N.B. HUGE, HUGE, HUGE Thanks for all your lovely reviews hunnies! Gonna be running out of ideas after the next few chapters, so if you want the story to carry on…I'm gonna need some input from you all please! Let me know what you want to happen and I will see what I can do!

As always, for my Dynamos…Mel & Viki, love you girls x (V, your email/reviews have me pissing myself laughing hahaha…LEG-END!)…

Chapter 15 Face To Face

As he had said he would, Sam called by his Lawyer's office when Jack called in the morning, to say the official divorce papers had arrived from Greece. Not listening as his friend strongly advised him not to go back to Kalokairi and rile the next ex Mrs. Carmichael, Sam left immediately, instructing Ted to get him to JFK airport as quick as he could. He hadn't slept at all the previous night, tossing and turning, as he thought about his wife. Giving up trying, Sam decided to drink himself into a stupor and temporarily blot things out of his racing mind. He still couldn't understand why Donna was doing this, either to them or their family and although the boys could sense something was going on, they knew not to push their father for details. Now suffering with a raging hangover, Sam took his first class seat on the plane bound for Greece. The flight had been delayed, only adding to his already agitated state of mind and as he buckled his seatbelt for takeoff, he prayed the flight would pass quickly so he could get on with the task in hand. The task of course, was getting to the bottom of whatever was going on in his wife's head. Finding out what had happened in the time he had been away, that made Donna want to divorce him. Closing his eyes, Sam settled back in the luxury leather seat and thought again about Donna… He loved her. He loved her so much that his heart actually ached. Things had gone so terribly wrong and it was up to him to put them right again, there was no way on earth he was going to sign the divorce papers. Sam had promised himself, that he wouldn't give his beautiful wife up, without fighting to win her back first. He had played things by her rules so far, by staying in New York, but now Donna was going to have to listen to what he had to say… It's time to stand up and be a man Carmichael, Sam thought to himself, as the plane taxied up the runway and he glanced at his watch. With Greece being seven hours ahead of New York, he knew he wouldn't arrive on Kalokairi until late in the evening and hopefully he would find his wife alone.

With the Dynamos now clear with what their best friend had done, they had wanted to wait for Donna to put Max to bed and then they could sit her down for an uninterrupted talk. Rosie was in shock, whilst Tanya, who had gone through three divorces already, was more level headed with the matter. After telling her backup girls earlier on the beach, Donna knew she was going to have to explain to them, her reasoning for such a rash decision regarding her future. She wasn't looking forward to it one bit, knowing she was going to get emotional all over again and they probably wouldn't understand why she'd done it anyway. Sophie was another matter entirely, with Donna not wanting to tell her daughter, when she was already so mad at her. When she knew things were progressing, then she would sit her daughter down and tell her straight out.

Placing a tender kiss on Max's forehead, Donna gently placed him down in his crib. She gazed down at the peacefully sleeping baby and allowed her silent tears to trickle down her cheeks. Looking at Max, was like looking at Sam and the pain in Donna's heart grew more intense as her mind raced. Listening to her baby's gentle breathing for a few minutes, gave Donna time to gather herself and she finally left the room quietly.

"Sit down Donna." Said Tanya, as she and Rosie watched their friend approach across the dimly lit courtyard. "You look like you need a drink honey." She added, handing Donna a scotch when she sat down at their table.

The Dynamos could tell by Donna's red, swollen eyes, that she must have been crying and they both felt so helpless. Normally the three of them would share everything with one another, but this time Donna had wanted to do this on her own, without someone trying to talk her out of it. Rosie pulled her chair closer round next to Donna's and smiled sweetly at her, when she peered up and sighed. It had been a long, emotional day so far and now Donna was finding comfort in the scotch, as it warmed her throat on the way down. She toyed with the baby monitor, making sure the volume was turned up and she's hear Max if he woke.

"Donna, do you want to talk about it love?" Asked Rosie, glancing quickly up at Tanya and nodding at her to top up Donna's now empty glass.

Taking a deep breath, Donna took a long sip of her second scotch. "There's nothing really to talk about… I'm divorcing Sam and that's it." She answered, before slowly looking up at her friends.

