The strong aroma of coffee filled the room and helped clear Sam's head. It had been a long day; the hardest part had been in the doctor's lounge, just before she left. She had wanted to kiss him; she would have if that other doctor hadn't burst in on them. Part of her was ready to kill him because of it. Another part was glad he came when he did. She had a boyfriend; she couldn't just go around kissing other men.

Pouring herself a cup of coffee, she raised the cup up to her lips, inhaling the rich aroma. Closing her eyes she took a sip, letting the tension roll out of her as the warm liquid slid down her throat. Taking another sip, feeling completely at ease, his face appeared in her mind.

He looked just like he had when he'd been talking about his life, the lost, tortured soul that he had then appeared to be. The intensity in his eyes had been startling, frightening and wondrous all at once. She remembered the feeling of her heart beating faster and faster as he inched closer to her, his warm inviting breath as it gently brushed her lips.

In her mind she took the memory one step further as she imagined what kissing him would have been like. Tentatively their lips would have met a bare whisper against each other. Not satisfied with that he would move closer, his mouth pressing firmly against hers as he gently begged entrance to her mouth. She was like putty in his hands as he turned the kiss more passionate, her heart beating so fast she was sure it would burst.

The sudden touch of two strong muscular arms around her waist shook her out of her daydream. Taking a deep breath she did her best to push all thoughts of Luka from her mind and relaxed in her lovers arms. She was being foolish, fantasising about some guy she had just met when there was a great guy right there the whole time.

"You've been very quiet this evening, is everything alright?"

"It is now," she replied putting down her coffee and turning to face him.

"Are you sure?" Carter asked staring into her eyes. She had been way too quiet since she got off work, and he was worried that something was wrong.

"I'm just tired." Sam lied, she couldn't tell him what was really bothering her. Forcing a slight smile she added, "It was my first day in a new job after all."

"I'm glad to hear it. How did your first day go?"

"It went as well as can be expected, we do work in the ER, and it's not the easiest of jobs."

"True, did you get to meet Luka?"

Sam froze slightly at hearing his name. Only moments before she had been fantasising about him. Once again she forced herself to smile, this time it was to hide the guilt that she was feeling.

"Yes, he was there."

"And . . ?"

Sam's smile grew wider as she once again let herself think of the man she had almost kissed. Looking up, she saw Carter patiently waiting for an answer, and once again she was forced back to reality.

"And I didn't get a chance to talk to him or anything, he was too busy."

"I'll have to introduce you two properly, he's anxious to meet you."

Sam just nodded; she wasn't sure how she felt about being introduced to Luka, since they had been fairly close only hours before. But Carter didn't and couldn't know that.
Carter watched her, there was definitely something going on with Sam. She was evasive, and kept avoiding his gaze. There was something she wasn't telling him.

"You know you can tell me anything right? I mean, I'm here for you if you need to talk or anything." He said running his hand gently up and down her arm reassuringly.

"Kind, caring, a doctor and rich. You're almost too good to be true, you know that?" Sam replied, moving closer to him and smiling, this time because she felt it.

"So I've been told." Carter replied with a twinkle in his eye as he wrapped his arms around her waist, gently brushing his fingertips against her flesh underneath her shirt.

"Did I mention that Alex has gone to bed?" She was beginning to realise what she knew all along. Right now, the only thing she needed was Carter; he was the only guy she was ever going to need. Why should she waste her time on a childish fantasy when she had the real deal right there in front of her?

"So it's just you and me then?"

"Yeah," Sam closed the slight gap between the two of them and wrapped her arms around his neck. She could smell his cologne; it seemed to be distinctly Carter. He bent down and crashed his lips against hers, kissing her passionately.

"I've been waiting all evening to kiss you." He remarked when they stopped to catch a breath.

"So you've gotten what you wanted then? I guess I can just leave." She pulled away from him and walked towards the door.

Carter watched her walk away, unsure what to do. Her movement had taken him completely off guard.

"Aren't you coming?" Sam asked, turning back to look at Carter before walking out the door.

Carter didn't answer, he just ran out the door after her.