GOING HOME
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SAUDI ARABIA 2am local time
She said her goodbyes to the men and women at the base. She really didn't want to leave, being there reminded her a bit of her childhood. Sam was boarding the plane for her return flight. She settled into her seat and was just about to put on her headphones to listen to her notes when Clayton Webb boarded the flight and was seated in the adjacent row. They'll let anyone in first class, she thought. I'm gonna need a drink to deal with him.
"Excuse me." Sam said to the flight attendant. "You know those little bottles of Cuervo? I'll take five of them."
"Yes, Ma'am," The flight attendant replied with a quizzical look.
"Isn't it a bit early?" Webb stated.
"I'm sure it's happy hour somewhere." Sam said, rolling her eyes. I need to be drunk to make it through another flight with him.
"Suit yourself." Webb said.
"I will; thank you." Sam said. "Why are you on this flight anyway? Wait; don't tell me it's classified."
"I'm going back to Washington." Webb said.
The announcement came on, to prepare for take off. Sam secured her stuff and sat back. She glanced at Webb, who was settling in and looked as if he was going to sleep. The plane took off and the attendant brought Sam her tequila. She lined the bottles up and just looked at them. An hour passed and Sam still hadn't touched one.
"Webb, wake up." Sam said throwing a wad of paper at him.
"What is it?" Webb asked.
"Here," Sam said tossing him a bottle. "I hate to drink alone."
"Danaher, that's Irish isn't it?" Webb asked with a smirk.
"Yes it is, and Webb is British for stuffy." Sam shot back.
"Do you ever give your mouth a rest?" Webb asked.
"Do you?" Sam asked.
"A truce? For the flight," Webb asked opening the bottle.
"Fine," Sam replied.
A truce basically meant they would not speak to each other, which suited Sam just fine. Feeling restless she got up and walked around a bit. She went back to the galley and chatted with the attendants.
"Who's that guy sitting across from you?" One asked.
"I'd like to know myself." Sam said.
"He's handsome." She stated.
"Ya think?" Sam replied, looking back at Webb.
"He has a look about him." The attendant smiled.
"Yeah, useless and annoying," Sam said.
"If you say so," She laughed. "We're going to start meal service soon, why don't you take your seat."
"Sounds good, any chance there's a cheeseburger in one of those boxes?" Sam laughed.
"Maybe next trip," The attendant smiled.
LONDON –6:30am local time
The flight carried on and soon Sam could feel the descent into London's Heathrow Airport. She could have flown through Paris, but she wanted to get some marmalade. With a fourteen-hour lay over; she could spend some time getting lost in Fortnum and Mason's, and still make her flight. They landed and Sam just sat there.
"Aren't you getting off?" Webb asked.
"I usually wait, everyone has to be first." Sam said, as she organized her stuff.
As the crowd thinned, Sam got up; she reached up for her case that was in the overhead bin.
"Damn." Sam muttered; her bag had slid to the back of the bin. "What I would give to be 5 inches taller.
"Let me." Webb said reaching up.
"Thanks," Sam smiled. "So I guess we part ways now."
"What time is your connection?" Webb asked, knowing the answer.
"Eight tonight, I wanted some extra time in London." Sam said.
"Well, then I guess we aren't parting ways." Webb said. "Flight 141?"
"If I was paranoid, I would think you were tailing me." Sam said.
"Maybe I am." Webb said flatly.
Sam stopped and stared at him. "Why would you be following me?"
"I didn't say I was, I said maybe." Webb replied.
"Semantics," Sam mumbled. "What do you plan on doing for the next 14 hours?"
"I hadn't thought about it." Webb lied, he had plenty to do.
"Care to join me for tea?" Sam said.
"Why Miss Danaher, are you being cordial?" Webb said.
"Forget it, see you on board." Sam said, walking away.
"Danaher, wait a second." Webb called after her.
"What?" Sam said.
"I have your bag." Webb said.
"You know what you can do with that bag?" Sam smirked.
"Such a mouth," Webb smiled. Danaher, it would be nice to have tea. How about the Ritz?"
"If it's all the same, I prefer Brown's." Sam replied.
"Brown's it is." Webb said. "It is a bit early for tea though."
"How about some breakfast?" Sam asked.
"Any place in particular?" Webb asked.
"I know several places. Why don't you pick?" Sam offered.
"What do you think of Knightsbridge?" Webb asked.
"That's really narrowing it down." Sam laughed.
"The Millennium?" Webb suggested.
"Sounds good," Sam said.
"Do you have to get your bags?" Webb asked.
"Nope, that's all I have." Sam said pointing to the bag Webb was still holding.
"You pack light." Webb commented.
"Occupational hazard," Sam smiled. "You only have one bag as well."
"I was only supposed to be gone a few days." Webb stated.
"What caused the change of plans?" Sam asked.
"I promised a favor to a friend." Webb replied.
"And what was that favor?" Sam asked.
"Always the reporter," Webb said.
"Can't blame a girl for trying," Sam smiled.
They stored their bags in a locker, got a taxi and went for a leisurely breakfast at the Millennium Kensington Hotel. After breakfast, Sam told Webb she wanted to go to Fortnum and Mason's and they could meet at Brown's around 4ish.
"I'll go with you." Webb stated.
"You like to shop?" Sam laughed. "I don't even like to shop."
"I have nothing else planned right now." Webb replied.
