Chapter 9: Front-Row Seat
Dillingham Residence, Georgetown
Friday, 31 December
7 p.m.
"This is such a bummer. New Year's Eve, our first New Year's Eve, and she has to work." Sam was pacing in Elizabeth's kitchen. "I mean, I know her schedule is like this, unpredictable and all, but you'd think the Bureau could give us a break once in awhile."
She watched him, gave him enough ranting time to make him comfortable, then grabbed him mid-lap and swung him onto a stool. "You're still worried about her, aren't you, Sam? That she's not behind the scenes on this one?"
He blinked. "How do you do that?"
Elizabeth laughed. "I've been dating Myles for over a year now, and you have to ask me that?" Then she sobered and folded her hands in front of her on the counter. "I know you and Myles talked about this, and I'm assuming that you and Tara did…" She trailed it off as a question.
"Yeah, we did. Myles was honest. I know I'm gonna have to deal with this, and I told Tara I wasn't going to let it come between us. I'm not one of those guys she used to date." He sighed. "But I'm still worried as heck, and I just want it to be over."
"And this is just a meeting with a contact," she nodded. "I know. It's never easy, Sam. And Myles is usually right in the heart of things. They're not exactly in the safest line of work. But they believe passionately in what they're doing, and I'm not going to smother that because I worry. I made that decision some time ago."
Sam gave her a piercing look. "After the Ebola thing?"
She nodded. "Yes. It was bad enough watching him in the hospital, but I think the one thing that drove the point home for me was actually seeing him get hit with that dart. It was an unusual circumstance, I know; if it hadn't been for my grandfather's delusions of godhood, I wouldn't have been there at the conference. I'd have been at the hospital still, of course, but it wouldn't have been the same." She sighed. "I'm not sure if this is making any sense, Sam. All I know is that when I asked Myles how he could face that possibility every day, he said it pretty much boiled down to 'let peace begin with me, no matter the cost.' And I realized that I needed to be able to say the same thing, with the same conviction, if I were going to be a part of his life."
She sighed again, and leaned her elbows on the counter, resting her cheek on her hands so she was looking over at him. "You know what finally tipped the scales for me?"
"What?"
"I remembered a quote from a movie that came back to me while we were waiting for the conference to begin." The surprised look he gave her made her laugh. "What? You're not the only one who can get inspired by multimedia."
Sam chuckled. "Does sound a bit strange coming from a shrink, though. What was the movie?"
"Dragonheart. The Knight's Code." Her voice went soft and her eyes dropped. "'A knight is sworn to valor. His heart knows only virtue. His blade defends the helpless…"
"His might upholds the weak." Sam's voice made her trail off, and he continued. "His word speaks only truth. His wrath undoes the wicked."
Elizabeth nodded, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. "I realized… that's what they are, Sam. Knights, putting themselves between us and the dragons of this world. I spent three years on a post-doctoral research project involving law enforcement, and never realized that fact until that day. After I knew that Myles was going to be all right, I spent some time really thinking about that. I knew that, if I were going to be truly fair to him and what we could have together, then I needed to let him be who he is. Not only that; I knew I had to love him enough to let him go if his job required it. I guess, in a way, I had to make the same decision he did when he signed on at the Bureau."
Sam looked at her soberly. "And you did. I've seen that framed piece you did for him. 'Let peace begin with us.' Even if it means—"
"Even if it means I have to lose him one day in the name of peace." She looked up at him, her green eyes glistening but her voice steady. "I can do that, Sam, I can make that decision because I fell in love with the man he is, and I wouldn't change him for anything. That's my contribution to the cause, I guess you could say."
"And I need to be able to say the same thing to Tara, don't I?" His voice caught her attention, and she looked over at him. The look on his face made her proud of him, and sad at the same time; for the first time since she'd known him, she saw an adult, a man who looked ready to face whatever life handed him head-on. "That's my last step."
She reached over and squeezed his hand, smiling. "Big step, trust me. But yes, I think so. Certainly as far as your relationship with her goes. But accepting the path she's chosen, and choosing to be at her side on it, isn't something you can do once and then let it rest. You still fight the… fear, I guess, each day and make the choice again."
She paused, her dark brows going up as she realized something. "I suppose… I suppose it helps you fight the other fears in your life as well. Knowing that you've made the choice to walk whatever path is put in front of you in the name of peace… it makes it easier to face your own nightmares."
