Sam felt terrible, letting Diane leave like that. It was bad enough that her cat had died, but for her to have to deal with it all alone, well, that wasn't good. She was obviously quite distraught over the death, and he would be remorse if he were to leave her alone during her time of distress. He thought about the kiss, or rather, the almost kiss, and he had to admit that the thought didn't turn his head the way he thought it would have. But still, Diane wasn't close to her family, she didn't know anyone in Boston except for the gang at Cheers and a few of her classmates at Boston U. College. Probably half of her mates were males, and he knew how quickly they would seek to take advantage of her if they had seen her like this. No, he had to go to Diane.

"Who is it?"

"It's me, Sam. Sweetheart can I come in?"

Reluctantly, Diane opened the door to her neat abode and let him in. "What do you want Sam? I've had a really long day and I'd rather just be alone if you don't mind."

"I don't think that's such a good idea, Diane. I mean, your cat just died.."

"Do you have to remind me?"

"Sorry. Anyways I know you're feeling a little low right now and I would hate to think of you here all by yourself. I may not be the best company in the world, but surely I beat being by yourself, right?"

"Why are you here? Really? Is it just so you can take pity on little Diane, crying over something so simple? Go ahead, get your laughs now while you can."

"I don't pity you. I feel bad for you, I wish there were something I can do for you. Would you like me to make you something? Some coffee or tea or something?"

"Yes please."

So he made his way to the kitchen, where he prepared her a cup of tea, added a hint of honey and brought it to her.

"Thanks, Sam. This is nice."

"Yeah, it is. I'm glad you let me in. I would hate to have to break down your door."

Diane put down her drink and looked at him. "Why Sam, would you do that? Are you really that worried about me that you would lsoe your head for a minute?"

"I didn't say that…"

"You are worried about me? I never knew you cared."

Sam looked at her. "Maybe it's time I told you ….yes, I do care about you. I care about you a lot. There, now it's your turn to laugh."

"Why, Sam, I would never laugh at your honesty. And for the first time I can sense that you are being honest with me. I never dreamed of the day where we could be honest with each other. My goodness, this is all happening so fast…"

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that…"

"Yes, you should have! Now that we can both be adults and admit to what we're feeling, that changes everything."

"Oh yeah?"

Diane grinned at him seductively. "I think I'm ready for bed."

"But it's only eight o'clock! "

"I was wondering, would you like to join me? Nothing could happen, of course, but it would be nice to have some company, and I can't think of anyone I'd rather be with at this moment then you."

So they spent the night in each other's arms, Sam trying desperately to refrain himself from taking advantage of the situation, and in her grief Diane found that she just might have found the one she'd been waiting for all of her life. It was Sam Malone of all people? Who would have thought that she would have wound up with a bartender of all people? But from the looks of things things were about to get very interesting.

TBC