Winter's Lullaby

By Danielle-ibus

A/N: Alright, as you may have figured out by now, I'm editing all the chapters. WOOO!

Chapter 3: That Sweet Surprise

Sam took a deep breath as she sat down next to Jack. She was about to have dinner with two complete strangers and one person who was…not much more than an acquaintance. She looked around at the three others. She stared at Jack. Man alive, he was gorgeous.

Jack lifted the menu to cover Sam and his faces. He made a look that implied, 'I'm sorry you're here', and then whispered, "What the hell took you so long? I'm about to blow my brain out!"

Sam chuckled as he lifted down the menu, and said, "Well, Jack and I are going to share the classic lasagna. What about you guys?" She asked the couple sitting opposite them. Wilson grunted a "Dunno" as Jack snaked his arm around Sam's waist. Although Sam had known him for a day, she felt strangely comfortable with his arm around her.

The waiter then came and asked them for their drink orders. After he left, Sam began an attempt at average conversation.

"So, Wilson, what do you do for a living?"

Wilson grunted. "I work in engineering."

Sam sighed nonchalantly. "Oh, that sounds interesting."

"It's not."

"Oh, I'm sorry. My job isn't very exciting either."

"Cool."

Sam sighed, exasperated. 'What does this woman see in him? I mean, between Jack and Wilson, the choice isn't too tough to decide! Wilson is…an antisocial being!"

"Sam works in a chem. lab." Jack interjected, trying to make the conversation more interesting.

"Yep." Sam shot Jack a look at Wilson's monotone reply.

About what seemed to be an eternity later, the waiter came with their drink orders, and took their entrée orders.

Sam wanted to drink her wine fast, but not in a pig-like or "this-dinner-is-so-boring-I-think-I-want-to-kill-myself" sort of manner. She was trying to figure out a way to get drunk unnoticed, but Jack interrupted her thoughts.

"Sammy?" Sam looked up. "Oh, okay. We thought you were asleep."

"No," Sam smiled, "just thinking."

About an hour and a half later, it was time to go. But before anyone left, Jack had an announcement, which also came as a surprise to Sam.

"Sam and I are going on a cruise to Jamaica for a week, so we won't be able to be in contact with you. Isn't that right Sam?" He nudged her.

Sam started at Jack, waiting for the punch line. Realizing there was none, she quickly collected herself and said, "Um…yeah! Yeah, we're going on a cruise. It sounds very exciting." To make their relationship seem more realistic, Sam kissed Jack on the cheek. She was afraid he'd back away, but he pulled her closer.

"Oh, how fun!" Jane exclaimed. "Maybe we should do that, eh, Will?"

"Uh."

"Well, see you guys around." Jack led Sam out the front door and into his car.

"What the hell was that?" Sam angrily whispered. "A cruise? What, have you lost your mind? I just—I can't believe—why didn't you—oh my GOD!"

"I'm sorry, okay? You had told me that you hated your job, so I figured you could take some time off. And besides, you don't have to spend all the time with me. You can do whatever you want." He turned away from her and put the keys in the ignition. "Besides," he added, "I want to get to know you better before the cruise anyway, if that'd be okay."

Sam felt a little better at his comment. "Yeah, that would be fun."

A/N: Uh? UH? How was the revamped chapter 3 compared to the old…loser 11-year-old-me chapter? I think it's much better, but the REVIEWERS seem to have disappeared… what's that about? but anyway, the ATTRACTION! hahahah