Sam saw comprehension cross her features, and he laughed softly. "Gee, you swung that around quite nicely, Doc. Isn't it annoying when you end up curing yourself?"
Elizabeth shot him a look, then laughed as well. "Incredibly. Come on; I don't feel like sitting here on New Year's Eve, either. Let's go find a quiet spot with good food, and just hang out for the evening."
Sam stood and held his arm out to her. "Only if you let me buy."
&
"The Green Man," Pub & Grill
Near Georgetown University
Friday, 9 p.m.
The pub was quiet; most of D.C. was off preparing to ring in the new year. Only a few solitary souls graced the worn stools of the bar, muted by the dark paneling. The place had the distinctive feel of an old Irish pub; Tudor-style beams crossing the walls, rough, strong support posts lining the aisles, and Celtic tiles adding a bit of color.
"Ok, this place rocks," Sam said as he pushed his plate back. "Thoroughly cool in décor, they don't overcharge you for the drinks, and that was, I think, the best steak I've ever had. Even the name of the place is cool— The Green Man. Sounds like an old Bogey flick."
Elizabeth laughed. "Myles introduced me to this place on about our third date, and I fell in love with it immediately." She pointed at his glass. "Want a refill on your soda? I could use another."
"Sure, Liz. You know, I'm glad you dragged me out here. I think this is better than any party. If Bro and Lady MarioKart were here, it'd be perfection."
Elizabeth started to get up to go over to the bar when she noticed the new bartender coming on shift. She sat down quickly. "Oh, no. Oh, no, no, no. Oh, dear."
"What is it, Liz?" Sam asked.
She swung back around to face him, and lowered her voice. "Sam, I think we might just run into them after all. We picked the wrong place to come tonight."
He looked totally bewildered. "Why?"
"Because Bobby's behind the bar."
"What?" Sam started to look over, but her hand on his arm stopped him. "Are you sure?"
She nodded. "Yes, which means this is where whatever's going on tonight is... going on." Very carefully, she glanced around the restaurant, trying to see if anyone looked like they might be waiting for a contact. "Sam, the booth sides aren't high enough to hide us. If Myles' contact is already here, he's going to think you're Myles."
His blue eyes went very wide. "Uh-oh. Houston, we have a problem."
"And then some." Elizabeth gave him a piercing look. "Sam, can you get through to Myles right now? The twin-speak?"
He looked off into space for a moment, then shook his head. "Nope. He's shut off right now; when he's working, that wall is as thick as it ever was. We've actually been working on that a bit, since there's no way I can have security clearance." A slight grin appeared as he said it. Then it vanished again. "So, now what?"
"I don't know, Sam," she replied. "We may have to hope they notice us."
&
Tara pulled on the denim jacket and adjusted the three clip-on hoops at the top of her ear. "How did I let you talk me into this?" she asked the tall figure at her side.
He grinned as she knotted the blue batik sash at her waist, through the loops of her hip-hugger jeans. "I think you lost a sparring session." He was back in the "Zorro" outfit, and leaned back against the wall of the van with his hands in the pockets of his jeans.
She smoothed down the embroidered peasant blouse. "Oh, yeah. That's right. I lost, but there are two more permanent imprints in the mat." She ran her fingers through her hair, which she'd colored black and added several beaded braids to for the evening, then put a hand on her hip and looked up at him, grinning. "Well, boss, how do I look?"
Myles looked her over, then had to laugh. "Like you were in the middle of an explosion at a gypsy camp. But it's perfect for tonight." He turned to Jack, who was manning the cameras tonight with Sue. "Bobby in place?"
"He just got there. Looking for your contact now." They watched as the camera in the pen in the Aussie's shirt panned the room. A second camera, courtesy of Dimitrius' watch, caught a different angle.
"There he is." Myles pointed at the screen. A dark-haired youth was sitting at the table nearest the door, his back to it.
"Ready and waiting," Tara quipped. "Let's go."
Suddenly, Sue straightened. "Oh my gosh! Jack, tell Bobby to pan back the other way slowly."
"Why? What?"
He relayed the message, though; they all stared in shock as they saw Sam and Elizabeth seated in a booth, not thirty feet from Myles' contact. The looks on the two civilians' faces said they'd already figured out they were definitely in the wrong place at the wrong time.