Reaching across the table, Tanya placed her hand on Donna's, to stop her downing her drink. "We know Don, but what we don't know…Is why?" She said in a low, caring tone, then removing her hand to let Donna finish her drink.

Where do I start? Donna asked herself, trying to blink back the tears, as they began to well up in her already stinging eyes… Did she just tell her friends, that her marriage to Sam had just simply run it's natural course? Did she tell them it had been on the cards for a long time? Did she tell them it was all her fault, she'd ruined things between her and her husband? The latter of course, is what she thought and that was exactly what she should tell them. They were her best friends, so surely they wouldn't judge her. It was times like this, that she really needed their unconditional support and added strength to get through it…

"If you really want to know, then I'll tell you." Said Donna quietly, starting to feel the effects of the alcohol going to her head already.

"We're listening sweetie." Said Rosie, leaning closer and resting her elbows on the table in front of her. "Take your time."

Nodding her head slowly, Donna took a deep breath. "I've filed for divorce because I failed as a wife." She said, quickly wiping away a few hot tears, as they streaked down her prominent cheekbones. "It has nothing to do with Sam. He has only ever been the perfect husband and father…The only problem is me." She continued, slowly closing her eyes. "He deserves so much more. He deserves a woman who can love him for who he is…And that isn't me."

Tanya shook her head at her best friend. "Honey, that's just crazy." She responded, reaching out to take Donna's hand again and roll her eyes at Rosie, who was now crying too. "I know Sam loves you and how much he needs you as his wife…Jesus Christ Don, you two were made for each other." She finished, now pouring them all another drink.

"Tanya's right Donna." Said Rosie, pulling a tissue out of her pocket and wiping her tears. "Sam Carmichael is head over heels in love with you woman. You haven't failed as a wife…So maybe your sex life hasn't been like what it used to be, but my god, you're running this place and raising a baby, no bloody wonder." She continued, then grabbing her glass and downing the amber coloured liquor in one.

"It's not just about sex girls." Responded Donna, looking up to the clear night sky and slowly shaking her head. "I can't explain the way I feel, but things between Sam and I just don't feel like they did and I don't know why… I don't know…Maybe we weren't meant to grow old together."

Taking a sip of her own drink, Tanya nodded at what Rosie had said. "So you're not fucking like bunnies anymore, it's not the be all and end all Sheridan." She said, causing Rosie to roll her eyes at her this time. "What you've got to ask yourself is…Do you still love him?" She continued, leaning forward and staring deep into her best friends watery, green eyes. "When it came to my divorces, I asked myself that very question and the only one I could truthfully say I still loved, was James."

Placing her elbows on the table, Donna held her head in her hands and closed her eyes…Did she still love Sam? Of course she loved him, she loved him with all her heart, but that was her reason for doing this in the first place. What they had had was special and he had given her two beautiful children as well. No matter what, they would always share that bond and that's why Donna didn't wanted to keep it as amicable as possible. She knew she had rights, but she also knew she didn't want her soon to be ex-husband's hard earned money. She wanted him to find happiness…

"I don't want to talk about this anymore." Said Donna in a whisper, as she slowly stood from the table and grabbed hold of the bottle of scotch. "I'm going to bed." She finished, forcing a smile at her best friends, before turning and walking away towards her bedroom.

The two Dynamos watched in silence, as Donna walked across the courtyard, with a bottle of booze in one hand and the baby monitor in the other. As they peered at one another with worried expressions, they knew this was going from bad to worse. As soon as Tanya had asked Donna if she still loved Sam, the blonde had instantly clammed up and refused to talk any further. To them, it was a sure sign that Donna did in fact, still have strong feelings for her husband and that they would need to be here for her should she need them. Not one to ever really take sides with a man, Tanya actually felt so sorry for Sam in this instance. As far as they were concerned, he hadn't done anything wrong and knew if he already knew about the divorce, he must be feeling unbelievably distraught at Donna's actions.

Shaking her head, Rosie sighed deeply. "This is so messed up. Poor Donna and oh my god, Sam must be in a real state if he knows already." She said, standing up to go and get them another bottle of drink from behind the bar.

"Donna said yesterday that the papers had been faxed and couriered to Sam's Lawyer in New York." She replied, checking the time on her Rolex watch. "I wouldn't be surprised if Sam isn't back in Greece already… Think about it Hermit, Sammy Boy isn't going to let our girl go that easily. That man waited twenty-one years to get back in her life. Trust me, he'll be back." She finished, taking the bottle of scotch from Rosie as she sat down again.

