Once he put Sam in his bed, he took a long shower and had some food before going back to his bedroom. After an internal debate of where he would sleep, he finally settled on sliding next to Sam in bed. He couldn't bear sleeping in the guest room and not having her in sight, and his back would not accept another night in a chair. He knew it was dangerous, that it could complicate things between them, but he couldn't help himself. He loved her, and he wanted to be close to her.

He lay down next to her, feeling her warmth seeping into his skin. He could smell her shampoo and feel her breath on his neck. It was both comforting and terrifying. He didn't know what would happen next, if they would be able to go back to the way things were before, or if this would change everything.

As he stared at the ceiling, he let his mind wander back to the last time he was in this bed with her. It was after they had spent the night together, after Janet's funeral. He remembered how she had looked at him, with so much love and vulnerability in her eyes. He had wanted to tell her then how much he loved her, but he couldn't find the words. He was afraid of what it all meant, of what would happen if they crossed that line.

But now, as he lay here with her, he knew that he couldn't keep running away from his feelings. He loved her, and he wanted to be with her, no matter what. He turned to face her, watching her sleep. She looked so peaceful, so beautiful. He brushed a strand of hair from her face and leaned in to kiss her forehead.

"I love you," he whispered into the darkness.

He didn't know if she heard him, but it didn't matter. He had said it out loud, and that was all that mattered. He closed his eyes and let himself drift off to sleep, holding her tightly in his arms.