Rating: PG

Spoilers: Six Meetings Before Lunch

Summary: During a late night at the office, Josh and Donna discover
         the wonderful world of instant messaging.
 

Of Toenails and Typos

Josh: Hey.

Donna: Josh?

Josh: Yeah.

Donna: What are you doing?

Josh: Well technically, I'm working.

Donna: Right.

Josh: No, really. I've been reading reports all day.

Donna: And this is?

Josh: I'm done.

Donna: So, what's with the computer thing? Why don't you
just come out here?

Josh: I'm trying to maintain an air of professionalism. Plus if
I come out, someone will give me something to do. Can't have
that.

Donna: Ah. Image. I see.

Josh: Well, what are you doing?

Donna: Playing Solitaire.

Josh: I thought that got taken off after the thing.

Donna: What thing?

Josh: The thing with people playing Solitaire instead of working.

Donna: Oh yeah, that thing. No, they put it back on when they
installed the instant messaging service.

Josh: How does that make sense?

Donna: You asked.

Josh: So why aren't you working?

Donna: Because you've been holed up in your office all day, hence
I have nothing to do.

Josh: That's too bad.

Donna: Well, I'm learning to dealÖyou know, sarcasm just
isn't the same on a computer.

Josh: I know. That's the beauty of this conversation.

Donna: Ha. Ha.

Josh: Ouch. I should have given you the day off.

Donna: Josh, when's the last time you gave me a day off?

Josh: What about President's Day?

Donna: It's a national holiday!

Josh: We work for the governmentÖI can picture the look you'd
be giving me right now.

Donna: You know me too well.

Josh: Yes, I do. (Long pause) Donna? You still there?

Donna: I was talking to C.J. I think your cover's blown.

Josh: Damn.

Donna: She's laughing at usÖThis is how she and Carol gossip.

Josh: Gossip?

Donna: It's a girl thing, Josh.

Josh: Say no more. What's C.J. doing there, anyway?

Donna: She's hiding.

Josh: From who?

Donna: Whom.

Josh: God!

Donna: No, actually, Danny.

Josh: Wow. The poor guy's relentless.

Donna: It's sweet.

Josh: RightÖ

Donna: He found herÖshe's escaping again.

Donna: She did. Last night. I'm witnessing the 'morning
after', so to speak.

Josh: They didn't.

Donna: Not that it's any of our business, but no, not what
you're thinking.

Josh: So what's the problem?

Donna: She likes him.

Josh: And this is a bad thing?

Donna: Yes.

Josh: I don't understand women.

Donna: Of course not. We like it that way.

Josh: How do you find out these things?

Donna: People talk.

Josh: Why is it so impossible to keep secrets in what is supposed to
be the most secure building in the country?

Donna: Because people talk. People will always talk.

Josh: What time is it?

Donna: Changing the subject?

Josh: No, really, what time is it?

Donna: Josh, you see those little numbers in the bottom right corner
of your screen? That's called a clock.

Josh: It's after 7.

Donna: Yes, it is.

Josh: What are we still doing here?

Donna: You tell me.

Josh: Well, I've been working on the confirmation from hell all
afternoon, but why are you still here?

Donna: I leave when you leave.

Josh: Since when?

Donna: Since I have no life.

Josh: I'm sure the cats miss you.

Donna: What cats?

Josh: Your roommate's cats.

Donna: Ellen moved out.

Josh: You didn't tell me that.

Donna: You didn't ask.

Josh: When would I have asked? Good morning Donna, and did cat lady
move out? What happened?

Donna: She met someone. They moved in together.

Josh: I hope he's not allergic.

Donna: Three cats, Josh!

Josh: Well, they didn't like me.

Donna: They didn't get a chance to warm up to you, what with the
drunken midnight yelling and all.

Josh: Right. Did you ever send them my apology?

Donna: Yeah, it ended up in their litter box. But they seemed happy
enough when I read it to them.

Josh: The cats did.

Donna: Yes.

Josh: How can you tell if cats are happy?

Donna: They purr, Josh! You know absolutely nothing about animals,
do you?

Josh: Excuse me?

