Title: At Last
Author: mardel




At Last 
by Lynne

nc-17 SBR Disclaimer I just borrowed them for the story, they are owned by NBC, 
and Kronish productions.


Bailey Malone was a man with many facets to his personality. He had served his
country and then entered the Bureau. He had served in several positions within
the Bureau before heading the Violent Crime Task Force. It was under the new
heading of criminal profiling. The VCTF had several successes at the beginning of
it's trail period. But when a series of murders had begun with no way to link 
the
victims, he had called on gifted female physiologist Samantha Waters to join
his team. Sam had been willing to lend her help, but had Bailey had convinced 
her to join the VCTF. Sam was the person who connected the victims as belonging 
all to the serial killer the media called Jack. 

At first Bailey had admired Sam, he had protected her as he always protected 
women. He shielded her from the elements of the case she didn't have to 
participate in. After working with her for several months and learning of her 
devotion to her work. His admiration only grew. 
His own marriage was ending due to several factors, one his single minded 
devotion to duty. But he was fighting for visiting rights to his daughters. 
It was now two years since Sam had joined the team. He had to admit he had
fought it at first but he was in love with her. She was in no position to return 
his
feelings and he would never let her know the way he felt. But every once in a
while he indulged in a small fantasy in his head. 

The problem at the moment, his habit of greeting members of his team after
a long separation with a hug of welcome, was about to back fire on him. 
Grace enjoyed his hugs, she had told him as much on several occasions. 
George allowed them, John had pushed him off at first but the one time he 
had been wounded, the strength Bailey provided him in support and assistance 
had been greatly appreciated. John now welcomed a quick hug, a practice he
had himself taken to heart. Sam at first had been quick to push away, then after
she had been with the team through several thought times she began to need the
support. She usually surrendered herself to him when his arms closed around
her. He had so far kept his feelings hidden.

'Grace did you have a good vacation?' Bailey smiled and hugged her in welcome.
'It was nice except for all the snow, did you spend the entire time working?' 
she asked accepting his warm hug. 
'No, I went skiing with my girls."
' That's nice, I'm glad you got to see them this time."

Sam walked into the meeting room just as Grace stepped back from Bailey. 
"Grace you hogging all the hugs now?" she teased.
"I would if I could.' Grace smiled.
"I hope you both got some rest over the holiday." Sam said.
Grace moved to hug her and Sam smiled.
Then Bailey said, " I don't know about Grace but I had a nice time in Vale, with 
my daughters.'
" Glad to hear it boss." Sam nodded. " My turn."
Bailey pulled her into a firm hug, She closed her eyes as his strong arms 
surrounded her. Sam was tall and pressing her face into the hollow of his
shoulder required her to bend her neck slightly. But she loved the feel of
his strength, it was the only time she ever felt completely safe. 

Bailey closed his arms around her and held her tight. Hugs were meant to
convey messages, he sent her the message that he cared for her, and he
would be there for her, and he would protect her. 

The hug lasted for ten seconds but it settled Sam like nothing else ever could.
Her husbands arms around her hadn't this calming effect on her. Bailey
was the rock in her life. It wasn't normal but it was a fact. He had that affect
on most of the people he worked with. 
Bailey released Sam and stepped back to look at her.
" You look rested shall we get to work?"

Bailey was there for her every time she needed him over the next couple of
months. In once case she was tuned in to the missing young woman almost
to well, but they did find her before the man holding her hostage managed 
to finish her off. Sam had waited until the creep was in handcuffs and the 
young woman on the way to the hospital before she relaxed. That was when
she collapsed. Bailey was there holding her, carrying her to the car and taking
her to a Doctor to be checked out. 

They were out of town on this one so she had a trip to make to get home. 
Bailey arranged for a Bureau jet to take her back to Georgia. He stayed with 
her,
holding her in his arms most of the flight. The doctor had advised that she
needed to unload, to talk it all out. Bailey had listened, the flight took three
hours and Sam had spent most of it telling him what she had been feeling.
She fell asleep in his arms a half hour before they landed. Sam woke up
in his arms. 

