One Step at a Time

by: Ginny

Pairing(s): Josh/Donna
Rating: TEEN
Disclaimer: The usual, not mine etc.
Summary: Josh and Donna take tentative steps towards a relationship. Sequel to "Jumping to Conclusions".
Feedback:Feedback is appreciated.

Part 2

Donna was not back from lunch yet. Josh entered his office, sat down in his chair, reached for a tissue and put his feet up.

"Donna" he yelled as he saw her return.

"Joshua, don't yell" she shot back as she grabbed his schedule and entered the room, closing the door behind her. "You OK?, you look tired and a little pale" she asked as she went behind the desk to stand by him. She reached over to brush back a stray strand of hair and feel his forehead. "You're a little warm" she declared as she reached under his feet to grab the bottle of Advil from the desk drawer. She got him a bottle of water and sat down on his desk while he took the pills. "You want to cancel tonight and just get some sleep?" she asked, holding her breath waiting for his answer.

"Of course not. Besides, you got me sick, you can take care of me" he smirked.

There was a knock at the door and Sam stuck his head in. "Hope I'm not interrupting anything"

"No Sam. I was just leaving" Donna patted Josh on the leg and slid off the desk. She smiled at Sam and left the room, leaving them to their work.

The afternoon dragged on for both Josh and Donna. She did some filing and typing and then wandered around for a while waiting for Josh to get back. Josh and Sam had their meeting with Senator Thomas, which went well. It was almost 5:00 by the time they got back to the bullpen. Sam had gone to his office and all Josh wanted to do was crash. He was only one step away from the couch when Leo called him into the Oval Office. He hung up the phone, sighed, walked over to get Sam and went see the President.

Toby, CJ, Leo and the President wanted to know about their meeting. Josh let Sam do the majority of the talking. He was starting to feel miserable and was trying not to show it. He started coughing and reached for the bottle of water he had brought with him. Sam and the others were engrossed in their conversation with the President and didn't notice Josh struggling with the cap. Out of the corner of his eye Leo noticed something was wrong with his deputy. He moved over to sit next to Josh on the couch and opened the water for him and got him the box of tissues.

"Here, you OK? You look like crap. Donna felt the need to share her cold, huh?" mused Leo.

"Something like that. So just be warned, you may be next, after all you two did..." Josh's voice trailed off as he was hit with a bout of coughing that managed to catch the attention of the rest of the people in the room. Sam was at his side in an instant.

"Josh, what's wrong?" he watched his best friend struggle to catch his breath with a look of pain in his eyes. Josh put one hand to his chest and leaned over putting his head in his other hand.

"Charlie" Jed yelled for his aide "Call my wife and ask her to grab her bag and come over"

"Sir, that's really not necessary. I'm fine. It's just that since the surgery sometimes when I cough a lot I feel like my chest is going to, well, rip apart. Just give me a minute, please" he pleaded.

President Bartlet nodded and told Charlie "Just call Donna and have her come over and walk him back to his office."

Donna came over quickly and walked Josh back. By that time the coughing fit was over and the pain had let up. She walked him into his office and steered him over to the couch.

"Josh, you scared everyone in the room half to death. Are you sure you don't need a doctor?" asked Donna as she sat down next to him.

"I'm fine. I really just want to go home, with you" whispered Josh.

"I can arrange that. You just sit here. Let me finished printing your memos and I'll grab your stuff and we'll go. Deal?" asked Donna.

"Deal" murmured Josh as he sat back in the couch and relaxed.

Donna went back to her desk and finished up. Leo, Sam and the President called to check on Josh. She told them he was feeling better and she would see that he got home all right. Only Sam knew that meant she would personally take him home and tuck him in.

Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

| << back |send feedback | The National Library |