Part Eight

"Did you like the movie, kiddo?" John asked while they were walking to his car. When she nodded, he smiled. "Thanks for the present."

Grinning, Chloe replied, "I wanted us to do something, ya know?"

John unlocked the passenger door, holding it open while she climbed inside the car. "Yeah, who wants the grown-up around?"

"You're the grown-up, John," Chloe said, giggling.

Closing the door, John remarked, "So they tell me." Unlocking the drivers door, John got in and started the car. "Anywhere else you want to go?"

"It's your birthday," she replied. "What do you want to do?"

"How about," John said, steering through the traffic. "We go home, get your mom, and go roller blading."

"That's not what you're supposed to do on your birthday," Chloe replied, laughing.

"Okay, smartie," John said with a grin. "Then tell me. What are you supposed to do on your birthday?"

Chloe smiled and shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know."

"Kiddo, I've definitely gotta teach you how to lie better," he mumbled, fighting a grin.

Glancing over at him, Chloe commented, "You better not let Mom hear you say that."

"You know, kiddo?" he asked, glancing over at Chloe and laughing. "You're probably right about that."

It wasn't long before they were at the house. "Out kid, the train stops here," he said while unbuckling his seatbelt.

Less than two seconds later, Chloe was out of the car and running up to the house. "Come on, slowpoke," she said over her shoulder with a grin.

Following Chloe inside the house, he was surprised when he noticed that all of the shades were drawn. Alert, he squinted to see through the dim interior. "Chlo?" he called out.

Something in the back of his mind told him that he was being set up, but he had learned to be suspicious of the worst first, and the more obvious second. After letting his eyes adjust to the dim light, he was nearly blinded when the lights were turned on.

"Surprise," a group of voices called out, and John fought the urge to laugh.

Distinctive among the laughter was Chloe's giggle. "Gotcha," she said proudly.

"Nah," he said, ruffling her hair. "I knew all along."

Walking over from behind the couch, George laughed. "Liar."

"Don't believe me?" John asked, managing to look at George, complete with party hat, with a straight face. "Because," he added, tugging on the elastic strap on the hat. "It sounds kinda silly coming from a man wearing that."

Laughing, Grace commented, "Be nice, Grant. I helped Chloe pick those out."

"Now, Grace," John said, putting an arm on her shoulder. "Why am I not surprised by that?"

An almost evil grin on her face, Grace laughed. "Probably because you knew you'd be forced to wear one, too." Holding up her hand, she presented him with a hat similar to the one she was wearing.

"I don't know about that," John said, only to be interrupted.

"John," Chloe said, "you have to. It's tradition."

Bailey walked into the living room from where he had ducked into the kitchen. "Listen to her John," he said with a grin. "She's the boss on this party."

With another glance at Chloe, John relented and put the hat on his head. "And why aren't you wearing one?" John asked, pointing at Bailey's head.

Bailey was saved from responding when Sam walked into the living room holding a cake. "I wondered where you had disappeared to," John said, smiling at Sam.

"Somebody had to light the candles, and for some reason," Sam replied with a grin, "I got the job."

"Someone call the fire department," George quipped, taking a drink of tea. "That thing is a walking inferno."

Glancing at George, John rolled his eyes. "Laugh it up, buddy. Did you forget that you're older than I am?"

Grace laughed, and looked over at Sam. "And they we're bad about our ages."

Sam laughed, and sat the cake down on the table just in time for George to comment. "Well, at least I'm not as old as Bailey."

"Now that was uncalled for, Georgie," Bailey said with a grin.

"Well," Chloe said, a grin on her face. "How many more candles can a cake hold?"

"Get over here, kiddo," John said with a grin. "Someone has to help the old man blow out the candles out before the cake is sealed in wax forever."

Grace laughed, and mumbled, "That's probably the truth."

"Grace," Sam shispered, elbowing her in the side, laughing. "You're terrible."

"If you two ladies would like to pay attention," John said, winking at Chloe. "We could get this show over with and I can lose the hat."

"By all means," Sam said, laughing. "But try to not get wax all over the table."