" You were beat Sam everything is all right." He smiled. 
" Did I really tell you all of that?" she asked.
" Yeah, the Doc said you needed to unload." he nodded.
"Thanks Bailey, your my rock ." she patted his shoulder with her hand.
" Glad to be of assistance." 
Bailey stood and stretched, his eyes closed for a moment his chest expanded
moving his cramped muscles. Sam noticed something for the first time, 
Bailey was built much more solidly than she had ever realized. 
She had never been one to focus on a persons build, men or woman.
If other people didn't point out things like that to her, she didn't notice.
If it was a suspect it was entirely different. She blocked out people
she worked with everyday, so there was room in her mind for
important things. 
But she noticed the breadth of his chest, the hard rise of his upper chest
pressed against his shirt strained tight across it as he stretched. 
A quick stab of recognition grabbed her attention. Sam excused
herself and used the bathroom. By the time the plane was on final
approach she had composed herself and was back to not feeling
anything unusual for Bailey. ( She hoped)

Three days later she was sitting in the meeting room waiting for George
to return with the new information on the current bad guy. John had 
just left the room, it was only she and Grace. 
" Grace can I ask you something personal?"
" Sure what's up?"
" Have you ever noticed that the men we work with everyday are with out
a doubt the huskiest bunch of men in this entire complex?" Sam asked.
Grace laughed, " Oh, wow your just now noticing? What has in been
two years?"
" I've been busy." Sam protested.
" There are a few other fine male specimens around, but your right, they
are a fine looking group. Broad shoulders on every last one of them, tall,
strong and respectful." Grace added.
" I guess I should just shut up and enjoy but you know something?" 
Sam commented. 
"What's that?"
" I'm not sure I can concentrate with all four of them in the same room."
Grace laughed even harder, just when John came back in the room.
" Let me in on the joke. I could use a laugh." he asked.
" It's Sam's joke let her tell you." Grace giggled.
"Grace hush up. Where is George with those new sats?" she changed the 
subject. 
"Come on Sam what is Grace laughing so hard about?" John asked.
Sam shook her head and opened her file to re-read it.
" Grace spill it." John turned to her.
" Sam just commented that she just now noticed that you, Bailey, George
and Nathan are hunks." Grace laughed almost doubled over.
John blushed, then thought about it for a second. 
" But you have been working with us for almost two years?" 
"That's what's so funny" Grace giggled more.
"I'm sure if I'm insulted or not." John said.
"What's going on?" Bailey entered the meeting room, his jacket off and
his shirt sleeves rolled back, the strength of his lower arms revealed. 
Grace took one look and laughed that much harder. John stifled a 
laugh himself and looked over at Sam. 
" John, please don't, I'll do anything." Sam asked.
"OK, but you owe me." John nodded. 
"Nothing important boss, just letting off steam." 

That was about the time Tom was killed. Sam had returned home and found
police cars surrounding her house. She held Tom in her arms, the latest 
victim of Jack and his evilness. Sam was shattered. The police had been
called with Tom's final amount of energy. 
John and Bailey arrived only ten minutes after the call came in. John took
control of the scene and Bailey took care of Sam. He mostly carried her
to the living room and held her. He let her cry for a while then attempted
to bring her back, so he could ask her if she had seen anything.
" I didn't see anyone." she sobbed.
Bailey held her, he wanted so much to take her pain for her, 
"Hold on Sam, just hold on." he told her. 
Tom was buried two days later, once his parents arrived from Virginia.
Bailey supported Sam through most of the service. She hadn't eaten
for two days and she hadn't slept but a few hours. 

"Bailey I don't think I can go on with the task force." she told him on 
the drive back to the house.
" You can take some time off Sam, I know you'll need to regroup.
But you have to help us catch Jack." Bailey told her.
" I just don't think I'll be of any help now." she sobbed.

Several weeks past and Bailey kept in touch with Sam. But she had requested
that he give her some time to recover. She had promised to let him know what
she decided about the task force. 

