A/N: Where would I be without the amazing Mariel? Her beta skillsare pure gold (and her stories are brilliant), my thanks as always... Cheers to all for the reviews, keep them coming. And Trish of Texas? This is for you...
Xx--
Samantha made it home in record time. She threw her keys and files on the kitchen bench and stared at them. Damn it!
She shouldn't have left him there alone.
At the very least, she should have had a drink with him.
All the way home she'd wondered why she'd done what she'd done.
Feelings may fade, but they never truly die. Some can be brought back as strong as before. Her feelings for Jack had done just that, and in such a short space of time. It thrilled and frightened her. She had the idea that it might be mutual, and that scared her. It can't be that easy, not after all these years...
Confused and deciding to occupy her mind with other things, she took out her collection of take-out menus from a drawer and briefly scanned them. Then the idea of a shower beckoned more strongly than food.
It would give her something to do besides think of Jack.
She wiped her hands over her face, and took a deep breath. A hot shower, hair wash, food, then the files. Not the most exciting Friday night, but it would have to do. Mind made up, she kicked off her shoes on the way to the bathroom.
Xx—
This time, Jack considered biffing his cell phone at the hotel room wall.
He'd rung home and had got the answering machine. Unimpressed, he had then tried Maria's cell but all he had got was her voice mail. He hadn't left a message, wondering what she was doing, and where the girls might be. Maria had known he was going to phone home that evening to speak to them. He tried her cell phone again without luck.
Deeply unhappy, Jack tossed the phone on the bed, and looked around the room.
He wanted to be out with the team. He wanted to be out with Samantha; just her company would be enough right now. But she had obviously avoided him and he didn't want to dwell on the reasons why.
Desperately needing some distraction and not wanting to re-hash files just yet, Jack considered his options. He flicked through the hotel's in-house movie guide, noting that 'Bad Day at Black Rock' was on in a while. That sounded good -a bit of classic Spencer Tracy would go down nicely. Then he looked through the room service menu and mini bar list, blanching at the prices. He decided on a quick shower, and then a trip outside for less expensive food. Maybe something involving lots of melted cheese from the usual Italian place the team liked. He headed off to the bathroom, stripping off his tie and shirt on the way.
Later, just as he was throwing a jacket over his t-shirt and jeans, his phone rang.
Maria.
He said he'd rung home and asked, frostily, what she was up to. Matching his tone, she explained there was a flying visit by some New York lawyers and the partners had decided to take them out for dinner. He asked who. She lightly replied it was Bernie and James from Alessandri, Harv--. He cut her off, not caring who they were and asked her why she hadn't mentioned it earlier when they spoke. She said it had all happened quickly in the afternoon; she'd been at court and she was only just phoning him now, as she had some free time. She informed him that the girls were fine and having a sleepover at a school friend's place, and would be back early Saturday afternoon. Jack could hear laughter and glasses chinking in the background of the restaurant she was obviously in. Whatever, he thought, powerless and more than a little angry.
There was a knock at the door. "Hang on a second," he said tersely.
Opening the door he found Samantha standing there. She was juggling two pizza boxes, a six pack of beer, files, and a sheepish smile. Jack stared at her, open mouthed, and then remembered his phone call.
"Ah, it's room service… just chicken, some salad… Yes, yes, very healthy," he told Maria as he watched Samantha walk past him into the room. "Enjoy your dinner," he said, a little indifferently, ringing off as he closed the door.
Guessing who he was talking to, and blatantly ignoring it, Samantha opened the boxes. "I've heard Chicago pizzas are pretty good," she said, removing a stash of paper napkins from her hoodie pocket, along with her keys and phone.
Confused at her sudden appearance, Jack recovered. "They can be, but you need a shovel to eat them… I thought you had other things to do tonight?"
"This is more important; we might think of something we missed," she stated and, taking a pizza box, a can of beer and her files, she made herself comfortable on the floor, leaning against the end of the bed. Echoing the office desk from that morning, she spread the paperwork on the carpet. She looked up and found him staring at her; she tipped her head toward the food. "Pizza's getting cold."
Amused and delighted, Jack removed his jacket, and took his phone off the bed, making sure it was off. Definitely no interruptions this time, and the Spencer Tracy movie had no chance.
"Smells good. Thank you," he noted, grabbing the box and a beer.
"I thought you might like your favorite from the old faithful," she said, watching him settle down beside her.
He smiled at her warmly. "You must have read my mind."
Samantha smiled back. She was still trying to reason with herself why she was there. During her shower, she had decided to see Jack. She knew where he was staying, having booked the room at Vivian's request. She also knew that coming to see him was wrong in many ways, and also that he would be leaving soon, perhaps within a day or so. Time was indeed precious, and she wanted to spend it with him. How they spent it was another matter.
