Hey, so to all those who put this on alert and were expecting a new chapter, I’m sorry. I separated chapter one into two chapters as I’ve been going back and replacing chapters to get rid of all mistakes. SO this is the same chapter, but never fear, I’m still here and my writers block is gone, I should have the next chapter up within the next week or 2. Thanks so much if you’re following and to all who’ve reviewed, put on alert or PM’d me. You guys keep me going. Thanks.

Disclaimer: Yeah, negative on the ownership.

Mwa mwa mwa

CJK

---

Joshua Lyman sat in a dimmed waiting room of George Washington Hospital, his hand carefully wrapped around the thin icicles that were Donna’s fingers.

He sighed. So this is what it was like. The waiting. This is what it felt like to sit in a cramped room with nothing to do but mull over whether or not one of your closet friends would survive. CJ, Sam, Toby, Donna Leo and hell even the first family had done it, they’d waited sick with worry, burdened with the stress of that evening, barely able to keep their eyes open and at the same time knowing they wouldn’t sleep until news came. They’d all done this; they’d sat and waited for news, news on whether he’d make it after the crazed shootings that night in Roslyn.

The protective shields slid over his coco orbs and his head gently flopped to the side resting on the golden locks that lay on his shoulder. Donna had fallen asleep about an hour ago, one second she’d just had her head resting on him and then suddenly the trauma of the day had hit her and she’d fallen into a much need slumber. Josh squeezed Donna’s freezing hand a little tighter, reassuring her that even in her unconsciousness she wasn’t alone.

His eyes flickered open at the click of the door and the thin ray of fluorescent light that seeped into the darkened room.

“Hey.”

Sam smiled as he nodded in acknowledging his friends. Most of the staff had been forced to return to work after the ambulance had sped off with CJ and Blair, but Josh had refused to leave them, jumping into his own car and chasing after them as fast as the law would allow him.

Donna had joined him a few hours later and as far as Sam could tell they’d been waiting ever since.

“Hey, how are they?”

“Um, well Blair’s doing great; she’s wrapped up in this little pink blanket, with this cute hat that’s almost too big for her.” Josh’s thoughts drifted as he thought of his Goddaughter and a sheepish grin slipped onto his lips. “They did some sort of test to see if she was normal and she got ten out of ten, so I gather she’s pretty smart, oh and if you go see her through that window thingy she’s the fourth crib from the right, with the orange Nemo lying in the crib.”

Sam smiled kindly. He’d known Josh for many years, many many years but he’d never seen him so proud of something. Josh was ecstatic to be a godparent and in Sam’s opinion CJ’s couldn’t have made a better choice, Josh was going to be that uncle that gives the kid sweets right before dinner and makes them promise not to tell mommy.

Josh gazed off into space, the goofy smile still glued to his face emphasizing his dimples.

“Josh?” Sam’s smile had faded and he stared intently at Josh. “How’s CJ?”

In an instant all the happiness that had been in Josh’s eyes disappeared and was replaced with seriousness.

Josh swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat and took a deep breath.

“Yeah um,” He used the hand that wasn’t gripping Donna’s to run over his thinning hair as he released the breath he’d been secretly holding in. He shock his head, this wasn’t how it was suppose to be, CJ was meant to have Blair and come back to work the next day carrying a cradle cot. Okay, so realistically Josh knew CJ wouldn’t be back for at least a month but, but it wasn’t suppose to be like this, everything was meant to go smoothly, everything was meant to be perfect.

“The doctor gave Donna and I an update awhile ago, you’ll have to call Abbey for more, but as far as I can gather, CJ was hem- hemorrhaging- which I think means she was bleeding, anyway, so she was hemorrhaging badly when the baby was born and they couldn’t get it under control, she lost a lot of blood and something happened and she couldn’t get oxygen to her brain.” Sam slowly lowered himself into an uncomfortable chair across from Josh his heart sinking with pain as the story continued.

“She’s been put in ICU for now and- and now,” Josh’s fingers made another quick trip through his light brown hair and he released yet another frustrated sigh. “Now, we wait to see if she wakes up, and if there’s brain damage.”