Bailey spent almost all of his time at the task force compound. He had a house
but now that Franny was in school in Baltimore he was hardly ever there. 
He slept on the couch in his office sometimes, he showered in the locker
room attached to the gym. He was putting on a fresh shirt one morning
when Sam entered his office. She was carrying her letter of resignation,
she had written it at three that morning. It was now five.
Sam stopped in her tracks and stared, Bailey was standing in the middle
of his office belt loose shirt wide open, his chest was well muscled.
He had never looked so forceful and masculine before. Sam yelped,
turned and covered her face with both hands dropping the letter.
"Sam what are you doing here?" Bailey asked.
" I'm sorry." she whispered.
Bailey noticed her distress and moved to turn her to face him.
"Sam it's just me, I was putting on a fresh shirt." 
She kept her hands over her eyes and blushed. Bailey pried her hands
free and drew her into his arms for a soft hug. 
" You look better than the last time I saw you, you have more color."
He held her close for a minute, rubbing her back and projecting calm
and strength. 

Sam accepted his strength, it helped her to calm down. But she also
was aware of the very nice feeling of his bare chest under her cheek.
He was very hot, he was always warm to the touch, something she
had noticed over the years she had known him. Of course since she
was always cold she would notice his warmth. 

"OK now?" he asked moving her just a little bit away from him so he 
could see her face. 
"I'm fine" she lied. 

Bailey finished dressing, buttoning his shirt and tucking it in and fastening
his belt. He felt slightly self conscious while he was dressing. Sam was
making him feel things he didn't want to feel not for her, especially so
soon after her loss. 
"What's this?" he picked up the letter." Sam you can't quit"
" I have and you can't stop me." she turned to leave.
"Sam I know you feel you need to protect Chloe, but we can find a way to
keep you both safe."
" Bailey I don't doubt that you believe that, and if it was just me, I would
trust you. But Chloe is all I have, if something happened to her."
Sam choked on the last few words.
" I understand your fear darlin', I do, but what chance do you have alone
against Jack?" he asked.
"He won't find us, I'll go into hiding." she stated.
"Then you'll have to let me arrange things, if you don't agree I'll have to 
keep you safe with out your permission."

Bailey had agreed to her conditions, but it was now a year later. 
He had kept close tabs on them, he had visited three times.
Sam had asked a childhood friend to help her raise Chloe.
Angel was very protective of them both, a quality Bailey admired.
Chloe liked the farm they were living on, and Sam was at least 
relaxing part of the time. Jack had gone quite after killing Tom.
He was either looking for Sam or he had met a horrible death
at the hands of a man even sicker than he was. 

But someone nearly as sinister as Jack was at work killing young
women in Philadelphia and Bailey needed Sam's help on the case.
"What are you doing here?" Angel greeted him not to nicely.
" I have to speak to Sam." Bailey replied.
"NO, Bailey she is finally starting to live again. Don't do this.'
Angel tried to close the door.
"Uncle Bailey!" Chloe rushed forward and jumped into his arms.
"You came back!"
" Hello sweetie, of course I came back I promised you I would."
he smiled and hugged her. 
"Wait till mom sees you, come on lets go tell her your here." 
Chloe urged him towards the barn, where Sam was.

"Bailey?" Sam came out of the barn at her daughters yell.
"Hello, Sam." he looked up at her from putting Chloe back on
her feet. 
Sam experienced such a rush of pleasure at the sight of him again.
She couldn't even put a name to the emotions. But God it was good
to see the big wide silhouette of him against the afternoon sky.
"Bailey" she gasped as she made contact with his chest and he
hugged her tight. 
"Damn, you look good." she said into his ear.
Bailey smiled and held her a second longer. 
"Chloe honey would you go ask Angel to make some lemon aid for us
Bailey and I have to talk, OK?"
" OK, Mom." 

