In A Heartbeat

by RJ Nolan

© August 2003

Chapter One

Sam McKenna parked across the street from the station house where she'd been an Officer of the San Diego police department for eight years. Running her fingers through her short black hair before pulling on her cap she waved to several fellow officers as she made her way across the street. She entered the station house, greeting the desk sergeant before heading to roll call. Today would bring the new Field Training Officer assignments for the next twelve weeks. Sam was a FTO and the latest batch of rookies would be reporting today. Sitting quietly in the back of the room as the day's assignments were handed out; she scanned the room for the two new rookies. They weren't hard to spot. Where the veteran officers were all relaxed, joking and enjoying their breakfast as the briefing continued, the rookies both sat stiffly, almost at attention. From where she was sitting she could only see them from behind. The first rookie appeared around Sam's height of six feet. His brown hair was cut in the military style favored by male officers. The second rookie was a woman; though she appeared to be short from what Sam could tell, she was well muscled. Her long blond hair was done up in a tight French braid. Sam's attention went back to the officer giving the morning briefing.

"We have two new rookies with us today, Brad Davidson and Kellie Matthews. Stand up you two."

The two new rookies stood to face their fellow officers. Greetings and catcalls echoed in the room. "Okay, everyone else is dismissed except the FTO's," the sergeant told the assembled officers.

Sam walked to the front of the room. She met the beautiful green eyes of the new female rookie. Please let her be assigned to me, please let her be assigned to me, Sam chanted to herself.

"Officers McKenna and Howard are the Field Training Officers you will be working with for the next twelve weeks," he explained to the rookies. "Matthews you'll be assigned to Officer Howard. Davidson you'll be assigned to Officer McKenna."

Sam grimaced internally. She glanced over at Howard and scowled at his triumphant smirk. His eyes ran over the body of the beautiful blond. She looked over at the rookie assigned to her. Her scowl got deeper as she watched his eyes rake her body before finally making it to her face. Her blue eyes turned silvery and expressionless when they met his deep brown ones. The new rookie gulped and quickly averted his gaze from the gorgeous officer.

"Let's go Davidson." Sam turned and stalked out of the room without another word, never looking back to see if the rookie was following. It's going to be a long 12 weeks, she groused to herself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam had been working with her rookie partner for six weeks. It had gone pretty much as she'd expected. The guy started out cocky and arrogant, thinking he was the greatest cop who ever walked the earth. He'd learned some hard lessons in the last few weeks and was finally starting to settle down.

"Hey Officer McKenna." Davidson called interrupting her thoughts.

'I told you McKenna was fine." She reminded him.

He grinned at her.

Damn it, not again. Sam groaned. She knew what was coming.

"How about we stop for drinks tonight after work?" He invited. The lust in his eyes clearly showed what he was really interested in.

She'd already politely turned down several other invitations. The kid just didn't seem to be getting the hint and Sam was getting tired of it. She was surprised that some of the other officers hadn't clued him in, there were several at the station house who had a real problem with her being a lesbian. She didn't flaunt her sexuality but it wasn't a secret either. Attitudes were changing but it was slow going. Her record spoke for itself and she was held in high regard by most of her fellow officers.

Sam sighed hoping to end this now. "As I've told you before, thanks but no thanks. You're not my type," she added.

"Oh come on." Davidson smirked. "Give me a chance, you'll be pleasantly surprised." He bragged.

Now Sam had really had enough. She was tempted to reach over and wipe the arrogant smirk off his face. "Davidson believe me you don't have anything I'm the least bit interested in," she allowed her eyes to sweep dismissively across his lap. "I don't date guys…capisce'? Sam smirked when his mouth dropped open in surprise and he began to stutter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Patrolling their zone, they pulled a car over for a routine traffic stop. The woman had run a red light. Sam let the rookie take the lead. He approached the car and asked for the woman's information. She immediately started screaming at him, cursing him for stopping her and making her late for work. Sam ran the woman's license plate as Davidson stood next to the woman's car trying to calm her down. She got out of the patrol car and approached Davidson motioning for him to come to the rear of the car.

"The woman has an outstanding warrant. You need to get her out of the car, search her, read her her rights and we'll take her in." She instructed the rookie.

Davidson approached the car and told the woman to get out of the vehicle. Sam stood back and watched. The woman was short and slightly built; she continued to rant at Davidson as he escorted her to the front of the car. Sam could tell Davidson didn't think the woman was a threat due to her size. He confirmed that assumption moments later when she heard him address the woman.

"Now just calm down little lady. I'm going to search you then we'll take you down to the station for processing. There's a warrant outstanding against you." He told her in a condescending tone of voice.

Sam tried hard to keep the smirk off her face. The rookie was about to learn a valuable lesson. Everyone's a potential threat no matter how harmless they seem.

"Face the car, put your hands on the hood and..." Davidson never got any further. The woman spun out of his grasp and kicked him in the crotch. She screamed at him not to touch her. His face contorted and he slowly dropped to his knees gasping for breath. Sam quickly stepped in and subdued the woman, cuffing her and putting her in the back of the squad car. When she came back to the front of the vehicle, Davidson had regained his feet. He looked sheepishly at the ground obviously embarrassed at being downed by a woman half his size.

"Everyone's a threat Davidson, no matter how harmless they look. Don't forget it. It'll save your life some day."

"Thanks. That was a stupid move on my part."

Maybe he does have some promise, Sam thought to herself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam stepped into O'Grady's for a drink after work. She met up with several other female cops from local precincts. She sat relaxing at a table regaling her fellow officers with the story of her rookie being taken down by a woman half his size. Christi joined the group at the table. Sam nodded politely then went back to her story. Christi was a dispatcher that Sam had dated a few months ago. They'd had fun together and enjoyed some intense sex but when Christi began to press for more Sam stopped calling. Sam had made it clear from the start that she was only interested in a casual friendship and was not girlfriend material.

Christi sighed when Sam turned back to her story. She'd hoped if she gave Sam some space they might get back together. Sam had been the most incredible lover she'd ever had. She truly cared for her and wanted a relationship with her beyond occasional recreational sex. She'd known Sam's reputation when they met but had always hoped she would be the one to win Sam's heart. Christi was drawn out of her thoughts when laughter erupted around the table. Unable to resist she made her way over to Sam.

"Hey Sam, how goes it?" She asked as she slid into the seat next to her.

"Hi Christi. You know same old, same old." Sam said with a polite smile.

Christi leaned over to whisper in Sam's ear. "What do you say we blow this joint and go back to my place?" She ran her hand up the inside of Sam's thigh.

Sam stopped her hand from going any higher. She really did like Christi; she just couldn't give her what she wanted. As tempted as she was, she knew if she went home with her now she'd expect more than just casual sex. Sam sighed, wondering if she was even capable of love. She enjoyed being with Christi but after a few dates had felt trapped when the woman pushed for more.

"I'm sorry, no." she told her as gently as she could.

Christi pulled way but not before Sam saw the tears in her eyes. She quickly left the bar.

Sam watched her leave and sighed. I tried to tell her I wasn't girlfriend material.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam sat in the passenger side of the patrol car. She'd told the rookie he could drive for the day. It'd been pretty quiet so far, one domestic disturbance and several traffic stops. The radio suddenly squawked to life. Sam picked up the mike, "Dispatch, this is 107, go ahead."

"107, we have a 10-32 at Mercy Hospital's ER. 10-30 Respond 10-39." Advised the dispatcher.

Sam glanced over at Davidson; he looked scared and excited at the same time.

"10-4 Dispatch 107 is 10-17." Sam responded. "You heard the lady. Hit the lights and siren and let's move it!" Sam told the rookie.

"So they have someone in the ER with a gun?" Davidson questioned excitedly as they raced to the hospital.

"Yes. And once we check out the situation, you're going to call for back up."

The patrol car slid to a stop outside the ER ambulance bay. Sam and Davidson entered the ER cautiously. The desk clerk called out as soon as he saw them. "Over here, he's holding Dr. Connolly in the trauma room."

"Can you tell us what happened?" Sam questioned the clerk.

"The guy just barged into the trauma room where Dr. Connolly was and started screaming. He pulled a gun and forced everyone out of the room except the doctor. I think he's her ex-boyfriend." The frightened clerk told Sam.

Sam looked down the hall and could see several people gathered outside the closed door to one of the trauma rooms. "Do you know his name?"

"Only his first name, Keith."

"Is there any other way into that room?" She asked the clerk.

"Yes, there's a trauma room next door with a connecting door."

Sam heard a strident voice coming from down the hall. She knew they didn't have much time. These types of situations went bad fast. She turned to Davidson, "I'm going to check this out and clear those people away from the room. You control the crowd and don't do anything 'til I come back."

She quickly made her way down the hall. "Alright people, you trying to get killed? Move away from the door and clear this hall." She glanced into the trauma room. A small slender redhead dressed in scrubs and a lab coat was standing against one wall, a tall husky man stood next to a gurney in the middle of the room. He was pointing a gun directly at the frightened doctor. Sam could see he was sweating profusely and the gun was shaking in his hand. He continued to rant at the woman opposite him. Sam hurried back down the hall to Davidson.

"He's not going to last much longer, I've got to get in there." Sam had seen these situations before and they usually ended up with a dead hostage and gunman. "We don't have time to wait for back-up. I want you to go into the trauma room next door and cover me. You should be able to see in the door. Don't come in 'til I tell you."

"But…" Davidson started to protest.

"Just do it!" Sam demanded.

She hurried back down to the trauma room door. As quietly as she could Sam stepped into the room. The doctor became aware of her first then the gunman.

"Get out of here, I'll kill her!" He screamed.

Sam never moved. She glanced quickly at the terrified doctor trying to see if she was injured. She locked eyes with the woman for just a second, trying to let her know everything was going to be ok. She turned her attention back to the gunman.

"You don't want to do that Keith. Whatever the problem is we can work it out. Put the gun down." She said calmly trying to defuse the situation.

He seemed momentarily stunned she knew his name, but quickly started to rant again. "It's all her fault." He gestured wildly with the gun toward the trembling doctor. "She made me a laughingstock and now she's going to pay for it."

Time seemed to slow as Sam saw his finger tighten on the trigger. She felt her heart thump in her chest and knew in that split second between one heartbeat and the next that she'd never stop him even if she fired on him. She didn't know what made her do it but she launched herself between the doctor and the gunman. She saw the flash of the weapon's discharge. The shot slammed into the shoulder of her bulletproof vest and knocked her back into the doctor. In slow motion she saw the connecting door slam open and Davidson run in with his gun drawn. The gunman managed to fire again before spinning to face Davidson with his gun raised. Davidson shot him in the chest at almost point blank range. The gunman's second shot had gone low catching Sam in the groin below her bulletproof vest. The pain was excruciating as her body hit the ground hard. Everything after that was a blur. She faintly heard Davidson calling frantically over the radio. "Officer down, Officer down!"

She felt herself being lifted up and cradled in strong slender arms and pressure being applied to her wound. Her eyes struggled to focus on the face above her. She gazed into the most amazing violet colored eyes she had ever seen. It was the doctor who'd been threatened by the gunman. Even in the incredible pain she was in she felt safe in her arms. The doctor reached down brushing Sam's hair back from her face and then softly stroked her cheek as she stared into the officer's vivid blue eyes.

"Don't worry, you're going to be alright. I'll take good care of you."

Sam was totally unaware of the other people rushing into the room. All she saw was the beautiful woman above her promising everything was going to be ok. She could feel herself becoming weaker and everything was getting dim. The last thing she saw was the coppery haired doctor with the soft violet eyes leaning over her before everything went black.

"Get her on the gurney NOW!" the doctor yelled. "We're losing her."

Chapter Two

Riley Connolly helped the nurses lift the wounded officer up onto the gurney. She quickly assessed her injuries. The bulletproof vest had deflected most of the impact of the shoulder shot. It was her leg that had Riley worried. Keith had been taken to the trauma room next door and she could see the doctor working over him. She pushed thoughts of him away and concentrated on the officer who'd saved her. The nurses quickly cut her clothes off, inserted IV's and attached her to a heart monitor. Riley glanced up from where she was working to stop the bleeding at the officer's groin. She was suddenly uncomfortable seeing the beautiful body of the officer on display, which surprised her; usually the last thing on her mind was a patient's modesty. Not really knowing why she reached up and pulled the sheet up over her exposed chest and pelvis. Several police officers barged into the room.

"How is she? Is she going to be okay? We need to talk to you about what happened here doctor," demanded one of the officers.

"You can't be in here, let me work and I'll talk to you when I can." Riley said never looking up from where she was still trying to stop the bleeding. "I think the femoral artery has been nicked. Type and cross her for 4 units and send them to the OR STAT! Open the IV's full bore she's losing too much volume. We have to get her upstairs NOW! Let's move it people!"

One of the officers stepped in front of her, "You're going to operate on her? Are you a surgeon?"

Riley tried to push the large man aside. "Yes, I'm a trauma surgeon. Now get the hell out of my way. I'm trying to save your friend before she bleeds to death!" The officer quickly scurried out of her way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley stepped out of the OR and watched as they rolled the officer into recovery. She had indeed had a nick in her femoral artery. She'd managed to repair it before the tissue was damaged from loss of blood flow. They had been able to stabilize her quickly with little additional blood loss; her vitals had come up after pumping in a couple liters of fluid. They'd been able to complete the surgery without having to give her a blood transfusion. The leg had pinked up well and Riley was confident the officer would, baring any complications, recover fully. With the strain of being held at gunpoint then the struggle to save the injured officer who'd been shot protecting her, Riley was at the end of her rope. She was physically and mentally exhausted. She slumped against the wall outside the OR.

"Dr. Connolly." Riley looked up wearily as one of the recovery room nurses approached. "There are several police officers waiting to talk to you and the patient's family has arrived."

It was then that Riley realized she didn't even know the officer's name. She walked over and picked up the officer's chart off the rack flipping to the first page she saw her name, Samantha McKenna.

"Okay Sara, I just need to check that she's gotten settled in recovery and write her post op orders. I'll be out to talk to the family then the police officers."

Riley entered the recovery room and went straight to Samantha's bed. She couldn't help admiring the beautiful woman with her high cheekbones and classically chiseled features. Not even realizing what she was doing, she gently brushed Samantha's dark hair back from her face and softly stroked her cheek. God she's gorgeous, she thought. Riley jerked her hand back when she realized what she was doing. She went over her chart and wrote out her post op orders. Everything seemed fine. She looked down into Samantha's slack features marveling at what the woman had done throwing herself in front of Keith. She couldn't believe the officer had risked her life for someone she didn't even know. Sighing heavily she made her way out to face the family and Samantha's fellow officers knowing this was all her fault.

The surgical waiting room was packed with police officers. Sitting in one corner were two women looking shell-shocked holding hands. Riley did a double take; the dark haired woman could've been the twin of the woman she'd just left in the recovery room. She ignored all the officers and approached the two women.

"Are you here for Samantha McKenna?" She asked the two women already knowing the answer. Jess looked up at the small slender redhead. Riley backed up a step when the tall raven-haired woman rose towering over her. Her vibrant blue eyes locked with the doctor's violet ones.

"Yes, I'm Jess McKenna, Sam's my sister. This is my wife Kim." She introduced the blond standing next to her. Riley glanced down noting the wedding rings both women were wearing. "What's my sister's condition?"

"I'm Dr. Connolly, I operated on your sister." Riley said shaking hands with both women. She's in recovery and doing well."

"What was the extent of her injuries? All the officers told us was that she'd been shot twice." Jess asked.

"Her bulletproof vest deflected most of the impact of the gunshot to her shoulder. She has a graze wound and extensive bruising to her shoulder. The second shot was to her leg, it did a bit of damage." Riley explained. "I repaired the damage and she should recover fully."

"Exactly what type of damage? Please be specific. I'm a physician. I'm Head of the ER at LA Metropolitan."

Riley blushed. "I'm sorry Dr. McKenna no one told me that. The bullet entered at the groin and nicked the femoral artery, it then tracked downward damaging the quadriceps muscle. I was able to repair the damage to the artery and the limb pinked up immediately. I also repaired the muscle damage. The damage to the muscle was fairly extensive. Fortunately it was a small caliber handgun or the damage would've been even more widespread. We were able to support her with several liters of fluid and avoid a blood transfusion. With physical therapy she will regain full use of the leg."

"The police said you were in the room when she was shot?" Jess questioned.

"Yes, I was being held at gunpoint, your sister threw herself between me and the gunman. I'm so sorry she got hurt." Riley apologized contritely.

"When can we see her?" Kim asked.

Riley glanced up meetings the blond's gaze. "She's still in recovery and will be going to the ICU once she regains consciousness. You can see her as soon as she reaches the ICU."

"I'd like to see her now." Jess requested. When Riley hesitated Kim spoke up. "My wife and I are both physicians, as a professional courtesy we'd like to see her for just a few minutes. We're both aware of the rules of the recovery room."

"Okay, but only for a few minutes." Riley conceded.

Jess headed straight for Sam's bed. She picked up her hand on her uninjured side. Stroking Sam's hair she kissed her sister gently on the forehead. "Hey Kiddo," she whispered, "What have you done to yourself?" Kim came up and wrapped her arms around Jess's waist. Jess pulled Kim close to her side, her eyes never leaving Sam's face. Kim could tell Jess was struggling to control her emotions. "She'll be okay sweetheart, she's strong." Kim tried to reassure Jess. A nurse was waiting patiently to take Sam's vitals. "Come on let the nurse do her job. We'll see her again in the ICU." Jess leaned down and kissed Sam's forehead whispering to her, "We'll see you soon, I love you." As Kim led Jess out of the recovery room she glanced back at her sister-in-law praying she would be all right. She and Sam had grown very close since her marriage to Jess.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley sat at her desk with her head resting in her hands. After speaking to Sam's family she'd gone back into the recovery room to check on Keith. One of the recovery room nurses let her know he'd died on the operating table. As she stumbled out of the recovery room the police were waiting for her. The interview with the police had been grueling. She'd gone over and over the events in the trauma room with them. They'd finally left after telling her they would contact her again if they had any further questions.

She reflected back over the last few months trying to understand how everything had ended so tragically. Keith had been stalking her for months since she'd broken up with him. While they were dating she had finally come to accept that her interests lay elsewhere and always had. She was involved with a woman in medical school but it had ended badly. Riley had known her uncle would never approve of her seeing a woman and had kept the relationship a secret. After the breakup she swore off dating and concentrated on her studies. Eventually she succumbed to pressure from her uncle and began dating again. She'd never had a successful relationship with a guy and Keith was just the latest failure. She never told him of her interest in women and had just broken it off with him saying they just weren't right for each other. He'd tried for over a month to convince her otherwise wooing her with flowers and begging her to come back. Then three months ago he'd seen her with a woman and actually saw them kissing. He went ballistic and become abusive saying she'd made him a laughingstock leaving him for a woman. She had tried to explain that wasn't the case that it had nothing to do with him. He'd been making calls to her house at all hours of the night, following her when she went out, sending threatening letters to her home and work. Her SUV had been vandalized several times as well as her condo. She could never prove it was him. Finally after he smashed her windshield in the hospital parking lot in front of a witness she managed to convince a judge to issue a restraining order against him. The restraining order had been served on him today and his response was to show up in the ER with a gun. Riley felt bad that she wasn't more upset that Keith was dead. She'd never felt anything for him except friendship and that had faded long ago as he made her life these past months a living hell. Riley glanced at the wall clock realizing Samantha McKenna would be regaining consciousness soon and she wanted to be there. She wearily headed for the ICU.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The ICU was bustling with almost all the beds occupied. Riley quickly located Sam's chart and made her way to her room. She checked her latest vitals and lab results. She seemed to be doing well. She was still asleep when Riley entered the room. The nurse watching rose as she entered.

"Has she woken up yet?" Riley asked.

"No, they just got her settled a few minutes ago. She responded to the pain when she was moved but never opened her eyes." The nurse reported.

"Okay, you can take a quick break, I'll be here." The nurse quickly headed out happy for a respite.

Riley checked Sam's dressings and her IV's. Once all her checks were done she approached the head of the bed and took Sam's much larger hand in her own. Lightly stroking the side of her face she called to her.

"Samantha… Sam can you hear me? It's time to wake up."

Sam's eyes slowly fluttered open. Riley could see she was still groggy from the anesthesia.

Sam looked up into soft violet eyes. She was confused feeling she should know this woman. She stared at the beautiful woman with her head hugging pixyish cut coppery red hair fringing her face, clear creamy skin with a smattering of freckles and striking violet eyes. She just couldn't remember, her mind felt sluggish and her eyes didn't want to stay focused.

"Sam, do you know where you are?"

Sam thought about that, her brow furrowing. It was slowly coming back to her. "In the hospital?" she croaked out past a parched and sore throat.

Riley reached over and picked up a cup of ice chips from the bedside. She chose a small sliver of ice and pressed it to Sam's lips. "Take a little ice, not too fast." Riley instructed. After giving Sam several more ice chips she asked her. "Do you remember what happened?"

Sam nodded. "Shot me." She whispered. "How bad?"

"He shot you twice. Your vest stopped the first bullet though you have some extensive bruising on your shoulder. Second bullet hit you in the groin and nicked an artery. I repaired it. It did damage to your leg but with physical therapy you'll be just fine. I told you I'd take good care of you." She smiled gently at Sam not even realizing she was softly stroking her hair.

Sam smiled at Riley leaning into her touch. "I remember." Sam frowned suddenly remembering more. "Is Davidson okay? What about the guy?" She struggled to remember his name. "Keith."

"Davidson, that's your partner?" Sam nodded. "He's fine, he wasn't hurt." Riley hesitated not wanting to tell her the rest.

"Keith?" Sam asked again.

"He didn't make it." Riley told her quietly.

"I'm so sorry." Sam said tears forming in her eyes.

Riley felt terrible, the officer was more upset than she was. All she felt was a sense of relief that the nightmare of his stalking was over. She said none of this to Sam.

"Thanks. Now you need to get some rest. Your family is here and will want to come in soon; don't over tire yourself."

Sam was already drifting off; she struggled to remain awake. "Okay," she murmured sleepily.

Jess and Kim entered Sam's room as Riley was leaving.

"How is she?" Jess asked glancing over to the bed where Sam lay sleeping.

"She's doing well, vitals are stable. She's still very groggy from the anesthesia and probably will be for a while."

"All right, we just want to see her for a few minutes. We won't wake her. Would it be possible to see her chart?" Jess said.

Riley handed Jess the chart in her hand waiting to see if she had any questions. Jess quickly went over the ER notes and the surgical notes Riley had recently added.

"Everything looks good. Thanks for taking such good care of her." Jess said gratefully.

Riley waved off her thanks heading out to check on her other patients.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Both women approached the bed gazing down at the sleeping woman. Kim glanced over at Jess when she heard her breath hitch. Her eyes were filled with unshed tears and she was shaking trying to control her emotions. Kim quickly stepped over and wrapped her arms around Jess.

"It's alright… let it out, she's going to be fine." Kim assured Jess.

Finally the damn broke and tears began to flow down Jess's face. It was the first emotions she'd allowed herself since the phone call telling them Sam had been shot. Kim stroked her hair and continued to hold her tightly.

"God Kim, what if we'd lost her," Jess cried.

"We didn't lose her and we're not going to. You can't beat yourself up with what might have been. She's here and she's safe, we need to be thankful for that."

"I know you're right," Jess said struggling to regain her composure. "We should let her rest."

They both gently kissed Sam's forehead before leaving the room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley strolled back into the ICU the following morning. She checked all her post-op patients leaving Sam McKenna for last. She found her just waking up as the nurse was checking her vitals.

"Hi Sam, how are feeling this morning?" Riley asked as she approached the bed to stand next to Sam.

"Did you get the license of the truck that ran over me?" questioned Sam in response.

"That good huh," Riley said sympathetically. "That's to be expected. Give it some time. Did you see your family yet this morning?"

"Shit..." Sam muttered. "Why'd they have to call them? Who's here?"

"Your sister Jess and her wife are here. They came in yesterday while you were in surgery." Riley told her.

Sam sighed in relief. "I don't want my parents to have to make the trip down here from Northern California. It's not a big deal, I'm fine."

Riley didn't know what came over her; she felt an incredible surge of anger at Sam's words. She gripped Sam's forearm tightly.

"It is a BIG DEAL, he almost killed you!" Riley exclaimed almost shouting.

Sam's eyes widened, surprised at Riley's outburst. She reached out taking Riley's small hand in her much larger one. "It's okay, calm down. I didn't mean it like that."

Riley realized how inappropriately she'd reacted. Just the thought of this woman not caring how close she'd come to dying made her crazy. She needed to get away before she did anything else stupid.

"I need to go check on my other patients. I'll let your sister know you're awake."

Sam squeezed the small hand still in hers. "Thanks. Will you come back later?"

Riley smiled down at Sam. "I'll come and check on you before I leave for the day."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jess and Kim entered the room to find Sam sleeping peacefully. Jess looked up checking the monitor. Kim wrapped her arm tightly around Jess's waist as they reached the bed. Jess reached out stroking Sam's face. "Hey Sam," she called softly.

Sam's eye's slowly opened. She grinned crookedly when she saw her sister. "Hey fancy meeting you here." She tried to joke her voice cracking. She could see the emotions churning beneath the surface of Jess's gaze. "I'm okay really." She tried to reassure her sister and Kim.

Kim leaned down kissing Sam softly on the forehead. "You scared us."

"I'm sorry you had to make the trip down here. I'm fine really. You didn't have to come."

"That's a bunch of bullshit of course we had to come!" Jess told her angrily.

Sam tried to shrug and winced in pain. "They didn't call the folks did they?"

"No I'm listed as your emergency contact. They called me as soon as the station house knew what happened but they only said you'd been shot and were in the OR. We got down here as fast as we could. I called Mom and Dad after we talked to your doctor. They wanted to come but I convinced them not to."

"Good I don't want them making that trip. I'll be out of here soon." Sam said confidently.

"Damn it Sam! You've been shot twice and seriously injured, you're not going anywhere." Jess insisted.

Sam looked away and didn't respond.

Kim stepped in leaning down to whisper in Sam's ear. "She was petrified Sam, give her a break."

Sam smiled at Kim, before meeting her sister's eyes. "Don't worry Sis I'll do whatever my doctor says to."

Sam was rapidly fading. Kim and Jess kissed her goodbye and told her they would see her later. She was asleep before they got out the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley had seen Jess and Kim in the waiting room and convinced them to go eat and get some rest. She assured them baring any problems and she quickly reassured them she didn't think there would be any; Sam would be released from the ICU in the morning and transferred to the post-op surgical floor. Riley was exhausted but had promised Sam she'd stop by before going home. At this point all she wanted was a nice soak in the tub and a stiff drink.

Sam was asleep when Riley entered the room. She hesitated not wanting to wake her. Before she could make up her mind Sam's eyes slowly blinked open. She smiled softly when her gaze met Riley's. "Hi," she murmured sleepily.

"I'm sorry I woke you. I was heading out and stopped by as promised."

Sam's hand lifted from the mattress beckoning Riley closer. She stepped to the head of the bed and took Sam's large hand in hers. "How are you feeling? Are you having much pain?"

"Some but not too bad. My shoulder aches but mostly my leg hurts when I try to move."

"Not surprising. You have quite a bit of muscle damage and sutures in the leg and pelvis. Just take it slow. The nurses will be getting you up to sit in a chair a little later we don't want you getting pneumonia. Let them help you." Riley instructed Sam. "Everything will be fine, I promise." Riley said gazing into Sam's amazing blue eyes.

Sam was lost in the doctor's striking violet gaze. "Thank you." She said softly.

Riley felt her throat tighten with unshed tears. "I should be the one thanking you. You saved my life."

Sam squeezed Riley's hand, "Guess that makes us even Dr. Connolly." Sam realized she didn't know her first name. She tried to sit up a little to see the doctor's name tag

Riley misinterpreted Sam's movement. She quickly slipped her arm behind Sam's back bringing her into a more upright position. Sam groaned loudly when her leg bent at the pelvis shooting a sharp pain down her leg. Riley quickly lowered her back to the bed apologizing. "I'm sorry I thought you wanted to sit up."

"It's okay," Sam said grimacing slightly at the lingering pain. Riley noticed she still had her arm wrapped around Sam's shoulder and quickly retreated. Sam immediately missed the warmth of her arm.

"What were you trying to do?" Riley questioned. "Just ask if you need something."

Sam was embarrassed and looked down at the blanket. "I um was trying to see your name tag. I don't even know your first name."

Sam looked up when Riley laughed softly, it was a wonderful sound and she wanted to hear it again.

Riley shook her head, "You could've just asked me." She stared at Sam arching one eyebrow.

Sam grinned realizing the doctor was going to make her ask. In the sexist voice she could manage she purred. "So doctor just what is your first name."

Riley gulped amazed at the reaction of her body to Sam's voice. She blushed lightly before replying. "It's Riley."

Sam stuck out her hand, Riley accepted and her hand was enveloped in Sam's much larger one. "Nice to meet you Riley." Sam hesitated then asked. "Is it okay to call you Riley?"

Riley smiled. "Well, not usually but since you saved my life I guess I can make an exception in your case."

Sam's little half smirk appeared on her face. "Good to know, Riley."

Riley realized their conversation had slipped into light flirting. It wasn't a good idea to become attracted to a patient and she had to keep reminding herself no matter how enticing Sam was her patient. If it wasn't for you she wouldn't be here, she berated herself. Riley knew she could easily fall under this beautiful woman's spell. She noticed her hand still resting in Sam's. It surprised her; she was never the touchy feely type with patients. She forced herself back into doctor mode removing her hand from Sam's grasp.

Sam noted the sudden change in Riley's expression and wondered why.

"I'm glad you're doing well." Riley stated in a crisp professional tone. "Please be sure to let the nurses know if you need anything. You'll be transferred to the surgical post-op floor in the morning. Have a pleasant night."

And with that she was gone. Sam couldn't figure out what happened. They'd been talking and all of a sudden Riley just took off. Then it hit her, "Duh..." she muttered to herself mentally slapping her forehead. She probably thought I was flirting with her. You were, piped up Sam's little voice. Shut-up, Sam told the voice.

Sam sighed in frustration admitting how attracted she was to the beautiful doctor. Forget it, she's straight. Remember her ex-BOYFRIEND shot you. Sam slowly drifted off to sleep visions of coppery red hair and soft violet eyes playing in her mind.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The following morning Sam's IV's and heart monitor were removed and she was transferred to the surgical post-op floor. She'd hoped to see Riley before she was transferred but she'd never shown. She sighed in disappointment settling down to get some much-needed rest. The nurse told her they would be getting her up to walk later and she dreaded it.

Chapter Three

Riley made her way down the hall to the sixth floor nurses station. She was completing her afternoon rounds of all her post-op surgical patients; she only had one left she hadn't seen. She'd checked her chart on morning rounds but avoided going into Sam McKenna's room. She'd gone home last night and thought long and hard about the beautiful police officer. She admitted to herself she was very attracted to the woman but knew nothing could ever come of it. Not only was the woman her patient but it was her fault the officer was even in the hospital. She could never forgive herself for getting her shot. Determined to present a professional demeanor, Riley headed for Sam's room.

Sam sat in her hospital bed waiting for Jess and Kim to arrive. They'd been there during morning visiting hours and promised to return for the afternoon hours. Now that she was allowed to eat solid food, Sam had begged Kim to bring her something decent to eat. The door swung open revealing Riley Connolly.

"Hi Riley," Sam greeted with a smile.

"Good afternoon Officer McKenna. How are you feeling?"

Sam frowned at the crisp emotionless tone of voice. She noticed that Riley refused to meet her eyes. The only thing Sam could think of that would cause such a change in the woman's demeanor was last night's conversation. Oh damn, Sam groaned to herself, maybe she's a homophobe and freaked that I flirted with her.

Sam put on her best police officer voice and replied. "I'm doing well Dr. Connolly."

Riley's head jerked up at Sam's tone of voice. Without meaning to, she stared into Sam's eyes and her expression immediately softened. "I'm glad to hear that Sam. Is there anything you need? Are the pain meds working well for you?"

Sam sighed with relief; maybe she'd misjudged the doctor. "No I'm good. Kim promised to bring me something to eat. Hospital food leaves a LOT to be desired." Sam said laughing. "I haven't been taking much of the pain meds. I don't like to feel so out of it."

Riley's stomach had growled at the mention of food. She hadn't eaten anything since early morning. She glanced at Sam in time to see a slight grin appear on her face. She'd obviously heard her stomach. Riley blushed lightly and tried to keep the conversation professional.

"Don't be stubborn about the pain meds. You need to rest and heal. If you're in constant pain you can't do that. Have you been up walking yet?"

"No, but I have been up in the chair several times." Sam grimaced. "The nurse said they'd have me up walking this evening after dinner."

"Good, we don't want you getting pneumonia. Make sure you ask for your pain med at least half an hour before they get you up. You have a good size incision and lots of sutures inside as well as out. It's going to be painful but it's important to not let the leg atrophy and use it as soon as possible. Speaking of that while I'm here I need to check you out."

As soon as the words left her mouth, Riley realized how they sounded. She glanced quickly at Sam. It was a mistake. Sam had one eyebrow raised with a little half smirk on her face. Her eyes were twinkling with mischief. Riley blushed hotly.

"Where would you like to start?" Sam purred pulling back the blankets and chuckling lightly. Riley met Sam's sparkling gaze and growled at her. Sam laughed outright.

"I can see what a trouble maker you're going to be McKenna." Riley teasingly chided Sam. Sam never said a word just wiggled her eyebrows and grinned.

Riley pulled her stethoscope out of her pocket and placed the tips in her ears. She motioned for Sam to lean forward. She opened the back of Sam's hospital gown and placed the scope in several places instructing Sam to breathe deeply. As she listened to her lungs she couldn't help but notice the well muscled back under her hand. She wondered what it would feel like to run her hands along the prominent muscles. Realizing her thoughts had drifted into dangerous territory she quickly completed her exam. Having Sam sit back, she silently cursed herself when her hand shook as she slid the stethoscope down the front of Sam's gown to listen to her heart. Glancing up into Sam's grinning face hadn't helped matters. She listened to her heart trying not to touch her breast any more than necessary. Straightening up she assured Sam everything sounded fine. She lowered the shoulder of Sam's gown to examine her shoulder. While the bruising was extensive in places, the graze wound hadn't even required stitches to close it. Riley couldn't help admiring the muscles her exam had uncovered.

Riley uncovered Sam's leg and positioned her gown to preserve as much of her modesty as possible. Both women turned serious when Riley put on rubber gloves and began to carefully remove the dressing from Sam's groin and leg. The few times the nurses had changed the bandages Sam had still been pretty out of it. Now she was awake and anxious about seeing the damage for the first time. Riley looked up, making eye contact with Sam before removing the dressing completely.

"Now remember, you're only three days post op. The incision is going to look pretty rough but it will heal." She tried to reassure Sam.

Sam forced herself to look down as Riley completely removed the dressing. Her breath whooshed out in relief. Riley glanced up at the sound smiling slightly at Sam's look of relief. It wasn't as bad as she'd feared it was going to be from the amount of pain she'd felt. There were two incision lines. One started right at the hollow below her hipbone extending past the bend where her pelvis met her leg and down to her upper thigh. There was a second suture line running right below the bend where her leg met her pelvis to the right of the first one. It ran down the inside of her upper thigh. Riley checked to make sure all the sutures were intact. Sam grimaced in pain as Riley slowly rotated her leg to get a look at the sutures high up on her inner thigh.

"Sorry," Riley said patting her hip in sympathy. The incision looked red and swollen, which was normal. There were no signs of infection. "Everything looks good Sam. No sign of infection and for the amount of suturing I did minimal swelling. I know it hurts but you need to take the pain meds and use the leg as much as possible without straining it. We'll get you a walker to start with then you can work up to crutches." Riley said.

Sam relaxed as Riley gently applied a new dressing. She was just finishing up putting on new tape and was so focused on not hurting Sam she didn't hear the door to the room open.

Jess and Kim stepped in the doorway and took in the scene in the room. Sam was lying back with one arm over her eyes as the small red-haired doctor worked between her legs. Jess couldn't resist tweaking her sister. She cleared her throat loudly.

"Hope I'm not interrupting anything?" Jess asked in an insinuating tone.

Riley jumped at the sudden sound behind her. She jerked her hands back and blushed even though she knew she hadn't been doing anything remotely embarrassing. Sam's eyes popped open and met Riley's slightly embarrassed gaze. She glared at her sister's grinning face and snapped at her. "Knock it off Jess!"

"What? What'd I do?" Her answer was a hard jab in the ribs from her wife. One look into Kim's face and Jess instantly sobered. "Sorry." She murmured contritely.

Sam smirked at Jess as if to say, 'you're in trouble'.

"Hello Dr. Connolly. How's my troublesome sister today?" Jess asked trying to take the focus off her poor attempt at a joke.

"Please call me Riley," she reminded her. She removed her gloves and smiled at Sam gently patting her leg before covering her back up. "She's doing well. Incision looks good with minimal swelling. She's still on antibiotics and pain meds. She should be ready to start getting up and moving around this evening. I'm estimating a week and a half to two-week hospital stay. She'll then go home and into outpatient rehab."

"Hey I am right here you guys. Damn, you talk about me like I'm not even in the room." Sam complained.

Jess and Kim both watch with interest when Riley placed her hand on Sam's shoulder.

"Sorry Sam, professional hazard." Riley said squeezing her shoulder.

Kim sat a large bag on Sam's bedside tray. The aroma coming from the bag was heavenly. "Real food as requested." She told Sam leaning forward to kiss her lightly in greeting.

A very loud growling sound interrupted Sam's thank you. Riley blushed when all eyes in the room turned to her.

"Well Sam I'll check on you tomorrow. Have a good evening." Riley had taken a single step away from the bed when Sam reached out and took hold of her forearm pulling her back.

"Please stay and have something to eat. I'm sure there's more than enough." Sam gave Riley her best puppy dog look. She glared at her sister when she heard her snicker.

"I'm really not that hungry." Riley denial would've been more believable if her stomach hadn't chosen that moment to growl even louder. She blushed at the behavior of her protesting stomach.

Kim spread out the food containers on Sam's over the bed table. "Come on Riley there's more than enough. It's from Sam's favorite restaurant Dim Sum. You like Chinese?" Kim asked ignoring Riley's comment about not being hungry.

Riley's stomach answered for her and Sam surprised her by pulling her down to sit on the side of the bed. She tried to get up but Sam even injured was amazingly strong.

"Come on Doc. We can't have you falling into your patients on the operating table." Sam teased her.

Riley gave in relaxing on Sam's bed and helped herself to the food Kim had spread out on the tray she'd slid between them. Riley moaned with pleasure at the first taste of the wonderful Sesame chicken. It was one of her favorites. Sam felt her heart pick up speed at the sound and was thankful she wasn't still hooked up to a heart monitor.

Riley was amazed at how comfortable she was around the other women. They laughed and joked comparing stories of the various experiences at the different hospitals they'd worked in. Sam was captivated, her eyes never leaving the doctor for long. She was mesmerized watching Riley's many varied expressions. She frowned suddenly realizing she could easily fall for the beautiful doctor. She'd never been involved with a straight woman and wasn't about to start now. She knew that way lead to heartbreak. Sam unknowingly let out a big sigh, saddened by what might've been. Riley immediately caught Sam's change in expression; she quickly got up and approached her.

"Are you alright? Do you need your pain meds?" She asked softly in concern. Unconsciously she took Sam's hand in hers stroking the back of her hand with her thumb.

Sam forced herself to smile though it was half hearted at best. "No I'm fine, just tired."

Riley suddenly realized she was acting as if she was visiting a friend and not checking on a patient. As much as she enjoyed the company of the three women, Sam was her patient. Riley berated herself; she again had started thinking of Sam as a woman and not as a patient. Riley turned to Jess and Kim. "Don't tire her out too much. She's still weak. She does need to try and walk a bit tonight but don't let her over do."

She turned back to Sam trying to regain her professional demeanor. "I'll send the nurse in with your pain med. You might want to take a little nap before trying your walk. Don't over do it" She smiled at Sam unable to help herself. "Don't make me have to come back into the hospital."

Riley quickly made her exit, waving to the women as she left.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kim had been watching the interaction between Sam and Riley while they'd been eating. Riley's eyes rarely left Sam's face when she was speaking and even when she or Jess were talking she'd watched Sam; obviously taken with her. Kim had interacted with many patients in her career and it was clear to her that Riley Connolly cared for Sam well beyond her concern for a patient. She'd thought Sam might be beginning to have feelings for the doctor as well. Now she wasn't quite sure what was going on.

She sat down on the side of Sam's bed. When Riley left the room, Sam had leaned back against the pillows and closed her eyes. Kim stroked Sam's arm until she opened blue eyes so familiar to Kim. Even though she appeared outgoing, friendly, and affectionate the total opposite of Jess, in many ways she was the same. Her emotions ran deep and she never let anyone get too close emotionally. Many people thought they knew Sam but the truth was all they ever saw was the tough cop persona she presented to the world. None of them had ever seen the true Samantha McKenna. Kim herself hadn't realized the depths of Sam's personality until she'd spent extended time with her when she visited with Jess. It had taken real work on Kim's part to get Sam to trust her as she did her sister.

She made eye contact with Sam. "Want to tell me what's really wrong?" She asked gently.

Sam looked down at the blanket. Kim knew her too well and could read her expressions as easily as she did her sister's. "It's nothing… I'm just tired."

Kim sighed in frustration; she didn't believe Sam for a minute. That was Sam and Jess's stock answer when they didn't want to talk about something. It's nothing. Kim had been married to Jess for just over a year and had learned in that time when to push and when not to with both women. Now was a time to push.

Kim reached out and gently lifted Sam's chin forcing her to make eye contact. "I don't think so. You were fine just a minute ago. Want to try again?"

Sam looked over at Jess silently asking for help. Jess took up a seat on the other side of Sam's bed. She shrugged her shoulders as if to say. 'Don't look me; you're on your own'.

Sam really did want to confide her developing feelings to someone. She trusted Kim and Jess to keep her confidence. Giving a dramatic sigh, she met Kim's eyes.

"I really like Riley." Sam explained glancing down before adding, "a LOT."

"So what's the problem Sam?" Jess asked. "She obviously likes you a lot as well." Jess smiled raising one eyebrow at her wife's surprised expression obviously Kim didn't think she'd noticed.

"I'm JUST another patient, I'm sure she treats all of us the same." Sam replied disappointedly.

Sam's head pop up looking between the two women as they both started to chuckle. "What?"

"Honey I've seen a lot of patients and believe me I don't react to any of them like Riley reacts to you. I'd be willing to bet she doesn't touch her other patients like she does you. You think she goes around holding all her patients hands or having dinner with them?" Kim said trying to reassure Sam.

Sam thought back to the times she'd interacted with Riley. The woman did touch her a lot. Maybe…. No, it was just her wishful thinking.

"It doesn't matter. She's straight." Sam stated. This time she glared at both women when they laughed. "It's not funny!"

Kim looked at Jess gesturing for her to take this one. "No way that woman's straight. My gaydar pinged the first time we met. She's hot and gay." She glanced over at Kim noting her frown. "What? I'm married not dead," she defended.

"Well I suggest you get your gaydar fixed." Sam suggested snidely. "Cause in case you've forgotten her ex-BOYFRIEND shot me!"

