23?

Three days later, Jack had become a permanent fixture at Sam's house. Rooster whined the first night he was at Sam's, so she had called Jack. The second night he had stopped by to bring some treats for Rooster. As he was leaving Rooster barked very loudly, until Jack turned around and came back into the house. "I think we'll both have to stay Sam."

Sam nodded. "That's fine with me, I like the company." She'd gone the third day and bought some groceries, beer for Jack, and a pre-made cake.

As Jack entered the door he was pummeled by a big dog whose tail was wagging ferociously. Rooster had had difficulties licking their faces the first day or two, because of the cone and his stitches, but by the third day, he was able to maneuver around them. Jack gave him a treat before going to find Sam. He figured he'd find her in the baby's room. She had been spending a lot of time there recently, trying to get it prepared. That was the main reason Jack had decided to stay at Sam's while Rooster needed the supervision. She had a lot to do at her house. Besides, Rooster liked her house better.

"Good evening Sam." Jack said when he saw her on a ladder trying to put up a stuffed animal net in the corner of the room.

"Jack!" She exclaimed, blushing immediately. "I didn't think you'd be home so soon."

Ignoring that she had said he was home, Jack gave her a scolding look. "Why are you on that ladder?"

She slowly climbed down from the ladder, the net hanging half up. "I wanted to get the baby's room done."

Jack walked to her and took the hammer from her hands. "You are forbidden to do anything else. Especially climbing on ladders!" He surveyed the room. "It looks great in here Sam." He climbed up the ladder, hammer in hand, and finished putting up the rest of the net. When he was done he looked down at her and smiled. "I have to earn my keep somehow."

Sam smiled. "Thank you." She handed him a stuffed animal to put in the net. "It was mine when I was baby." Jack placed it in the net and they both stared at it for a few moments. "I have a surprise for you." She announced suddenly.

"Oh? I love surprises." He climbed off the ladder, laying the hammer down on a shelf on his way down. "I'll know if that moves." He threatened Sam.

"Yes Sir." Sam grinned. She led the way to the kitchen where she had laid out the cake. "I bought it today."

"Sam, you bought cake." Jack smiled. Rooster bounded up to him and begged to be petted.

"And, I'm making dinner."

Jack tried to hide his wince, but he was unsuccessful. "Great!" He said, throwing on his best smile.

"It'll be ok Jack. I found the recipe online. It has to be the simplest thing to make." She reassured him. "Why don't you have a beer and relax?" She handed him the bottle of beer and smirked at his look of shock. "I bought them today."

"My favorite dessert, favorite beer, dinner, and relaxation? I think you want something from me." Jack teased.

"I do need some planets to be hung from the ceiling in the baby's room."

"I knew it!" Jack shouted, taking a drink from his beer. "Tell ya what, I'll go do that, you make dinner, and then we'll both relax. How's that sound?" Sam nodded her agreement and Jack went to the baby's room, followed by Rooster.

Forty minutes later Sam called Jack to the table. "It smells like pizza in here." Jack said as he walked into the dining room. "It is pizza!" Jack smiled. "How'd you know that I've been craving it?"

Sam shrugged. "Had a hunch I guess."

Jack grabbed a piece and put it in Rooster's bowl for him. "I know, he's spoiled."

When the week was done and it was time for Rooster to get his stitches taken out, Jack asked Sam if she wanted to go. "I may need you to calm him down." Jack lied. It was just an excuse to spend time with her. The week had gone by so fast. Sam had agreed and they piled into Jack's truck.

In the office Katy smiled at them. "How's he doing?" She asked.

"Ready to get the stitches out and cone off." Jack answered as Rooster hung his head and had his tail tucked between his legs. He remembered this place.

Katy led the trio to a room and soon after Dr. Finn walked in. "Let's see how he's doing." The doctor examined Rooster's back and, while taking off the cone, declared that he'd healed properly. When he tried to take the stitches out Rooster yelped and jumped off the bed. Jack tried to get him to calm down, but nothing he did worked.

Sam frowned. She knelt down next to Rooster and smiled. "Jump on the bed Roo." She said, patting the table. Rooster obeyed reluctantly. Sam nodded to Dr. Finn and as he began to remove the stitches Sam pet Rooster's head, never loosing eye contact with him. He gave a few nervous moans, but otherwise sat still.

"There ya go." Dr. Finn said, petting Rooster's ears. "Wish every dog had an owner who could calm them like you." He smiled at Sam.

"Thanks."

Jack, who was amazed that she'd been able to soothe the dog, lead the way to the check out counter. Katy smiled at them and threw Rooster a treat, who caught it eagerly. "Looks like you're free to go." Jack thanked her and they left.

When they got back in the truck and Rooster had snuggled next to Sam, Jack looked over at them. "Thanks Sam."

"I'm sorry you couldn't-"

Jack waved her off. "I figured I'd need you there anyway. He's grown quite attached to you."

Sam nodded. "And I've grown attached to him too."

Before he thought about what he was about to say, Jack said, "Maybe we should make this a more permanent arrangement."

A/N Sorry its been a while on this fic. Been writing on my MIA story. Anyway…hope you liked this chapter. Thanks for being so loyal! Y'all are so great!