Disclaimer: Nothings mine, unfortunately, except the plot

Rating: PG-13

Spoilers: Season 10

Authors Notes: While I'd like to say this is AU, it's not, I don't think. Anyway, Romano is still alive. Kem is with Carter, minus the baby they are not going to have. Definitely Sam/Luka shipper. Maybe not Carby. I haven't decided yet where it's going. Also Alex's dad is not in the picture, yet at least.

Drifting Down A River

Luka Kovac sighed heavily as he sat down in the not-so-comfortable board room chairs. He looked around at his co-workers; Pratt, Gallant, Corday, Susan, Deb, and Neela, the med student. All looking just as exhausted as he was. They're all probably wondering why Weaver scheduled this mandatory meeting too, he thought as he leaned back in his chair waiting for the meeting to start.

"Come on Alex, stop, I'm going to be late." Samantha Taggart grumbled at her son who was making a point of pressing every floor button on the elevator.

"I don't know why I have to go to this meeting too!" Alex whined as he pushed the last button.

"Because" Sam replied, exasperated.

"Because why?" Alex pushed, folding his hands across his chest and looking up at his mother.

"BECAUSE I SAID SO!" She screamed as the elevator doors opened. She walked out and hurried towards the board room. Before opening the door, she turned to Alex. "If you make a scene, I SWEAR you will be punished indefinitely." Sam looked at the blank expression on her sons face. "It means until I say so." She waited for him to nod in agreement before she pushed through the doors and walked in. Quickly scanning the room, she noticed there was a chair open next to Luka and made her way towards him.

"LUKA!!" Alex shouted as he ran towards him before his mother could get there.

"Alex! Hey buddy." Luka opened his eyes when he heard the young boy shout his name. When Alex reached him, he gave him a high five and ruffled his hair. Getting out a piece of paper and pen, Luka placed them on the table and hoisted Alex onto his knee.

Sam dropped her stuff to the floor and sat next to Luka, bending in to give him a quick kiss. "Hey." She whispered as they pulled away. She blushed, aware of the people glancing at them.

Luka laced his hand in hers. "Hey yourself." He replied, smiling at her, letting her silently know that he didn't care who watched them kiss.

Finally, Kerry Weaver made an appearance. While limping to the front of the room, she threw papers on to the table. "Okay everybody." Kerry sat down in the chair at the head of the room. Everyone turned to look at her as she spoke. "I bet you're all wondering what you're doing here. Well…" She paused as an assortment of grumbles were heard around the room. " Apparently the communication skills in the ER have been…" Kerry paused again, looking for the right words. "Not what they are supposed to be." She looked around the room and was met with an array of puzzled expressions. "Now I can't say I agree with the boards decision, because it involves me too and frankly I don't want to spend a lot of time with all of you out of this ER. Not that you all don't mean a lot to me. But, I think you know how I feel. Anyway, the board has asked…well, rather, demanded, that we all take a camping trip." She put her hand to her forehead. "Together. To increase our…communication skills."

Gregory Pratt was the first to speak up. "WHAT?" He looked at Kerry with a facial expression of anger and confusion. "A camping trip? You're kidding right. HA HA HA very funny Dr. Weaver." Pratt turned to go, angry that he had just wasted 15 minutes of his time for this.

"Dr. Pratt, you'd better stop right there." Kerry threatened as she pulled a piece of paper and pen out of her bag and pushed it towards Luka who sat to her right. "This is not a joke folks. Believe you me. Pick a partner and write down your names on this sheet when you're ready. We'll figure out who gets what rooms afterwards. Abby and Carter aren't here I see, so they'll be together. Can't show up to a mandatory meeting, you don't get to pick your preferences." Everyone looked at one another, not moving. "Come on people, I don't really have all night and I'm sure you all want to go home and go to bed." When the chattering started, Kerry sat back and sighed.

Sam looked into Luka's eyes. He stared back. Silent communication. It seemed to be the normal way of communication between them whenever Alex was around and they didn't want him in on their conversation. Luka grinned and raised his eyebrows at Sam. She smiled back and blushed as he wrote their names down together on the paper and passed it on. Alex looked up from his drawing, glancing first at his mother and then Luka. Sam looked down at the floor, not really able to face her sons knowing glances. Luka took the initiative. "What?"

"Nothing." Alex looked back at his paper. Sam looked back up and sighed a sigh of relief. Alex turned his head back again. "It's…" He paused, looking them both in the eyes again. From their embarrassed expressions, he commented, rolling his eyes. "I'm not stupid you know. I was just going to ask who was going to watch me while you two were away." He waited for an answer.