"Houston, we have a problem," Bobby murmured over the radio.
One could almost hear thoughts kick into high gear, as they all realized they had very little time. Myles looked at his watch. "I'm supposed to meet Kyle in ten minutes," he said tensely. "I can't very well be in two places at once. And there's no way for them to get out of there without being spotted. At least Sam's back-to him right now, or we'd be dead already."
"Bobby, you remember the sign for STAY?" Jack spoke into the radio.
"Uh… Y hand, palm-down, brought straight down from chest to waist, both hands, right?" The Aussie sounded only half confident.
"That's it," Jack replied. "Catch Liz's eye and tell them to stay put. We're working on a way out for all of us."
"Yep."
Suddenly, Myles straightened and tapped Sue on the shoulder. "Come on; I have an idea, and I can't sign fast enough to get the message to Elizabeth. And I can't call her on her cell phone if this is going to work out right."
He took a minute to outline his plan, and Jack nodded. "That's perfect. Go."
&
Sam was shredding a napkin in front of him. "'Stay put,' he says. What the heck good is that gonna do? We're gonna get them made, or shot, or—"
"Sam, relax," Elizabeth said. "And when did you pick up the police lingo?"
The quip had the desired effect, and he smiled a little. "Shrink, police, I can rap with the best of them. So now what?"
"I think we're about to find out." She put a hand on his arm again. "No, don't turn around. Sue's in the doorway— she's saying Myles has an idea to get us all out of this without blowing the cover."
Sue's hands flew.OVER-THERE CL-1— she made a "1" handshape as a "classifier sign" for one person—DOOR HIM WAIT NOW. S-A-M ACT HIM MYLES, ONLY MINUTES FEW.Elizabeth glanced at the table Sue had indicated, and had to bury a shudder. The man sitting there couldn't have been more than 25, but he had the look of someone who'd seen far more of the darker aspects of life than she'd care to entertain. And the weapon barely hidden under his coat didn't help. If something goes wrong… She took a breath. "Ok. How are your acting skills, Sam?"
"What?"
She held up a hand slightly to quell the panic she heard in his voice. "It's nothing major. Relax. You just need to pretend to be Myles for a few minutes. Just long enough to get us out of here."
"Oh. I can do that." He didn't sound totally convinced, but it was a start.
Elizabeth signed OK back to Sue, then relayed the rest of the plan. "Myles is going to ring your cell phone in a second. He'll tell you what to do. Then we're going to get up and walk out of here. Make sure the guy has a chance to see your face. It's dark enough in here that he won't notice the difference in the color of your eyes. When we get out to the lobby, where Myles is waiting for us, and you guys will switch jackets or whatever you need to. Then he can come back in and make his contact, and no one will be the wiser."
He stared at her for a minute. "This is crazy, you know that? The risk involved—"
"Is no more or less than any other situation they could be in right now, and I know we can do this, Sam." She bored an emerald gaze through him. "I know you can do this. We have to."
He gulped, then nodded; Elizabeth subtly signed READY to Sue and caught her nod.
Sue nodded, and turned to Myles, who was at her shoulder. "They're ready."
Myles hit a speed dial on his phone. "Sam?"
"Yeah?" His twin's voice was a little shaky.
"This is easy, okay? Relax. When you and Elizabeth get up to head out, Tara will pass you on her way to sit at the bar. Just catch her eye and nod to her slightly as you go by. No other reaction." He glanced at his partner and smiled. "Oh, by the way, she looks like a Woodstock revival, so no double-takes, ok?"
Sam couldn't help but laugh softly. "Only if I get a photograph. So that's it? Just nod to her and walk out?"
"That's it, except for making sure that Kyle thinks Elizabeth is your date." His grin came across on the phone. "Just don't get carried away."
Sam rolled his eyes, grinning as well. "You tried to pawn her off on me once, bro; still not interested. You just take care of Lady MarioKart."
"All right. Let's do it."
"'K." Sam flipped the phone shut, took a deep breath and looked up at Elizabeth. His eyes showed a touch of fear, still, but his features schooled themselves into a calm reserve. "I'm sorry, babe," he said, raising his voice just slightly. "Got something I have to take care of right now. Be back by midnight, though."
Elizabeth raised her brows at him. "You'd better be," she smiled. "I don't want to ring in the new year alone."
