This is my favorite chapter by far - I hope you enjoy it too...I will try to get the rest of the story up soon, I already have a sequel planned.
Jack opened his eyes when the sun penetrated the open windows and then his eyelids. During the night, he had unknowingly scooted close to Sam and now held her in his arms. He pushed a lock of hair behind her ear and studied her sleeping face. She was stunning and it had been so long since he had woken up next to a beautiful woman.
He pulled his arms possessively around her and kissed her cheek. She opened her eyes and smiled over at him. It was nice to wake up in someone's arms again. She felt so safe and warm, and perhaps even the tiniest bit loved. It was like his walking out on her last night didn't even happen.
Jack brought his arms back to his side, "Sorry, I promised to keep my hands to myself."
Sam turned on her back, "No, it's ok Jack. I just thought that—"
Jack rubbed his eyes and sat up quickly, "What time is it?"
Sam turned at looked at the clock on her side, "It's ten after eight, why?"
"They are bringing Gibson over to CTU at nine. I should be there when he gets in." He climbed out of bed, "I'm going to shower. Do you need any help before I go?"
Sam shook her head, but didn't say anything. When he left the room, she muttered to herself, "Good morning to you too Jack. Yes, I would love to talk to you about why I can't get you out of my mind. You too? Oh well, maybe we belong together after all. If you weren't such a stubborn, hard headed—"
Jack stuck his head out of the bathroom door, a towel wrapped around his waist, "Did you say something?"
Sam looked up innocently at him and shook her head, "Nope. Not me."
Jack gave her a curious look, he was sure he heard her talking, "Oh, ok."
Sam scooted off the bed and stood up slowly. The pain in her chest was still overwhelming, so she took baby steps out into the kitchen to get a pain pill. She almost felt geriatric because she had to walk so slowly. She hated being so dependant on someone else, she detested feeling so out of control and helpless. She had been basically been taking care of herself since she was thirteen when her mom died, and it was hard to relinquish that control, even if she was in severe pain.
She made her way back into the bedroom and sat on the bed. The night table drawer was slightly ajar and her curiosity got the better of her. She looked to make sure Jack was in the shower, then opened it and found a framed picture of Teri and Jack. It looked like it was taken earlier than the one she had found the other day. Jack must still love her. She heard the shower shut off and went to put the picture back, when she noticed a small revolver and switchblade underneath.
She quickly shut the drawer and sat on the bed facing the bathroom door. Jack came out a few minutes later with wet hair and the same towel around his waist. He stopped when he saw her face. "What's the matter?"
She sulked, "I need a shower too, but I can't even lift my arm to take off my shirt. How am I going to wash my hair, let alone stand in the shower long enough to get clean? I feel yucky."
Jack kneeled down next to her and put her chin in his hand, "Do you want me to help you?"
Sam looked down as she realized that "help" would entail him undressing her. "Sam, I have seen you naked, you don't have to be embarrassed."
She pushed his hand away, "I'm not embarrassed." His towel parted as he moved his leg to balance himself and she caught a glimpse of his unit, and blushed.
He noticed the redness creep into her face, "I'll close my eyes if you are that uncomfortable, but I think you're gorgeous." She thought he was teasing her, but with Jack she couldn't be sure.
She almost giggled when she thought of what she just saw, but didn't tell him. Instead she straightened her mouth and kept her tone serious. "Fine. Help me off with my shirt."
He stood up, "Just let me get dressed." As if to illustrate his point, he let his towel fall to the floor in front of her and grabbed some boxers and slacks from the dresser and stepped into them, leaving his chest bare. "Why don't you just take a bath? That way I can wash your hair and you don't have to stand up."
Sam nodded, she didn't want him to think she was bashful but stripping in front of the man who she was falling in love with, and had no idea of his feelings back, was a little disconcerting. She walked over to him and he helped her ease her right arm out of her shirt without coming in contact with her bandaged chest. The left side wasn't as painful, but she still winced at the movement. Jack carefully pulled her shirt over her head and dropped it to the floor and stared at her. "You are beautiful, Samantha Murphy." He reached out his hands, placed them on her shoulders and ran his fingertips down the length of her arms, took her hands in his and led her into the bathroom.
He started the water and added some bubble bath. Before she could even ask, he explained, "Kim's, from when she lived with me before. I just never threw them out."
