Sam's First Christmas with Team One


Summary: Sam had plans. He told the team he was spending Christmas Eve helping at the soup kitchen and Christmas Day at a friend's place. It was true but what the team didn't know was the friend's place was Green Acres Cemetery and the friend was Matt. But his plans are altered when a teenage driver hits Sam as he is jogging home Christmas Eve. Who does Sam turn to for help?

Setting: In the series it would be shortly after Sam joined but not tied to any particular episode. In my AU it is slotted after The Corn Maze during the time the team is making some headway correcting their mistakes and proving to Sam he is part of the team and considered a friend.

Reviews do make my day. It's like a nice pat on the back or a smile letting me know that you enjoy and appreciate my efforts.

I do not own Flashpoint or any of the characters from that series. I do own my original characters (OC).


Make The Call & Who Are You Staying With?


Christmas Eve – Hospital – ER Room Two

He really shouldn't call him. Tonight of all nights he shouldn't bother him. But Sam couldn't think of anyone else to call. The nurse retrieved his phone for him, thankfully it was not broken. He just sat holding it for the longest time. He really didn't want to call.

Sam's eyes met the older nurse in the dimly lit ER room silently thanking her with a wane smile. Darla he thought her name was. She was kind enough to lower the lights so his head didn't hurt so much. She walked towards the bed and spoke very quietly "Did ya get a hold of your friend yet?"

He shook his head. Wrong move. He stopped the motion of his head but it did not stop the motion of the room. He pushed down the feeling of nausea and answered "Haven't called yet."

"What's a stoppin ya child. Ya shouldn't be in here tonight. Not tonight. Make your call. Your friend won't leave ya hangin on tonight of all nights. Unless ya are a lyin to me and ya don't have no one to call" Darla softly chided him.

Sam blushed "Not lying. Just … um … not so sure I should bother him."

"Well if its bother to him I wouldn't call him such a friend" Darla stated with her hands on her hips.

She stared at him until he punched up a number and put the phone to his ear. Darla smiled and headed out of the room satisfied he was calling his friend.

Sam hung up after heard "… current temperature ten degrees Celsius. Increasing clouds and chance of snow by morning ... "

He leaned his head back on the stiff covered plastic pillow. Could he call? Should he call? He could call a cab and just head to his apartment. He snorted. He shouldn't have, that made it hurt worse.

Yeah right he could call a cab. But how the hell was he gonna get up his flights of stairs with the elevator out of order. Especially when he could barely walk on his own. He could manage the crutches for the twisted ankle. It would take time to climb that way but he could do it. Well he could if his balance wasn't completely screwed up. Thanks to the dizziness that came with a concussion. He'd likely end up falling and breaking his neck. Not a pleasant thought.

Damned teenage driver! He wouldn't be in this fix if she had been paying attention and not texting. Good thing his reaction time was good else he'd have more than just a mild concussion and twisted ankle. He might be lying in the morgue right now instead. Not that he'd be missed much. At least not until roll call in three days. He supposed his SRU team mates might come to his funeral if he were to die. But that's about it.

Sam looked at the time on his phone. If he was going to call he should do it now before it got too late. Luckily it was after dinner time. That thought made his stomach growl. He'd spent all day at the Mayfield Soup Kitchen helping out and had not eaten a thing.

Caroline offered but that food was needed for the families that visited the soup kitchen. He did not want to eat a meal that could feed someone in need. Anyways he had planned on eating his leftover orange chicken and fried rice when he got home.

But the teenage driver changed his plans. On his jog home from the soup kitchen she had turned left as he was crossing the street in the crosswalk on a green light. She swore up and down that she never saw him. His tuck and roll over the hood of her car was probably pretty spectacular.

It was his landing that points would be deducted from. His foot landed wrong and his ankle twisted. His momentum kept him going and his head smacked the ground. He regained consciousness at the scene when the paramedics were there.

He gave his statement to the police as the medic checked him out. He also overheard the hysterical teenage girl telling her side and complaining that he should have been watching for cars. He smiled as the officer lit into her about it being her responsibility and ticketed her for several violations. When the medic finished his check he wanted to transport him to the hospital to check for concussion.

Sam insisted he was alright but then his body betrayed him. He stood and tried to walk away when his ankle buckled and he fell hitting his head again. When he came around the second time he was already in the ER with Darla fussing over him.

Speaking of Darla she was peering in at him again. Damn he was going to have to call. He sucked in a deep breath and held it. Then he slowly exhaled as he finally dialed the number he really didn't want to dial. After four rings it was answered.

[A cheerful voice said "Happy Christmas Eve."]

Sam replied "Hi um, um, this is um"

["Who is this?" the voice queried thinking the caller sounded familiar even with the one syllable stuttering.]