“Oh God.” Sam’s voice was barely audible as he leaned back into his seat. The men sat in silence for awhile, Sam trying to process the news and Josh squeezing Donna’s hand desperately wanting to banish thoughts of CJ not making it.

“Josh?” Both men looked towards the door as Charlie entered dragging as miserable looking Zoey along with him.

Josh faked a smile and gently released Donna’s hand and replaced his shoulder with Donna’s jacket as he stood up and walked over to the new comers. Josh enveloped Zoey in a tight hug and then stepped back to look at the couple.

“Hey, how is CJ?” Charlie was hesitant, Josh looked sad, exhausted and weak, not exactly what you want to see when worrying about your friend surviving.

“Ah, well Blair’s perfect; healthy and strong and CJ’s, well we’re waiting to see if she wakes up.” Sam spoke before Josh had the chance receiving a nod of thanks from Josh; who really didn’t want to have to explain everything again.

Zoey nodded and her grip on Charlie’s hand stiffened.

She gulped down the pain that had risen to her throat in the form of a lump. “You wanna go get some coffee?” Zoey’s voice was soft and caring, yet completely mature and reassuring at the same time. She was becoming more and more like her mother everyday, well that’s what Josh thought anyway.

“Yeah, sure.” Josh nodded his voice and face emotionless.

Charlie smiled and placed a soft kiss to the pale skin of Zoey’s hand before letting in fall back to her side and moving to take a seat next to a somber Sam.

Zoey intertwined her fingers with Josh’s and lead him out of the dark room and into a bright hallway, filled with life even at one in the morning.

---

Josh removed his tie was he and Zoey made their way to the hospital coffee shop. He eased its tight grip on him and pulled it from his throat quickly stuffing it into his jacket pocket and undoing the top button of his blue cotton shirt.

The two walked in silence only the clip of Zoey’s heeled boots making any noise.

She sighed. Josh and CJ had always been her favorite white house staffers, well except for Charlie of course. But Josh had always been her favorite guy, he was the kind of man that although he was in his forties, acted no older than 18. Zoey smiled. Josh and CJ had been the first people she’d met from her dad’s campaign. The three of them had somehow ended up getting stuck in and elevator at one of the hotels, and had the pleasure of been forced to wait 3 hours before anyone realized they were missing.

WW

“The emergency button isn’t working and I don’t even think this telephone worked since the sixties.” CJ exclaimed as she furiously pushed at the little red button.

“I’m sure someone will notice were missing and come looking for us.” Zoey tried to remain calm, truth be told although CJ and Josh both worked for her dad, she barely knew either of them and couldn’t help feel like she was trapped in a confined space with two total strangers.

CJ grinned sarcastically. “No, no they won’t, because without me those people are the most unobservant and naive bunch around.” CJ spoke in a mocking way.

Josh snorted out a laugh as he lent back against the mirrored railing.

“Oh come CJ, we’re not that bad!” Josh shook his head smiling and flashing Zoey his captivating dimples.

“Josh! Two day’s ago, you, Toby, Sam and the Governor got lost – in the campaign office!!” CJ screeched at him still in a playful manor.

“Yeah, she has got a point there.” Zoey nodded in agreement, silently laughing at the idea of 4 highly qualified men fumbling around the office they’d had for almost a year now.

“Hey, you keep your mouth shut or you’ll be on my list!” Zoey faked biting her nails as if to say Oooh, I’m so scared!

Josh stared at her in disbelief. “That’s it! You’re on the list!”

CJ shook her head vigorously and lent against the tightly sealed doors. She grinned widely.

“Nothing happens on the list. Trust me, I’ve been on the list for years and nothings ever happened to me.” Zoey smiled at the tall woman, beginning to feel more at ease.

“Yeah well, you’re on a different list.” Josh spoke in a very hinting voice raising his eyebrows slightly. He and CJ shared a look that Zoey couldn’t quite figure out, but it was something other that just him mocking her.

CJ laughed it off before sliding down the silver doors until her butt collided with the floor and she pulled her knees to her chest. Zoey watched CJ before deciding to join her, the older woman was right, it wasn’t likely they’d be found for awhile.

Josh remained standing grinning sheepishly into space.

“What’s got you in such a good mood?” CJ nodded towards Josh causing Zoey’s attention to turn to him as well.