" I need your take on this case and I want you to come back. At least
part time until we catch this new nut." he told her. 
"Bailey I have just gotten use to not having to report to anyone else.
I have started a home business, I can't just pick up and come back."
"I need your help Sam, this one is as bad as I have ever seen. And
we haven't been able to get a handle on him. "
Sam walked out towards the lake and looked at the sun setting. 
Bailey followed along, if for no other reason than to keep her in sight.
After several minutes she turned to look for him and found him only
a step behind and besides her. Sam smiled, when she saw him
being his old protective self, God she missed him. 
Bailey smiled at her when she turned towards him. He was waiting
for her to decide to come back. She surprised him by stepping
back towards him and wrapping her arms around his body.
"I've missed you Bail." she told him.
Bailey welcomed her into his arms and hugged her close, this time
more gently but still with a fierce feeling of love for her. 
" Does that mean your back?" he asked.
"On two conditions," she inhaled the scent of him and sighed.
Bailey liked it when she snuggled into his hold, and sighed. He was
in no hurry to end the contact, she felt to good in his arms. 
" One I get my old office back, and two you let me do this when ever the
going gets tough." she teased him.
"Your office is waiting for you, and you know I'm always here for you
Sam no matter what." he kissed the top of her head. 

Grace was surprised to see Sam the following morning. Bailey had 
not said a word. They hugged and were talking a mile a minute
when John came in room. 
"Sam, what are you doing here? Never mind it's good to see you,
you look great." He put down his coffee and moved to hug her.
"John how are you?" Sam turned to face him, he looked different
almost bigger. "What have you been up to?"
"Welcome back, I hope." He lifted her off her feet in a gentle but
powerful bear hug. Sam hung onto him, both hands on his shoulders. 
"What have you been up to John?" she asked again after feeling the
difference in his shoulders. 
"Nothing special just a new workout routine." he shrugged, but he
liked the attention.
"Yeah, like work out so much and so long that you drop in your 
tracks." Grace added.
"Well what ever it is you look good." Sam told him. 
"Thanks," John smiled, " Are you back to stay?"
"I'm back until we catch this new serial killer." she told him.

George came in next followed by Bailey. 
"Sam, Bailey just told me your back, It's good you see you."
George came forward and hugged her too. His hug was careful
as if he wasn't sure she would welcome it. But she responded to
him with pleasure so he tightened his hold briefly before stepping
back. 
" I have a lot of information for you to look over." 
"I'm ready." Sam nodded. 
"Let's get to work people." Bailey added. 


Sam reviewed all of the material on the current killings and she
had John take her to the last few sites were the bodies had been
found. She got several impressions, and she pointed out a few
things that had been over looked in the investigation so far. 
John had new leads after Sam's incite. They were able to
capture the killer in only a week after her help on the case. 

Sam was gathering her things together, she really hadn't planned
on coming back to work for the task force. She stopped by 
Bailey's office to tell him she was leaving. She found him sitting
on his couch a glass of whiskey in his hand. 
"May I join, you?" she asked.
"Please do." he nodded and watched as she poured herself a shot
over ice. Sam sat next to him on the couch, hips touching. She longed
to request a hug from him, but he looked like he was the one that 
needed reassurance. 
"It was a good bust Bailey, don't look so disappointed."
"I know, it's just one of those cases that really take it out of you.
I'm just tired, that's all." he told her.
Sam took a sip of her drink then set it down, she moved to take
his drink from him. Bailey allowed her to take the drink away, having
no idea what she was up to.
Sam turned sideways and reached to touch his shoulders. She knew
he would be nothing but knots, she began to massage the tightness
in his neck and shoulders. 
Bailey welcomed her attentions, he leaned forward a bit so she could
have easy access to his back. 
"That feels good." He sighed. 
"We all lean on and depend on you so much that I sometimes forget
that you get worn down by all of the case loads, just like us." Sam
told him. She worked on his shoulders and back for several minutes.
She could feel some of the tension ease from his body. But she
noticed the lower she stroked down his broad back the tension was
still knotted there. She dug her thumbs into the mass of muscle that
stretched beneath his shoulders and pushed the tension up and out
past his shoulders. 
Bailey groaned in mixed pain and pleasure as Sam worked on him.
It took about fifteen minutes before Sam could find no further tightness
and she moved to sit next to him again. She leaned into his solid warmth
and took up her drink again.
"That should hold you until tomorrow." she commented.
"Thanks, Sam I didn't know you knew how to give a massage."
Bailey relaxed back against the sofa, as Sam was leaning against
him she was now resting her head on one broad shoulder. 
He picked up her hand in his and rubbed his callused thumb over
her palm.
" You have a strong pair of hands, even though they are so slender."
"thank you." She whispered. Sam was fighting off the desire to crawl
into his arms. She had been having dreams lately of pressing her 
face into his chest, his strong arms around her, while she slept. 
It was one of the reasons she didn't want to come back to the
task force. She didn't think she could control herself forever where
Bailey was concerned. 