Getting up the nerve Sam answered "This is Sam. I hate to bother you. Especially tonight. But um. I sorta. I um. It's okay if you say no. I totally understand."

[Concern entered the voice "Sam are you okay?"]

"Yeah, its just. I really hate to bother you."

["Sam what's the problem?" the voice asked worry increasing. Sam had never before called.]

"Sorry I should just hang up. Sorry to bother you" Sam said but did not hang up right away.

["Sam don't hang up. You are not bothering me. What do you need?" surprise was mixed with concern. Sam was calling him.]

Just spit it out Braddock he chastised himself. If he says no, then he says no and you can call a cab and crawl up the stairs if you have to. Finally, Sam rushed out quickly "Uh Wordy I'm in the hospital ER and I sorta need a ride home. If you'd rather not I understand. I know it's Christmas eve and you are with your family."

[Shocked Wordy asked "Which hospital Sam? I'm grabbing my keys and out the door now."]

"Toronto General. I'm in the ER, room two" Sam answered surprised at Wordy's immediate response that he was on his way.

["I'll be there in about twenty minutes. Thirty at tops" Wordy told him then hung up.]

Sam hung up the phone. It struck him odd that Wordy didn't even ask him what happened. He just dropped whatever he was doing and was coming. It was like Wordy did not need him to justify why he needed him. The fact he called was sufficient for Wordy to come.

It was a feeling he had for six years that he missed deeply. His unit used to be like that. Until the day he killed Matt. There was a huge hole in his life since Mattie died and he lost his unit family. But it was his own fault he had lost them. He was the one that shot Matt. He didn't blame them for not trusting him anymore. Nor did he fault them for shunning him and refusing to speak to him. He had done the unthinkable and killed their brother.

Darla popped her head "So is he a comin?"

"Yeah, be about twenty minutes or so. His name is Kevin Wordsworth" Sam answered.


Christmas Eve – Wordy's Home

"Shel, hey Shel" Wordy called out as he headed into the kitchen. He was presented with a wonderful site. His beautiful wife and their three daughters were busy making cookies together. A Christmas Eve tradition Shel started when they got married. She always said that Santa liked fresh baked cookies. She was right. He snuck a peek and the girls were making his favorite snickerdoodles.

Shel looked up from sifting the flour and smiled "Yes Kev?"

Wordy sidled up behind her and wrapped his arms around her then kissed her cheek. "I have to go to Toronto General. Sam called. He needs a ride home."

She put the sifter down and turned in his arms to face him "Did he say why?"

"Nope. I didn't ask. He had a hard time asking me to come. I thought it best to just agree and find out the details when I got there" Wordy answered.

"I hope he is okay. Why did he call you to get him? Not that I'm complaining" Shel asked.

Wordy's face clouded a bit "He really doesn't have anyone in the city. I'm pleased but surprised he called me. Especially after how badly we treated him at Thanksgiving. I still get sick thinking how insensitive and cold we were to him. None of us even bothered to ask what he was doing that day. Did I ever tell you he had cold pizza that day."

Kissing his cheek Shel said "Quit beating yourself up over that. You guys recognized your errors and are working on showing him he is wanted. From all you've said Sam sounds like a nice young man. I'd like to meet him someday. Does he have plans for Christmas?"

Nodding he responded "Yeah I asked. In fact everyone asked him several times. I think it was starting to tick him off a bit. He was going to spend today volunteering at that soup kitchen he wandered into on Thanksgiving. Tomorrow he says he is spending the day at a friend's place. I better get going so I can get back quickly."

As he started to head out Shel caught his arm stopping him "Kevin when you know why he is at the hospital call me and let me know. I have a feeling … … Just call me please."

Wordy pulled her to him and kissed her again "Will do. Love ya. Be back shortly." He bent down to kiss and tickle each of his girls "Love you too gigglets. When daddy gets home can I have one of your cookies?"

Lilly looked at him sternly "Daddy the cookies are for Santa Clause. If he doesn't eat them all then you can have one."

Wordy smiled "Okay. But next year make a double batch. Daddy loves snickerdoodle cookies too" Wordy headed out.


Christmas Eve – Hospital – Outside ER Room Two

When Wordy arrived the ER information desk said they were expecting him. The nurse led him back to room two. He was met by a doctor outside the dimmed room. "I'm Kevin Wordsworth. I'm here to pick up Sam Braddock."

Dr. Pauline Seaway said "Mr. Wordsworth. I've been treating Mr. Braddock. He is resting at the moment."

"Can you share with me what happened?" Wordy asked.

The doctor hemmed and hawed "I really shouldn't given the privacy laws. Are you family per chance."

Wordy smiled "Sorta. Sam and I are teammates on SRU Team One. Sam called me to pick him up and take him home."

