

"You—"

"Go get some sleep!"

"Now you want me to go?"

"No…I…I don't' know."

"It feels safer to sleep when it's light out?"

"I don't have nightmares during the day."

"I know. Do you think leaving the lamp on would…?"

"I don't know," he turned away from her.

"I'm not going to push. I'll go sleep in the other room if you—"

"No! Sleep here…"

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

Donna crawled in beside him. "You're going to need?"

He shrugged. "I don't know…"

"What can I do for you?"

Josh sighed, shaking his head in frustration. Donna reached up and ran her hand into his hair. He leaned into her touch. Gradually, Donna worked her hands down to his shoulders and back.

"Mmmm…"

"Feeling better?"

"That's nice…don't stop."

Donna smiled, and continued to knead his back with her left hand.

"Mmmm…"

She giggled. "Let me sit behind you. I'll be able to do this with both hands."

Josh quickly scooted forward, and Donna crawled behind him, one leg on each side. She reached behind her, and handed him the pillows to rest on his lap. He lay forward onto them. Donna began to methodically work her way down his back, careful to get all the knots."

"You haven't done this in a long time."

"No?"

"I got several awesome backrubs on the campaign."

"I recall you enjoying those…" Donna grinned, changing her tough kneading motions to soft caresses.

"Yeah…" Josh smirked. "Not quite as much this time."

"You're in pain."

"Yeah."

"Don't worry…"

"I'm not…"

"You don't sound convinced."

"It's just one of those things you always want to work."

Donna chuckled. "Maybe I didn't quite do it as well?"

"You did. Trust me, you did."

"Don't worry."

Josh lay back against her, and she wrapped he arms around his shoulders, kissing the side of his head several times, ending on his ear.

"Mmmm…" Josh moaned again, turning his head to meet hers.

Gently, Donna brought her lips to his, but Josh hungrily intensified it. Finally, he broke the kiss for air. Donna lay her head on his shoulder.

"That was better."

"Yeah?"

"Sort of working."

Donna laughed. "It's a start."

"I guess it is."

He lay back against her. "This isn't comfortable for you, is it?"

"It's fine."

"You'd never tell me you were uncomfortable if it meant I would get some sleep…I remember one time on the bus, you offered to sit on the floor so that I could lay on the seats…"

"That was one of my first days back."

"Yeah," Josh smiled at the memory.

"Close your eyes."

"You tricked me."

"Whatever works."