Thanks to Spuffy-Spike-91 (I'm a Spuffy shipper, too! And I know what you mean about "Full of Grace" – it was so effective in Becoming Part 2, don't you think?) and Gater101 (I know, Sarah McLachlan is wonderful) for their reviews.

Disclaimer: I do not own this show or these characters. But I will one day… evil chuckle

Notes: Remember that I'm an Aussie, so my spelling will be done accordingly. I will use "Mom" instead of "Mum", though. The lyrics contained in this chapter are from the songs "More Than Fine" by Switchfoot, "Eve Is The Apple Of My Eye" by Bell X1 and "Fair" by Remy Zero (just for you, riotfish!)

Chapter 5 – Morning

When I wake up in the morning

I want to blow into pieces

I want more than just okay, more than just okay…

When I'm up with the sunshine

I want more than just a good time

I want more than just okay, more than just okay…

Sunlight streamed through the open window, causing Sam to stir fitfully. She opened one bleary eye and groaned as a shaft of golden light hit her. She closed her eyes once more, willing the day away. I can't do this, she thought, burrowing further under the thick covers. Not today. Maybe not ever.

But I have to.

Extricating herself from the tangle of bedding, she dragged her weary body out of the room. Running a lazy hand through her unkempt curls, she wandered down the hall to the bathroom. Peeling off her striped pajama pants and oversized top, she stepped into the shower. Lathering shampoo into her blonde hair, she thought of Luka. Of the time they had showered together when Alex had slept over at a friend's. Luka's mischievous grin as he had run his hands over her soapy skin. The wet kisses they had exchanged as the steam enveloped them.

I miss you.

Sam reached out and turned the water off. She stepped out and wrapped a thick towel around herself. Taking another, she began to dry her hair before pulling it into a loose knot. Her body dry, she grasped her fluffy pink bathrobe and pulled it on in one swift move.

Walking into the kitchen, Sam opened the refrigerator and began rummaging around to find the makings of a big breakfast for her and Alex. She heard the shower running once again and knew he was up.

Emerging from the refrigerator, she placed eggs and bacon on the countertop. Grabbing the bread from a nearby cupboard, she surveyed the food before her. Okay, so… scrambled eggs, bacon and toast. I can do this.

Pulling assorted pots and pans from Luka's cupboards, Sam did not hear Alex enter the room. Sneaking up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her waist, squeezing her tightly. "Morning, Mom," he said cheerfully.

She turned and hugged him back, ruffling his damp hair. "Morning, buddy," she replied.

"What are you doing?" he asked, pulling away and warily eyeing the items lined up on the bench.

"Making breakfast," she said proudly. "Eggs, bacon, toast…"

An impish smile broke out across Alex's face. "I think I'd better put the fire department on standby," he told her, inching towards the phone.

Sam crossed her arms on her chest, but she was smiling, too. "Very funny, kiddo. I don't cook that badly."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Not that badly? Are you forgetting the Mac & Cheese incident of 2002?" he asked cheekily.

Sam blushed slightly, remembering. She had invited her high school friends Amelia and Lauren over for dinner – macaroni and cheese had seemed like a good idea at the time. Needless to say, one visit from the fire department later, the meal had been a blackened mess.

"I think we should just stick to cereal, Mom," Alex continued. "Honest."

"You're probably right," Sam smiled. She started to place items back in their original positions.

"Where's Luka?" Alex's inquisitive voice broke through the silence.

Sam stopped and turned to face him, her heart in her mouth. She looked into her son's brown eyes, his expression questioning. She exhaled sharply and lowered her eyes, her dark lashes casting shadows that danced across her cheekbones.

Alex stared at his mother. "He's not coming home, is he?" he surmised.

He's too precocious for his own good, Sam thought sadly. She went to hold him. "I don't know," she told him, her voice catching slightly in her throat. "I don't know."

Alex moved to avoid her hug, upset. "What happened?" he asked her. His eyes turned guilty. "Was it because of me?" he asked imploringly.

Sam shook her head vigorously as they moved to sit on the couch. "Absolutely not," she said forcefully. "Don't you ever think that, okay? Luka and I had a fight."

"A stupid, stupid fight," she muttered to herself.

Alex looked up at her, his eyes sad. "Why does everyone always leave?" he said simply. "It's just like Dad."

Sam just sighed and pulled him to her. He began to sob in her arms, just as he had when Steve had left. But Steve is nothing like Luka, she thought.

They sat there on the couch, she cradling him in her arms. A mother and a son, both bearing so many crumbled hopes, all etched with far too many tears.

Accept it

Don't let it

Turn the screw

Accept it

And let it

Scream back at you…

Luka started awake and groaned. His head was pounding and his mouth felt ridiculously dry. That'll teach me never to drink again, he thought gloomily.

Attempting to focus his eyes, he saw a lithe figure seated at the end of his bed, clad in a lacy cream nightgown. She was blowing smoke rings across the room and staring into the distance.

The figure turned to him and winked lazily, green eyes flashing. "Good morning, sunshine," she murmured, a lock of brown hair falling seductively across her face.

Luka stared at her, his pulse sky-rocketing. Green eyes. Brown hair.

Oh God, it's the girl from the bar.

"Rachel," the girl said, as if reading his mind. She stubbed out her cigarette and flicked the butt out of the open window.

Luka watched in horror. What have I done? he thought. He took in his unfamiliar surroundings. He was lying on a rumpled double bed in a large, distinctly feminine bedroom. A bedroom that most definitely wasn't his.

Leaping to his feet, he noticed he was still in his clothes from the night before. Looking down at Rachel, he asked breathlessly, "Did I… Did you…" He gulped. "Did we…?" He trailed off, looking wordlessly into her emerald eyes.

"No, sugar, we didn't," she replied, a slow smile spreading across her features. "By the time we got back here, you passed out cold." She jerked a thumb, indicating the hall behind her. "I slept in the other room."

Luka sighed with relief. What the hell have I done? he asked himself a second time. I have to get out of here.

Mumbling a thankyou, he darted out of the room and headed down the hallway to the front door.

He stopped and turned as she came up behind him, pressing her velvety skin against him. "But I'm here now," she purred, pouting. "What's the rush?"

Luka stepped back. "I'm sorry," he told her. "But… I have to go."

He ducked out the front door and onto the street.

So what if you catch me

Where would we land?

In somebody's life

For taking his hands

Sing to me hope as she's

Thrown on the sand

All of our work

Is rated again

Where to go…