Dr. Loyola paused at the door.

"Of course, Donna."

"I mean, you won't tell Leo what I said in here? This won't, literally, leave this room?"

"No, Donna. I promise you, whatever you tell me will not leave this room."

Donna took a deep breath, then deciding to just say it before she chickened out and didn't say a thing.

"Josh and I kissed last night."

Dr. Loyola sat back down. "And now you feel conflicted, because he's your boss."

"Yes," Donna said, gratified that someone said it and was able to put it so succinctly.

"Josh kissed me, a week ago. I thought it was just because he was lonely and hurting and depressed."

"But you didn't feel that way, did you?"

"No."

"How did you feel, Donna?"

"I realized that if Josh had died at Rosslyn part of me would die too and I wasn't ready to face that yet."

"What about now?"

"I...I don't know."

Dr. Loyola nodded. "Who initiated the kiss last night?"

"I did."

"Why?"

"I guess for the same reason Josh kissed me. I felt lonely and hallow and for once I just wanted to feel something."

"And did you?"

For the first time in a very long time Donna laughed.

"Did you ever swing on a swing really high and then jump off and for a second, a very brief second, it seemed like you were flying?"

Dr. Loyola smiled. "I think I know what you mean."

"Does Josh feel the same way?"

Donna's smile faltered. "I-I don't know."

"You don't?"

"No. I mean, what if he doesn't? Then things would be awkward and it would all be ruined."

"So you would rather not know than know for certain?"

"It's worked well so far."

Dr. Loyola raised her eyebrow. "Really?"

Donna nodded. "He's my friend. All of this kissing is just from the stress."

"Do you honestly believe that, Donna?"

"Yes. I may love Josh, but I have no idea how Josh feels about me and I would really rather not test that theory."

"But do you think you'll be able to work together, even though you have feelings for your boss?"

"I'll just have to be able to, won't I?"

"You're going to deny your feelings?"

"Yes."

"But that wasn't working, Donna. You knew that you were in love with Josh and the realization that Josh could have died was too much for you. What are you going to do when Josh has a girlfriend? Or if someone makes a threat on his life again? Are you going to be able to process it?"

"I don't know."

"You don't know."

"I'm not in those situations, Dr. Loyola. Right now I have a sick friend at my apartment who needs me, and everyone around me thinks I'm a basket-case. Meanwhile, my boss and I are toeing lines we shouldn't and I don't know about your silly hypothetical situations. So if you could tell me what's wrong with me, tell me how to fix it so I can fix Josh, I would really appreciate it."

"Donna, you can't fix Josh."

"Yes, I can. I make sure he does his breathing exercises and goes to physical therapy and doesn't overexcite and eats right. I'm fixing him."

"But is that simply all? Or are you hoping to fix more than just the injury?"

"Dr. Loyola, with all due respect, no one could get Josh to change unless he wanted to."

"And did you ever think, Donna, that he was doing these things for you? That if you weren't there to make sure that he was doing these things, he would have reverted back to his old ways?"

"Oh, yes. But that's only because Josh needs a babysitter. You didn't tell me what's wrong with me."

Dr. Loyola could recognize a stale mate when she saw it, but she also saw the opportunity for more work.

"You were going through shock and you're also, in a sense, experiencing grief. I want you to remember that Josh is alright, that he's safe now, and alive and that above all it wasn't your fault. Whenever you feel the feelings become to much, repeat that to yourself over and over like a mantra until you settle down.

Now. I also want to you to continue to see someone, so you can sort things out."

"Oh."

Dr. Loyola smiled. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Donna."

"That's it?"

The psychiatrist nodded. "That's it."

"Oh."

"Get some rest. Repeat that mantra when needed. And Donna?"

"Yes?"

"Josh is lucky, to have someone like you looking after him."

"Thanks, Dr. Loyola."

Donna walked out of the conference room a short time after Dr. Loyola. She felt suddenly better and suddenly very tired. She wondered if Josh would mind if she just grabbed them some salads from the salad bar at the grocery store, or would he insist on dinner.

"Hey, kid. You okay?" Leo asked her.

Donna smiled. "Yeah, thanks, Leo. For everything."

"Don't mention it."

"Really, thank you."

"You're a part of the family here, Donna. The West Wing would partially collapse without you."

"Josh is a hurricane onto himself."

Leo laughed. "Yeah, he is. He's also really worried about you. He's called me five times asking me how you are. Do me a favor and call him telling him you're on your way home, would you?"

"I will, I promise."

"Thanks, Donna. I can't seem to get him to understand that I'm trying to run a country while he bugs me about you."

"Josh doesn't really understand patience."

"No, no he doesn't."

"I'll see you tomorrow, Leo."

"Take the day off, Donna. You deserve it."

"Oh, Leo, I couldn't. There's so much stuff-"

"That can wait until later. Besides, if I didn't, Josh would have my head when he got back. Tell him I said you're welcome."

Donna smiled, and nodded. "I will."