TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME

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May was ending and everything was crisp and bright.   The world was perfect.  Wedding plans were under way for Mac and Harm.  Gunny and Ashlyn were humming merrily along.  Tiner and Coates were beyond adorable in their relationship.  Bobbie and Sturgis were happy to be together again.  Harriet and Bud were preparing Little AJ for a new sibling.  AJ and Meredith were watching the young lovers around with pride and jubilation.  As for the rest, Sam was taking some much needed time off from work and Webb was back and forth from places unknown. 

SAM'S APARTMENT

"Danaher," Sam answered her phone.

"Sam, it's Charles." Charles replied.

"I'm on vacation, what could you possibly want?" Sam asked.

"Hey, if you don't want baseball tickets. That's fine." Charles laughed.

"What game?" Sam asked.

"The Yankees against the Birds at Camden Yards," Charles said.

"I love you." Sam said. "How many?"

"I got you the paper's seats." Charles replied.

"That's 15 tickets. You are a doll." Sam said. "Wait, what's the catch?"

"There is no catch. Can't I give my favorite reporter something?" Charles asked.

"Of course, so why are you giving me tickets? Is Smitty on assignment?" Sam laughed.

"You really are a brat." Charles laughed. "I'll messenger the tickets over."

"Thanks Chucky; and I take back all those things I've thought about you." Sam teased.

"Have a good time, kid. You deserve it." Charles said and hung up.

Sam knew exactly who to invite to the game.  But first she had a call to make.

"Webb." Webb answered the phone.

"Webb, I need you to do something." Sam said.

"Well, Danaher. Isn't this a surprise?" Webb said sarcastically. How long has it been, two almost three months?

"Cut the crap, and listen." Sam snapped, why am I doing this?

"What is it?" Webb asked.

"Meet me at the JAG offices at 4pm and act like you're not expecting to see me there." Sam advised.

"That shouldn't be hard; I wouldn't expect to see you there." Webb stated.

"I see you're in full jackass mode today." Sam said.

"Danaher, I'm busy." Webb whispered. "Why do I want to do this?"

"It's a surprise." Sam whispered back.

"The last thing I need is a surprise." Webb whispered into the phone.

"Trust me on this one." Sam whispered back. "Webb, why are we whispering?"

"I'm at work." Webb replied.

"Oh, ok." Sam whispered. "So will you be there?"

"Yes." Webb sighed. What am I getting myself into?

JAG OFFICES

"Reporter on deck," Sam teased when she reached Tiner's desk.

"Hey Sam, good to see you," Tiner said.

"We have to have dinner one night." Sam said. "Ever since you got a girlfriend, you've forgotten about me."

"That's not true." Tiner said. "You're never around."

"Well we need to fix that." Sam smiled.

"Sam, how are you?" AJ said coming out of his office.

"Nice to see you Admiral," Sam replied.

"You don't work for me, you can call me AJ." AJ stated.

"No I can't. My father would roll in his grave." Sam laughed. "So is everyone here?"

"Just like you asked," AJ replied and handed Tiner a list. "Tiner call these people into my office, you're included."

"For what, Sir?" Tiner asked.

"I'm not sure; Sam called and asked to meet with us." AJ smiled. "It's very hard to say no to her, I'd be afraid of what she'd write."

"Admiral, stop. You know you guys are my favorites after the Army." Sam joked.

A few minutes later, everyone was assembled in the Admiral's office.

"Listen up people." AJ said. "Sam the floor is yours."

"Hi, I'll only take a minute." Sam began. "My wonderful editor gave me tickets to the Yankees/Orioles game this weekend. I thought that I would take my favorite group of lawyers."

"Great." Tiner said.

"That's so sweet." Harriet commented.

"Do we have to root for the Yankees?" Harm asked.

"No and Harriet there are enough tickets, so please bring your son." Sam said.

"That's very nice of you." Bud said.

"I figure we can meet at Flannigan's and go from there." Sam said. "Admiral, please bring your lady friend." Sam said.

"Thank you, I'll let her know." AJ replied.

"Gunny, you're quiet." Sam said.

"I was just thinking; it was bad enough dealing with you after Army lost, how are you going to handle the Yankees losing?" Gunny teased.

"Shut up." Sam laughed.

"Sturgis, can you make it?" Sam asked.

"I can't think of anything I would rather do." Sturgis said.

The group began to disperse and Sam took Sturgis aside.

"Sturgis, please ask the congresswoman, there is a ticket for her as well." Sam said.

"Will do, thank you," Sturgis said.

"OK, I have one ticket left." Sam announced.

"I am sure you will think of someone," Coates said.

"Yeah, I am sure I will find some poor slob to give the ticket to." Sam joked. Just then, as if on cue, Webb walked into the bullpen.

"Speak of the devil. Webb, what brings you here?" Harm asked laughing.

"I was in the neighborhood and thought I would stop in." Webb said, trying to think of an excuse.

"You're making a social call?" Harm laughed. "How unlike you."

"What's going on here?" Webb asked, seeing the group standing with Sam.