Kim and Jess's jaws dropped open in shock. Jess finally found her voice. "What!" she yelled.

Now it was Sam's turn to be shocked. "I thought you knew."

"Hell NO we didn't know! All they told us was you'd been shot and that Dr. Connolly had been in the room. Figured it was someone drug seeking. I want to talk to Connolly right now." Jess started to get up from where she was sitting on Sam's bed.

"You just leave her out of this!" Sam shouted then winced as she tried to grab Jess's arm.

Kim had been shocked by the revelation as well but quickly regained her equilibrium. She could see Jess building up to blow. She put a restraining hand on her arm and her other hand on Sam's. "Everyone just settle down." She tried to calm both women lightly stroking their arms. "How about you start at the beginning Sam and tell us the whole story."

Jess settled back in place though Kim could feel the tension radiating off her. She only hoped Riley Connolly had left for the night.

Sam proceeded to tell them the whole story starting with the dispatch to the hospital and ending with her being shot twice. Jess calmed down as the story unfolded. She'd thought the doctor had intentionally hidden the fact that her ex had shot Sam. Now she realized Riley had assumed as Sam had that the other officers had told them. Jess sighed as the tension left her body at the end of the story.

She reached out squeezing Sam's uninjured shoulder. "I'm sorry you got hurt Kiddo. You did a good thing protecting her." She told Sam. Sam smiled back reassured. Remembering the comments that started all this Jess suddenly grinned.

"That's why you think she's straight?"

Sam blinked at the sudden shift in conversation but nodded in answer to Jess's question.

"I think you're missing the point here Sam, the operative word is Ex-boyfriend."

Sam frowned at her sister's persistence. "No the operative word here is Boyfriend!" Sam insisted.

Kim looked over at her wife. She had that little half smirk on her face. This is going to be interesting.

"Really? Do you by chance remember Steve Phillips?" Jess asked her sister wiggling her eyebrows at her and grinning.

Sam merely glared at Jess. Kim looked at both women silently questioning.

It was clear Sam wasn't going to answer. "He's a guy Sam dated and SLEPT with in high school." Jess explained to Kim. This was news to Kim for some reason she'd assumed Sam had always known she was gay. Kim silently chided herself, and you call yourself a psychiatrist.

Jess wasn't done. "Oh wait, what about Charlie… What was his last name? Yeah now I remember Falk, Charlie Falk. She dated and SLEPT with him in college. Gee, I guess that makes you straight Sis, two ex-boyfriends." Jess told her snickering. Sam lowered her head and scowled refusing to make eye contact with either woman.

Jess opened her mouth to say something else but Kim poked her in the ribs. Jess pouted trying to act hurt. Kim's stern expression said it all. Jess straightened up and reached out to lift her sister's chin and meet her eyes.

"All kidding aside Sis, just because she dated a guy doesn't make her straight any more than it does you. Don't make assumptions. If you feel something for her, you should give her a chance." She glanced over at her wife. "If she's the one its worth whatever you have to do." Kim smiled lovingly at her wife leaning over Sam to kiss Jess gently on the lips.

"None of that you two, I know you. Next thing you'll be in taking each other's clothes off." Sam teased trying to lighten the mood. Jess arched her eyebrows at her wife and reached over to undo one button of Kim's polo shirt. Kim slapped her hand away. "Behave." She warned.

The door to Sam's room opened interrupting. A nurse entered. "Sorry it took so long to get your pain med." She offered Sam the pills in a little cup. "You need to get up and walk tonight. I'll be back in about a half an hour and we'll give it a try. She breezed out of the room.

It was clear Sam was starting to fade on them. Kim could see the lines around her eyes tightening indicating she was in pain.

"Hey Sweetie, why don't you take a little nap and we'll see you in the morning," Kim encouraged. Sam yawned in answer.

Both women kissed her goodbye. Sam was already drifting off to sleep by the time they made it to the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley arrived on the surgical floor the following afternoon. She's been in surgery all morning and had just finished up with the last of her surgical and post-op notes. Several of her patients were ready for discharge and she needed to do the final notes on them as well. She sat finishing her charts at the work area adjacent to the nurse's desk. Something made her turn and look down the hall. Coming slowly down the hall using a walker was Sam McKenna, Jess and Kim by her side. Riley marveled again at the striking resemblance the two sisters shared. If she didn't know any better, she would swear they were twins. Sam's head came up and she made eye contact with Riley; the two women stared at each other oblivious to their surroundings. Jess and Kim both stopped when Sam did looking around to see what had so suddenly attracted her attention. Jess smiled over at Kim and inclined her head to where Riley sat working. Riley was up and out of her chair heading for Sam without conscious thought. Sam smiled widely as Riley approached. She tried to straighten up as close to her full height as possible. The two women stood there smiling at each other neither speaking. Jess shook her head in amusement conveniently forgetting how she'd acted when she and Kim first met.

"Hi Riley." Jess greeted.

Riley mentally shook herself realizing she'd been staring at Sam. It wasn't hard to do she was a beautiful woman.

"Hi," Riley greeted all three women. Damn, I forgot how tall Jess was and Sam sure isn't any shorter. Riley thought as she craned her to neck to make eye contact with Sam.

Sam smiled to herself. She'd known the little doctor was short but hadn't realized how short. It was the first time they'd stood together. Riley's head came to the middle of her chest. Oh yeah, her mouth is at just the right height, Sam's baser side spoke up. Sam quickly shook those thoughts away.

"So how goes the walking Sam? Don't over do, take it slow and easy. I don't want to have to put you back together again." Riley smiled to take the implied criticism out of her words.

"Ok I guess," Sam sighed in frustration. "I'm just disgusted at how weak I am."

"It's to be expected," Riley reassured. "I know it's hard. You're used to being active but trust me, take it slow and allow your body time to heal. If you rush it, it'll just prolong your recovery."

As they talked they slowly headed back to Sam's room. It was obvious by the time they reached her room that she'd had enough. Riley stood by as Kim helped Sam back into the bed. She approached the side and reached out stroking Sam's sweat dampened hair back from her face. She was unaware she was even touching her it seemed so natural. "You're doing great," she encouraged. "I'm on call tomorrow so I'll stop by and check in on you. The nurse gave me your message that you were ready for your visitor restrictions to be lifted so I made the appropriate changes to your chart. No parties now." She warned before heading out.

"What did she mean visitor restrictions?" Jess asked as soon as Riley left.

"I told them I didn't want any visitors. So she set it up that the only one's allowed to visit were family."

Jess nodded. She and Kim had wondered why none of Sam's fellow officers had been by to visit. She wasn't surprised by the request. Her sister didn't want anyone to see her when she felt vulnerable. Jess couldn't blame her she would've felt the same way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley's Saturday had started out bad and gone downhill from there. She's been called in at 4am for a MVA involving four vehicles and a total of twelve patients, six of which required emergency surgery. Even with the backup surgical team, it had been a marathon. It was now 4pm and she'd been in surgery for the last twelve hours. She was on call until tomorrow at 7am so decided to head for the on-call room to grab a couple of hours sleep.

Things remained quiet. It was 8pm when she awoke. Deciding to check on her patients, she headed for the sixth floor. She had checked several patients and decided to pop in and see Sam for a few minutes. She heard the laughter coming from her room from several doors down. She frowned looking up the clock on the wall. Visiting hours had ended thirty minutes ago. She entered Sam's room to find several police officers clustered around her bed. They were laughing and talking to Sam and each other. Riley noticed one of the officers, the only woman sitting on Sam's bed close to her side. She felt an irrational surge of annoyance at the woman. Sam looked tired, the lines around her eyes tight, which Riley knew signified she was in pain. None of her fellow officers seemed to notice.

Riley strode up the end of Sam's bed and loudly cleared her throat. Conversation ground to an immediate halt. Sam smiled when she saw Riley.

"Hey…" Sam stuttered slightly realizing calling Riley by her first name might not be such a good idea. "Dr. Connolly." She introduced Riley to the officers standing by her bed. Explaining she was her doctor. The woman sitting by Sam turned around when Sam introduced her. She nodded in greeting. Riley decided right then and there she didn't like the green-eyed blond not one bit. She just rubbed her the wrong way. She refused to consider just why she'd taken such an instant disliking to a woman she'd never even spoken to.

"Okay folks," Riley said using her best doctor voice. "Party's over, Officer McKenna needs her rest. Visiting hours were over thirty minutes ago." Riley remained at the foot of Sam's bed as the officers filed out.

One of the men leaned down to Sam. "Man, you get all the luck… the doc is hot!" He told her quietly but not quietly enough. Riley heard every word. She tried not to blush when Sam responded, "You got that right."

Riley noted with displeasure the blond was the last to leave. She leaned over and squeezed Sam's shoulder in farewell saying something to her Riley couldn't hear. Sam smiled in response.

Once everyone had exited, Riley approached the head of the bed. "Are you alright?" She asked concerned at the tired slump of Sam's shoulders. She placed her hands on Sam's shoulders massaging lightly.

"I'm okay," Sam sighed relaxing into Riley's gentle touch. She was hurting and exhausted but had maintained a cheerful front to her fellow officers. "It just hurts," she finally admitted.

"When was your last pain med?"

"Umm I forget, lunchtime maybe."

"Damn it Sam! You need to take the pain meds I prescribe. They won't help you if you don't take them." She chastised her sternly.

"I know," Sam muttered looking down at the blanket.

"I'm going to get your meds now, I want you to take them and get some sleep."

Riley returned quickly with a syringe instead of pills. Sam raised her eyebrow in question looking at the syringe suspiciously.

'It's Demerol, I can tell from looking at you that you over did. I want you to rest." Riley stepped to the other side of the bed and motioned for Sam to roll onto her side. She pulled back the blanket and Sam's gown just enough to expose her hip. Sam flinched when Riley injected the Demerol. She rolled onto her back when she finished. Riley put the syringe in her pocket and resumed her massage of Sam's shoulders

Sam was soon drifting off to sleep under Riley's gentle massage and the effects of the Demerol. "That feels so good." She murmured sleepily.

Riley stayed until she was sure Sam was sound asleep. She straightened her blankets and gently brushed the hair from her face before quietly leaving the room. She sighed to herself; she just couldn't seem to help the feelings the beautiful cop stirred in her. No matter how many times she told herself the woman was her patient and promised herself she would remain professional with her, her resolve faded with one look into those amazing blue eyes. Only two weeks, you just have to make it two weeks. Then she'll go back to her life and you can go back to yours, she told herself as she made her way back to the on-call room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam was sitting in her hospital bed feeling sorry for herself. Kim and Jess had left to return to LA and work. They had both taken an emergency leave of absence and their time was up. They assured her they would return when she was discharged. She had tried to convince them she didn't need any help. Jess had informed her that their younger brother Frank was coming as well with his wife Cheryl. Frank and Cheryl would be staying with her until she got back up on her feet. Cheryl was a nurse and so would be able to keep an eye on her incision and make sure she didn't overexert herself.

Sam hadn't seen Riley all day. She smiled despite her glum mood when she remembered the gentle massage Riley had given her as she drifted off to sleep last night. Her thoughts were interrupted when the door to her room swung open. Sam frowned as a woman sauntered in and stood at the foot of her bed reading a chart. The woman was dressed in scrubs with a lab coat over them. Her brunette hair was tucked up under a surgical cap. She appeared to be in her late 40's. The woman just stood there totally ignoring Sam. She finally looked up her brown eyes making brief contact with Sam's before looking back to the chart in her hand.

"I'm Dr. Thompson." The woman stated as she stepped to Sam's bedside and attempted to pull the blanket back. Sam grabbed the woman's wrist stopping her. The doctor looked at Sam in shock then jerked her arm away. "I need to look at your incision." She stated reaching for the blanket again.

Again, Sam stopped her; she could see the woman was getting angry. She didn't care. "Where's Dr. Connolly?"

"I'm covering your case today." The woman arrogantly informed Sam, ignoring her question.

Sam still hadn't moved her hand from the edge of the blanket. She met the woman's angry eyes. "I prefer to be seen by Dr. Connolly. When will she be in?"

The doctor let out a frustrated sigh. Riley hadn't told her what a difficult patient this was. Her voice became patronizing as if she was explaining to a stubborn child. "Today is Dr. Connolly's day off. She asked me to look in on you and check your surgical incision. OK?"

Sam released her hold on the blanket without further comment. Dr. Thompson pulled back Sam's blanket and flipped her gown up over her abdomen exposing her from the waist down. She put on rubber gloves as Sam pushed the gown back down trying to preserve at least some of her modesty. The woman quickly pulled the tape and bandage off seeming not to hear Sam's gasp of discomfort at having the tape removed so abruptly. She poked at the incision in several places before roughly rotating Sam's leg and pushing it up to examine the sutures on her inner thigh. Sam hands clenched into fists and she bit her lip to keep from crying out in pain at the rough handling of her leg. The woman seemed oblivious to the pain she was causing with her callous handling of Sam's leg. She completed her exam and re-bandaged the incision. Several pieces of tape where wrinkled and already pinching Sam.

Sam watched incredulously as the woman made some notes in her chart and then left without another word. Sam's already glum mood slipped lower. She felt as if everyone had abandoned her.

Chapter Four

Riley had enjoyed her day off. She had gone out to dinner with a very nice woman she'd met at the health club a few weeks ago. It was amazing how relaxing a date could be without having to worry about someone stalking your every move. She'd forced thoughts of Sam McKenna away repeatedly but still managed to enjoy herself. She knew there was no chance of pursuing a relationship with Sam and had tried to convinced herself that she accepted that.

She headed for the surgical lounge resisting the urge to check on Sam. Riley opened the door to the doctor's lounge almost running into Claire Thompson.

"Morning Claire. Thanks for taking care of my patients for me. Any problems I need to know about?"

"No everyone was fine but next time find someone else to look after that McKenna woman. You could've warned me she's such a bitch," Claire complained.

Riley's eyes widened in surprise, Sam had never been anything but friendly and cooperative. "What happened?" She demanded sharply.

Claire's eyebrows rose at Riley's tone and she looked down her nose at the shorter woman. "I beg your pardon. I checked on your patient as you asked and she acted like a spoiled bitch. Next time find someone else." Claire responded angrily before storming out of the lounge.

Now Riley was worried something was wrong. She had to restrain herself from rushing down to Sam's room. She finally gave up the fight and was on her way to check on her when her pager went off summoning her to the ER.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley walked out of the recovery room several hours later having completed the surgery on a gunshot victim. Her thought immediately turned to Sam and her earlier conversation with Claire. She headed for her room to find out for herself just what was going on.

She stepped into Sam's room to find her lying in bed staring into space. Riley's concern skyrocketed. She quickly approached Sam's bed reaching out to lay her hand on Sam's shoulder. Sam jumped at her touch and she immediately pulled back.

"Hi." Sam said listlessly. She missed her sister and Kim. After the doctor's rough treatment of her leg the previous evening it had ached all night even with the pain med and to top it off the tape and bandage was tight and uncomfortable. All in all, she felt incredibly sorry for herself.

Riley placed her hand on Sam's forehead checking for fever. She knew the nurses would have informed Claire if Sam had any problems but now doubted Sam would've told anyone.

"How're you doing Sam?"

"OK."

"Is something wrong?"

"No."

Riley was getting frustrated. This was so unlike Sam. She racked her brain thinking of some way to get more than a one-word answer. Sam wasn't even meeting her eyes.

"I'd like to check your incision. Would that be okay?"

"OK."

Riley sighed and lifted up Sam's blankets. She lifted up her gown and positioned it carefully only exposing as much of Sam as she needed to. She frowned when she got a look at the bandage. The tape was poorly applied and wrinkled. Riley knew it must be very uncomfortable. She wondered why Sam hadn't said anything to the nurses. She removed it as carefully as she could but winced in sympathy when Sam grimaced. The skin where the tape was wrinkled appeared red and sore. Riley silently cursed Claire. Her incisions looked clean and tight. Most of the swelling was gone and the incision was already showing signs of healing. It wouldn't be too many more days before she could remove the sutures completely.

"This looks really good Sam. I'm going to leave it uncovered from now on. It needs to get some air to complete the healing. I should be able to remove the sutures in a few days." She hoped Sam would perk up with the good news.

Sam sighed in relief to have the uncomfortable tape and dressing removed. She glanced up at Riley finally meeting her eyes. "Thanks." She said softly.

Finding no other reason to stay, Riley left to check on her other patients.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley was back on the surgical floor later that afternoon. She hadn't been able to get thoughts of Sam out of her head all day. Riley peeked into Sam's room and found her alone and again staring into space. She wondered why Kim and Jess weren't with Sam. Spotting Sue the young nurse assigned to Sam, Riley bypassed Sam's room, heading for the nurses desk.

"Hey Sue," she greeted. "How has Sam McKenna been today?"

"Oh Dr. Connolly I'm glad I caught you. I've been worried about her. She's been really down since her sister left. She had to go back to work. Mary walked with her in the morning but put in the nursing notes she seemed very listless. I tried to get her up later in the evening yesterday but she refused and asked for her pain med."

"Was that after Dr. Thompson was here?"

Sue looked hesitant to answer, finally she just nodded in response to Riley's question.

"Damn it Claire, what did you do to her?" Riley muttered under her breath.

"Thanks Sue."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley made a detour across the street to a local sub shop before heading to Sam's room. She approached the bed and placed the bag in her hand on the over the bed table. Sam glanced over and smiled slightly. She was down but still glad to see Riley.

Riley knew she needed to do something to bring Sam out of her depressed mood.

Smiling she asked, "How are you doing?" Sam opened her mouth to reply but Riley cut her off. "And don't you dare say okay." She warned mock glaring at Sam.

Sam couldn't help it; she laughed lightly feeling her mood lighten a little. She met Riley's eyes before replying.

"Good." A long pause, "I'm good."

Riley grabbed her chest and slumped against Sam's bed. "Oh my god…two words in a row!"

Sam reached out and playfully slapped Riley's arm grinning. "Alright cut it out smartass."

Riley grinned standing up and picking up the bag she'd set down when she came in. "How about some dinner? Guaranteed to be better than anything food service can come up with." She laughed before adding. "Not that just about anything isn't better than what the food service provides."

Sam's eyes lit up like a kid getting a treat. She pulled the bag toward her and Riley's stomach growled expectantly. Sam laughed her dark mood lightening further. She passed Riley one of the sandwiches from the bag. "We should feed that thing before someone gets hurt," she teased Riley.

Riley scowled and opened her sandwich taking a big bite. She moaned in pleasure. Sam looked down at her sandwich trying to hide her flushed face. Her heart had started to hammer when Riley moaned. God I hope Jess and Kim are right; this woman just HAS to be gay. I have to ask her about Keith, she promised herself. The smell coming from her sandwich distracted her thoughts. She unwrapped it to find a Philly cheese steak. She took a big bite of the sandwich and moaned as Riley had.

Riley felt a flash of arousal when Sam moaned. She hid her face in her dinner hoping Sam wouldn't notice.

"This is SOO good," Sam enthused. "Good beef and melted cheese, one of my favorites."

"Ah a woman after my own heart, none of the health food stuff for me either." Riley laughed.

Sam saw her chance and decided to take it. Riley stirred feelings in her she just couldn't ignore. Please don't let her be straight. "Yep, if I was going for someone's heart it would definitely be a woman's." She laughingly told Riley, closely watching her expression. Riley smiled brightly.

Riley looked Sam right in the eyes. "Yes, I'd have to agree with you there." She blushed when she realized what she'd blurted out.

YES! Sam shouted silently to herself. Before she could say anything else, Riley's pager shrilled.

Riley pulled it off her belt and cursed when she read the display. ER 911.

"Damn I'm so sorry, I have to go. It's the ER."

Sam watched in disappointment as Riley hurried out the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley berated herself as she rushed toward the ER. Why the hell did you say that? You're supposed to be distancing yourself from this woman. Not telling her you're gay! Riley was confused. Sam knew about Keith but had still sought confirmation that she was gay. How did she know? I've got to talk to her…soon. She forced all the thoughts swirling in her brain away as she entered the ER.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam sat finishing the dinner Riley had provided. Her mind went back over their conversation. She really needed to talk to Riley and ask her about Keith. She couldn't help grinning at Riley's confirmation. She was never going to hear the end of it when she told Jess. Guess her gaydar wasn't on the fritz after all, she laughed to herself. Sam felt the most lighthearted she had since being shot. Just the thought of having a chance with the beautiful doctor made her heart soar.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley leaned against the wall outside the recovery room. It was after 9pm and she'd just completed the surgery on a motorcycle accident victim. The young man was very lucky to still have his leg. She shook her head in dismay; he was just a kid. She walked down the hall mentally debating, should she go to the on-call room and get some much-needed sleep or stop by and see Sam. She tried to convince herself her concern was just for the well-being of a patient but in her heart, she knew it was far more than that. Riley was drawn to the woman and couldn't seem to stay away. She glanced up to find herself in front of the elevators. The doors opened and the up button arrow was lit. Well guess that answers that, Riley thought to herself as she stepped into the elevator and pushed the button for the sixth floor.

Sam's door was open but the room was dark except for a dim light over the bed. She sighed in disappointment and started to turn away.

"I'm awake." Sam called out.

Riley made her way into the darkened room. She stood next to Sam's bed; she could just make out her face in the dim light. "Sorry I woke you."

"You didn't I was just lying here." Sam said then added shyly. "I'd hoped you'd come by when you finished."

Sam reached out and gently took hold of Riley's forearm guiding her to sit on the side of the bed. Riley resisted knowing it was inappropriate for her to be sitting on a patient's bed or at least this patient's bed.

"Come on," Sam encouraged. "I can tell you're tired. Just sit for a few minutes…please."

Riley couldn't resist the plea in her voice and gingerly perched on the side of Sam's bed. Neither woman spoke for several moments.

Sam finally broke the silence. "What happened in the ER? Did you end up having to operate on someone?"

"Yeah, a young man, well just a kid really was in a motorcycle accident. He almost lost his leg but I was able to save it."

"Lucky for him you were around." Sam told Riley squeezing her arm lightly.

"Thanks. Well I should let you get some sleep." Riley said as she started to stand up.

Sam placed a restraining hand on her arm. "Please don't go." Sam pleaded softly.

Riley couldn't quite see Sam's eyes in the dim light but she could hear the plea in her voice

"Okay, just for a little while then you need your rest." She said drawing one leg up onto the bed and settling a little closer to Sam. Her thigh was just touching Sam's hip.

"Tell me about Keith," Sam requested quietly.

Riley tensed at the mention of Keith. Her mind flashed back to the awful moment in the trauma room when Sam's body slammed into hers and she realized Keith had shot her. She glanced down finally noticing that Sam was stroking her leg softly. She knew what Sam was asking but didn't know where to start. She decided to start at the beginning. Riley tried to clear the lump in her throat before speaking.

"I met Keith at a dinner party given by a friend. I didn't realize 'til after I arrived it was a set up. My friend was worried that I spent too much time working and wasn't dating so decided to 'help' me out. My schedule doesn't leave a lot of time for a personal life." Riley knew that wasn't totally true but left it at that for the time being. "He asked me out and we started dating. I knew from the start we'd never be more than friends. It just seemed… I don't know convenient to have someone so I could say, 'See I'm dating'." Riley could see Sam's frown and knew she sounded callous but she wasn't willing to admit she dated him just to keep her uncle happy. "Keith wanted to escalate our relationship beyond friendship." Riley started to stutter slightly. "I just couldn't do that again. I'd tried, really tried in the past but it just never worked. My interests lay elsewhere." She looked trying to see into Sam's eyes. "And they always have." She added in almost a whisper. Sam gently squeezed her leg in understanding. She wasn't sure Riley was going to say anything else. Sam lay quietly with one hand on Riley's leg trying to absorb everything she'd told her.

"I broke it off with Keith after a month. I told him we just weren't right for each other. He refused to accept that. He tried for a month to get me to go back to him. I repeatedly refused. I'd finally decided to stop trying to be something I'm not. I went out on a date with a woman I met at a health club. It was nice and I finally felt like I was being true to myself. I didn't know then that Keith had taken up following me. He followed us the second time we went out and saw the woman kiss me good night. He went ballistic and accused me of making him a laughingstock dumping him for a woman. He turned my world into a nightmare from that day forward. There were phone calls at all hours of the night and he followed me everywhere. Threatening letters were sent to my home and work. My SUV was vandalized several times. I went to the police but could never prove it was him. After one of the staff witnessed him breaking my windshield I was finally able to get a judge to issue a restraining order. He was served with the order only hours before he showed up in the ER. You know what happened after that." Riley looked down at the floor. All her guilt over the whole incident overwhelmed her. The knowledge that she was responsible for Sam being so badly injured haunted her. She lifted tear-filled eyes to Sam. "I'm so sorry I got you shot. It's my fault you're in this bed."

Sam sat up and gently pulled Riley into her arms. Riley resisted for a second then her resolve broke and tears poured down her cheeks. She wrapped her arms around Sam's waist snuggling into her chest. Riley knew she should pull away but couldn't force herself out of the comforting embrace. Sam hugged Riley to her chest, stroking her hair gently.

"Now you listen to me Riley Connolly. It was NOT your fault. Keith was obviously disturbed. Normal people don't stalk their ex-girlfriends. You didn't get me shot. Keith shot me. He was going to kill you Riley. I've been in those situations before. I couldn't let that happen."

Both women were quiet for a while. Sam enjoyed the feel of Riley in her arms and Riley savored the comfort offered by Sam's warm embrace. Sam inhaled the sweet scent of Riley's hair and unable to resist leaned down and kissed the crown of her head. Riley tightened her arms around Sam's waist. Sam nuzzled Riley's hair then placed a lingering kiss on her forehead. Riley's head came up and their eyes met in the dim light. What had started out as a simple offer of comfort was quickly becoming something else. Sam watched for any sign of resistance as she slowly lowered her lips to meet Riley's. The kiss was gentle and undemanding. Sam lifted her head and stared into Riley's eyes waiting for her reaction. Riley was dazed, the feelings racing through her body were amazing. No one had ever roused such feelings in her with a simple kiss. She forgot about everything and leaned up wanting to feel those amazing lips again. Sam grinned before meeting Riley's lips. This kiss quickly became passionate. Sam lightly licked Riley's lips pressing for entrance. Riley opened her mouth moaning as Sam's tongue slid in and started to explore. A sudden loud banging in the hall caused the women to break apart.

The sound snapped Riley out of the sensual haze she'd been in. She stiffened and pulled back out of Sam's arms. "Oh my god, Oh my god." She muttered as it sank in just what she'd allowed to happen. She panicked realizing not only had she been passionately kissing a patient but they were sitting on her hospital bed where anyone could've walk in.

"We shouldn't be doing this. I can't do this, I'm your doctor." She told Sam tearfully getting off the side of the bed and backing away. "I have to go."

"Wait Riley, don't go," Sam called. Riley ignored her as she fled the room. Sam pulled back the blankets intent on going after her. Forgetting her injured leg, she jumped out of the bed. When her full weight landed on the injured limb, she gasped as pain shot down her thigh. She leaned against the bed gasping for breath. Knowing there was no way she could chase after Riley she eased herself back into the bed. Sam felt tears of pain and frustration roll down her cheeks. She couldn't believe after the kiss they'd shared Riley had just run out of the room. So what if I'm her patient, Sam thought defiantly, that's only temporary. I'll be out of here soon. Sam had so many questions bombarding her mind. Had Riley ever been with a woman? Had she scared her with the kiss? Was she seeing someone? Sam pushed all the disturbing questions away forcing herself to relax. She finally drifted off to sleep with thoughts of how wonderful it felt to hold Riley in her arms and taste her sweet lips.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley made her way to the on-call room keeping her head down hoping no one would notice her tear streaked face. She locked the door of the on-call room and threw herself on the bed. The tears started to flow and she sobbed out her confusion. She didn't understand any of what she was feeling. It had taken all her willpower to pull out of Sam's embrace. She had for the first time in her life felt like she belonged. She'd felt safe and cherished in Sam's arms. And her kiss! That had been the most incredible kiss she'd ever had. She'd never been so involved with someone that she forgot who she was and where they were. That scared the hell out of her.

She's a patient, she's a patient, she's a patient, Riley chanted repeatedly. It was totally unethical to get involved with a patient it went against every ethic she'd been taught in med school. She knew she'd already crossed the line and should have another doctor take over Sam's case. She was obviously no longer emotionally unattached. She had to distance herself from Sam it was the only ethical thing to do. She didn't know how she was going to do it she admitted to herself. Sam tugged at a place in her heart Riley hadn't known existed. She rolled onto her side emotionally exhausted. As she drifted off to sleep, she felt warm strong arms holding her tight.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam knew she needed advice and fast. She'd called Kim managing to catch her before she left for work. She told her the whole story of the previous night's events. She hadn't been able to keep the elation out of her voice when she described finally kissing the beautiful doctor. Kim had been amazed at the story. She told Sam that Riley must indeed have feelings for her. Whether she would ever admit them was another story. Kim explained to Sam the ethical training physician's underwent and that one of the most stressed tenets was the prohibition of getting involved with a patient. It was the same reasoning behind physicians not treating their own family members; their judgment would be impaired by their emotional attachment to the patient. Kim had advised Sam to respect Riley's decision to not get involved with a patient. Sam had argued she was unwilling to let a chance to be with the little doctor go. Kim had counseled patience telling Sam; once you're not her patient anymore then you can pursue her.

Sam had spent the morning contemplating Kim's advice. She decided to bide her time knowing she would be out of the hospital soon. Once she was, she wouldn't be Riley's patient and then she would pursue the doctor. Sam couldn't help reliving that moment last night when Riley had opened to her and she had slipped her tongue into her mouth. Sam groaned as she felt the familiar tingling between her legs. She eagerly awaited morning rounds.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley completed her rounds and quickly left the surgical floor. She'd managed to avoid Sam for the last two days. She'd not seen her since she ran out of her room after their kiss. Riley knew she was being incredibly immature just avoiding Sam but her feelings for the woman scared her. She didn't seem to be able to control herself around Sam so she had chosen to be a coward and hide. Riley had considered turning Sam's case over to another physician but the thought of someone else touching her no matter how innocently disturbed her. She tried very hard not to think about what that meant. Riley knew Sam had been asking for her but had repeatedly ignored requests via the nurses to see her. She checked her chart everyday and consoled herself with the fact that Sam was doing well. Riley longed to see her but knew this was the only way it could be; she couldn't become involved with a patient.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam was fit to be tied. She had taken up patrolling the halls hoping to spot Riley. The woman was obviously avoiding her. She'd not seen her since their kiss on Monday night and it was already Thursday. Sam had made increasingly adamant requests of the nurses to see the elusive doctor but all she got was excuses. Damn it! No one can stay in surgery THAT long! Sam growled in frustration. One side effect of all the walking was her leg was stronger but still ached when she over did it. She'd been out in the hall for some time and her leg was hurting. Sam headed back to her room in defeat. She had just reached her door when the hair on the back of her neck suddenly stood up. Whirling around as quickly as possible, Sam saw Riley step off the elevators. Sam hurried back down the hall intent on stopping her before she could disappear again.

Riley heard rapid footsteps and looked up from the chart she'd picked up. Her body tensed when she saw Sam rapidly approaching. Her first response was to run but one look at Sam's determined face quelled that idea. She sighed in defeat putting back the chart and walked slowly toward Sam. Sam slowed her headlong pace when she realized Riley wasn't going to run. Riley's eyes ran over Sam as she approached; her expression softened and she forgot all about trying to avoid her.

"Hi Sam. How are you?" Riley greeted when they met halfway between Sam's room and the nurses desk.

Sam stared at the doctor in amazement. Riley greeted her as if nothing was amiss and she hadn't pulled a disappearing act. Sam couldn't stop the anger that crept into her voice. "Where have you been Riley?" she asked angrily.

That was the wrong tact to take with Riley. She'd felt bad for avoiding Sam but now her own anger rose at Sam's accusing tone of voice.

"I do have other patients besides you to take care of Officer McKenna." Riley responded angrily. "Was there something you wanted? I'm very busy." As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she regretted them.

Sam's shoulders slumped in defeat. She had been right all along, Riley only thought of her as another patient. The kiss had meant nothing to her and that had been why she was avoiding her. Sam had thought it was because she didn't want to be involved with a patient, now she knew better.

"No there's nothing Dr. Connolly. I'm sorry I bothered you." Sam turned and started to slowly make her way back to her room.

Riley watched sadly, as Sam turned and walked way. She felt terrible for what she'd said to her leading her to believe she was just another patient. It broke Riley's heart to see the defeated slump of her shoulders but she knew it was for the best.

Sam was almost back to her room when she stumbled her injured leg giving out, one of her crutches started to slide out from under her. The rush down the hall to catch Riley had placed more of a strain on her leg than she'd realized.

Riley saw Sam stumble and heard her gasp of pain. She raced down the hall to catch her before she hit the ground. Being so much shorter than Sam Riley did the only thing she could and wrapped her arms around Sam's waist from behind. She supported as much of her weight as she could until Sam could get the crutches under her again.

"Are you all right?" Riley questioned. She still had her arms wrapped securely around Sam's waist her body pressed tightly against hers from behind.

Sam had known the second the arms came around her they belonged to Riley. She tested her leg gingerly and sighed happily when it held her weight.

"Yeah, I'm good. Just gave out on me there for a minute. Thanks."

Riley reluctantly released her hold on Sam coming around to face her. "Come on I'll help you get settled back into bed."

Sam still felt the sting from their last conversation. "That's ok; I'm fine I can make it on my own." She said trying to be as polite as possible and not let Riley know how much she'd hurt her.

Riley could see the hurt in Sam's eyes and cursed herself for being such a coward. This woman had saved her life the least she could do is have the courage to tell her the truth.

Riley reached out and lightly touched Sam's arm. "I'd really feel better knowing you're really okay and settled. I'd like to make sure you didn't damage your incision." She said softly making eye contact with Sam and hoping she would read the sincerity in her eyes.

Sam didn't respond but she didn't move either.

"Please Sam," Riley tried again her expression pleading.

Damn it, Sam thought, how am I supposed to stay mad at her when she looks at me like that!

"OK."

Riley smiled up at Sam moving to her side she placed a hand on her back. She walked with her back into her room keeping her hand in place in case she stumbled again.

When they reached the side of the bed, Riley gently took Sam's crutches from her resting them against the bedside table. She then stepped behind Sam and started to help her remove her robe. As the robe came off Riley's eyes widened. Sam's hospital gown had come untied and she had a prime view of Sam's broad shoulders and muscled back. Her eyes drifted down to her trim waist and tight gluts. She found herself staring unashamedly at Sam's ass. The compulsion to reach out and touch was almost overwhelming. She swallowed loudly squirming slightly at the sudden damp feeling between her legs. Damn this woman is dangerous, Riley groaned. She'd never reacted to a patient like this before. Hell she'd never reacted to anyone like this before.

When the robe was removed, Sam realized she felt a decided chill. She glanced back to see her gown gaping open in the back. She wasn't able to see Riley because of their height difference and where she was standing. Her face flamed with embarrassment. This woman always seemed to see her at her most vulnerable. She dropped her head to her chest. "Just kill me now," she muttered.

Riley grinned when she realized Sam couldn't see her and hadn't known she was ogling her. She reached up and pulled Sam's gown closed tying it shut. "Don't worry about it Sam. It's not like I haven't seen you naked before." Riley immediately slapped her hand over her mouth when she realized what she'd just said. This was why she had to avoid Sam, her mouth seem to become disengaged from her brain every time she was around her. She blushed hotly.

Sam turned in time to see Riley's face flush red. "Oh really?" She purred.

Riley felt like her face was on fire. She'd never been so embarrassed in her life. "I just meant I'm your um… doctor and um… and I had to take your clothes off in the ER. I mean, um… the nurses did and…" Riley's stuttering voice trailed off. She glanced up at Sam. Sam had that little half smirk on her face she'd seen before. She was learning to be wary of it. Riley growled at Sam. Sam busted up laughing.

Riley reached out and lightly backhanded Sam in the stomach. "I always knew you were a troublemaker McKenna. Now get your butt back in that bed so I can examine your incision." Riley playfully demanded.

Once Sam was settled in, Riley bent to examine her incision. It looked great and the sutures were ready to come out. "This looks good Sam let me go grab a suture removal kit and I'll take your sutures out."

While Riley was gone, Sam tried to figure out Riley's changed attitude. She'd avoided her for several days, and then in the hall told her she was just another patient. Now she was acting as she had before teasing her and acting friendly. It all suddenly made sense. Riley did have feeling for her but was fighting against them. She was so hung up on Sam being a patient she refused to let herself feel for her. Sam smiled. She just had to bide her time until she wasn't her patient anymore.

Riley came back into the room with the suture removal kit. Sam pulled back the blanket and as she'd done before Riley positioned her gown for her. Her back to Sam she began to gently remove the sutures from the first incision line. That finished she started on the second suture line that ran down the inside of Sam's thigh. She removed several stitches her wrist resting on Sam's mound. Sam tried hard not to think about where Riley's hand was resting.

"Spread your legs for me." Riley requested.

Sam bit her lip as Riley's innocent words caused a flash of arousal to rush through her body. She spread her legs slightly and tried to keep her hips in place as Riley gently spread her leg further open and turned it so she could reach the sutures. The last three sutures where quite a way down the inside of Sam's thigh. When Riley reached to get them, her hand brushed hard between Sam's legs. Sam's hips bucked up into the contact. Riley was oblivious to the true cause of Sam's distress.

"Did I hurt you?" She asked with concern. She was totally focused on removing the sutures.

"No." Sam assured her in a strained voice. "You didn't hurt me."

Riley glanced up from her work. Sam's voice had sounded strange. Sam refused to meet her eyes. Riley figured she'd hurt her and she didn't want to admit it. She gently set about removing the last of the sutures.

Sam fought her growing arousal praying Riley would finish quickly before she humiliated herself. Sam almost groaned in relief when Riley said she was finished.

"Everything looks great here. You will have a scar but it shouldn't be too prominent." Riley assured Sam.

Sam finally regained her composure once Riley removed her hands from between her legs.

"I'm not surprised, I had a great surgeon." She smiled at Riley.

Riley gathered up her instruments and prepared to leave.

Sam's expression grew serious as she met Riley's smiling eyes. "I missed you these last few days," she confessed softly.

Riley felt her chest tighten at Sam's honest declaration. She mentally squared her shoulders vowing silently to herself to tell the truth.

"I missed you too Sam." Sam smiled brilliantly. "But…" Sam's smile faded as quickly as it'd appeared. "You're my patient and I can't get involved with a patient, it's unethical. It goes against everything I've been taught to believe. Please understand." Riley was almost pleading.

"I do understand." Sam assured her.

Riley didn't know if she was disappointed or happy. She knew she should be happy that Sam was so easily accepting they couldn't be involved. But in her heart of hearts, she felt a piercing sense of disappointment.

"You do?"

"Yes, I understand you can't get involved with me while I'm your patient. I won't be your patient forever." Sam replied with a smile.

"No then you'll be my ex-patient. It's the same thing Sam. I'm sorry believe me I am. If we'd met under different circumstances…" Riley was near tears. She cared for this woman and had for a while no matter how many times she told herself she shouldn't. It just wasn't fair.

Sam had turned away from Riley not wanting the woman to see her hurt expression.

"I'm sorry." Riley said softly before quietly making her exit.

Chapter Five

Sam sat in a chair in her hospital room waiting to be discharged. It felt good to be back in her own clothes again even if it was only a pair of sweats and a t-shirt. When she had gotten the message from Riley through one of the nurses that she was going to be discharged, she'd asked one of her fellow officers to get her some clothes from her locker. Her uniform had been a total loss. She'd called her brother and let him know she was being discharged. They were due to come directly from the airport and pick her up. As she waited for Frank and Cheryl to arrive her thoughts turned to the subject never far from her mind, Riley. She just couldn't believe she was willing to throw away something that seemed so strong between them over a misplaced sense of ethics. Sam had admitted to herself that she already cared deeply for the charismatic doctor. It thrilled and scared her at the same time. She'd dated and enjoyed a lot of women but had never felt as strongly as she did for the little redhead. It just didn't make sense they hadn't even dated. At first, she tried to convince herself it was just physical attraction and gratitude for saving her life. However, as time passed and she saw more of Riley she knew it wasn't true. She was drawn to her in a way she'd never been to any other woman she'd ever met. The thought that Riley was willing to throw that away without even trying infuriated her. She knew the doctor had feelings for her, she'd felt it the night they'd kissed and Riley had sought comfort in her arms. Riley herself had admitted it the night she'd removed her sutures. Sam sighed in frustration turning to stare out the window.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley was at the nurse's desk completing Sam's discharge orders. She knew there was no reason to see her before discharge but she couldn't resist one last chance to spend a few minutes in the beautiful cop's presence. She wished things could've turned out differently between them, that they'd met in another place and time. In a few hours she'll be gone and you can go back to your pathetic life, Riley sighed to herself. She'd watched Kim and Jess together and couldn't help wondering if that was what she was giving up a chance of having with Sam. Sam stirred feelings in her she'd never felt before. Her thoughts were interrupted by a deep male voice asking for Sam McKenna's room number. She looked up into familiar blue eyes and couldn't hold back a gasp of surprise. Standing across the counter from her was the male version of Sam and Jess. Damn did their parents have some kind of weird copy machine somewhere? It's just spooky how much alike they look. Riley watched as one eyebrow rose and the man smiled at her. She realized with embarrassment that she'd been staring open mouthed at him. Mentally shaking herself, she addressed the man.

"Let me guess you're Sam's brother." It wasn't a question. That little half smirk she'd seen grace both sisters' faces appeared on their brothers'.

"Yeah, that's me." The big man held out his hand to Riley. Her hand disappeared in his huge paw. He put an arm around a petite blond that had come up next to him. "Nice to meet you Riley, this is my wife Cheryl."

Riley was momentarily taken aback by the man's use of her first name. How does he know who I am? She wondered. Her surprise must've shown on her face.

"Sorry Dr. Connolly." She jabbed her husband in the side before continuing. "Jess described you perfectly."

Riley blushed as she stood up to greet the small blond. She was very similar in height and build to Riley. Her blond hair was shoulder length and pulled back into a ponytail. Her sparking hazel eyes met Riley's in frank appraisal.

"Nice to meet you both." Riley said as she stepped around the desk. She craned her neck to meet Frank's eyes. He was even taller and bulkier than Sam and Jess. "Follow me and I'll take you to your sister's room. I was just completing her discharge papers."

Riley stepped into Sam's room with Frank and Cheryl in tow. Sam's head turned as the door swung open. She saw Riley and her expression hardened. Riley met Sam's eyes hesitantly and flinched when she read the anger in them.

Sam slowly rose from her chair totally ignoring Riley. Her face lit up when she saw her brother and Cheryl. They both quickly stepped over to Sam and wrapped her in a hug. Riley watched with something akin to envy as Sam wrapped her arms around first her brother then Cheryl.

"So you ready to blow this joint?" Frank asked Sam teasingly. She'd come back into his arms after hugging Cheryl. He could sense the tension in the room and Sam was trembling slightly. He didn't have a clue what was going on between Sam and the beautiful doctor. Kim and Jess had filled him in and he'd thought now that Sam was being discharged things might work out between the two. Except Sam was acting strangely refusing to even look at the little redhead.

