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 3

The drive to Josh's apartment was quick. Josh let Donna drive his car and carry his backpack for him.

Josh went to change while Donna went to find something to make for dinner in Josh's kitchen. That proved to be quite a task.

"Josh" Donna yelled as she scoured the cabinets for something edible, "Ever hear of the food store?"

"Yeah, I go there once in a while. I think there is some soup in the cabinet next to the fridge."

"Found it, how about soup and grilled cheese?" she asked as she grabbed the cheese and bread from the fridge.

"Just what my mom used to make for me when I was sick" commented Josh as he came into the kitchen wearing a Harvard sweatshirt and a pair of sweatpants with holes in the knees.

"Nice outfit, Joshua. Dinner will be ready in a minute. Go sit down on the couch"

"Donna, you don't have to wait on me, I perfectly capable of..." and as if on cue his body was wracked with another coughing fit.

Donna steered him towards the couch and sat him down. She rubbed his back while he caught his breath. "Do you have something you can take for that"

"Yeah, but I'll take it later. It's cough syrup with codeine and it knocks me out in about 10 minutes. I could use some more Advil though, it's on the counter in the bathroom. I left some sweats for you in there too, if you want to change." said Josh as he sat up straight.

"Thanks, go stir the soup please" said Donna as she disappeared down the hallway towards the bathroom.

When she returned she was dressed in a pair of Josh's sweatpants and a long-sleeved Harvard t-shirt. Josh was in the kitchen making the sandwiches. She looked so cute, he couldn't speak. She got the soup on the table while Josh finished the grilled cheese. They ate in complete silence. Something that almost never happened when they were together. There was the feeling of nervousness on both their parts. Neither one knew quite what to say. Josh took a deep breath and broke the silence.

"Ice cream?"

Donna giggled and let out the breath she had been holding when it looked as if Josh was about to say something important.

"Sure, then let's go in the living room and talk"

She stood up to clear the table as Josh rummaged through the freezer. She grabbed a spoon from the drawer.

"Since I already got you sick I guess we don't need two spoons" she teased as she grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the kitchen.

They settled down on the couch under the afghan. Donna fed him ice cream and waited for him to talk.

"Donna, are we just crazy enough to think this..this..whatever this is, is a good idea" wondered Josh, not quite sure if he had actually said that sentence aloud.

"Yes, Josh, I think we are that crazy. So..now what?" Donna sighed as she took another spoon of ice cream.

"That's the million dollar question. Don't get me wrong, I would love to just throw you over my shoulder and take you into the bedroom but..."

It was now Donna's turn to start coughing and chocking. She could feel herself turning bright red. She could only stare at Josh, her powers of speech seemed to have taken leave.

"Maybe I should rephrase that. I don't want to rush into anything. You remember what we agreed on at Christmas, that we both like things the way they are and maybe moving forward wasn't the best idea." remarked Josh, Donna could only shake her head. "Well, I'm beginning to think I was wrong about things staying the same. I still think things are great but I think they could be better. What I'm trying to say is..." Donna cut off his thought with a quick kiss on his lips.

"Joshua, I know what you are going to say. And I feel the same way, but I am absolutely terrified" confessed Donna as she leaned back into the couch and stared at the ceiling.

"Me too" whispered Josh as he took the spoon and the ice cream from her. He turned on the couch to face her and reached over to turn her face towards his.

"Josh.." murmured Donna but it was his turn to cut her off with a kiss. The kiss was as gentle as could be. Just over the line of innocence that they had drawn back at Christmas time. Josh pulled away first and just smiled as he brushed the hair back from her face. She sighed and scooted over to the end of the couch, swung her legs up and pulled Josh down with her. She caressed his cheek and pulled him in for another kiss. This one went way over the line of innocence and left both of them breathless. When they broke apart his hands were tangled in her hair, one of her's was on the back of his neck and the other had reached up under his sweatshirt. They just lay there for a long time, foreheads touching and eyes closed.

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

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