"I hope so." Answered Rosie, watching her friend pour them both a large measure. "I really, really hope so."

Donna had got ready for bed in a slow, slightly tipsy manner and eventually sank down into the armchair in the corner of the room. She slid on her reading glasses and started to flick through the pages of her favourite poem book, stopping to read as she came across one of her favourites. There was no way she was going to get to sleep on her own tonight. Donna hated the mixed emotions that were consuming her every thought and knowing that even her precious daughter was still upset with her, only added to her already heavy heart. It wasn't until she'd drank her way through nearly half the bottle of scotch, that she felt her eyes slowly closing. That was one way to get to sleep, but also the best way to guarantee a major hangover in the morning and of all the days to be feeling rough, tomorrow probably wasn't going to be the best one.

The hours must have ticked by, after Donna drank herself to sleep in the armchair and as she woke to the sound of whimpering from the baby monitor, she sat upright to glance at the time. It was just before one in the morning and it was unusual for Max to be awake at that time. Standing up, Donna rubber her stiff neck and placed her glasses down on the nightstand by the monitor. She was about to grab her robe and go and check on her baby son, when something she heard over the monitor, stopped her dead in her tracks…The sound of her husband soothing Max and obviously picking him up, by the sound of rustling covers. Donna's heart plummeted to her feet and she sat down on the edge of the bed in shock. Sam was back and although she had a inkling that he would be at some point, she didn't bank on it being so soon after she'd filed for divorce. Nibbling nervously on her fingernail, Donna didn't know what to do…Shit, she thought to herself, now standing up and pacing the room… Sam was the last person she wanted to see right now, as she hadn't forethought what she was going to say, when she did eventually come face to face with him. He was going to have questions and questions she was going to find almost impossible to answer, especially under pressure. Donna didn't even know how she was going to react when she saw his face again, although she prayed she was strong enough not to break down and cry. She had to keep telling herself, that she was doing this for him and she was doing it for his benefit, his happiness.

Hearing footsteps on the creaking stairs up to her room, Donna turned the bedside lamp off and jumped into bed. Pulling the covers up around herself, she closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep. She wasn't ready for a confrontation, not yet and hopefully Sam wouldn't try to wake her. Within a few seconds, she heard the bedroom door slowly open and she knew her husband must have been stood there watching her supposedly sleep. Donna was literally holding her breath, hoping Sam would just leave and after a minute, he did just that, closing the door behind him. She finally allowed herself to breath, trying hard not to make a sound as the tears began to flow. Deep down, Donna was hurting and only she knew how bad it felt to know that Sam was probably feeling the same.

"He'll thank me for it in the end." Donna whispered to herself, rolling onto her stomach and burying her face into the pillow to muffle her painful sobs.

Making a call to the boarding house, Sam had thankfully got hold of Pepper, who had agreed to come and get him from the ferry. At just after midnight, when they arrived back at the villa, Sam was relieved that there was no one in sight. It felt strange to be back on Kalokairi. The island that had been his home for two years, was where he'd been his happiest and where he had decided to live the rest of his life with his beloved wife. Staring up towards the bedroom, Sam could see the faint light from the bedside table and wondered if Donna was still awake. He knew he should've gone up to find out, but he was tired from the flight and wanted to deal with things with everything clear in his mind. There was something he really wanted to do though and that was go check in on his baby boy.

Leaving his bag in the reception, Sam quietly entered the warm nursery and pulled up a chair next to Max's crib. The baby was sleeping peacefully and Sam couldn't help but smile, as he reached in to take his tiny hand. He sat there for quite some time, just stroking the small tots soft skin and praying wasn't going to be pushed out of his life, only to see him on access visits. As silent tears fell from Sam's eyes, Max stirred and began to whimper.

"Shhhh little man." Whispered Sam, standing up to pick up his son. "Daddy's here." He added, slowly rocking Max back to sleep.