Sam still in her brother's arms finally looked over at Riley. "Was there something else you wanted Dr. Connolly?" She asked coldly. Presenting an angry front to Riley was her only choice. It was taking every bit of her willpower to keep from rushing across the room and sweeping the doctor into her arms.

Riley stood rooted to her spot by the door. She wanted so badly to connect with Sam, explain again how sorry she was. It was obvious Sam had no interest in anything she had to say. Riley just couldn't let it go she had to see and touch her one last time and damn the consequences.

She cleared her throat trying to keep her voice from shaking. "Yes, I need to do a final check on your incision before I release you."

Sam looked like she was going to refuse then her shoulders slumped and she gave in.

"Okay," she agreed unwilling to meet Riley's eyes.

Riley turned to Frank and Cheryl. "Could you wait outside please? This won't take long."

Frank met Sam's eyes making sure she was okay with this before taking Cheryl's hand and leaving the room. "I'll be right outside if you need me Sis." He glanced sharply at Riley before leaving. He couldn't help wondering what'd happened between the two women. All his protective instincts had come charging forward when he'd felt Sam trembling slightly in his arms.

The silence in the room was deafening. Though they stood only 10 feet apart, it might have been 10 miles. Riley finally broke the silence.

"If you'll get on the bed please and lower your sweats I'll check your incision and then you can go." Riley said with a slight quaver in her voice.

Sam slowly made her way over to the bed. Once she was lying down, she lifted up her hips and slowly lowered her sweats to her knees. Riley gulped and felt the wetness pooling between her legs as she watched Sam lower her pants. She tried to force herself back into her professional persona. The upper incision was covered by Sam's boxer shorts. When she reached out to lower them Riley stopped her placing a restraining hand on her wrist. She knew if Sam lowered the boxers, she'd do something totally inappropriate.

"It's okay." She told Sam softly. "I can see fine with them on." She lightly squeezed Sam's wrist before releasing it. Riley carefully examined the incision line below the boxers before gently pushing them up to expose the rest of the incision. She rotated Sam's leg to check the second incision. She ran her fingers over the incision lines in an almost light caress. Sam couldn't help it she groaned as Riley's fingers ran lightly over the inside of her thigh. Riley's head popped up at the sound. She met Sam's passion filled eyes and swallowed loudly. Their gazes locked. Riley didn't even notice her hand was still on Sam stroking high up on her inner thigh. Before she realized what was happening Sam had pulled her down so she was sitting on the bed facing her. They continued to stare at each other in a contest of wills. Riley gave in first, licking her lips, and breaking Sam's gaze leaning toward her slightly. Sam sat up and leaned down her lips inches from Riley's. She pulled back at the last second trying to read Riley's expression. Riley couldn't stand it anymore. She leaned those last inches and met Sam's soft lips. The kiss was electric. This time Riley pushed for entrance into Sam's mouth. As she swept her tongue into Sam's mouth and began to explore she forgot everything. She didn't care Sam was a patient or that they were sitting on her hospital bed with Sam's sweats bunched up at her knees. All that mattered was the incredible sensation racing through her body. They continued to kiss passionately for several minutes. Riley was panting for air when they finally broke apart. Sam clutched her to her chest in a tight hug. Riley had to have more; she lifted her head and went back to Sam's lips again kissing her deeply. Her hands seemed to have a mind of their own as they slowly slid off Sam's back and around to her front. Riley felt Sam gasp in her mouth when she began to knead both of her breasts through her t-shirt. Sam's hands came up and returned the favor.

Riley would wonder later just how far things would've gone had they not been interrupted. A sudden banging on the door was like a bucket of ice water being dumped on Riley's over-heated libido. She jerked away from Sam and jumped off the bed trying to block Sam from whoever was about to barge in. By the time Riley called admittance and the door swung open Sam had managed to rearrange her clothes and stood next to Riley.

It was one of the floor nurses. "Dr. Connolly one of your patients is asking for you."

"Thanks I'll be right there." The woman left closing the door on her way out. Sam immediately reached for Riley. Riley stepped back away from Sam. She had to get out of there. This woman was dangerous she made her forget everything, who she was, what she believed in. Riley was terrified of the feelings coursing through her body. Sam stepped forward again trying to take Riley back into her arms.

Riley met her eyes; they'd turned the most amazing silvery blue. "I can't, I'm sorry I just can't do this." She tried to explain.

"Why?" Sam demanded. "I know you feel something, you can't deny that!"

Riley felt the tears gathering behind her eyes. "You're my patient; I can't be involved with you. It's unethical."

"Ethics be damned! I'm not your patient anymore." Sam shouted in frustration snatching up the discharge papers off the table and waving them at Riley.

Riley felt the tears start to flow down her cheeks. She slowly backed away from Sam. "I'm so sorry." She said reaching for the door handle.

"Riley wait!" Sam watched in disbelief as Riley ran from the room. She'd done it to her again, kissed her senseless then insisted they couldn't be involved. I can't believe it! That's the second time she's run out on me. What kind of game is she playing? She slumped back down to sit on the side of the bed. I will not cry, I will not cry, she chanted to herself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Frank stepped forward when the door started to open. He'd heard Sam's raised voice but couldn't make out what was being said. Riley ran right into him. He grabbed her by the shoulders trying to keep her from falling. That's when he saw the tears trailing down her cheeks. "Are you alright? What's wrong?"

Riley pulled away from him and ran down the hall.

"What the hell?" He rushed into Sam's room to find her sitting on the side of the bed her shoulders slumped and looking like she'd just lost her best friend. He approached her and sat down on the side of the bed putting an arm around her shoulders. She crumpled throwing herself against his chest and began to cry. Frank looked at Cheryl helplessly, not knowing what was going on or what to do. Cheryl sat down on Sam's other side. She didn't know Sam as well as Kim did. Living in San Francisco, they didn't get to see as much of Sam as Kim and Jess did; nevertheless, she cared for her sister-in-law and wanted to help.

"Sam… do you want to tell us what happened?" Sam shook her head never lifting it from her brother's chest. "Do you want to go home?"

Sam nodded yes. Cheryl gathered up Sam's belongings and the three slowly made their way out of the hospital. Sam never spoke a single word all the way home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley wearily made her way home at the end of the day grateful she wasn't on call tonight. She had struggled through the day haunted by her final glimpse of Sam McKenna. She'd hidden in a patient's doorway and watched as an angry Frank pushed Sam's wheelchair down the hall. Sam's face had been a blank mask. Several nurses had said goodbye and wished her luck. She'd barely acknowledged them. She looked so defeated it tore at Riley's heart knowing she was the cause. She'd tried all day to convince herself it was for the best. She threw herself down on the bed as the tears she'd been suppressing all day finally poured out.

She woke to a darkened room. She sat up rubbing her eyes and decided to skip dinner and just go to bed. She grabbed a quick shower pulling on a comfortable tee shirt and boxers before climbing into bed. She tried to fall back to sleep without success. Her thoughts drifted and a pair of silvery blue eyes appeared in her mind's eye. She groaned rolling over onto her side. I'm not going to think of Sam, she told herself, but her mind had other ideas. She was held captive as the images played out reliving the events of that morning. She felt again her tongue in Sam's mouth their breaths mingling, the feel of Sam's breasts in her hands. Then the scene changed. She watched as in her mind Sam approached reaching out to gently pull her nude body into her arms. She felt the gentle touch of Sam's lips on hers and the feeling of her arms surrounding her. Riley rolled onto her back completely lost in the fantasy. Sam slowly lowered her to the bed and began to caress her breasts. She kissed and lightly kneaded both breasts rolling the nipples gently between her fingers. Sam leaned down tasting an erect bud with her tongue before sucking it into her mouth. Riley moaned, her arousal soaring. Sam continued to caress her sliding her hand down between Riley's legs, stroking her before finally slipping inside. When Sam began to thrust hard and fast Riley cried out Sam's name as the orgasm roared through her body. She slumped back to the mattress the aftershocks still racing through her body. She came back to her senses with one hand firmly cupping her breast and the other buried deep between her legs. She still felt shaky from the powerful orgasm. She'd never climaxed like that by touching herself before. It had been amazing. "Oh Sam… what have you done to me?" She murmured to herself. In a post orgasmic languor, she rolled onto her side and immediately fell asleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Frank and Cheryl sat in the living room waiting for Kim and Jess to arrive. Frank had called his sister yesterday after they'd brought Sam home from the hospital. He'd filled her in on everything that'd happened and the strange tension between Sam and Riley. He was worried. Sam appeared to be healing physically but she'd barely spoken a dozen words since they'd picked her up yesterday. She'd spent most of her time since arriving home in bed insisting that she was tired. That just wasn't like Sam. Frank knew she had been through a lot with the shooting but he couldn't help feeling this had more to do with Riley than any lingering effects of the shooting. She refused to discuss what had happen in her hospital room with the doctor.

Frank sighed in relief when the doorbell rang. He opened the door to find his sister and her wife along with Thor.

"Hey I see you brought the moose." He told them laughingly.

"Now is that any way to refer to your sister." Kim teased.

Frank laughed reaching out to pull his sister-in-law into his arms. He loved the beautiful blond. She'd been wonderful for his sister. He couldn't remember Jess being happier and now with their upcoming plans he could only foresee a great future ahead for them. He was glad Cheryl had been so understanding when Kim and Jess had approached them. Time enough to think about that later, Sam's our focus now. He reminded himself.

He hugged his sister tightly. "It's good to see you Sis. Wish it was under better circumstances."

"How's she doing?" Jess asked quietly looking around for Sam.

"We're worried about her she hasn't spoken a dozen words since we brought her home and barely stepped foot outside her room. Both Cheryl and I have tried to get her to tell us what happened with Riley but she says it's nothing. She's just tired."

"I convinced her to let me look at her incisions. They look fine and are healing wonderfully." Cheryl added.

Kim knew Sam would never open up to her with everyone around.

She glanced over and met Jess's eyes. "Why don't you guys make a grocery run? I'll stay here with Sam."

Jess started to put Thor's leash back on. "No leave him here with me." Kim instructed. Jess looked puzzled but put the leash back on the table. Kim leaned over and gently kissed Jess. "Give me as much time with her as you can." She whispered to Jess as she pulled way. Jess nodded in understanding before heading out with Frank and Cheryl.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kim slowly eased open the bedroom door. Sam was lying on the bed staring up at the ceiling. Kim motioned to Thor to precede her. He immediately ran up to the bed laying his big head on Sam's chest. Sam turned onto her side and wrapped her arms around the big dog. She buried her face in his neck and started to cry. Thor stood perfectly still offering his own brand of comfort. When Kim thought most of the storm had passed she moved from the foot of the bed where she'd been standing and sat down on the other side of the bed opposite Sam.

"Hey Sam." She said softly reaching out to touch her shoulder urging her to roll onto her back.

Sam refused to move or meet Kim's eyes. She continued to gently stroke Thor's coat.

"Hi." She finally responded.

Kim kicked off her shoes and made herself comfortable. She propped up a pillow against the headboard and sat back stretching out her legs. Kim waited for Sam to make the next move. Sam continued to pet Thor her back to Kim. She and Kim had gotten close in the last year. She was one of the few people besides Jess she could open up to and be herself. Knowing she couldn't put off the inevitable forever, she rolled onto her back and placed her arm over her eyes.

"Ready to tell me about it?" Kim asked.

"NO."

Kim waited. She had been this route with Sam before and knew if she pushed, she'd retreat. It was just a matter of waiting her out. Eventually she would tell her what happened.

Sam sighed deeply. She knew Kim would just sit there as long as necessary. She couldn't help smiling to herself when she thought of her sister being married to the stubborn psychiatrist. Poor Jess, she never stood a chance.

"It's nothing," Sam tried.

"Don't even start that with me Sam McKenna, you and your sister should know by now I don't want to hear that crap!"

Sam couldn't help it she smiled despite herself. She moved her arm and met Kim's eyes for the first time. She read the frustration in them but also the love she knew her sister-in-law had for her.

"All right, you win." Sam groused. Sam shifted position moving to lay her head in Kim's lap. Kim gently stroked her hair.

Sam related the events of her last encounter with Riley. Kim fought to keep her expression neutral when Sam reached the part about them making out on her hospital bed.

"Then when we were interrupted she just freaked out and gave me the same song and dance, 'I can't be involved with a patient'. Didn't seem to bother her a few minutes before when she had her tongue down my throat and her hands on my breasts." Sam said angrily.

Kim was at a loss. She had understood Riley's insistence about not being involved with a patient but once Sam was discharged, she wasn't her patient anymore. She knew some doctors felt strongly once a patient always a patient but she personally didn't agree with that. In her specialty of psychiatry sure there was no way you could be involved with an ex-patient but Riley was a surgeon the same rules just didn't apply. She began to wonder if there wasn't more to this than a doctor-patient relationship problem. Sam had told her about Riley confiding that she was gay but that she'd been dating men and had only recently started dating women. She couldn't help wondering if this had more to do with coming out than not being involved with a patient. Kim sighed; it was all just guesswork on her part. Sam was her chief concern.

"I'm so sorry Sam. I know you'd hoped things would turn out differently. It's obvious she has feelings for you but is unwilling to act on them. I don't know if you can change that. She has to do what she thinks is right. I know that's not what you want to hear."

"But she did act on them. I wasn't making out on the bed by myself. How can she kiss me like that one minute then say we can't be involved the next?" Sam cried in frustration.

"I understand what you're saying but sometimes our emotions get away from us and we respond even when we know we shouldn't. You seem to stir something strong in her but you can't force her into giving a relationship with you a chance regardless of what's happened between you. Maybe you just need to give her some time before attempting to approach her again."

"I know you're right. I just…" Sam's voice trailed off as tears again began to flow.

Kim stroked her hair and back. She had never seen Sam affected so strongly by a woman before. She'd watched her date a string of women. They all loved her and any one of them would've been happy to make a life with her. However, none of them had ever been able to touch Sam's heart. She wished she could give Sam the answers she wanted. Sam eventually drifted off to sleep her arms wrapped around Kim's thighs. Kim slipped out from under her and gently covered her up. She heard the others come back in and left the room, leaving Thor to watch over Sam.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kim walked straight into Jess's arms. Jess wrapped her arms around her wife hugging her tight.

"How's Sam?"

"Physically she seems fine, emotionally that's another story."

"Is it post traumatic stress from the shooting?" Jess asked in concern.

"I'm not sure she's even dealt with the repercussions of the shooting yet. Her main problem right now is she has deep feelings for Riley and Riley doesn't want to have anything to do with her."

"What? Why the hell not?" Jess asked in outrage. "It was obvious when we were here before that the woman had feelings for Sam."

Kim explained what Sam had told her. She left out the part about them making out on Sam's hospital bed. She was worried Jess would rush over to the hospital to confront Riley. She cautioned Jess as well as Frank and Cheryl to not push Sam on the subject and let her come to her own acceptance of the situation. They reluctantly agreed. They all cared for Sam and only wanted what was best for her. Jess and Frank both wanted to march over to the hospital and give Dr. Riley Connolly a piece of their mind but Kim's cool-headed advice prevailed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jess and Kim were cuddled together on the sofa and Frank and Cheryl sat curled together on the loveseat. They were just about to start discussing the timing of their upcoming plans. Before their discussion could get started, they were interrupted by the sound of Sam coming down the hall.

"Don't everyone stop talking on my account." Sam said as she reached the room. "Unless of course it's because you were talking about me." She said in an accusing tone.

Kim patted the sofa next to her. "No, actually we weren't. Come have a seat."

Sam looked at Jess then Frank. They both had bland expressions on their faces."

"Sorry." Sam muttered before sitting down.

"We were just discussing the sleeping arrangements for tonight." Jess told Sam. "Kim and I need to find a hotel I guess." She continued looking over Kim.

"I think tonight would be a good TIME for all of us to be together." Kim interrupted. She made eye contact with Frank and Cheryl then turned to smirk at Jess. Jess's face broke into a huge grin and Frank and Cheryl smiled widely.

"So how do you think we should work this?" Frank asked. "We don't want to leave Sam here alone."

Sam was totally confused, she felt like there was a conversation going on she wasn't hearing.

"Someone want to tell me what's going on?" she asked looking at four far from innocent faces.

"Nothing." Jess said unconvincingly.

"Fine." Sam said. She wasn't in the mood to play games with her sister. "You and Kim take my bed. Frank and Cheryl can have the guest room and I'll sleep on the couch. Since it's such a good TIME for us all to be together." She said looking directly at Kim emphasizing the word time as she had.

Kim looked away and Sam knew for sure she was hiding something. She just didn't know what.

"No, we can't take your bed." Jess said sounding disappointed. "You just got out of the hospital yesterday."

Sam didn't ask what was going on but now she knew it was something important. One look at her sister's face told her that.

"It's no big deal… really Sis," Sam insisted. "You know how comfortable this couch is you've slept on it enough."

Jess smiled at Sam. "Are you sure?" Sam nodded. "Thanks Sis."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dinner was a quiet affair. Sam could sense the underlying tension in the air but was too involved with her own problems to really question her siblings. They'd all gathered in the living room and watched a movie Jess rented. Sam didn't pay much attention to it. She truly was tired her roiling emotions taking their toll on her. Everyone finally decided to call it a night. Everyone left the living room except Jess she wanted to check Sam's incision just to be assured that she really was healing well. After she was done, she sat on the couch next to her sister.

"How are you really doing?" She asked Sam. She tilted Sam's head up forcing her to meet her eyes.

"Okay I guess. I'm still sore but it gets better every day. I'm supposed to start physical therapy on Monday." She told Jess.

"That's good but that's not what I was talking about."

"I know." Sam acknowledged. "I just don't understand. I know she has feelings for me but is just so hung up on not getting involved with a patient. I really care about her Jess… it hurts. I just don't know what to do."

"Maybe you just need to give her some time. Then approach her again."

"I don't know if I could take it if she turned me away again." Sam said her voice cracking.

"You don't have to make a decision tonight. You just got out of the hospital. Give yourself some time to heal then decide where you want to go with this." Jess suggested.

"I know it's just hard. I want to march into that hospital and shake some sense into her. Make her see what she's giving up without a fight." Sam sighed putting her arm over her face.

"I know Kiddo, just hang in there for awhile, and don't make any big decisions."

The two sisters hugged before getting up to make up the couch for Sam.

"Are you sure you're going to be alright out here?" Jess asked.

"Yeah, I'm sure. Want to tell me what's going on?"

Jess grinned. "Not yet… but soon." With that, she walked away before Sam could ask any more questions.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam's eyes popped open. Something had awakened her. It was dark but the hall light was on. She lifted up and looked down the hallway. Frank was standing outside her bedroom door talking quietly to Jess. She watched as her brother passed something to Jess but she couldn't make out what it was. He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek before returning to the guest room. Jess stood silently in the hall for several moments before turning and entering Sam's bedroom. Sam heard the click of the latch as it locked. She lay back down wondering what the hell that had been all about.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The siblings and their spouses spent a quiet Sunday with Sam. She was still depressed over the situation with Riley but did her best to appear normal to her family. She was happy to note no one pressured her for information about it. She knew that had to be Kim's doing and silently thanked her for it. She was surprised when Kim and Jess decided to spend Sunday night and leave early in the morning Monday to return to LA. She'd tried to convince Frank and Cheryl that she was fine and didn't need them to stay. They insisted on staying until her regular doctor gave her the go ahead to drive and since she still had some trouble getting around, she grudgingly agreed.

Sam was sleeping on the couch when she was again awakened by noises in the hall. She lifted up and saw Jess and Frank in the hall just like the previous night. What in the hell are they up to? She wondered to herself. Frank again passed something over to Jess, kissed her on the cheek and headed back into the guest room. Sam's curiosity was overflowing and she bit her lip to keep from calling out to her sister. If they wanted me to know, they'd tell me. She thought sighing as she lay back down.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kim and Jess left bright and early to head home. Sam wasn't able to get Kim alone to ask her what was going on. She knew something was happening. Kim was positively glowing and Jess looked like she was walking on air. Add to that the fact that Frank had a huge grin on his face. Sam was about to explode with curiosity. Kim and Jess promised to come back the following weekend and Sam swore to herself she'd get Kim alone and find out just what the hell was going on.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The week had passed slowly for Sam. She was tired of being cooped up and had moped around most of the week. She just couldn't seem to let go of the thing with Riley. The redhead slipped into her thoughts and dreams constantly. Frank had taken her to her physical therapy appointments during the week. She was exhausted after her sessions with the therapist and swore the man must've worked in a torture chamber in a previous life. Her therapy took place at the hospital and she found herself scanning the crowds of people as she navigated the halls hoping to see Riley. At the same time, she prayed she wouldn't run into her. The constant churning of her emotions was taking its toll on her. She wasn't sleeping well and only eating when Frank or Cheryl insisted. She knew she couldn't go on like this but just didn't know what to do.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was finally Friday. Frank had driven her to her doctor's appointment. She'd hoped she would give her the go ahead to start driving. She loved her brother and Cheryl but was ready to have her apartment back and try and return to her life. She looked up when the nurse called her name.

"Dr. Shafer will see you now."

Sam made her way into the exam room and removed her sweats before climbing up on the table. The door swung open just as she was getting settled and Dr. Shafer walked in. She was in her mid-fifties with shoulder length brown hair and dark brown eyes that seemed to sparkle. Her figure was still trim but starting to show that middle age spread. Sam had seen her on Monday for the final okay to start her physical therapy.

"Hi Sam, How are you doing today?" she asked.

"Not too bad. The physical therapy is a bitch. I swear Tony gets too much enjoyment out of working other people to death."

Dr. Shafer laughed. "Oh you got Tony huh. He'll have you up and running again in no time, he's tough but one of the best. Now let's have a look at that leg."

Dr. Shafer completed her exam and left while Sam got dressed. She returned to the room and sat down obviously wanting to talk.

"Everything looks good Sam. I'd estimate a few more weeks of physical therapy then you should be able to go back to light duty. So how are you doing otherwise? Sleeping well? Eating?"

Sam squirmed slightly. She'd been a patient of Dr. Shafer's for several years and the woman knew her well. She debated lying but knew the doctor would call her on it.

"I haven't been sleeping that great and I eat ok… I guess." She hedged.

"It's not uncommon for officers who have been injured in the line of duty to require some counseling. I'd be more than happy to set you up with a good counselor I know."

Sam looked uncomfortable. She really didn't want to talk about Riley. For all she knew Dr. Shafer knew the surgeon.

"It's not that, just some personal things I'd really rather not talk about. I just need some time to work things out."

Dr. Shafer waited until Sam finally met her eyes. She stared into Sam's eyes and seemed satisfied with what she saw.

"Okay but if you change your mind let me know." She started to walk out the door then turned. "Oh you can drive, just no long trips and don't overexert yourself." She warned.

Sam smiled for the first time since entering the office. "Thanks Doc."

Chapter Six

Sam walked down the corridor heading for the cafeteria after having completed her therapy. She was hot, tired, and sweaty; Tony had worked her hard. She'd been out of the hospital for two weeks and happy to finally ditch the crutches, she tried to use the cane he'd provided as little as possible. Frank and Cheryl had left the previous Sunday to return to San Francisco so she'd been driving herself to her therapy appointments all week. Jess and Kim had also spent the weekend in San Diego then driven Frank and Cheryl to the airport on their way back to Los Angeles. She had tried several times over the weekend to corner Kim to find out what had gone on the previous weekend but the blond had managed to avoid being alone with her. After seeing another meeting of Frank and Jess in the hall, she'd tried to ask Jess about it but she conveniently changed the subject. Sam had finally given up figuring they'd tell her when they were ready. She appreciated everything her siblings had done for her but was happy to have her space again. She still wasn't sleeping well and the well meaning but constant hovering by her brother and his wife had been getting on her nerves. She was still plagued with recurring dreams of Riley and couldn't seem to get the beautiful redhead out of her thoughts no matter how hard she tried. Just forget it Sam, she doesn't want anything to do with you. She reminded herself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley had just completed an extensive surgery on a car accident victim. She was tired and sweaty and just wanted something cold to drink. The machine upstairs was out of order so she headed for the cafeteria. The last two weeks had taken an emotional toll on her. She couldn't get thoughts of Sam out of her head and had come to the realization she'd made a terrible mistake. She had been miserable the last two weeks knowing she'd thrown something precious aside using the excuse of not getting involved with a patient. The truth was Sam McKenna scared her, she stirred feelings in her she didn't know she was capable of feeling. She dreamed repeatedly of the beautiful cop and woke each time soaked and incredibly aroused. She'd always considered herself to have an almost non-existent sex drive until Sam entered her life. It wasn't just about the sexual thoughts either; she missed the woman something fierce. She hadn't realized how much she'd looked forward to and enjoyed their conversations. Just being around the woman had made her feel good. She'd gone as far as going down to patient affairs and pulling Sam's admission records to get her phone number and address. She hadn't been able to convince herself to call and still carried the piece of paper with the information in her lab coat pocket. Riley still couldn't believe the way she'd acted practically throwing herself at Sam then insisting they couldn't be involved and running away. She knew it was unlikely the woman would even speak to her if she ever managed to work up the nerve to call her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As she entered the cafeteria the hair on the back of her neck suddenly stood up. She turned and her jaw dropped in shock. As if conjured by her thought there stood Sam McKenna in the cafeteria line. Riley's eyes skimmed over her profile taking in every detail. She was wearing sweats pants and a sweat stained t-shirt with her damp black hair pushed back off her face. Riley sighed if anything she was even more beautiful than she'd remembered. She didn't know what to do. Should she approach her? Before she could make up her mind Sam suddenly stiffened then turned to look directly at her, their eyes locked. Riley felt the breath catch in her throat. She stood as if her feet were glued to the floor. She deflated when Sam turned away again turning her back on her. Riley blinked trying to stop the tears that had formed behind her eyes from falling. She couldn't blame Sam for her reaction. She was the one who'd kissed and groped her then insisted they couldn't be involved. Riley started to walk away then stopped. Damn it, she muttered to herself, this might be the only chance you get. Get your ass over there, apologize, and pray she'll listen to you. She ordered herself sternly.

Sam didn't know how but she knew before she turned that Riley was standing there. All the hurt and anger she had been trying to overcome come boiling to the surface at her first sight of the beautiful redhead in her rumpled scrubs. She wanted to rush over and shake her until she came to her senses. At the same time, the deep hurt Riley had caused kept her standing in place. She bitterly reminded herself that Riley had made it clear she didn't want to be involved with her. So she turned back to her place in the line wanting to just leave but unwilling to risk walking past Riley.

Sam paid for the lunch she no longer wanted and headed for the nearest trashcan her eyes never leaving her tray. She started when a soft hand grasped her forearm. Sam knew who it was before she even looked down. She met the violet eyes that haunted her dreams. She wasn't sure how long they stood and simply stared at each other. Finally hearing someone loudly clear their throat, she realized she was blocking the trashcan. She stepped aside never breaking Riley's gaze.

Riley was speechless with one look into those amazing blue eyes. She could clearly see the anger and hurt and knew it was up to her to make the first move. She mentally shook herself trying to clear her thoughts.

"We need to talk," she said softly.

"I don't think we have anything to say to each other Dr. Connolly. You made that perfectly clear the last time we spoke." Sam responded angrily. That wasn't what Sam had wanted to say but her anger got the better of her. She cared for Riley more than she had any woman she'd ever met and Riley had tossed her aside without even giving her a chance.

Riley felt the tears break free and run down her cheeks. She knew she should just walk away. She was making a public spectacle of herself. She didn't care though; she had to convince Sam to listen to her… to give her a chance.

Riley reached out softly stroking Sam's arm. She couldn't help herself she needed to touch her. When Sam didn't pull away, she felt her first spark of hope.

"Please Sam, I'm begging you. I made a mistake. Please!" Riley's voice was getting louder.

Sam wanted to pull away from her touch but couldn't force herself to do it. She looked around and saw they were starting to attract attention. When the tears started pouring down Riley's cheeks her resolve broke.

"Okay, but not here." Sam finally acquiesced.

Before Sam could say anything else, Riley grabbed the tray out of her hand.

"Follow me please." She requested before heading for the door.

Sam followed docilely behind her enjoying the gentle sway of her hips as she walked imagining what she'd look like without the clothes. She mentally slapped herself. Don't even go there.

Riley led them to a small courtyard with several tables. She put the tray down on the table and sat on one of the benches motioning Sam to sit next to her. Sam looked longingly at the bench and then purposely walked over and sat at the bench on the other side of the table opposite Riley. Riley looked at her with a hurt expression but Sam hardened her heart. She didn't trust herself sitting so close to Riley.

"So what did you want to talk about Dr. Connolly?" Sam asked trying hard to keep her face expressionless. She wanted nothing more than to sweep Riley up in her arms and kiss her senseless.

Riley cleared her throat before speaking. This was the only chance she would get to convince Sam she'd made a mistake and ask her forgiveness. She knew there was a very good chance Sam would choose to walk away. She'd hurt her with her actions and she needed to take responsibility for that. It was time to lay her cards on the table no matter what the cost.

"I made a terrible mistake Sam. The last two weeks have been the most miserable of my life. I couldn't stop thinking about you and what I might have thrown away. At first, I really did feel I couldn't be involved with a patient. Then later when I found myself caring about you way beyond what a doctor feels for a patient it scared me. You stirred something in me I'd never felt before and it terrified me. I know I acted horribly and gave you mixed signals. I can't tell you how sorry I am I hurt you."

Riley looked into Sam's eyes hoping to get some kind of reaction. Her eyes were flat emotionless silver and impossible to read. Riley was getting desperate.

"Please believe me Sam I never meant to hurt you. I care about you deeply. Please I'm begging you, give me another chance." Riley swiped away the tears that had started to fall.

Sam wanted to believe Riley. It was taking everything she had to present an emotionless demeanor to her. She just didn't know if she could do it. If Riley changed her mind again Sam didn't think she could take it. She sighed heavily. She was just kidding herself. She cared too deeply already not to give them a chance no matter what the risks.

'I'm still your ex-patient." Sam reminded her.

"I don't care!" Riley stated emphatically.

"So where do we go from here?" Sam asked allowing her gaze to soften.

Riley almost swooned in relief.

"Have lunch with me?"

Sam smiled. "That's a start."

"Okay, I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere." Riley walked several steps way and turned back. "You won't leave right? You'll wait for me?"

Sam felt her heart soften further. Riley looked so nervous and scared she was almost pleading.

"No Riley I won't leave. I promise. I'll be here when you get back." Sam assured her.

Riley flashed a brilliant smile before heading back to the cafeteria almost running in her haste to get back to Sam.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam smiled as Riley escorted her out to her car. They had spent over two hours in the courtyard talking. It had been awkward and uncomfortable at first but as time went on both women relaxed. Riley had apologized several more times for the way she'd treated her. Sam had finally assured her she was willing to let the past go and start again. They caught up with the past two weeks. Riley questioned her extensively on her recovery and therapy. She couldn't help noticing and mentioned that Sam appeared to have lost weight and looked tired. Not wanting Riley to feel any guiltier than she already did Sam passed it off as nothing. She could tell Riley didn't believe her but was glad when she let it drop.

They stopped next to Sam's car suddenly awkward with each other again. Neither knew what to say nor where to go from here. After several moments of simply staring at each other Sam couldn't help laughing to herself. This is ridiculous. I've dreamed about this woman for weeks. All I wanted was a chance to see if anything would come of what seems so strong between us. Now I've got it and we're standing here staring at each other like dummies. She shook her head before reaching out for Riley's hand.

"How about dinner tonight?"

Riley immediately looked stricken and Sam stiffened and attempted to pull her hand away. She's going to do it to you again! Her mind screamed.

Riley tightened her grip on Sam's hand not allowing her to pull away. "I'm sorry Sam I can't."

Here it comes, Sam's little voice supplied.

"I'm on in-house call tonight. How about tomorrow night?"

Sam was so caught up listening to her little voice tell her what a fool she was she missed the rest of what Riley said.

"Okay fine, no problem." She pulled away and opened the car door.

Riley grabbed her arm pulling her back around to face her. Sam's face had gone blank when she'd said she was sorry.

"Wait, okay fine what? Dinner tomorrow?"

"HUH??"

"I'm on in-house call tonight. How about dinner tomorrow?" Riley repeated.

Sam looked confused. "You are? You want to go to dinner tomorrow?" Her smile reappeared.

Riley sighed in relief. "Yes Sam I'd love to go to dinner with you tomorrow."

Sam didn't know what had just happened. One minute she was sure Riley was turning her down and the next she had a dinner date with her. She couldn't help the grin that broke out on her face.

Sam thought quickly. "How about that Italian place? I forget the name… on Third in Hillcrest." Sam suggested.

"I've never been there but I like Italian." Riley said.

"They have great food. I'll pick you up, say about 6pm."

"It's a date!" Riley said smiling brilliantly at Sam. She gave Sam directions to her condo in Del Mar and the code to the security gate.

The two women stood grinning at each other neither one wanting to say goodbye. Riley's pager shrilled ending the standoff.

Riley pulled it off her belt and checked the display. "I have to go. It's the ER." Before she could stop herself, she quickly stepped forward and put her hand on the back of Sam's neck pulling her down. Sam didn't resist she remembered well the sweet taste of Riley's lips. Their lips met in a brief kiss. It was just as Riley remembered and her arousal soared. She went back for a second taste. Sam pulled her into a tight embrace as the kiss deepened. She licked Sam's lips begging entrance that Sam eagerly granted. Just as her tongue slipped into Sam's mouth and began to explore her pager shrilled again.

She pulled away with a groan her heart pounding. "I have to go. I'll see you tomorrow at 6." She hurried across the parking lot. It wasn't until she was almost to the ER that she realized she'd been locked in a passionate kiss with Sam in the middle of the parking lot where anyone could've seem them. I guess that's one way to come out, she laughed to herself. She wondered if anyone had seen them then decided she didn't give a damn she felt too wonderful to care.

Sam stood leaning against her car watching Riley rush across the parking lot. She glanced up and noticed an older man dressed in a lab coat glaring at her. She wondered what his problem was then it dawned on her. He'd seen her kissing Riley. She resisted the urge to flip him off. She felt too damn good to care about some homophobe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam stood nervously outside the security gate leading to Riley's condo complex. She'd parked in the visitor lot and was now looking for Riley's condo number. She pulled the slip of paper out of her pocket that Riley had written the security code on. As she punched in the number another couple came up behind her.

"Hi." She greeted.

They just looked at her their eyes lingering on her cane before carefully skirting her and walking away. Sam shrugged her shoulders and looked around. The complex was beautiful with incredible landscaping, not a leaf out of place. She finally spotted Riley's condo. She checked her appearance one last time before ringing the bell. Her black jeans fit well but not tight, as her incision was still tender, the blue polo shirt was just the right shade to bring out the color of her eyes and her engineer boots shined. She glanced down at the mixed flower bouquet in her hand wondering if Riley even liked flowers. Knowing she was just stalling she squared her shoulders, took a deep breath and rang the bell.

It seemed like forever before the door opened but in truth, it was less than a minute. Riley greeted her with a bright smile. Sam allowed her eyes to skim the length of Riley. She was wearing stone faded jeans with an emerald green long sleeve shirt open in the front showing a white tank top underneath. It was the first time that Sam had seen her in anything but scrubs. God she'd beautiful. When she finally made it up to Riley's eyes their gaze locked and they simply stared at each other for several moments neither one quite able to speak.

"Hi." Sam finally greeted then kicked herself mentally. Hi that was the best you could do after standing there ogling her. She suddenly remembered the flowers.

She held the flowers out to Riley. So far, Riley hadn't said a word.

Riley was busy trying to force her mouth to work. Her brain was too busy drooling over Sam to form a coherent sentence. She had only seen her in a hospital gown or sweats. Being that gorgeous should be illegal! was Riley's first thought. She finally noticed the flowers Sam was holding out and blushed. She reached out to take them and their fingers brushed. She jerked back slightly when an electric tingle ran up her arm.

"Come on in Sam, it's good to see you." Riley said kick starting her brain back in gear.

Riley led Sam into the living room. "Make yourself at home. I'll be right back. I want to put these in some water."

Sam looked around the living room. It appeared like something out of a magazine. The stark white leather couch and pale rose side chair sat on thick beige carpeting. The end table and coffee table were glass with metal bases. The coffee table was bare and the end table held only a lamp. The walls were white and several impressionist paintings adorned the walls. A small mahogany entertainment center that was closed up sat off to the side. It looked like a model where no one lived. Sam felt incredibly out of place. She sat gingerly on the edge of the sofa waiting Riley's return.

Riley breezed back into the room carrying a crystal vase filled with the flowers Sam brought. She set them down in the middle of the coffee table then flopped into the chair next to the couch.

"Thank you for the flowers they're beautiful."

"You're welcome."

The two women looked at each other unsure of what to say next. Riley finally broke the silence.

"Would you like a tour?"

"Sure lead on." Sam said rising carefully from the sofa.

They headed into the kitchen first. It was just as stark as the living room. The countertops were bare not even sporting your typical coffeemaker. The cabinets were white with black accents; the counters were black marble. All the appliances were stainless steel. There was a breakfast nook in the corner that showed the only sign of life in the form of a small plant in the center of the table. They headed upstairs next. There was a full bath off the hall again; it could have come straight out of the pages of a magazine. The towels were perfectly matched and the counter held a small basket with shaped soaps that appeared to have never been used.

"I use the second bedroom as an office. Come on I'll show you." She offered.

The office matched the rest of the house. Everything was picture perfect there wasn't even a pen or piece of paper on the ordered computer desk. The bookshelves lining the room had the books neatly arranged by size. Sam couldn't help comparing the room to her cluttered second bedroom that acted as a guest room and housed her computer on a small desk tucked in the corner. She was lucky if she could even find the desk under all the disks and CD's not to mention all the papers. That's when it stuck her how little she actually knew about Riley. She had only known the charismatic doctor in the hospital setting as she breezed in and out of her room. This was a Riley she didn't know and she began to wonder how the obviously upscale surgeon would view her decidedly middle class life. Sam shook away the gloomy thoughts and followed Riley down the hall. Riley stopped outside the last room at the end of the hall but didn't enter.

"This is my bedroom," she said shyly.

Sam glanced in the door. It was the first room that looked like someone lived there. There was a brass bed against the far wall unmade with clothes thrown all over it. The dresser sitting on the wall near the window had keys, pens and various paraphernalia strewn across the top. There were several prints that looked to be by Ansel Adams. Riley pulled the door shut before Sam could get a better look. She glanced at Riley and noticed her embarrassed flush.

"Excuse the mess, I didn't get home 'til late and my bedroom is the one place the cleaning lady doesn't do." Riley explained.

"No problem, you should see mine." Sam said trying to ease Riley's obvious embarrassment. Riley smiled gratefully before turning to walk back down the hall.

A cleaning lady huh, well that explains the spotless rooms. It was just one more thing emphasizing the differences in their lives.

They made their way back to the living room. Sam sat on the couch and Riley sat in the chair next to it. They make mindless small talk for a few minutes before the stilted conversation finally trailed off. Riley could see Sam was uncomfortable but couldn't figure out why.

"So how long have you lived here?" Sam asked. Maybe she just moved in and that's why everything is so sterile. She hasn't had time to add her own flair to things.

"Oh I've been here three years. My aunt and uncle pick the place out when I started my Fellowship here."

Sam tried hard to hide her shock. Deciding it was time to change the subject she glanced at her watch. "We need to leave if we're going to make our reservations." She told Riley.

They head for the door and Sam breathed a sigh of relief as they left the condo. She'd been very uncomfortable and felt incredibly out of place.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As they walk toward Sam's car Riley was having second thoughts. This wasn't turning out the way she expected. She stopped just as they reach the security gate.

"You want me to follow you? That way you won't have to drive all the way back up here after dinner."

Sam frowned. Doesn't she want to ride with me? She wondered. She couldn't quite read the look on Riley's face so decided to take a chance. "It would be my pleasure to drive you to the restaurant then escort you home." Riley's reaction was a bright smile. "Come your chariot awaits." Sam said smiling naturally for the first time since entering the condo complex. She gallantly offered her arm to Riley.

Riley took the offered arm squeezing it in response. She'd thought Sam was regretting asking her out and was trying to give her a way out in case things didn't improve.

Sam led Riley to her 98' Thunderbird opening the door for her. Sam couldn't help noticing her car was the oldest one in the sparsely populated visitor's lot. As she slid into the driver's seat, she felt a need to defend the car.

"I've never found another car with this much leg room. I was bummed when Ford stopped making them."

Riley looked over to see Sam's long legs stretched out under the wheel. "I can see that, I hope the seat isn't stuck in that position. I couldn't even reach the pedals to drive."

Sam grinned; pleased Riley would even consider driving her car. "Don't worry we could always get you those little blocks made for the pedals," she teased.

Sam burst out laughing at the look of outrage on Riley's face. Riley leaned over the console lifting up slightly until she was next to Sam's ear.

"Watch it." She growled. "I'm a doctor and know just where to really hurt you."

Sam shivered at the sensation of Riley's hot breath in her ear. It caused a spark of arousal to shoot through her body. Riley noticed Sam's sudden shiver.

"You should be afraid." She said with a satisfied smirk before sliding back into her seat.

Sam grinned at her. If you only knew doc, she thought to herself. Sam reached over and patted Riley's thigh. "I'll be good. No more vertically challenged jokes."

Riley looked over at Sam's grinning face, her eyes sparkling. Here was the woman she'd come to know in the hospital. Her face was alight with mischief. She relaxed back into the seat as the tight band across her chest let go. She hadn't realized how tense she'd been.

Sam saw Riley sink into the seat and her whole body appeared to relax. She felt the knot in her stomach disappear. They laughed and joked with each other all the way down to the restaurant.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley looked around with interest as they waited to be seated. The restaurant consisted of one large room decorated with a variety of item from maps of Europe to photographs of Italy. The tables were covered with checkerboard table clothes. She started noticing the clientele. She had never seen so many same-sex couples in one place before. There were a few heterosexual couples but they were in the minority. The hostess came over to seat them.

"Hey Sam, long time no see." The hostess said hugging Sam. "How are you doing? I heard about the shooting. Are you alright?" She asked glancing down at Sam's cane.

"Hey Mary, I'm good. Going to physical therapy. I'll be back on the job soon. I'd like you to meet my friend Riley."

"Hello Riley," Mary greeted politely. She checked the other woman out noting how close she stood to Sam. I wonder just how close friends they are?

Mary led them over to a small table.

"How about one of the booths?" Sam asked. Mary glanced over at Riley to see her reaction. She appeared clueless. Sam only asked for a booth when she brought a hot date.

"Sure Sam, if you're positive that's what you want?" Mary glanced over at Riley again; she just didn't seem Sam's type. She usually didn't go for the quiet shy types.

Sam grinned. "Oh yeah, I'm sure."

Riley wasn't sure what was going on. It felt like she was missing half the conversation.

Mary led them to a small booth. Sam slid in first then moved over next to Riley once she sat down. Their thighs pressed together under the table. Sam's arm rested on the back of the booth above Riley's shoulders. It was very cozy.

"Bring you a bottle of the house wine?" Mary asked.

Sam turned to Riley. "Is that okay with you?"

"You go ahead Sam; I'm on backup call tonight so I'll have to pass." As she spoke, Riley unconsciously laid her hand on Sam's arm.

"We'll pass Mary. Bring us both an ice tea please." She glanced over at Riley to see if that met her approval. Riley nodded her thanks.