George grinned. "And hurry it up, will ya?" Pretending to wipe his forehead, he added, "It's getting hot in here."

"Aren't all of you just a laugh a minute," John replied. Turning to Chloe, he asked, "Ready?"

Nodding, she laughed. "Let's do it."

***

"So how was your birthday?" Sam asked that night after they had tucked Chloe into bed.

Smiling, John held out his hand, and waited until she had sat next to him on the couch before responding. "Embarrassing. Not my usual birthday event," he said with a grin. Smiling, he brushed a lock of hair out of Sam's eyes. "But one of the best I've had in years."

"Good," Sam replied, "because I got a picture of you wearing the hat." Laughing, she continued, "Just something to remember it by."

"An embarrassing something," he said with a laugh.

Sam nodded and grinned. "Only for you."

"Thanks," he said a moment later.

Sam smiled. "You're welcome. Chloe's been bugging me about it for days."

"I had my suspicions," he said with a grin.

"Really?" Sam asked, her right hand playing with his hair.

John nodded, and dead-panned, "Although not about the hats."

Sam laughed, and leaned forward. "Well, that's something I suppose." The words were just past her lips when she kissed him. "Happy birthday."

Smiling with his eyes half closed, John replied, "Um, I like that present." When Sam laughed, he leaned back so that they were half laying on the couch, and kissed her. "Yeah, I like that."

"Good," she grinned, stealing another kiss. "I do, too."

***

It was the last Saturday in June when John asked Chloe if she wanted to learn how to play softball.�

"Really?" Chloe asked, smiling.

John nodded. "Yeah, every kid should play softball."

"Can we teach Mom, too?" she asked, her eyes bright.

"Can we teach Mom what?" Sam asked, walking into the living room.

Chloe jumped up from the chair where she had been sitting. "John wants to teach me how to play softball. I never learned when I was little."

Sam smiled sadly for a moment, remembering all the things Chloe wasn't able to do when she was little. "That sounds like fun," she said a moment later. "But what are you going to do about a glove and bat?"

"I've got that covered," John said from where he was standing behind Chloe.

Smiling, Sam replied, "Then it sounds like we need to go to the park."

"Cool!" Chloe said, "I'll go change." Without waiting for Sam or John to change their minds, she ran up the stairs to her room.

She had been gone for a few seconds when John looked at Sam. "You shouldn't feel guilty, Sam."

Sam blinked, and focused on John. "Who says I'm feeling guilty?"

"I do," he said softly, and brushed her cheek with his hand. "I can see it in your eyes."

Sam looked up at John's understanding eyes and nodded. "Just one more thing that Jack kept her from."

"Well," John said, pulling her into a hug and kissing her on the forehead. "We're making up for it as we go along, right?"

Sam looked up at John and smiled. "Thanks."

A brilliant grin flashing on his face, John pulled away from the embrace. "All part of the service."

"Ready to go?" Chloe asked after bounding down the stairs.

Laughing, John replied, "Whenever you are, kiddo."

***

"Good hit, Chlo," Sam yelled, clapping as Chloe ran around the bases, stopping on second. It had been two weeks since John had started teaching her, and she had taken to the sport almost immediately.

John walked over and sat next to Sam on the small bleachers. "I missed her first hit?" he asked, after seeing Chloe on base.

Sam nodded. "Just a little late for it." She glanced over at John. "Did you finish up the case?" she asked, looking back across the field at Chloe when the next batter walked up to the plate.

"Finally," John said, leaning back on the bleacher. "I was starting to worry I'd miss the whole game."

Sam smiled. "I'm just glad that one is over. It was a little spooky, if you ask me."

John laughed, and looked at Sam disbelievingly. "Did I just hear you call something spooky?"

"That did sound bad, didn't it?" she laughed, squinting behind her sunglasses.

Grinning, John replied, "Something like that." A few moments later, John asked, "So how does she seem to be taking to the team?"

"Great," Sam observed, "considering she just joined and the rest of them have been playing together since the beginning of the season."