"Um…" Sam cleared her throat, partially thankful that he didn't say anything, but partially embarrassed that he even knew they'd be staying together. "Well maybe Tommy's mom could watch you, but I'd have to ask and you'd have to promise me that you'll be an angel and respect her." She looked at her son, hoping that Tommy was still his friend and Alex hadn't tried to beat him up yet.

"Tommy? Well…yeah, I guess so." Alex turned back to his drawing. Sam ran her fingers through her sons hair. He peeked at her from behind his hair for a moment. "Maybe one day us three can go camping." Alex grinned at her.

"Us three?" Sam questioned him, though knowing who the three implied already.

"You know. Me, you and Luka. Like a family. Family camping. I know that they have that. Dave went over the summer with his family. He said it was lots of fun. I want to go. Luka wants to go too, right Luka?" He looked up at Luka, pleading him to say yes with his expression.

"Well…" Luka started. "Your mom and I will have to talk about that. So we'll see. It might be fun though." Luka nodded his head and smiled at him.

"See mom!! Luka wants to go family camping with us!" Alex boasted, exaggerating the word family. Sam laughed and shook her head at her eager son.

"We'll see Alex." She glanced at Luka once Alex turned around again. Luka squeezed her hand and winked. Luka was excited about this camping trip. It meant him and Sam would be alone, without Alex. Not that he didn't love Alex all the same, but him waking up in the middle of the night didn't really do any good for the physical part of their relationship. Lately they had been sneaking around to be together. This would give them a chance to be together without many interruptions. Like a vacation, one that was paid for by the hospital. He rubbed the tops of her knuckles and leaned over towards her. Leaning in near her ear he could smell the intoxicating scent of her shampoo and perfume. "I can't wait." Luka whispered into her ear. Sam closed her eyes as he snuck in a quick kiss to her neck. Kerry's voice interrupted.

"Okay, since we're all done…I'm going to read this off. Abby and Carter. Luka and Sam. Pratt and Deb. Elizabeth and Susan. And Gallant and Neela. Any objections?" Kerry paused, waiting for anyone to say anything. "Okay then, no switching as of now. In the middle of the table are pieces of paper. They have numbers on them. 1 for a one bed, 2 for a two bed. There's three of each. It'll cause a lot less confusion and save time if we decide now instead of when we get there." She watched as they all reached in the middle of the table at the papers.

Sam reached in and grabbed a one. No Alex, no work, no obligations. Sam thought as she looked at Luka for confirmation. Her heart fluttered when he nodded in agreement. This is going to be a great camping trip after all.

"Okay what do we have left?" Kerry asked, reaching for the two un- obtained pieces of paper. "Two one's. Come on guys, I'm not sleeping in the same bed as Romano." She looked pleadingly at her staff.

"Okay, here." Deb threw her paper back at Kerry. "We'll stay in a one."

"Thanks guys." Kerry picked the paper up and gave them a one. "Alright well then I guess Carter and Abby will be in a one too. We get there THIS Saturday morning at 7 am. Carpool. You have one day to get your affairs in order. I expect all of you to show up. Not showing up warrants serious consequences, one that might involve termination. We'll be staying until next Sunday afternoon, pack accordingly. Any questions minus one that involves the question why?" Kerry scanned the room. No one opted to speak up. "Okay folks, see you ALL on Saturday at 7. Have a good night. " Kerry gathered up her things and walked towards the door. She paused and turned back. "Oh, and someone tell Carter and Abby about their obligation." With that she walked out the door, leaving her co-workers to talk amongst themselves.

Pratt broke the silence. "This is lame man."

"I don't know Pratt, I think, I think it might be interesting. You know, camping, and we're getting paid. It might even be fun." Neela answered him, a hint of excitement in her eyes.

"Yeah, I agree with Neela. It'll be fun! I haven't been camping since I was a kid!" Susan pitched in.

Pratt looked around at the others, rethinking. "Maybe." He turned towards the door to go. "Hey," He looked back at Deb. "You need a ride?" He smiled, Deb grabbed her things.

"Sure" She waved at the others as she followed him out the door. They all watched them go as they gathered up their things and walked out too.

***** Sam's Apartment

Sam stopped as they reached the door to her and Alex's apartment. After unlocking it, she opened the door. "Alex why don't you go in and get ready for bed. I'll be there in a minute." She ushered him inside their apartment.

"Bye Luka!!" Alex turned and waved.

"Goodnight Alex." Luka waved back as Sam shut the door.

"Thanks…" She was cut off by Luka's mouth descending upon hers. It was a sweet kiss. One that left her wanting more, but he pulled away. "…for taking us home." Sam giggled out the rest of the sentence.

