Sasha promised to stick around so they could talk more that evening after the kids were in bed. It was agreeably the best time for them to get into a serious discussion without fear of being interrupted. The rest of the afternoon passed quickly and it was soon time for them to get ready for Sam's game. Sasha helped Ashley get together some snacks and drinks for the boys while Tom and Sam got the necessary equipment loaded up into their SUV. It all felt so unfamiliarly domesticated, but it also felt….Perfect.

She had never attended a little league game before and was pleasantly surprised with how much she enjoyed watching the boys play. She also reveled in seeing Tom's entire demeanor and mood change once he was in "coach mode". He was a born leader, so whether his skills were used to command the crew of a naval destroyer or coach a boys little league team, he was in his element. He looked at ease and content for the first time that day.

She continued to watch him and marveled at his patience with the boys. He was never short-tempered and was always quick to give compliments when they made a good play or give advice where they could improve. It was truly a joy to watch him and she soon realized she was watching him more than the game. Every so often, he would look to find her watching him and his face would light up with a smile. It amazed her how much simply looking at Tom could still cause butterflies in her stomach after all these years.

Ashley sat beside Sasha throughout most of the game and they chatted easily. Sasha sensed how much Ashley seemed to miss having a woman's presence in her life. Thinking about events that had happened, it was no wonder. She had lost her mother tragically and lived with her grandfather or father and brother ever since. There was no doubt Ashley adored her dad and was thrilled to have him back at home, but it was also evident that she longed to have "girl talk" sometimes. Knowing Tom's personality, she could only imagine how difficult it would be for his young teenage girl to talk to him about certain things. Sasha tried not to laugh thinking about the poor boys who would show up to take Ashley out on a date in a few years. They would have no idea what they were walking in to.

So as Ashley talked, Sasha happily listened and would give her opinion when asked. She couldn't help but feel as if a special bond may be starting between the two of them. She didn't know what that meant just yet, but it felt good nonetheless.

Ashley did surprise her with one question about halfway through the game. Sasha heard her say, "Do you like my dad?"

She was uncertain what the girl meant, so she answered as vaguely as possible. "Of course. We've been friends for a really long time."

"No, I mean…do you like my dad. You know….like more than a friend?"

Sasha was caught off guard with her question, but supposed she couldn't fault her for wondering. She decided honesty was the best approach. After all, Ashley had shared quite a few things with her that afternoon so she supposed it was only fair to return the favor.

She turned her head to look Ashley in the eyes. "Your dad and I use dated a long time ago…..before he met your mom."

Ashley smiled at her, "That's kinda what I figured. So, would you want to date him again?"

Sasha couldn't help but chuckle, "Why all the questions?" she asked with a tease in her voice.

The girl shrugged and looked towards her dad who was standing in the dugout watching his team. "Daddy would never admit this to us, but I can see that he's lonely. And please don't tell him that I told you this….but there have been a couple of times when he thought we were asleep, but I saw him crying."

"You saw him crying? Where?" Sasha asked softly.

"Well, one time I was thirsty so I was going to go downstairs for a drink, but when I got to the top of the stairs, I saw him sitting on the couch."

Sasha wasn't sure what to say and she certainly didn't want to cross any forbidden boundaries with Tom. "Your dad wants to be with you and Sam, Ashley. This is where he needs to be."

"Oh, I know, but he's still lonely, ya know? I can tell. He seems to really like you, though, so I was just wondering…." She let her voice trail off as if she were embarrassed to have brought the subject up.

Sasha put an arm around her and pulled her to her side for a hug. "You never know what can happen," she said. "Your dad and I are just going to take things one step at a time. I agree with you that he seems sad, though. I'm hoping I can help with that."

Ashley smiled up at her, "You already have. Daddy's smiled more today than I've seen him smile in a long time. I hope you stick around."

Sasha couldn't help but feel her heart tug inside her chest. If she hadn't been convinced already about coming to see Tom, that was all the proof she needed. She turned to see Tom watching her as she hugged Ashley. He gave her a small smile and winked at her. In that moment, she felt like the young girl who's toes would curl every time he would wink in her direction.