She wanted him, pure and simple. It was irrational, but she'd given up on any justification.
Jack wasn't too sure why she had turned up; he hoped it was for more than just the case. He hoped it was for him. For the moment he was glad she was there, which he readily admitted to himself.
He surveyed the paperwork. Work always came first. "Okay, let's start from scratch," he said, opening his beer. "Pass me the case notes…"
Xx—
Some time later, Jack slumped against the end of the bed, drew his legs up, and rested his arms on his knees.
"It's got me beat. I just don't know what the hell's going on." He leaned his head backwards and pinched the bridge of his nose thoughtfully, as if this would help. He was finding it hard to care for this particular missing person.
Samantha idly played with a strand of her hair in thought. "It's obvious it has nothing to do with his work… What about Julie Emerson's parents? I rang her mother the first day. She was a bit confused why I was calling; she thought it was about Julie." She put down her notes. "Perhaps it's worth a visit out to Staten Island, show her the picture of the watch since Margaret didn't know whose it was." In fact Margaret Emerson had never seen it before. She had presumed the receipt she had found was for one of her husband's own watches.
Jack considered this. "Elderly woman kidnaps former son-in-law? Highly doubtful, but it's worth a trip; this trail is so cold it's frozen."
Samantha glanced over at him. "We're not going to give up yet, Jack. You of all people taught me that," she said gently, looking at his profile.
Knowing she was right, he nodded, and sighed deeply. "Time to call it a night," he said, slowly getting to his feet, wincing. They'd been sitting too long.
"Yeah, it's late," Sam agreed.
She took the hand Jack offered her and he pulled her upwards.
And towards him.
Into his arms.
They stared at each other, shocked at the unexpected closeness.
The contact lasted longer than it should have.
Jack didn't know if it was the hopeful look in Samantha's eyes that made him release her, or maybe it was something vestigial in him, something too used to keeping her away.
Their eyes remained locked. The hotel room felt very warm all of a sudden.
"I should get going…" she murmured, moving ever so slightly away from him.
"You should…" Jack said, raspily, not knowing if he meant it as a statement or a question.
Feeling awkward, Samantha turned to retrieve her keys and phone, and then turned back to him. "Okay then."
"Okay," and he watched her as she went to the door and opened it.
"See you tomorrow, 8:30," he called to her, still standing in the same spot, paralysed with indecision.
"See you," she said quietly, and shut the door behind her.
Outside, Samantha turned and stared at the closed door. She sighed deeply. Some things don't change.
Inside, Jack was also staring at the closed door, knowing what he should do, and knowing what he wanted to do.
It needed to be a quick decision.
He ran the few steps to the door and pulled it open. "Sam!" he called, only to find her standing right in front of him. Thank God...
She had been debating with herself whether to knock or not. She had never thrown herself at Jack after they'd finished, but she had been standing there wondering if she should now.
He held his hand out to her as she was reaching out to him and he pulled her back inside, slamming the door shut.
This was the time.
This was the place.
They both knew it.
Both wanted it.
Their mouths and tongues collided with a passionate force that had been years in the making. Their arms and hands wrapped around each other tightly. No escape, even if either tried. He dragged her backwards into the room, until they were by the bed.
He felt so masculine, so familiar, so Jack. She'd missed this. She'd missed him, regardless of everything.
She felt so natural, so intoxicating, so Samantha. He couldn't believe he'd ever let her go, all the while knowing it was for a purpose.
Samantha was first to pull away, breathless.
In a swift movement she pulled his t-shirt up and over his head, then ran her hands in a familiar way over his chest, before pushing him backwards onto the bed. He landed softly, not bothering to hide the grin on his face or the desire in his eyes. She remained standing, surveying her handiwork, and very slowly began to undo the zipper on her hooded sweatshirt.
"Just one thing, Jack," she said softly.
He was silent, watching the zipper's progress.
"No strings." It had to be like that, as protection. She knew she would have to deal with the pain later -she'd done it before. She was beginning to feel like an expert.
"No strings," Jack husked in agreement. Watching as she threw the sweatshirt on the floor, he knew that there was no such thing. He was beyond caring, craving this closeness, this intimacy, with her. Tomorrow and consequences could wait. If she felt better saying it aloud, then so be it. Here he was, 24 hours back in New York, not falling but willingly jumping with her into the abyss again. Christ, look at her - she's so beautiful…
Samantha then peeled her tank top off, just as slowly, and discarded it.
Over three and a half years waiting for this.
Then she unfastened her bra, and also dropped it to the floor. She smiled wickedly at the moan that came from the bed.
She hoped he wasn't tired; it was going to be a long night...
