Josh stopped, his throat constricted and his heart began beating rapidly.
'Jack. Who's Jack?' he thought. 'I didn't know she was dating anyone, let
alone someone serious enough that she would pine for him in a dire
situation.' Josh swallowed. "Who's Jack?" he asked dreading the answer.

"My teddy bear."

Josh expelled his held breath with a relieved chuckle.

"My parents gave him to me before my first summer at camp. They said he would
protect me and be there when they couldn't. I took him every summer to camp
and then even to college and later DC. He's still a comfort." Donna finished
softly.

She turned to him and saw him smiling. She mistook his expression to be
condescending. "Look I know it's stupid, ok. I just..."

"Donna, no I..." he stopped. Donna had turned away and closed her eyes. He
began walking towards the bunk.

She didn't notice his slow approach but she felt the movement of the bed
under his weight as he sat behind her and the warmth of his body as he
wrapped his arms around her. "I know I'm not Jack" he said softly against her
ear, "but will I do?"

"Well" Donna hesitated, "You do kinda look like him."

Josh laughed "Thanks" he said and pulled her more comfortably into his arms.
She began to relax for the first time since they were put in this place. Her
eyes even began to close.

"Tired?" he asked.

Donna merely nodded. Josh adjusted his body and gently pulled her down with
him as he lie on the bed. She rested her head on his chest and slowly drifted
to sleep.

Josh held Donna in his arms, amazed at how good and right it felt. He began
to gently stroke her hair. 'I never realized how soft her hair was before or
how sweet she smells.' he thought.

Donna moaned softly and shifted her body drawing herself closer to him,
wrapping her arm around him and gently sliding her leg over his, all the
while still asleep.

Josh felt Donna's movements with every inch of his body. He held her tight
and kissed the top of her head. "There is no way I'm getting any sleep
tonight" he thought smiling.


TBC