All the tension from the condo seemed to have dissipated. They laughed and talked easily during dinner. Sam told stories of her experiences as a police officer and of growing up with Jess and Frank. The plates were cleared away and they sat having coffee.

"So you've met my sister and brother. What about you do you have any siblings?" Sam asked.

"No I'm an only child." Riley said looking sad.

"That must have been lonely growing up. Even with all we fought, I love my sister and brother like crazy. Our folks always accused us of prematurely aging them with our antics. Guess your folks never accused you of that huh?" Sam laughed.

Sam sobered when she noticed Riley's stricken look.

"What's wrong?" she asked concerned.

Riley was fighting to control her emotions. She swallowed hard before turning to face Sam.

"My folks died when I was a kid, my aunt and uncle raised me."

"Oh God, I'm so sorry. I didn't know." Sam felt terrible that she'd brought up such a painful subject.

"It's Okay. There's no way you could've known." Riley assured. "I don't get a chance to talk about them much. I still miss them terribly."

Sam's heart went out to Riley, she could feel the pain radiating off of her.

She was never sure later what prompted her to ask. She met Riley's eyes. "Tell me about them."

Riley looked hesitant for a moment but saw the honest interest in Sam's eyes. Her aunt and uncle never wanted her to talk about her folks. She hoarded her memories of them; it was all she had left. She found herself wanting to share something so precious to her with Sam.

"My dad grew up in LA. My grandfather was a lawyer. He met my Mom in high school. They were high school sweethearts and married not long after graduation. My grandfather wanted my Dad to follow in his older brother's footsteps and become a surgeon. My Dad refused, he had always dreamed of owning his own garage to repair and restore classic cars. They moved to San Diego and my Dad worked at a local Ford dealer, restoring cars at night and on weekends. He made a name for himself and finally convinced my grandfather to help him buy his own shop. It was a booming success. He had people bringing classic cars to him from all over California to repair and restore. My Mom worked as the receptionist and bookkeeper for the garage. They'd been trying for years to have a child and had pretty much given up; then when my Mom was thirty, she got pregnant with me. It was a hard pregnancy and the doctors told her she would never have any more children. My Mom always told me she didn't care; she had me and that I was a special gift from God." Riley got a little choked up and stopped to drink some of her coffee. She looked at the table not making eye contact with Sam.

Sam put her finger under Riley's chin bringing her head up until their eyes met. "They obviously loved you very much."

Riley smiled even as several tears leaked out. She took a deep breath before continuing.

"I was very close to both my folks but I was a real daddy's girl. I went everywhere with him. He always said 'Any where I go my girl can go' I even went to the barbershop with him. My mom had a real fit one time when I convinced him to let the barber cut my hair real short. We used to work on cars and go to all the ball games together. I was a real tomboy back then." Riley's voice trailed off it was obvious her emotions were getting the best of her.

"Tell me the rest." Sam quietly encouraged.

"When I was 10 I begged my folks for weeks to let me spend the night at my friend's house. It was so cool. There were six siblings spaced two years apart. I'd never been exposed to anything like that before. They finally gave in and let me spend the night. They decided to drive up the coast for a romantic dinner and some time together. Coming back it was very foggy. A semi-truck hit a car and over turned. It caused a multiple car pile up on I-5." Riley's voice started to hitch as the tears poured down her face. Sam had to struggle to understand her. "My folks were killed instantly when a second semi couldn't stop and ran over their car."

Sam gathered the now sobbing Riley in her arms. Several people in the restaurant glanced over to see what was wrong but quickly turned back to their meals when Sam glared at them.

Riley savored the comfort of Sam's arms as she struggled to get her emotions under control. She looked up and happened to catch a glimpse of another patron watching them. She stiffened slightly suddenly remembering they are in the middle of a restaurant. She could hear her aunt's scolding voice. 'You're making a spectacle of yourself in public Riley'.

She reluctantly pulled away from Sam. Her face flushed with crying and embarrassment. She couldn't meet her eyes.

"I'm so sorry. Here I am pouring out my life story and making a spectacle of myself. I didn't mean to embarrass you." She kept her eyes firmly on the table not wanting to see the disapproving light in Sam's eyes. "I'm sorry." She whispered.

"Riley look at me." Sam waited. Riley still wouldn't look up. She gently lifted her chin looking into sad violet eyes. Riley was amazed by what she saw in Sam's eyes all the caring and compassion. It made her start to choke up again.

"I'm glad you told me. I'm not embarrassed by honest emotion. You lost something very precious to you when your folks died. Never be embarrassed by what you felt for them."

Riley couldn't believe it. Sam wasn't angry with her for crying in public. Riley could still vividly remember one of her first experience with her aunt and uncle. They'd gone out to a fancy restaurant not long after the funeral. Riley had seen a little girl hugging her dad and become upset. She missed her parents and her aunt and uncle were very unaffectionate people. When Riley had started to cry her aunt had jerked her into the bathroom and scolded her for crying in public and embarrassing them. They had left the restaurant without eating and her uncle had sat her down and lectured her on the appropriate behavior in public.

Mary chose that moment to interrupt. "Is everything all right here?" She asked quietly.

"Yeah we're fine. How about bringing us another cup of coffee? Does that sound good to you Riley? She asked.

Riley glanced up shyly at Sam then over to Mary. There was no censure on her face only honest concern. Mary smiled gently at Riley. Riley smiled back before leaning back to rest against Sam.

"Yes, that sounds good."

"Thank you." Riley told Sam when Mary walked away.

"For what?" Sam inquired.

"For not being angry with me or embarrassed that I broke down in public. I am sorry I've done that to you twice now."

"You don't have anything to be sorry for. I'm pleased you trusted me enough to share that with me. There is no shame in tears Riley, you didn't embarrass me."

"Well now that I bored you with my life story I guess it's time to go." Riley said

"You could never bore me Riley." Sam's expression was serious. She gently stroked Riley's cheek. "But if you're tired we should head back."

"I'm on backup call and suddenly I do feel kind of drained." Riley smiled sheepishly. "I do want to thank you. It's been a long time since I was able to talk about my folks. It felt good."

"Any time. I enjoyed our dinner and I want to know more about you." Sam assured her.

Riley laughed. "You have no idea what you're getting yourself into with a request like that."

Sam smiled in return. "I look forward to it. Come on let's head back to Del Mar so you can get some sleep."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The drive back to Del Mar was pleasant. Riley shared with Sam some of her childhood memories of her parents. She had all these memories bottled up inside and no one to share them. Sam was more than happy to learn everything she could about Riley. She did notice that Riley made no mention at all of her life with her aunt and uncle.

Sam walked Riley back to the steps just outside her condo.

"Would you like to come in for a bit?" Riley invited.

Sam felt her earlier discomfort returning and didn't want to go back into the sterile condo.

"I should be getting back and you need your rest." Sam hedged.

Riley looked disappointed but acquiesced. They turned to go up the steps to Riley's door. She cursed under her breath… "Damn."

"What's wrong?"

"I forgot to turn the porch light on. The doorways are in an archway and very dark."

"Come on I'll walk you up." Sam offered.

They stood on the last step before the dark archway in the glow of the security lights.

"Well goodnight." Sam leaned down to kiss Riley goodnight. Riley had a sudden flashback to the night Keith confronted her kissing another date. She stiffened and pulled back glancing around nervously. Sam couldn't help feeling hurt she wondered if Riley was really serious about being involved.

"Well good night then, thanks for a pleasant evening." Sam said as she turned to walk away.

Riley grasped hold of her forearm. "Wait!" She stepped up into the darkened archway and pulled Sam with her. As soon as they were out of the light, she reached up and tried to pull Sam's head down. Sam resisted until Riley pressed her body into her. Sam gave in with a groan her lips met Riley's in a passionate kiss. Riley escalated the kiss pressing her tongue into Sam's mouth. She wrapped her arms tightly around Sam then her hands slid down to grab Sam's butt and squeeze. Sam's arousal soared. She dueled with Riley's tongue before chasing it back into her mouth. Riley kneading her ass was making her crazy, she pushed Riley back against the door and brought her hands up to caress her breasts through her shirt. Riley moaned and pressed closer to Sam her body pulsing with incredible feelings. Sam was rapidly loosing control. She parted Riley's thighs with her knee then thrust her leg hard between hers. She gasped in pain as she pressed into Riley's center. In the heat of the moment, she'd forgotten her leg. The shooting pain down her thigh rapidly reminded her. She pulled away from Riley trying to gain control of herself. The sudden jolt of pain helped clear her head. She couldn't believe how far things had gone. Much longer and she would've taken Riley right here in the archway. It scared Sam to realize how out of control she'd been. No one had ever made her forget her surrounds so completely. Riley whimpered when she pulled away. She wasn't aware of what had happened. Her body was caught up in the whirlwind of sensations. She finally realized Sam was no longer kissing her and stood rubbing her leg. Concern for Sam instantly cooled her libido.

"What happened? Are you alright?" Riley asked with concern.

Sam tried to laugh but it came out a croak. Her arousal was acute despite the pain. "My leg just decided to remind me of its presence. I'm fine."

"Come inside let me look at it and make sure you're okay."

Sam had a brief flash of Riley kneeling between her legs looking at her incision. The surge of arousal the image caused was painful.

"No really I'm fine." Sam insisted. There was NO way she could let Riley examine her. She knew she'd never be able to control herself. She reminded herself this was all new to Riley. She needed to make sure she was serious about being involved with her. She knew how she was feeling about the little doctor and knew that if they made love there would be no turning back. Sam's little voice chose that moment to speak up. Yeah sure like it isn't way too late already! Shut up, Sam told the voice.

Riley wasn't convinced she was fine but knew that stubborn look on Sam's face.

Riley stepped back into Sam's arms and gently wrapped her arms around her waist. She looked up at Sam her expression soft and inviting.

"When can I see you again?" Riley asked.

It took all of Sam's willpower not to accept the invitation on Riley's face and kiss her senseless. She cleared her throat before answering.

"Tomorrow's Sunday, are you working?"

"Nope!" Riley smiled. "I have the whole day off. Not even on call."

"Could I interest you in a baseball game? The team I usually play for has their last game of the season tomorrow. I can't play but I want to go out and support them. After the game we could go out for dinner."

Riley grinned happily she hadn't been to a baseball game since she was a kid.

"Sure I'd love to go. What time should I meet you?"

"Why don't you come to my place about noon? We can go from there." Sam told Riley where she lived. "Do you know where that is?"

"Yes I'm familiar with that area it's near where I grew up!"

Sam couldn't resist any longer she leaned down and gently kissed Riley. She pulled back before things could get out of hand again.

"I'll see you tomorrow at noon then. Sleep well." She reluctantly pulled away and stepped way from Riley.

"Good night Sam. Thank you for a wonderful evening."

"My pleasure," Sam responded before turning and slowly walking away.

Riley stood in the doorway watching until she couldn't see Sam any longer. She leaned back against her front door her body still thrumming with arousal. She played back in her mind the feel of Sam pressing her against the door her leg pressing between her thighs. I would've let her take me right here. She admitted to herself shaking her head in disbelief. That woman is dangerous. Riley chuckled to herself realizing surprisingly she wasn't the least bit upset with what had happened. She turned and made her way into the condo a big smile on her face.

Chapter Seven

"Oh… OH Riley!" Sam's back arched as she climaxed. Her eyes slowly blinked opened as her body slipped back to the bed. She was sweating and panting for breath. "What the HELL just happened?" she muttered. She could still feel the aftershocks rippling through her. Sam looked around her bedroom half expecting Riley to be there. She shook her head in amazement. She'd had erotic dreams before but never remembered actually physically climaxing from one. Riley what are you doing to me?

Sam got up on still slightly shaky legs and headed for the shower. As she stood with the hot water running down her back her mind drifted back to the dream. Hardly aware of what she was doing her hands began to mimic Riley's in the dream as she became lost the memories. She quickly climaxed again. Damn, if she makes me this crazy and she's not even here I'm a dead woman if we ever actually make love. Sam groaned just thinking about it. Resting her back against the shower wall, she stood trying to convince her shaking legs to hold her up. She quickly finished her shower before she could become distracted again.

Sam glanced at the clock on her bedside table as she slipped on some grungy clothes. Damn it, how did it get so late? Her mind helpfully provided images of just why she was running late. She quickly pushed the erotic images aside. None of that, she told her libido. I need to get this place cleaned up before Riley gets here.

She hurried around as quickly as she could on her injured leg picking up clothes, dusting tables, etc. The phone ringing interrupted her, her first thought was, Riley's canceling.

"Hello."

"Hi Sis how's it going? How are your therapy sessions?"

"Hey Jess. Therapy's going good; I should be seeing the department doctor to clear me for light duty in just a couple more weeks."

"That's great Sam; I know you're anxious to get back to work but no need to push it before you're ready." Jess counseled. "So how did the date go last night?"

Sam told Jess all about her date with Riley and what she'd learned about her. She tried to downplay her reaction to Riley's condo.

Jess had originally liked Riley and encouraged Sam to pursue her. Now after seeing how badly she'd treated Sam, Jess was suspicious of her motives and her sisterly protectiveness made an appearance. She'd been concerned when Sam told her she was going out with Riley but Kim had assured her this was something Sam needed to work out on her own. Jess listened to the whole story before commenting.

"You need to be careful of this woman Sam. This is new for her and you don't want to end up being an experiment."

"Weren't you the one who said 'If she's the one do whatever you have to do, it's worth it'?"

"Yeah Sam I was but this woman has already hurt you. I'm just saying be cautious don't jump into anything. Talk to Riley."

"I will Jess. I have to go. She should be here any minute and I still need to change my clothes."

Just as Sam finished speaking, the doorbell rang. She walked over with the portable phone and looked out the peephole.

"OH SHIT! She's here. I have to go Jess. I'll call you back later." With that she hung up on her sister.

Sam looked down at her clothes and grimaced. She'd planned on changing before Riley arrived. She was wearing a ratty old tee shirt with sweats that had the knees worn out of them and barefoot. Well no help for it now.

Riley was getting a little nervous. Sam hadn't answered the door. She already had a major case of nerves before she arrived. How should I greet her after making out with her on my doorstep? Should I kiss her hello? Give her a hug? Before she could come to any decision, the door opened.

Sam couldn't help staring at the vision before her. Riley was dressed in khaki walking shorts and a tight deep green top. It hugged her curves and full breasts providing Sam more of a view of her body than she's had before. She knew just how soft those breasts really were and fought the urge to sweep Riley into her arms. She gulped before speaking trying not to drool on Riley.

"Hey come on in. Sorry I'm not ready yet." She looked down at her bare feet blushing lightly in embarrassment. "I got held up on the phone talking to Jess."

"Hi Sam." Riley greeted. When Sam didn't offer a hug Riley hesitated to initiate one on her own. "How are Jess and Kim doing?" She asked instead.

"They're great though they're up to something with my brother Frank. I still haven't figured out what yet but they are definitely up to something."

Riley laughed lightly. "I'm sure you'll figure it out, you're a cop after all."

Sam laughed escorting Riley into the living room. She didn't want to hug Riley while she was wearing dirty clothes. "Have a seat. I'll be ready as quick as I can."

Riley took a seat on the over stuffed couch sinking into the comfortable cushions. She ran her hand over the crushed velvet material. She looked around the room with interest. The room was warm and inviting with a comfortable lived in look. There were magazines spread across the coffee table, a pair of cross trainers in front of the loveseat and Sam's cane propped in the corner between the loveseat and the couch. She glanced over to the end table between the couches and noticed several photographs. There was a photograph of Kim and Jess at what appeared to be a commitment ceremony if Kim's bouquet and Jess's tux were any indication. Also in the group was a wedding picture of Cheryl and Frank and an older couple, which Riley assumed were Sam's parents. The man in the picture had the same dark hair and chiseled features of his children, the woman had blond hair and striking blue eyes. The final picture was of Jess, Sam, and Frank together that appeared to have been taken on a camping trip. She marveled again at just how much the three siblings looked alike. She felt a small stab of envy at the life Sam must've had growing up with her sister and brother. Riley couldn't help comparing Sam's apartment to her stark condo. She'd allowed her aunt to furnish the condo as she'd been too busy at the hospital or so she'd told herself at the time. It's amazing how comfortable I feel here.

Riley glanced down the hall when she heard Sam approaching. Sam was dressed in a dark blue tank top and faded jeans. Riley couldn't help but admire the broad shoulders and well-muscled biceps displayed by the tank top.

"Ready to go?" Sam asked. She was well aware of Riley's eyes on her body.

Riley didn't speak as she walked over to stand directly in front of Sam. She reached up and ran her fingers lightly over the faint yellow bruises and thin scar caused by the bullet on Sam's shoulder. Sam shivered at the touch.

"How is this? Having any problems?" Riley asked softly as she continued to stroke her shoulder.

Sam had some trouble making her voice work. All the blood from her brain seemed to have pooled further south as Riley continued to caress her shoulder.

Finally, she managed with a slight stutter. "It's good. No problem."

They stared at each other standing close together but not touching. Sam wasn't able to resist the invitation she read in Riley's eyes. She leaned down and kissed her softly then pulled her into a hug.

"Hi, I'm so glad you could make it today." Sam told Riley when the kiss ended. Riley looked a little confused. "I've wanted to do that since you walked in the door." Sam told her.

Riley chuckled softly. "Thanks for inviting me."

She put her hand behind Sam's neck and pulled her into another kiss. This one escalated quickly when Riley swept her tongue into Sam's mouth. Sam reluctantly pulled away before things could get out of control. She'd never been with someone she could lose herself in as quickly as she did with Riley. It was kind of scary and Jess's warning was rattling around in her head. She knew they needed to talk; she had lots of questions but now was not the time. Riley groaned in protest when Sam pulled away. She rested her head on Sam's chest breathing heavily.

"We better get going if we want to get good seats at the game."

They headed for the door but Riley stopped before they could exit. She went back into the living room and picked up Sam's cane. When she attempted to hand it to Sam, she protested.

"I don't need it; we'll be mostly sitting down."

Riley offered the cane to Sam again. "I know we'll be sitting down but there's the walk from here to the parking lot and from the parking lot at the ball field to the bleachers and back again. I saw you limping earlier, use the cane."

Sam shook her head no, a stubborn look on her face.

"Doctor's orders." Riley insisted.

"You're not my doctor anymore." Sam said smirking as she turned to head out the door.

Riley scowled. Using the voice she intimidated residents with she demanded, "Take the cane McKenna."

Sam turned back at the commanding sound of Riley's voice. She raised her eyebrow in surprise. Uh Oh, I'm in trouble now she's calling me McKenna. Seeing the look on Riley's face Sam tried to look contrite.

"Yes Ma'am, Dr. Connolly." She responded then unable to resist, grinned and stuck her tongue out at Riley.

Sam watched with interest as Riley's face took on a calm placid look. She beckoned Sam closer to her urging her to lean down. Sam was suspicious but leaned down anyway. Just as their lips were about to meet Riley reached behind Sam and pinched her sharply on the ass. Sam yelped and jerked back. She rubbed her butt where Riley had pinched her.

"Behave." She warned.

Sam saw the sparks flare in Riley's eyes and knew this round had gone to the little doctor. She meekly took the cane from Riley's hand and ushered her out the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When they reached the parking lot, Riley headed toward the main parking area.

"My car's this way." Sam said pointing in the opposite direction.

"I'm driving," Riley informed her. Again Sam saw something flare in Riley's eyes that made her pause and follow her without protest.

When she was settled in the passenger seat of Riley's Toyota Sequoia, she couldn't help wondering when she'd lost control of the situation. She always drove when on a date and had never ridden with any of the women she dated. She shook her head realizing she may have met her match in the little redheaded spitfire.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam and Riley reached the bleachers as several women warming up spotted Sam.

"All Right! She's back," shouted one of the women.

Three women came running up to Sam. Sam had purposely avoided seeing any of her friends. She didn't want to be seen while she was injured. Riley stepped back out of the way, as the women swarmed around Sam hugging her. She watched as they all asked questions at once. She felt out of place standing there not knowing anyone. Sam extricated herself from the women as soon as she could. She stepped over to Riley and put an arm around her shoulder.

"Hey guys, I want to introduce you to my friend Riley."

Riley stiffened slightly when all eyes turned to her. Sam gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze before removing her arm.

"I'd like you to meet, Ann, Karen, and Dianne," Sam said indicating each woman in turn. "This is Riley." She told the women.

"Hi Riley, nice to meet you." Karen offered in greeting. The other women greeted Riley as well. All three women were dying of curiosity wondering about Riley. They knew better than to ask Sam. She never said anything about the women she dated.

"Are you going to flap your gums all day or are we going to play some ball?" yelled a voice from the dugout.

"Oh gotta go, Coach bellowed." Karen said with a laugh. "You coming out with us after the game Sam?" she asked.

Sam glanced quickly at Riley. "Umm I don't know."

"Any time, ladies," the coach yelled again. "And welcome back McKenna."

Sam waved at the coach and other players on the team.

"See you after the game Sam. Nice to meet you Riley." Karen said before turning to run into the dugout.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam scanned the bleachers looking for a good spot. She saw Kellie Matthews and waved. She'd befriended the rookie after finding her pounding a locker in frustration one afternoon at the station house. Howard her FTO had spent the day patronizing her and telling her how women cops could never measure up to the men. She'd been encouraging the woman ever since telling her she just had to get through 12 weeks with him then she would be assigned a different partner. Not everyone in the department had such antiquated attitudes.

Kellie waved back pointing to the seat next to her. Sam headed toward Kellie. Riley had followed Sam's line of sight when she waved. She felt an immediate surge of annoyance when she saw who Sam was waving to. It was the irritating blond she'd met in Sam's hospital room.

Sam had forgotten about them meeting before. She made the introductions. "Riley this is Kellie. She's a rookie at the station house where I work. Kellie this is my friend Riley."

Kellie stared at Riley. She looked familiar but she couldn't quite place from where, then it hit her.

"You're Sam's doctor," She blurted out. Several people sitting near by listened to the exchange with interest. Riley felt her face go hot. Sam quickly spoke up sensing Riley's embarrassment.

"No, she was the surgeon who saved my life. She's not my doctor." Sam told Kellie adamantly.

A cheer went up from the crowd as the teams took the field. Sam sat down leaving a space open between her and Kellie. She gestured for Riley to sit in the open space. Riley's response was a bright smile. They spend several moments lost in each other's gaze. The umpire's yell of "Play Ball!" broke the moment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was the bottom of the seventh inning and Sam's team was winning. Riley had split her attention between the game and watching Sam. Kellie hadn't said much during the game. She didn't seem to know many of the players. It was obvious Sam knew everyone on the team and was familiar with most of the opposing team as well. She'd been heckling the other team and her own teammates through out the game. It allowed Riley to see a whole new side of Sam. She had seen her in the hospital at her most vulnerable. This was a totally different woman. She was outgoing, brash and boisterous totally at home among all the women and obviously in her element. Riley should've felt out of place but Sam had gone out of her way to include her. She'd explained who each of the players were and a little of their history so she was able to laugh at all the 'in' jokes as well. Riley felt slightly guilty when she happily noted Sam paid only passing attention to Kellie and concentrated on the game and her.

Riley had forgotten how much fun a good baseball game could be and this had turned out to be a good one. The level of play had just been phenomenal. Her aunt and uncle had been aghast at the idea of attending a ballgame when Riley had asked as a child. They had even refused to let Riley play in any summer leagues. They insisted only the lower classes indulged in such pursuits. Riley's aunt had signed Riley up for ballet lessons. She informed Riley they were a much more appropriate activity for a young girl. Riley had hated every second of them and quit as soon as possible. She settled back to enjoy the rest of the game leaning slightly on Sam. Sam smiled down at Riley before placing an arm behind her back for her to rest against it. Riley smiled in thanks.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The opposing team was up for last bats. If they couldn't score here, the game was over. They had two outs already. A new player Sam didn't know came up and hit a standup triple. She was safe at third. The second batter came up and took a count of two and two. She swung at the next pitch; it flew inside the third base line. It bounced before Ann the third baseman could snag it but she got it after the bounce and fired it to Karen at home plate. The woman from third saw the throw and tried to slide. Her anger soared when she realized she was going to be out. Karen leaned down for the tag and the woman raised her feet and intentionally spiked Karen in the chest. She went down hard. Ann ran over and tried to take a swing at the player who'd spiked Karen. Her teammates managed to stop her before she connected.

"You spiked her on purpose you bitch!" Ann screamed.

A melee quickly erupted on the field as the players from both teams began to pour off the benches.

Sam stood up. "I've got to get down there." She quickly headed for the field Kellie right behind her. Riley saw that the injured player hadn't gotten up and followed Sam and Kellie to the field.

Riley approached the woman Sam had identified as the coach. She had the first aid kit out and was tending to Karen. "I'm a physician, can I help?"

The woman looked up at her. "You're Sam's friend?"

"Yes, I'm Riley."

Coach moved out of the way and motioned Riley to take over with Karen. The coach took off to try and help Sam break up the angry players.

"How're you doing? Where does it hurt?" She asked Karen as she started to examine her.

Karen pointed to her chest. "It was a little hard to breathe but it's getting better now." Karen told her in a hoarse voice.

"She must've caught you in the solar plexus. Did you lose consciousness when you hit the ground?"

"No. Just couldn't breath there for a couple seconds." Karen assured her.

Riley checked her over. The first aid kit actually contained among other things a penlight and stethoscope.

"Looks like you just had the wind knocked out of you. You're going to have some bruising on your chest and will be sore but otherwise you should be fine." Karen had managed to sit up and was looking better by the second.

"Thanks Doc," Karen said with a smile.

"No problem." Riley assured her.

Riley was still kneeling in the dirt when she felt a presence behind her. She looked up to see Sam's flushed face and disheveled appearance; she felt a jolt of fear at the though of Sam being injured.

"Are you okay? Did you hurt your incision? Let me take a look at you." Riley began to run her hands frantically over Sam. Where with Karen she'd been calm and professional with Sam she was in a total panic. Sam finally grabbed Riley's hands trapping them against her chest.

"I'm fine Riley… calm down, I wasn't hurt."

Riley realized how she's overreacted and immediately blushed. Without thinking, she threw herself at Sam and wrapped her arms tightly around Sam's waist. Sam's arms instinctively enclosed Riley in a strong embrace. She stoked her back calming her. Sam glanced over Riley's shoulder at Karen still sitting on the ground. She was grinning from ear to ear. Sam scowled at her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam and Riley with the encouragement of Karen and Ann decided to join the rest of the women at the bar that sponsored the team. They all met up at O'Grady's. They were sitting at a large table drinking beer and discussing the game. Karen decided to see if she could find out anything about Riley. She'd been watching her and Sam together and was curious. Sam was always very attentive to her dates but there was just something different in her reactions to Riley. She just couldn't quite put her finger on it. Wondering how Sam had met the beautiful doctor she turned to Riley.

"So you're a doctor huh? What's your specialty?" Karen asked.

"I'm a trauma surgeon."

Kellie who'd been listening piped up loudly. "Yeah, she's the surgeon who saved Sam's life."

Everyone's attention was suddenly focused on Riley.

Marcy who'd already had quite a bit to drink couldn't resist a dig at Sam's 'friend'. She'd asked the beautiful cop out several times and had been shot down repeatedly.

"Oh you gonna take Sam home and take out your fees in trade huh Doc?" She asked leering at Riley and making an obscene gesture.

"You bitch!" Sam snarled as she bolted out of her chair. In the blink of an eye, she was around the table and had jerked Marcy out of her chair by the front of her shirt. Riley was almost as fast. She grabbed Sam's arm trying to get her to release Marcy.

"Please Sam let her go, it's not worth it." Riley could feel the rage vibrating through Sam and for an instant she didn't think she was going to listen.

Sam pushed Marcy back into her chair then turned and walked away pulling Riley with her back to the other side of the table. Two of Marcy's friends quickly grabbed her and hustled her away from the table.

"Let's get out of here." She told Riley, glowering at the other women around the table.

Karen rushed over to Sam and Riley. "Wait, please don't go." She placed her hand on Sam's arm then quickly drew it back when Sam glared at her.

"It's okay Sam really." Riley said stroking Sam's arm trying to calm the obviously furious woman down.

"No it's not okay Riley." Sam replied through gritted teeth. "I'll never stand by and let someone talk to you like that."

Karen realized there was no changing Sam's mind about leaving. "It was really nice to meet you Riley. I'm really sorry about Marcy. She can be a real bitch when she drinks. I hope I see you again sometime."

Riley smiled at the woman and said her goodbyes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam never said a word all the way out to Riley's truck. Riley could sense the tension rolling off Sam in waves. Once they were seated in the truck, she reached over the console and turned Sam's face to her. Sam's jaw was clenched the anger still evident on her face. Riley stroked Sam's jaw line lightly.

"Thank you." She said simply.

"What are you thanking me for?" Sam asked incredulously. "I owe you an apology for subjecting you to my so-called friends. I'm sorry." Sam apologized before turning to stare out the side window again.

Riley lifted up and sat on the console between the seats. "Sam." She called softly. When Sam turned back to face her, Riley took Sam's face in her hands and leaned down to gently kiss her lips. As the gentle kiss continued Sam felt all the anger drain out of her body. Riley finally pulled back slightly her lips only inches from Sam's.

"Thank you for coming to my defense. No one has ever done that before." She whispered against Sam's lips before kissing her again.

Riley slid back into her seat and started the engine. She reached over for Sam's hand and placed it on her thigh rubbing the back gently with her thumb. Sam smiled and squeezed Riley's leg in response. Her hand rested on Riley's thigh all the way back to the apartment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley pulled the truck into the apartment parking lot. She'd had such a good time with Sam today even with the incident at the bar she didn't want it to end. She wondered if she should suggest dinner.

Sam's anger at Riley's treatment at the bar had passed. She'd enjoyed the day and had planned on dinner at the restaurant next door to the bar. Marcy had managed to torpedo those plans. Sam felt her jaw tighten at the thought of Marcy. Let it go Sam; don't ruin the rest of the day.

The two women looked at each other for several moments before Sam finally broke the silence.

"Could I interest you in a pizza? There's a great place not far from here and they deliver."

"Great I'd love to." Riley answered immediately then blushed at her eager response.

Sam surprised Riley when she reached out and cupped her face. "I don't want the day to be over either." She told Riley then blushed. She never voiced her feelings like that to dates.

Riley's stomach growled loudly breaking the tender moment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The pizza ordered Sam offered Riley a tour of her apartment.

"It's not much but its home," she told Riley. "Come on I'll show you around."

They headed for the kitchen first. It was small with white cabinets and standard apartment style appliances. There was no table but a small counter ran along one wall with bar stools under it. On the Formica counter sat a coffee maker, toaster, and portable CD player.

"I really don't cook much." Sam explained. I know how but most nights by the time I get in from work, I'm just too tired. Plus, I don't like cooking for just me. It seems like such a waste."

She led Riley down the hall past a full bath. Riley glanced in the door but the room had an unused look to it. "That only gets used when I have guests." Sam said. "My bedroom has its own bathroom."

They stopped next at the first bedroom. "I use this as my guest room and computer room." Sam told Riley. Riley looked around the room at the king size bed and the small computer desk in the corner; covered in papers and discs. With the big bed, it was pretty much all that fit in the room. Sam must've seen the questioning look on her face.

"Jess used to spend a lot of time here on the weekends before she married Kim. She doesn't fit in a standard bed any better than I do." Sam said with a laugh. "She helped me pick out furniture and insisted on the king bed for the guest room. Frank appreciated it when he stayed here too."

Riley remembered Frank from the hospital. She inwardly cringed at what the man must think of her after the way she'd run out of Sam's room the day she was discharged. Sam saw Riley's pensive look and wondered what she was thinking.

Sam headed out of the room for the door across the hall. She opened it stepping into the room. When Riley stepped in, she grinned at her. "This is my bedroom." She said wiggling her eyebrows. Riley eyes darted toward the king size bed and she blushed hard. Sam followed her gaze and gave Riley that little half smirk of hers. Riley's face felt like it was on fire. She quickly looked down at the carpet. Sam stepped over to her; she jumped when Sam's hand came up to stroke her back.

Riley was saved by the bell, literally. The doorbell rang announcing the arrival of the pizza. Riley sighed in relief as they made their way back to the living room. When she'd seen Sam's bed her mind had filled with images of the erotic dreams she'd been having about her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The pizza had been good. They'd laughed and talked about the game and some of the people Riley had met. Riley had asked if all the women on the team were gay. Sam had laughing told her that wasn't the case. The team was comprised of local cops, EMTs and firefighters. According to Sam, the ration was about 50/50 gay to straight. Riley was surprised at how easy it was just to be with Sam and enjoy her company. Though she'd enjoyed the few dates with women she'd been on, she'd always been nervous never quite knowing what was expected of her. With Sam, she could just relax and be herself.

Sam's voice pulled Riley out of her thoughts. "Would you like some more wine?" Sam asked holding up the bottle she'd opened earlier.

"No, I better not; I'm working tomorrow and have the in-house call tomorrow night. I should really be heading home." Riley said with a disappointed sigh. She really didn't want to go.

Sam glanced at the clock it was 7:30. "Do you have to go so soon?" She didn't wait for an answer. They'd been sitting on opposite ends of the couch as they ate their pizza. She slid over onto the center cushion then leaned over and started to lightly kiss Riley's neck. Riley sighed laying her head back against the cushion offering more of her neck to Sam's caressing lips.

Sam's arousal soared when Riley moaned. Her breasts had been tempting Sam all day; she'd been determined to feel them in her hands again before the day was out. Sam had one hand on the back of the couch near Riley's head. She leaned further forward pressing Riley back into the couch; groaning against Riley's neck when their breasts pressed together. Lifting her head, she took Riley's lips in a passionate kiss her tongue pushing into her mouth. As Sam continued to kiss Riley, her free hand slipped down and began to pull Riley's shirt from her shorts. Riley started when she felt Sam's warm hand on her bare skin but quickly relaxed into the touch. They finally broke the kiss for lack of air. Sam had managed to turn her body so she was now facing Riley. Their upper bodies were pressed together and Sam's hand was between them under Riley's shirt. Both women were breathing heavily. Riley met Sam's eyes and gasped at the fire she saw burning in them. Her eyes were silvery blue and full of desire. Riley couldn't remember ever being so aroused in her life. It had never been like this with Linda. Wanting to feel more she leaned forward and kissed Sam pressing for entrance into her mouth. Sam opened her mouth inviting Riley in. As they continued to kiss passionately, Sam's hand slid higher and finally cupped Riley's breast through her bra. YES! Sam shouted in her mind as her hand closed over the soft bra incased globe. She felt the front of the bra and grinned to herself when she found the bra opened in the front. Sam expertly flipped the clasp with her fingers popping it open; immediately slipping under the now loose material and cupping Riley's bare breast. When Riley moaned in response Sam began to knead her breast before rolling the already hard nipple between her fingers. Riley was in a sexual haze. The sensations raging though her body forced her logical mind to retreat and she was content to follow wherever Sam led. She ran her hands up and down Sam's muscled back drowning in the sensations caused by Sam's hands on her body. Riley thought she was going to faint when Sam's hand closed on her bare breast. She already felt the warning tingle between her legs of an impending orgasm. Riley gasped when Sam's other hand made its way under her shirt and began to give the other breast the same treatment. She felt herself being moved and positioned on her back. Riley knew this was moving way too fast but she couldn't find the willpower to stop it. It just felt too damn good.

Sam was in heaven. She had both her hands under Riley's shirt kneading her bare breasts as she kissed her senseless. She managed to move Riley lowering her onto her back on the couch. Sam slid on top of her and put one hand back under her shirt. She used her other arm to support her weight so she wouldn't crush the smaller woman. At the first thrust of her hips against Riley's she felt a sharp pain shoot down her leg. Determined to ignore it she pressed her good knee between Riley's legs urging her legs apart. When Riley spread her legs Sam quickly slid between them. Her hips thrust between Riley's legs and again pain shot down her leg. It forced her to become aware of just what she was doing. She'd been so caught up in the moment she'd forgotten all the promises she'd made herself about not making love with Riley until they'd had a serious talk. All these thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant and she groaned sinking against Riley and stopping all movement. Her heart was pounding in her chest and it matched the pounding between her legs. An irritating little voice that sounded a whole lot like Jess spoke up. This is not being careful! You don't even know if she'd been with a woman before. Is this how you want her first time to be? Sam growled and lifted herself off Riley moving to the other end of the couch.

Riley wasn't sure what had just happened. Her brain wasn't functioning too well at the moment. She'd been so close to orgasm when Sam had suddenly stopped and pulled away. As her awareness returned she glanced down at herself. She was sprawled out on the couch her shirt was bunched under her breasts, her bra was undone, and her legs spread wide open. Her face flushed red; quickly scrambling up to sit in the corner of the couch she reached under her shirt to fastened her bra. Sam had retreated to the opposite end of the couch and sat with her head in her hands.

Without looking up Sam spoke. "I can't, I'm sorry I just can't do this…"

Riley felt like she'd been slapped in the face. Sam had used the exact words she had in the hospital. Had this all been just a way to get back at her for how she'd acted in the hospital? She couldn't believe Sam would do something so low; tears began to run down her face. Sam never moved from her spot or even looked at Riley. Riley got off the couch and headed for the door. It was obvious she'd misjudged Sam and had gotten what she deserved for how she'd treated her.

Sam's head jerked up when she realized Riley was leaving. "Wait, Riley where are you going?"

Riley turned, her face streaked with tears. "I get it Sam, I'm sorry. I guess I deserved that."

Sam got up and approached Riley reaching out for her. She was shocked when Riley backed up. "What are you talking about?" Sam asked in confusion.

Riley stared at Sam's face; she honestly looked confused. Now Riley wasn't sure she hadn't misread the situation. "When you said 'I can't do this' I thought you were getting back at me… for the hospital."

Sam stared at Riley for several seconds then the light dawned. She had inadvertently used the same words Riley had when she'd insisted they couldn't be involved. As Riley had in the cafeteria, Sam reached out and gently stroked Riley's arm. She was pleased when Riley didn't pull away.

"I just meant I couldn't make love to you. It's too soon. We have lots we need to talk about before that happens." Sam explained. "I'm sorry I let things get so out of control."

Riley smiled at Sam then chuckled. "Well it wasn't like I was protesting."

Sam held out her hand. "Come sit with me?" Riley hesitated. "Please," Sam added smiling softly.

Riley took the outstretched hand and allowed Sam to lead her to the loveseat.

"Maybe we should avoid the couch for now." Sam teased.

Riley grinned as she sat down next to Sam, happy the awful tension seemed to have eased. Sam put her arm around Riley and drew her close to her side. She placed a finger under her chin and tilted her head up until their eyes met.

"I really want to make love to you." She told Riley with a solemn expression.

Riley didn't know what came over her. Maybe giddiness that Sam wasn't dumping her.

"Yeah I think I got that impression when you were lying on top of me with your hands under my shirt and on my breasts." She laughingly told Sam.

Sam groaned. "Don't remind me. I must be out of my mind." It was true, any other time a woman as gorgeous as Riley wouldn't have made it off Sam's couch without Sam having thoroughly enjoyed everything she had to offer.

Riley smiled snuggling a little closer to Sam. "Sorry, go ahead with what you were saying."

"I like you Riley…a LOT." Sam said almost shyly. "I don't want to rush things. We need to get to know each other before we jump into bed together. I don't want this to be a fling and I don't want to be an experiment." Riley started to protest and Sam placed her fingers over her lips. "Let me finish. We need to talk about things. I do have questions and I'm sure you do too." Sam wasn't sure who'd just taken over her brain she had never talked like this to any woman she'd ever dated, but damn it sure felt right with Riley.

Riley was near bursting trying not to interrupt Sam. She jumped in as soon as Sam finished speaking.

"You're not an experiment. How could you even think that?" She asked in a hurt voice.

"Have you ever been with a woman Riley?" Sam asked.

Riley blushed before answering, "Yes." At Sam's raised eyebrow she added, "in medical school." Sam started to ask something else but Riley stopped her.

"Wait Sam I need to tell you this. I like you a LOT too. I have been involved with a woman before and you're definitely not an experiment. You make me feel things no one ever has before." Riley told her blushing lightly. Sam just grinned and buffed her nails on her shirt. Riley elbowed her in the ribs. "Don't get cocky." She warned. "I've had other reasons for insisting on dating men but that's over with now. I promise some day soon I'll tell you all about it. I'm tired of trying to be something I'm not and I'm not going to do it anymore. I think you and I would be wonderful together and I hope you'll give us a chance." She gazed pleadingly into Sam's eyes. Sam couldn't resist the plea she leaned down kissing Riley gently on the lips. It wasn't like the frantic kisses they'd shared earlier. It was soft, gentle and full of promise.

They sat cuddled together on the loveseat neither speaking simply happy to be together. Riley happened to glance up at the clock it was almost 10.

"Shit." She muttered.

"What's the matter?" Sam asked.

"I should go. I have a 7 am surgery."

Sam's arms tightened reflexively around Riley she didn't want her to go. She kissed her gently on the lips.

"When can I see you again?" Sam asked.

"Are you coming into the hospital for therapy this week?" Riley questioned in return.

"Yeah, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday." Sam told her.

"Maybe we could try to meet for lunch. I'm sorry I can't promise, but I never know what my schedule is going to be like. I cover all the ER trauma surgery cases."

"I'm usually done with my therapy by 12:30 we could meet in the courtyard like before." Sam suggested.

"I'll be there if I can. Maybe you could page me when you get done with your therapy and I could let you know if I'm free."

"Sounds like a plan." Sam said hugging Riley close to her.

Neither woman attempted to get up. Finally, Riley sighed and pulled away from Sam.

"I really should go."

They shared a gentle kiss at the door and again at Riley's truck. Sam had insisted on walking her out. Sam stood watching until Riley's taillights disappeared out of the parking lot.

Chapter Eight

Riley stepped out the operating room. She'd had to go back in and do further debriding of the wound on her young patient who had been in the motorcycle accident. The leg looked better and with an additional surgery for skin grafts later it should heal completely. As she headed for the recovery room, she heard her name called. She turned to see Dr. Stevens, the Head of Surgery heading for her. Damn and I was in such a good mood too. Dr. Steven's had been a great surgeon in his time but his surgical techniques were as outmoded as his attitudes toward women. Riley kept hoping he'd retire. But he was for the moment her boss so she plastered a smile on her face as she waited for him.

"Good Morning Dr. Stevens. What can I do for you?"

"Did you finish the surgery on the Phillips boy?"

Duh, Riley grimaced internally. I'm standing here in the hall outside the OR in soiled scrubs aren't I? Keeping the fake smile on her face Riley replied. "Yes Dr. Stevens I completed the surgery. It went well and he's in recovery. I was just heading over there."

"Good. I need to speak with you about another matter. I've been concerned about your recent behavior. You need to be more careful about the friends you keep. They seem to be unduly influencing you. I promised your uncle I would look after you." He said in a lecturing tone.

Riley had no idea what he was talking about but his condescending attitude was pissing her off. And the whole idea that her uncle thought she needed looking after was infuriating. I'm 35 years old for God sake! She fumed.

"Dr. Stevens I have no idea what you're talking about. My friends are of no concern of yours and I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself." Riley replied trying to keep her temper.

"I'm speaking of the display you put on in the parking lot last week with that woman." His tone of disgust made it clear what he thought of two women kissing. "Your uncle certainly wouldn't approve of such deviant behavior."

