It was seven o'clock before Josh and Donna could leave
the office. The day had been an emotional
rollercoaster for everyone involved. Full of
the usual political crises and special moments as
Donna was reunited with friends.

Now at nearly nine o'clock they sat in his apartment
sharing a candlelit dinner which he had catered from
her favorite restaurant.

"Josh, you didn't have to do this," Donna stated
quietly as the pair set the salads aside and moved
onto the main course of breaded shrimp and steak.

Josh set his utensils down and reached across the
table taking her right hand in his. "I wanted to. I
would've flown you to Paris if you had said
the word but I was selfish tonight I didn't want to
share you with anyone."

Donna felt tears start to form as she met his gaze not
quite believing this was real. After their reunion
that morning Josh had barely let her out of his sight
as if afraid she would vanish.

Donna swallowed hard as she squeezed his hand. "Josh,
I...."

Lyman shook his head and dropped her hand as he stood
and picked up his chair placing it next to hers. Once
he retook his seat Josh reached up and gently carassed
her left cheek.

"I know you're thinking that this came out of the
blue," Josh stated huskily. "But it hasn't. The last
twenty four hours just made me realize what a fool I
was."

"Josh...." Donna protested softly as she reached up to
capture his hand.

"No, let me finish," Lyman replied with a gentle
smile. "For once,please let me have the last word."

Donna nodded and waited quietly for him to continue.

"Since we first met I knew there could be a strong
friendship between us."Josh continued as he tenderly
brushed a stray blonde hair away from
her face. "Somewhere in the last six months my
feelings toward you changed. But I didn't know how to
deal with it or if there was even a chance that you
would return them. So when Joey came along I figured
getting involved with her was in everybody's best
interest. I thought she would help me forget my
feelings for you, but I was wrong."

"I started to realize that on the long flight back
from London. I was thinking more and more about you
and a future with you. Then when I got to your street
and saw all the police cars and the detectives told me
that they had a body that matched your description,"
Josh felt his voice crack on the last word but
continued on."When I thought you were gone.....I was
lost."

Donna felt tears streaming down her face but she
didn't care. She squeezed Josh's hand as she met his
gaze. She was nearly lost in the emotion she found
there.

Josh reached up and gently wiped the tears away from
her right cheek as he struggled to find the right
words."The last twenty four hours made me
realize what my life would be like without you and it
was not something I'd like to repeat. I know I made a
mistake with Joey but is it too late for us? Do you
have any feelings for me besides friendship?"

Donna smiled as she leaned forward so their faces were
only inches apart. "I love you, Josh. I always have."

Relief washed over Lyman as he stood and pulled her
into an embrace.

"I love you too."Josh stated quietly as he captured
her lips with his.

End