Yes, two chapters in one night! I'm very proud of myself.

Read, review, enjoy! :)

Sam was still in a terrible mood when he arrived at work the next day. He couldn't believe things had gone so wrong, right after he had fixed things with Jules. He wished he knew what had given her cold feet at the last minute, but she hadn't told him and he was too proud to ask.

Storming into the station, he ignored Winnie's greeting completely, stalking past her without a word. Winnie watched him stomp over to the men's locker room, her mouth hanging open slightly. Greg had told her about Sam and Jules, and she was beginning to smell trouble. Jules had arrived 10 minutes ago, bearing the distinct marks of a sleepless night. She wanted things to work out between them almost as much as Team One did, so she scurried off to find the Sarge and let him know her thoughts.

Meanwhile, Sam had entered the locker room, where only Spike and Ed were left. Sam nodded curtly in response to Spike's enthusiastic greeting. Spike stopped short in surprise before shrugging at Ed and leaving the room.

Ed watched with concern as Sam opened his locker with unnecessary force. Eyes dark with anger, Sam began changing into workout clothing.

Something had to be done.

Clearing his throat, Ed asked, "Everything alright, Sam?"

Sam refused to make eye contact with Ed. He shut his locker with a little less force this time before answering. "I'm fine," he snapped.

Ed sighed. Why did the team have to be so damn stubborn all the time? Adopting a placating tone, he said, "Look, I can tell something's bothering you, and that will affect your performance. You need to tell someone what's going on, so who's it going to be? Me or the Boss?"

Sam whirled around, his eyes full of disbelief, hurt and confusion. "Jules pretty much dumped me last night. Again. And she won't give me a straight answer why. Happy?"

Ed reeled with shock. He had been sure that they were going to work out; sure they were in it for the long haul.

"I'm sorry Sam. Did she say anything about it at all?" he asked carefully, his mind already spinning with possible scenarios, each less likely than the next.

"Ed -"

"Sam. I just want to help, and keeping everything bottled up like this sure as hell isn't going to," Ed said, gentle and stern at the same time.

Sam exhaled in frustration, pacing around the room. Finally, he said, "She said she couldn't do it anymore, and that she was sorry. Then she just left."

Ed walked over and clasped Sam firmly on the shoulder, his sharp mind already formulating a plan. He had seen the way those two looked at each other, and there was no way he was letting them throw what they had away. Now after what they had done to get to this point.

"It'll be okay, buddy," he said sympathetically. "Trust me, okay?"

Sam's lips twisted into a grimacing sort of smile. "Okay. Thanks Ed."

Sam left the locker room stiffly, hiding his emotions behind a trained mask. As soon as the door had shut behind him, Ed whipped out his cell phone and sent a text message to Greg, Leah, Spike, and Wordy. They had some work to do.

Jules left the change room at the end of the shift. It had been a long one; the air had been thicker than cream cheese. Sam had been cold as ice, not that she could blame him. She supposed it was to be expected. After all the time and effort they had committed to make things work, they were back to where they had been three months ago. She hadn't wanted to end things the way she had, but she couldn't see it any other way. The closer her return day got, the more she had questioned her decision. In the end, Jules had decided that she couldn't make things work with Sam. She had to focus on her work, and she couldn't afford to get distracted by getting personal. For now, things were rough, but things would work out better in the long run. At least, that's what she told herself as she left for the night. It had to work.

She almost believed herself.

About seven minutes after Jules left, Sam exited the men's locker room and walked out the front door of the station. He was so preoccupied that he didn't notice the small group gathered around the front desk.

That group consisted of Ed, Greg, Leah, Spike, Wordy, and Winnie. They were there because of Ed's message, except for Winnie. She had been a last minute addition, by Leah's suggestion.

"So," Ed began officially. "We all know that Sam and Jules broke up, correct?"

The team plus Winnie made various noises of assent.

"Personally, I think that was a mistake. Who agrees with me?" Ed asked, glancing at each person in turn.

"I have to agree," Greg stated. "They worked so hard to get here, and I can tell they're still in love, just from watching them for one day."

"I'm with the Boss," added Wordy.

"Me too," chorused Spike and Winnie.

"I do too," began Leah. "Jules looked tired this morning, and when I asked her about it, she said that she had ended things with Sam to stay focused on work. She seemed pretty upset, and considering everything with Ryan, I've got to say I was surprised."

"Sam said something along those lines too," voiced Ed. "Except he doesn't know why Jules ended things. I always thought they worked best together as a couple, that's why I never thought they looked real in the first place."

"You're right," agreed Wordy. "After they broke up the first time, they just didn't have the same chemistry. I wouldn't be surprised if this time it was worse. Plus, they're always less focused when they're trying to hide their feelings."

"What happened with Ryan, anyways?" asked Spike curiously. "I always felt like you and Jules were hiding something, Leah."

"She dumped him after the first date. She only went out with him to make Sam jealous."

"Wow, that's something I never expected from her," Greg stated, eyebrows raised in surprise. "She must really love him."

"Well, it worked pretty damn well," said Winnie. "But how're we going to get them back together?"

At this, she was met with silence; each team member was wracking their brains for a workable solution.

Spike was the first to try his luck. "We could lock them in the briefing room and not let them out until they make up?"

"I don't know," Ed said slowly. "They can be pretty stubborn."

"I don't think they'll make up without some convincing, either," shrugged Wordy.

After careful consideration, Winnie spoke up. "You guys could call a team meeting, and you could tell them all the reasons why they should be together. Maybe Jules doesn't know that she focuses better when she's with Sam. There's more, too...."

The rest of the team exchanged awestruck glances. It just might work.

"Winnie, you're a genius," Greg finally exclaimed. "Does everyone want to try that?"

They nodded enthusiastically.

"Okay, then we need to get planning," said Ed.

"Copy that," several voices replied.

TBC

Don't worry guys, they'll solve their problems soon enough :)

Now, review? ;)