02 - coffee talk

The sound of Jules closing the door jarred him back to the here and now. He began to register his surrounding - the gentle summer breeze, some mellow song he suspected was sung by some band young enough not to have credibility and experience to give anybody advice about true love, and Jules softly swearing under her breath before walking back and changing the radio station.

In his last conversation with his father before leaving for Toronto, he had again told the older Braddock that SRU was what he needed. Now, he could say that SRU was also something he wanted. Granted, he was still learning the ropes, but this was a good change. The dust had begun to settle, and so had he.

"You look like you're thinking about something you shouldn't." Jules slid into the spot next to him at the back of her jeep. The evening was fairly warm and she didn't bother to keep her jacket on. Her black tank top was clinging to all the right places and he was transported back to the time where he had barged into her locker room.

"How's the back?"

Jules shrugged. "Still a bit sore when I move my shoulder in some ways. I've had worse."

Sam nodded, raising his coffee to his lips. He didn't think it would be wise to ask, again, if she wanted a second opinion.

The beautiful sniper had had no difficulties in grabbing his attention. She had done it and was still doing it effortlessly. Sam had to admit it had started out as a mere superficial attraction. Yet, as the time went by he found her to be a combination of so much more and he'd be damned if he didn't think she was intoxicating. He knew Jules had no intention to fornicate with a teammate and was never shy of showing it. While he respected her decision and wouldn't do something that would upset her and ultimately jeopardize their newly forged friendship, it didn't mean he could just ignore the steadily growing feelings inside his chest. Didn't think he wanted to.

"Have you found a place?"

His eyebrows shot up in amused surprise. "How did you know that I was looking for an apartment?"

Her grin was sheepish. "I might have overheard you and Wordy talking the other day."

"Got a couple places I want to check over the weekend," he trailed off, then because he could, asked, "Why? You're looking for a housemate?"

Jules scowled. "Forget I asked anything."

Sam chuckled. The silence that followed wasn't awkward - it never was with Jules. They could have hours of wordless conversation and he would be craving for overtime. He stole a discreet glance her way and much to his delight, the corner of her lips curled up into a smile she tried to conceal behind her coffee cup.

"I promise you won't even know I'm there."

Oh look, I actually updated! I have bad, bad, bad commitment issues when it comes to writing multi-chapter stories. Hope you enjoyed this one and thank you for the reviews.