Prank Calls Have Healing Powers (Prompt 4, Josh Lyman)

[callmedirk.livejournal.com]

Title: Prank Calls Have Healing Powers
Author: Sara (callmedirk)
Rating: PG for one little word, I guess.
fic_variations Prompt/Claim: Laugh/Laughter//Josh Lyman
Spoilers: None
Warnings: None
Author's Notes: A little goofy thing. Fic 2/10.



Josh couldn't remember when Sam stopped laughing. It was sometime after he'd found out about his father's infidelity and sometime after Lisa had reappeared for that crazy day. Josh could only remember Sam's ghost of a smile appearing every so often, and those occasions were far and few between.

He wanted to hear his best friend laugh again, but Josh knew he wouldn't—not with Sam being 3000 miles away, trying to take the California 47th by storm.

Josh felt obligated to call Sam late one night when he was finishing up paperwork at the office and he picked up the phone. When the husky, sleep-filled voice had answered, he'd grinned to himself and had asked Sam if his refrigerator was running, and if it was, he'd better go catch it. He'd then hung up, chuckling.

Not five minutes later, his phone rang and he answered it, beaming as Sam's laughter filled his ears.

"God, you're obnoxious," Sam said. "But thank you, I needed that,"

"I know."

"You're a good friend, Josh,"

"DONNA!" Josh hollered, covering the receiver with his hand.

"Yes, master?" Donna walked in, rolling her eyes.

"Sam said I'm a good friend," Josh grinned.

Sam groaned softly. Donna snatched the phone from Josh and glowered.

"Don’t encourage him, Sam," she complained.

"Sorry, Donna," Sam chuckled. "I know he's going to make your life hell now,"

"He sure is," Donna laughed. "Bye, Sam,"

"Bye, Donna," Sam was smiling to himself as he heard the receiver change hands again.

"You were trying to get me to laugh, weren't you?" he asked quietly.

"I was."

"It worked."

"I know," Josh said. "Call soon, huh?"

"I will,"

"Bye."

"Bye."

Josh hung up the phone, satisfied at another job well done.