Bailey was thinking along the same lines. He wanted to lift Sam on to
hip lap and kiss her like she had never been kissed before. He wanted
her in his life again. A side from the admiration he held Sam in, he desired
her. He loved her if he would admit it to him self. But other than just now
when she was being a friend and helping to ease his stress, he had
not gotten a sign from her that she wanted him. The vibe he got from
her was to mixed, and he didn't want to ruin their friendship if he made
a move and she rebuffed it. 
"Sam I think I'm going to sleep right here tonight. I feel very relaxed
after that back rub, so if I nod off don't consider me rude "
Bailey told her. 
" Mind if I join you?" Sam kicked off her shoes and turned off the light,
so that only a soft glow came from the hall. She moved so he could
stretch out on the sofa, and then she lay between the back cushions
and him, she cuddled in close laying on her side. 
"Are you flirting with me?" he asked in a teasing tone.
"If I was Malone, you wouldn't have to ask." she snuggled into the
pocket of his shoulder and chest and sighed.
"Go to sleep." she told him.
He did sleeping better than he had for months, having her near felt right.
Sam slept better than she had for years, her subconscious knew
Bailey was near and she could totally relax and rest. 

Bailey woke first. All of the night before coming back to him as he
realized Sam was cuddled close to him. Her right hand was spread
wide over his chest the fingers moving ever so slightly in a caressing
motion. But he was sure she as sound asleep. Bailey lay there and
enjoyed the feeling for a while. He finally eased away from Sam
and slipped off to shower. She was sitting next to his coffee pot
watching if perk when he returned. He had showered and shaved
as usual. 
"Good morning Sam, thanks for starting the coffee." he smiled at her.
"Bailey I'm sorry for inviting myself to stay last night."
"Don't apologize, it wasn't the first time you slept in my arms." he shrugged.
"I do remember you asking me if I was flirting with you." She said.
" I was teasing Sam" he moved towards his desk.
She watched him, knowing it was now or never, 
"Bailey while drifting off to sleep last night I sensed something. I know your
intelligent, dependable, generous and protective, but what I felt is the very
reason I can't come back. Even though I'd like to spend every night possible
with you, I have Chloe to worry about, I have to keep her safe, my own
desires can't interfere."
"Sam, Chloe is as dear to me as my own girls, you know that."
"But she is my daughter and I have to protect her." 
" Wait did you say desire a second ago?" he couldn't believe he had heard
her correctly, as much as he wanted to believe she had expressed some
feeling for him. 
" Yes, desire, a desire so strong I had to leave, or I was going to make a fool
of myself." she stated then turned away.
Bailey wasn't about to listen to her berate herself. He moved to stand directly
in front of her and lowered his head to place a earth shattering kiss on her
surprised mouth. Sam was so surprised she hardly kissed him back at first,
but when he deepened the kiss and pulled her against him, she slide her
hands up his chest and kissed back. 
"Now I don't want to hear anymore about you leaving, we can find a way for
this to work." Bailey smiled at her. Sam stroked her fingers lightly over his
cheek and mouth, then pulled him back to her for another kiss. Bailey was 
the kissee this time and he enjoyed Sam's skill. But he couldn't let it end
there. 
"Why don't we go to my place?"

