Donna knocked on Sam's office door a few minutes later
clearly aware of the attention she was drawing from
the staff in the bullpen.
"Come," Seaborn called. He stood when Donna stepped
quickly into the office closing the door behind her.
"Donna," Sam greeted with a smile as he walked around
his desk. His smile instantly disappeared when he saw
the expression on Moss's face. "What's wrong?"
"I just heard," Donna replied quietly as she closed
the space between them.
Seaborn frowned, wondering if Josh had been hurt
somehow. "About what?"
Donna glared at him slightly. "About your altercation
with Josh earlier."
"Oh," Sam replied as he sat down on the corner of his
desk. "Well I wouldn't exactly call it an altercation."
"Kathy said you nearly came to blows," Donna replied
as she folded her arms across her chest.
Sam sighed as he rubbed a hand along the back of his
neck. "Kathy talks too much. Donna, it wasn't as bad
as it sounds. Josh is very protective with people he
cares about. And he obviously cares about you a great
deal."
Donna flopped down into one of the chairs in front of
Seaborn's desk."This whole thing has gotten way out of
hand, Sam. I'm sorry you got caught in it."
Sam smiled as he reached over and took her hand in
his. "Hey, I volunteered, remember? Have you seen Josh
since you came back?"
Donna shook her head. "No. He accused me earlier of
fielding job offers so I can only imagine what he's
thinking now."
Sam blinked. "He thinks you're looking for other
jobs?"
Donna nodded. "He pulled me into his office before the
staff meeting and jumped to the conclusion that the
only reason you and I were meeting was that you were
offering me job advice."
Seaborn shook his head in amazement. "Well I can
assure you that he now does not think I'm offering you
job advice."
"I know," Donna replied quietly as she stood. "I
should just tell him everything."
Sam stood and placed a comforting hand on her right
shoulder. "You've continued with it this far, Donna,
finish it. I promised you I wouldn't say anything to
anybody and intend to keep that promise."
Donna smiled as she met his gaze. "Mallory's very
lucky to have you."
*******
Josh had just left Leo's office after receiving a
severe dressing down for the yelling match with Sam
earlier. His next stop was Sam's office to apologize.
And it wasn't just because Leo had yelled at
him....Josh had felt bad about the altercation every
since it happened. Sam and Donna were two of his
closest friends....if they had found happiness
with each other....then he was happy for them.
Lyman raised his hand to knock on Sam's closed office
door when he spied a familiar flash of blonde hair
through the window. Josh lowered his hand and took a
better look into the office.
Sam was standing just in front of his desk with Donna
standing a few feet away. She was gazing at him as Sam
placed a hand on her shoulder.
Josh swallowed hard and looked away from the clearly
intimate moment.
Not wanting to interrupt Josh turned and walked
quickly back to his own office.
He'd apologize later....to both of them.
end of part 5 TBC