TITLE: Tears of broken glass

AUTHOR: Demon Faith

CATEGORY: Josh/Donna, AU

SPOILERS: Noel, ITSOTG, and general s1 and s2

SEASON: Set about one year after Noel, but no allusions to S3 because I haven't seen it. Hence, the AU.

SUMMARY: "It's okay to cry, Josh, when everything shatters."

DISCLAIMER: They are not mine, I think they're safer where they are.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Ok, I dreamt this. It was bumbling along as a lovely dream, and then I began to think too much, and woke myself up at 5am. However, you did get fic out of it, so y'know, it's worth it.

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"DONNA!"

The summoned assistant bounced into the doorway, her Santa hat ringing. Josh looked up and smiled.

"Donna Moss, what are you wearing on your head?"

"It is a Santa hat, Joshua. I'm getting into the Christmas spirit."

"Ahkay," he said, shaking his head.

She grinned, and looked at the index cards scattered across the desk.

"Anyway, what did you need?"

Josh gestured helplessly at the index cards in front of him and looked at her beseechingly.

"I need help with my Chanukah cards."

Donna rolled her eyes, and stepped towards the desk.

"Chanukah is in two days, Josh, they'll never arrive."

"I planned, I did! I was going to catch the early post this morning, but my addresses..."

He stared mournfully at the pieces of paper, and Donna picked one up. She burst out laughing.

"Josh, there are no names on these cards!"

"I know," he all but wailed, "And I don't know which is who's!"

He frowned at his own words, as Donna stepped behind him and placed her hands on his shoulders.

"Josh, Joshua, Josh - what am I going to do with you?"

Josh suppressed the thought that instantly came to mind.

"Ok, this is your mother's."

She picked up a card and handed it to him. He set it to one side, and she lightly cuffed his head.

"Write her name on it!"

He dutifully wrote 'Mom' on the top. She placed three in a row.

"These are Fred, Gerald and Peter, from your college. They're married to Janie, Diana and Mari, respectively."

"How the hell do you know all this?"

"I write your Chanukah cards every year, Josh. What's more you know I know, otherwise you wouldn't ask me."

She continued to point out the various names attached to the addresses and details associated with them, until there was only one left. Josh squinted at it, then smiled.

"I know this one - it's you."

"Yes, and I'm not sure why you need it."

"It's important," he said, huffily.

Donna laughed, and took his pen, writing her name on the card. She leaned back again, and read it aloud.

"'Donna the adorable'. Perfect!"

Josh smiled his full-dimpled smile, and put the card on the top of the neat stack. Donna moved to leave, and then turned, hand aloft and eyes closed.

"Ah yes, the President's taking the Senior Staff out to dinner tonight. Seven-thirty, at the regular place. He says you'll need a date."

Josh sat back in his chair, and reviewed his options.

"I'm taking you," he said, promptly.

She raised an eyebrow yet said nothing.

"I'll pick you up at 7. Wear something pretty."

She shook her head despairingly and left him and his ego alone.

~

It was a quarter to eight when Josh finally turned up. His tuxedo was decidedly rumpled and his hair was sticking up in all directions. She grabbed his comb from her dressing table and pulled it through his hair. She took off his jacket, and quickly ironed it back into a respectable state. She adjusted his tie, before stepping back.

"Yes, you'll do."

It was then he had time to look at her. Her hair was clipped back behind her head, and a thin silver necklace adorned her slender alabaster neck. She wore a white shawl over her fitted blue dress, and the look was completed by her favourite black stilettos.

"You look amazing," he breathed, eyes like saucers.

She took his arm and led him towards the door.

"Come on, we're late."

~

They finally arrived at ten past eight, after getting lost around the Potomac and bickering over the speed limit. Quickly, they hurried towards the restaurant, noting the Secret Service agents surrounding the building. Josh flashed his pass them and they smiled.

"We know who you are, Mr Lyman. The President's waiting."

Josh had the good grace to blush, as Donna seized his arm and pulled him towards the door. It was made of translucent glass, and they stood to admire it for a moment. Abruptly, the door flew open towards Josh. Donna cried out and put a hand out to stop it. Her right arm went straight through the thin door, and it stopped just short of Josh's head.

"Donna! Your hand!"

Donna carefully pulled back her arm, took Josh's hand in her left and dragged him inside. An agent saw them, as Donna sat on the couch with Josh beside her.

"Ms Moss, should I call an ambulance?"

"No, I'll be going to ER," she said, distractedly.

Josh was shaking slightly, staring at her arm. She held his arm, forcing him to look at her.

"Josh, I'm alright."

