TITLE: Shark – "Fleeting Glances"

AUTHOR: D M Harper.

SUMMARY: From the deep sadness of loss, a strong bond can sometimes be formed. A/U

PAIRING: Jessica Devlin & OFC; Sebastian Stark & OFC

RATING: MA for Mature readers.

DISCLAIMER: This story is simply entertainment for those of us who like to dabble in subtext. There is no intent to infringe on the copyright of 20th Century Fox Television and creator Ian Biederman. This tale does feature realistic consensual sexual interaction between two females, so if you are underage or unable to view due to restrictions in your part of the world, be gone and take my sympathy with you. If you find such material offensive, you have taken a wrong turn at the last intersection and need to back the bus up drongo!

A/N: Much gratitude to Wendy Woo proof reader extraordinaire. Be kind, read & review.

Chapter 11

Sam paid the taxi driver then collected the bags from the trunk. Julie followed her into the house and the older woman led her up to the third bedroom.

"Make yourself at home Kiddo."

"It's late; I think I'll just go straight to bed."

"Yeah, I think I will too. Everything you need is in the ensuite."

Julie turned and hugged Sam firmly, "I'm really scared."

"I know you are honey, but we have got to remain strong."

"That's not so easy to do."

"I'm frightened too, but we'll have them home soon."

Sam's prediction was hopelessly wrong. By Sunday night while she was preparing her uniforms for the upcoming week, there had still been no word.

For two weeks the tabloids fabricated stories about Jessica and Sebastian and it took its toll on Julie. Sam had flown her to New York to be with her mother the previous Monday while she continued to survive on autopilot the entire time. Refusing to be negative or give into the dark thoughts that plagued her at night, Sam took each day as it came.

Julie called daily and Sam's heart broke to hear such sorrow in her voice during their conversations. Like Sam, Julie held onto the belief that her father and Jessica would be out of harm's way.

-o-

As Sam rolled over in bed for the tenth time that night, she sprang out of bed when her cell rang with Ron's ringtone, "Hello."

"Hey Sam, sorry to call so late, but I thought you would like to know my buddy from the FBI called with some info on Jessica and Sebastian."

"Please tell me it's good news and they are okay."

"They are fine and the pair sent a message for you and Julie. They both said to say they love you and miss you."

Sam's voice caught in her throat for a second, "Thank you Ron; that will uplift Julie's spirits and hopefully pull her out of the funk she is in."

"Mac also told me they had a break in the investigation and expect to make an arrest soon."

Finally exhaling, Sam cried, "That's fantastic news."

"It sure is. Get some sleep and we'll talk soon."

"Goodnight Ron and give that lovely wife of yours a big hug from me."

"I will, night."

After putting down the phone, Sam suddenly realised she still hadn't told her friends she had been promoted. In fact, she hadn't said a word to anyone. Checking the time, she reached for her cell phone and text messaged Julie, Rachel and Jake with the news about Jessica and Sebastian.

-o-

Sam groaned when the ringing phone woke her up at three am. She groggily answered, "Lake."

"Hey Lewy, it's Jake."

Sitting up, Sam became fully alert, "You're a dad?"

"Yes, thirty minutes ago. I'm the proud papa of a healthy eight pound boy and my wonderful wife is doing well."

"Oh Jake congratulations, I'm so pleased for you."

"Yeah thanks and sorry about the early morning call, but I knew you would want to know."

"You thought right, now go give that wife and son of yours a big kiss from me."

"Will do."

"I'll drop by and visit in the morning."

"See you then."

"Goodnight dad."

Sam heard Jake's laugh as she closed the phone. Settling back into bed, she slept for another two hours.

-o-