Chapter 12 - Breakfast and Balloons

Jack woke up to the smell of coffee and the sound of someone banging around in his kitchen. He looked at the clock: 8:30. Wow, he hadn't slept in like this on a Monday in ages! It took him a few minutes to remember who would be in his house making coffee. He lay back down and smiled; Sam. Then his eyes shot open and he sat up abruptly; Sam! She wasn't supposed to be having coffee!

Jack jumped out of bed, pulled on a shirt and raced down the stairs; ever mindful of the fact that caffeine could do some harm to Sam at the state she was currently in. He stopped at the sight that greeted him in the kitchen. Sam sat kneeling on a chair at the kitchen table; coffee mug in one hand, a bagel in the other and the newspaper spread out in front of her. This wouldn't be such an odd thing to see Sam doing if she didn't look like an eight year old!

Sam looked up when she sensed Jack standing in the door way. She gave him a shy smile, remembering how she had sat on his lap last night and cried. "Good morning. I have coffee made if you want some."

He raised his eyebrows at her. "Are you supposed to be having coffee young lady?"

She rolled her eyes at that phrase, "Don't worry; it's decaf. I found some in the back of your cabinet."

"Decaf? What's the point in drinking it if it's decaf?" he asked, even as he went to the coffee maker and poured himself a cup. He sat down across from her and looked carefully at her. "How are you feeling this morning?"

"I'm fine Jack. I slept really well once we came back inside," she answered him quietly.

"That's good, cause I was thinking that today we should go and do something fun," he stated with a lop-sided grin.

Sam put down the paper and looked at him, a sparkle in her eyes. She was really ready to have some fun. She felt as if she had been on an emotional roller coaster for the past few days. "What did you have in mind? Not fishing I hope!"

Jack grinned back at her. "No, that's not what I was thinking about, although..."

"No, no, that's quite all right!" she insisted, waving her hands back and forth as if to ward off the idea of even going fishing.

Jack laughed at her. "OK, maybe next time! Actually, I thought we could go to the Balloon Classic. You know, where they have all the hot air balloons and they have races. There are games and rides and lots of food too," he said with a grin. He was always up for some good unhealthy food!

Sam smiled at his enthusiasm. "I went there one year with Cassie and Janet. We had a great time. I'd love to go again," she assured him.

"All right then. I think the balloons lift off at 10:00 so we should leave here around 9:15. Can you be ready by then?"

"Of course. It's not like I have to put make-up on or anything!"

"You don't need make-up on when you're your normal self either Sam."

She looked at him and blushed slightly, then got up to go and get ready for the day.

Parking was crowded at the fields where the Balloon Classic was being held. Jack had to park quite a ways from the entrance gate. He hoped that Sam wouldn't get too worn out by all the walking they would be doing. He'd take it slow and rest a lot. They didn't have to see everything here, after all. They got to the entrance gate and Jack took out his wallet to pay.

The attendant looked at him, then at Sam. "One adult and one child?" he asked.

Jack looked down at Sam, who briefly closed her eyes but didn't say anything. "Yeah, I guess so," Jack responded.

He paid for their tickets and went in the gate. "Sorry about that Sam. I really couldn't argue with him that you weren't a kid though."

"It's fine, I understand. Everyone will see me as a child today. I'll have to get used to it. I'm not going to let it ruin our day," she assured him.

"Good, I'm glad to hear it," he answered as they walked into the crowds. Jack began to get a bit nervous as they were jostled to and fro by the throngs of people making their way to the fields where the hot air balloons were beginning to be filled up. He was worried that he would lose sight of Sam in this mess so he reached down and grabbed her hand. She looked up at him with a question in her eyes.

"Just so I don't lose you Sam. This place is a zoo!"

Sam smiled as she gripped his hand just a bit tighter. She had held his hand before, when they helped each other off the ground on their many missions. But this was so different; his much larger hand totally engulfed her small one. Still, it made her feel very safe and secure as they made their way through the mass of people.

They sat and watched the 20 balloons being filled and then take off in the brilliant blue sky. It was a marvelous sight to behold and they both enjoyed sitting back, relaxing, and watching someone else do the flying for a change. At noon, they wandered over to the food stands and grabbed a variety of foods to eat. Sam didn't eat a whole lot, her appetite wasn't what it used to be, but Jack had no problem finishing off the remainder of the food.

They continued to wander the fields, occasionally stopping to watch various displays being put on by the many balloon aficionados who came down for the long weekend. They also stopped to play a few of the games of chance. The people who ran the games called out to try and entice Jack into winning a stuffed animal for his 'little girl'. Well, he tried, but Sam proved to be a bit more adept at winning prizes than Jack was, much to his dismay and the delight of the bystanders watching.

They enjoyed as well the many craftsmen who were displaying their wares at the weekend festival. Glass blowers, leather craftsmen, and jewelry makers were only a few of the people both giving demonstrations on their crafts as well as selling them. It was at one such booth that the trouble began and their idyllic day was ruined.

A/N: This is kind of a transition chapter...hope you liked it. BTW - Colorado Springs does hold a Balloon Classic the first weekend in September. I added my own details to the event though!