Title: America
Author: TartanLioness
Summary: Alternative ending to 7x03, "The Hide". Adam doesn't accompany Sam to say goodbye to Foyle. Friendship/Romance.
When she had made the offer to drive Foyle to the docks, he had chuckled at her and said that he would like that very much. They both knew it wasn't a necessity – even if Foyle hadn't started to drive again, he could easily have taken a cab or even walked there. But neither had wanted to acknowledge these facts.
So as they parked near the ship that would bring the young American soldiers back home, Sam was once again behind the wheel with Foyle in the passenger seat. Keeping her hands on the steering wheel, Sam looked down for a moment, pressing her lips together. Knowing that Foyle was watching her, though, she smiled and stepped out of the car.
Foyle's suitcases were in the back of the car and Sam quickly lifted them out and set them down at her feet.
"Thank you, Sam, it was very kind of you to drive me," Foyle said, smiling at her.
They talked for a few moments, both watching the G.I.s milling about. They could sense the young men's happiness though there was a slight tinge of sadness. Young women were saying goodbye to their boyfriends, hoping to follow them to America soon and find happiness with them there, away from the ruins of their hometown.
Sam and Foyle were quiet for a moment.
"Well. I had better get onboard," Foyle finally said. Sam nodded.
"Take care, sir."
Foyle nodded his thanks and smiled at her, picking up his suitcases.
He had only walked a few steps when she called out to him. He turned back to her, an inquiring look on his face.
"You sure you don't need a driver, sir?" Sam asked, smiling apologetically. Foyle set down his cases and walked over to her as she continued, "I was just thinking, they do drive on the wrong side of the road, that is to say, the right side… and you haven't been driving for so long, maybe you shouldn't risk it..."
"And Adam?" Foyle said, interrupting her monologue. Sam looked surprised, then embarrassed. She lowered her eyes, biting her lip.
He spread his arms and drew her into them, embracing her tightly. Sam, surprised at first, put her arms tentatively around his waist, hugging him back and carefully breathing in his scent.
The embrace wasn't long, but when they let each other go, Foyle was smiling softly at the young woman.
"Thank you for the offer, Sam. But you have Adam and responsibilities here."
"The hotel exploded," Sam said frankly. "And Adam doesn't mean as much to me as –." She cut herself off too late. Foyle was looking at her with his eyebrows raised in surprise. "Sorry, sir."
"Don't be." He was about to say something else when the officers checking off the list of passengers called out to him. "I'm sorry, Sam. Must go."
He leaned in to kiss her cheek and then quickly stepped away from her, picking up his cases and boarding the ship.
"Write me a postcard!" Sam called out.
Foyle, noticing the absence of the usual 'sir', turned halfway around and called back, "I will!"
As the ship sailed out and Hastings became smaller and smaller Foyle smiled to himself. He had a job to finish. And maybe a chance of happiness waiting for him when he came home. And he promised himself he'd write Sam as often as he could.
And as Sam watched the ship sail away, she wondered if he had indeed aimed for the corner of her mouth when he kissed her cheek.
THE END