They stood and picked up their coats. Sam leaned over to her and kissed her briefly. "You won't. I'll walk you out to your car. I can catch a cab to your place later." They started for the door, his arm draped around her shoulders.
Myles glanced at Tara. "You're on, 'Ruby'."
She took a breath and nodded, then headed for the bar.
&
I should have warned Liz, Sam thought with an inward smile as Tara passed them. If he hadn't known, he'd probably not realize it was her. She looks great, though. Their eyes met for just a brief moment, and it wasn't difficult to nod at her as if they had business later.
Elizabeth managed to not look too shocked, and it probably came across more natural than if she hadn't reacted at all. As they reached the door, though, the young man at the corner booth looked up at Sam expectantly.
Oh, no… what do I do now? How would Myles handle this? Suddenly, the idea came to him, and he simply glanced at his watch, then met Kyle's gaze again and tilted his head first toward Elizabeth, then to the door. Kyle's eyes dropped in a subtle nod, and he went back to perusing his menu.
Sam held in his breath of relief until they were safely out in the lobby. Myles pulled him off to a small alcove. "Nice job, Sam," he remarked softly as he traded his blue silk for Sam's white long-sleeved polo. "And I'm glad you liked that leather duster so much that you had to have one. It's been kind of my trademark through this case."
Sam was still shaking a little. "You all are gonna be the death of me yet, bro. Why didn't you just tell us where you were going to be so we could avoid it?"
Myles shrugged. "Couldn't. That whole 'classified' thing, you know. It's okay; just chalk this one up to Murphy's Law and let it go." He pulled the polo collar up a little, just as Sam had worn it earlier. "I have to get in there. I'm already a couple minutes late, but your little eye-exchange with Kyle will cover that quite nicely. Go out to the van; they're waiting for you. Best not to have a 'copy' of me running around while I'm in here, just in case there are extra eyes watching. They're out that way."
Elizabeth had been standing back, out of the way. As Myles stepped out of the alcove, he caught her hand and brought it to his lips briefly. "Love you," he mouthed silently.
CAREFUL, she replied in ASL. I-LOVE-YOU. She then took Sam's arm and whispered, "I'd better go out to my car, just in case. I'll swing around a couple of blocks up, then walk around the back way and meet you at the van."
They slipped out, while Myles squared his shoulders and sauntered into the bar.
&
"You're late," Kyle drawled as Myles slid into the booth. "Then again, if I had a looker like that at my disposal, I'd be late for a few things myself."
The narrowed gaze the agent gave him was only partially an act. "That 'looker,' as you so crudely put it, happens to be a very classy lady, and I'd appreciate it if you kept your comments to yourself. We have a business deal to discuss."
Kyle nodded. "Fair enough. You said you had a solution for us. For what particular problem?"
Myles leaned back and draped his arm across the back of the booth. "Considering the volume of stuff I've heard is coming out of your little 'appropriations,' it makes me wonder how you manage to get rid of the merchandise. It's too easily traceable."
The younger man looked at him for a long time before answering. "You have a head for this type of enterprise. You're right; and the boss has been looking into various ways of handling that little problem."
Now the Harvard grad leaned forward, his eyes that of an eager salesman. "How about I let you all borrow a friend of mine? She's been helping me solve that same little problem for quite awhile now, and for the right price I'm sure she'd be willing to expand her clientele."
Kyle laughed cynically. "What's your friend do? Magically turn gems into cash?"
"Something like that." He pointed to where Tara was sitting at the bar. "You see that woman? The one who looks like she belongs back in the sixties?"
Kyle glanced over. "Oh, yeah. The hottie who strolled in here a few minutes ago? Nice." The way he drew out the word had Myles burying the desire to plant his boot firmly in the middle of Kyle's shin under the table— with a considerable amount of force behind it. "So what's she do for you?" He grinned. "Besides the obvious?"
"She's a business partner, you moron," Myles snapped. Then he leaned forward and lowered his voice. "And what she does for me is take the jewelry I bring her and re-set the stones in her custom designs, which she sells in her very lucrative shop for me and no one is the wiser. How's that for a solution?"
Kyle's one-track mind seemed to have finally switched gears, because he leaned forward with interest. "And you think she'd be willing to do the same for us?"
"As long as she's kept supplied with materials, she doesn't ask questions. Like you," Myles sneered slightly, "she has a very narrow world she lives in. Hers happens to be jewelry design. We won't dignify yours by labeling it."
