Shooting At Shadows-Chapter 9

I know these chapters have been short, I don't know if it's because of my inability to type/focus for long periods of time or if I just really want to get the updates out. Just a warning, for those of you waiting for a Jam moment, don't hold your breath, I don't know what it is but I just don't like writing Jules...also a factor though is that I don't like writing love stories. I guess I just don't imagine her having any big things happening like Sam and Spike, she'd cry a lot at home, put on a strong face at work, and then she'd slowly move forward. I just can't do anything fun with her like I can do with Sam, speaking of which, tell me what you think so far. Also, I don't own Flashpoint, though I can wish right?

Sam felt constricted by the silence, suffocated by the lack of words and the thick divisions that seemed to have fallen around them. Even though they were physically close to each other, almost too close for Sam to be comfortable with, he felt extremely isolated from his friends. He was hyperaware of the subtle looks Ed was giving Jules, the nervous ticks that she was displaying, the difficulty she was having keeping eye contact with him. The smiles were the worst; the fake smiles that he'd seen many times, they were trying to comfort him but were only making him more anxious.

As they got closer to the beginning of the trails more people began passing them on their way down the winding trails. Sam's muscles tensed a bit as he looked at the people and thought about how now he was unarmed. Ed didn't miss the searching glances and the tightening muscles but he thought it would be best not to say anything until they were in a more controlled environment. Sam looked anxious as they reached the mouth of the trail. There were people sitting on benches, walking around and looking at the maps of the surrounding areas. Children laughed from the pond as the ducks came to the edge and ate the bread they were throwing. Sam was frozen in his spot, his eyes moving quickly over all the people, the threats.

"Jules, start the car." Ed said as he tossed her the keys. "Sam, buddy, look at me." Ed said gently as he moved in front of Sam, a hand on his shoulder. Sam would not look straight at Ed, he was evaluating his surroundings and he was vastly outnumbered.

"Ed," Sam said in a breathless whisper as he turned a bit towards his left. Ed kept a firm but comforting grip on his shoulder. "I need the knife back...we...we're surrounded, I need the knife, let go of me."

"Sam, look at me." Ed said more firmly as he demanded Sam's attention again. Sam reluctantly looked at his friends but his eyes occasionally darted to other people moving past them. "Sam, no one is here to hurt us. You hear me? No one is going to hurt us." Ed's features were firm and serious but sympathetic. "You hear me Sam?" Ed asked again as Sam's eyes began darting back and forth again.

"I hear you Ed," Sam said in a whisper. "but you've never been in war."

"We are not at war Sam." Ed said firmly. "This is not Afghanistan and these people are not out to get you." Ed looked directly in Sam's eyes as he tried to gently pull him towards the car. Sam stood firm and returned Ed's gaze.

"If this isn't war then I shouldn't be losing friends to land mines." Sam's tone was somewhere between icy and pained, it was a tone that only Sam could pull off. Ed looked at him for a moment before pulling him into a hug. He felt Sam tense at the sudden contact but he slowly began to relax.

"Come on buddy." Ed said after a few minutes in the embrace. He led Sam over to the car and sat him in the backseat with Jules. She put a gentle hand on his forearm as Ed got into the driver's seat and shifted into gear. "Jules, we'll drop you off at Headquarters to get your car. Sam and I are going to go to my place for a little bit." Ed said as Jules nodded and Sam looked angry at the proclamation.

"Please, just let me get my bike and go home." Sam pleaded, knowing the answer already.

"I can't do that Sam." Ed said shortly with a sympathetic tone. Sam nodded as the ride fell back into silence.

It didn't take them long to get back to headquarters. The parking garage was dark and cool as Jules reluctantly let go of Sam's arm and got out of the car. Ed turned off the ignition as he stepped out. "We can grab your bike and see if it'll fit in the back Sam." He offered as Sam nodded and opened the door. He walked off towards the bike rack and Ed followed a few feet behind him. Sam undid the lock and started to wheel it towards Ed's car.

"I'm not going to make a break for it you know." He said bitterly as he passed Ed and opened the hatch on the SUV.

"I know Sam." Ed said gently as he helped him position the bike in the trunk. Jules approached them and gave them both hugs.

"I'll talk to you guys soon." She said as she gave Ed a look that put extra emphasis on the 'soon' part. Ed nodded.

"I'll call you later Jules. Drive safe." He said as he returned to the driver's side of his truck and Sam to the passenger side. They waved as she drove past them and Sam let his face settle into the familiar stern expression. He looked straight through the windshield as Ed settled into his seat and adjusted the mirrors. "You good, Sam?" Ed asked as he looked at his friend, stiff in the passenger seat. He smiled a bit at the question.

"Good as I can be seeing insurgents in every person who walks by I guess." He still did not make eye contact as Ed took a deep breath and nodded.

"It's okay Sam," Ed said as Sam let out a small laugh. "I mean it, you're gonna be okay Sam." Ed said seriously as Sam kept his gaze steady through the windshield. He changed the gear in the car and turned onto the street. After a few minutes he began speaking again. "You know, Clark's been asking about you. He wanted to work on his slap-shot and he says I'm a terrible goalie." Ed smiled as he glanced at Sam again. His expression was hard, small talk was not going to do anything to help the awkwardness he felt but Ed needed to try something to get him to open up. "You with me Sam?" He asked, not sure if Sam was listening. He nodded and the ride returned to silence again.

Power's out here so I don't have internet or a means of charging my computer. So I'm going to end this chapter here, scrounge around for some food, and then if my computer doesn't die while I'm trying to work on some homework, I'll try to write some more. I really wanted to finish this story before this weekend because I've got a two one-shots and a story on retainer in the back of my mind, but circumstances arise. Tell me what you think.