It was several days, however, before Elvis- or anyone else – could visit Sam, because aside from the broken shoulder, he had obtained third degree burns and also suffered from severe smoke inhalation, due to his oxygen supply running out.

Penny was able to visit Sam however, and it broke her heart to see how badly the fire had affected him. She was reluctant to talk to Elvis about their friend, but he could always guess what had happened, and he would often hug her and reassure her as best he was able.

But he wasn't faring much better. As well as burns and severe smoke inhalation, Elvis also had to stay in bed due to his broken leg- and he required new crutches, after his other pair was lost in the fire.

But, at last, after two weeks, approximately, Elvis, Sarah and James were standing outside Sam's room at Newtown Hospital.

"Are you sure you two are okay with this?" Elvis asked the two in concern, unwilling to risk upsetting them at what they might see, and he himself hadn't been able to see his friend yet, so he wasn't sure what he would see either.

"Yes, we're ready." Sarah said bravely.

"He's still our Uncle Sam." Her brother added, taking Sarah's hand and squeezing it tightly. Elvis nodded.

"Okay, you two, let's go in and say hello." He decided.

Cautiously opening the door, the trio trooped inside. Sitting amidst a sea of get well cards and presents was Sam, looking for the entire world like their fire engine's namesake on his bed- despite the bandages and burns he had obtained.

"...uncle Sam?" Sarah asked, nervously. The red head turned, and smiled on seeing his niece and nephew, along with his best friend.

"Hello, kids," He rasped. His voice still was suffering from the smoke a little, but it still contained a note of joviality. This made the twins smile brightly.

"Hello, uncle Sam!" They dashed over and hugged their beloved relative, being careful to just squeeze him lightly.

"Hey Sam," Elvis said shyly. It had been a couple of weeks since he last saw Sam, but he felt as though they had been separated for a million years.

"Hi Elvis," the older fireman answered, grinning ruefully. "I heard what you did for me back at Pandy Farm, and I want to say"-

The black haired fireman's hands began wringing nervously. "I know it was stupid of me. You've reminded me not to go into a fire without protective gear, and I did. I'm sorry, but I didn't want to sit around in Venus and allow you to lose your life." Elvis interrupted, in a massive blurt.

Sam just held up a hand. "I will agree that what you did was stupid, Elvis. I can't even defend you from that- but you did do it for an admirable reason. And we're both alive and recovering from this, so I can't really be that mad at you, Elvis. Thank you, for risking your life to save mine."

"I'd know you'd do the same for anyone, Sam." The younger man confessed. "I'm just glad you'll be alright."

Then, extraordinarily, Sam's face blushed, and the famous fireman began fidgeting with his hands. "You know, Elvis, I was afraid that I might have died in that fire. I know my job was a risky one from the moment I became fully qualified, but this was something else- nearly dying. I didn't wish to die back there, as I had something to say to you at the fire station, before… the call came in."

"I had something to tell you too, Sam." Elvis added, as he recalled his disastrous attempt to confess his love for Sam at the station- just before this travesty had unfolded. And then a terrible thought hit him- what if Sam had caught on to his friend's feelings and didn't feel the same way?

"Sam, I have something very important to say. I hope that nothing changes between us if you say 'no'." Elvis began fearfully.

"I'm listening..."

This was it- the moment when he would confess his love for his mentor, colleague and best friend. He would either leave this room with his heart on top of the world, or shattered into tiny, million pieces. But one thing was certain- it was beating very, very rapidly.

Shifting his crutches under his arms, Elvis began. "I've...I've noticed that I've been feeling differently about you, Sam."

Alarm crossed his companion's face, causing Elvis' heart to sink. "I...just...I just want to say...I've fallen in love with you, Sam." He added, in a rush, ignoring the surprised gasps from Sarah and James.

At this confession, the black haired man squeezed his eyes shut to bar his tears, until he heard a kind and familiar laugh. When he opened them again, Sam was looking...relieved and happy? He was confused. Was his friend alright?

"Oh, Elvis- I never realised!" He exclaimed, before his face morphed into an almost shy seriousness. "I've realised that I'm in love with you too, old boy."

Despite the cheerful almost casual tone, Elvis knew his friend was being sincere and he smiled from ear to ear.

"I'm glad to hear it, Sam." He said truthfully.

He leaned over and gave his friend a hug.

And that was when they, on the spur of the moment, shared their first kiss. It wasn't deep, or very long, but it was very tender and meaningful, and the two men were blushing like schoolboys once it was over- Elvis in particular.

It had been a kiss of uncertainty, but a secure intimacy that neither wanted to forget until their dying breath. When they broke apart, Sam glanced over at the two blonde children standing nearby.

"I hope that doesn't change your opinion of me, kids." Sam told them nervously, being well aware of what could happen. But the kids just smiled at him.

"Of course not, Uncle Sam- you always told us you'd support in any decision we'd make in our lives, and since it's your decision on what person you date, we'll support you!"

"Thanks kids…" Sam replied, tears filling his eyes, and that's how, when a certain Nurse Flood came in to check on the team, she found Sam, Elvis and the kids in a great big group hug.

She smiled, before introducing herself to the room, deciding not to say anything about Sam and Elvis clasping hands.

...

It has been a few weeks since this happened, and now, whenever they are off duty, they are very open and affectionate with each other- to a new intimacy since their first confession at the hospital.

They even go on a first date- a double date, actually, as Penny goes with them and she brings along a newcomer to Pontypandy, called Tom Thomas- a rescue services colleague who works at the Mountain Rescue Centre. He and Penny met during abseiling, and have generally got along since, until they too realised they had romantic feelings for each other. Elvis was relieved that his former crush on Penny hadn't affected either relationship, and she was willing to support their relationship till kingdom come. Tom was also very accepting of the relationship after learning a fair bit from them.

The team do have a bit of a problem with risks and near death encounters like what Sam and Elvis had been through, but they are both committed to protecting their other half and ensuring their safety and happiness.

Not to mention they enjoy the newfound intimacy between them...

...

There's the end! Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoyed the ending! I hope you don't mind I introduced Nurse Flood and Tom here. Also, Nurse Flood isn't a homophobe, just in case my story gets misinterpreted as such- she just wants to avoid causing offence, as she's just met them, in my head canon.

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this story- especially Mo Will, who wanted a story of this pairing. This was quite a challenge, considering I'm not used to writing slash- but I enjoyed writing this story. Who knows, maybe I'll do more on this pairing!