"Sam Danaher just invited us all to a baseball game." Mac said.

"Webb, how's tricks?" Sam smiled. "I was just saying I have to find someone to give this extra ticket to, interested?"

With that comment, Coates burst out laughing.  "Excuse me," Coates said and quickly walked away.

"Go to a baseball game with all of you?" Webb asked.

"Yes, with us." AJ replied and went into his office.  Webb was left standing there with Mac, Harm, Sam, Tiner and Gunny.

"Sounds like an interesting way to spend the day." Webb said. "Thanks, Danaher."

"Anytime, Webb anytime," Sam smiled and walked to the elevator.

"Well, you all look busy. I guess I should get going." Webb said and made his way to the elevator.

"That was strange." Mac said.

"For Webb, not really," Harm laughed.

"It's almost as if he knew exactly when to show up." Mac mused.

"He said he was in the area." Gunny commented.

"You don't suppose…" Mac began, as she walked to her office.

"What?" Harm asked following her.

"Never mind," Mac said shaking her head, Sam and Webb not possible, she thought. 

"Oh my god," Tiner said excitedly.

"What is it, Tiner?" Gunny asked.

"Gunny, remember that night we played poker with Sam and Ashlyn." Tiner said.

"What about it?" Gunny said. "That was months ago."

"Sam made that comment about Clayton Webb." Tiner smiled. "And that problem on Valentine's, he told me she was all mine."

"So," Gunny said. "Oooo, didn't they both leave early on St. Patrick's Day."

"She has been strange since Saudi Arabia." Tiner laughed.

"Sam and Webb," Gunny said.

"Stranger things have happened." Tiner said.

"I wonder if Doc knows." Gunny said.

IN THE ELEVATOR

Sam and Webb stood in the elevator not speaking and looking straight ahead.

"Why did I have to come to JAG?" Webb finally asked.

"Webb, how else could I invite you to the game?" Sam replied.

"You're sharp Danaher." Webb laughed.

"Thanks," Sam smiled.

"How have you been?" Webb asked.

"Off the crutches." Sam shrugged; there had been no one since Webb left her apartment on St. Patrick's Day.

"Me too," Webb said.

Sam moved closer to Webb, tilted her head at him. "Nice tie."

"Thanks," Webb said. "Something I got in London."

"Webb," Sam said.

"What is it Danaher?" Webb asked looking straight ahead.

"Follow me." Sam said and pinched his bottom.

The doors opened and they got off, went to their respective cars and then to Sam's place.

BULLPEN at the same time

"Tiner where are you going?" Gunny asked.

"Security," Tiner replied. "There are cameras in the elevators."

"So," Gunny commented, then as though a light bulb lit up. "I'm coming with you." 

Gunny and Tiner quickly made their way to the security office and casually looked at the monitor.

"See, look at them." Tiner remarked. "An empty elevator and they are practically standing on top of each other."

"Did she just pinch him?" Gunny laughed. "I need to call Doc."

They returned to their desks and Gunny called Ashlyn.  He filled her in on Tiner's theory and hung up.

SAM'S CAR

"Danaher," Sam said answering her cell.

"Sam, what's up?" Ashlyn asked.

"I was just going to call you. Make sure you're off on the 24th, I have baseball tickets." Sam said.

"Yeah, Gunny told me already. Why am I the last to know?" Ashlyn teased.

"I saved the best for last." Sam laughed.

"What are you doing tonight?" Ashlyn asked.

"I'm ah, busy.  Why?" Sam asked, looking in the rear view mirror at Webb's car.

"Well, Gunny is busy too. I thought we could have dinner. It seems like it's been ages." Ashlyn said, biting her lip.

"Ethel, another night, I have a column to work on." Sam said.

"You're on vacation," Ashlyn replied. "What's going on?"

"Nothing, Charles asked me to finish one column before I was officially on vacation." Sam said hoping she would buy it.

"Hmmm, Ok, maybe tomorrow." Ashlyn said. "Talk to you later."

"That would be better, Bye." Sam said and hung up.

As soon as Ashlyn disconnected, she called Gunny.

"Something is up with her." Ashlyn said. "And we are going to find out."

"How?" Gunny asked.

"I haven't been friends with Sam for all these years without picking up a trick or two." Ashlyn laughed. "Leave everything to me."

SAM'S APARTMENT

They walked into the apartment and stood there. Sam handed him a drink and Webb finally broke the silence.

"I don't know if I can give more." Webb said.

"I'm not even sure if I want more." Sam replied. "But for right now…"

"I've missed you." Webb said, hugging her.

"Missed me or the sex?" Sam asked, pulling away.

"Danaher, you're unbelievable." Webb said shaking his head. "I've missed you."

Webb kissed her very gently.  Locked in the embrace they made their way to the bedroom. This time they took it slow, carefully they removed each other's clothing and spent time caressing each other and taking it all in.

"I didn't know you had your appendix out." Webb said touching the scar.

"When I was 14," Sam laughed.

"I never noticed before." Webb said.  He suddenly realized that for all the times they had been together, he had never really looked at her.  He started to trace her body with his eyes and fingers.

