Diane was furious with Sam. How dare he try to hit on her friend? Who did he think he was?

And she went to his office to give him a piece of her mind.

"You, Sam Malone, are nothing than a vulture. That's right, I called you a vulture. You know, it's one of those big birds that like to prey on other animals!"

"Woah, woah, Diane. Calm down. What's your deal anyways? You wanted me to give her a little attention, didn't you? Or do you prefer to keep me all to yourself?"

"Hardly. I could care less who you go out with. But my friends are off limits."

"Why do you care who I see anyways? It's not like you've shown any interest."

Diane fumed. "That's right. And I'm not going to any time soon, either! Let me make this clear- I, Diane Chambers, will never fall for one of your advances!"

Sam stood up. "So why is it your business who I decide to go out with?"

"You don't know her the way I do. She's lonely and vulnerable. Maybe I shouldn't say use those adjectives. They seem to be the most appealing qualities in a woman for you."

"That's not true. Do you really think I'm that shallow? Just goes to show you that I wasn't really going to go out with her," Sam proclaimed.

"Why not? What's wrong with her?"

Sam hit his forehead with his hand. "What do you want from me? I go after her, you bug me, I tell you I'll leave her alone, you bug me. What's a guy got to do to get a little peace around here?"

"If your conscience has been hit with a heavy toll, you have no one to blame for it but yourself. You know that I'm right. You take advantage of women, and I personally find it repugnant."

"I do not take advantage of women. I can't help it that I'm so naturally attractive that they flock to me, can I?" He laughed.

"Oh, please. The only woman you would find unappealing is a dead one!"

"Ugh," he shuddered. "What's it to you, anyways? I haven't done anything to you. I've left you alone." Then he looked at her again, with a gleam in his eyes. "That's it. You're mad that I haven't been coming on to you."

.

"Oh, please, don't flatter yourself."

"That's it! You're jealous! Diane is jealous! Diane is jealous," he sang as he started dancing around the room.

She chased him until she swiftly removed her apron and began to hit him with it. "I am not. Why would I be jealous? Don't answer that. I don't have time for your asinine opinions."

"No need for name calling, Diane. If the shoe fits…"

"Speaking of shoes you're about to be clubbed with a size five right alongside your head. Why do you do this? Why must you insist on making everything about you?" she demanded.

"Isn't it?"

He pulled her closely to him, looked her in the eyes, and saw what he wanted to see. She might have protested all she wanted, but her eyes could not deceive her. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. Maybe more.

She pushed herself away and then began to retie her apron. "I'd better go…" she muttered in a haze. "I have customers to wait on right away."

"You go do your waitressing, Diane. If you want me, which we both know you do, you know where to find me!"

She slammed the door shut on her way out of the office, vowing to herself to never let her emotions get the best of her again. Especially not with him. He was dangerous, she'd decided, and it would be a cold day in hell before she ever let him kiss her. Or so she thought.

TBC