Title: Women’s intuition. ‘Josh Lyman.’ Josh hadn’t even made it out of the White House. He was seriously tempted to take up Leo’s offer of a bed in the Residence. But he wanted to get home. So he declined. Leo’s offer to get him a driver to take him home hadn’t been so easy to turn down. Almost home, he answered his phone, a sixth sense telling him it wouldn’t be good news.   ‘Josh…it’s Donna…um…’   ‘Donna? What’s up?’   ‘Could…um…could you come over.’   Josh was tired, and snapped: ‘To your place? Donna, it’s…’   ‘Please. I don’t wanna be alone.’   Suddenly Josh was worried. ‘Donna, what happened?’   ‘Um, this guy…’   Josh shouted Donna’s address to the driver and turned his attention back to the phone. ‘Donna, are you okay?’   ‘Yeah. He…took my purse.’   ‘You were mugged? Where?’   ‘At the end of my block.’   ‘Okay. I’m coming right now. Are you inside?’   ‘Yeah.’   ‘Lock the doors. Don’t let anyone in ‘til I get there, okay?’   ‘Okay.’   Donna’s voice was suddenly small, and Josh calmed his voice. ‘It’s okay. I’m almost there. Just stay on the line, okay?’ Josh heard Donna’s tears then, and she didn’t answer him.   *************   Josh ran up the stairs to Donna’s apartment. Heedless of the neighbors and the hour, he banged on the door. ‘Donna, it’s Josh. Open the door.’   The sound of the lock being undone and the chain being pulled off came through the door then it opened a little way. ‘Josh?’   Josh pushed his way in and reached for Donna, hugging her tightly to him. Then he released her, holding her at arm’s length. ‘Are you hurt?’   She shook her head. ‘No. He just grabbed it and ran.’ Talking about it seemed to bring back the memory of the attack, and Donna began to cry.   Josh pulled her back against him and held her as she sobbed. ‘Shh. It’s okay. I’m here now.’   After a couple of minutes, Donna calmed and pulled out of Josh’s comforting embrace. ‘I’m okay now. I’m sorry I dragged you over here. Thanks for coming.’   Josh looked down at her. ‘Yeah right. You were just attacked in the street. We’ll call the police and…’   ‘No, Josh please.’ Donna pleaded.   ‘Donna, we have to report this.’ Josh said firmly, his eyes settling on Donna’s phone.   ‘It’ll get in the papers.’ Donna said worriedly.   ‘So?’ Josh didn’t care. He picked up the telephone, dialled,  waited to be transferred, explained what had happened, then hung up. ‘Someone’s gonna be here in about thirty minutes. I’ll just go down and tell the driver not to wait, okay?’   Donna seemed not to hear him and Josh hoped that she would let him back in when he returned.   ************   Walking more slowly down the stairs than when he had climbed them earlier, Josh unfolded his phone and called Leo. ‘Yeah…she’s just shaken up…No, I’ll stay ‘til they’re gone…yeah…okay.’   His driver gone, Josh climbed the stairs again, not wanting to think what time it was. Probably around four. He heard the sound of footsteps behind him and turned. The two police officers looked at him warily. Quickly he said: ‘You’re here about Donna Moss? I called you.’   ‘Donna, it’s Josh. The police are here.’   Donna opened the door and, evidently reluctantly, let the three men into her apartment. Josh couldn’t help noticing the apartment was a lot tidier than it had been a few minutes earlier.   ‘Miss Moss?’   Donna nodded.   Josh stood behind Donna as she tried to recall every detail of the attack. But it had been dark, and she had been tired, and she remembered very little.   The older of the two police officers looked at Josh. ‘You a neighbor?’   ‘No, I’m her boss. Donna called me just after it happened. I came over.’ Josh could see the officer’s reaction to his response. The victim’s first instinct had been not to call the police, or even a neighbor, but her boss. Still, it was none of his business and he folded his notebook closed.   ‘Okay. We’ll call it in, but we don’t have a lot to go on.’   Josh nodded. ‘Thanks.’   The younger officer frowned. ‘I seen you somewhere before. You on TV?’   Josh half-smiled. ‘Sometimes. I’m White House Deputy Chief of Staff. Donna’s my assistant.’   The recognition dawned in the man’s eyes. ‘Oh, yeah. Okay.’   ***********   Donna dozed in Josh’s arms until his back began to protest at the discomfort. Trying not to wake her, he eased himself upright and picked her up. She leaned into his chest and hardly stirred as he carried her into her bedroom. Getting her under the bedclothes rather than laying on top of them was difficult, but he managed it eventually. He stood in the doorway and watched her for a few minutes before closing the door and settling back onto the couch. He was asleep in seconds.   ***********   Donna groped blindly at the alarm clock, managing to shut off the insistent beeping. She groaned, rolled over, then realised she was still dressed. Slowly, the events of the previous night came back to her and she got up quietly, cautiously opening the door.   Josh was lying on the couch, fast asleep. She looked at him for a long moment before he stirred, rolling over and almost falling off the couch. Instantly awake, he was aware of Donna’s presence in her bedroom doorway and he smiled. ‘How are you feeling?’   ‘Tired.’ Donna shrugged. ‘Listen, thanks for…you know.’   Josh nodded, pulling himself upright. ‘Yeah. What time is it?’   ‘Just after six.’   ‘I have to get into the office.’ Josh said quickly.   ‘You have to get home and change your clothes.’ Donna nodded at him.   ‘Nah. I’ve got stuff there. And I can shower in the Residence.’   ‘Okay. I’ll see you later.’   Josh frowned. ‘Are you sure you don’t wanna take the day off? I’ll manage.’   Donna shook her head emphatically. ‘No. I don’t wanna spend the day thinking about…what happened.’   Josh pulled on his jacket. ‘Okay. I’ll see you later. Take your time.’   Continued in Part Two...