Within a few minutes Max had settled again and Sam placed him back in his cosy crib, tucking him in. He was surprised his wife hadn't been down to check on their son, but then realised that she might have heard him on the baby monitor. Making his way out of the nursery, Sam paused at the bottom of the stairs, before making the decision to climb them. He didn't know what he was expecting to find, but deep down in his aching heart, he wanted nothing more than Donna to be waiting for him with open arms and telling him it had all been a stupid mistake…Peering round the door, into the moonlight filled room, he could just make out the shape of his wife asleep in bed. Holding his breath, Sam slowly closed the door and went to find a bed for the night.

Waking early the next morning, Donna had hurried to get showered and dressed, hoping to get on with her jobs so she could take the afternoon off. If Sam was back, she didn't want to be around. Her head was banging, as she cautiously made her way downstairs and across the courtyard to the kitchen. Not hearing Max on the monitor, meant that he must still be sleeping and that she could have a cup of coffee in peace. It wasn't long before she was sat at the kitchen table, sipping a strong black coffee and nursing her aching head. Everything was such a mess and her mind quickly wandered back across the past two years… She had been alone for so long. Years of just her and Sophie, running the hotel and struggling to keep the business afloat. Finding love again, had been the furthest thing from her mind, until of course, Sam Carmichael had walked back into her life. He had made her happy, making her realise what she'd been missing over all those lonely years. He had been caring, loving and no one could dispute they were perfect together in the bedroom department. He hadn't changed, he was still the same, it was her that had ruined things between them. It was all her fault…

"Morning." Said Rosie, walking into the kitchen and breaking Donna out of her thoughts. "Sleep well?" She asked, pouring herself a cup of coffee and stirring in some cream.

Looking up at her friend, Donna held up her mug, so Rosie could top her drink up for her. "No, not really." She answered, before taking a sip of the steaming caffeine fix. "He's back."

Taking a seat next to Donna and tightening her robe, Rosie placed her mug down on the table. "Who's back, Sam?" She asked, eyes wide as she peered at her best friend.

Nodding, Donna then slumped forward and rested her head in her hands. "I haven't seen him yet, but I heard him in Max's room last night." She responded, with a sigh. "I should've known he be back, but I don't think it'd be so soon."

"Donna, of course he's back honey. He loves you." Said Rosie, leaning forward to rub Donna's tense shoulder. "And unfortunately, you're going to have to talk to him. Put yourself in his shoes love… You'd want answers if out of the blue he filed for divorce." She continued, taking a sip of her hot drink. "And for what it's worth… I think you're making a huge mistake Sheridan."

Instantly looking up, Donna peered into Rosie's tear filled eyes. "Well thanks for your support." She replied, he voice quivering slightly with emotion. "You don't understand Rosie, no one does."

Standing from the table, Rosie picked up her coffee mug. "Maybe you're right… But I still think you should talk to Sam before you go and ruin the rest of your life." She said, giving her a loving smile and walking out of the kitchen.

Making her way back around the corner, towards the guest quarters, Rosie soon came face to face with Sam. He looked worn out and the sad expression in his eyes, told her that he had taken the news badly. Without saying a word, Rosie moved closer to her friend's husband and gave him a tight hug. It was a simple gesture, but one Sam needed at a time like this, to give him the strength to carry on.

"She's in the kitchen." Said Rosie, looking up at Sam and giving him a sympathetic smile. "Don't give up Sam." She finished, giving him another tight squeeze before walking away.

Standing on the same spot for a few moments, Sam took a deep breath and then walked towards the kitchen. His heart was racing, at the thought of seeing Donna again, after the longest time apart they'd ever spent since marrying. There was no doubt in his mind whatsoever, that he loved her more than anything, but obviously something had changed if she wanted to divorce him. Slowly walking round the corner, Sam soon came to the kitchen and approached the doorway. Donna was sat at the table, looking into her cup of coffee and lost in thought once more. Clearing his throat, Sam walked in and stood before his wife, startling her as she peered up at him.

"I think we need to talk Donna." Said Sam in a calm tone, looking straight into her gorgeous green eyes. "What the hell's going on?" He continued, pulling the folded divorce papers out of his back pocket and throwing them down on the table in front of his wife.

Standing up, Donna swallowed hard and turned her back on her husband. "It's over Sam." She replied so quietly, Sam could hardly hear her.