Riley was shocked for a moment. She hadn't noticed anyone in the parking lot. Then again, I was a little occupied. She snickered. When what Stevens said really sank in Riley's temper flared. The guy had just called her a deviant. Now she was really pissed. "My personal life is none of your damn business." She shouted. Several people in the hall turned to watch the confrontation with interest. They quickly turned away when Riley glared at them. She forced herself to calm down taking several deep breaths. "Who I choose to associate with outside this hospital is no ones business. I do my job and I do it well. My personal life is not up for discussion." She told Stevens through gritted teeth.

"Now Riley I'm just trying to look out for you like I promised your uncle. You really don't want to get involved with 'those people'." He explained as if speaking to a stubborn child.

Riley's face turned red and her eyes flared with anger. She stepped up close to the doctor invading his personal space. "I happen to be one of 'those people' and I'll associate with whoever I damn well please. Stay out of my personal life!" Riley was so angry she was stuttering. She turned on her heels and stomped down the hall slamming into the recovery room.

Dr. Stevens stood watching her go. She always had been a stubborn child. It was time to make a call to Rielly; he was sure he had no idea what his niece was up to. Hopefully he could talk some sense into her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley finished up in the recovery room and headed for her office. She was still furious over the conversation with Dr. Stevens. How dare he try to tell her who she could be seen with and that her uncle wouldn't approve! One of the reasons she'd moved back to San Diego was to get out from under her uncle's thumb. She grinned remembering the kiss in the parking lot. She hoped the old goat had gotten an eyeful. Her pager shrilled interrupting her thoughts. Her grin widened when she recognized the number. She hurried to unlock her office door. She quickly dialed Sam's cell.

"Hello."

"Hi Sam. All done with your therapy?"

"Yeah, the slave driver let me go. I still say that guy gets way too much enjoyment out of making people sweat."

Riley laughed. It wasn't the first time she'd heard Sam complain about Tony. "It's for your own good Sam."

"Yeah, Yeah. So could I interest you in some lunch?" Sam asked.

Riley looked over her desk and the charts she needed to update. Oh what the hell, she thought.

"Sure, but would you mind if we ate in my office? I'm kind of swamped with paperwork."

"No problem. I'll even bring it to you." Sam offered.

"Great Sam thanks." Riley said. She hung up after giving Sam directions to her office. She settled in to do a little paperwork before Sam arrived.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley had managed to clear some of her desk by the time she heard someone knock on her door. She opened it to find a smiling Sam with an overloaded tray in her hands and her cane hooked over her arm.

"Hi Sam. Come on in." Riley invited. Before Sam could step into the office Riley heard someone else in the hall and glanced out her door. It was Dr. Stevens. He gave Riley a stern look and glared at Sam before continuing down the hall. Riley scowled pulling Sam inside and slamming the door.

"What was that all about?" Sam asked seeing Riley's scowl. The man had looked familiar but Sam couldn't place him.

Riley took the tray from Sam's hands putting it down on her desk with a thump. "That was my boss."

"Is it a problem me being here while you're working? I don't want to cause problems for you. I can go." Sam said her disappointment obvious. She took a step toward the door.

Riley quickly moved back over to Sam. "It's no problem. If I get paged then I have to go. He's just a small-minded bigot who thinks he can tell me who I can be friends with. He's a friend of my uncle."

Sam was confused. How would he even know they were friends and why would he care? All of the sudden it hit her; why he'd looked so familiar. He was the guy who'd seen them kissing in the parking lot.

"Oh Riley… I'm so sorry." Sam told her obviously distressed.

"Sorry for what?" Riley asked seeing the stricken look on Sam's face.

"He saw us kissing in the parking lot last week. I didn't even think about it, I just figured that he was another doctor. I had no idea he was your boss. I'm really sorry Riley." She apologized again.

"There's nothing to be sorry about Sam. I was the one who kissed you remember." Riley assured Sam.

"But I mean… I'm sure you didn't want people to find out like that. This is all new for you. I mean… I didn't want to 'out' you to your boss. You might not be sure and people will talk… I don't want you to be uncomfortable or feel obligated or anything… Sam's rambling finally trailed off. She wouldn't meet Riley's eyes and stared at her shoes shifting nervously."

"Sam." Riley stepped closer into Sam's personal space. She reached up to stroke Sam's cheek forcing eye contact.

"I don't care who saw us. I told you I'm tired of pretending to be something I'm not and I meant it. You're not an experiment and I am sure. I promise." She assured Sam. She put her hand on the back of Sam's neck urging her to lean down. She sealed the promise with a soft gentle kiss. Sam sighed and pulled Riley into a tight embrace when the kiss ended.

"I'm glad." Sam whispered next to Riley's ear. "Did he say something to you?"

Sam felt Riley's body go tense and her jaw clench. She ran her hands up and down Riley's back trying to calm her.

"Oh yeah, he had plenty to say." She told Sam. "He informed me I should be careful who I was friends with and not allow them to unduly influence me. Then the bastard had the nerve to tell me he'd seem us kissing and he was sure my uncle wouldn't approve of such deviant behavior." Riley ranted. "To top it off he told me I really didn't want to get involved with one of 'those people'.

Riley was obviously angry about the whole situation but Sam couldn't help feeling guilty. She was the one who'd pushed Riley to be involved with her and now she was suffering the consequences. Her heart ached for what she was about to do but she cared too much for Riley to cause her any pain.

"Maybe it would be better if I didn't come around anymore. This is a big step for you. You need to take some time and think about things. People will treat you differently when they find out. Is this really the lifestyle you want to lead? I don't want to cause any trouble for you at work or with your family." Sam regretfully told Riley.

Riley tightened her hold on Sam. "The only thing that would be a problem Sam is if you decided to walk away. I care about you deeply and I have thought about it… a lot. I told Stevens my personal life was none of his damn business and that I was one of 'those people'. Unless you've changed your mind about us." Riley started to pull back out of Sam's arms as the realization hit her that maybe Sam had changed her mind. "You haven't have you?" She asked fearfully.

Sam held on to Riley not allowing her to step away. Sam was amazed Riley had outed herself to her boss. "No I haven't changed my mind. I just don't want to see you hurt or estranged from your family because of me.

"The sooner people like Stevens get used to it the better. If he stopped talking to me that would be great." Riley said smiling up at Sam trying to lighten the mood. "As for my family, I've spent too many years already living the life my aunt and uncle expected of me. I'm not going to do it any more. I understand now why my father moved away from his family so he could live the life that made him and my mom happy. It's time I did the same. And you Sam McKenna make me happy." Riley adamantly told Sam.

Sam leaned down and took Riley's lips in a deep kiss. Riley moaned and opened her mouth inviting Sam's tongue in to play. As their tongues wrapped around each other in an increasingly erotic dance Sam backed Riley up and pressed her against her desk. She pressed her good leg between her thighs. Riley groaned as her hips began to thrust against Sam's leg. Sam's hand came up and slipped beneath Riley's lab coat kneading her scrub-covered breasts. She managed to release the tie on Riley's scrubs and slid her hand down inside the front of her pants. Riley instinctively spread her legs further giving Sam access. Riley moaned into Sam's mouth when Sam's hand pressed between her legs and cupped her. Riley's pager shrilled interrupting.

Riley groaned pressing herself into Sam's hand. Sam growled in frustration at the interruption. She pulled Riley tighter against her body as her fingers gently stroked between her legs. Her face was pressed into Riley's neck where she was placing open mouth kisses on the exposed skin.

Riley's pager shrilled again. "Oh God Sam please, you have to stop."

Sam growled again, "No don't want to." She husked against Riley's neck. She continued stroking Riley feeling the wetness soaking through her underwear.

When the pager let out a third shrill beep, the two women forced themselves away from each other. Their faces were flushed and they were both panting. Riley finally managed to get her pants retied and checked the display on the pager.

"It's the ER I have to go. Call me later!" And with that she was gone.

Sam stayed in Riley office until she managed to calm down and regain her composure. So much for going slow, She thought as she made her way home. She was still throbbing from their brief encounter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam snarled in frustration as she slammed the phone back onto its cradle. She'd gotten Riley's voice mail again. She'd been trying to catch up with Riley since their encounter in her office. It was Friday and they'd been playing phone tag since Monday. Riley in one of her messages explained she was not only covering her call but one of her fellow staff. His wife had gone into labor early and delivered their son 6 weeks prematurely. Riley was covering his patients and call for him so he could be with his wife and son. Even though Sam understood what Riley was doing, it didn't make not seeing her any less frustrating. She'd even tried stopping by Riley's office in the evening hoping to catch her between patients. The office had been empty each time. She'd paged her three times in three days. The same OR nurse had answered her each time informing her that Riley was in surgery and would get back to her. The third time the same woman answered her page Sam could hear the amusement in her voice when she promised her Riley would call her back. Sam had finally given up not wanting embarrass Riley with her persistent calls.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley felt like she was slowly being driven insane. She hadn't had a frenzied week like this since she was a Fellow. It seemed like the whole world was conspiring against her to keep her from seeing Sam. The ER had been just crazy; then Denny's wife, Carol had gone into premature labor and he'd called asking her to cover his call and patients. They'd been friends since med school there was no way she could refuse.

Paula one of the OR nurses had been razzing her about Sam's pages. Every time Sam had paged her she'd been in the middle of an operation. It was just her continued bad luck Paula had been the head nurse all three times. Riley didn't want to ignore Sam so had been forced to ask Paula to call her and let her know why she hadn't answered her page. Paula was one of the few OR nurses Riley was friendly with.

Riley forced her attention back to the patient on the table. This was the last one from an earlier MVA. She'd been in the OR off and on for the last 12 hours. She was starving and her bladder was about to pop. As she was finishing up the last of the sutures, her pager went off.

Paula was again the head nurse. She stepped behind Riley and slid her hands under her gown to take her pager off her pants.

"Do I even need to look to know who this is?" She teased. She leaned close to Riley so no one could overhear. Being careful not to touch her, she whispered in her ear. "So when're you going to tell me who this Sam with the incredibly sexy voice is?"

Riley ground her teeth together. "See who it is and answer the damn page Paula." Riley ground out as her pager shrilly beeped again.

Paula laughed not the least bit put off by Riley's response. Paula looked down at the display. "Sorry Doc… It's the ER again."

"No not again!" Riley groaned.

She'd finished closing the incision and the patient was ready to go to the recovery room. She quickly shucked her gloves and gown then grabbed the pager out of Paula's hand. "Call and tell them I'll be right down. I have to make a quick pit stop. Get this woman into the recovery room and I'll come back up and write post-op orders on her as soon as I can. Page me if there's a problem." Riley was out the door before Paula could respond.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley stumbled into her condo early Sunday morning. Denny's son was holding his own and he'd come back to take over from Riley. He'd helped her clear out the rest of the patients from a gang fight. After hearing what her week had been like he'd told her to go home, telling her he'd cover the rest of Sunday and not to come in until Noon Monday. Riley made him promise to call if there was a problem and she'd come back in. She gratefully made her way home and promptly fell into her bed fully clothed. She was asleep before her head hit the pillow.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley rolled over with a groan. She glanced at the clock on the nightstand it almost 10 am. Her bladder was screaming for relief and her empty stomach wasn't far behind in its protests. She rolled out of bed to take care of her bladder first. After grabbing a quick shower she felt almost human. She headed for the kitchen to see what she could scrounge to eat. She hadn't had time to do any shopping recently so she knew the cupboards were pretty bare. She started opening cabinets wondering where the hell the cleaning lady put the coffee maker this time. Riley had repeatedly told the woman to leave it on the counter but every time Riley came back after she'd been there she'd put it away somewhere else. Finally finding it under the counter she got a pot of much needed coffee brewing. She managed to find some orange juice in the fridge but not much else.

Leaning against the counter sipping her coffee she contemplated her options. She could go grocery shopping. That idea was quickly squashed she had no interest in that. She could go out to eat but the idea of eating alone in some restaurant didn't appeal. Come on Riley, she chided herself, make a decision already before you starve. Suddenly a third option came to her… Sam. I wonder if I could interest her in lunch somewhere. We never did get to eat the lunch she brought to my office. Riley smiled at the memory of Sam at her door with the over loaded tray. Then her body flushed as she remembered the feel of Sam pressing her against the desk and her hand between her legs stroking her. She felt herself get wet and begin to throb. Enough of that! She told herself forcing the thoughts away.

She headed for the phone.

"Hello."

"Hi Sam, how's it going?"

"Who is this? Do I know you?" Sam asked teasingly.

Riley could hear the smile in her voice. "Well I sure hope so, you seemed to know me pretty well when you had your hand down my pants." Riley slapped her hand over her mouth. She didn't know what made her say these things to Sam. She'd never made sexual comments like that to anyone before. Her base side just seemed to take over every time she was around the woman.

There was a moment of shocked silence then Sam roared with laughter. "Hi Riley… I missed you too." Her libido flared to life as she remembered the feel of Riley under her hand. Sam had been careful not to make any overtly sexual comments worried she might scare Riley off. Guess that's not gonna be a problem, she snickered.

Riley was mortified, her face turned bright red.

"God Sam I'm sorry I just don't know what comes over me when I'm around you. My mouth just runs away from me." She apologized.

Sam just laughed harder. "Don't worry about it Riley. I like it." Sam laughingly told her. "So you finally got a break huh? Have you gotten any rest?"

"Yeah. Denny came back last night. His son is doing well. I got home about 2am and just got up. I haven't had a week like this in a long time and hope I don't again any time soon."

"Glad to hear you got some rest at least. When do you have to go back?"

"Not 'til Noon on Monday thank goodness." Riley said sighing in relief. "I was wondering could I interest you in lunch? I'm starving and the cupboards are bare here."

"That sounds great." Sam enthused. "Any place special you'd like to go?"

"Want to come up here and then we'll decide?"

Sam immediately flashed to an image of Riley's condo. She didn't want to go back there if she could help it. "Umm, how about we met somewhere in the middle?"

Riley caught Sam's hesitation thinking maybe she didn't want to meet after all. "It's okay Sam maybe some other time."

Sam cursed herself. She just didn't want to go to Riley's condo. Good going, now the woman thinks you don't want to see her. She berated herself. You're such an ass McKenna. Suck it up and go to her place.

"No Riley I really do want to go out with you. I just thought if you're really hungry it might be faster to meet somewhere." Sam tried to explain. "I'll be there in about 30 minutes… okay?"

Riley feeling reassured and reminded of how hungry she was by her protesting stomach quickly made a decision.

"No Sam you're right it would be quicker to meet somewhere and I am starving. Where do you want to meet?"

Sam thought quickly. "Do you like BBQ? I know a great place in Normal Heights."

Riley's stomach rumbled at the though of good BBQ. "OH that sounds great. Where do I meet you?"

"The place is called Phil's; it's on Washington just off Goldfinch. Do you know where that is?"

"Yeah I know that area. I'll meet you there." Riley said starting to hang up.

"Wait Riley I need to call ahead or we'll never get anything to eat. The place is packed on the weekends. You trust me? I can order for both of us."

"Sure Sam go ahead and order for both of us. I'll meet you there." Riley said. She quickly hung up and grabbed her keys. The day was looking up already. She never noticed the blinking light on her answering machine.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley drove slowly past the restaurant looking for a parking space. She spotted a pay lot and pulled in. She got the vehicle parked and was just reaching for her purse when someone knocked on the passenger window. Riley jumped in surprise then smiled when she saw Sam motioning her to unlock the door. She hit the unlock button and Sam climbed into the truck.

"Hi there."

"Hi there yourself." Riley responded.

Sam leaned over the console and Riley leaned to meet her half way. They came together in a soft gentle unhurried kiss. When the kiss ended they simply stared at each other for several moments. Finally, Riley broke the silence.

"I missed you this week."

Sam smiled. "I missed you too."

Riley's stomach chose that moment to remind her of its presence. The sound was loud in the quiet SUV.

Sam chuckled. "Let's get you something to eat before you fall over. When was the last time you ate?"

Hum… let me think. I'm pretty sure I might've had some lunch yesterday."

"Riley! You need to take better care of yourself. You need to eat more regularly." Sam complained.

"It's usually not this bad. I've just been really swamped and I've never quite figured out how to eat and operate on someone at the same time." She laughingly told Sam.

"Well come on then you need to eat before that damn thing goes off again." Sam said pointing at Riley's pager on her belt. Sam's eyes slid down Riley's body to the space between her legs before coming back up to meet her eyes. "That thing has the absolute worse timing."

Riley gulped and her face flushed, she remembered well the last time her pager had interrupted them.

Sam's eye's glowed with renewed arousal. She reached out to touch Riley.

Riley leaned back avoiding Sam's touch. "Sam… we should go into the restaurant… please. If you touch me I won't be responsible for what happens." Riley pleaded. She knew if Sam touched her it would be all over. It wouldn't matter that they were sitting in her SUV in a public parking lot.

Sam shook her head trying to clear away the sexual haze she'd fallen into. She reminded herself that they were in a very public place. She didn't know what came over her whenever she was with Riley.

"I'm sorry, you're right. Let's go." She apologized.

Riley reached out and gently squeezed Sam's forearm. "You've got nothing to apologize for. I just don't want to get arrested for public sex; with a police officer no less." She teased.

Sam laughed wrapping her arm around Riley's shoulders in a quick hug.

Riley could smell the BBQ as soon as they got out of the truck. Her stomach growled again loudly. Sam chuckled. Riley's eyes widened as they reached the restaurant. There was a huge line streaming out the door. Sam saw her look.

"Don't worry, I called ahead. See the other door? That's for people who phoned in orders."

Riley saw the second door Sam was pointing to and breathed a sigh of relief. The BBQ smell was making her mouth water.

Sam led the way inside and up to the counter. Riley looked around while Sam got their food. The restaurant consisted of several small rooms with wooden tables and chairs. In a frame on the wall was the edition of San Diego Magazine, which listed them as the best restaurant in San Diego. There was also a framed tee shirt advertising, "Eat at Phil's". The first room also sported a brick fireplace.

Sam noticed Riley's interest in the room and decor. "It used to be a private home before being converted to a restaurant." She explained when she approached with a full tray in her hands. "Come on let's find a seat."

Sam led the way toward the back of the restaurant. As they turned the corner Riley's attention was on Sam's flexing gluts instead of where she was going. She ran into someone sitting on a chair as she came around the corner. She had just a second to see the hat and long beard before the old man slumped into her arms. Riley panicked as she started to lower the limp body to the ground.

"Sam." She yelped. "Help!"

Sam turned to find Riley lowering the old man to the floor, her face showing her panic. Sam couldn't help it she burst out laughing. She quickly set the tray down before she dropped it. Riley looked at Sam in shock, and then glanced down at the old man. That's when she realized it was a mannequin. Her face flamed red. The look on Riley's face was priceless.

"I don't think even you can help him." Sam teased. Her laughter rang through the room. Riley stood and placed the old man back on his chair. She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Sam. Riley glanced around seeing several people chuckling at her encounter with the old man. Sam quickly made her way back over to Riley. She put her arm around her shoulders and squeezed consolingly.

"Don't feel bad, he startled me the first time I came here too." Sam assured her. She led her past the old man and to a table in the next room. "Let's eat. I ordered us BBQ Broham sandwiches, you're going to love it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lunch had been relaxing and fun despite her run-in with the mannequin. Riley hadn't realized how much she'd missed having someone to do things with. When she'd been with Keith, there had always been an underlying tension. She realized in retrospect that though they had dated for a month she'd never really relaxed with him. Being with Sam was comfortable; she was free to be herself. Sam offered her an easy affection she'd never known with anyone else. With the men she'd dated if she responded to any affection they offered they immediately tried to escalate it into sex. Though she knew Sam wanted her as much as she wanted Sam she never felt pressured. It was a liberating feeling.

Riley was disappointed their day had ended so soon. Sam was expecting Kim and Jess. Sam had invited her to come with them to dinner. She had made an excuse of still being tired. Truth was she wasn't quite ready to face Jess after the way she'd treated Sam in the hospital. Even though she'd apologized repeatedly, she knew she had hurt Sam and that her sister might not look too kindly on her at the moment. Once we've been together for a while, then I'll see them again. That way they'll know for sure I'd never hurt Sam again. She yawned as she drove into her condo complex. She was still pretty beat and looked forward to some much needed sleep. She couldn't wipe the wide smile off her face brought on by her time with Sam.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley opened the door to her condo and immediately frowned. She didn't remember leaving the living room light on. Stepping into the living room she stopped dead in her tracks.

"Where have you been?" A gruff male voice demanded.

"Uncle Rielly, what are you doing here?"

"I left you a message on Monday that I would be here today. Where have you been? I've been waiting over an hour."

"I'm sorry I didn't get your message. I've been at the hospital all week." Riley said meekly staring at the floor.

Riley cursed herself for her meek response. She could feel herself falling back into the role of the meek and mild child. Never cause any problems, don't rock the boat. She looked up meeting her uncle's eyes.

"Is Aunt Margaret here?" Riley asked looking around for her aunt.

"You still haven't answered my question. I know you weren't at the hospital. I called. Where were you?" He demanded again.

Riley was surprised at the amount of emotion in her uncle's voice. His voice rarely gave any indication to his emotional state. He must be truly upset about something. Riley couldn't help wondering what it was.

Before Riley could respond her Aunt Margaret came down the stairs. What the heck was she doing upstairs? Riley thought.

"I'm waiting." Her uncle reminded before she could greet her aunt.

"I went out to lunch with a friend."

"Was this the same 'friend' who has been hanging around the hospital?" He sneered.

Just the way he said friend suddenly clued Riley into what this was all about. That bastard Stevens had called her uncle. She would bet on it!

"Yes Uncle Rielly. I went to lunch with my friend." Riley said calmly offering no further details. Hoping to avoid the coming confrontation, she tried to change the subject. "I'm sorry I didn't know you were coming or I would've been here to meet you. One of my colleagues had a family emergency and I was covering his call as well as mine. I got home early this morning. It's the first time I've been here since Monday."

Rielly ignored what she'd said and went right to the heart of the matter. "I have been hearing disturbing things about this 'friend'. I have a standing in this state that I won't allow you to tarnish. This deviant behavior is unacceptable. I forbid you to see that woman again."

"You went through a terrible ordeal when Keith was killed. He was such a wonderful man and it must have been such a shock. You're just confused; we know you're not 'that way'. This woman is taking advantage of you and trying to corrupt you. We can get you the help you need." Riley's aunt added helpfully.

"WHAT?" Riley shouted, truly shocked. She'd known her aunt and uncle would react poorly to finding out she was gay. But this! She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her uncle was worried his precious image might be tarnished and her aunt thought being gay was something you choose. My God, do these people think we're living in the 19th century? She asked herself incredulously.

"First off… No one corrupted me. I'm gay!"

Margaret gasped in shock.

"Secondly… I'm 35 years old and I will be friends with whoever I chose." Riley stated emphatically.

Her uncle bolted up from his chair stomping across the room to stand right in front of Riley.

"You will do as you're told! No niece of mine is a queer." He thundered. "I will not have you and your deviant friend embarrass me in front of my colleagues and friends."

Riley took a step back in the face of his rage. Sam's face suddenly appeared in her mind. Her back straightened and she squared her shoulders. Not this time Uncle Rielly, not this time, she chanted to herself. She took a step back toward her uncle.

"No I won't! I'm a grown woman and I'll associate with anyone I choose. I'm gay and that's not going to change. The sooner you get used to it the better. Riley adamantly declared. "And Keith who you think was so wonderful tried to kill me!" she added for her aunt's benefit.

Her uncle's face turned purple and the veins pulsed in his forehead. Riley was becoming concerned he was going to have a stroke.

"You're parents would be so ashamed." Margaret said in a sad voice.

Riley glared at her aunt.

"That's where you're wrong." She told her aunt trying to remain calm. "My parents always encouraged me to be myself whoever that was."

Riley's uncle finally found his voice again. "I'm sure your Mother manipulated him into believing that tripe. If it wasn't for that white trash little slut he married your father could have made something of himself. Instead, he ended up working as a common mechanic. If he had stayed in Los Angeles where he belonged he would still be alive." Reilly ranted.

Riley couldn't believe the hateful words that spewed from her uncle's mouth. Her anger soared at the horrible things he was saying about her beloved mother.

"My father loved my Mother and would've done anything for her. They were happy together. He didn't want the empty life you have with your pretentious friends and fake stature. He left LA to get away from you!" Riley raged.

Riley's head jerked back from the force of her uncle's slap. She put her hand up to her bleeding lip.

"Your aunt and I did everything for you. Took you in, raised you as our own and this is the thanks we get. You're the same white trash your mother was. You should have died with her." He yelled.

Riley stood frozen in front of her uncle. Her aunt just stood by and watched, her face a mixture of pity and disgust.

"Don't ever contact us again. As far as I am concerned I don't have a niece. And don't expect any money from the family estate," he continued.

Riley actually laughed. Of course, to him that was what it was all about, money and stature. "I don't want your fucking money." She sneered in her uncle's face.

Her aunt's eyes bugged out in shock. She'd never heard Riley use such language."

Riley's head snapped back again as her uncle struck her across the face. After a moment of shocked silence, Riley found her voice.

"Get out of my house before I call the police." She stormed over to her aunt who backed up in alarm. "Give me your set of key's… right now." She demanded. She quickly handed Riley a key ring. As her uncle reached the door, Riley made one last comment. "My father would've been ashamed to have you as a brother."

Her uncle took a step back toward her. "Don't even think about it." Riley warned picking up the phone.

When the door slammed behind them, Riley slumped to the couch and let the tears she'd been holding back finally come.

Chapter Nine

Riley wasn't sure how long she'd been lying on the couch crying. She sat up wiping the tears from her face. She winced when she came in contact with her split lip. Riley glanced around the room wondering if she would ever look at her living room in quite the same way. Her anger from earlier had vanished and she just felt heartsick. Without any real thought she reached out and picked up the phone. She really didn't consciously notice whose number she'd called until she heard that familiar voice.

"Hello." Riley was almost surprised to realize she'd instinctively called Sam.

"Hello." Sam said again.

She cleared her throat before speaking but her voice still sounded rough from crying.

"Hi Sam. It's Riley."

Sam tensed at the sound of Riley's voice. "What's wrong?" She was answered by silence.

"Riley please tell me what's wrong. You're scaring me."

"My uncle and aunt were waiting for me when I got home. Dr. Stevens must've called him and told him about us." Riley couldn't stop the tears from falling again. "My uncle was very angry." She told Sam though her tears.

Sam glanced over at Kim and Jess. They were both watching her closely. She put her hand over the receiver for a second. "It's Riley, something happened with her uncle." She quickly explained.

"Baby, listen to me. Did he hurt you?" Sam's anger soared when Riley didn't answer and started to cry harder. "I'll be right there." Sam told her already on her feet.

"No. Wait Sam. I don't want to disrupt your time with Kim and Jess. I just needed to hear your voice. I'll be fine." She tried to convince her. She already felt guilty for even bothering her.

Sam ignored her protests. "I'll be there as fast as I can. Don't open the door for anyone 'til I get there." She hung up before Riley could protest further.

Sam grabbed her keys as she turned to face her sister. "I have to go. Riley's uncle was waiting for her when she got home. Her asshole boss called him and told him about us. He was very angry according to Riley. I think he hurt her and she's not telling me. I've got to get up there."

Jess grabbed her backpack. "Let us go with you. I can help if she's injured and Kim might be able to help her deal with the fallout from the confrontation with her uncle."

Sam shook her head no. Kim stepped in before she could speak.

"No Jess. It's Sam Riley needs. Riley would've told her if she was seriously hurt. She reached out by calling her and Sam needs to be there for her." Kim counseled.

Sam quickly kissed Kim and her sister goodbye. "I'll call when I can and let you know what's going on." She assured them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam broke the speed limit as well as several other traffic laws as she raced up to Riley's condo. She figured worse case if she got stopped they'd let her off when she told them who she was. She managed to make the almost thirty minute drive in fifteen. She ran up to Riley's condo arriving slightly out of breath from the pain. Her leg hadn't been up to running.

She knocked on Riley's door. It took several moments before the porch light clicked on. "It's me Sam." She confirmed. "Let me in."

The door opened revealing Riley with her bruised face and bloody split lip.

"Oh Christ." Sam gasped before quickly stepping into the condo and locking the door behind her. She gently pulled Riley into her arms cradling her against her chest. "Are you alright Baby?" She asked in a gentle voice.

Riley burst into tears clinging to Sam. Sam wrapped her arms around Riley holding her tightly to her chest. She stroked her hair trying to calm her. Riley's tears tapered off. She shuddered, tightening her arms around Sam's waist.

"I am now." She finally responded her voice muffled by Sam's shirt.

Sam placed her fingers under Riley's chin and carefully tilted her face up. "Did your uncle do this to you?"

"Yes." Riley whispered.

"I'll kill that bastard!" Sam hissed through clenched teeth her whole body going taut with rage.

"No Sam. Please."

Sam berated herself. She has seen plenty of these situations and violence was never the answer. Riley's needed her support and caring, not her anger.

"I'm sorry Sweetheart; it just makes me crazy that someone hurt you."

Riley couldn't help but notice the endearments Sam had been using. This was a side of Sam she'd never seen. She smiled at Sam and instantly winced.

"Let's get you taken care of. Where's your first aid kit?"

Sam kept an arm wrapped around Riley's shoulders as they made their way into the bathroom. She directed Riley to sit on the commode as she searched for all the supplies she needed. She carefully cleaned her split lip with peroxide and wiped the blood off her face. When she was done she pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.

"Go into the living room and I'll get some ice for your face and lip."

Riley looked hesitant. Her eyes drop to her lap and she made no attempt to get up.

"What's wrong Baby?" Sam questioned kneeling down in front of Riley.

"I really don't want to go back in there right now." Riley told her softly.

It took Sam a second to realize that must've been where the confrontation with her uncle had taken place.

"Do you want to leave? We could go to my apartment." Sam offered.

Riley shook her head. "No I won't let them run me out of my own home but..." Riley seemed suddenly almost shy. "Could we go up to my bedroom?"

Sam grinned causing Riley to blush. She reached out and stroked Riley's cheek. "Whatever you want. Why don't you go change into something comfy and I'll get the ice and be right there."

Riley's eyes were liquid pools of heather as she gazed into Sam's eyes. "Thank you."

"You don't have to thank me. I'll be here whenever you need me for as long as you need me."

Riley felt her tears start to flow again. Sam immediately enclosed her in a warm embrace.

"Everything is going to be alright Riley. I promise."

Riley turned to head up the stairs and didn't see the look of pain that crossed Sam's face.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam made her way into the kitchen fighting the tears that threatened to fall. She felt like a tight band was closing around her chest. She prepared the ice for Riley's split lip. When the image of Riley as she'd looked when she first opened the door filled Sam's mind her tears started flowing. "What have I done?" she cried to herself. "This is all my fault. If I'd just left her alone none of this would've happened." She dried her eyes and splashed cold water on her face before heading upstairs. She didn't want Riley to know she'd been crying. I need to be strong for her, she reminded herself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam stepped into the doorway of the bedroom and stopped in shock. Riley was standing as if she was frozen in the middle of the room. The place was a mess. All the drawers were open with clothes hanging out of them. The covers were pulled off the bed and lying in the floor.

"Riley?" Sam called quietly, not wanting to startle her.

"Why would she do this? What'd she think she was going to find?" Riley cried.

Sam stepped over closer to Riley. "Who? Who did this?"

Riley turned to face Sam. "My aunt. When I came home, my uncle was waiting for me in the living room. I thought she hadn't come with him. Then she came down the stairs to join us. She must've been up here… doing this."

Riley looked so lost standing there staring at the wreck of her bedroom. Her eyes seemed to go dull and vacant.

Sam walked over to the bed and quickly pulled the cover back up and onto the bed. Riley never moved from her spot in the middle of the room. When she was done Sam took Riley by the hand and led her over to the bed. Riley just stood there making no move to sit down.

"Sit down." Sam gently instructed pressing lightly on Riley's shoulders when she didn't receive a response.

She carefully placed the towel with the ice inside against the side of Riley's face and lip. She lifted Riley's hand and placed it against the towel urging her to hold it in place. Sam was starting to get scared by the vacant look in Riley's eyes. Maybe she should've let Jess come with her. She left Riley sitting on the bed and went around the room pushing clothes back into drawers. Once she had the room back into some semblance of order she went back over to Riley.

Kneeling down in front of her, she gently stroked her uninjured cheek. "You okay Baby?" she inquired softly.

It took several moments but Riley's eyes regained their focus. She looked at Sam then around the room. "Oh Sam, you didn't have to do that."

"Don't worry about it. How about you get into some PJ's and get ready for bed then we'll talk."

"Okay," Riley agreed. She opened a drawer and pulled out a tee shirt and pair of boxers before heading into the bathroom.

Sam once again approached the bed and quickly finished her remake job. She kicked off her shoes and propped a pillow against the headboard; situating herself with her long legs stretched out.

She'd just gotten settled when Riley stepped out of the bathroom. Riley's eyes widened for just a second at seeing Sam in her bed. She made her way across the room and quickly climbed into the bed on the side opposite Sam. Her expression was so open and wounded that Sam instantly opened her arms offering whatever comfort she could. Riley threw herself against Sam's chest burying her face between Sam's breasts. Sam held Riley tight murmuring soothing words into her ear as she rubbed her back. Sam spent long moments holding her. Riley finally relaxed in her arms.

"Want to tell me what happened?" She asked.

Riley took a deep breath before she began. "My uncle was waiting for me when I got back from lunch with you. I guess they'd left a message on my machine saying they would be here today but I never checked it. As soon as I walked in the door, my uncle demanded to know where I'd been. I told him I'd been out with a friend. He seemed really upset which is strange for him. He never shows his emotions. He sneeringly asked if it was the same friend that had been hanging around the hospital. That's when I knew what it was all about. That bastard Stevens must've called him. I tried to change the subject and avoid the confrontation. I always knew they'd take finding out I was gay poorly. I guess that's why I didn't admit it to myself for so long. I wanted them to be proud of me." Riley started to get choked up then shook her head refusing to cry. "That's when he told me he wouldn't have his reputation tarnished and be embarrassed in front of his friends by such deviant behavior and forbid me to see you again. My aunt threw in her two cents telling me that they knew I wasn't 'that way' and would get me help."

Sam struggled to keep a hold of her anger knowing there was more to come. She knew if she lost her temper Riley would never tell her what else had happened.

"I told them I was gay and the sooner they got used to it the better. I'm 35 years old and it's time I chose my own path. My uncle was furious. He stormed across the room and demanded I do what I was told. He said no niece of his was going to be a queer. It's the first time in my life I've ever stood up to my uncle. My aunt then proceeded to tell me how ashamed my parents would be of me."

Riley couldn't hold back her tears anymore. The comments about her mother had truly wounded her.

"Is that when he hit you?"

"No. He told me that my mother manipulated my Dad and that she was just some white trash slut. He said if my Dad had stayed in LA he'd still be alive." Riley was sobbing now making it hard to understand her. "I told him my father loved my mother and had left LA to get away from him. That's when he slapped me and told me I was the same white trash as my mother and…." Riley was sobbing so hard Sam couldn't understand her. She cradled her to her chest trying to calm her. Her words suddenly became clear. "He said I should've died with her."

Sam was in shock, this man is supposed to be her uncle?" she thought incredulously. Her temper flared at the pain the bastard had caused Riley.

"Then they left?" Sam questioned praying it was the end of the horrible encounter.

Riley laughed bitterly. "Oh no, then he told me that I was no niece of his and to never contact them again. He added not to expect any money from the family estate. I laughed in his face and told him I didn't want any of his fucking money. That's when he hit me the second time. I told them to get out before I called the police and I demanded my condo keys back from my aunt. Then they left."

Sam was torn between guilt and anger. The guilt won out and tears began to trail down Sam's face. Riley felt Sam's body began to shake and looked up to see the tears running down her face.

"I'm so sorry, this is all my fault. If I hadn't pressured you into getting involved with me none of this would've ever happened." Sam tearfully apologized.

Riley was shocked. How could she possible blame herself for this? Riley felt her anger rise. It was one thing for her uncle to hurt her but now he'd hurt Sam. She couldn't believe Sam could blame herself for this. She'd set her straight right now!

Sam took Riley's silence as condemnation. When Riley pulled out of her arms, Sam's shoulders slumped and her head dropped to her chest, her tears dripping onto her shirt.

"You listen to me Samantha McKenna!" Riley demanded angrily.

Sam's head popped up at Riley's angry tone. For the first time since she'd entered the condo, Riley's eyes were full of life and sparking with her anger.

"This is not your fault! I was already dating women before I ever met you. It was just a matter of time before my uncle found out or I told him. I'm only going to say this to you one more time! You…didn't… pressure… me… into… anything! Riley punctuated each of her words with a sharp poke into Sam's chest.

Sam couldn't help it, she grinned helplessly. Riley was just so damn cute when she was mad. "OK… OK…I get it!" Sam said rubbing her chest where Riley had repeatedly poked her.

"Good." Riley exclaimed as she settled back into Sam's arms.

Neither woman spoke for some time they just savored the feeling of safety and comfort offered by the other woman. As the tension of the night finally caught up with Riley, she yawned widely wincing at the pulling on her split lip. Sam caressed Riley's hair as she yawned again.

"Maybe I should go. You need to get some sleep."

Riley tightened her hold on Sam. "Please don't go. I don't want to be alone." Riley pleaded.

Sam slid further down into the bed drawing Riley closer to her. "I'll stay 'til you fall asleep then I'll crash on your couch…okay?"

Riley pressed against Sam's side and looked up into her eyes. Her lower lip stuck out in a pout. "No, stay here… in my bed with me." Riley could read the hesitation on Sam's face. "Please," she added.

Sam couldn't resist the plea in Riley's voice. "Sure Baby, whatever you need." Riley hugged Sam tight.

"I'm not sure I have anything that would fit you."

"That's alright; I'm fine like I am."

"You can't sleep like that Honey. Let me see what I can find." Riley said climbing out of bed over Sam's protests.

She rummaged around in several drawers before coming up with an oversized tee shirt. She held it up to herself and it came down to her knees. She pressed the shirt into Sam's hands. Sam had learned to recognize that particular stubborn look on Riley's face and knew there was no sense in protesting further. She headed for the bathroom to change. Riley followed her pointing out where the towels were and getting her a spare toothbrush. Once Riley was gone Sam set about getting ready for bed. She stripped down to her bra and boxers. Changing her mind, she removed her bra before slipping the shirt over her head. It fit more like a tee shirt on her. It was slightly tight across the shoulders and chest and did nothing to hide the outline of her breasts. The shirt that had gone to Riley's knee's barely made it to the top of her thighs and her boxers stuck out from under the shirt. Shrugging her shoulders she made her way back into the bedroom.

Riley had turned off the overhead light leaving just the bedside light burning. She'd removed the comforter leaving a sheet and light blanket on the bed. She pulled back the covers invitingly when Sam approached. Sam swallowed hard still not convinced this was a good idea. Buck up McKenna, she chastised herself, look at her she needs you. She slipped into the bed and settled on her back. Riley turned off the light. Even though the bed was a queen, there wasn't a lot of space between them. Sam wasn't a small woman like Riley. Sam glanced over at Riley. She could just make out her face in the moonlight coming in from the open drapes. Her eyes were open and she appeared to be staring at the ceiling.

"Come here Riley." Sam said lifting her arm up.

Riley didn't have to be told twice. She immediately came into Sam's arms resting her head on her shoulder. Sam's arms came around Riley.

"Good night Riley." Sam whispered softly.

"Night Sam. Thank you for staying." Riley said sighing quietly.

She pressed the length of her body against Sam's side. It wasn't long before Sam felt Riley relax and her breathing even out. Sam lay for a long time enjoying the feel of Riley in her arms. She too eventually drifted off to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley woke feeling disoriented. She was hot and reached down to push the covers off. Even uncovered she was still hot, the bed itself seemed to be radiating heat. That's when she realized her pillow was moving. She forced her eyes open and found a tee shirt covered breast directly in front of her face. Her eyes widened in surprise and her head jerked up; seeing Sam's sleeping face the events of the evening came rushing back. Riley laid her head back down on Sam's chest. It was still dusky in the bedroom; she looked over at the clock on the nightstand and saw it was not quite 5am. She'd obviously moved during the night. She remembered starting out with her head on Sam's shoulder and pressed against her side. Now her head and upper body was resting on Sam's chest and belly and her thigh was bent and resting across Sam's legs. The body under her felt like an electric blanket. Boy she'll be handy to have around in the winter. Her eyes went back to the breast in front of her. Unable to resist she brought her hand up and brushed across the soft mound. Getting no response, she did it again with just a little more pressure. Continuing to gently stroke and then knead Sam's breast she grinned when the nipple started to harden and Sam moaned in her sleep. Feeling braver, she slipped her hand under Sam's shirt that had conveniently slid up during the night exposing her belly. When her hand closed over her bare breast and squeezed Sam's body jumped and her breathing changed. Riley knew she was awake. She continued to fondle her breast and when the nipple hardened further rolled it between her fingers.

"What are you doing Riley?" Sam groaned.

Riley moved until she was fully on top of Sam straddling her hips before meeting her eyes. She slid both hands under her shirt and kneaded her breasts. Sam's hips bucked up.

"What's it look like I'm doing." She asked leaning down to gently kiss Sam's lips and being careful of her own split lip.

Sam had wanted this woman for weeks and she was rapidly loosing the battle against her raging libido. She knew after all Riley had been through she was very vulnerable and it probably wasn't a good idea to become intimate right now. She was having a tough time convincing her libido of that.

"This is so not a good idea." Sam gasped when Riley rolled both nipples between her fingers."

"Really, I think it's a great idea." Riley informed Sam as she pushed her shirt up and replaced her fingers with her lips gently sucking one of Sam's nipples into her mouth.

"Oh God!" Sam moaned. Every tug of Riley mouth on her nipple sent an answering throb between her legs. She gripped the sheets tightly. "We have to stop Riley… We should wait… We need to talk… Sam panted.

Riley released Sam's nipple and moved up to whisper in her ear. Her hands continued to caress her body. "I'm done talking… I don't want to wait and if you really want me to stop you better say so fast 'cause I'm not stopping." Riley whispered huskily in her ear. Her hot breath in Sam's ear was driving her closer to the edge. Her hand slid down Sam's belly and into her boxers. Sam's legs spread open without her permission granting access. Riley groaned as her fingers slid into the wet hot folds. Her hips jerked in response. She tried to push her own arousal aside wanting to pleasure Sam.

Sam's back arched as Riley stroked her determinately. When Riley moved back down to take one of her nipples into her mouth Sam knew she wasn't going to last much longer.

"Riley…please…I'm going to come." Sam didn't know if she was begging for it to happen or pleading for her to stop.

Sam's husky desire laden voice almost pushed Riley over the edge. She straddled Sam's thigh then thrust her fingers inside her. Sam screamed out Riley's name and came hard with the first thrust of her fingers. Riley kept her fingers buried deep inside Sam riding out her climax as she continued to thrust against her thigh. Only seconds later Riley stiffened and cried out as her climax rushed through her body. She slumped against Sam's chest her fingers still inside her. Both women lay panting trying to regain their composure. Riley moved first gently removing her fingers from inside Sam. Sam groaned loudly as she pulled out.

Riley lifted up meeting Sam's bright eyes. "I… I lo…" Sam just couldn't get the words out. Riley didn't need to hear the words she could see the love shimmering in Sam's vivid blue eyes. She leaned forward kissing her softly. "I do too," she told her. Tears started to track down Sam's cheeks.