Everything was going to be okay. She was certain of it.

**************LS*************LS******************LS

Tom stopped at the grocery store on his way home from the game saying he had to run in for one quick thing. He left Sasha and the kids in the car and returned within minutes. Then, they made their way home where Tom grabbed the bag out of the back to carry in to the house. They all went into the kitchen to start getting things ready to grill out for dinner. It was during those first few minutes that Sasha noticed what Tom had bought during his quick stop at the store: He opened the bag and pulled out two bottles of her favorite Pinot Grigio which he quickly put into the freezer to chill before it was time to eat.

The kids were working to put together a salad, so she walked up to him and gave him a knowing smile.

"You didn't have to do that for me." She said quietly.

"It's your favorite," he shrugged and Sasha could have sworn she may've even seen him blush.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." He winked at her….again…..and she felt butterflies….again…..along with something much more sensual that was getting more difficult to ignore the longer she was around him.

Their eyes were locked on to one another as they stood silently side by side. Sasha wanted to kiss him so badly, and from the desire she saw in his eyes, the feeling was mutual. They had the kids to consider, though. Right now they needed to focus on dinner. There would be time for talking….and anything else….once Ashley and Sam were asleep.

Just the thought of it made her heart flutter and she had to wonder if he felt the same thing. She and Tom had always had incredible chemistry. They also both had strong and opinionated personalities with stubborn streaks a mile long. It made for passionate arguments…..and even better 'make-up' sessions. She doubted anything had changed over the years. If anything, the chemistry between them seemed to have grown stronger. She hoped they could explore it together again soon.

***************LS******************LS******************LS

Tom came out to the backyard with a beer in one hand and glass of wine in the other that he'd refilled for her. She took it gratefully and sat down in one of the chairs looking out into the yard. With Sam and Ashley finally asleep, they had decided to go out back to talk. It would give them more privacy and make it easier for them to not disturb the kids when they talked.

"So what do you do with yourself these days?" Sasha asked conversationally.

Tom was quiet as he contemplated how to answer. He took a drink of his beer and shrugged. "Get the kids back and forth to school…..Help with dinner, homework, and all the other things I haven't been around to do for so long. And as you saw today, I'm coaching Sam's baseball team."

Sasha shook her head in understanding. "So the rest of the day…..when Ashley and Sam are at school…..what do you do then?"

Rather than answer, Tom just turned his head towards her. He knew where this was leading. "I gave 25 years to the Navy, Sasha. I can't go back now. I can't risk my kids losing me too."

"I agree," Sasha said. "But what if you could go back to what's a considered a 'normal' schedule and do something that would allow you to still be at home with them every day?" She lifted her glass to take a drink.

Tom watched her and could see the twinkle in her eyes. She had something in mind.

"Like what exactly?"

Sasha sat up a little straighter as if preparing for him to shut her down. "Before you say anything, I want you to promise you'll hear me out. Okay?"

Tom nodded but stayed silent.

"I saw the president today when I went in for a quick debrief on my recent trip to Great Britain. He asked about you, and I told him I hadn't seen you in a while but planned on visiting while I was in town. He wants you back, Tom."

Tom immediately started shaking his head, "I already told you I can't go back, Sasha. It's too many hours and I traveled all the time. I would never be home with the kids and wouldn't be able to…"

Sasha help up a finger in protest and couldn't resist stopping him the same way he'd done to her many times in the past, "Still talking," she said cheekily.

Tom couldn't stop his lips from turning up in amusement. "Did you just use my line…..on me?"

"Yes, I did, Captain. Now be quiet and let me finish."

His eyebrows shot up, but to his credit he let her go on.

"The president knows your situation and obviously understands that you need to be here more than you were before. He's committed to working things out so your traveling would be minimal and assured me that you would only have to go on the trips that were extremely sensitive or critical. Even then, he insisted they could be short trips so the kids could stay with Danny and Kara for a couple of days or even go along with you sometimes."

Tom looked as if he were considering what she was proposing even though he still wasn't convinced. "Can I talk now?" he quipped.