A look of concern entered the doctors eyes "Pick him up?" Wordy nodded. She asked "Does he have anyone at home?"

"No he lives alone. Why?" Wordy queried.

Sighing Dr. Seaway informed him "Sam sustained a mild concussion and sprained ankle when he was hit by a car."

"Sam was hit by a car?" Wordy blurted out.

"Yes. From what the police reported when they came to get his name for the report he was jogging home and was in a crosswalk. A distracted teenage driver hit him when she turned left without looking at the crosswalk. When he rolled off the hood of the car he twisted his ankle and hit his head. They said he tried to leave refusing help and fell hitting his head again. He was unconscious when he arrived. He was out for a good fifteen minutes."

"The CT scan shows a mild concussion and the scan of the ankle indicates only soft tissue damage. It's a minor sprain but he needs to use crutches for a few days to keep weight off it so it can heal. If he wraps it, the ankle should be fine for walking in a few days."

"But with the concussion he cannot be alone for the next forty-eight hours. If he lives alone we need to keep him here unless there is another option where someone can keep an eye on him. I would need the contact number so I can follow up over the next two days."

Wordy thought for only a moment. Sam should not have to spend Christmas Day in the hospital. "Let me talk with him. He said he was spending tomorrow at a friend's place. Maybe his friend would be willing to have him over tonight."

"Good. I'll be around. Let me know the arrangements once they are made and I'll get his paperwork together." Dr. Seaway started to walk away but stopped and added "Oh, please speak softly. Mr. Braddock has refused all pain killers and he has a monstrous headache."

"Why no pain killers?" Wordy asked concerned and curious.

Shaking her head "He just said he had bad reactions to them and prefers to deal with the pain than the side effects of the medication."

"Thanks doc. I'll let you know the plans." Wordy wondered at what side effects would be worse than pain from a concussion. He's had a few concussions and they hurt like hell.


Christmas Eve – Hospital – ER Room Two

Entering quietly Wordy saw Sam laying there with his arm draped over his face. His ankle was wrapped. They had elevated it and there was an ice bag over it too. He called out softly as he walked near the bed "Hey Sam. It's me Wordy."

Sam removed his arm from over his eyes and squinted at Wordy "Thanks for coming. I appreciate it." Sam pushed himself up to a seated position. He dipped his head and raised his hand to his forehead as dizziness and pain hit him.

Wordy reached out to steady Sam as he swayed a bit in bed "Whoa. A bit wobbly there buddy. Let's take it slow. Heard you tried to play tag with a car."

"Yeah car won. I'm it" Sam quipped.

As Sam steadied Wordy removed his hand and pulled the chair close then sat. "Doc says you've got a concussion. You can't stay alone for the next forty-eight hours. You said you were planning on going to a friend's tomorrow. Do you think your friend would mind you staying a few days?"

Sam bit his lower lip to keep from releasing a combined snort and laugh. However, it came out anyways and sounded a bit like a cough. Matt wouldn't mind at all. But the keepers at Green Acres Cemetery probably would and there was that chance of snow.

What the hell was he going to say? It had been a good plan to keep the team from knowing he was alone on Christmas Day. But now it was shot to hell.

"If you could just take me home I'll make arrangements there" Sam answered not wanting to lie.

Wordy thought that Sam sounded discouraged so reached out a hand and placed it lightly on his leg "Sorry buddy, no can do. Doc says you have to plans and a contact number of who is caring for you before she will release you."

Sam said tiredly "I'll just sign out AMA then."

"Why would you do that? Give me your friend's number I'll call for you" Wordy offered.

He almost laughed, yeah right 1-800-426-3323 (1-800-Iam-dead) would be the only number for Matt. He could imagine the conversation 'Hey Matt this is Sam's teammate. Can he stay with you? Will you look out for him?' Matt would replied 'Sure no problem. We can have a real nice quiet time. He can pull up a nice bit of snow patched ground. He'll be fine.'

Wordy was getting suspicious at Sam's continued silence "Sam who is this friend you were planning to visit?"

Sam was fighting to quell his anxiety of staying in a hospital. Maybe if Wordy left and he was transferred to a room he could slip out later. He would have to find some crutches though because they had not issued them to him yet.

Wordy watched as Sam tensed. He was hard to read normally but he looked almost scared. Wordy let the fact that Sam did not answer his previous question drop as he probed "Sam what are you not telling me?"

It had been a long day of work at the soup kitchen and he had not eaten. So he really did not have the energy to argue right now. Sam leaned back on the bed and covered his eyes with his arm again. Glumly he said "Doesn't matter. I can't stay at his place. I'll just stay here. Thanks for coming anyways. Sorry to pull you away from your family tonight."

Wordy watched Sam for several moments. What was going on? Did he lie about spending time with a friend? Why would he lie to them? Wait Sam had family maybe he could stay with them. "What if I call your dad? I could stay with you until they got here from Ottawa."

