You're Not Alone Tonight (Prompt 2, Sam Seaborn)

[callmedirk.livejournal.com]

Title: You're Not Alone Tonight
Author: Sara (callmedirk)
Rating: G
fic_variations Prompt/Claim: Fashion/Sam Seaborn
Words: 547
Spoilers: "Somebody's Going To Emergency, Somebody's Going To Jail"
Warnings: None.
Author's Notes: This ep is one of my favorites. Have I mentioned how much Rob Lowe breaks my heart lately? Sheesh. And the title? Blame my iTunes playlist and it being on shuffle, and playing one of my favorite songs. Somehow, it hit way close to this fic for me.




Donna poked her head into Sam's office, and found him with his head buried in his hands, and his shoulders shaking. His jacket was lying on the arm of his chair, and the wrinkled sleeves of his shirt were rolled to his elbows. She saw the crumpled piece of paper with his father's phone number scribbled in Cathy's neat handwriting sitting next to the phone.

"Sam?" her voice was quiet. His head lifted and he scrubbed a hand across his eyes, dashing the tears that stained his cheeks away.

Silently, Donna crossed the room and slid her arms around his neck, kissing his temple. He was trembling slightly, turning his face against her cool arm, his eyes closed.

"Come on," she said softly. "I'm driving you home now,"

He made only a soft noise of weak protest as Donna gripped his hand and helped him up and into his jacket. Slipping an arm around his waist, they headed out to the front of the White House, where her car sat waiting.

"Josh--Toby--" Sam mumbled.

"I already called Josh," Donna replied. "Stop thinking and get in the car, would you?"

Slightly sheepish, Sam climbed into the passenger seat and buckled in. He was silent as Donna headed straight for his apartment and neatly parallel parked in front of his building. He started to get out of the car when she clucked softly.

"Hey you, be careful there," Donna said, hurrying around to his side of the car and taking him by the elbow. He was shaky as she helped him stand. He reached into his pocket for his keys and she took them from his hand, unlocking the entrance to the building, then sliding an arm around him as they headed up to his apartment door. He stepped inside, and Donna stood at the door.

"Donna," he said softly. "Please come in?"

His voice sounded so small to her ears, something she'd never quite heard before. It scared her, to see this intelligent, normally strong man seem so defeated. She came inside and shut the door behind her, placing her coat on the hook on the wall. Sam flung his own jacket on the back of a chair and slapped his hand on the answering machine.

"Samuel, it's your father," the first message started. Sam let out a sigh and turned away from the voice, his eyes filled with pain. Donna made her way to him and pressed the stop button.

"You," she said, poking him gently in the chest. "Go take a shower and go to bed. You're exhausted, Sam, and to be honest? This whole--rumpled look you've had going on for the past few days does not suit you. Josh? It suits. You are not--well, rumple-y."

Sam let out a soft chuckle, his cheeks flushing pink. He nodded.

"Hey, Donna?" he said, tilting his head.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you," he smiled.

He pulled the blonde into his arms and hugged her tightly. She buried her face into his neck for a moment, then pulled back. Donna headed toward the door and turned back to look at him.

"Anytime," she replied. "See you Monday, Sam?"

"Yeah--yeah. Night, Donna,"

Locking the apartment door behind his friend, Sam realized how much he was loved.
.