John looked out at the field as Chloe took off running for third base. "I'm glad that it worked out for her. It would have been a long wait till next spring"

"I'm not so sure that Kora or her parents would agree with you," Sam said, glancing over at John. It was because of Kora's unfortunate jungle gum accident that resulted in a broken arm that Chloe was able to join the team.

John chuckled softly. "Probably not."

A moment later, they were both standing up and cheering as Chloe ran from third base to home, increasing the teams lead to five to two. "Way to go, kiddo!" John yelled, cupping his hands around his mouth.

From the dugout, Chloe looked up and waved at John, who waved back. Sitting back down, John commented, "She's a natural."

"Unlike her Mom," Sam commented with a laugh.

John grinned. "Maybe that's what I'm for."

Nodding, Sam smiled. "Well, that's what got us through basketball season."

***

A week later was Chloe's birthday. That Saturday afternoon, John and Sam were standing in the middle of a crowd of Chloe's friends at a ice skating rink. "Sure you're up for this?" Sam asked with a laugh, looking at John.

"I can handle a few kids," John said, glancing around the group. A moment later, he quickly added, "And at least I can ice skate."

Sam laughed, shaking her head. "Yes, but can you handle fifteen kids?" Before John could say anything, she added, "And I can ice skate."

"Really?" John asked with a grin, helping one of Chloe's friends lace up his skates.

Sam nodded. "I just didn't say how well I could ice skate."

Helping the boy to his feet, John waited until he was walking away to comment. "Oh, this could be fun."

"Just wait," she said, and stood up. She had only been on her feet for a few seconds when she started swaying. "A little help here?"

John caught her, holding her up with his arms around her waist. "Oh, yeah. This is going to be a show."

Rolling her eyes, Sam blew a lock of hair out of her eyes with a exacerbated breath. Having regained her balance, she commented, "You can let go now."

Grinning, he said, "Sure, thing."�

A moment later, he was skating across the ice. Weaving through the people, he would stop occasionally to help someone who had fallen. It was a few minutes later when he noticed that Sam hadn't followed him onto the ice. Skating over to the door, he asked, "Decide not to embarrass yourself?"

"Decided someone should be able to walk in case something happened," she replied, shaking her head.

"Uh-huh," John replied, grinning. "How long till melt down?"

Sam smiled at his new found term for lighting the candles on the cake. "About half an hour. Now get back out there and show the kids how it's done."

Saluting, John laughed. "Reporting for duty, sir." he replied before skating back out toward the center of the ice.

***

"Chloe," John said, walking toward the house. "I swear, I'm going to charge you by the pound for hauling this stuff into the house."

Giggling, Chloe ducked in front of him to hold the door open. "What if I let you play with some of it?" she asked once he was inside.

Sitting the pile of presents down on the dining room table, he grinned. "We could probably work something out."

"Nope," Sam said, walking into the dining room. "Off the table."

"Mom," Chloe sighed.

Fighting a grin, Sam replied, "Sorry, kid. Take time to take the haul upstairs."

Nodding, Chloe picked up as much as she could carry and carefully began walking up the stairs. Once she was out of sight, Sam asked, "So you survived?"

John laughed. "I don't know what you were worried about, that was a piece of cake."

"That's not what you were thinking when Mike almost bowled you over," she said, glancing across the pile of presents that was still on the table. Looking up, she laughed at the expression on John's face. "Forget about that?"

Smiling, John rubbed his leg. "I was trying to." A few seconds later, Chloe ran into the room and picked the rest of the presents up off of the table. After she left, John said, "When are we giving her our present?"

"How does tonight sound?" she asked. "Grace and George are coming over for dinner, we could do it then."

John nodded. "Is Bailey still out of town?"

"As of last night, he was still in Washington," Sam replied. "So he won't be here."

John laughed. "And I was even going to make him wear a hat."

Sam rolled her eyes. "Maybe next year, Grant."

***

After dinner that night, they had just walked out of the dining room and onto the back porch when Grace asked, "So, Chlo. Did you get everything you wanted for your birthday?"

