Chapter Thirty Seven

The next morning, they all arrived at the courthouse in their dress blues. Sam didn't get much sleep during the night and didn't have much for breakfast that morning. When they arrived, Sam's lawyer Commander Johnson was waiting for them.

"Morning, how are you this morning Captain?"

"Nervous, I just want this over, so I can move on with my life"

"I'm sure you do. One thing is that you look a lot better than the last time I saw you"

"Yea, it was the fresh county air and good company that did the trick" The commander looks at Sam, then at Jack, who was grinning

"I see, we should be starting soon"

Then the police officers walked over to them and whispered some thing in his ear. Everyone was looking at the shocked look on his face, then nodded to the officer. By that time, General Hammond has shown up.

"What's going on?" Jack asked

"I just got word that there has been a car accident. The van that was bringing Captain Hanson and three other prisoners had hit a car and flipped on to it's back. They are all at the Academy hospital, since that was the closest. They all were seriously injured. Captain Hanson has a broken leg, broken arm and internal bleeding and a neck injury. They have cancelled the court case until he is able to appear in court"

"What about the others" Jack asked, as he put his arm around Sam's shoulder.

"Broken bones, mostly. The drive suffered a head injury and two broken legs"

"How did it happen?"

"A car was speeding and went through the red light and hit the van. The three kids that were in the car were killed, they weren't wearing any seat belts. The car was stolen"

"Oh god" Sam said, in shock.

"Thanks for letting us know"

"I'll call you in the next few days"

"Thanks" Sam said, then the Commander left.

"What happens now?" Jane asked

"We wait, that is all we can do. Come on, let's get out of here and get changed. We can talk about what we are going to do" Jack said.

"Sam, are you going to be ok?" George asked,

"Yes sir"

"What are you going to do now?"

"I know that there is a list of things I can do this morning. I know that I've got an appointment this afternoon with Dr Warner for a check up"

"Ok, take care of yourself, Sam"

"I will sir" They all left and headed back to Charlie's place, so they could get changed.

"Jack, can I use your truck? There are a couple of things I would like to do"

"Sure, wants some company?"

"No, thanks, I'll be fine. I just want some time alone"

"Sure, you know where I am if you need to talk"

"I know, thanks" Jack gave her a hug and kiss, before leaving.

Sam went to check up on how things were going with the new house. She also paid some bills while in town. She walked past a bridal shop, so she decided to go in and check out the dresses there. She was looking at the different ones that they had in stock. She even tried some of them on, so she could decided on what dress style she would like to have.

She even found out that they made wedding dresses as well. So she showed them what she liked out of all the dresses she had tried on and asked them if they could make it for her. They could do it. Then they showed her the different headpieces that they had on display . They also showed her the head pieces that they could order from a catalogue for her. She found what she liked and ordered it. Once she settled the bill, she left to head back to Jack's truck, then to the hospital for her appointment.

Dr Warner was pleased with her recovery, and gave her another week before returning to active duty. After she left the hospital, she headed to the supermarket and brought some groceries, before heading back to Charlie place. When she arrived, Jane answered the door. When she saw it was Sam, she helped her with the food.

"Gee Sam, what did you buy?"

"Food, Jane, good healthy food"

"How did it go at the doctor's?"

"Good, they gave me one more week, then I have to return to active duty"

"That's good news"

"Where are the men?"

"They went out about half an hour ago. Jack was getting bored and worried about you"

They unpacked all the groceries and put them away. Once done, they got themselves a cup of coffee and sat down at the dinner table.

"I got my wedding dress sorted out"

"What? Already?"

"Yes, I went into one of the bridal shops in town, to have a look, and ended up trying some of them on. I found out that they make the dresses to order, so I showed them what parts of the dress I liked and asked them if they could make it for me. They could do it and they can do the same with the veil and the tiara as well"

"That is good, do you know if they do brides maid dresses?"

"Yep with any tiara or flower head piece or whatever you want. They have samples of different coloured material and heaps of pattens as well"

"That's great, we should go there tomorrow, just us women."

"Why don't we make a day of it"

"Sure, why not. I know it's been a while since the three of us have been out on the town"

"True"

"Why don't I give Sue a call, see what she says"

"Ok"

Jane went to give Sue a call about the next day. While she was talking on the phone, Jack and Charlie returned. Sam was in the kitchen rinsing out the coffee mugs, when she felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist and someone kissing her neck.

"Hey, when did you get back?"

Sam put the last mug on the dish rack and dried her hands before turning around so she could wrap her arms around his neck, then gave him a kiss.

"About twenty minutes ago. Jane told me that you were worried about me?"

"Yea, I was. How did it go with the doctors?"

"He has given me one more week, than I can return to work"

"Ok, which is good to hear" then he gave her a kiss

"I found my wedding dress"

"Already? Where is it?"

"Being made. I was talking to Jane and us ladies are going out on the town tomorrow. I'm going to show them the shop where my dress is being made and hopefully, they might have their brides maid dresses made there also"

"Sweet" Sam giggled. Then they kissed.

"Hey, no kissing in the kitchen" Charlie said in the doorway, smiling.

They both laughed.

They all went for a walk to the park with their arms around each other, while talking.

"Charlie, when do you have to return to duty?" Sam asked

"Tomorrow"

"Well, I was thinking about returning to Washington and sorting out a new place to live before I return back to work next week"

"I can come with you, if you like Sam?" Jack asked

"Thanks. Jane, how about you?"

"Sure, I'll help you with house hunting"

"Great, we should find out about what Sue and Ferretti are doing?"

They came across an ice cream vendor, so they all got an ice cream, before walking on.