She only nodded. She leaned over to and tried to push her pants off, but groaned with the effort. Jack stood in front of her and pulled them down and let her step out of them. Sam stood in front of Jack completely naked and tried to act nonchalant, but inside she was shaking. He folded her clothes and set them aside and then put out his hand to help her into the tub. The hot water made her want to melt, but it felt good after having only sponge baths for so long in the hospital. The bubbles caressed her skin and thankfully gave her a little cover.
"Lean back and put your head under the faucet." He held her back up with one hand and helped her lean back so she wouldn't stretch too much and cause her pain. He ran his fingers through her hair to wet it and shivers raced through her body. He helped her sit up, then squeezed some shampoo into his hand and massaged it through her hair. Sam closed her eyes and relished his gentle touch. Something about it was so intimate and sensual, although there was nothing sexual to his touch.
He worked the lather through her long hair and turned the water back on, leaning her back again to rinse it out, then added conditioner to her clean hair, running his hands through it as he went. Without prompting, he took a washcloth and ran soap over it, then applied it gently to her back as he moved her hair over her shoulder.
Jack gallantly fought the urge to run his hands all over her body and tried to keep his touch light as he finished her back and ran the cloth down her arm to her fingertips. Sweat beaded on his forehead, he wasn't sure if it was from the steam of the bath or the touch of her warm skin, but he didn't know how much longer he could keep his hands off of her. He moved to the other arm and had to lean across her body to reach it. As he did, he looked over to find her bright blue eyes full of want and desire.
He couldn't stop himself and moved to meet her lips, careful to keep his touch tender. He pulled back and traced her wet lips with his finger, then followed a drop of water down her neck to her chest, where he outlined the bandages that covered her wound, then moved his hand to leisurely trace the curve of her breasts. Sam sucked in her breath and bit her lip to keep from moaning. He covered her mouth with his own and gave her small teasing kisses, nibbling her bottom lip with his teeth.
Sam was almost ready to pull him into the tub with her, despite her injury, to stop the torment and fulfill the desire he had awakened so easily, when his cell phone rang. Jack pulled back and fumbled around on the floor for it while he muttered under his breath, "Dammit!"
He gave Sam an apologetic glance and snapped, "Bauer."
"Jack, it's Chase. They are going to move Gibson, but want you to be there to keep an eye out for Jose Salazar. You are the only one who has seen him up close and can identify him. They think he might show up."
Jack sighed, "Right now?"
"Yeah."
"Ok, can you call Kim to come stay with Sam?"
"Sure, but we need you now."
"Copy that, I'm on my way." He closed his phone, stood up, and looked longingly at Sam's wet, naked body. "I'm sorry, we'll have to finish this later." He bent over and brushed a soft kiss on her lips. "Let's rinse your hair out, then I'll help you get dressed. Kim will come keep you company, I have to escort Gibson over to CTU."
Sam just nodded, afraid that if she said anything, it would only be a plea for him to stay and finish what he started. He rinsed her hair, helped her out of the tub and wrapped a towel and his arms around her. He whispered in her ear, "I'm sorry I have to go."
She managed to croak, "Me too."
He found some clothes and quickly helped her into them. He gave her a kiss on the cheek, searched her eyes for a moment and said, "I'll see you later."
As he turned to leave, she yelled out to him, "Jack!"
He stopped in the doorway and looked back at her. "Yeah?"
"Can we talk when you get home?"
He smiled at her, "Yeah, ok. I'll be home as soon as I can. Kim will be here soon." Then he turned and left, locking the door on his way out. He stopped and told the agents guarding his place that Kim would be coming over then climbed into his SUV and tried to focus on Salazar, but his mind kept returning to Samantha.
Maybe Kim was right, he would never be happy with just his job for comfort. He didn't want to think about the mistakes from his past or even if he deserved her. He probably didn't, but he decided right then and there that he was going to hold on to her with both hands. As much as he almost certainly should, he didn't want to let her go. It was selfish of him because she could find someone else, someone better, someone who wasn't him. But he had made the decision that he wanted her, and no one else could have her.
Sam's mind was replaying what had almost happened just a few minutes ago when she heard a knock at the door. She got up painfully and moved over to the door, "Kim?"
"No Sami, it's Jill. I need to talk to you."
She opened the door and found her best friend holding her little boy tightly. She nodded to the agent who accompanied her to the door, "It's ok, she's fine."