Xx--
It was wonderful.
The long foreplay alone nearly killed them both with anticipation.
It was paradise.
He painted her skin with his fingertips, light finger brush strokes that re-acquainted him with her body. Then, when he repeated the exploration with his tongue and lips, Samantha nearly fainted with longing.
It was so easy.
There was no hesitancy or clumsiness; they knew what each other liked. The special, sensitive spots they'd found long ago were still there, even more heightened with the thrill of re-discovery.
It was ecstasy.
Jack had forgotten what sheer bliss was. Immersing himself in her body, her pleasure and her desire, he never wanted to surface.
Just as she was about to come the first time, Samantha reached up and gripped the sides of Jack's face with her hands, forcing it down closer to hers.
"LookatmeJack," she panted breathlessly, wanting him to watch her when it happened.
Look... look what you do to me… how could you ever give this up?
She then lost herself totally in the long moment's release of rapture. Screwing her eyes shut, mouth open and gasping, she fell into the sensation, arching her back against him as her mind went far away
Her flushed face and strong spasms were his undoing. He'd been holding off for so long --that most exquisite self-torture possible-- waiting for her waves to claim him and, scarcely aware of anything else except her, he allowed himself to join her.
For the first time in years.
But not the last time that night.
Xx--
Samantha surfaced from sleep to find herself safely cocooned in Jack's arms. She sighed happily, and snuggled against him. She knew this would end in a few hours, as it always did. But this time was different; she didn't know when she'd see him again after the case finished. Chicago may be only a two hour, 800 mile plane trip away, but she'd made him agree with her -no strings.
Running her hand lightly over his forearm, stroking the fine hair, she listened to his even breathing. She glanced at his left hand out of habit and her own breath caught -the wedding band was missing. That was a first -ever. She couldn't see it on her side table and she tried craning her head to check on Jack's side, but she wasn't able to without waking Jack. When did he take that off? She wondered why she hadn't noticed, then wondered what it meant. Best to ignore it for now.
She settled again, enjoying his warm body and closeness, however the slight disturbances finally woke Jack.
"Hmm?" he enquired drowsily, opening his eyes and blinking in the dim light.
"Nothing. Go back to sleep," she whispered, gently rubbing his stomach. She'd always loved touching him when they were in bed together; it had made up for the lack of it at work.
He reached over to pick his watch up from the side table. The glowing hands said 3:34.
"I wasn't sleeping. Merely resting my eyes..." he said, yawning lightly. Then holding her more tightly, enjoying her, he sighed. "Sam… I've missed this... I've missed you."
"Jack..." Samantha warned him softly. "Don't start..." I've missed you so much…
He moved, so he could look her fully in the face. "I wanted to tell you, that's all." His eyes gazed at her earnestly. "It's the old saying -don't know what you've got..." He twirled some of her hair around his fingers. "I miss having you in my life." Like you wouldn't believe, Samantha Spade.
"It's a little hard to arrange these days..." Why is he doing this to me…?
Jack smiled sadly, and kissed her forehead, his lips lingering. "I know..." He then gently rolled her over so he could spoon. "Let's try and get some real sleep."
Nodding, Samantha pulled his arms more securely around her. She was thoughtful a moment. Looks like all bets are off, then. "Jack…" she whispered.
"Mmm?"
"I've missed you too."
She could feel his smile against her shoulder.
Xx--
Morning arrived with Jack deciding an early wake up call for Samantha was needed. She was beginning to seriously doubt the sexual adage that older men gave quality; younger men, quantity. Jack was going for both; she didn't mind at all, and was more than happy to comply.
Later, she enjoyed watching Jack shave, a rare viewing. Jack couldn't stop smiling, in turn enjoying her scrutiny. They knew they didn't have much time left to revel in each other's company before returning to their working lives. Also, they both knew that words were not needed about what had happened in the night.
Picking up the scattered files while Jack put on his cufflinks, Samantha noticed with pleasure they were the ones she'd given him. "I'm glad you're wearing those," she commented.
He admired them. "Strangely enough, they're my favorite ones. You sure you don't want to go back to your apartment before the office? Change clothes?" he asked.
She looked down at what she was wearing. "I've got some bits and pieces at the office. I might leave the jeans on today though."
Jack liked that idea. "It's Saturday, I might go casual myself," he mused, and, removing his tie, he went to hang it up.
As they were back in their old intimate ways, albeit for a short time, Samantha had decided during the night to come clean with Jack. She'd already admitted how much she missed him. This was the next logical step in her eyes. Honesty was the best policy.
"Jack, I want to tell you something."
He turned to her expectantly, an enquiring look and a smile on his face.
Then, knowing he wouldn't mind, she told him about Martin.
Xx--