Sasha smiled at him, "Yes, please."

Tom leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. "I can't promise anything except to tell you that I will think about it. And I would need to talk to the president, of course. I still don't know if I can go back…..but I promise to at least consider it. Okay?"

Sasha could have squealed in excitement, but instead she held it in and beamed at him instead. "That's all I'm asking you to do."

Tom watched her for a moment completely mesmerized by how beautiful she was. He was convinced that Sasha's smile was one that could brighten even the darkest of days….just as it had for him that day. Having her show up unexpectedly had awakened something inside of him; Something he wanted and needed to continue.

"And what about you?" he asked. "What are you up to lately besides traveling and breaking hearts?"

A laugh escaped her at his comment and it was a sound that was music to his ears.

"Not breaking any hearts lately," she answered before her expression grew a little more serious. "I've actually considered finding a 'home base' myself so I can stay in the same place as well."

"No more super secret ops?" His mouth curved in a half smile.

Sasha shook her head but smiled softly at him, "I'm ready for a change too, I guess. Things will never be like they use to be, but it does seem like people are adjusting and life is getting more settled again. Know what I mean?"

"I do."

Sasha took in a deep breath and let it out slowly before looking at him. Tom couldn't deny the emotion he saw in her eyes and it warmed his heart to realize she still had feelings for him too.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm ready to set down roots too."

"In St. Louis?" Tom asked hopefully.

"That would be my first choice….and the most logical since this is where the government agencies are all located now. I could still work in an official capacity, but like you, I could also stay in one place most of the time."

Tom stood up and reached a hand out to pull her up and into his arms. He couldn't resist kissing her any longer. He started out slowly, but as soon as Sasha reached her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, he deepened the kiss. They didn't break for several minutes since neither one of them wanted to pull apart and stop the moment.

"So does this mean you like my plan?" Sasha asked breathlessly when they finally came up for air.

Tom was kissing his way down her neck in the exact spot he knew drove her crazy. She felt him smile against her neck when goosebumps popped up all over her body.

"I like it very much, Ms. Cooper."

His voice was low and sexy causing her nipples to perk up greedily as if they hungered for his touch too. And although Sasha knew it would be best to take things slow, it was the last thing she wanted to do. She reasoned that they'd already spent so many years apart, so what was the sense in waiting any longer when they both clearly needed each other?

Tom seemed to feel the same way but had the forethought to at least suggest they move inside before things went any further or clothes started coming off.

Still no matter how much Sasha wanted this with Tom, she felt guilty about doing anything so soon. "I don't know if this is a good idea, Tom. I mean, the kids….."

He silenced her with another kiss. "…..will be fine," he finished for her. "If it makes you feel any better, I'll make sure I leave and go to the couch before they get up in the morning. Please, Sasha. I want…..I mean…I need you."

Sasha felt his hands make their way down her back until they could grab her backside and squeeze. Without any hesitation, she let him pull her up easily so she could wrap her legs around him. God, he felt so good…..And this felt so right….so who was she to deny him? She needed him just as badly.

"So does this mean you like with my plan?" Tom mimicked her earlier question.

Sasha beamed at him, "I like it very much, Commander. Now take me to bed….please….before you drive me crazy."

Tom gave her a naughty grin as he started walking with her back to the house. "Oh, I've barely started, Sasha."

She shivered in anticipation as they made their way into the house and quietly into the master bedroom, which was thankfully located on the first floor and far away from the kids bedrooms.

Tom didn't put her down until they reached the bed. He laid her down gently before walking back to lock the door.

**************LS***************LS*****************LS

I can't remember the last time I managed to get out three chapters to any story in less than two days. What can I say? Tom and Sasha are inspiring me and the story is just writing itself.

And I know this isn't the best place to end….but I need to see what's going to happen next in order to see if the rating of the story needs to change. After all, their chemistry is so hot it's hard to keep it very tame. I need to write it out and decide where to go.

So for now, we will leave them where they are until I can figure out how to proceed.

Thanks for your comments, like, follows, and reviews. I'm so glad you're enjoying the story!