Luka chuckled at her. "Anything for you." He kissed her again, this time with more passion. Sam wrapped her arms around his neck as her back pressed on the door. Suddenly the door flew open and they were stumbling backwards into her apartment. They broke away, regaining their composure.

"I'm ready!!" Alex hollered, standing there in his pajamas.

Luka ran his fingers through his hair and grinned in embarrassed amusement. Sam was mortified. "Thank you Alex." She put her hand on Alex's head and turned back to Luka. "Goodnight. Thanks again. I'll see you tomorrow." Luka leaned down and kissed the top of her head.

"Night. See you tomorrow." He waved at Alex as he headed back down the stairs to his car.

Sam closed the door and shot daggers at Alex with her eyes. Alex took off running towards his room. Sam followed him as he jumped in bed and covered himself up. "Does that amuse you Alex?" She asked as she sat down on the side of his bed.

Alex pulled the covers down from his face. "I'll get back to you on that." Sam sighed and laid down next to him, kicking her shoes off. Alex laid his head on her stomach.

"You like Luka right? And you're okay with this? With us?" Sam asked, running her fingers through his hair.

Alex closed his eyes. "I like Luka a lot. He's cool. I like that he's nice to you too."

Sam smiled, then frowned. "I just don't understand then Alex."

He looked up at her. "What?"

"You seem like you don't want us to be together sometimes. Is that how you feel? Sometimes I think you'd rather Luka just be our friend. But then you talk about us being a family or doing family things, like today at the meeting. Alex, you're the most important thing in my life. If you don't want us to be together…" She trailed off. She couldn't make herself say it, but she had to let Alex know that she would do it for him. She held her breath, waiting for him to say something.

"I want you to be with Luka. We've been alone a long time."

Sam pulled Alex closer to her and closed her eyes in the dark. "I love you kiddo."

"I love you too mom." Alex mumbled as he drifted off to sleep.

***** Abby's Apartment

*Ring* *Ring* *Ring* Abby groaned as the phone interrupted her sleep. *Ring* "Okay okay" She rolled over and grabbed the phone. "This better be good." She breathed into the receiver.

A muffled laugh came as the reply. "I remember that you're not a morning person."

"Luka?" Abby sat up, questioning the caller.

"Abby." He confirmed her suspicions.

"Luka, what…"

"We had a mandatory meeting last night."

"Oh God. What time is it? Is Weaver mad?" Abby put her hand to her forehead and waited for the worst.

"Eh, she didn't SEEM that mad, but she decided to get you back for it. You're not going to like this."

"Well what? What did she say? Is it really that bad?"

"It was about a camping trip. On Saturday. We all have to go."

"Oh. Cool. I guess. Who did I get paired up with."

Luka breathed into the phone. "Uh…Carter."

Silence.

"Abby?"

Carter? This is a mistake. I mean, I'm sure people can switch partners or something. This is not happening. Abby thought, trying to rationalize the situation. "Uh, sorry."

"It's okay." He tried to sympathize.

"Well, uh, can't we just have another kind of meeting when we're all working and switch partners or something? Or um do I even have to have a partner at all? What if I boycott the partner thing? Or boycott the whole camping thing?" She grasped at straws.

"I'm sorry Abby." He heard her sigh loudly into the receiver. "Well, uh, if you want, I can be partners with Carter and Sam can be your partner. We'll piss off Weaver but…" He hoped she didn't agree with this. Sure, she was a good friend, but he wanted to be with Sam.

"That…" sounds like a great idea. She couldn't make herself say it. I can't do that to Sam and Luka. They'll be miserable. I'll be miserable. I'll just have to suck it up, Abby decided. "That won't be necessary. I'll just deal with it. It'll be okay."

"If you're sure." Inside he was thrilled for himself, but sad for her.

"Yeah, I'm sure. Thanks though."

"Anytime Abby.

Abby hung up the phone. Flinging her legs over the side of the bed, she attempted to get up. Overcome with blackness, she fell back against the mattress. "Fantastic!" Abby exclaimed sarcastically, regaining her composure. She attempted to get up for a second time. Succeeding, she walked towards the kitchen. "Not only am I having black outs and not feeling well, I get to spend the week with someone else's boyfriend." Abby mumbled to the empty kitchen as she started the water for coffee. Padding to the couch, she sat down, tired still. She noticed she'd been sleeping more and more lately. Probably stress and work, she brushed it off and closed her eyes. A few moments later the whistle of the kettle roused her from her dreamy state. After pouring her coffee, she sat at the table for a few minutes before retreating back to her room to take a shower.