Chloe grinned, and waited until John had sat down on a bench before jumping in his lap. "I think so," she said once she was sitting.

John couldn't help but laugh. "I hope so, your room can only hold so much more stuff, kiddo."

"It's not that bad, John," Chloe said, giggling.

"Oh it's not, huh?" he asked, laughing as he tickled her.

George grinned, and remarked, "I think we need a camera on this."

"Why's that?" Grace asked, glancing over at George.

Laughing, he replied, "Think about it. Bachelor extraordinare, John Grant, happy family man?"

From where she was standing next to George, Sam punched him lightly in the arm. "Watch your mouth. The last thing I need is you giving the poor guy ideas."

"Yeah," Grace said, grinning at John. "Poor guy's head might suddenly explode."

"At least you'd have to clean that mess up," Sam said, looking over at Grace.

"Can the poor guy in question interject something here?" John asked, resting his chin on Chloe's head.

Grace and Sam laughed, responding simultaneously. "No."

"Outnumbered, buddy," George observed dryly.

Sam walked inside and came back out carrying a present. "Ready for the last of the load?" she asked, laughing as she handed Chloe the gift.

Grace laughed as Chloe tore into the present. "I'd say someone is happy the day isn't over yet."

"Wow," Chloe said, her eyes wide as she pulled the ball glove out of the package. "This looks old."

Sam muffled her laughter as John replied, "Not that old, kiddo. It was my glove when I was your age. I found it in some storage boxes a little while back."

George rolled his eyes, and laughed. "A used gift. Boy, John, remind me to tell you when it's my birthday."

"Stop it," John said, laughing. "It's not used, it has character."

"Uh-huh," Grace said, smiling.

John watched as Chloe turned it over in her hands. "Like it, little one?"

Nodding, Chloe reached up and gave John a hug. "It's great!"

"I think there's something else in there, Chlo," Sam said, smiling when Chloe hugged John.

"Will you hold this?" Chloe asked, handing John the glove. When he took the glove, she dug back into the gift. "Neat," she said, carefully pulling out a wooden music box. When she turned it over and wound up the small dial, the two porcelain figures on top began to spin slowly and dance.

"Do you like it?" Sam asked, watching Chloe's reaction. "We saw it and thought you might add it to the other music boxes you have."

Nodding, Chloe smiled, watching the figures move. "It's great, Mom."

"Here," John said, laying the ball glove down, "let me set that down so it doesn't get broken accidentally."

"Thanks," Chloe said, handing the breakable object to him. Taking it, John turned and placed it down next to the glove.

"Actually . . ." Sam said a far away look in her eyes. Again, she disappeared into the house.

John watched her walk inside and again rested his chin on Chloe's head. Looking over at Grace, he asked, "What was that about?"

Shrugging, she replied, "Don't ask me. Haven't figured your wife out yet?"

"Apparently not," he said, grinning as Chloe burst into laughter.

A few moments later, Sam walked back out onto the porch. "George had a good idea," she said, holding a camera. Before John could move, she snapped a picture of Chloe sitting in his lap, with his chin on her head.

"Awww," George said with a wry grin. "How cute."

Shaking his head, John laughed. "Shut up, George, or your next."

"Don't tell George to shut up," Chloe chastised, turning around to face John.

George grinned, and took advantage of the situation. "Yeah, listen to the kid. Don't tell George to shut up."

Sam, standing off to the side, snapped another picture of John and Chloe. This time, Chloe was looking up at him, laughing at the bantering exchange.

While they were distracted arguing, Grace walked over to stand next to Sam. "What are you doing?" she asked in a whisper.

Sam smiled, but shrugged. "Making a memory, I suppose. Isn't that what photographs are?"

Grace nodded. "I suppose. However, I recall someone else using that phrase," she said quietly.�

"Who?" Sam asked, snapping another picture, this one including George.

Grace took a sip of her drink. "John, actually. Referring to you and Chloe."

Sam paused for a moment and looked at Grace. "He said that?"

"Back before he left," Grace said, beginning to regret ever mentioning it.