"What's the matter Honey?" Riley asked gently. "That's not a bad thing is it?"

Sam swallowed several times before answering. "No Babe, it's not a bad thing. I just… I just never thought it would happen to me."

Riley hugged Sam as tight at she could in response. "Me either Honey… me either."

The women lay together each one glowing in the revelation of the other. They finally drifted back to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley was the first to awaken again. This time when she opened her eyes she found a naked breast inches from her face. Glancing at the clock she saw it was just after 9am. A grin spread across her face as she remembered what had happened earlier. Her hand stroked down Sam's side stopping when she got to her boxers. She looked down seeming to notice for the first time that Sam still had her boxers and tee shirt on and she was still completely dressed as well. She couldn't help it, it just struck her as funny and she started to laugh. Her laughter woke up Sam. She looked down at the redhead resting on her chest and kissed the crown of her head. Riley lifted her head up still chucking.

"You find my body that funny." Sam asked.

"Oh Honey, I find your body lots of things, funny isn't one of them." Riley assured Sam leaning over to kiss her breast. "I was just laughing cause I realized we were both still dressed.

Riley snickered at Sam's confused look. "I always knew when we finally made love for the first time we wouldn't manage to get our clothes off and I was right."

Sam laughed. "I guess someone did get a little carried away," Sam teased. "But that can be remedied."

Riley gasped finding herself suddenly on her back under Sam. Her heart rate picked up and her breath hitched at the burning passion in Sam's eyes. Sam lifted up enough to grasp the bottom of Riley's tee shirt hesitating until Riley eagerly nodded her head. Riley helped her pull the shirt over her head.

"Beautiful." Sam breathed. She leaned down to gently kiss an exposed breast. Riley groaned at the soft kiss. Sam's hand slid down to her boxers. "I want to see all of you…please." Again, she just nodded. Sam sat up and knelt next to Riley. She gently lowered her boxers down her legs and off. Her hands were shaking and she was trembling with excitement.

Her eyes traced Riley's body from her firm full breasts down to her slim waist. Her gaze traveled further down to the red triangle of hair at the top of surprisingly sculptured thighs. "You are absolutely gorgeous," Sam said huskily.

Riley felt her heart slam in her chest at the look on Sam's face. She was afraid she'd come as soon as Sam touched her.

"I want to see you too." She begged.

Sam pulled her shirt over her head then lifted up and removed her boxers. Although Riley had seen Sam in various states of undress before nothing prepared her for Sam in all her glory. She was magnificent. Her broad shoulders were well muscled, her breasts small and beautifully shaped. Her stomach was rock hard. Her eyes continued downward to the thick patch of black hair between her legs. She licked her lips unconsciously. Her eyes landed on the scars on her thigh. She gently reached out and traced the scars with her fingers. Sam shivered at the touch. Opening her arms to Sam, she urged her back down on top of her. She spread her legs encouraging Sam to take her place between them. They both moaned as their bare bodies made full contact for the first time. Sam's hard belly pressed into Riley's center and she couldn't stop her hips from pushing up into her. Sam used her arms to support most of her weight not wanting to crush the much smaller woman.

"Oh god you feel so incredible." Sam groaned leaning down to kiss Riley gently. She slipped down slightly kissing her neck and upper chest. Riley pushed on Sam's shoulders urging her lower. Sam was more than happy to comply. She was finally going to get to taste the breasts that had been taunting her for weeks. She laved her tongue over the already hard bud before gently sucking it into her mouth. Riley's hands came up tangling in Sam's hair holding her in place. Sam brought her hand up to knead the other breast. She could feel Riley's wetness painting her abdomen as her hips rocked rhythmically against her. She lifted enough to give herself access and releasing her hold on her breast used that hand to slip down between their bodies. A shrill beeping sound caused her to jump before she could reach her goal. She released Riley's nipple to look around for the source of the sound. Her eyes landed on Riley's pager on the bedside table.

"NO!" She growled. "This can't be happening." Determined to ignore it she went back to Riley's breast. The shrill beep sounded again.

Riley was so lost in the haze of passion it took her several moments to realize what was happening. When the pager shrilled the second time, she cursed pulling away from Sam.

"Damn it. NO! Not now." Knowing she couldn't ignore it, she reached over and picked up the pager. They wouldn't be calling her to come in early if it wasn't something serious.

Sam rolled off of Riley and laid on her back trying to get control of herself. She couldn't remember ever being so aroused and the beeping of the pager had done nothing to curb that.

Riley glanced at the display. It was the ER's number. Sparing a quick pained glance at Sam, she picked up the phone and started to dial.

Sam listened to the one sided conversation. It was obvious she was going to have to leave. I can't believe she's just going to leave. This being involved with a surgeon really sucks, Sam whined to herself.

Riley hung up the phone and turned to Sam. She had her arm thrown across her face. Riley reached out a hand to gently stroke Sam's belly. Sam jumped at the touch and pulled way.

Riley's breath caught at the pain of Sam refusing her touch. Her shoulders slumped and she removed her hand. "I'm so sorry. That was Denny. There was a major construction accident downtown. They're sending us several of the critically injured as soon as they have them extricated. I have to go. Please Sam I'm really sorry," Riley pleaded contritely.

Sam realized she was being childish. There were people seriously hurt and Riley was needed at the hospital. She removed her arm and looked at Riley. She couldn't help the surge of renewed arousal the nude woman caused. Riley was looking intently at the bed with her shoulders slumped in dejection.

"How soon do you have to be there?" She asked pushing aside her arousal and annoyance.

"They expect the first arrivals within thirty minutes so I have to go right now." Riley said, still looking down at the bed refusing to make eye contact with Sam.

Sam felt bad realizing she'd hurt Riley by pulling away from her touch. She reached out and gently ran her hand up her thigh. Riley's head came up meeting her eyes. "Grab a quick shower, you reek of sex." She told her wiggling her eyebrows. "Then I'll drive you in and come get you when you're done tonight."

Riley laughed her eyes regaining their sparkle. She was so happy Sam wasn't angry. "You don't have to do that. I don't have in-house call but I'll still be on call." She warned. "It could be late."

"Get in the shower Riley!"

Riley glanced at the clock. "Shit." She exclaimed when she realized ten minutes had already passed. She jumped off the bed, grabbed some clothes, and headed for the shower. She was back in less than ten minutes her short hair still wet. Sam was already dressed and waiting.

"You really don't have to drive me in." Riley told Sam as she stopped to put on her shoes.

"Riley I'm driving…let's go." Sam said turning and walking out of the room. Riley grinned and happily followed her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was a quick drive to the hospital. Sam pulled up outside the ER to drop Riley off. "I'll call you as soon as I can." She leaned over the console giving Sam a sweet kiss on the lips.

"I'll be waiting," Sam promised.

Riley headed for the ER at a fast jog, a silly grin plastered on her face.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley spotted Denny as soon as she stepped into the ER. "Hey Denny, what've we got?"

The tall lanky blond turned at the sound of his friend's voice. "Oh my God Riley what happened to you?" He asked in shock.

Riley was confused for a second wondering what he was talking about then her hand went to her bruised cheek. She glanced around and noticed several people listening intently to the conversation. She didn't want her personal life bandied about the hospital. At times, it was like living in a fish bowl with everyone knowing everyone else's business.

"Oh don't remind me," she laughed. "I tripped over my own feet and bashed into an open kitchen cabinet."

Denny narrowed his eyes looking at Riley suspiciously. Something wasn't right here but seeing their audience, he decided to let it go. He'd get the truth out of her later.

"What've we got?" Riley repeated.

They headed off together to take care of all the injured construction workers.

Chapter Ten

Denny finished his last surgery and headed to the lounge hoping to catch Riley before she left. She'd headed into the OR just before he took in his last patient. He found her in the surgical lounge her feet propped up on the table asleep. He smiled fondly, he'd always felt like the big brother Riley never had.

"Hey Riley. How'd that last case go?"

Riley jerked awake, grumbling when she realized she'd dozed off. "Hi Denny." Riley's face took on a pained expression. "There was nothing I could do; his arm was too badly injured. I had to amputate. I was just waiting for them to get him settled in recovery. I wanted to check him one more time before I head out."

"I'm sorry Kiddo, sometimes there's just nothing more we can do. He lost his arm but you saved his life." Denny assured her.

"I know, but I'd be willing to bet he won't feel the same way." Riley said with a sigh.

"Maybe not at first but eventually he'll realize just how lucky he was. Enough about patients, want to tell me what really happened to your face?"

Riley squirmed in her chair and refused to make eye contact. "I don't know what you mean, I told you what happened."

Denny reached over and tilted Riley's head up until their eyes met. "Come on, we've known each other since medical school. You know I can always tell when you're not telling the truth."

Riley sighed dramatically. "It's nothing really. It's over and done with."

Denny reached out and stroked Riley's injured cheek. He could just make out a hint of fingerprints in the bruises on her cheek. A thought suddenly occurred to him and his eyes widened.

"It wasn't that woman was it? The one who's been hanging around looking for you. Did she hurt you?" Denny asked in concern.

"Oh God No Denny, it wasn't Sam." Riley gasped in shock.

"Sam… who's Sam."

"She's my friend; well she's more than a friend." Riley said blushing. "Which leads us back to this." She said pointing to her bruised cheek.

"You remember my Uncle Rielly?"

"How could I forget that asshole," Denny muttered.

Riley chuckled, remembering several run-ins Denny had with her uncle when they were in medical school. Denny had hated the way her uncle treated her and had made his displeasure well known.

"Well I umm… I umm…"

"Spit it out Riley." Denny encouraged.

"I recently started dating her… Sam I mean. Stevens saw us kissing in the parking lot."

Riley glanced up waiting for Denny's reaction. Denny snickered and Riley glared at him.

"Sorry, go ahead."

"Stevens confronted me about it last week. I told him my personal life was none of his business. Well he saw us again when Sam brought me lunch. Guess the SOB took it upon himself to call my uncle. Anyway, my uncle was waiting for me yesterday when I got home from lunch with Sam. He was less than happy about me seeing a woman. I think his exact words were, 'No niece of mine is going to be a queer'. Things escalated from there and he smacked me in the face… twice." Riley blinked trying to keep the tears from falling.

Denny leaned forward and wrapped his arms around Riley. "I am so sorry Kiddo. I always knew the guy was a real bastard but I never thought he'd hit you." Riley couldn't help it, the tears started to leak out. "I'm so proud of you for finally being true to who you really are."

Riley pulled away from Denny and looked at him in shock. "What do you mean?" Denny just smiled at her knowingly. "You knew? You knew I was gay! But how I never…"

"Riley, Carol and I have always known. I know you and Linda thought it was this great secret but it was pretty obvious to people who know you. You know I never liked Linda but I just never understood why you insisted on dating guys. Now I understand," he said softly stroking her injured cheek with his fingertips.

Riley just stared at him in shock. He'd known all this time and never said a word. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"I wanted to but Carol convinced me it wasn't my place. You needed to accept who you are. It wasn't for me to tell you. So are you happy with Sam? Is she good to you?"

"Oh Denny, she's incredible. She makes me feel things I never thought were possible." Riley enthused blushing lightly.

Denny hugged her. "I'm so happy for you. So when are you going to bring her over? Carol and I want to meet her."

Riley's eyes went wide in panic and she started to stutter. She could just imagine the grilling Carol would give Sam. Denny laughed at the look of total panic on Riley's face.

"Relax Riley, I promise we won't give her the third degree. We're your friends; we want you to be happy. Besides, you haven't met the newest member of our family yet. He should get to come home in two weeks."

"That's wonderful. I'm so thrilled for you guys. And I did get to see Jeremy. I snuck up to the PICU. He's adorable." Riley told him. She yawned and rubbed her eyes trying to say alert.

"Get out of here and get some rest. I'll take care of the post-op orders on your patient."

"Thanks Denny. I'll do it while I wait for Sam. She drove me in this morning. So I need to call her to pick me up."

"Okay, I really am happy for you. Bring your girl by to meet us." Denny encouraged.

Riley assured him she would and headed out to call Sam and finish up her patients post-op orders so she could get out of there.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam prowled her apartment restlessly. She had talked to Riley earlier in the day and she'd told her it would probably be late when she finished up. They had ended up taking even more critical patients than expected. It was almost 11pm and Riley hadn't called yet say to come get her. She worried about the long hours she was working and knew Riley had probably not bothered to stop to eat.

She had called Kim and Jess as soon as she'd gotten in that morning. Jess was furious when she told her about the confrontation with Riley's uncle. Kim wasn't surprised by the reaction, though it saddened her. It didn't make Sam feel any better when Kim told her it was an all too common reaction to a parent or parent surrogate to finding out their child was gay. Sam and Jess realized how lucky they were that their parents and family had been so accepting. It wasn't like there was just one gay child in their family to accept; two sisters being gay wasn't that common in their experience.

Sam flopped down on the couch her thoughts going back to that morning at Riley's condo. She had gone over it in her head all day. She still couldn't believe she'd just lain there and let Riley take her. That just wasn't how things were supposed to happen. She had never even touched her. Her experience with Riley was so outside what she was used to she just wasn't sure how to react. Sam enjoyed all the different ways two women could make love but always from the position of being the one in control. Being passive just didn't fit her image of herself. She couldn't even remember a time she'd lain on her back and allowed someone to just take her. Even with the men she'd been with she had insisted on being on top. The thing that scared her most was the fact of how much she'd liked it. She wasn't sure if they were together again it wouldn't happen again. Sam had never felt so out of control around anyone in her life. The ringing of the phone interrupted her thoughts.

"Hello"

"Hey Sam, it's me," said a very tired sounding Riley.

"Hey Babe, you finally done?"

Riley was exhausted but felt better just hearing Sam's voice.

"Yes, please come get me."

"I'll be there in fifteen minutes."

Sam made a quick run into the kitchen. She'd picked up Chinese takeout earlier and had it on warm in the oven. She knew it was unlikely Riley had eaten.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley leaned against the wall outside the ER trying to stay awake. She sighed in relief when Sam's T-bird pulled up into the small parking lot next to the ER. She hurried over to get in.

"Hi." She greeted Sam, suddenly shy. During one of her breaks she had replayed the events of the morning. She still couldn't believe she'd been quite so aggressive with Sam. In her previous relationship Linda had always been the one to initiate sex and call the shots so to speak. To just have taken over like that was very foreign to her. Now face to face with Sam she was embarrassed that she'd let her libido get the better of her. She didn't like feeling out of control.

Sam immediately sensed Riley's uneasiness and wondered what was wrong. With anyone else she would've just let it go figuring they'd tell her when they were ready. But, she found she couldn't do that with Riley, if something was wrong she needed to know what it was.

"What's wrong?" She asked softly as she tilted Riley's chin up to make eye contact.

Riley blushed as she met Sam's warm blue eyes. Sam couldn't resist and leaned over brushing a soft kiss across Riley's lips.

"Nothing." Riley said looking down again, hoping Sam couldn't see her blush. "I'm just tired."

Sam didn't believe her. "Riley…" she said with a question in her voice.

"We should get going."

"We will as soon as you tell me what's wrong." Sam insisted.

"I just um… I'm a little embarrassed."

"About what?" Sam asked curiously.

"Umm…about this morning… I'm not like that… I mean I usually don't do that… It's just you make me so crazy… I can't help it." Riley felt like her face was on fire as she blushed fiercely.

Sam's brow furrowed as she tried to figure out what Riley was talking about. Then it hit her, their lovemaking that morning. Or rather Riley making love to her. Her mind flashed back to Riley on top of her thrusting deep inside. She felt an immediate jolt of arousal. Her voice was deep and desire ridden when she spoke.

"Don't worry Babe, I liked it." Sam's eyes widened in shock at her own words. Whoa, shit where did that come from? She thought in panic. Oh, you know it's true. Sam's little voice piped up.

Riley was shocked not only by Sam's words but by the rapidly spreading blush covering her face.

Her mind was playing back the images from that morning. All the discomfort and embarrassment she'd felt when she first got in the car were gone.

"Really?" Riley husked in a sultry tone.

Sam felt her ears go hot. The sound of Riley's voice and the images from that morning were doing strange things to her. She glanced over and swallowed hard at the expression on Riley's face.

"Yeah." Sam managed to squeak out.

Riley leaned over the console. "Maybe you should take me home and we can talk about this further." She purred in Sam's ear as her hand massaged Sam's thigh.

Sam wasn't so sure she could drive. The pulse pounding between her legs was totally distracting. When Riley's hand slid higher up her thigh Sam placed her hand on top stopping her from going higher. She had to clear her throat twice before she managed to speak.

"Babe if you keep touching me like that we'll never make it out of this parking lot."

Riley stuck her lip out in a pout but removed her hand from Sam's thigh. Sam breathed a sigh of relief and headed for Riley's apartment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Neither woman spoke as Sam made her way to the freeway entrance. Once she was on the freeway and had calmed down a little she glanced over at Riley. A soft smile lit her face; Riley was sound asleep. Poor thing must be exhausted. Sam drove in silence not willing to risk waking Riley. She pulled into the visitor parking lot and shut off the car.

"Riley…" Sam called softly. "We're here." Riley never moved or showed any signs of waking. Sam reached out gently shaking her shoulder. Riley instantly jerked awake then looked around in confusion. Her face flushed in embarrassment when she realized she'd fallen asleep.

"Sorry about that," she said sheepishly.

Sam reached out and ran a gently hand up Riley's arm. "Don't worry about it, you must be exhausted. When was the last time you ate?"

At the mention of food Riley's stomach growled loudly. "Umm I'm not sure."

"Damn it Riley!" Riley jumped at Sam's angry tone. "You've got to take better care of yourself."

Riley looked down at her lap and Sam immediately felt bad for her outburst.

"I'm sorry, I just worry about you."

Riley smiled sweetly at Sam then leaned over to kiss her. "Thank you." She whispered as she pulled back.

Sam reached into the backseat and flipped open a Styrofoam container that Riley hadn't noticed. She pulled out a large bag and handed it to Riley. Riley opened the bag and the odors coming from the bag caused her stomach to growl loudly.

"I figured you hadn't stopped to eat so I picked up some Chinese earlier. I hope that's alright?"

"It's wonderful, come on let's get inside so we can eat." Riley said eagerly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There was little conversation as Riley dug into the Chinese food. By the time she was finished Sam could see she was struggling to stay awake.

"I should get going and let you get some rest."

Riley's head jerked up and she looked panicked for a moment. "Please don't go. I'd really like you to stay."

Sam wasn't sure that was very good idea considering what had happened the last time they'd shared a bed. They still had a lot to talk about.

Riley saw the doubt flash across Sam's face. "Please, I really don't want to be alone." She pleaded softly.

Sam sighed; there was no way she could refuse her. "Sure, I'll stay. What time do you have to be in?"

Riley flashed Sam a brilliant smile. "I'm back on at 7am."

Sam glanced at her watch it was just after midnight. "Jesus Riley, don't you ever get a break?"

"I'm off on Sunday. I actually could cut my schedule back some… but I've never had a reason to," She gazed at Sam, her eyes warm and inviting, " 'til now that is."

Sam lost herself in Riley's violet eyes. The two women sat staring into each other's eyes. Riley finally broke their trance when she yawned widely.

"Come on, let's get you to bed," Sam said. Riley's eyes sparked. "To sleep Riley… you need to rest."

Riley stuck out her lip in a pout but obediently followed Sam upstairs.

Sam removed her clothes and donned the tee shirt from the previous night. Riley came out of the bathroom in her tee shirt and boxers and settled in bed. Sam finished getting ready for bed then joined her.

Sam settled on her back as Riley turned out the light. Riley glanced over at Sam and she opened her arms in invitation. Riley settled into Sam's arms with a sigh and immediately fell asleep. Sam leaned down kissing the top of Riley's head before drifting off to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam woke early it was still dark outside. She glanced at the clock; it was just after 5am. Riley was snuggled up against her side with her head resting on her shoulder and her arm thrown over her waist. Sam smiled and closed her eyes enjoying the feel of Riley in her arms. She drifted back to sleep and was awakened the second time by the blaring of Riley's alarm. Riley groaned rolling over to shut off the offending sound. She rolled back over to face Sam smiling at her.

"Good Morning." She said before leaning in to kiss Sam's lips. The kiss was warm, gentle, and loving. Riley couldn't help thinking how nice it would be to wake up every morning with Sam in her bed.

Sam returned the sweet kiss with one of her own and hugged Riley.

"Good Morning to you. Sleep well?"

Riley rolled onto her back and stretched her arms above her head. Her back arched causing the tee shirt to pull tight across her breasts. She made a sound like a contented cat. Sam's eyes were immediately drawn to the display.

"I slept great." The alarm rang again interrupting. Riley shut it off before turning back to Sam. "I'm sorry I have to get ready for work."

"I know," Sam said with a sigh. "Go ahead and I'll go make us some coffee."

Riley headed for the shower, smiling happily. Sam headed for the kitchen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam searched Riley kitchen for the coffeemaker, finally finding it under one of the counters. She got the coffee brewing and hurried back upstairs to get dressed. She was waiting for Riley with a cup of coffee already brewed when she came down the stairs.

She handed the cup to Riley. "I was going to make us some breakfast but you don't have any food in the house."

Riley blushed. "Yeah, I really need to get to the grocery store. It's just last week was so crazy and I wasn't here all week, then all this with my uncle."

"Tell you what. How about I drop you off at work then pick you up some groceries?" Sam offered.

"Oh Sam I can't let you do that. I'll grab something at the hospital."

"You're not letting me do anything, I'm volunteering. Besides if I'm gonna be staying at night I need more than a cup of coffee in the morning." Sam blushed when she realized what she'd just said.

Riley grinned. "So you're going to be staying the nights huh?"

Sam took a sudden interest in the tops of her shoes. "Only if you want me to."

"Oh Honey of course I want you to. I know we still need to talk but I really like waking up with you." Riley told her honestly.

"Me too." Sam said shyly.

Riley couldn't help but smile at the transformation. One minute she'd been standing across from a very confident, butch Sam and the next a sweet gentle woman with a shy uncertain smile. It was endearing to say the least.

Riley opened a kitchen drawer and started rummaging through it. She pushed the drawer shut and turned to Sam offering her the object in her hand. Sam stared in surprise at the key ring in Riley's hand. She hesitated then reached out to take them.

"I'll give them back when I pick you up tonight." Sam assured her.

"Naw… just hang on to them." Riley said smiling.

Sam swallowed heavily past the lump in her throat. "Are you sure about this?" She asked nervously. No one had ever given her their keys before.

Riley grinned at Sam's nervousness. She reached out closing Sam's hand around the keys. "Yes, I'm sure."

Riley looked at the clock. "Shit, I have to go. I'll call you tonight when I get home."

"You'll call me tonight when you're ready to come home. Come on… I'm driving."

"But Sam, you don't need to do…" Riley's voice trailed off; Sam wasn't in the kitchen any more. She heard the front door open and hurried to catch up with Sam.

Sam dropped Riley off at the entrance to the ER before hurrying to what she hoped would be her last therapy appointment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam sat in her living room as the late, late show played on the TV. She had gone to bed earlier but hadn't been able to sleep. Her thoughts raced. It was Friday and the first time all week she'd slept in her own bed. She jumped up to pace restlessly. This isn't good. What's the matter with me? I always slept just fine without a woman in my bed. Hell I slept better without someone else in the bed. It's just being back at my own place after spending the week at Riley's. I just got used to her bed… yeah, that's it. She tried to convince herself. Riley was on in-house call at the hospital tonight which was why Sam was at home trying to sleep in her own bed. She curled up on the couch with a blanket and finally managed to dose off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley stared up at the ceiling of the on-call room. It was after midnight and she was exhausted. She had tossed and turned for the last hour trying to fall asleep. "This is ridiculous." She groused pulling one of the pillows out from under her head and wrapping her arms around it. Sam had spent every night that week in her bed. It'd been one of the happiest weeks Riley ever had. Sam had picked her up every night when she'd finished at work and always had food in the back of her car to take to the condo. They had shared a quiet dinner every night then Sam would hold her until she fell asleep. Riley would wake in the morning still securely wrapped in Sam's arms. They would have breakfast together and Sam would take her to work. She lay there for quite awhile replaying the events of the last week in her head. She was surprised they'd managed to share a bed for a week and not make love again. She sighed knowing that was her fault, she had worked from 7am until after 10 pm every day this week. By the time Sam took her home, she was too exhausted to do anything but sleep. She tried to clear her mind of all whirling thoughts finally giving up, she growled in frustration. I do not need Sam to sleep. I slept just fine before she came along. I'm just over tired…Yeah that's it; I'm just over tired. She was almost relieved when her pager went off a few minutes later.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley had completed her morning rounds and was finally free. She paced up and down in front of the ER waiting for Sam to arrive. She'd managed to change her schedule and had both today and tomorrow off with no call. Riley was anxious to start her weekend with Sam. She turned as the ER doors opened and blanched when Denny strolled out. She caught a glimpse of Sam's car out of the corner of her eye.

"Bye Denny, see you." Riley said trying to escape.

"Whoa… where are you going in such a rush?" He asked putting a restraining hand on her arm. A grin broke out on his face when he figured it out. "Sam's on her way to pick you up isn't she?" He asked rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

Riley stopped in her tracks and groaned. "Come on Denny, you promised."

Denny wiggled his eyebrows at Riley and smirked. Riley's eyes widened when she saw Sam approaching from behind Denny. Sam had seen the man talking to Riley, when he'd put his hand on her arm; her protective instincts had kicked it. She'd quickly parked the car and headed for Riley.

Sam walked past Denny and stood at Riley's side. "Everything okay? Ready to go?" She asked.

WOW! Denny thought to himself. Oh, man… she's gorgeous... Riley you sure know how to pick 'em. Denny couldn't help but let his eyes admire the tall woman's dark good looks and beautiful body.

Riley glared at Denny, she didn't like the way he was staring at Sam. Knowing there was no way out, she made the introductions. "Sam this is my friend Denny. Denny this is my friend Sam."

Sam smiled in relief that this was a friend of Riley's and not someone harassing her. She stuck out her hand to Denny.

"Hi nice to meet you."

'Nice to meet you too Sam, Riley has told me all about you."

"Denny!" Riley hissed.

A little half smirk appeared on her face as she turned to face Riley. "Really? All about me huh?" she purred in a husky voice.

Riley's face flushed bright red and she glared at Denny. Denny was having his own problems as his body reacted to Sam's sexy voice. Oh, Riley I bet you have your hands full with this one, he chuckled to himself, thankful he was wearing a lab coat. He couldn't wait to get a chance to tease Riley.

Sam relented when she saw Riley's expression. She reached out and put a hand on Riley's shoulder squeezing gently.

"We should get going." She told her. "Nice to meet you Denny."

"You too Sam, maybe you and Riley could stop by the house sometime. I grill a mean steak. I know my wife would love to meet you too. How about this weekend?"

Sam looked at Riley to see her reaction. She had a panicked look on her face. Hmm…I wonder what that's all about. I'll have to ask her about that. Wanting to let a panicked Riley off the hook Sam turned to Denny.

"Well between mine and Riley's schedule it's hard to find time for much. I'll have to take a rain check."

Denny looked disappointed and Riley appeared relieved.

Riley saw Denny's disappointed look and felt bad. "Not this weekend, okay Denny. But I promise we'll come by the house to see Carol and Jeremy."

Denny remembered how new everything was for Riley and decided not to push. "OK Kiddo, I'll hold you to that."

Denny said his goodbyes and headed back to the ER.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam smiled over at Riley, she'd fallen asleep about halfway to the condo. Sam gently shook her shoulder.

"Come on Babe, we're here."

Riley grumbled and her eyes slowly fluttered open. "Sorry about that." She muttered in embarrassment. She scrubbed her hands over her face trying to wake up. She didn't intend to spend her day off sleeping. "Just let me get a couple of cups of coffee in me and I'll be fine."

Sam reached out and softly stroked Riley's cheek. Riley leaned into her touch. "Don't worry about it. Did you get any sleep last night?"

Riley thought of the hour she'd spent tossing and turning in the on-call room. "Not much." She admitted.

"I shouldn't even bother to ask if you've eaten huh?"

Riley shook her head no.

"Come on. I bought breakfast stuff when I went to the grocery store."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley used the last bite of pancake to chase the last bit of syrup on her plate. Sam had insisted on making breakfast while she relaxed with a cup of coffee in the breakfast nook. Riley patted her full stomach and yawned widely.

"That was really great Sam. I think I need some more coffee." She said as she yawned again. She glanced over at Sam. She had that little half smirk on her face that Riley had quickly learned meant she was up to something. "What?"

Sam laughed and poured her another cup of coffee. "Go ahead and drink it but it won't do you any good… it's decaf."

Riley looked down at her cup suspiciously. Sam laughed at her expression. She put her fingers on Riley's lips before she could protest.

"You've worked 16 hour days all week; you need to get some rest."

"But I have the day off. I want to spend it with you, not sleeping." Riley whined.

"We will but I couldn't enjoy myself knowing you were exhausted. Just take a nap then I promise we'll spend the rest of the day together. It's still early." Sam assured her.

"Okay but only if you take a nap with me." Riley bargained.

Sam started to protest but her own yawn caught her by surprise. They made their way together up to Riley's bedroom.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley's eyes slowly fluttered open. She glanced at the clock on the night side table. It was just after 3pm. She cursed when she realized they'd been asleep almost six hours. She gazed at Sam's sleeping face then allowed her eyes to drift down her body. The shirt Sam was wearing pulled tight across her chest accentuating her breasts. Riley felt a sudden jolt of arousal and all sleepiness was gone. She cautiously pushed up Sam's shirt not wanting to wake her. Her eyes roamed over her exposed breasts and she felt a throbbing begin between her legs as she watched Sam's nipples harden in the cool bedroom air. Carefully lifting up she laved one of the tightening buds with her tongue before sucking it into her mouth. Sam moaned in her sleep but didn't awaken. Riley's arousal soared. She couldn't get enough of Sam. She switched breasts sucking the other nipple into her mouth while softly kneading its partner. She was amazed Sam hadn't awoken yet. Her libido kicked into overdrive as she continued to suckle Sam's now rock hard nipples. Her hand slid down Sam's abdomen and into her boxers. She lightly ran her fingers through her thick hair, scratching softly. Riley grinned when Sam's legs spread open. She glanced up, checking to see if she was still asleep. Unable to resist any longer her fingers slipped lower. Sam was so wet Riley couldn't hold back a moan at the feel of her under her fingers.

Sam was in limbo between waking and sleep. She thought she was having a very vivid erotic dream. Her eyes slowly opened and then widened in shock. Riley was straddling her thigh and her fingers were stroking between her legs as she suckled her nipple. Sam groaned loudly and Riley felt a sudden flood soak her fingers. She lifted passion-filled eyes to Sam. Their gazes locked. Riley leaned up and kissed Sam passionately as her fingers slipped inside. Sam's back arched and she moaned into the kiss. Riley broke the kiss and went back to Sam's nipple as she began to thrust in and out of her.

"Oh God Riley…" Sam gasped. She could feel herself nearing the edge. Sam raised her knee pushing her thigh harder into Riley's center. Her hands came up and clasped Riley's hips urging her to thrust against her. Riley immediately began to ride against Sam's thigh as she continued to plunge in and out of her. Riley felt Sam's walls flutter around her fingers. She ground down into her thigh and thrust her fingers into Sam as deep as they would go. They cried out each other's names as they climaxed together. Riley collapsed on top of Sam. Sam wrapped her arms tightly around Riley holding her close.

As soon as Sam regained her breath, she rolled over taking Riley with her. Riley gasped at the renewed passion burning in Sam's eyes. Sam pressed the length of their bodies together.

"My turn." She growled.

Riley's passion quickly rekindled from the look in Sam's eyes. Sam lifted up and removed her tee shirt and boxers before doing the same to Riley. As she lowered her weight back down onto Riley, she stopped glaring at something on Riley's night side table. Riley followed Sam's gaze to see what had caused her ire. Riley couldn't help laughing when she realized Sam was glaring at her pager. Riley reached over, picked up the offending object, and made a show of shutting it off before tossing it to the floor. She wiggled out from under Sam and getting on her knee's leaned over and unplugged the phone.

"I'm all yours." She said teasingly as she turned back to face Sam. Riley gulped when Sam's eyes met hers. They had turned an incredible silvery blue and she could see the fire burning in them. Sam rose up onto her knees and held out her hand to Riley. She drew her into her arms and pressed their bodies together.

"Yes you are." Sam husked in her ear.

Riley felt an incredible surge of arousal and could feel her juices coating the insides of her thighs. Sam ran her hands down Riley back to her butt. She took the two globes in her hands and began to knead them as she kissed Riley passionately. Her tongue explored every inch of Riley's mouth. Riley had never been so aroused in her life. Her hips began to press against Sam urgently. Riley whimpered when Sam pulled away.

"Easy Babe, I'll take care of you." Sam promised in a husky voice.

Sam lowered Riley to the bed and crouched over her. She kissed her deeply as her hands began to caress her. Riley was frantic, the throbbing between her legs was making her crazy. She put her hands on Sam's shoulders urging her lower. Sam slid down to Riley's breasts and stopped. Riley tried to push her lower but Sam refused. She placed open mouth kisses all over Riley's neck and chest before finally making her way to her breast. As her mouth worshipped one breast, her hand attended its twin. Riley's hips jerked and her back arched when Sam finally took a nipple into her mouth sucking it deep.

"Please Sam… Please. Touch me." She begged.

Her hands went to Sam's shoulders and she tried again to push her lower. Her hips thrust up trying to ease the ache between her legs. Sam seeing Riley's frenzied movements moved down a little further. She kissed her way down her abdomen to the top of her mound. Sam's knees where on either side of Riley's keeping her from spreading her legs. Sam moved off to the side momentarily and placed a hand on the inside of Riley's knees. She spread her legs open slowly. She quickly took her place between Riley's spread legs settling on her stomach. Her thighs clenched as she gazed at the treasure laid open before her. Her head lifted and met Riley's gaze, her eyes had deepened to a dark purple color and were filled with passion. She gently stroked the soft skin of Riley's inner thighs. Riley's hips bucked up and her expression became pleading. Sam reached out and gently spread Riley open. Keeping eye contact, she gently ran her tongue up between Riley's legs. Sam's eyes closed and she moaned at the exquisite taste. Riley's head snapped back at the first touch of Sam's tongue. Sam thoroughly explored Riley with her tongue, lapping up her sweet nectar. She pushed Riley's legs open further and moved down pushing her tongue inside as far as it would go and began to pump rhythmically. Riley's hips bucked in her face and she reached out wrapping an arm over her pelvis to keep her still. Riley had begun to moan incoherently her head thrashing from side to side. Sam felt the fluttering around her tongue and knew she wasn't going to last much longer. She brought her free hand up and rubbed hard against Riley's throbbing nub. Riley screamed her whole body going rigid as the huge orgasm hit. Even before the tremors had stopped Sam pulled out her tongue and pushed into Riley with two fingers. She latched onto her with her mouth as she began to thrust her fingers deep inside. Riley quickly went back up and over the precipice again. Her body arched then went limp; she twitched as the aftershocks rippled through her body. Sam lay with her head against Riley's thigh, her heart pounding. She'd climaxed with Riley the second time. She had never climaxed before just from making love to someone. Sam slowly withdrew her fingers causing Riley to whimper at the loss. She slid up next to Riley and drew her against her chest.

Sam pulled back when she felt tears dampen her chest. "What's wrong Baby? Did I hurt you?" she asked in a panic.

Riley's experiences with Linda hadn't prepared her for the incredible intensity of Sam's lovemaking. Riley smiled through her tears her face shining with love. "I… I just… never knew it could be like that. You are incredible."

Sam pulled Riley back against her chest. "You're the one that's incredible. I came just from touching you." Sam admitted as she blushed.

Riley's lifted her head off Sam's chest and grinned at the blush staining Sam's cheeks. She pressed herself tightly against Sam and ran her hands slowly up and down Sam's back. The languor caused by their intense lovemaking and soaring emotions finally over came both women and they drifted off to sleep wrapped in each other's arms.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam woke and gazed over at the clock. It was almost 5 pm. She looked down at Riley sleeping peacefully on her chest and her heart soared with the feelings she had for the beautiful redhead. Her mind drifted back to their lovemaking and that she realized was what it was. For the first time she knew what it was to make love with a woman and not just have sex with one. Sam felt a burst of panic but one look into Riley's sleeping face and it was gone. This was right; she just knew it. She was aware there was a lot she still didn't know about Riley but that would come in time. Riley stirred against her. Sam ran her hands slowly up and down Riley's back enjoying the soft silky feel of the other woman's skin.

"Hi…" Riley murmured sleepily without raising her head from Sam's chest.

"Hi yourself." Sam responded leaning down to kiss the crown of Riley's head.

Riley shifted until she was fully on top of Sam before lifting up to meet her lips in a soft kiss. The kiss quickly turned passionate when Riley pushed her tongue into Sam's mouth. Sam's hands slid down Riley's back, she cupped the firm globes in her hands and squeezed. Riley moaned into the kiss as she felt her passion rise again. She broke the kiss and started to slide down. The moment was broken when her stomach growled loudly.

Sam laughed lightly as she rolled Riley underneath her. "Guess it's awake huh? Time to feed the beast?" she asked teasingly. She leaned forward, kissing down Riley's neck.

Riley kissed Sam's neck then suddenly leaned over biting her neck then moving up to her earlobe and nipping again. Sam groaned and felt her nipples tighten.

"Oh yeah Babe it's time to feed the beast." Riley whispered in her ear, her hot breath making Sam gasp.

Much to Sam's shock Riley managed to roll her back over and come out on top. She straddled Sam's hips and took an already hard nipple in her mouth.

Riley spent the next hour explaining in detail just what beast needed to be fed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam lay flat on her back gasping for air, her body covered with a sheen of sweat. Riley's head was resting on her belly as she too gasped for breath. Riley finally managed to get the energy to slowly slide up Sam's body and collapse on her chest.

"WOW…" Sam panted. "WOW…" She didn't appear to be capable of a full sentence. "That was… that was… WOW." Sam was reeling, Riley was the first woman she'd ever been with who could keep up with her.

"Are you sure you've only been with one woman before?" she asked in a husky voice, her throat dry from panting.

Riley slid up to tease Sam's ear running her tongue around the rim. Sam shivered. "Oh yeah I'm sure. I'm a fast learner. I had a good teacher."

Sam stiffened slightly as she felt a surprising twinge of jealousy. Riley felt her stiffen and realized she was jealous. She smirked as she leaned close again.

"Yeah I had a great teacher… You…" she told Sam nipping the top of her ear.

Sam was surprised at the warmth that spread through her chest with Riley's admission. Before she could say anything else, Riley began to kiss and nip her way down her neck. Sam was exhausted and didn't know if she could go another round with Riley. Usually she wore her partners out not the other way around. She grinned when she realized she'd finally met her match. Sam decided it was time for a distraction.

"Aren't you hungry Babe? You haven't had anything to eat since this morning."

Riley lifted her head up meeting Sam's eyes. She wiggled her eyebrows, her eyes sparkling as she smacked her lips. To her surprise and pleasure, Sam blushed. Riley couldn't hold back her laughter at seeing the big tough cop blush. Sam growled and rolled over taking Riley with her. She pinned Riley to the bed, drawing her arms over her head and holding them with one hand. Sam rose up on all fours, hovering over Riley. She still had her arms pinned above her head. Her heated gaze traveled down the length of Riley's body. Riley swallowed hard as Sam continued to leer at her. She could see the fire burning brightly in her eyes. She looked like a panther ready to devour its prey. Sam licked her lips and started to lower her head down to Riley's breast. Sam's stomach picked that moment to growl loudly, Riley's stomach growled as if in answer shattering the moment. Riley started to giggle. Sam collapsed back down onto Riley laughing. She hugged the smaller woman tight.

"So what do you say we go get something to eat?" Sam finally asked.

Riley didn't want to share Sam with anyone and really didn't want to end their time together in bed. Her stomach protested again.

"Come on…" Sam said as she started to climb out of the bed. Riley put a restraining hand on her arm stopping her.

"No… You stay here and relax. You made breakfast. I'll make us some sandwiches and be right back." She told Sam as she climbed out of the bed and grabbed a robe off the back of the bathroom door."

"I'll help." Sam offered.

"Let me take care of you for a change." Riley insisted.

Sam nodded and settled herself against the headboard as Riley headed for the kitchen. Riley came back shortly with sandwiches, chips, and a pitcher of ice tea on a tray. She stopped in the doorway taking in the sight of Sam sitting against the headboard with the sheet pooled around her waist. Riley was surprised at the flash of arousal the sight caused. She placed the tray over Sam's lap and quickly shucked her robe before moving up next to her. They laughed and joked as they enjoyed their meal. Riley put the tray on the floor when they were finished and cuddled up under Sam's arm resting her head on her shoulder. Riley was amazed at how relaxed they both were with their nudity. She would've never pictured herself sitting in bed nude, eating and laughing with another woman. It was so different from her experience with Linda. They had never cuddled or were never nude around each other except when they were actually having sex. They certainly never hung out in bed together.

Sam relaxed back against the headboard enjoying the press of Riley's soft body against hers.

"Tell me about the woman… the one in medical school." She inquired suddenly.

Chapter Eleven

Riley stiffened at the mention of Linda. She looked up at Sam trying to gauge her mood. Sam looked calm, her eyes reflecting her genuine curiosity. Riley took a deep breath deciding now was the time to tell her the whole story.

"You know I was raised by my aunt and uncle."

Sam looked confused wondering what this had to do with the woman in medical school. She decided to just relax and let Riley tell the story. She nodded her head.

"Well once I went to live with my aunt and uncle they decided I needed to be more refined. They took away all the things I enjoyed, my clothes, my sports equipment that type of thing. My aunt was appalled by my tomboy nature and dress. She made me change how I dressed and how I acted. She insisted I attend comportment classes and take ballet lessons. My uncle made it clear to me at ten that I was being groomed to follow in his footsteps and become a surgeon. Nothing was ever good enough for him. If I got an A, I should've gotten an A+. I was always under great pressure to measure up, make him proud of me. He always told me 'don't disappoint me Riley'. It was always assumed I would go to college and take pre-med. In college a new kind of pressure started. My aunt and uncle began harping about how I needed to be seen with the right people and date 'appropriate men'. I just never felt anything for the guys my uncle pressured me into dating. I finally met a guy on my own and started dating him. I kept hoping I'd feel something, anything for him when he touched me." She glanced up at Sam. "But I never did." She blushed and looked down at the sheet, her hands twisting the material. "Mike had been pressuring me for a while to sleep with him. Whenever we went out his touching got more and more insistent. I went to a party with him and intentionally got drunk. It was the only way I could let him touch me. He took my virginity in one of the bathrooms with a bunch of people outside the door waiting to get in." She admitted sadly. "I continued to date him for another two months but finally broke it off. He kept demanding sex and I just couldn't pretend any more. I never felt anything and had to get drunk so I could stand for him to touch me. I told him I needed to concentrate on my studies."

Sam gently stroked Riley's back. She cursed, what kind of slime would take his girlfriend in a bathroom at a party and she's a virgin. Bastard had to have known. She mentally shook her head in disgust. Riley finally worked up the courage to look up at Sam. She was sure she would see distaste and condemnation in her eyes. She was surprised to find love and compassion burning brightly in Sam's vivid blue eyes. Sam leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"I'm sorry your first time was such a horrible experience Baby."