"All right, I get the point." Kyle leaned back. "Well, bring the lady over here and let's check her out." At the low growl starting from his seatmate's throat, he held up a hand. "I meant to see if she's someone we can work with. My boss is very careful about who he lets in. You made your point already; I'll be nice to her."
"You'd better. I take good care of the people who work for me." Myles looked over again and caught Tara's eye. He subtly motioned for her to join them. Here we go, partner, he thought. Let's sell it first-class.
&
Sam stepped into the van, and Jack motioned him to a seat. Tara was just walking over to join Myles and Kyle at the booth. She was wearing a wire, so Sue didn't have to read lips for them, but the cameras were positioned for her benefit anyway.
"Hey, Myles," Tara was saying. "You'd better have a good reason for messing up my New Year's plans. I had a major party lined up."
He smiled at her easily. "Have I ever wasted your time, Ruby?"
"Point taken." She slid into the booth. "Who's your friend?"
"Kyle, Ruby; Ruby, Kyle. He's part of my newest little enterprise. Or," he amended as Kyle shot him a look, "I'm part of his. All a matter of perspective." Myles waved the waitress over and they ordered a round of drinks.
After their drinks arrived, "Ruby" settled in her seat; placing both arms on the table, she leaned forward. "So gents, exactly what part of this little 'enterprise' will I play?"
Kyle sat back in his seat. "Myles here tells me you're quite the designer of fine jewelry."
She tipped a smile at her "partner," then removed the necklace from around her throat. "You tell me."
The young man studied the intricate design for several minutes, even going so far as to pull out a jeweler's loupe to inspect the gems. Then he handed it back to her. "Very nice. Why don't you tell me the arrangement you have with your blond pal here?"
Tara shrugged. "He brings me stuff, I reset it, sell it on my boutique and we split the profits fifty-fifty. Not much of an arrangement in terms of complexity, but it works for us."
Out in the van, heads turned as Elizabeth slipped inside. "Sorry it took so long," she said quietly. "A car followed me out of the parking lot and for about three blocks. Figured leading them back around here was a bad idea." Jack nodded mutely, and she took a seat next to Sam, leaning over to whisper, "You okay?"
He nodded, his eyes never leaving the screen. She could tell he was fairly relaxed at the moment, but there was a tension in his jaw that told her it wouldn't take a lot to get him started again. The psychologist laid a hand near his arm, ready to deal with him if things got dicey.
The conversation inside continued. Myles was saying, "...no reason Ruby can't take your inventory as well."
Kyle's eyes narrowed. "And your cut is how much?"
The tall agent shrugged. "I could go for three percent. Call it a 'headhunters' fee, for finding you a designer."
"I see." The young man leaned forward, one hand sliding toward his waist. "And what makes you think we need you in this little deal if we already have her?"
The click of a 9mm being cocked under the table sent Kyle's eyes very wide; he hadn't realized Tara had even moved to pull the gun out of her boot. "Because I don't work for you. I work for Myles. And if you value your 'family jewels,' you'll put that gun right back in your belt."
Out in the van, Sam had leaned forward abruptly when Kyle reached for his gun. Elizabeth tightened her hand on his arm and put a finger to her lips. He glared at her, then returned his attention to the screen just in time to hear Tara. He held his breath as Kyle stared at her.
"What makes you think you can call the shots here, sweetie?" His voice was deadly calm.
She smiled sweetly. "Ten million dollars in gemstones gathering dust and screaming to every cop in this city, that's what," she replied. Then she tipped her head sideways at Myles. "He thinks I don't know what's going on. I do. And as long as I have quality supplies for my designs, I don't care. You want me, you keep him in the loop, because I'm only going to deal through him."
There was another long stretch of silence. Then Kyle slid his gun back into its resting place. "Suppose I can't argue with that logic. And we do need an outlet. I'll talk to my boss." He stood and dropped a few bills on the table. "I'll contact you," he said to Myles. "Two days."
He walked out, and after a tense twenty-second silence Bobby's voice came over the radio. "Ok, between the gymnasium Monday and this tonight, I don't ever want to get on Tara's bad side."
Laughter echoed between the van and the bar, and even Sam managed a chuckle, though he was considerably paler than he'd been a few minutes ago. But his expression was grave as he stood and pulled Elizabeth up with him. "Let's go, Liz. Get out of their way."