Sam smiled sadly and tilted her head, looking back over at the other three. "Thanks for telling me."

Nodding, Grace grinned and changed the subject. "I guess it helps that you used to take pictures, huh?"

"You could say that," she said with a laugh, her mood lightened. "Saves on development charges."

"What are you two whispering about?" John asked, interrupting their discussion.

George laughed. "They do that a lot, don't they?"

Grace shook her head. "We were discussing photography if you must know."

"Just as well we were left out, huh, kiddo?" John asked, tickling Chloe in the ribs.

Laughing, Chloe nodded her head. It was Sam who commented, laughing as she said, "That will teach you to stick your nose in next time."

"I've got an idea," Grace said, breaking into the conversation.

"What's that?" John asked, looking over at her.

Taking the camera from Sam, she replied, "Sam, go sit next to John."

"Grace . . ."

Laughing, she replied, "Don't argue, just sit. I won't break your camera, I promise."

"Or at least she'll pay to have it repaired," George commented dryly.

"Very funny," Grace said, rolling her eyes. After Sam had sat next to John, he put his arm around her shoulders. "That's good," she said, looking through the viewfinder.

From where he was now standing next to Grace, George commented, "Come on, buddy. Let's see a real smile."

A grin on her face, Sam reached over and tickled his ribs, causing him to laugh. During the distraction, Grace fired the shutter on the camera. "That's one," she said with a grin.

"One?" John asked, looking like a deer caught in the headlights of a car. "What is this? A photo shoot?"

Shaking his head and laughing, George said, "Shut up, John."

Managing a half-laugh, John tickled Chloe, who was laughing at the exchange. "Where's my defense, huh, kiddo?"

"Sorry, John," she replied, giggling. "He had a point."

Hearing Chloe's comment, Sam burst out laughing. When she almost had her laughter under control, she leaned her head over and rested her forehead on the side of John's head. "I think she's picked up your sense of humor," she said, still laughing softly.

While the others were joking, Grace stood off just to the side and continued to take pictures of the laughing group. She wasn't sure why, she forced herself to admit. It just felt like something she should do.

***

While the rest of July was amazingly slow at the VCTF, during August the caseload picked up dramatically. During a break one afternoon, John ducked into Sam's office.

"How's the Miller case coming?" he asked, leaning against the corner of her desk.

Sam leaned back in her chair and rubbed her eyes. "Slow. We've already been out to the crime scene twice with no progress."

John nodded, and replied, "It looks like the confession we managed to get yesterday from Adams is going to stick. Apparently I'll be rejoining the group earlier than expected."

Sam smiled, and laid a hand on his arm. "I know you weren't thrilled by being assigned to that case."

Shaking his head, John replied, "No, I'm just getting tired of being the one picked every time Atlanta PD needs hand holding, that's all."

"We could probably use some fresh ideas," Sam said, glancing over the files she had on her desk. "I know I feel like I'm hitting a brick wall. Although, I can't speak for Bailey or George."

Walking around to stand behind her, John rested his hands on her shoulders and began to give her a back rub. Sitting up straighter in her chair, she observed, "You might want to rethink that."

"Why's that?" he asked, grinning.

Letting her head roll forward, she replied, "Because you're putting me to sleep."

Laughing, John dropped his hands. "Can't have that. Bailey would shoot me for sure."

"Should have kept my mouth shut," Sam said with a smile when John resumed his place leaning on the edge of her desk.

Laughing, John replied, "Too late now, the offer expired."

"Sadist," Sam remarked, shaking her head.

"I do my best," John said with a wink. A moment later, he added, "It looks like I'll actually get to cut out of here on time today. How about you?"

Glancing at the clock on the wall, Sam sighed. "Not very likely. I'm supposed to meet Bailey and George in fifteen minutes."

John nodded. "Want me to come with you?"

Smiling, Sam shook her head. "No thanks. Besides, Chloe's been waiting for days for you to work with her on her jump shot."

"Basketball season isn't for a while yet," he replied a moment later.