Josh bared his teeth. “I’m stuck in an elevator, with two women; it’s like my all time fantasy!”

“Joshua!!” CJ Screeched appalled. “Zoey’s nineteen!!!”

Zoey for her part was finding the way CJ and Josh interacted highly entertaining. The two of them were hysterically funny, Josh always teased her and it always resulted in a war of sarcasm.

Zoey was pulled from her thoughts as Josh made his quick comeback.

“Yeah, Zoey’s nineteen, but you’re not.” Josh raised his eyebrows in a very flirty manor and CJ’s blue eyes grew in size.

Claudia sat looking up at Joshua shocked at his previous statement. The flirtatious grin remained on Josh’s face and Zoey couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. Once again her mind drifted to how funny these two were. They were like a good sitcom, and Zoey was really enjoying the chance to watch up close and personal.

CJ slyly climbed to her feet and began sexily walking over to Josh. Zoey’s bright blue orbs widened. What the hell was CJ going to do? Josh watched intensely as CJ made her way over to him intentionally walking with an extra sway in her hips. He gulped. A sexy CJ could also be a nerve-racking CJ.

CJ’s sweet vanilla and honey scent consumed him as she placed her hands on the cool of the steel on either side of his head; looking deeply into her chocolate eyes, piercing them with her crystal blue.

CJ leaned closer and Josh forgot completely that they weren’t the only two in the elevator. Josh shut his eyes as CJ’s mouth began descending on his but before he felt the softness of her lips, before he tasted the sugar sweet cherry flavor that coated her lips, a sharp pain hit the side of his head. CJ’s petite hand had hit the side of Josh’s head playfully before backing away slightly.

“You need serious help my friend, serious help!!” The silver box was ignited with both Zoey and CJ’s laughter as CJ made her way back to her original position. Josh stood stunned for a couple of seconds before finally giving in and rest on the floor.

WW

Zoey broke into an uncontrollable laughter as she thought of that eventful day.

Josh smiled sincerely for the first time since he’d reached the hospital.

“What?”

Zoey wiped away the tears of laughter that had begun to form in her eyes.

“I was just remembering the day, we got stuck in that elevator, and CJ, you know I really thought she might kiss you?”

Josh grinned widely as he relived his own flashback.

“You and me both!” Josh grabbed two cups of coffee and dragged her to a small empty table.

“Yeah, well, at least you wanted it to happen, I on the other hand was starting to get very weirded out.”

“What? I didn’t want her to!!!” Josh faked surprise hoping he could hide from her that on that day, in that moment, he’d really wanted Claudia-Jean to kiss him.

“Oh please! If I hadn’t been in there you probably would have jumped her. You were so into her!!” Zoey couldn’t believe he was trying to deny it. She been there witnessed him leaning in, closing his eyes, he’d wanted it.

“Nah, never, CJ’s like my sister!!” Josh shook his head forcefully and gulped down some of the steaming black liquid in his cup.

“Maybe now, but face it Josh, both CJ and I knew you were ready to kiss her!”

“Was not!” Josh turned into his little boy self as he desperately tried to deny it.

“Was to!”

“Was not!”

“Was to!!” Zoey shook her head as his face suddenly turned a shade of pink.

“Ah-ha!!” Zoey cried as she pointed at a bashful Josh. “You see you did!!”

Josh shook his head hoping to get rid of some of the pink that was glued to his cheeks.

“Fine, so maybe I was! Get over it that was like 5 years ago!!”

Zoey smiled wickedly triumphant at Josh causing both of them to break once again into laughter.

“Mr. Lyman?” The giggles came to a halt as a tall skinny man wearing blue scrubs and oval shaped glasses approached their table. Immediately Josh recognized him as CJ’s doctor.

“Doctor?” Josh rose to his feet and stared directly in the doctors grass green eyes.

“Mr. Lyman, why don’t you take a seat, I’ve got some news.”

Ah-ha! Left you hanging there didn’t I, well yeah, again sorry for the slow updates, I’m in the middle of finals- Kill me now!! But yeah, can’t wait to hear you thoughts, so review, believe what you will but they help me update faster!

So review please!

Mwa

CJK