Riley smiled and hugged Sam before continuing with her story. "When my uncle started up again about my dating I told him I wanted to get into medical school with top grades. I knew that would feed into his ego. He stopped trying to set me up and I graduated Magna Cum Laude. I wanted to apply to several medical schools but my uncle decided I'd be attending his alma mater. I got accepted right way and was excited to be moving out of my aunt's and uncle's for the first time. Little did I know my uncle already had plans for me. He knew an alumnus who had a big house in a really nice upscale neighborhood. It was traditionally rented out to medical students attending their alma mater. It was in big demand to get into. My uncle of course pulled some strings with his friend and got me in. That's where I met Linda. She was one of the roommates. There were five bedrooms in the house. Steven was graduating and I took his room. Paul was starting his fourth year, Terry was a third year, Carol and Linda were both second year and I was of course a first year."

"Carol? Is this the Carol who's married to your friend Denny?" Sam clarified.

Riley laughed, "Yes it's the same Carol but we didn't know Denny yet. You're getting ahead of the story."

"Sorry."

Riley squeezed Sam's waist and went back to her tale. "Linda and I became fast friends during the first six months I lived in the house. She helped me study and showed me around campus. We spent a lot of time together, studying, watching movies. I soon realized I was developing feelings for her. I wanted to touch her and it scared me. I'd never felt anything like that before. We both started to find excuses to touch each other. It started out as backrubs then progressed to massages. Everything had an explanation; we were just helping each other relieve the tension of school, it was normal for friends to touch each other. It was a confusing time for me. I longed to touch her and got more excited rubbing her back than I had with Mike when we had sex." Riley said, blushing at her admission.

"I understand. I get turned on just looking at you."

Riley blushed again, hiding her face in Sam's shoulder.

"It's true, you're a very beautiful woman." Riley wasn't used to hearing that and didn't know how to react.

Sam seeing she was making her uncomfortable steered the conversation back to Riley's story. "So then what happened?"

Riley shifted getting more comfortable before she continued. "It was really strange, one minute she would be rubbing my back or lying with her head in my lap and the next it was like she barely knew me. I quickly learned that I wasn't to touch her if anyone else was around including our other roommates. This went on for several months then one night we were in my room studying. Linda leaned over and kissed me. The next thing I knew I was underneath her and she was removing my clothes. I was just in this haze, my body felt like it was on fire. I'd never experienced anything like it before. I finally understood what all the fuss was about. It was enlightening to say the least. I ah… I umm…I experienced my first orgasm with another person." Riley stuttered blushing hotly. Riley glanced up to see Sam's smirking face. She poked her in the ribs with her elbow. "Hush…" she admonished. Sam just laughed. "I couldn't believe it when she got up and got dressed as soon as we were finished. I had just had the most amazing sexual experience of my life and she was just going to leave. She told me 'we need to keep this just between us. It wouldn't look good for either of us if this gets out. Just think of how your uncle would react.' I should've realized then how things would turn out but it was all new to me so I went along.

"Bitch!" Sam muttered angrily.

"Yes she was but it would take me almost two years to figure it out." Riley said sadly.

"We had no relationship in public. Linda would slip into my bed and we'd have sex. She always put her clothes back on afterward and insisted I do the same. After the newness of the experience wore off it was just… I don't know, not that exciting. She'd come into my room, take what she wanted and leave. I never initiated anything between us and she always came to my room. I didn't really see or have much to do with anyone else. Carol tried to make friends but Linda didn't like her so I never returned the overtures of friendship. This went on 'til the end of my first year. She had me convinced that it was the way things had to be for both our sakes. Things changed when Paul graduated and Denny moved in. He didn't like Linda one bit. He and Carol quickly got involved and they would insist I go places and do things with them. Linda refused to be seen in public with me once we became lovers, so we never went out. I developed a close friendship with the Denny and Carol. If it weren't for them I probably wouldn't have ever gotten out of the house except to go to class or the hospital. Linda had her own group of friends that she did things with but I was never invited to join them. That was pretty much how things went for the next two years. In retrospect I know she used what she knew about my relationship with my uncle to keep me in line. Whenever I'd press to go out with her she would remind me how my uncle would react if he found out I was seeing a woman. She knew how much my uncle's approval meant to me and how much I wanted him to be proud of me. I felt ashamed of my feelings for her and guilty that we were doing something wrong. Linda continued to insist our relationship be hidden and I went along with it; though by this point we didn't even have our friendship anymore. Linda continued to refuse to be seen with me in case someone would guess our relationship. But she continued to sneak into my bedroom for sex when the mood struck her. I finally got frustrated with the whole thing and decided there had to be more to a lesbian relationship than occasional sex. I wanted a real relationship with someone who was proud to be seen with me. It all came to an end when Linda graduated and decided that we should go our separate ways. You should've heard her. 'Riley I'm not gay and neither are you.'"

Sam gasped in shock. This from the woman who'd just spent the last two and a half years as Riley's lover.

Riley laughed bitterly. "Yeah, tell me about it, it gets better. She then went on to inform me, 'I'll always remember our time together, but it's time to move on. I'm not gay. I want to get married and have a child. It's been fun but now it's time to get on with my real life."

Sam snorted in disgust at the woman's blatant use of Riley. "She was a manipulative bitch Riley. She used you, and then dumped you. I'd be proud to have you at my side, any time, any where." Sam declared.

Riley wiped away the tears that had leaked out. "Always my hero," she told Sam in a loving voice.

Sam pulled Riley into her lap, wrapping her arms tightly around her. "For as long as you want me." She promised.

Riley pressed her face into Sam's neck inhaling her scent and savoring the wonderful feelings of contentment and safety being in her arms invoked.

"So that was it, she just left?"

"Yep, packed her bags and moved out without a thought. I actually wasn't as upset as I thought I'd be. I guess in the back of my mind I'd known she was using me but just couldn't bring myself to face it. I decided I didn't want anything to do with women and had no interest in guys. I also knew my uncle would never accept my being gay. My uncle was happy to see Linda go. He'd never liked her. I didn't think about it at the time but now I wonder if he didn't have some inkling as to the real nature of our relationship. Then again he didn't like any of my roommates. He especially didn't like Denny. Denny didn't like the way my uncle treated me like a child. He and my uncle got into some spectacular disagreements. Anyway, there you have it, the sorry saga of my medical school love life."

Sam hugged her tight, consoling her. "So that was it, you just stopped dating...'til Keith?" She questioned quietly.

Riley laughed bitterly. "I wish. As soon as I graduated from medical school, number two in my class by the way. My uncle was very disappointed I wasn't number one." She added. "Anyway, he started up again, insisting I attend society events with him and my aunt. He set up my escorts for the evening. I was an intern and barely had a second to myself but he didn't care. I could've been working 36 hours straight but if he set up one of these 'dates' he demanded I attend. I finally relented and started dating Chris just to get him off my back. We dated for three months and my uncle was ecstatic. Chris was from a very prominent LA family and he'd just completed his fellowship in cardiac surgery under my uncle's tutorage. Chris pressured me to sleep with him from our first date. He was my uncle's star protégé' and between the two of them they had our life all planned out together. I don't know why I did it, I knew I didn't have any of those types of feelings for him but I finally gave in and slept with him. It was a disaster!" Riley shuttered remembering. "I knew I'd made a big mistake and I immediately broke it off with him. I managed to convince my uncle and Chris that I needed to concentrate on my own residency and my goal to become Chief Resident. My uncle bought right into that. He wanted to be able to brag to his cronies that his niece was Chief Resident of one of the most competitive surgical residencies in the county. After I completed my five-year residency I accepted a Trauma Surgery Fellowship at Mercy here in San Diego. Thankfully Chris had moved on and married a nurse at the hospital where he was working. My uncle even from Los Angeles was still pressuring me to date. A friend decided to help out and set me up with Keith and well you know how that turned out. When I was dating Keith I finally accepted the fact that I would never be more than friends with him or any guy. I was lonely and I guess finally over what Linda had done. When I turned 35 I had an epiphany. I was wasting my life trying to please a man who would never be happy no matter what I did. I was tired of being alone and lying to myself and everyone else about who I really was. I started dating women. That's the whole story. Now you know all my secrets." She said gazing up into Sam's eyes.

Sam's arms tightened around Riley where she still sat on her lap. "Thank you for sharing that with me. I know it wasn't easy to tell me all that. I guess I just needed to hear the whole story."

Riley felt drained after telling Sam her story. She snuggled into Sam's warm embrace. Sam now knew much more about her than she did about Sam. She decided to turn the tables. She looked up at Sam meeting her eyes.

"What about you Sam, I guess you've always known you were gay huh?" She was amazed to see a blush spread over Sam's face and she squirmed under Riley. Riley pulled back a little, taking in Sam's body language. She got off Sam's lap and knelt next her so she was facing her. "Sam?" Sam refused to look up; her face was bright red. That's when it hit her. "You've slept with a guy!" She exclaimed. "Tell me." She insisted.

Riley was thrilled, she saw Sam in a whole new light. Somehow it made her feel better to know Sam hadn't always been the tough, confident butch she was now. Sam finally looked up meeting Riley's eyes. Riley could see the look of real discomfort and immediately felt bad.

"It's okay Sam…you don't have to tell me."

Sam was relieved to be off the hook but then changed her mind. Riley had shared some very intimate details of her life with her and it was only right that she do the same. It was hard for her to open up. Only Jess knew the whole story. She was surprised to realize she actually wanted to tell Riley. "No…it's nothing bad…just embarrassing." Sam lifted her arm beckoning Riley back to her side. Riley snuggled under Sam's arm resting her head on her shoulder. She was fascinated to learn more about Sam. Sam mentally squared her shoulders before beginning.

"Well you already know I grew up in a small town. Even in high school I wasn't very feminine." Riley saw a quick flash of pain cross Sam's face. She knew from experience how cruel kids could be to someone who didn't conform to the 'norm.' "I'd already gotten my height and quite a bit of my bulk. I used to lift weights with Jess. Anyway, the one thing I really enjoyed was the marching band. They formed their own little group within the school and as long as you played well they didn't care about the rest."

"What instrument did you play?" Riley interrupted.

Sam grinned. "I was a drummer, there were five of us. I was the only girl but since I could outplay all four of them I was treated like one of the guys." Sam smiled fondly in remembrance. "We used to travel with the football team to all the away games. We'd put on a show at halftime. There were only 30 of us but we sounded pretty good. A lot of the schools didn't have their own band. That's how I got to know Steve. He was a fellow drummer. We just sort of started hanging out together my sophomore year, next thing I know everyone thinks we're a couple. We both knew we weren't but it was easier…being able to fit in I guess." Riley nodded in understanding, she knew all about trying to fit in. "So he was my 'boyfriend' all through high school. We did experiment some, kissing and touching through our clothes but neither of us seemed to get much out of it. By my senior year I was sick of hearing my friends brag about how great sex was with their boyfriends. I don't know why but I got this idea in my head that it was time to lose my virginity and find out what the big deal was about." Sam glanced over at Riley who was listening avidly. She felt her ears and face go hot, knowing this was going to be the hardest part to tell. Riley reached over and rubbed her stomach comfortingly. Sam took a deep breath and continued. "Of course Steve was the most likely candidate to do the deed. As far as everyone knew we'd been a couple for almost 3 years. I waited 'til I knew his folks were out of town. I went over to his house that night and umm…I umm… I umm…seduced him, he was a virgin too." Sam finally managed to get out.

Riley's eyes widened in astonishment. She flashed on an image of a young Sam, determined to lose her virginity showing up at the house of the boy she wanted. Poor kid never had a chance, Riley chuckled to herself.

"So was it what you expected?" she asked.

"No, he lasted about 30 seconds and besides hurting like a bitch I didn't feel a thing." Sam admitted sadly. "We did try it a few more time over the next few months," Sam said sheepishly. "But I could just never figure out what the big deal was. It wasn't very comfortable and never lasted very long. I did run into Steve when I went back to my 10 year high school reunion."

"I guess that was pretty awkward huh?" Riley said sympathetically.

"No, actually I had a good laugh over it with him and his partner." Sam waited for what she'd said to sink in.

"What!" Riley exclaimed. "He's gay?"

Sam grinned at her. "Yup."

Riley shook her head in disbelief. "So the only guy you ever slept with turned out to be gay."

Sam muttered something Riley didn't catch. Sam's eyes were locked on the sheet again.

"Sam?"

"He's not the only guy I slept with." Sam muttered a little louder. She glanced over at Riley to see her eyebrow raised in question. Sam sighed knowing she might as well tell her the rest.

"I went to college after high school. Jess was starting medical school and I was hot to see the world outside our little town. They had a women's baseball team at the college. I tried out and made the team. That's where I met Charlie." Riley looked a little confused. "Charlie was the star pitcher of the men's team." Sam explained. "The two teams shared a practice field. We started dating and I decided maybe things hadn't worked out with Steve because we were both inexperienced. So I slept with Charlie. I knew right away I'd made a mistake. I thought maybe I was, I don't know one of those people without much of a sex drive." Riley looked at Sam incredulously. Sam laughed. "Yeah…I know I was clueless, but that was about to change. My second year back at school I got a new roommate, I knew something was different from the moment we met. I'd never had a woman look at me like she did. Charlene was a senior, how she ended up rooming with a sophomore I'll never know. But I'm sure thankful she did. I was shocked the first time she flirted with me. Not about her flirting but the fact of how much I liked it. The first time we kissed I realized just what the problem was with the guys I'd been with. Jess had come out to the family while I was still in high school. So the thought of two women together wasn't foreign to me. I was more excited just kissing and touching Charlene through her clothes than I had been having sex with a guy. The first time we had sex…well let's just say it was an incredible revelation." Sam chuckled. "Charlene taught me a lot about all the different ways two women could make love and I'll always be grateful to her for that."

Riley shifted suddenly uncomfortable. She was jealous of the woman who had been Sam's first. "So do you still keep in touch with her?" Riley inquired praying the whole time she'd say no.

Sam's brow furrowed at Riley's tone of voice. "I used to but I haven't seen her in over 5 years. Her wife got a great job offer and they moved to the east coast."

Riley felt her face flush. She was embarrassed to be so relieved that the woman wasn't a part of Sam's life any more. 'How long were you together?" She couldn't resist asking.

"We were roommates and lovers her senior year. We had a lot of good times together…" Sam tilted up Riley's face making eye contact. "But I was never in love with her."

Riley smiled brilliantly more than happy with that answer.

"After that I never went back, Steve and Charlie were the only guys I ever slept with."

"And since then…?" Riley asked nervously. She knew from the way all the women acted at the baseball game and later in the bar that Sam was very popular with the ladies. She wondered how she would ever be able to compete with them and just how long she could hold Sam's interest.

Sam noticed the nervous look on Riley's face. She knew this moment would eventually come and she'd dreaded it. She pulled Riley back into her lap and hugged her. She could feel her trembling slightly.

"I won't lie to you Riley. I've dated a lot of women and slept with quite a few of them."

Riley couldn't help fearing she was going to be just one of the many women Sam had slept with. Would this be it, now that Sam had gotten what she wanted? She couldn't believe that of the caring woman who was holding her so tight but her fears got the better of her. Tears started to leak down her cheeks.

"Hey, what's this?" Sam asked concerned.

Riley shook her head. "Nothing, I understand." Riley told her pulling slightly away from Sam.

Sam went back over the last few minutes of their conversation trying to figure out what had upset Riley. It finally dawned on her just what the problem was. After hearing how horribly Riley had been treated by the only woman she'd ever been involved with Sam berated herself for not realizing how Riley might react and what she'd assume.

"Riley…" she called softly. Riley refused to look up and tried to move off Sam's lap. Sam tightened her embrace and put her fingers under Riley's chin pressing until she looked up. Sam's heart clenched at the hurt expression on Riley's face and the pain in her eyes.

"I have been with a lot of women… but." She added quickly. "I've never been in love with any of them….'til now. You're the first woman I've ever loved." She told her staring deeply into her eyes, willing her to see the truth.

Sam herself was surprised, she thought she'd be petrified admitting her love to Riley but it just felt wonderful. She watched as Riley's face took on a look of wonderment and her eyes began to glow with love. Riley squeezed Sam as hard as she could; her heart was pounding in her chest. She trapped Sam in her love filled gaze. "I love you too Sam," she declared passionately. Sam leaned down and took Riley's lips in a gentle kiss filled with love and promise. The second kiss was more passionate and both women were panting when it was over. They held each other tightly; both knowing their lives would never be the same. Sam tried to stifle a sudden yawn. She glanced over at the clock on the night side table and cursed. Riley lifted her head from Sam's chest.

"What's wrong?"

"It's 2 o'clock in the morning." She informed Riley.

"You're kidding?" Riley turned to look at the clock for herself.

"So much for you getting some rest." Sam groused.

Riley cupped Sam's face in her hands and kissed her softly. "I think our conversations were worth losing a little sleep over… don't you Love?"

Sam couldn't help but smile at the endearment. "Yes I do think so Love, but now it's time to get some rest."

They both got up to take care of business and get ready for bed. Riley again marveled at their comfort level with each other. Neither one bothered putting on any clothes; they slipped back into the bed and Sam cradled Riley in her arms as they drifted off to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam woke to a protesting bladder. She tried to move and found herself pinned to the bed by Riley. Somehow Riley had ended up almost fully on top of her and her knee was pressing into Sam's very full bladder. Riley woke as Sam tried to ease out from under her.

"Where are you going?" Riley asked sleepily, tightening her arms around Sam.

Sam groaned loudly, grimacing in pain, when Riley's knee pressed harder into her. Riley slid off Sam in alarm. She watched as Sam scampered out of the bed and headed for the bathroom. Riley enjoyed the view chuckling at Sam's quick departure. Riley's stomach growled reminding her of its presence. Sam came back and slid under the covers pulling Riley back on top of her. She leaned up kissing her deeply.

"Good morning." She murmured as the kiss ended.

Riley's stomach growled loudly before she could respond. Sam chuckled.

"Could I interest you in some breakfast?" The continued rumbling of Riley's stomach provided the answer and they headed for the kitchen.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam rummaged in the refrigerator for the ingredients she needed. She was going to make ham and cheese omelets.

"Do you have an omelet pan?"

"Umm…I'm not sure." Riley started opening cabinets and looking around.

Sam shook her head and pulled out a regular skillet. "I can make them in this. Now, how about a whisk?"

Again Riley looked blank and started pulling open drawers.

"Okay, this is an easy one…how about a cutting board?"

Riley blushed as she looked around the kitchen trying to figure out where the requested items would be or if she even had them.

"Have you ever actually cooked in this kitchen?" She asked Riley with a snicker.

Riley's blush was all the answer Sam needed. She started laughing and opening cabinets to find what she needed.

"How about you make the coffee and I'll get the omelets made?" Sam suggested.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam's omelets had been wonderful. They'd enjoyed a quiet breakfast together; neither felt the need for any extended conversations. They were both just happy to spend time together. Riley got up placing her plate in the sink and came back for Sam's.

"You cooked, I'll clean up." She told Sam. "Why don't you grab a shower while I finish up here."

Sam wrapped her arms around Riley from behind as she stood at the sink. She leaned down kissing her neck.

"How about I help you, then we shower together?" Sam offered huskily in Riley's ear.

Riley felt her face flush; she wasn't quite sure how to react. She'd never showered with anyone before.

Sam sensed Riley's hesitancy. "Come on Babe, it'll be fun… I promise." She encouraged as she kissed further down Riley's neck. They quickly finished up the dishes and headed for the shower.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam turned on the water than quickly stripped out of her tee shirt and sweatpants. She turned to find Riley still fully dressed with a nervous look on her face. She was clutching two bath towels to her chest.

"You haven't got anything I haven't seen before." Sam teased. She leaned over, her hot breath blowing in Riley's ear. "Up close and personal." She added tracing Riley's ear with her tongue.

Riley blushed even as she felt a jolt of arousal. She removed her clothes under Sam's watchful eye. They entered the shower and Riley stood to the back not sure what to do. Sam reached out and positioned her under the showerhead. She proceeded to wash Riley's hair. Riley was in heaven, the feel of Sam's strong fingers massaging her scalp was wonderful. Sam held her as she rinsed her hair. Sam switched places with Riley so the water poured down her back blocking Riley from the spray. Sam turned Riley away from her. Riley looked back over her shoulder at Sam, her gaze questioning.

"Trust me."

Riley relaxed as Sam's soapy hands began to wash and massage her back. Once she had the back of Riley's body clean she pulled her back against her naked body and ran her soapy hands down her arms. Riley groaned when she felt Sam's hard nipples against her back. Sam's hands moved down to her breasts causing Riley to moan and press into her touch. She poured more shower gel into her hands and rubbed her hands repeatedly over Riley's breasts and belly.

"Have to make sure you're clean." Sam breathed in her ear. Riley was already beyond words.

Sam's hands slipped lower still. "Spread your legs Babe." Sam whispered.

Riley's hips jerked when Sam's soapy hands made their way between her legs. She pressed forward trying to increase the contact. Sam stroked her, building the fires higher. Riley's hips began to rock. Sam shifted position slightly then allowed her fingers to press inside. Riley immediately began to thrust herself against Sam's invading fingers. Her head began to thrash back and forth against Sam's chest. Sam held her tightly as she began to thrust in as deeply as she could.

"Oh God… Sam" Riley cried out as her body went into spasms.

Sam tightened her hold when Riley's knees buckled. Once she'd recovered Sam turned her back toward the shower and rinsed the soap off her. Riley was still a little dazed from the strength of her orgasm. Sam quickly washed her hair and showered before shutting the water off and helping a still shaking Riley out. She wrapped her in a big towel.

Riley had finally regained her composure. She looked over at a grinning Sam. "You are dangerous." Riley accused.

Sam threw back her head and laughed, then wiggled her eyebrows at Riley. "Yeah, but you gotta admit, it was much more fun than showering alone."

Riley couldn't argue with that.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They decided to spend a quiet day hanging out and headed for the living room. Sam had forgotten just how much she disliked this room. Even though she'd spent every night over the past week at Riley's they hadn't spent any time anywhere except the kitchen and Riley's bedroom. Sam sat on the uncomfortable sofa trying to relax and read the paper. She shifted several times trying to find a comfortable spot. Riley glanced over the third time Sam shifted restlessly.

"You don't like it here much do you?" She asked indicating the room.

Sam flushed and started to stutter. Riley placed her fingers over Sam's mouth stopping her. She looked around the room as if seeing it for the first time.

"I don't blame you." She laughed. "I don't like it much either."

Sam's surprise showed on her face.

"My aunt and uncle picked this place out for me. My aunt hired some prominent designer to decorate. I was never here very often and when I was I spent most of my time in the bedroom. It's the only room in the house where I insisted on picking out everything. I didn't much care for the way the place was decorated, but like everything else I just let it go to avoid a conflict. I realize now what a waste of time that was," she acknowledged as she fingered the bruises on her cheek. "Let's get out of here. Take me to your place."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam opened the door to her apartment. She had her arm wrapped around Riley and they stumbled in the door laughing.

"Nice of you to join us," said a voice from the couch.

Chapter Twelve

Both women jumped and then turned to face the person in the room.

"Hey Jess, what're you doing here?" Sam asked surprised to find her sister in her living room.

Jess raised her eyebrow at her sister questioningly.

Sam stared at her for a second then remembered. "Oh shit! I'm sorry." She turned to Riley explaining. "I asked Kim and Jess to come back down this weekend since we cancelled our plans last weekend."

Riley looked uncomfortable. Sam squeezed her shoulder. "Don't worry about it." She told her softly.

"So why didn't you just call my cell?" Sam asked.

"Well Kim did, but it wasn't turned on."

Sam blushed, she'd turned the cell off the previous day determined not to have her time with Riley interrupted. With everything that'd happened, she'd forgotten to turn it back on.

Kim had been in the kitchen making some sandwiches for her and Jess when she'd heard Sam's voice in the living room. She smiled when she saw Riley was with Sam. She noticed their body language. Riley was tucked under Sam's arm with her arm wrapped around Sam's waist. Sam's arm was wrapped securely around Riley's back.

"Hi guys." Kim said as she came into the room. She walked over to Sam giving her a one armed hug. "Hi Riley, it's good to see you again." She greeted before giving Riley a quick hug.

Riley hadn't said anything so far. She was nervous not knowing how her presence would be received. It was the first time she'd see Kim or Jess since Sam was in the hospital. She relaxed just a little at Kim's friendly greeting.

"Hi Kim, glad to see you both too. I'm sorry about messing up your plans last weekend." She apologized.

"Don't worry about it. I'm just glad you're alright." She reassured Riley reaching out to gently squeeze her arm.

"I was just making us some sandwiches. Want one?"

Riley glanced at Sam and she shrugged her shoulders.

"Sure." Riley told Kim with a shy smile.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam had told her and Kim that she'd been spending the nights at Riley's condo and taking her back and forth to work ever since the confrontation with her uncle. Uncharacteristically she hadn't provided any real details.

"So where did you two disappear to all day yesterday? Wasn't Riley off?" Jess asked as they sat eating their lunch. We tried your cell several times and just got your voice mail. Kim did leave you a message reminding you we'd be down today."

"I… ah… I haven't had a chance to check my messages."

Kim watched the interplay between Sam and Riley; they shared a quick meaningful glance. Sam wasn't usually as secretive as she was being.

"So what did you guys spend the day doing?" Jess asked again with a smirk. It was starting to dawn on her just what they'd been up to. When matching blushes spread over both women's face, Jess was sure.

"We…umm…we…umm… just hung out at Riley's condo." Sam explained with a stutter, glancing worriedly at Riley. Everything Riley had shared with her was very private and she didn't feel comfortable sharing such intimate details of Riley's life with her sister or Kim. Riley's eyes were glued to her plate.

Now Kim was really intrigued, this wasn't like Sam. She normally had no compunction about talking about her love life even if the woman in question was sitting right next to her. She never gave any details but was never embarrassed to admit she'd been with someone and they'd spent the day making love. Which, unless she was reading this situation wrong was exactly what Sam and Riley had done. Whoa, this is bigger than I thought. She's worried Riley will be uncomfortable and is trying to protect her. I wonder what else happened between them.

"So Riley we heard on the news about the big construction accident. Did you get a lot of traumas from that?" Kim asked before Jess could press Sam again. Sam threw her sister-in-law a grateful look.

Riley looked up from her plate, happy for the abrupt topic change. "Yeah we did. It was a mess. There were several people with major crush injuries as well as multiple head trauma patients. We had all five operating rooms going non-stop for over twelve hours. It really screwed with the rest of the week's schedule, as we had to bump the routine patients to another day.

They continued to chat about the hospital as they finished their lunch. Much to Jess's annoyance whenever she tried to steer the conversation back to the previous days activities, Kim deftly changed the subject.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They settled back in the living room after lunch. Kim and Jess settled on the couch, Sam and Riley sat on the love seat.

"So what do you say we head for the Quail botanical gardens?" Kim inquired. They'd talked about it the previous weekend but never made it.

"Yeah, that sounds great; we haven't been there in quite a while." Sam agreed.

Riley leaned close to Sam. "I should get going." She told her softly.

"Why don't you like the Quail botanical gardens?"

"I don't want to intrude on your time with your sister. I already messed up part of your day. I'll just head back to the condo. I should get some laundry done and maybe read some journals." Riley told her in a quiet voice.

"You're not intruding on anything. Do you like botanical gardens?" Sam placed her fingers on Riley's lips stopping what she was about to say. "Yes or No?"

Riley smiled against Sam's fingers and nodded her head.

"Good then it's settled."

Kim and Jess had been listening to the conversation, it was impossible not to. Kim spoke up when Riley started to protest again.

"We really would like you to come with us Riley. You're not intruding on anything. Would you please join us at the botanical garden?" Kim asked formally.

"Yeah, come with us… you can keep an eye on Sam she always gets in trouble." Jess added teasingly.

Riley smiled brightly at both women. "Thanks, I'd love to come with you." Sam hugged Riley to her chest and stuck her tongue out at her sister.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley never realized a botanical garden could be so much fun. Sam and Jess had kept her in stitches with their antics. It'd been a long time since she'd just gone out and had fun, not worrying about what other people might think. Though at one point she and Kim had denied knowing the other two women when Sam and Jess had skipped down one of the narrow brick paths singing 'We're off to see the Wizard'. She chuckled remembering.

"What's so funny?" Sam asked. They were in the back seat of Jess's Durango heading back to Sam's apartment.

"I was just remembering your and Jess's little impromptu song this afternoon. I can't remember the last time I laughed so much in one day." Riley told Sam her eyes sparkling.

Knowing Riley's history Sam vowed to herself right then to make sure Riley had lots more days filled with laughter. She leaned down and gently kissed Riley's lips. The passion flared between them and the kiss deepened. Both women quickly forgot where they were. Sam pressed Riley back into the seat kissing her passionately. Her hands came up to caress Riley's breasts. Jess glanced into the rear view mirror and saw the two women.

"Alright none of that you two. I'm shocked." She teased.

Kim looked back as Sam pulled away from Riley. Riley caught Kim's eyes and blushed.

She couldn't help chuckling. "Leave them alone Jess. Do I need to remind you about the incident in the ER lounge?"

Sam was surprised to see her sister blush. "Oh… this is gonna be good." She said rubbing her hands together in anticipation.

Jess looked pleadingly over at Kim. She just laughed. "Some other time." She told a disappointed Sam.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They'd stopped on the way home and picked up Chinese food. They sat on the floor in Sam's living room with the food spread across the coffee table. Riley had finally relaxed around Kim and Jess; as the day had worn on the easy camaraderie she'd felt with them in the hospital returned. Unbeknownst to her, Jess had still had her reservations about Riley but her coming out to her uncle and outing herself at work had allayed quite a few of Jess's fears. She watched with a smile as Riley fed Sam a piece of shrimp. Sam was grinning like an idiot. Jess had never seen her sister so smitten with anyone. It looked good on her.

"So Sam, what happened with the doctor? Did you get cleared?" Jess inquired.

Jess knew immediately she'd said something wrong as a look of total panic crossed Sam's face. Riley had seen the look as well.

"What doctor? Did you get cleared for what?" she asked in concern.

This was it. The moment Sam had been dreading. She really had planned on telling Riley she'd been cleared to return to work but had pushed it to the back of her mind and conveniently forgotten.

"To go back to work." Sam said softly.

Riley had a flashback of that horrible moment in the ER when Sam's body slammed into hers and she realized Keith had shot her. Then she saw Sam lying in her arms as her blood seeped out between her fingers. Her face went ashen and her stomach lurched. She jumped up from the floor mumbling excuse me, before running from the room. All three women jumped when the bathroom door slammed shut.

"You didn't tell her!" Kim exclaimed in an accusing tone.

"I meant to, really I did. I just forgot."

Kim glared at Sam unbelievingly. Sam slowly got to her feet to follow Riley. Kim got up and placed a restraining hand on her arm.

"Let me go talk to her."

"No, I need to explain. I just… I knew she wouldn't take it well. But I never meant to keep it from her."

Kim was incredulous. "You knew she wouldn't take it well! Jess and I both know how dangerous your job is, we've both see officers come into the ER, but Riley has seen first hand just how dangerous it is. My God, Sam… she saw you shot! How did you think she'd react? I'm petrified for you to go back to work, think how Riley must feel. This isn't something you can just explain away."

Sam's shoulders slumped and she sank back down to the floor. Jess put her arm around her sister consoling her.

Kim headed for the bathroom and Riley.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kim knocked on the bathroom door. "Riley, its Kim, please let me in."

"I'll be out in a minute," came Riley's muffled reply.

Kim could tell she was crying. She tried the door handle; it was locked.

Riley stood gripping the counter trying to control her roiling stomach as the tears poured down her face.

"Riley please open the door, I really need to talk to you."

Riley unlocked the door and walked away turning her back. Kim heard the lock click and quietly opened the door. Riley stood next to the counter gripping it tightly, her back to the door. Kim walked up behind her and put her hands on her shoulders. Riley flinched then relaxed making no attempt to shrug off Kim's touch. Kim could feel the tension in the muscles under her hands.

"She should've told you."

Riley didn't respond.

"She had every intention of telling you. She just kept putting it off…'cause she's scared."

"She's scared!" Riley spun around to face Kim. "She's scared!" she repeated incredulously. "I saw her shot Kim; I felt her body slam into mine and held her in my arms as her blood ran onto the floor."

Riley couldn't hold back any longer she began to sob. Kim wrapped her arms around Riley pulling her into her arms. Riley buried her head in Kim's neck as her whole body shuddered with the force of her tears. Kim stroked Riley's back trying to calm her. It took quite a while but Riley's tears finally trailed off. She pulled back from Kim embarrassed. Kim offered her some Kleenex and then ignoring her protests pulled her back into her arms. Riley relaxed gratefully accepting the comfort Kim offered.

"I know this is going to be hard to hear but I'm going to tell you anyway. I'll admit I'm petrified that Sam is going back to work but Riley it's who she is. She loves being a cop and she's a damn good one. She was scared to tell you because she feared your reaction. Right now you're wondering if you made a big mistake getting involved with Sam and are considering breaking it off." Riley flushed guiltily. "That's what she feared Riley; that you would decide you didn't want to be involved with a cop." Kim hoped she wasn't making a mistake in what she was about to tell Riley but she needed her to understand. "Sam cares deeply for you; if you walk away now Riley it'll kill her."

Riley looked up into Kim's eyes sympathetic blue eyes. "I know. She told me she loves me and that she'd never been in love before." It was Kim's turn to be shocked. If Sam had admitted her love to Riley, it was a much more serious situation than she'd thought.

"I love her too Kim, but I don't know if I can do this. I don't know if I can watch her walk out the door every morning and not know if she's coming back."

Kim hugged Riley tight. It was a truth that'd been driven home to everyone when Sam was shot. On any given day, they could get a phone call like the one they had when Keith shot her. Only this time she might not be so lucky. Kim knew you couldn't let the 'what ifs'' run your life or you'd be paralyzed. You had to live each day as it came.

"I can't say I wouldn't feel the same if I'd seen what you did. But, let me ask you this. Can you really envision your life without Sam in it, for however much time you get? None of us knows what tomorrow may bring. Can you really just walk away?" Kim questioned.

Riley began to cry again. "That's the worse part. It's already too late. I can't imagine going back to the existence I led before I met Sam. That's all I was doing existing. I love her so much… why does she have to be a cop?" Riley cried in anguish.

Kim tightened her arms around Riley, trying to console her. "It's who she is…you knew that all along, even if you didn't want to admit it to yourself. It's part of what attracts you to Sam and makes her the woman you love."

They were interrupted by a soft knock on the door. Sam had stayed away as long as she could. She had to see Riley.

"Riley, I'm sorry Baby. I was going to tell you… I swear. Please come out." Sam pleaded through the door. Kim stepped away from Riley and moved toward the door. She stopped with her hand on the knob waiting Riley's permission. Riley nodded her head slightly. Kim opened the door and stepped out. Sam pushed past her and rushed into the bathroom. Riley fell into her arms crying. Sam wrapped Riley in a tight embrace.

"I'm so sorry I didn't tell you. I was scared how you'd react. It'll be okay, I promise. I always wear my vest and I'm very careful. Most officers spend their whole careers on the force having never been shot. I've got mine out of the way now." She said trying to lighten the mood.

"When are you going back?"

Sam swallowed heavily before answering. "Tomorrow. I'll be on desk duty for about a week while I do some re-qualification. Then after that I'll take up my normal schedule."

Riley clutched Sam tightly as her panic surged. Sam's biggest concern was Riley's fear would drive her away. She tipped up Riley's face meeting her panic-stricken eyes. She gave voice to her greatest fear.

"Please don't leave me."

Riley's heart clenched at the naked fear in Sam's eyes. Here was a woman who'd stood facing down a man holding a gun with calm confidence yet Sam's fear was plain to see at the thought of Riley leaving her.

"I'm not going anywhere Sam. I love you. You just have to give me some time to adjust. I'm terrified of you going back to work."

Sam pulled Riley off her feet, wrapping her arms around her and hugging her tightly. Nothing mattered beyond the, I love you. Everything else they'd work out.

"Sam… Sam," Riley gasped in Sam's tight embrace. "You're crushing me Honey."

Sam blushed, quickly setting Riley back on her feet. She leaned down to brush a gentle kiss across Riley's lips. "So we're OK?"

Riley snuggled against Sam's chest. "Yes, we're OK, but…" She poked Sam in the ribs sharply. Sam yelped staring down at Riley in surprise. "Don't ever keep something that important from me again."

"I won't, I promise." Sam offered contritely.

Kim and Jess were curled up together on the couch when the two women reappeared. Kim had filled Jess in on what had transpired in the bathroom. Jess still couldn't believe her sister had admitted to Riley she was in love with her. Jess prayed the two women could work things out. Sam's arm was wrapped around Riley's shoulders holding her tight. She took that as a good sign.

"Everything alright?" Jess asked.

Sam looked down at Riley her eyes filled with love. "Yeah, everything is going to be just fine."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam sat outside the station house. It was her first day back at work. She was excited and happy to be returning to work but just couldn't get the image of Riley standing at the door of her condo out of her mind. She'd spent the night at Riley's. When they'd gotten up that morning, she knew Riley was upset and scared about her going back to work but Riley had done her best to put up a good front. That lasted until Sam was ready to leave. As they stood at the front door, Riley had wrapped her arms tightly around Sam and her tears had started to flow. That was the image Sam couldn't seem to shake; of Riley, standing in the doorway with tears running down her face as she walked away. She didn't know what to do to ease Riley's mind. After leaving Riley's condo, she'd headed home to change into her uniform. Shaking her head and sighing in frustration, she headed into the station. Her hand went to her empty holster. She felt strange without her weapon.

"Hey Sam. Welcome back!" Greeted the desk sergeant. "I've got you set up later this morning to re-qualify at the range; your weapon is in the armory."

"Thanks Sarge."

Several other people in the waiting area called greetings to Sam. Sam grinned waving to people as she headed for the morning briefing. Yep it's great to be back!

She noticed Brad Davidson standing outside the briefing room.

"Hey Davidson."

"Hi McKenna, welcome back." He said, enthusiastically shaking her hand. "Thanks again for the statement you submitted to Internal Affairs. I really appreciated the recommendation to keep me on the force."

"I didn't say anything that wasn't true. You're a good cop and it was a clean shoot. How're you doing?"

"I've been seeing the department psychologist and it really seems to be helping. I wasn't sure for a while if I'd stay. I'm sure now I made the right choice." He told her smiling.

"I'd gladly ride with you anytime." She assured him. "Come on I don't want to be late my first day back." She said laughing as she slapped him on the back and pushed him toward the door.

As soon as Sam entered the room, she was met by boisterous catcalls and shouted greetings. She swaggered over to her seat and took a bow before sitting down.

The sergeant called the briefing to order. "All right people let's settle down and get this over with." He yelled banging on the podium. "Nice of you to join us McKenna." He added with a grin.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley was on her way back to Sam's apartment. It was Friday night and she'd just attended her first P.O.P. (Partners of Police Officers) meeting. It was a small group of women, all lesbians, who met once a month to support women who were involved with law enforcement officers. It had started out as a group for women involved with police officers hence the name but had expanded over time to include women who were involved with members of all branches of law enforcement. Talking to other women in the same situation had been eye opening.

The past month had been very hard on Riley and at the same time wonderful. She'd never been happier but she was still terrified every time Sam walked out the door to go to work. It was a constant source of tension. They usually stayed at Sam's apartment during the week and her condo on the weekends. The time they spent together was fantastic and she couldn't imagine her life without Sam. Except for the nights she had in-house call they had spent every night together since Sam had come to her condo after her confrontation with her uncle.

She realized now after talking to the other women what a strain she'd been placing on Sam. Kim had tried to talk to her one weekend when she and Jess were visiting but Riley just hadn't been open to anything she had to say. She still vividly remembered the first morning after she'd spent the night at Sam's. Sam had walked out of the bedroom in her uniform and she'd burst into tears. It was the first time she'd seen her in uniform since that fateful day of the shooting. She'd immediately had a flashback to the shooting. Seeing her dressed that way was just more than Riley could handle. After that, Sam had taken to keeping her uniform at work and leaving the house in jeans and getting dressed at work. She always changed out of her uniform before returning home. Sam's work was never mentioned either. Riley would come home and talk about her day but Sam knowing how Riley felt never made any mention of hers. Tonight the other women had given her a lot to think about. She knew if she didn't come to terms with this and quickly it would drive a wedge between them. As she pulled into the apartment complex, she vowed to start fixing the problem right now. After only a month of, for all intents and purposes living together, she knew Sam was her life and she would do whatever was necessary keep them together.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam was lying on the couch when Riley opened the door.

"Hey Babe, how was the meeting." She asked as she sat up.

"It was good. I learned a lot and I…" Riley couldn't help it the tears just started flowing as she realized again what she'd been putting Sam through.

Sam panicked and jumped off the couch rushing over to take Riley in her arms. Sam's heart was pounding in fear. Riley looked so heartbroken that Sam tried to brace herself. She figured this was where Riley told her she couldn't be involved with a cop anymore. She cursed herself for even suggesting the damn meeting. She knew the way they were going wasn't good but was now berating herself. I should've left well enough alone. They probably scared the hell out of her and now she'll run. The thought of losing Riley made Sam feel like a metal band was slowly closing around her chest. It was hard to breath.

Riley finally got her tears under control and looked up into Sam's face; her eyes were full of fear. Riley could feel Sam's heart pounding. That's when it dawned on her that Sam had misinterpreted her tears. She felt a surge of guilt knowing she was to blame for Sam being so unsure. She put her hand behind Sam's neck and pulled her down into a gentle loving kiss.

"I love you Sam and now I know how unfair I've been to you." She put her finger over Sam's lips to stop her from interrupting. "I want you to start getting dressed at home and…" she again stopped Sam from interrupting. " And I want you to tell me about your day, just like I tell you about mine."

Sam's eyes filled with tears of relief. She gulped loudly. "I thought you were going to tell me…" Her voice trailed off, she couldn't even say it.

"I know Honey and I'm sorry. I'm kind of new at this." She smiled up at Sam her eyes sparkling with love.

Sam had had all the emotional upheaval she could take for one night and decided to lighten the mood. She grinned at Riley then leaned over to nuzzle her neck, peppering it with open mouth kisses.

"Well in that case, maybe you need more practice." She purred as she began to unbutton Riley's blouse.

Riley groaned when Sam's lips made it to the top of her cleavage. She reached over and pulled Sam's shirt from her pants. They stumbled down the hall toward the bedroom pulling each other's clothes off as they went.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley leaned up on her elbow her eyes tracing Sam's body. Sam had kicked off the covers and lay sprawled naked on her back. She glanced over at the clock. It was 5am Monday morning. Where did the weekend go? She sighed. She knew the alarm would go off soon. Riley ran her hand down Sam's tight stomach. Unconsciously her fingers traced the scars on her hip and down her leg. Sam had picked up her uniform from the cleaners the previous day and brought it home as Riley had requested. Riley knew no matter what she couldn't break down when she saw Sam in her uniform. It was so much a part of who she was and she understood that now. She would support her no matter how much it scared her. It was the only way they could hope to have a life together. As her thoughts drifted so had her hand, she was brought back to the here and now by a loud groan from Sam. She grinned straddling Sam as her eyes slowly fluttered open. She continued to stroke between Sam's legs as she leaned down to capture a nipple. Sam's back arched when Riley's fingers slipped inside; she climaxed quickly under Riley's knowing touch. Sam lay panting her body still quivering from aftershocks when the alarm went off. She leaned over to slap the offending clock. Riley started to get up. Sam's arms wrapped around her and rolled over trapping Riley beneath her.