They went to Fortnum and Mason's were Sam stocked up on thick cut orange marmalade and various teas. From there they went upstairs to wander around the other departments. Surprisingly, they were having a good time and enjoying each other's company. Sam dragged Webb to the Men's Department, where she picked out a tie for him.
"I'll never wear that." Webb said cringing, "Those colors."
"Come on, the blue will bring out your eyes and the yellow is barely noticeable." Sam urged. "Just hold it up to you. It even matches that suit."
"I don't think so." Webb said.
"Come on, my treat." Sam said, walking to the register.
Webb just shook his head. Maybe I can give the tie to Rabb.
From Fortnum and Mason's they went to Madame Toussaud's Wax Museum. For the number of times Webb had been to London, he had never been there.
"I can't believe you've never been here before." Sam laughed.
"I'm usually here on business." Webb replied.
"And what business would that be?" Sam asked.
"You never give up." Webb said. "I told you what I did."
"No, actually you haven't." Sam said as she stood next to a figure of Tony Blair. "Do you know him?"
"No, I haven't had the pleasure." Webb replied, for now she was off that topic.
They made it through the museum and Sam turned to Webb.
"So, you've never done any touristy things in London?" Sam asked.
"Not in a very long time." Webb said. "I was a child."
"God, you're boring." Sam laughed.
"Thank you." Webb replied.
"Come on, let's go." Sam said.
"Where are we going?" Webb asked.
"I bet you've never been on a double decker." Sam stated.
"No, I haven't." Webb responded.
"It's the best way to see London." Sam replied.
"Now what?" Webb asked, as Sam led him to the upper deck of the open topped tourist bus.
"Loosen up a bit. Relax." Sam said. "Look around you. This is one of the most amazing cities in the world."
"Where are we going?" Webb asked.
"It's a tour bus; we can get on and off." Sam said. "You see that church over there? Look at the steeple. It's Bride's Church; it's where the concept for the wedding cake came from."
"Interesting," Webb replied.
"Hey, let's get off." Sam said.
"Where to now?" Webb asked.
"The Cabinet War Rooms," Sam replied.
"Oh, where Churchill was during the war." Webb stated.
"Yep, very cool," Sam said.
After the War Rooms, Sam dragged Webb all over London. They went to Westminster Abbey and to Parliament. They walked through Piccadilly and went to Trafalgar Square. She made him walk across the Tower Bridge and then to the Tower of London.
"This is the spot where Ann Boleyn lost her head." Sam pointed. "And that's Traitor's Gate."
"They should pay you to give tours." Webb said watching her with fascination.
They went to Buckingham Palace and watched the Changing of the Guards. Sam took Webb to places that the average tourist wouldn't even know about. Somewhere along the way, Sam had purchased a camera and took pictures. It was almost 3:00pm and time for tea. They were in a taxi near Harrods's and Sam told the driver to stop.
"Webb, go on ahead to Brown's. I'll meet you there in a bit." Sam said.
"Where are you going?" Webb asked.
"I'll meet you at Brown's." Sam said getting out of the cab; she then closed the door and told the driver, "Take him to Brown's."
Twenty minutes later, Sam's taxi pulled up in front of Brown's hotel.
"I'm meeting Mr. Webb." Sam advised the hostess.
"Right this way." The hostess said and led her to the table.
Brown's was known for their teas. A much more comfortable atmosphere than the trendy Ritz; instead of tables and chairs, each setting was a coffee table with comfortable chairs and love seats.
"Mr. Webb, your party has arrived." The hostess said.
Webb stood up from the love seat and just looked at Sam.
"I didn't really think my jeans were appropriate tea attire." Sam smiled.
When Sam left Webb, she had dashed into Harrods's and purchased a black cashmere v-neck sweater, burgundy suede skirt and a pair of leather boots. Her hair, that was in its normal ponytail 30 minutes earlier, was loose, except for a silver barrette, which held her wavy auburn locks off her face.
"Sam." Webb mustered out.
"Nice tie." Sam said sitting down. "Whoever bought it has excellent taste."
They were served assorted sandwiches and scones along with the tea. They chatted about nothing in particular. Sam let go of her mission for now. She talked about her life and her friendship with Ashlyn. She told him about the things they did in those 6 months they lived near each other and how they got their nicknames. Webb talked a bit about nothing except he did let it slip that Rabb, MacKenzie and really the whole JAG crew were probably his only friends. The more they talked, the more they both let their guards down. The waitress came over, and noticing the camera asked if they would like her to take a picture. They laughed, shrugged and smiled.
"So, why did you schedule such a lengthy layover?" Sam asked.
"I promised the Admiral I would keep an eye on you." Webb stated and then realized what he had said.
"You what?" Sam glared at him.
"That came out wrong." Webb said.
"No, it came out right. You're babysitting me?" Sam asked.
"Not really." Webb said. "Your friend was worried and Galindez told the Admiral, and he knew I was going to be there and one thing led to another."
"Thanks for the tea, Webb. I'm leaving." Sam snapped. "Don't worry; I can get to the airport un-chaperoned. I'll be safe."
Sam got up and walked out leaving Webb sitting there. She had three hours until take off. The doorman hailed her a taxi and she went to the airport. Damn, he has the key to the locker. He better bring my bag on board.
Webb sat there, realizing what he had just done. AJ was going to kill him. Something told him that Sam was going to blast Ashlyn for this. There was nothing he could do, he paid the bill and got up to leave. He noticed the camera sitting on the table and picked it up.