Josh looked at her pale face and pain-filled eyes, and felt tears well in his own eyes.

"I'll arrange a car, madam," the agent left, speaking into his radio. Donna precariously placed her hand on her lap, shaking her shawl over it. She placed her free hand on the back of Josh's head and lowered it onto her shoulder, before moving her hand to his back and rubbing slow circles.

"I've got you, we're fine, it's alright."

From across the room, Sam spotted them. He pulled at CJ's arm, before moving across the restaurant. Charlie followed.

"Josh! Donna! What's happened?"

"Nothing, Sam, I'm fine."

Sam stared at the blood seeping through the shawl, as CJ arrived.

"CJ, take Josh. Go back to the others, I'm fine."

"Donna, no, don't..."

CJ hefted Josh to his feet, and led him away, despite his protests. Donna turned to Charlie.

"Make sure someone takes him home and stays with him. I'm worried..."

Charlie touched her shoulder in understanding, and followed Josh and CJ. Sam sat down beside Donna and removed the shawl. He winced.

"What happened to you?"

"The door swung back, I put my arm out..."

Sam looked at the shards of glass protruding from her arm and noted the tears in her eyes.

"I just...Josh can't see this right now. He's shaken, I'm supposed to look after him..."

Sam wrapped his arms around her, as she openly sobbed, more for her failure to protect Josh than the pain in her arm.

"Donna, it's alright. It's ok to cry when the sky's falling down. You don't always have to be strong."

Josh saw this from across the room, and tried to get back to Donna, CJ, Ainsley and Toby formed a wall in front of him.

"I've upset her! I have to go..."

"Josh," Toby said, forcefully, "you're no good to her if you're having a PTSD attack!"

Josh quietened, as the President, Charlie and Leo joined the circle around Josh's chair.

"Seems you two can certainly make an entrance."

"Ok, guys, we'll break-up the party for tonight. See you all tomorrow."

Charlie pulled CJ to one side.

"Donna wants someone to watch Josh this evening. She's afraid..."

"Yeah, I'll take him home."

Josh watched this exchange and wasn't surprised when CJ headed towards him.

"I see Donna's arranged a Josh-sitter," he smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes.

An agent approached Donna, "The car's ready, Ms Moss."

"Do you want me to come?"

"No, Sam, go back to the party."

"I think the party's over."

Donna placed a hand on his arm and went with the agent. Sam went over to Josh and CJ, who were moving to leave.

"Is she alright?" Josh said, anxiously.

"Yeah, the Service has arranged a car. She'll be fine."

"Yeah," Josh said, sweeping a hand through his hair, "I guess she will."

~

The agents were not surprised when Donna asked to be dropped off at Josh's house. After reassuring them that yes, she would be fine, the car pulled away and she made her way to the door. Her arm was bandaged up to the elbow, and her dress and shawl were covered in blood. She was a strange sight as she stood at Josh's door, and rung the bell.

CJ came to the door and smiled at Donna. She took her coat from the stand and paused on the doorstep, as Donna touched her arm.

"Is he alright?"

"Just moping," CJ said, grinning, "He's got the record on and everything."

Donna smiled and shut the door behind CJ, making a mental note to buy her some Goldfish.

"Who was it, CJ?" Josh called from the sofa, as Donna stood in the doorway.

"Just me."

He got up and stood in front of her. She looked down at the floor.

"I know I've got the bandage and the blood on my dress, but I thought..."

He crushed her against him, arms holding her to him.

"Thank God you're alright."

"Yeah," she said, quietly, raising her own arm around his neck. They stood like that for several minutes, just resting in each others arms as the Ave Maria played softly in the background.

Eventually, they pulled apart, and Donna saw that Josh was crying. He angrily swiped at the tears, but Donna caught his hand.

"It's okay to cry, Josh, when everything shatters."

He smiled at her unintentional pun. She released his hand and carefully traced the tear tracks down his face. Her fingers lingered on his cheek, and he leaned towards her. Their lips met in a soft kiss, celebrating the fact they were together, that they were fine.

They broke apart, and she blushed as he flashed her a dimpled grin.

"Yeah, but that's better."

Donna smiled, and he took her hand.

"Right, I'm looking after you now! I'm having no arguments! Coffee and everything!"

Donna laughed, as he sat on the couch and pulled her beside him. She settled her head on his shoulder and sighed.

"Oh - you'll need to change your clothes, and run a bath, and..."

He moved to get up, but she laid her hand across his chest.

"It's okay, Josh, we're fine right where we are."

He placed his arm around her shoulder, and she buried her head in his neck. He kissed her forehead lightly.

"Yeah," he whispered, "we're fine."