He was out the door before she could respond, and she could only turn and shrug at Jack and Sue before following him to her car.
&
Sam Leland's house, Georgetown
Friday, 11:30 pm
It was his own kitchen floor Sam was wearing a rut in this time. Elizabeth watched him silently, waiting for the inevitable explosion that was coming. She just wasn't sure how big the explosion would be.
"I was starting to think I was ready for this," he muttered, almost to himself, " I really thought I was, until that Kyle dude went for his gun. How can I do this? How can I face every day with her, knowing it could be the last one?" He scooped Glorfindel off the counter on his way by, absently stroking the cat as he paced. "I know that's not an everyday situation for her, but still… bad enough that I could lose Bro' at any point, I don't think I can do this…"
His train of thought was starting to spiral downward, and Elizabeth decided it was time to put on the brakes before he talked himself out of it completely. She opened her mouth to speak—
"Samuel."
A figure melted in from the shadows of the dining room, and a British accent broke through. Sam snapped around to look into the grave eyes of Gregory, his long-time butler and companion.
"Thought you were still up in Massachusetts."
Gregory didn't answer; instead, he walked up until he could lay a hand on Sam's shoulder and look deep into his younger friend's blue eyes. "There is not one part of this life that comes with a guarantee," he said softly. "You cherish each moment as if it were the only one, you savor the ones that have passed, and you keep moving forward."
Sam stared at him for a several minutes; then Gregory stepped back and reached for his coat, which was draped over one of the kitchen chairs. "I stopped in for just a moment to make sure things were in order. I have an apartment to unpack." He turned and nodded to Elizabeth. "Good night, Dr. Dillingham. And a prosperous New Year to you."
She nodded back, and he turned toward the door. Suddenly Sam snapped out of his reverie and spun around. "Apartment? You're not staying here? I n—"
Gregory held up a hand. "I am still nearby. But this home will soon have a new mistress, I believe, and it's best if her touch is the primary one here. Samuel, you need her. But first you need you. Good night."
Sam stared at the door for a very long time after Gregory left. Then he turned and walked silently into the living room, flopping down full-length on the sofa and laying Glorfindel on his chest.
Elizabeth followed, and leaned against the back of the sofa, her arms crossed. "Not exactly the New Year's Eve you had planned, was it?" she asked softly.
"You could say that." He scratched 'Fin around the ears. "And you're about to tell me he's right, and I can do this, and throwing away a relationship I've managed to stay in for this long and through this much is just…" He trailed off as she turned and he saw a flame in her green eyes.
"Just because you've sat through a bunch of 'shrink sessions,' doesn't mean that you can read my thoughts like you can your twin's." Her voice kept him silent, eyes wide, as she finished her thought. "Don't put words in my mouth."
"Sorry, Liz" he replied softly. "What were you going to say?"
"You're right, Sam. You have been through a lot this year. And I want you to remember that Tara's been right by your side through most of it, whether you were both here in DC or having to talk on the phone across a couple hundred miles. You still have a ways to go, though, if you're still at the point where your happiness, your sanity is fully dependent on someone else."
She sighed. "That's something I can relate to, because at one point this past summer I couldn't even walk into my own house without someone there. Myles offered to let me just move in over at his place, in the guest room, since we were pretty much headed toward a permanent relationship anyway. But I knew it came down to this: I have to be strong on my own before I can be strong with him. That's the only way I can deal each day with the choices I made when I started dating him, when I accepted his ring and agreed to marry him. That's why he waited as long as he did to propose."
She came around the sofa and sat near his feet. "I will say this, though: when you know you're at the point where you can stand on your own, don't you waste a moment in drawing her completely into your life. Because every moment is precious, too precious to waste on hiding you feelings until you can present them what you think is a perfect way."
"So I need to wait until I'm sure I can handle life without her before I decide to take life with her? Sounds a bit circular."
Elizabeth laughed softly. "I suppose it does. And probably a bit morbid as well. But what I'm really getting at boils down to this: Do you love her?"
He stared at the ceiling for a long moment. Then a rather surprised smile lit his face. "Yeah. I do."
