Author: Cindy Brewer

email: cindyryan7@yahoo.com

Disclaimer:I don't own them

Notes: This hasn't been beta read so forgive any
glaring grammatical errors.


Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman hummed softly to
himself as he walked through the bullpen. The staff
meeting he had just come from had gone well. Josh
opened his office door and nearly tripped over his
assistant Donna Moss who was curled up in a sitting
postion against the right wall.

Lyman quickly closed the door behind him instantly
dropping to his knees next to her. Josh's first
thought was that she was hurt or sick. He hadn't seen
much of her this morning due to his hetic schedule....

"Donna?"Josh asked anxiously as he gently reached up
to touch her right shoulder. "Are you hurt?"

The young blonde woman shook her head as she finally
met his gaze. Josh was shocked to see the sadness in
her bright blue gaze. Tears were flowing freely down
her cheeks.

"What is it, Donnatella?"Lyman asked quietly his fear
starting to escalate. "Please tell me what's wrong."

Donna pulled herself into a sitting position and
struggled to compose herself. She sniffled and
swallowed hard before she felt the lump of
tears disapate enough so that she was able to speak.

"I-I'm sorry Josh....I know I shouldn't be....but I
needed a quiet place...."Donna replied weakly.

"It's okay."Lyman assured her quickly his brown eyes
full of concern.

"A-about twenty minutes ago I received a call from my
father."Donna began still not quite believeing the
news that she had heard earlier.
"He told me that my brother Tom's f-16 crashed off the
coast of San Diego early this morning.....they-they
haven't rescued him yet."

Josh instantly pulled her into a tight embrace gently
stroking her back. "I'm sure he's okay, Donnatella. You know the
military....keep things under wraps until the last
minute. I'll talk to Leo and see if we can
find out some more recent information."

Donna pulled back from him a small smile on her face.
"Thank you."

Josh nodded as he handed her his hankerchief. "You're
welcome."He replied as he gently pulled her to her
feet."Stay here as long as you need to. I'll be back
as soon as I can."

end of part 1 TBC