"I should get back to work."Donna stated softly twenty minutes later
as she gently pulled away from Josh.
Lyman shook his head. "Why don't you go home? I'll call you the
instant there's any news."
Donna sat down on the corner of the desk. "I'd go crazy at home,
Josh. At least here I have something to do."
"Okay."Josh replied as he touched her shoulder lightly. "You know
where I am if you need anything."
"Thank you."Donna said softly as she left the office.
Josh watched her go wishing he could do more. With a sigh he reached
for his phone and dialed Leo's familiar number.
"Leo, anything from Fitzwallace?"Josh asked as he turned to look out
the window. The rain was coming down harder.
"No."McGarry replied as he took some papers from Margaret. "How's
Donna?"
"A little better."Josh commented as he absently rolled a pen along
the surface of the desk. "I tried to get her to go home but she
decided that work was the best medicine for her right now."
"We should know something soon."McGarry replied quietly. "After you
left Fitzwallace told me that two other carriers had joined in the
search."
"Okay."Josh said as he stood. "I've got a meeting with Abott. Call me
as soon as you know anything."
"Will do."McGarry replied as he ended the conversation.
**********
By six o'clock Donna was on the verge of collapse but struggled to
hide it. There hadn't been any new news on Thomas all day.
Finally a half hour later Donna sat down at her desk and laid her
head down. She couldn't keep the tears away any longer.
It had been too long. She had to accept that Thomas was gone....but
at least she had the small comfort that he had died doing what he
loved the most.
"Hey, Donna?"Josh's voice called from behind her. "Can you get the
Spain file?"
"Yeah."Moss replied wearily as she pushed herself away from the desk
and stood. She wiped the tears away as she walked toward the file
cabinet. She never saw who was standing next to Josh in the doorway
of the bullpen until she heard a familiar voice.
"So, Donnakins, this is what I have to do to see where you work?
Spend a day floating in the Pacific?"
Donna froze her hand on the handle of the file cabinet not quite
believing what she was hearing. Slowly she turned around and the
Spain file hit the floor.
Her brother stood in the doorway of the bullpen Josh a few feet away.
Thomas had several cuts on his face and hands and his left arm was in
a sling.
Donna opened her mouth to call his name but no sound would come.
Instead she raced into his outstretched arms and held him tight.
"Donna, I can't breathe."Tom stated hoarsely a few minutes later
causing his sister to jump back.
"H-How?"Donna whispered as she looked from Josh to her brother and
back again.
"They finally found me around noon."Thomas replied as he ran a hand
through his red hair. "By the time I got back on board the Kennedy it
was almost two. Your boss here had me flown here to D.C. as soon as I
got the Doc's okay."
At Donna's look Josh stepped forward. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you.
But I knew you'd want to see him for yourself. But I didn't want to
get your hopes up if I couldn't arrange it."
Tears flowing freely Donna stepped past her brother and enveloped
Josh in a hug.
"Thank you."Moss whispered as she pulled away.
Josh gently touched her face. "You're welcome, Donnatella."
End