Sam had cleaned up while he was in the shower, but her change of clothes
were not as nice as her usual suit. She was only wearing slacks and a 
simple sweater set. When they were leaving the compound Sam was
remembering all of the other times she had been alone with Bailey.
All the times she had been comforted and supported by him.
All the times she had wanted to tell him her feelings, now when she
could talk to him she was tongue tied. 
" If your having second thoughts about starting a relationship tell me
now and we can write off the kiss as a brief moment of to much
togetherness." he offered.
" I don't want to forget one second of this morning Bail, unless your trying
to tell me that you." 
"No, I want to carry you up to my bedroom and keep you there." he smiled
"Sounds like a plan to me." 
Bailey drove quickly to his house, as he parked the car he turned to her.
"Your sure?" he asked. " Because if we get started I don't know if I will be 
able
to stop. I love you, but if your not ready." 
"Bailey I'm sure." she opened her door and climbed out.
He took her hand and they walked up to the door. 
Once they were in side he told her. " I guess this has to be said, but I'm 
clear, 
there is nothing to worry about and I have protection." 
"Bailey only you would worry about me being worried. Thank you."
Sam moved to hug him and he opened his arms to her, crushing her
small frame against his hard, wide chest. 
"Sometimes I think you don't know your own strength, then I realize if you
were trying to break my ribs you could." 
"You feel good in my arms Sam, but I can ease up." He loosened his
hold on her a little. 
"No, I like the power, it's part of who you are Bail, and I like who you are."
Bailey smiled to himself that time. He wanted to hear that she liked how he
treated her, he needed to know she wanted him. It had been a bit of a
blow to his male ego when his wife had divorced him. 
He had attempted a relationship with Gail, but Sam was already in his heart.

He picked Sam up and carried her to his bed room. He set her on her feet
and kissed her deeply, Sam responded but he was already overwhelming
her. Bailey was a masterful kisser. 
" If you want me to participate you had better tone those down a little." she 
told him. 
"Tone them down? Sam you just hang on and I'll show you the way."
Bailey undressed her gently, easing her clothes off and kissing each
bare shoulder, stroking his hands down her back and over her belly.
She attempted to remove his shirt and got sidetracked by the view
of his generously muscled chest. Bailey finally had to finish taking 
his clothes off and moving them to the bed. 
He kissed her tasting her mouth, chin, jaw, neck and each breast
down to her navel, he would have traveled further if she hadn't
stopped him. 
"OK, I won't if you don't want me to." he eased her so that she was
partly beneath him. 
"Bail, I want you please." Sam asked.
"Easy Sam easy, I know just let me take you there." 
he kissed her again and pressed forward. 
Sam moaned her pleasure, it had been so long. She had wanted him
for ever it seemed, and now it was even more wonderful than she
had imagined. He carried her to places she had not visited before.

" I never knew it could be like that." Sam whispered afterwards.
She was wrapped in Bailey's arms, one hand caressing his chest
absently. 
" It's always supposed to be like that." He kissed her temple.
"I should know you would be as skilled at love making as you are 
with everything else." Sam teased.
"I aim to please." Bailey didn't react to her baiting.
Sam continued to caress him, she traced the rise of his chest from
one side to the other, the hard hot wall of muscle that formed his
upper body fascinated her. 
"You know I should have been able to tell that you were built this
nice before now, as many times as I have enjoyed your hugs."
she moved to sit astride his waist and used both hands to caress him.
Bailey had to close his eyes to allow her the time to explore. 
He couldn't watch her, it was to stimulating and he wanted to give
her time to investigate, if that was what she needed. 

