Disclaimer: I do not own Flashpoint or the characters even though I totally and completely wish that I did. I'll just borrow them for a while and put them back when I am finished.

A/N: Finally finished the fourth chapter! Woot woot! So I think there will only be one more chapter in this story, sad I know. Please enjoy reading and please review!

Chapter Four: The Base

Jules was focused, completely and totally, on the task at hand: find out who shot Ed. She had thrown caution to the wind earlier in the day with Sam and now what she needed was to stay focused, stay connected to something. She was so focused that she barely registered Sam following so closely behind her at the Army base. She hadn't heard his footsteps, hadn't registered his stare on the back of her head.

These were things she normally wouldn't miss, because when it came to Sam Braddock, Julianna Callaghan was hyper-attentive. She noticed everything about him: the way his hair fell so naturally everyday making it look like he just woke up; his smile whenever he would hear something funny; the way the corners of his mouth turned upward in a small smirk when he heard Spike make a stupid joke; even his hand movements when he worked out ever so religiously. But, most especially, she always knew when those blue eyes were watching her. His gaze found her at so many moments, so many instances where she wanted to be alone. But those blue eyes were always there, piercing right through her.

It was almost like he could see inside her. He always knew when she was feeling the weakest, the most vulnerable. He had stares that were for her and her alone. She knew this. She had tried to ignore him, not to look back at him. He made it nearly impossible, and there were many times when she felt her own gaze drifting upward to meet his.

Jules had followed Sam's movements since the day he arrived at the SRU, so catching her by surprise was a hard thing to do, indeed. Sam barely ever surprised her. Sure, she probably surprised him sometimes. Her passion for her job and for helping people sometimes got the best of her; reaming out the boss, yelling at subjects. She couldn't help herself in those moments. But, even though she could surprise him, she was so vigilant to always have an inkling of where Sam was and what he was doing; he could barely surprise her anymore. She expected his stares, his smirks.

Today, though, she hadn't seen it coming, she was so focused, that Sam's small voice from behind her caught her off guard. She wasn't ready for this conversation. She just wanted to forget that morning had ever happened. Well, not really forget it because up until the mysterious leggy blonde had interrupted them, it had been a life shattering, world altering, amazing moment between them.

He snuck up behind her, muttering, "Jules, can we talk?"

Jules didn't know where to begin, but she wanted to shut him up before he said anything she seriously did not want to hear. They were at work for christ sake. She didn't want to make a scene. "Don't worry about it Sam, I apologize. I didn't even think to ask if you were seeing somebody."

Sam interrupted her, but she continued on "No, Jules. That was Natalie."

Jules didn't register the name. He obviously thought she would know who he was talking about, but Jules remained focused on her task. She kept her gaze ahead as she continued full force down the aisle towards the injured soldier. "She seems really nice."

Jules obviously didn't think she was nice, she had not even actually met the girl. She didn't want to be a total bitch to Sam in that moment, but what she really wanted to do was yell at him. Yell and scream and get completely mad. She was totally mad. She had gone all the way over to his apartment, had a life altering moment with him, and some girl had burst in and ruined it for her? What was his problem? He could at least give a better explanation than, 'that was Natalie.' Seriously?

Sam wouldn't give up without a fight, though, that's just who he was. Jules did not expect him to stop talking to her, but she didn't expect what came out of his mouth either.

"My sister, Natalie." Sam was closer to her now, talking with his hands. He really only talked with his hands when he was trying to get a serious point across.

Jules faltered at this statement. His sister? The realization dawned on her all at once, and she glanced back up at Sam to see his blue eyes staring intently at her. Their gaze met but only for a second before Jules looked away sharply. "Right….Natalie."

She couldn't believe she hadn't remembered that one small detail about Sam's life. She should have remembered. How could she be so thick-minded? Jules was mad at herself now for making a big deal out of it, but a part of her also thought it wouldn't have mattered. Their cells would have rung and they would have been torn apart anyways. What difference was Sam's sister walking in on them making out going to make in the long run? At least it hadn't been the Sarge or Ed.

Sam was still upset, Jules could see that now. He wanted her to understand and she did want to understand, she was just distracted. She had so many thoughts running through her head about everything: Sam, Ed, the team, her future, just everything; she barely even registered Sam continuing his speech.

"She showed up last night, she's gonna crash with me for a little while. Personal reasons." Sam continued to stare down at Jules thoughtfully. He was almost willing her to say something positive, to lighten up the tension they had created between them in the last half an hour.

Jules was still in shock, to say the least. She had so many mixed up emotions, confused feelings. She decided to push them aside and deal with them later. She needed to revert back and focus on her task, on the team's task. They needed to find out who shot Ed. She replied to Sam hastily, "Maybe it's for the best."

She knew this would not put Sam at ease; in fact, it would probably create more tension. But right now she didn't care. She blocked him out, heading straight for the injured soldier as he questioned her statement.

"What do you mean?"

And with that, Jules was back in total focused work mode. She turned her world back to what she new, she pushed all her Sam problems out of her mind and let herself fall backwards slowly into the job. Because really, at the end of the day, that was the only thing she had to rely on completely.