|
Disclaimer - see Part 1 "That's Karma For You" - Part 13 "Donna?" Josh called walking up to her. "Have you spoken to Caitlin yet today?" Donna looked around and said quietly, "Not really, just hi then she went straight to work and now she's out to lunch. What about Sam?" "I haven't had a chance either. He's been locked in his office all day." "I probably should've gone home last night. Something tells me things did not go well." A barrage of loud voices coming around the corner interrupted them. "You know what Toby? If it's not good enough for you, then do it yourself. Otherwise shut up and leave me alone!" Sam shouted to a shocked Toby. "Whatever gave you that idea?" Josh said answering Donna's earlier observation. "Sam, I didn't..." Toby began. "No, I am so sick and tired of being everyone's punching bag, everyone's joke. I can't seem to do anything right. My writing is never good enough for you, my ideas are never good enough for the staff, I'M not good enough for Caitlin. Well dammit I'm tired of trying. People are just going to have to start accepting who I am around here!" Sam stopped his tirade as he realized everyone was watching him. Toby, for the first time, didn't have a sarcastic response for he realized the anguish within his colleague's words. "Sam, the speech is fine, it's good. There's no need for a rewrite." He said putting his hand awkwardly on Sam's shoulder. Sam closed his eyes briefly, regretful. "Toby I'm...I didn't..." Toby interrupted him by shaking his head slightly and giving Sam a small understanding smile, then he headed off back towards the Communications Wing. Donna and Josh looked at each other, then Donna gave Josh a gentle push towards Sam before she headed back to her desk. Josh slowly made his way over to Sam. "I take it you and Caitlin had it out after we left." "I don't want to talk about it." Sam said quietly. "Are you sure?" Sam looked at Josh then walked past him into Josh's office and sat down in front of his desk. Josh followed him inside then turned to close the door. He glanced over at Donna and gave her a soft smile before he shut the door. He moved behind his desk to sit down. "Must have been bad." he said. "We broke up." Sam replied looking down. "What? You actually did break up with her?" "No!" Sam said looking up at him. "She broke up with me." He continued quietly. "Huh? Last night she thought you wanted to break up with her and I would've sworn it was killing her. What happened?" Josh asked shocked. "I still don't really know. We were fighting. Badly. Shouting at each other. She was accusing me of being embarrassed about our relationship and I called her a selfish child, then before I knew it she was telling me we were finished, kicking me out and threatening to send the Secret Service after me. I was so shocked and angry that I just left." "Wow. What...wow. That doesn't sound like Caitlin. I mean she's passionate and all but just breaking up with you like that, without giving it a chance. She's not a quitter." "I know. That's what I don't understand. I don't know what I did in those few moments to turn her against me like that. All I know is that as soon as I left that apartment I felt this sharp pain inside and I don't know how to ease it without her." "You really do love her?" Josh asked softly. "Of course I do." "Have you told her?" Sam paused, "Well kinda." "What do you mean 'kinda' ?" "She wasn't awake at the time." "Oh jeez Sam!" Josh excalimed. "That stuff is only romantic in those cheesy novels women read! That's the problem, Caitlin doesn't think you love her." "What?" Sam asked shocked. "She said she wasn't sure, that you'd never told her." "But I've shown her. At least I've tried. I've given her more this past month than I've ever given anyone. How could she not know?" "She's a woman. You know how they are. They need things spelled out very clearly for them." Sam remembered their conversation last night on the balcony: ****"You know how I feel about you."**** ****"Do I?"**** "Damn!" Sam said getting up and pacing, running his hand through his hair. "What do I do?" "Do you want her back?" Sam paused closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. "God yes." He whispered, pained. "Then go to her. Take charge and don't let her walk away." Sam stared at his friend for a few moments. "You're right. There is still one problem though." Sam said. "What's that?" Josh asked getting up. Sam was cut off by a knock at the door. "I don't mean to interrupt, but I need to talk with Sam." The President said after he opened the door. "That." Sam answered. TBC
|
|
|