Donna: Koala bears.

Josh: I know what koala bears areÖnow. They eat the bark off the
koala tree?

Donna; That's the eucalyptus tree.

Josh: Banana bars!

Donna: What kind of comeback is that?

Josh: Never mind. Remind me again why we're still here?

Donna; Because we've decided to introduce ourselves to the art of
computer chatting.

Josh: Right. Is anyone still around?

Donna: Ginger just dropped by, but she's on her way out.
Everyone else is gone.

Josh: What did Ginger want?

Donna: She wanted to know if I'd like to grab a bite with some of
'the girls'.

Josh: You going?

Donna: No. I don't feel like going out.

Josh: Other plans?

Donna: Yes, I plan to sit in front of the TV and paint my toenails.

Josh: Why?

Donna: Because I feel like it.

Josh: You'd rather do that than go out with your friends?

Donna: Yes.

Josh: Who's gonna see your toenails? (Long pause.) Donna? (Long
pause.) Donna? You still there?

Donna: Yes.

Josh: I said something wrong, didn't I?

Donna: It's been one of those weeks.

Josh: One of what weeks?

Donna: Thoughtful, introspective, etc.

Josh: You wanna talk about it?

Donna: Not really. This seems kind of impersonal.

Josh: Maybe that's a good thing.

Donna: It'sÖever since Ellen moved out, I've realized
howÖlonely I get sometimes.

Josh: You do?

Donna: Yeah. I guess it'sÖI have work, and I have friends at
work, but outside workÖthere's nothing. I have more
'me' time than I need.

Josh: You're lucky.

Donna: Ha. I don't feel lucky.

Josh: What ever happened with Donald?

Donna: I can't believe you remember his name.

Josh: Give me some credit. I do listen to you, Donna.

Donna: I know. Donald wasÖwell, it didn't last.

Josh: What happened?

Donna: I wantedÖsomething else, and he didn't. We broke up
about a month ago. I can't believe we're having this
conversation.

Josh: How long has it been since we had a serious conversation?

Donna: I don't know.

Josh: What did you want?

Donna: Josh, that's a little personal.

Josh: Donna, this is me.

Donna: I know, Josh, but this isn't the kind of thing I tell my
boss.

Josh: It's after hours. I'm not your boss right now.
I'm just your friend. (Long pause.) Donna?

Donna: Love.

Josh: Ah, the eternal quest.

Donna: Seriously, Josh.

Josh: I know. I'm sorry.

Donna: I've just never had that kind of meaningful relationship
with anyone.

Josh: You've never been in love.

Donna: Not really. It just doesn't seem to exist for me. I used
to go in for all that 'the one' crap. Lately I'm not so
sure.

Josh: Any man would be lucky to have you. Donald was a fool.

Donna: I don't want just any man.

Josh: I know.

(Long pause)

Donna: Josh? You still there?

"What do you want?"

Donna jumped at the sound of Josh's voice behind her.

"Josh, how the hell did you-" Donna asked, bewildered.

"I'm well trained," replied Josh, taking in the sight of his
assistant. He noticed now how tired she looked. Why hadn't he
seen it before? There was one long tearstain on her left cheek.

"You've been crying."

"I- yes." Donna stood, embarrassed, trying to hide her face.

"Donna?"

"Yes?"

"What do you want?"

"I-" Donna's voice caught in her throat.

Josh lowered his head slowly to hers. Donna drew in a deep breath
just as Josh's lips brushed tentatively against her own. It was
a soft, tender kiss, full of unspoken promise. After a few seconds,
they broke apart.

"Donna?" Josh repeated, staring into the pretty blonde woman's
eyes.

"I wantÖyou," she replied softly. "I love you."

"I love you, too." They gazed at each other intently for several
moments. Josh finally broke the silence. "How about dinner?"

"Sounds good."

"Still planning on painting your toenails?"

"We'll see how things go."

Josh slid an arm around Donna's waist and guided her into the
hall. Donna allowed herself the indulgence of leaning slightly
against his shoulder as they moved towards the exit. She smiled to
herself. Maybe it hadn't been such a bad week after all.
 

THE END