"Don't bother. He wouldn't bother coming. He's probably out of the country anyways" Sam answered with a note of disdain.

"Your mother?" Wordy ventured.

"She'd be with him since it's Christmas. Like I said. I'll just stay here. Thanks again. I'm tired I'm gonna rest now. I'll see ya back at the barn in a few days" Sam replied.

Wordy stood up "Okay. Well you take care Sam."


Christmas Eve – Hospital – Outside ER Room Two

Wordy stepped out of the room and down the hall a bit. He dialed Shel "Hey honey it's me."

["How's Sam? What happened?" she asked.]

"Teenage driver hit him when he was out jogging. He's a little banged up. Sprained ankle and mild concussion" Wordy told her.

["Oh my goodness. They are going to let him go home alone with a concussion? Doesn't he need to be watched for a day or two?" Shel inquired surprised they would let Sam leave unsupervised. He could fall or slip into a coma if not watched carefully.]

Wordy paced in a little circle "No not alone. The doctor insisted Sam had to have someone watch him or stay in the hospital. I asked about his friend watching him and he wouldn't give me his number. He sounded, I don't know, maybe sad. Something isn't right."

[Shel was pulling a pan of cookies from the oven "Lilly, keep Allie back please, it's hot. Sorry Kev. So if he didn't give you a number where is he staying? He can't go home. What about his family. Aren't they in Ottawa? Holly, no they are too hot. Wait sweetie. Allie, no you cannot climb up there. Lilly please take your sisters in the other room to color or something. Mommy's on the phone with Daddy."]

Wordy was chuckling. He didn't know how Shel managed. His voice dropped and he said sadly "Shel he said he was just gonna stay at the hospital."

[Shel's voice raised "No. no. no ..." Wordy thought something happened and he was about to interrupt when Shel continued "... no Kevin he can't be in the hospital alone on Christmas. That's just not right. Not right at all. Kevin bring him here. I've been wanting to meet him. The way you talk about him he seems like a nice young man. But maybe lonely too."]

"Shelley Wordsworth do you know I love you very much. Here I was all set to beg and ask you if it would be okay if I brought him home. Then you are one step ahead of me. He might say no though. And he does have a concussion. We will have to try and keep the girls down to a low roar so as not to hurt him" Wordy stated.

["You leave that to me. They will be quiet as church mice. Well maybe church mice with army boots but they will be quiet enough. Especially if Santa is watching them. Tell Sam I insist and that he would hurt my feeling if he refuses. I'll make up the guest room as soon as we hang up. And Kevin Wordsworth I love you too. You have arms of steel and the heart of a teddy bear."]


Christmas Eve – Hospital – ER Room Two

When Wordy entered he thought Sam was asleep and was startled when Sam softly said "I thought you had gone. You don't need to stick around. I'm fine."

"Well you might be fine but I'm not. I need your help" Wordy said.

Sam raised his arm off his face and looked at Wordy "My help? Sure what can I do?"

Wordy explained "You can keep me out of hot water with Shel. You see I called her and told her about your situation."

He saw Sam's eyes narrow so he quickly continued "Well you see she insisted I bring you home. I'd love to have you too. But you can't refuse otherwise she'll be mad at me. I really don't want her mad at me on Christmas. So what do you say? Will you help me out?"

Sam just stared dumbfounded at Wordy. He not only came without a single justification, Wordy was now inviting him into his home. On Christmas no less. Sam always wondered what Christmas would be like with a loving family. Wordy was a devoted father, he would do anything for his girls. He loved his wife too.

Could he say yes? He wanted to say yes. He really, really wanted to say yes. But could he? Should he? What if he did something to screw up their Christmas. Working with Wordy would be difficult if he did. No he better no risk it. He closed his eyes, lost in trying to make his decision.

Wordy saw the struggle. The mask Sam always wore seemed to slip a bit. For an instant there was a look of a child standing outside a sweets shop watching as everyone else had a treat, knowing they could not have one. It broke his heart.

Standing he decided that the decision was no longer Sam's to make. He opened the door and flagged down the doctor. "Dr. Seaway. Sam is staying with me and my family for the next few days." He gave his contact number and address then he said "What else do we need to do to get this show on the road. We have Santa cookies to finish baking at home."

The doctor smiled and went to get the discharge paperwork, some non-narcotic pain killers and a set of crutches. Before Sam could protest it seemed Wordy, the doctor and the nurses all conspired to get him up, dressed and out the door with Wordy. All under the same impression, that he should not be spending Christmas alone in the hospital when his friend wanted him to come home with him.

As Wordy started the car and pulled out of the hospital parking lot toward Wordy's home Sam prayed he would not screw this up.