Donna's heart was beating so hard in her chest, she was sure that Sam must have been able to hear it over the now strained silence. When he had walked into the kitchen, she first thing she had seen, was the total look of despair in his eyes and it hurt her even more to think she had caused that. In an ideal world, Sam would have stayed in New York and just signed the papers, putting a simple end to everything. It was hard enough going to the Lawyer's office, but now with Sam stood here in front of her, that made her realise, it had actually been the easy part.

"What do you mean it's over?" Asked Sam, his voice now slightly raised. "My god Donna, I love you woman. Why are you doing this?" He added, running his hand through his dark hair and staring as Donna slowly turned to face him.

"I'm doing this for you Sam." Said Donna, feeling the tears welling up in her eyes, but refusing to let them fall. "I'm letting you go."

Shaking his head, Sam was still none the wiser. "Letting me go?" He repeated, moving closer and resting his hands on the kitchen table. "Don't you love me anymore Donna?" He asked, allowing his own tears to flow.

"Just sign the papers Sam." Donna responded coldly, totally ignoring her husband's question and turning her back on him once more. "Don't make this harder than it already is."

Shaking his head, Sam straightened up and stepped closer towards his wife. "No. I'm not signing anything until you sit down with me and tell me exactly what made you decide to do this." He answered, seeing Donna's body physically trembling as they now stood a few feet apart. "I think you owe me at least that darling." He finished, reaching out to stroke her arm.

Moving away before Sam could make contact with her, Donna sighed deeply. "There really isn't anything to talk about Sam… I just think it'd be better for us and the kids if weren't together anymore. They don't need to hear us arguing all the time and I can't take it anymore either." She said, leaning against the worktop and staring down at the floor so she didn't have to make eye contact with him. "I want you to be happy and that means we can't be together."

Something wasn't right. Sam knew his wife was holding back and not telling him the real reason for her wanting them to get divorced. Exactly what though, he wasn't quite sure and he wouldn't give in until Donna fully opened up to him. Yes they had argued a lot since the birth of their son, but surely what they had was worth saving. If Donna loved him, like he loved her, then there was something that could be done. They could work on it, if only Donna would talk things through.

"I don't understand Donna." Said Sam, waiting for her to look up at him again. "Is there someone else? Is that why you want me out of the way?"

Donna's mouth fell open with sheer shock. "What?!" She hissed, feeling her whole body tense at her husband's question. "How dare you Sam. I can't deal with one man, what the hell makes you think I want another one?" She continued, her tone raising by the second, as her blood began to boil. "GET OUT!"

"Donna please." Said Sam in his still very calm tone and reaching out to touch her again.

"I said get out." Responded Donna, slapping his hand away and staring into his steely blue eyes. "Now."

Knowing he had pushed his wife too far for the time being, Sam turned to leave like she'd asked. He hadn't really got anywhere and knew he was going to have to take things slowly from now on. Leaving Donna in the kitchen, Sam had taken a few steps into the courtyard when he heard the sound of smashing pottery. He shook his head and didn't even think about going back in there, in fear of having a coffee mug hurled in his direction.

Picking up another mug, Donna threw it to the floor, causing it to shatter in all directions and then collapsed in a heap by the table. She finally allowed herself to cry, releasing all the pent up emotions she'd held in through her brief conversation with her husband. Sobbing loudly, Donna could make out the blurry outline of her friends appearing in the doorway to the kitchen and it wasn't long before they were both sat down on the floor at either side of her. The Dynamos looked at each other, as they wrapped their protective arms around Donna and silently allowed her to let everything out. It was obvious to them, that she was still in love with Sam, or she wouldn't be acting like this now. It was time for them to take matters into their own hands and sort the Carmichael's out once and for all. As far as Donna's backup girls were concerned, there wasn't going to be a divorce, they were going to get them back together as they had many times before. The only way to do it, was to get them together in a room, until they had sorted through their differences and Donna had admitted she couldn't live without Sam in her life. They knew they'd have to act quickly, before Sam gave up and signed the papers. If there was one thing the Dynamos were good at, it was putting a plan into action.

A.N. Thanks for reading! Can the Dynamos pull it off? Will Donna stop being so stubborn and finally see sense? Or will Sam give up and sign the papers? Hehehe… Review for more peeps, Loads of love, Liv x