"Just where do you think you're going?" She growled in Riley's ear as she ran her tongue around the rim.

Riley groaned and the throb between her legs intensified. She'd become incredibly aroused just watching Sam in the throes of passion. "We've got to get ready for work." Riley said making no effort to move.

"Don't worry Babe, I'll be quick."

True to her word Sam was quick but thorough. Riley lay on her back gasping for breath as Sam got up to get a shower. She leaned back over the bed and gave Riley a quick kiss.

"Love you Babe."

Riley could only grunt in response. Sam chuckled as she headed for her shower.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley was drinking her coffee from a travel cup and had another cup made for Sam as well as a wrapped up bagel. They were running late because of their morning playtime. Ah… but it was sure worth it. She glanced down the hall when she heard Sam's footsteps. Riley tried to swallow past the lump in her throat as Sam came towards her dressed in her uniform, her utility belt around her waist. She forced away the images of a wounded Sam that flooded her mind. Sam was a little hesitant to hug Riley not knowing how she'd react. She finally shrugged and loosely wrapped her arms around Riley giving her plenty of chance to retreat if it was too much for her.

Riley smiled tentatively at Sam, "You look nice." She reached out to reassure herself that Sam had on her bulletproof vest under the uniform shirt, signing in relief when she felt the vest under her fingers.

"Thanks Baby. You doing okay?"

Riley's expression became more relaxed. "Yeah I'm fine." Once she'd gotten over the initial reaction, she felt a little better. She was determined to learn to manage her fear.

"We better get going; we're going to be late." Sam reminded.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley growled at the interruption. It was the first chance she'd had to sit down all day and was busy with her charts. She stomped over and snatched open the door to her office. "What…" she demanded before she even had the door open. Her eyes met a wide expanse of blue and traveled up to meet Sam's vivid blue eyes.

"Catch you at a bad time?" Sam asked smiling.

Riley grinned and pulled Sam into her office. "No… I was just working on charts." Riley looked suddenly worried. "Is something wrong?"

Sam laughed. "No, we just had to bring in a drunk that fell and cut his hand. I left my partner in the ER and thought I'd stop by and see you for a minute."

Riley stepped into Sam's arms and hugged her tightly before pulling her head down for a deep kiss. She'd gotten used to seeing her in her uniform over the last few days. She was still scared by Sam's work but the women in the support group had explained to her that was perfectly normal. She just couldn't let it control her life. Both women were breathing heavily when the kiss finally broke. Riley jumped when Sam's radio suddenly squawked. Sam listened for a minute then frowned.

"Sorry Babe, I have to go. Guess the ER decided to be efficient today and our guys' done. What time do you think you'll be done tonight?"

Riley had been slowly cutting back her hours much to the annoyance of her fellow staff. She'd always worked more shifts than anyone else had on the service, giving them more time off. "Barring any major disasters I should be home by six."

"Great I'll see you tonight." Sam said as she headed for the door.

Riley wasn't really listening anymore. Her eyes were fixed on Sam's butt displayed wonderfully by her tight uniform pants. Sam turned back when she didn't get a response. She grinned when she caught Riley staring at her ass. When Riley's eyes finally made it to her face Sam laughed outright. Riley shrugged refusing to be embarrassed by being caught ogling Sam in her uniform. With a final wave, Sam turned and swaggered out the door. Riley sighed and turned back to her paperwork.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley sat at the kitchen counter drinking her coffee waiting for Sam. She had a light schedule today and was looking forward to getting an early start on the weekend. She looked up when she heard Sam coming down the hall. Now that she was getting used to seeing Sam in her uniform, she couldn't help admiring how good she looked in it.

"You really do look great in this Honey." Riley said reaching out to run her fingers down the sharp crease on the front of Sam's shirt.

Sam slipped on her mirrored aviator sunglasses and grinned cockily. "Glad you like it Babe." She purred in a sexy voice. Riley felt every word right between her legs. She swallowed trying to get some moisture into her suddenly dry mouth. This was something she hadn't considered, that she'd be turned on by Sam in her uniform.

Sam had been watching Riley's facial expressions. Her cocky grin widened when she realized Riley had become aroused. She took her baton off her belt and lightly ran it up the inside of Riley's thighs. "Maybe when we get home tonight I could show you all my equipment." Sam stroked her again with the baton.

Riley's eyes were dilated and her chest was heaving as her arousal soared. She wasn't sure how much longer her legs would hold her up. Her reaction to Sam's words had been unexpectedly intense. Sam slipped her baton back onto her belt. She hadn't expected Riley to react quite so strongly. She felt her own arousal surge. Sam glanced over at the clock. If they didn't leave right that minute, they were both going to be late.

"I'm sorry Babe, we have to go." She said with a disappointed sigh.

Riley looked at Sam unbelievingly. She wasn't even sure she could walk. She looked over at the clock and groaned. Shaking her head she tried to focus her thoughts away from the throbbing between her legs.

"You're gonna pay for that McKenna." She threatened Sam as she shakily made her way to the door.

Sam threw back her head and laughed. "Promises, Promises." she teased. She met Riley at the door and placed a quick kiss on her lips. They headed out to the parking lot together.

For the first time since she'd gone back to work, Sam headed out the door with a light heart. Riley headed off to work never realizing that for the first time she'd watched Sam leave for work and hadn't been scared.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam lay on her stomach trying to catch her breath. Riley was sprawled across her back where she'd collapsed. Riley finally managed to slide off Sam and roll over onto her back. Sam flipped over and they both lay side by side, panting.

"Damn Riley, you're trying to kill me." Sam accused. Riley had pounced on her the second she'd walked in the door. That was over two hours ago. She'd been surprised to find Riley home but Riley hadn't given her a chance to ask any questions. The first round had been on the couch. Riley had managed to strip her of her clothes in record time. When she'd buried her face between Sam's thighs, it had effectively ended any conversation. The second time they'd made it as far as the hallway before Riley had pushed her against the wall. They had eventually made it to the bedroom. Sam had managed to turn the tables briefly but Riley had been unrelenting. Sam chuckled to herself. She'd definitely met her match in Riley and surprisingly she loved every second of it.

"I warned you this morning. I had to take a freezing shower when I got to work this morning thanks to you."

"That you did Baby, that you did," Sam laughed. "Though I never did get to show you my equipment." Sam teased. She groaned when Riley slid back on top of her, her eyes sparking. She didn't want to admit Riley had worn her out. Riley started to kiss her neck. Her growling stomach provided a distraction. "Food Babe, I need food to keep up my strength." Riley's stomach growled loudly at the mention of food.

"Okay." She pouted. "But I'll hold you to it later."

Sam kissed her forehead and rolled them both out of the bed. "You bet." She said wiggling her eyebrows.

Riley couldn't help but sigh as she watched Sam leave the room her tight gluts flexing as she walked.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They'd decided on sandwiches and returned to bed with them. They sat talking as they ate.

"So what did you and Davidson do today, anything interesting." Riley asked.

Sam looked over questioningly then realized although they'd started talking more frequently about her day, she'd never actually mentioned who her partner was.

"I'm not riding with Davidson." Sam explained. I was his Field Training officer. After he passed his twelve-week training, he was assigned to another officer and placed on probation for a year. You usually don't ride with the same rookie you were FTO for. I'm riding with Kellie Matthews and continuing her training during her probation year. You remember her from the baseball game?"

The green-eyed monster jumped out and grabbed Riley by the throat. Sam was riding in a car every day with that… that…woman!

"Yeah I remember her." Riley finally acknowledged, jealously making her voice sharp.

Sam frowned at Riley's tone of voice. She was confused by her sudden change in demeanor. "She's a good officer." Sam said thinking maybe Riley was just concerned.

'I'm sure." Riley said dismissively.

Sam couldn't help grinning as she figured it out. "Don't worry Babe, I'm all yours."

"Yeah well you'd better make sure that green-eyed blond bimbo knows it too." Riley said sharply.

Sam fell back against the pillows holding her sides as she roared with laughter. This was a side of Riley she'd never seen, much less expected. She looked over and saw Riley glaring at her. She smothered her laughter as best she could but couldn't help the snicker that slipped out. She tried to take Riley in her arms only to be poked in the ribs.

Sam sobered. "I wasn't laughing at you Babe, honest. I just never pictured you as the jealous type."

Riley blushed at her behavior. "It's a new experience for me." She admitted sheepishly. "I… just the thought of you with her every day in that little car… I just… It makes me nuts."

"I promise, you have nothing to worry about, besides Kellie's not gay." Riley snorted. "And even if she was it wouldn't matter. I love you Riley and I'm not interested in anyone else." She told her seriously. Sam realized this had more to do with just being jealous. Part of it must be coming from Riley's insecurities. Knowing how Linda treated her, she wasn't surprised.

Riley straddled Sam's lap facing her. It was time to change the subject; she was embarrassed by her jealousy. She leered at Sam then leaned forward.

"Now what was that about showing me your equipment?" She husked in Sam's ear then pulled the lobe between her teeth and bit down lightly.

Sam groaned as all coherent thought was driven from her mind.

Chapter Thirteen

Riley had kept her promise to Denny to bring Sam over to meet Carol and Jeremy. She'd been a little nervous, they had both despised Linda, but then again she could hardly blame them. They were both immediately taken with Sam. At the first get-together, Sam had come across as very open and friendly. Only Riley knew that despite Carol's probing Sam had actually told her very little about herself personally. It'd been so skillfully done that neither Carol nor Denny had realized it. As time passed and Sam began to trust them she'd gradually opened up a little more. Now over two months later Riley could honestly say that Carol and Denny were Sam's friends as well as hers. Sam took great pleasure in hearing all the tales Denny told about her from medical school and work. Sam had laughingly told her it was payback for encouraging Jess to tell stories about her.

Riley looked up when the sound of laughter interrupted her thoughts. They'd invited Carol and Denny to the condo for dinner and she'd been working on a salad to go with the dinner Sam was making. Taking in the scene before her, her eyes narrowed. Carol was standing behind Sam at the stove, her hands on Sam's broad shoulders and she was leaning lightly against her back as they talked. Carol laughed at something Sam said. Riley cleared her throat loudly and two heads turned at the sound. Carol raised her eyebrow in question but never removed her hands from Sam. Sam got a good look at Riley's face, Uh Oh! I know that look! Before she could move away from Carol Riley spoke.

"If you can't keep your hands off my girlfriend, I'm not going to invite you over any more." Riley told Carol in an only partly teasing tone.

Carol flushed with embarrassment and quickly removed her hands from Sam. It wasn't the first time Riley had mentioned her penchant for touching Sam. Carol didn't know what it was about the beautiful cop that just seemed to draw her to her. She'd always been a very tactile person but Sam just seemed to bring that trait out in her even more. She grimaced to herself; you'd think I'd know by now how Riley reacts to someone touching Sam. Carol was saved by a cry from the other room.

"I better go check on the baby." She said quickly making her retreat.

Riley got up and approached Sam. Sam wrapped her up in a loving embrace and leaned down to kiss her. "She doesn't mean anything by it Babe." Sam tried to assure Riley.

"I know." Riley admitted blushing. "I can't help it. I hate seeing another woman's hands on you no matter how innocent. Poor Kellie must think I'm the biggest bitch around." She said remembering her reaction to Kellie touching Sam the first time they'd gotten together at O'Grady's for drinks. Sam had hoped by Riley getting to know Kellie it would ease her jealously. Riley sighed. "Carol has always been the touchy feely type, it never bothered me before."

Carol came back into the room. She walked over to where Riley was still wrapped in Sam's arms and put her hand gently on Riley's back.

"I'm sorry."

"No, I'm sorry." Riley apologized. "I just don't know what comes over me sometimes. I see a woman touch Sam, no matter how innocently and this jealous bitch just jumps out."

Carol ran her eyes appraisingly down and back up Sam's body. "Can't say I blame you Kiddo."

Riley grinned when Sam blushed at Carol's blatant appraisal. The three women shared a laugh easing any remaining tension.

A banging at the front door announced Denny's return. "I'm going to kill him if he wakes the baby." Carol declared as she headed for the front door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

They sat eating dinner and discussing Carol and Denny's plans for the upcoming holiday. It would be Jeremy's first Thanksgiving. Denny's parents had yet to see the little boy and would be flying out to spend the holiday with their new grandson.

"I bet you'll be glad to miss the 'command performance' next week." Denny commented to Riley.

Riley grimaced. "Yeah I sure won't miss spending an evening with those pompous jerks."

Sam looked over at her questioningly.

"Every year at Thanksgiving my uncle hosts a dinner to support the homeless. Part of the proceeds from the tickets goes to provide Thanksgiving dinner for the homeless at a local shelter. These blowhards stand around all night in their fancy suits and pat themselves on the back for their great contribution to the community. If they just donated all the money it took to put on the dinner they could probably provide food to a local shelter for a year." Riley ranted. "Since my uncle sponsors the event I was required to attend, with an escort he chose of course. I wonder how he'll explain my absence. I've been there every year since I was eleven. He'll probably tell them I'm dead." She said bitterly.

Carol glared at Denny for even bringing up the painful subject. "So Sam, Riley mentioned you're going to your sister's for Thanksgiving. Is that something you do every year?" she asked trying to change the subject.

"We usually celebrate Thanksgiving at my folks but this year my Mom finally convinced Dad to take her on the cruise he'd been promising her. So Jess said she'd have the dinner at her place. It'll be a much smaller crowd than is usually at my folks. Just Jess and Kim, my brother Frank and his wife and I think Jess mentioned one of Kim's brothers might come."

Carol noticed Riley's face pale at the mention of the family dinner. She quickly changed the subject again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Denny and Sam volunteered to do dishes. Riley protested but was overruled. She sat cross-legged on the sofa with Carol, keeping her company while she fed Jeremy. Carol glanced around the room; she still couldn't get over how much the room had changed. Gone was the uncomfortable white couch and wing chair; in their place was a huge rolled arm burgundy leather sofa. The glass and metal tables had been replaced with sturdy wood tables with butcher-block patterned tops. There were framed photographs of Riley's parents including several with Riley as a child on the side table next to the sofa. The impressionist paintings were gone from the walls and in their place were several wildlife prints. The mahogany entertainment center was still present but now the doors were open and Carol could see a stack of DVDs on the top of the TV. It had been transformed from a cold stark room into a warm inviting retreat.

Riley noted her perusal. "What?" she asked with a smile.

"Nothing," Carol replied. I was just marveling at how much this room has changed in the last few months."

Riley looked around. "Yeah, now it's really a home instead of just a place to live."

~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley lay in between Sam's legs using her chest as a backrest. She had specifically bought the oversized sofa so she and Sam could share it like this. Carol and Denny had left shortly after dinner. Denny had an early schedule at the hospital, as did she. They were both trying to get as many of their routine surgeries taken care of as possible before the holiday. She tensed unconsciously at the thought of the holiday. Sam felt the stiffening of Riley's body.

"What's wrong Baby?" she asked in concern.

Riley was startled out of her thoughts and jumped slightly.

"Boy you are really tense tonight. I know something's bothering you, you've been quiet ever since dinner." Sam brought her hands up and began to massage Riley's tight shoulders.

Riley sighed; Sam had just gotten too good at reading her. She knew there was no sense in pretending nothing was bothering her. Sam would just press until she finally told her.

"I was just thinking about all the work I have to get done in three days this week." Riley tried lamely.

Sam wasn't buying it. "Uh huh…you've got lots of work every week and you already told me you normally don't work on Thanksgiving." At the mention of Thanksgiving, Riley tensed. "That's it isn't it? You're worried about Thanksgiving. I thought we talked about this. There's nothing to be worried about. You know Jess and Kim and are comfortable with them right?"

"Yeah, they're both great and I do feel especially close to Kim."

"So what's the problem? We'll have a great time. Don't we always have fun when we get together with them?"

"Yes we do but…they're not the only one's who're going to be there."

"But you've met Frank and Cheryl. I've met Kim's brother. Don't worry you'll like him." Riley didn't say anything. "Come on Riley tell me what the problem is."

"Frank and Cheryl must hate me." Riley whispered in a tight voice.

"What!" Sam exclaimed in shock. "What would make you think something like that?" She couldn't believe it when Riley started to cry. She wrapped her arms tightly around Riley trying to understand where all this was coming from.

Riley finally got herself under control and explained. "The only time I ever met them was the day you were discharged. I treated you so badly Sam, how could they not hate me. I just about ran Frank down when I rushed out of your room that day. I saw the look on your face as they wheeled you out of the room. You looked so defeated and Frank looked so angry."

Sam had forgotten about that day or more truthfully didn't allow herself to think about it. It was in the past and best left there. She and Riley were together and that was all that mattered. Her brother had been shocked when she'd first told him she was dating Riley but once he realized the depth of her feelings he'd just wanted her to be happy and she had assured him Riley made her happy.

She pulled Riley into her lap and cradled her in her arms. "That's in the past Baby. We're together now and that's all that matters. You can't keep feeling guilty about that; let it go. Frank knows how much you mean to me and he's happy for us."

"But it's a family get together…" Sam put her fingers to Riley's lips stopping her.

"Stop right there. We've been together over two months. You're my family! If you don't want to go then I won't go either. This is our first Thanksgiving together and I for one have a lot to be thankful for and plan on celebrating it with you."

Riley smiled brightly at Sam as her fears eased. "You're my family too Honey. I have a lot to be thankful for as well. I guess I just let my fears get away from me. I haven't been to a family Thanksgiving since I was 10."

"Well you're lucky at least you don't have to face my folks…this year."

Riley gulped. The implication was clear. She glanced up at Sam and saw the mischievous sparkle in her eyes. She used her free hand to poke her in the chest.

Sam laughed. "See… made you forget all about Frank and Cheryl."

Riley stuck her tongue out at Sam. Sam quickly leaned forward and captured the offered appendage. Riley moaned into Sam's mouth. Sam pulled way then stood up with Riley in her arms.

"Come on let's see what else I can make you forget about." She told her huskily as she headed up the stairs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam glanced over at Riley as she shifted in her seat again. It was Wednesday and they were on their way to Jess and Kim's. Sam was driving Riley's SUV. The closer they got the more nervous Riley became.

"It's going to be fine. I promise." Sam tried to reassure Riley.

Riley turned in her seat to face Sam. "Um… maybe we should stay in a hotel? I mean…um… they're going to have kind of a full house."

"Sure…if you want." Sam said agreeably. She pulled her cell phone off her belt and offered it to Riley. "But… you call Jess and tell her we're staying at a hotel." Sam added with smirk.

Riley scowled and pushed the phone back toward Sam.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"We're here." Sam announced as she turned into a long driveway.

Kim and Jess had always come to San Diego. They'd invited Riley to come to Los Angeles with Sam but with her schedule and duty call, she'd just never made it. Sam pulled up in front of the first house off the main driveway. The driveway served several houses with each having a separate drive branching off the main one.

Sam leaned over the console and took Riley's face between her hands. "Relax everything will be fine." She kissed Riley until she felt her relax and start to kiss her back.

"Come on." Sam urged Riley toward the house.

Riley looked around as she got out of the truck. The house was on a good-sized lot. Riley figured it must be almost an acre. She jumped when Sam's knock caused the loudest barking she'd ever heard to come through the door. She looked up fearfully at Sam.

"That's just Thor."

She'd heard all about Thor but had honestly thought the women had exaggerated his size. If his bark was anything to go on he must be huge. It sounded more like a roar than a bark.

Jess opened the door slightly. "Hang on a sec…Kim's going to put him out back." Jess pulled the door open. "Come on in." She said reaching out to pick up Riley's suitcase. Kim came back and greetings were exchanged.

The hallway to the bedrooms led directly off the foyer so they headed for the guest bedroom. Riley looked around the room. The walls were painted a pale dusty rose. There was a queen size sleigh bed with a thick crème and rose color comforter. The furniture was all contemporary wood.

Kim opened a door and showed Riley the connected bathroom. "You share a bathroom with the other guest bedroom. Kim explained pointing to the door at the other end of the narrow bathroom.

"Frank and Cheryl are already here, they flew in early this morning. Why don't we head into the living room?" Kim said. As they exited the room, she pointed to the door across the hall. "That's our room." When they got to end of the hall, she gestured to a door opposite the foyer. That's the other guest bedroom that connects to yours through the bathroom."

Frank and Cheryl were sitting on the sofa when they entered. Both of them stood up to greet the new arrivals. Riley's body went tense as she entered the room. Sam noticed the sudden change in body language and wrapped her arm around Riley's shoulder. Riley looked first at Cheryl and a warm smile welcomed her.

"Hi Riley, nice to see you again." Cheryl greeted.

Sam squeezed Riley's shoulder and she relaxed slightly.

"Hi Cheryl." She reached out to shake Cheryl's hand and was surprised when the woman pulled her into a hug. She turned to face Frank.

Jess had told him all about Sam and Riley's relationship. At first he'd been very unhappy knowing how the little doctor had treated Sam but Kim had convinced him that was in the past. His sister was in love with this woman and needed his support, Kim insisted. Once he got over the shock of Sam actually admitting she was in love, he decided he wanted to see for himself how Riley treated his sister. Though he had to admit when he'd talked to Sam on the phone, his sister had never seemed happier. Still he couldn't resist tweaking Riley.

"Hello, Dr. Connolly. I hope you're not going to try to run me down this time." He said teasingly. He had no idea of Riley's concerns with meeting him again.

Riley's shoulders slumped and her eyes dropped to the carpet. Frank was met with four very angry glares. His wife added a sharp jab in the ribs to display her displeasure. Frank quickly realized he'd made a mistake. He reached out and tipped up Riley's chin. He felt terrible when he saw the worry and pain on her face. He pulled Riley out from under Sam's protective arm. He flinched at the look his sister threw him, she was furious. He wrapped a shocked Riley up in his arms and leaned down to whisper in her ear.

"I'm sorry; I can be such a jerk sometimes. I was just teasing you. Welcome to the family." He said then gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. Riley was smiling when Frank released her. Sam continued to glare at him.

"Hey Riley hasn't gotten to meet Thor yet. Why don't we go out back?" Jess suggested hoping to defuse some of the tension in the room. She threw her brother one last dirty look. Everyone exited the room leaving Sam and Riley alone.

"Are you okay Baby? I'm so sorry about my brother. I'm going to kill him." Sam ground out.

Riley smiled at Sam and hugged her tightly. "Don't be mad at him Honey. He apologized. He had no way of knowing I was scared of meeting him again. Just forget it okay?" Riley could see Sam was still angry so decided to take her mind off her brother. She pulled her head down and gently kissed her lips. When she felt Sam start to relax, she escalated the kiss pressing her tongue into Sam's mouth. Sam was panting by the time the kiss ended. Riley's eyes were sparkling as she watched Sam try to recover from the passionate kiss.

"What were we talking about?" Sam asked with a grin when she got her voice back.

Riley laughed and all the remaining tension dissipated. They headed out to meet Thor.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They stepped out a sliding glass door in the family room onto a large screen enclosed brick patio. Tucked in a corner of the patio was a large jacuzzi with its own redwood deck. There was a BBQ grill and a redwood table under the large enclosure as well as several chaise lounges. A large expanse of colored gravel dotted with cactus extended out from the edge of the patio. In the center of the gravel covered area was another smaller patio, which had a cement table and benches sitting on it with a large umbrella over the table. There were large slopes covered with ice plant and at the base of the slopes, there were several citrus trees. Large pepper trees lined the top of the slopes, providing privacy for the whole area.

Everyone looked up when Sam and Riley stepped out. Frank breathed a sigh of relief at the relaxed look on Sam's face and the smile on Riley's. He'd gotten an earful as they'd waited for the other two women to join them.

"So where's my boy?" Sam asked grinning.

Riley jumped when Jess let out a piercing whistle. She turned at the sound of thundering feet and gasped. The biggest animal she'd ever seen was charging straight for her and Sam. She stepped behind Sam in a panic and gripped her belt. Sam merely laughed and slapped the tops of her thighs.

"Come on boy." Sam encouraged.

Riley was shocked when the dog managed to skid to a halt in front of Sam. She was sure he was going to run them both down. She hung back fearfully as Sam enthusiastically greeted the big dog.

Kim got up and came over next to Riley. "I reacted the same way. He is kind of intimidating but I promise he won't hurt you."

Sam looked up from where she was having her face washed. She grabbed the dog in a headlock. "You wouldn't hurt a fly, would you boy?" Thor woofed in agreement which caused Riley to jump.

Jess was watching with interest. Thor was normally a very aloof dog. He would greet people but wouldn't seek them out for attention once the initial greeting was over. He normally just walked way. Sam had been around Thor since he was a puppy and he listened and obeyed her just as he did Jess, she was part of his pack. She wondered how he'd react to Riley. He treated Cheryl and Frank the way he did most people. He greeted them but that was it, unless they called him over, he ignored them.

Sam stood up and pulled Riley out from behind her back. Riley gulped when she realized the dog's head came up to her chin.

"Riley this is Thor. Thor this is my girlfriend Riley," she introduced.

Riley stood perfectly still when the big dog stepped forward and sniffed her. She met his large dark eyes and was surprised to see the intelligence and gentleness shining there. She reached out to stroke his ears as she'd seen Sam do.

"Hi there big guy." She greeted softly. Her eyes widened further when he moved forward to lay his head on her chest. She continued to stroke his head as he let out a big sigh and closed his eyes in pleasure.

"I'll be damned." Jess muttered.

Riley pulled her eyes away from Thor to see the shocked expressions on everyone's faces. Sam was grinning from ear to ear. Riley took a step back when Thor pressed his weight against her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and resumed her caresses.

"What?" she asked with a smile.

"There's only one other person besides Sam and myself he's ever reacted to like that. Normally he'd just sniff you and walk away." Jess explained.

"That's what he does with Frank and me." Cheryl confirmed.

"Wow…really." Riley smiled brightly as she intensified her rubbing of Thor's head and ears. He groaned in pleasure never moving his head from Riley's chest. "So who was the other person?"

"Me." Kim answered with a smile of remembrance. "I think that's when Jess realized I wasn't her average date." Kim teased. "Alright come on you big moose you're crushing Riley." Kim told the big dog trying to pull him away from Riley. He wouldn't budge.

"Don't get too comfortable there big guy… that's my spot." Sam informed Thor as she helped Kim pull him away from Riley's chest. Riley blushed when everyone chuckled.

"He really wasn't hurting me." She assured Sam as they went to sit down. Thor followed Riley and as soon as she sat down, he dropped down at her feet and put his big head in the lap.

"You're out of luck Sam, looks like he's claimed her." Jess laughingly told her sister.

Sam leaned down until she was eye to eye with the big dog. "Mine." She growled laying her head on Riley's belly.

Everyone roared with laughter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley smiled and stretched. She was lying in bed waiting for Sam. After working that morning and then the tension of meeting Frank and Cheryl again, she was exhausted. The day had turned out wonderfully after the less than stellar start. She'd relaxed and gotten to know Frank and Cheryl a little better. She was a little concerned about Kim; as the evening had progressed, Kim had seemed pale and listless. When Riley had asked her if she was all right, she'd insisted it was from not sleeping well the previous night. She might've believed her if she hadn't caught Jess's equally worried look. She'd dosed off waiting for Sam and started slightly when she felt her warm body press against her back.

"Sorry I didn't mean to wake you. You alright?" Sam asked as she curled up around Riley putting her big hand on Riley's stomach and pulling her close.

"Yeah, you were right." She admitted. "Frank and Cheryl are great; I'm glad I got the chance to know them better. It's a shame Kim's brother's plane got grounded in Chicago by the storm."

Sam was rapidly losing interest in the conversation. The press of Riley's body against hers was taking her mind to thoughts of other pursuits. She pressed a little harder against Riley's back and slipped her hand under her shirt. Sam was surprised when Riley stiffened and pulled her hand away. Riley had never refused her advances before.

"What's the matter Babe?" Sam questioned as she tried to slip her hand back under Riley's shirt.

Riley grasped the offending hand and pressed it to her stomach outside her shirt. "Your sister and Kim are right next door and Frank and Cheryl are on the other side of the bathroom." Riley whispered.

"So what?" Sam leaned down kissing Riley's neck trying to distract her. Riley's grip on her hand loosened and Sam slipped it up to softly cup a breast through her tee shirt. Riley gasped at the contact but pulled her hand away from her breast.

"We can't." Riley insisted.

Sam rocked her hips against Riley and continued to kiss her neck hoping to change her mind. When Riley failed to response after several minutes Sam sighed in frustration and stopped.

"I'm sorry Honey, I just can't." Riley tried to explain her voice hitching.

Sam tried to force away her rising libido. "It's okay… just get some sleep." Riley dropped off to sleep very quickly. Sam lay for a long time before she calmed enough to follow her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley's eye's fluttered open. She was disoriented for a moment trying to remember where she was. Oh yeah…Kim and Jess'. Sam was still wrapped around her from behind. One of her large hands was cupped around her breast. Riley smiled and gently eased away from Sam putting a pillow in her arms to replace her body. There wasn't a clock in the room but peeking out the drapes Riley knew it was still early. She put on her robe and quietly opened the door and stepped out into the hall. She almost ran into Jess coming from the other direction.

"Sorry I didn't mean to wake you." Jess apologized.

"Oh you didn't, I'm just so used to being up early and with staying someplace new..." Riley explained with a shrug.

"There's a pot of coffee in the kitchen. Just give me a minute and I'll join you."

Riley had already noticed the tea and dry toast Jess was carrying. "That's okay, I'm sure I can manage on my own. Don't let me mess up your breakfast."

"This is for Kim; she's uh… um…feeling a little under the weather this morning." Jess explained uncomfortably.

"Is there anything I can do?" Riley asked concerned for her friend.

"No, she'll be fine. Well I better get this to her. I'll meet you in the kitchen in a bit."

Riley couldn't help wondering what was going on. Just something about Jess' demeanor was off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley made herself a cup of coffee and sat down on a stool at the counter to drink it. She heard a sound coming from outside, it sounded like whimpering. She followed the sound to the sliding glass door they'd gone out last night. Thor was standing on the other side whining pitifully. His tail began to beat a taboo on the glass when he saw Riley.

"Hey big guy." Riley greeted him as she slid open the door. She blocked the door keeping him outside. "I'm not sure if I should let you in or not. Are you supposed to stay outside?" She asked him. He looked her in the eye and made a strange woo wooing sound. "Hush now" she scolded him "You'll wake everyone up." Thor hung his head looking pitiful. Riley felt bad she'd hurt the dog's feelings. She set her coffee cup down and stepped outside to console the big dog. She jumped at the sound of soft laughter behind her.

"I swear he must practice that look when we're not around." Jess laughingly told Riley. "He knows I can't resist him when he looks pitiful and obviously neither can you," She teased.

"I heard him whining but wasn't sure if I should let him in or not."

Jess shook her head still amazed at Thor's behavior toward Riley. He had his head resting on her chest as she stroked his ears. "Sure he can come in; I just put him out to take care of business while I took Kim her tea. He's a housedog; he doesn't like being outside alone." She stood next to Riley and joined her in petting Thor. "Come on let's get you some breakfast before everyone wakes up." She told Thor.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley helped Jess in the kitchen finishing up the last dishes for dinner while everyone else continued to sleep. Jess had prepared almost everything in advance and now it was just a matter of getting everything cooked at the right time. They started working on breakfast. Jess was going to make pancakes. Riley sat at the counter while Jess gathered what she needed.

"Jess…I don't mean to pry but um… is Kim really okay? She's looked really tired the last two times we've seen you guys. I just care about her." Riley blushed at her forwardness.

Jess stepped over and hugged Riley surprising her. "It's nothing she won't get over, I promise." Jess told her with a grin.

Riley looked at her questioningly but Jess refused to explain further. She could see the mischievous sparkle in the eyes so like her lovers.

"We're about done here why don't you go see if you can rouse my sister and I'll wake Frank and Cheryl.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley glanced at the sprawled figures around the room. Frank was on the couch with his head resting in Cheryl's lap and appeared to be sleeping. Kim sat in the Morris chair with her feet up on a small footrest. She'd eaten the least of all of them at dinner and looked tired. Jess lay on the floor near her chair with Thor who had his head resting on her thigh. They were both asleep. She snuggled closer to Sam where they sat on the love seat. Sam had her feet up on an ottoman and her head resting back against the couch. They were recovering from eating the huge Thanksgiving dinner Jess had made.

The day had been incredible. It'd begun with breakfast in the family room. They had all gathered on the floor in front of the TV to watch the parades and eat their pancakes. They'd hooted and hollered, good-naturedly arguing over which float was the best and what balloon was everyone favorite. It brought back fond memories of the Thanksgivings spent with her folks when she was a child.

They'd spent the rest of the day hanging out watching football. Riley had never been much of a football fan but watching the game with Jess, Sam and Frank was an experience she wouldn't have missed for the world. Kim and Cheryl had just shaken their heads; they were obviously used to the sibling's antics.

The enjoyable day had continued with dinner. The siblings had teased and taunted each other through out dinner telling stories of holidays past. The atmosphere had been relaxed and the teasing all in fun. She'd blushed profusely when each person at the table had stood and personally welcomed her to the family. She had thanked everyone and then surprised herself by kissing a beaming Sam in front of them. It was the most wonderful Thanksgiving she could remember since her parents passed away. She felt herself drifting off to sleep from all the food she'd eaten and the warmth of Sam's body.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley's eyes fluttered open. She was lying with her head in Sam's lap and she was softly stroking her hair.

"Welcome back." Sam murmured softly.

Riley sat up rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She was the last to awaken from their impromptu nap. Jess entered the room carrying a tray with six glasses of champagne. Everyone looked at her quizzically.

"Ah… good everyone's awake." She said with a teasing wink at Riley.

She handed out glasses to everyone and then went over to sit on the footstool at Kim's feet. She smiled sweetly up at her and Kim nodded her head in response.

"Kim and I have an announcement to make and would like all of you to join us in celebrating." She paused to make sure she had everyone's attention. "Kim's pregnant."

Frank whooped and pumped his fist. "Yes!" he exclaimed.

Cheryl smiled at them and raised her glass to both women. Riley was happy for them, just one look at them and she knew how much they both wanted this child. She was also relieved to know what was wrong with Kim. Jess's cryptic comment from that morning now made sense. Yes, Kim would eventually get over her morning sickness. She congratulated both women.

So far, Sam hadn't said anything and appeared to be truly shocked. "Pregnant?" she finally repeated.

"Yep," Jess grinned. "A little over three months."

Riley could almost see the wheels turning in Sam's head as she tried to work it out. Sam's eyes widened as it all suddenly came together. Her gazed traveled over to her brother and her mouth dropped open in shock. His smirk said it all. She glared over at Jess in outrage.

"You didn't!"

Jess wasn't sure what Sam was talking about. She was confused by Sam's reaction and a little disappointed. She thought she'd be the first to congratulate them. "What?" she asked in confusion.

"Tell me you didn't get her pregnant in MY BED!" Sam demanded, obviously outraged at the thought.

Jess and Kim both burst out laughing. Jess winked at Kim then turned back to her irate sister. "Oh yeah! I most certainly did." She told Sam with a smirk then puffed her chest out in pride.

"That's just gross." Sam whined.

"We did change the sheets." Jess laughingly told her.

"We're turning over the mattress as soon as we get home." Sam told a grinning Riley.

"Hey Sam, I donated in the guest bedroom." Frank threw in.

Sam growled at her brother.

"And I helped." Added a smirking Cheryl.

Sam put her hands over her ears. "Too much information." She whimpered.

Riley patted her consolingly on the thigh as the room erupted in laughter. When the laughter died down Sam stood up and stuck her tongue out at her brother. She bypassed Jess and went directly to Kim. She leaned down and kissed her softly. "Congratulations, you'll make a wonderful mom." She told a glowing Kim. As she walked past her sister, she smacked her on the back of the head. "That's for using my bed!" she said then squeezed her shoulder in congratulations.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley stared out the windshield. The drive back to San Diego had been quiet. She had so many emotions whirling around inside she just needed time to think. She'd shared a tearful goodbye with Frank and Cheryl that morning when they'd left to fly back to San Francisco. They'd invited her and Sam to come visit. The leave taking with Kim and Jess had been even more emotional. For the first time in 25 years, she knew what it was like to be part of a family. She glanced over at Sam marveling at how much her life had changed in just a few months since meeting her. When Keith had barged into the trauma room Riley had feared her life was about to end. She hadn't realized it at the time, but in a heartbeat her life had ended and a new one had begun.

Chapter 14 - Conclusion

6 months later

"Riley, come on… wake up Babe."

Riley rolled over and groaned. "What time is it?"

"It's just after 1am. That was Jess. She's at the hospital with Kim, she's in labor."

"Okay," Riley mumbled still groggy. Her eyes popped open when it registered what Sam had said. She pulled back the covers and leapt out of bed. "Well come on what are you waiting for we don't want to miss it."

Sam chuckled as she got up to get dressed. "Jess said she's four centimeters and it might be a while."

They hurriedly dressed and headed for Los Angeles.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam approached the nurse's station. "Hi I'm here to see my sister-in-law, Kim McKenna." Kim used her maiden name at work but had changed her last name to Jess's when they decided to have a child.

"Sure go on down, she's in room 302."

"Thanks!"

Sam slowly pushed the door open. It had been a little over 2 hrs since Jess's call. Kim was lying on her side as Jess massaged her back. She and Riley quietly stepped into the room. Riley immediately went to Kim's side.

"Hey how're you doing?" she asked with a soft smile as she leaned down to kiss Kim. They'd grown very close in the last six months. She pushed the sweat soaked hair back from her face.

"Besides the fact that my back is killing me and I swear this kid is trying to kick her way out. I'm just peachy." Kim replied grumpily.

Riley smiled making no comment, she'd dealt with women in labor during her internship. Sam wasn't as bright.

"It'll all be over soon." Sam advised with a smile.

Kim growled at Sam. "I've been in labor with this kid for 10 hours. So let me tell you the next two minutes isn't soon enough." She snarled.

Sam looked shocked. She'd never heard Kim speak in that tone of voice before. Jess just grinned; she'd been on the receiving end of Kim's temper for the last 10 hours. Riley pulled Sam down so she could whisper in her ear. "Honey, women in labor are not rational, just nod your head and be quiet."

Kim's labor had picked up in the two hours since Jess's call. They'd be moving her into the delivery room soon. Riley was surprised to see Sam turn pale when the next contraction came.

"Would you guys like to be present for the birth? Kim and I talked about it and you're more than welcome to if you want." Jess asked once the contraction had passed and Kim had released the death grip she had on her hand.

Riley was unsure as Sam looked quite pale. She'd delivered babies during her internship so wasn't concerned for herself. She glanced over at Sam. Sam swallowed heavily before nodding yes.

The next contraction hit sooner than expected. Kim clutched her belly and growled at Jess. "You're having the next one. I have brothers too you know!" Riley couldn't help the snicker that slipped out when Jess blanched. Jess glared at her before turning back to sooth Kim.

Things progressed rapidly from that point. As they moved Kim into one of the delivery rooms everyone grabbed a gown to cover their clothes. Jess changed into scrubs and positioned herself behind Kim in the bed. Kim's obstetrician strolled into the room.

"Ready to go?" She asked with a smile.

'I've been ready; where the hell have you been?" Kim growled.

It wasn't long before the cry of a new voice filled the room. It almost covered up the sound of a body hitting the floor. Riley spun around to find Sam out cold. She rushed over to make sure she was all right. Other than a goose egg on the back of her head and a case of terminal embarrassment she was fine. They walked over together to view the new arrival.

Kim had the baby cradled to her chest and Jess was cradling them both from behind. "I'd like you to meet Erin Marie McKenna." Jess introduced with tears trailing down her face.

They gazed down at the baby. She was long with large hands and had a head of thick black hair. It looked like Erin was going to take after Jess and be a big tall girl. Her little eyes slowly blinked open and Sam could see they were light blue like Kim's but knew that could change. She was a beautiful little girl.

The nurse came in and shooed them out so they could get Erin all checked out and Kim settled in a room.

"We'll see you in a bit." Sam promised as they left.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They got to see Kim and the baby about an hour later. They entered to see Jess up on the bed with Kim as she attempted to nurse Erin for the first time. They spoke softly to Kim as they watched Erin nurse. Once she'd fallen asleep Kim turned to Riley. She'd seen the look of longing on both women's faces as she'd nursed Erin.

"Would you like to hold her?" She asked Riley.

A brilliantly smile lit Riley's face as she gently took the baby from Kim's arms. Sam came up behind her and cradled them both in her long arms. Riley had a look a pure joy on her face.

"Maybe we could have one of our own someday." Sam whispered in her ear.

Riley was floored that Sam had even mentioned it. She'd thought about it a lot, as Kim's pregnancy had progressed but never thought Sam would agree. "I'd like that." She admitted softly.

They stayed for a while but when both yawned repeatedly Jess urged them to go back to their place and get some sleep.

"I called Mom and Dad, they were ecstatic to finally be grandparents. Kim's folks said they wanted to wait a bit so Kim could settle into a routine with Erin then they plan on visiting. Mom was already asking how soon it would be 'til we could bring Erin for a visit. I got in touch with Cheryl; she and Frank are going to fly down as soon as he gets off work. So you'll have the house to yourself and it would really help me out if you'd feed Thor and let him out."

They kissed Kim and the baby goodbye assuring them they'd be back later and headed for Kim and Jess's to get some rest.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They talked about the baby all the way back to the house. Riley couldn't resist teasing her big tough cop for passing out when Erin was born. Riley headed for the kitchen while Sam let Thor out. She'd spent many weekends in this house over the last six months and felt very at home here. They made themselves some sandwiches before getting ready to take their nap.

They headed toward the guest bedroom. When they reached the end of the hall Sam lead them into Kim and Jess's room instead. The bed was unmade and it was obvious they'd left in a hurry. Sam pulled Riley into her arms and began to kiss her passionately. She led her over to the bed and tried to get her to lie down.

"Sam what are you doing?" she protested as Sam's kisses became more insistent.

"Hey Jess got Kim pregnant in my bed. I'm just returning the favor." She grinned as she pressed Riley back into the bed.

"Oh you're going to get me pregnant huh…? Well let's get to it."

Sam knew Riley couldn't be serious but couldn't help the surge of hope her words invoked. Riley saw the look on Sam's face and decided to take a chance.

"You know your brother will be here tonight. Maybe he'd be willing to help us out." She told Sam in a serious tone of voice.

Sam was momentarily speechless. She felt her chest tighten and she choked up. "You would have my baby?" she asked tearfully.

"In a heartbeat." Riley assured her. "There's only one problem Sweetheart."

Sam was reeling. Riley really was serious, she wanted her child. It was more than she'd ever dared hoped for. She fought to clear her thoughts and respond.

"What problem?" she asked nervously.

"A baby needs two parents… two married parents. Will you marry me Sam?"

Sam felt the tears pour down her cheeks. "Yes!" she cried. "Yes I'll marry you."

Tears of joy trailed down both their cheeks as they shared a searing kiss to seal the proposal.

The End.