"What are you doing?" Sam giggled. Did I just giggle?

"Investigating," Webb said as he kissed her stomach.

After almost 45 minutes of exploring and touching, they made love.  It was the first time they had been so tender with each other and it was the most incredible experience they had yet shared.

They were lying wrapped up in each other, when they heard the front door open.

"Lucy? Are you here?" Ashlyn called out.

"Oh shit." Sam whispered. "I'm in the bedroom. I'll be right out. Get in the closet." She whispered to Webb.

"My clothes," Webb whispered.

"What did you say?" Ashlyn called out.

Sam threw Webb something to put on and shoved the rest of his clothes under the bed. She then shoved him in the closet and threw on a bathrobe.

"Nothing, what are you doing here?" Sam said jumping onto the bed as Ashlyn walked into the bedroom.

"I was worried about you." Ashlyn said. "Lately, you never go out. You're always working."

"I'm fine." Sam replied. "I'm not working now. I'm on vacation remember?"

"Where you in bed?" Ashlyn smiled, looking at the unmade bed.

"Yeah, just getting some rest." Sam said.

"You look flushed," Ashlyn said touching her forehead. "Are you feeling ok?"

"I'm fine, just tired." Sam replied.

"What's that?" Ashlyn asked, pointing to socks on the floor.

"They're socks," Sam stated.

"I see that, those are men's socks." Ashlyn smiled. "Whose socks are those?"

"Oh those? They're mine, yeah they are mine. I got them at the surplus store." Sam said and she started putting them on.

"With the Ralph Lauren logo?" Ashlyn laughed.

"They're irregulars." Sam said quickly.

"I guess they didn't have your size." Ashlyn commented.  The socks were obviously too big for Sam.

"Nope, but they are great for wearing over another pair." Sam said.

"But you're only wearing one pair right now." Ashlyn laughed.

"Is there a reason for this questioning?" Sam asked. "Why are you here?"

"Oh, right. I wanted to borrow your leather jacket." Ashlyn said surveying the room and then walking to Sam's closet.

"It's not in there." Sam quickly said and moved against the door of the walk in closet.

"Are you sure? You always put it in there." Ashlyn said reaching for the handle.

"Positive." Sam said. "I think it's at the cleaners anyway."

"Well, let me raid your closet. I need something to wear." Ashlyn said and pulled the door open.  Sam closed her eyes and held her breath. "Look what we have here."

"Ok, you got me." Sam said, opening her eyes.

"What?" Ashlyn asked, she saw the leather jacket but was disappointed that there was no Webb.

"Um, I didn't want to lend you the jacket." Sam said quickly, looking in the closet. Where is he?

"Oh, well then lend me another jacket." Ashlyn said, she was positive someone was in the closet.

"It's fine, just take it." Sam said and quickly closed the door. "You better get going."

"What's the rush?" Ashlyn laughed.

"You were right, I'm not feeling well and I wouldn't want you to catch anything." Sam said walking her to the living room.

"Let me check you out. My bag is in the car." Ashlyn said.

"No." Sam said quickly. "I'll be fine. I just need to sleep."

"Sam, are you sure?" Ashlyn asked.

"Absolutely," Sam said pushing her towards the door.

"If I didn't know better, I would think you were rushing me out of here." Ashlyn commented.

"I'm not. I'll talk to you tomorrow." Sam said. "I'm tired."

"Bye Sam." Ashlyn said giving her a hug, "Thanks for the jacket."

Ashlyn left and Sam locked the door and put the chain up.  She then ran back into the bedroom.

"Webb, where are you?" Sam called out.

"Right here," Webb said from the closet.

"Where did you go?" Sam asked. "I almost had a stroke when she opened the door."

"Up there." Webb smiled and pointed to the attic access panel.

"She knows." Sam said getting back into bed.

"How?" Webb asked.

"I don't know, but she knows something. She hates my clothes." Sam laughed.

"We have to be more careful." Webb said joining her in bed.

"Yes we do. Now where were we?" Sam asked as she settled up against him.

They spent the rest of the night in bed.  At 3am Sam woke up and saw Webb sleeping, she thought about waking him up and making him leave but instead, she cuddled up and went back to sleep.

GUNNY'S CAR

Ashlyn got into Gunny's car and threw the jacket in the back.

"I hate this jacket." Ashlyn laughed.

"Well?" Gunny asked. "Was Webb there?"

"If he was there, he was well hidden." Ashlyn laughed.

"Maybe we were wrong." Gunny said.

"No, he was there." Ashlyn said. "I'm sure of it."

"Well, she's attractive. Maybe it was someone else she met." Gunny said.

"Gunny, I have known about every man in her life, no matter how casual or insignificant." Ashlyn stated. "It was him and she's keeping it a secret for some reason."

"I guess we will have to just wait and see." Gunny smiled. "How about some dinner?"

"Sounds good, but how about dinner in bed?" Ashlyn asked with a smile.

They went home and spent the evening pretty much the same way Webb and Sam did.