Sam traced the line of muscle that defined his chest, she had never 
been with a man built as solid as Bailey. She liked the feel of his
hard muscles, she liked finally seeing his tattoo. She caressed his
left biceps repeatedly then lowered her mouth to taste first the
hollow of his throat then kissed a line down his chest to his flat
belly and ended with his navel. 
Bailey was ready for more and pulled her mouth back up to his,
he devoured her. Thrusting his tongue deep, teasing her into
returning the motions with her own tongue. 
" Do you want control this time?" Bailey offered her.
Sam wasn't even sure she had understood his question.
"Umm" was her only answer.
"Was that a yes?" He separated their mouths long enough to ask.
"What?"
"Do you want to be on top this time?" he asked.
Sam froze, as the idea struck her. She had never been given
the opportunity her late husband was a men on top only kind of
guy. 
Bailey understood at once that the question was actually making her
think it over.
" Wait a second Sam. " he sat up and looked at her carefully.
"It wasn't meant to put a stop to things."
" You won't mind?" was her question.
"Why would I mind, it's just as pleasurable as the other way."
Bailey lifted her chin so he could see her eyes.
Sam blinked back a tear that made her ashamed of her past
relationships. She was a mature woman that should be able to
handle making love with the man she cared for more than any
other she had ever known. 
She pushed Bailey back down on the mattress, kissing him as
aggressively as she was capable. He went with her, responding
to her with enough passion to keep her pushing harder. 
Sam took control of the pace, she was rushing to join their bodies.
She was rushing to climax again and she was surprised to learn
that she could bring so much passion to their love making. 
She knew her former sex life had been rather tame, but she had
no idea she was capable of demanding so much from Bailey.
Not that he didn't give her everything she asked for and more.
But she didn't know herself. 

Once again she was resting afterwards, this time completely satisfied.
Bailey was exhausted but very happy, he was holding her close even
now, his breathing slowed to normal. 
" Thank you for being the man you are, secure enough in himself to surrender
control to his partner." 
"My pleasure, I had an idea the experience was new for you." he stroked a
wide hand up her bare back. " I'm sorry you never had the pleasure before,
but I'm glad to be the one to share it with you." 

When the pair returned to the compound later that day Grace was the 
first to notice the subtle change between them. Not that either of them
was being kissy and touchy with the other, it was just in their attitude.
Bailey was mellow, and Sam seemed more calm. 

Grace cornered Sam and asked " Did you finally admitted your crazy about 
Bailey and tell him?"
"How did you know?" 
"Know you two finally came together and admitted your love for one another,
or how did I know you had a thing for him and he had one for you?"
Grace teased.
"You didn't know I liked Bailey did you really?" Sam was surprised.
" Like it couldn't have been more obvious, even John picked up on it."
" Oh, great you all knew?"
"Just tell me one thing will you please, did you tell him or did he finally
make the first move?"
"I told him, then I told him I was leaving, then he kissed me." Sam blushed.
"Oh, I would loved to have been a fly on the wall for that." Grace smiled.
"You two can be happy together Sam, just give it a chance. Bailey is
the best." 
"I know he is, I am going to let it happen and I'm going to not be
afraid for him because I know he wants this as much as I do." 

That evening when all that could be done for the day at work had been.
Sam was riding home with Bailey again, She would have two weeks 
with him alone, Chloe was with her grandparents and Angel was
out west doing sketches for her next set of sculptures. 

Bailey was so happy Sam was with him he was quite so he could
enjoy it. Sam had run home for some clothes and now she was
humming to the song on the radio as he drove them home.
After dinner they sat together on the couch holding hands like kids.
"I don't want to rush things between us Sam, I've had the feeling your
past relationships have been a little one sided. You accepted what
little he gave you and didn't demand more of him."
" It was a rather tame love relationship, but it was who he was, I accepted
it and I know now I should have asked for more of him."
"It won't be tame with me. I'm not unresponsive, I don't often lose control
but you will know my feelings from now on. No more hiding them from
you. I love you very much." 
" I love you too, and I want to have a normal relationship with you Bail, don't 
hold back anything from me. I want what ever you fell, I want you to help me
learn what you like." she told him.
"If it's you doing it, I'll like anything" he lifted her hand to his mouth and 
kissed
her knuckles. 
Sam smiled " No really what do you like?"
"You were doing a nice exploration this morning, what did you learn?"
"I learned that you have a absolutely amazing build, that I like very much.
I'm going to have a hard time keeping my hands off of you. But you seem
to enjoy my attention which is new for me."
Bailey smiled " You have a gentle touch."
"When you kiss me I can't think straight afterwards. You like to just hold
me, you cuddle real good." She laughed and rubbed her face into the
softness of his shirt. 
" I don't know how I managed all these years with out your strong arms around
me Bail, but I'm not going to leave ever again." 

end