"Then I think you should tell her that tonight." She laughed again at the panicked look on his face. "Sam, it's three words. I think you can manage three one-syllable words. Next question: Do you feel that you're at a point in your life where, if the world were to fall down around you, you'd still be standing when the dust cleared? Just you."
He grinned slightly. "You mean, without the Nintendo?"
She nodded. "or 'Fin, or Gregory, or anyone else. Just you."
This silence stretched a little longer, as he tried to picture it. "I— I'd like to think I could. That's more than I could have said nine months ago."
Elizabeth smiled at him proudly. "You've come a long way." Then she sobered, and laid a hand on his arm. "Now, last question: Can you stand to walk away from Tara based solely on the chance that something might happen to her one day? Because if you can't accept her for who she is and what she's chosen for her life, then it's not fair to lead her on any further."
Sam let his breath out slowly. "I—" He was interrupted by a knock on the door, and Tara walked in, with Myles right behind her.
"Still five minutes to midnight," she said brightly. "We made Jack hurry up with the debrief. Did we miss any excitement?"
Sam stood up as they walked into the living room. He was silent for a very long moment, and he looked at her as if he were seeing her for the first time.
Elizabeth reached for Myles' hand. "Come on; let's go over to my place and—"
"It's okay, Liz," Sam said softly. "Why don't you guys stick around? This will only take a second, and I think bro' needs to hear it, too."
"What is it, Sam?" Tara's dark eyes were wide and troubled. "I know Jack said you were a little wound up because of what happened during the meet…"
He placed a finger on her lips. "Shh. It's okay. I owe you an apology, both for Monday, and for tonight. I was… I've been holding on so tightly to you, to all of you, that I didn't realize it was blinding me to the fact that I'm okay now. I can stand on my own. It took the possibility of… losing you… to make me see that."
She started to say something, but he continued before she had the chance. "I know, the odds are slim of anything happening. But it's still a possibility, and having a front-row seat for it slammed it home, I guess."
Tara's eyes filled with tears. "Sam, if it's too much, I underst—"
"It's not." He put his arms around her and drew her close, reaching up to toy with one of the bead clips still in her hair. "Tara, I—" He paused; the blue eyes flicked toward Elizabeth for a split-second. He caught her nod and the silent "three words" on her lips.
Tara. Not Lady MarioKart. Serious moment… I knew it… "You what, Sam?" Tara's voice was shaky, and one tear had trickled onto her cheek. "Just say it, please."
Now he smiled and gave her his full attention. He brushed the tear away with his thumb, then let his fingers rest on her cheek. "I love you. I realized that tonight, too. I'm still not quite sure how steady I'm standing, but I know I want you there with me, for the next minute, or the next thirty years."
She stared at him silently, as if making sure she'd heard him correctly. She'd been bracing herself all night for Sam to walk away, especially after things got tense with Kyle. Myles had tried to reassure her the entire drive over, but she had figured it was easier to start letting go before she had to face Sam. Now, she found she had to regroup in the opposite direction, and it was taking a few minutes.
Then she heard Myles laugh softly, and glanced over to see him looking at his watch. "You have one minute left before midnight, Tara. You should probably come up with some response for him." He grinned. "And I might remind you that breaking my brother's heart would probably land you back in the gym— with your imprint in the mat permanently."
His quip broke through her silence, and she grinned back. "In your dreams, 'Harvard'." Then she turned back to Sam, and her smile softened. She reached up and kissed him softly at the corner of his mouth. "I love you, too. For five minutes or fifty years, I can't imagine sharing my life with anyone else. Even if I have to put up with Myles as a brother-in-law."
There was laughter all around at that, and the chime on the grandfather clock in the hall sounded the midnight hour. Each of the couples drew together, as was tradition, and for a moment a quiet peace filled the room.
Then Sam turned and led them all into the kitchen, where they noticed that Gregory had left a bottle of champagne chilling and four slender wineglasses on the counter. "Hmm," he mused as he filled the glasses, "you know, 'Happy New Year' just doesn't seem to do it this time. Anybody got something slightly more eloquent to say?"
Three sets of eyes landed on Myles, and he laughed. "Who, me?" Then a thought popped into his head, and he nodded. "Actually, I do have a thought."
Sam passed the glasses around and eyed his twin, grinning. "Well, let's have it, bro. Astound us."
Myles slipped his arm around Elizabeth's waist and raised his glass.
"Here's to the end of the nightmares— and the beginning of forever."
