Welcome Back Kate

Welcome Back Kate

Chapter Two

***Present Day***

I snapped out of my reverie as Josh led me to Sam Seaborn's office. I waved to people I knew along the way, smiling at the way their jaws dropped in surprise as they saw me.

"Wait here," Josh instructed and then disappeared into Sam's office, closing the door in front of me.

I looked around my now empty office. I ran my hand over the top of the desk. I followed my urge and sank into the chair, putting my feet up on the desk. "Just like the old days," I thought.

I could hear most of Sam and Josh's short conversation.

***

"Hey, Sam, guess who's here?"

Sam looked over his glasses at his best friend. "Apparently, you." He answered dryly.

"No, you idiot. Let me give you a hint. About this tall, nice legs, has dark hair, runs her hands through it a lot...are you catching on now?" Josh said, making big motions with his arms.

Sam's head jerked up and he took his glasses off. "Lisa's here?"

Josh groaned and threw a hand to his head. "No. Try again. She makes great coffee but never brings me any."

Sam thought for a moment, then jumped out of his chair. "Kate!"

***

I was at my perch, trying to figure out who this "Lisa" girl was, when the door burst open and Sam ran out. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw me.

"Hi, Sam." I smiled from my old chair.

"Oh my god," he gasped.

I got up to hug him.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, astonished, during our embrace.

I gently pulled away from him, answering, "It's a Monday. I have off." as if it explained everything.

"That's right, I forgot you had Mondays off."

Okay, so maybe it did.

"So, come on in! How's it going?"

As we entered the office, Josh waved and left.

"I'm pretty good," I told him, sitting in a chair across from his desk. I crossed my legs and asked, "How are you, Sam?"

"Alright," he sighed. "Pretty stressed, but I'll survive." he chuckled.

"I see you didn't hire a replacement for me?" I said, referring to the empty desk.

"No...couldn't find anyone as good as you."

He smiled at me.

"What?" I raised my eyebrows at him.

"Sorry, I'm just not used to seeing you in jeans."

"Wait, you've seen me in my pajamas, and you're telling me it's weird to see me in jeans?" I asked, laughing.

"Yeah, I guess so." he said. "Pajamas, jeans, half naked, what's next?" he laughed.

"Oh, man, don't bring that up," I laughed, shaking my head and remembering.

***Six Months Earlier***

"Maybe this time, I'll be lucky...

Maybe this time, he'll stay..."

I crooned into the microphone during my biggest song of the show. It was my first night playing Sally Bowles in Cabaret. I was insanely nervous, but was pulling off a flawless show. Thank God for rehearsals.

The song is only three minutes long, but when you're up there it seems like an eternity. Finally, I sang the last chorus, making eye contact with the audience as a last ditch effort to draw them into the song in case they weren't already there.

"All the odds are in my favor..."

I looked across the front row.

"Something's bound to begin..."

My eyes locked on Sam. Miraculously, my voice didn't crack. "What the hell??" was all I could think.

"It's got to happen..."

It gets worse. The President was there.

"Happen sometime..."

Oh, it gets even worse. The whole freakin' senior staff was there!

"Maybe this time...Maybe this time I'll win."

Ah, thank god, I finished the song. I finished the scene. I finished the act. I finished the show.

Afterwards in my dressing room, I tried to relax as I took off my makeup. "I wish I had never seen them all there," I thought. "Look at me, now I'm a wreck."

I had just finished removing my makeup when there was a knock on the door. Figuring it was one of my co-stars, I flung the door open wide.

It was CJ Cregg. And she was brandishing a bottle of champagne like it was an Academy Award.

Oh, did I mention the crowd of people behind her?

The staff members, President and First Lady included, piled into my dressing room, offering congratulations, handshakes, and hugs. There was no time to be embarrassed over my half-naked self--these people wanted to party.

"Excuse me," Toby said to no one in particular as he worked his way over to the champagne. "But, I'd like to be pleasantly drunk by the time we get back on Air Force One."

"Y'all flew up here just to see me in the show?" I asked in surprise.

"Don't act so shocked, Kate," the President told me. "These guys are workaholics. I convinced them to take a break. Plus...you're one of us."

Now I couldn't help getting sappy. "Oh, you guys..." I said, tears welling up in my eyes, "This is so nice! I mean, my mother's not even here and yet everyone I used to work with did..." I just couldn't find the right words to express myself.

"C'mon, Kate, don't cry," Sam said and playfully slipped an arm around my waist.

"Especially not into the alcohol," Josh added with a smile.

After quite a while, my company decided that it was time to go back to Washington. I stood at the door, thanking everyone as they left. Sam was the last to leave my room.

"So, uh, I guess I'll see you soon." Sam looked at the nameplate on my door.

"Yeah. I hope so."

"Take care of yourself, Kate."

Then he placed his hands on my shoulders, kissed me on the cheek, and left, joining the entourage that was making their way down the hall.

I crossed my arms and watched them go.