*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It was early the next morning; the sun was just rising above the mountains when Sam was walking down the hall towards the command deck. She was thinking about what happened the night before, a few hours after she and the others had arrived on the Crusade.

*~*~*Night Before*~*~*

Sam was sitting on the floor in a room that was given to her to sleep in; the bed wasn't suitable at all, so she was going to sleep on the floor.

She leaned her head against the wall, closing her eyes just to listen, to rest and figure things out.

Sam heard a small creak in the floor, but kept her eyes shut.

'Sam.' A small weak voice came, bringing someone to shake her shoulder lightly.

'Are you awake.?' Another small voice asked.

Sam didn't have to open her eyes to know who it was. It was Tamara and Tatania.

'Yes.' Sam replied, a little irritated at them for coming to her after being so cruel to her. Sam opened one of her eyes just a little.

'We're scared, we can't sleep alone.' Tamara said a little hesitantly, leaning down towards Sam.

'Can.' Tatania paused, blushing a little bit. 'Can we sleep with you tonight?' She asked in a rush of words. Sam shook her head, telling them that they could.

Tatania and Tamara practically cuddled against Sam, almost on top of her lap. Tatania wrapped her arms around Sam. Sam closed her eyes, resting her head against the wall again, like before.

That's when it happened, she felt small warm lips lightly touch her exposed neck and quickly withdraw.

Sam tensed up; she opened her eyes quickly in surprise. Tatania had rested her head on Sam's chest, and Tamara had rested her head against Sam's shoulder, half dozing. It was late, and they had had a big day.

Tatania was blushing a deep maroon red; Tamara was barely paying attention to anything, just resting against Sam.

Sam closed her eyes again, brushing it off as something else, like a mistake. But it happened again, this time on her earlobe. A light kiss suddenly turned into a light sucking. It was Tatania again. This time Tamara joined in as well.

Tamara started kissing Sam's neck and moving lower. Sam shifted uncomfortably as they pushed themselves against her.

Tatania and Tamara pulled away slowly, pursing their lips. 'S-sorry S- Sam.' Tamara murmured, pulling away, Tatania shook her head, agreeing.

A few minute passed, and then almost an hour had passed before anyone talked again. Sam liked the silence, but it was soon broken.

'I'm really sorry Sam, it's just all this--' Sam cut Tatania off.

'Why apologize, nothing happened.' Sam said, looking down at Tatania, then to Tamara. Tatania and Tamara blushed.

*~*~*End Flashback*~*~*

Sam bumped into someone. They quickly turned around to keep her from falling backwards.

The person she had bumped into was holding her close to them, a quick reflex after catching her.

It was a man, Gaddes. Sam had been so preoccupied about last night (well, actually, so preoccupied about telling you about the night before) that she had run right in to Gaddes in the middle of the deserted hallway.

Gaddes looked down at Sam, blushing. He let go of her quickly. 'I'm sorry, did I startle you?' Gaddes asked, a little smile dancing at the corners of his mouth. Sam didn't say anything, she just pushed past him.

Gaddes suddenly grabbed Sam's hand and pulled her back towards him. He glared angrily at her. 'We're helping you and your friends, you don't seem to appreciate that much! We're saving your lives! And what do you give us in return? All of this bull shit! You *are* nothing but a little punk!' Gaddes almost yelled at Sam.

Sam didn't look up at Gaddes, but still spoke, 'I appreciate it more than you'll ever know!' She said hoarsely, turning to walk away, but stopped again.

Gaddes had grabbed her hand once again. Gaddes pulled her in close to him, 'What is that supposed to mean?' He asked her.

Sam blushed; she was so close to Gaddes she could smell him. He smelt like the outdoors, a beautiful scent of the sea and sky, the scent of the wilderness.

Gaddes nuzzled her neck a little bit, kissing it, moving his hand down lower on her body. Sam shifted uncomfortably. Gaddes reacted by pulling her closer to him, holding her still.

'Sto--' Gaddes cut Sam off.

'Shhh.' Gaddes tried to calm Sam; he kissed her on the lips, exploring her mouth with his tongue.

Gaddes reached down, massaging her butt, and then moving his hand down the back of her pants and under her underwear. Sam squirmed out of his grip.

'What do you think you're doing? You think I'm gonna sleep with you?!' Sam asked angrily.

'Well, I thought.' Gaddes looked away, a light blush coming up to his cheeks.

'You thought wrong.' Sam left Gaddes standing there in shock and embarrassment.

Sam continued down the hall to the control deck where she met the others. Allen seemed angry about something and was looking out the window; Von looked the same except with Merle hanging off his arm and on the other side of the deck. Hitomi was looking concerned as she looked out another window.