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Changes Chapter 10
The Navy Ball was a typical Washington charity gathering. Lots of glittering people raising money for a good cause. Josh kept Donna on his arm as they headed through the gathering. He whispered to her that it was because he didn't want to get pulled into any high- powered debates tonight, but actually, he kept her on his arm because he didn't like the looks that the men in the room were throwing Donna's way. He'd never noticed the effect his assistant had on the male population. But now he saw them and he didn't like it. He figured keeping her on his arm kept anyone else from approaching her. She didn't seem to mind. In fact, they kept up their usual banter as they made their way through the ballroom looking for their dinner seats. At one point, the crowd swimming around them was too thick and Josh took Donna's hand. After they'd past the crush of people, she'd kept her hand in his. It felt right and they'd settled into a comfortable silence. Unfortunately as they neared their table, Josh was accosted by a lobbyist who demanded his immediate attention. Josh looked at Donna. She squeezed his hand. "It's okay Josh. Go. I'll find our table." "I'm sorry," Josh said, reluctant to let her hand go and clinging to it until he was forced to let it go. Donna watched him go and headed off to their table. *** Josh was wending his way back through the crowd after promising to put the lobbyist in touch with Leo, when he was stopped by Byron Newcastle. Josh's hackles immediately raised. Just being near the man made Josh bristle. "Josh. Good to see you," said Byron reaching out to shake Josh's hand. "Byron. Didn't know you'd be here." "Yeah, well at Defense we draw straws to see who'll attend events during the year and I drew the short straw. I assume things are the same at the White House?" "Pretty much," said Josh, craning his head to see if he could spot Donna. Part of him wanted to prevent Donna from seeing Byron, but another part thought it wouldn't be fair to keep them apart. Before Josh could do anything further though a petite redhead appeared at Byron's arm. "There you are dear. I was afraid you'd been eaten up by those vultures at State," she drawled, hooking her arm through his. Byron laughed and placed his hand over her arm. "My dear, you know I can hold my own with the guys at State." During this interlude, Josh was fuming. Who was this woman and why was Byron here with her, when he was supposed to be dating Donna? The redhead looked questioningly at Josh and stuck out her hand. "I don't believe we've met. You're Joshua Lyman, aren't you?" "Yes." "I'm Miranda Newcastle, Byron's wife." Josh couldn't figure out if he was more angry or mortified. `His wife?' He threw a glance at Byron, but Byron was conveniently studying his nails. Deciding to let Byron know, in a round-about way, that he knew all about his relationship with Donna, Josh asked, "Mrs. Newcastle. A pleasure to meet you. I was just talking with your husband about the opera. Perhaps you've been to the latest performance of Tosca at the Opera House?" Byron's face flushed and he stared into Josh's face. Josh's eyes flashed a warning back at him and Byron's face paled. "Oh please," drawled Miranda. "I couldn't get Byron to the opera if I paid him." "That's interesting," said Josh, preparing to skewer this man in front of his wife. "I was telling Byron about a good friend who attended the opera just last night and loved it. You really should give it a try." Byron started coughing and Miranda looked at him concerned. "Honey, are you allright?" "I'm fine," stammered Byron, shooting a sheepish look at Josh. "I could use a drink though. Perhaps you could accompany me to the bar?" "Of course, sweetie," she replied, already turning away. "Nice to meet you Mr. Lyman." "Oh you too Mrs. Newcastle. Byron," he said, adding the last bit with a bit of menace in his voice. As soon as they were out of sight, Josh's priorities changed. He needed to get Donna out of the ballroom before she could find out about Byron's wife. Josh fairly barreled through the crowd in search of his table. When he got there, Donna wasn't seated at it. `Damn,' he swore under his breath. He immediately turned, hoping to spot her bright hair. He didn't have to look too long. She was talking to a group of people at the edge of the dance floor. Josh measured the distance between Donna, and Byron and his wife, and the exit. It didn't seem he could get Donna out of the room without her seeing them. As he was scrambling for another escape route - perhaps out the balcony and shimmy down a drain pipe? - the band struck up a slow dance number. Although, it was unusual for dancing to begin before dining, the Navy Ball prided itself on a unique event. Glad for the distraction, Josh walked towards Donna. When she spotted him, her face lit up and she smiled. Josh smiled back at her, realizing that all he wanted to do was take her in his arms and hold her. `Goddamn Byron! How could he lead her on like this?' he asked himself as he approached her. Interrupting the conversation, he asked, "Ms. Moss? May I have this dance?" Donna smiled at him and placed her hand in his. "Of course." Josh swept her out onto the floor as far away from the bar area as possible. Luckily, Miranda's bright red hair was easy to spot, so Josh was able to keep the couple in his sights. He pulled Donna even closer to him, wanting to protect her. "Josh?" "Hmmm?" he asked, eyes darting. "Is everything okay?" Josh finally looked at Donna. "Yes, everything is fine," he said,pulling their locked hands in to lay against his chest. "Are you sure?" "Yes," he said, pulling her closer to him. He looked in her eyes and felt his heart tug. He risked a kiss to her temple. Donna's eye widened in surprise, but she didn't pull away. She looked at him quizzically and then she smiled. "Another pod people invasion,huh?" Josh knew she was referring to his sudden affection and smiled back, "Yep," he said. Their eyes locked for a few seconds and Josh forgot about searching for Byron and Miranda. He forgot about everything, but how good Donna felt in his arms. He felt goosebumps rise on Donna's arm. She shifted her head to rest on his shoulder, and Josh closed the remaining two inches between them by pulling her even closer. One song continued into another, and then the band signaled dinner was being served. Donna placed her hand in Josh's as he led her from the dance floor to their table. After pulling out her chair and seating her at the table, Josh took his seat on her right. They talked quietly during dinner, sharing several looks, inquisitive on Donna's part and tender on Josh's. When dinner was finished, Donna excused herself to the washroom and Josh walked with her as far as the bar to refresh their drinks. As he was walking away from the bar, he heard familiar laughter ring out from behind him. All of a sudden, he remembered about Byron and Miranda. He turned slowly, finding the couple in a group hanging around the entrance. Donna would be coming through the doors any minute and would have to walk past them. Before Josh could do anything, two things happened at once: he heard Byron introducing Miranda as his wife, and Donna walked through the doors. She had chosen a door on the far end of the entryway, so she was out of the line of sight of Byron, but was close enough to hear his introduction. Josh watched as she froze, her face paling. She turned to see where Byron was standing and tears pooled in her eyes as she watched him put his arm around his wife. Josh quickly deposited their drinks on a table next to him and started walking towards Donna, but she had already whipped round and was heading out of the ballroom.
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