Grinning, she leaned back in her chair. "Well, like some people I know, patience was never her strongest suit."

"Me?" John asked, raising a hand to his chest. When she laughed, he continued, "I've never heard such a thing."

Sam smiled, and stood. Moving to stand in front of him, she cupped his cheek with her hand. "Then, Grant, I'd say it's time we had your hearing checked."

"Isn't it time for your meeting yet?" John asked with a laugh.

Sam shook her head. "Not yet," she replied with a wink. A second later, she ran her fingers through his hair and added, "Although, I'd have to say it's time for you to get a hair cut."

Suddenly uneasy, John glanced up at Sam. "You think?"

"You can't let it regrow forever, John," she said softly. "What do you say? This weekend, if we're both home, I'll give you a haircut."

John laughed. "Remember where that got us the last time?"

"That has to have been the oddest first date I ever had," she replied with a smile.

John stood up while Sam gathered her papers for her meeting. "Since when was that our first date? I thought that was later."

"Not according to Grace and George," Sam said, glancing over at John's expression. "And you have to admit, they have a point."

"Maybe," he replied, trying not to smile. "Can you believe that was over a year ago?"

Laughing, she commented, "There are days . . ."

"Stop it," John replied with a grin, holding the door open for her. Once they were both out of the office, he closed the door behind them. Sam glanced sideways at John, who added, "And no puppy dog eyes either, they won't work this time."

Smiling, Sam asked, "This time?"

John rolled his eyes, muttering, "You're going to drive me crazy yet."

"But only because I love you," she replied, giving his hand a squeeze before disappearing into Bailey's office.

***

"Grant, sit still or I'm going to cut off your ear," Sam said, trying to angle his head forward.

John laughed, and tried to sit as still as possible. "But then I'd be like Evander Holifield."

"Maybe," Sam said, busy trimming his hair. "But I bet you'd whine more."

John shook his head, snickering, only to have Sam hold his head still. "And to think, I used to hit the town on Saturday nights."

Sam laughed around the comb she was holding between her teeth. Removing the comb, she sighed. "And to think, I used to only have one kid to raise."

"That was low," John remarked with a laugh.

"I know," Sam replied with a grin. "You're so abused."

A moment later, Chloe ran into the kitchen. "Are you done yet?" she asked, checking on their progress.

"Almost," Sam said, glancing over at Chloe. "Oops," she added a second later.

"What?" John asked, tensing.

"Um," Sam said before pausing.

John tried to grab the mirror from the kitchen table, but Sam wouldn't let him. "You scalped me, didn't you?" he asked, his voice weary.

"No," Sam replied, and Chloe burst out laughing. When she saw realization dawning in John's eyes, Sam too burst out laughing. "Gotcha," she said with a grin.

Grinning, John turned around and grabbed Sam around the waist and pulled her down in his lap. "Okay, kiddo. You get the scissors, I'll hold her still."

When Chloe reached to take the scissors, Sam laughed, but held on tighter to them, careful to keep the blade end in her hand. "Chlo, don't even think about listening to him. He's deranged."

"I'm deranged?" John asked with a laugh.

Sam grinned, still trying to get free. "I'd say so."

Chole laughed. "I'd say you're both crazy."

"Gee, Sam," John remarked, holding on to Sam tighter. "I'd say she picked up your professional bedside manner."

Shaking her head, Sam grinned. "Okay, that means war, Grant." Reaching around as best she could, she started tickling John on the ribs, the scissors fell forgotten to the floor.

Seeing an opportunity, Chloe moved around to start tickling John from the side. John's hands, however, were busy trying to stop Sam. "Hey, no fair. This is two against one," he said around his laughter.

"Now you know how I usually feel," Sam said with a grin. "Get him, Chlo," she added a second later.

A few minutes later, the tickle fight had ended, and John was trying to catch his breath. "Are we going to play ball now?" Chloe asked.

John looked up at Sam. "Done torturing me yet?"

Sam laughed, shaking her head. "I give up. You two go play like good little kids."

"Yeah!" Chloe cried, running out of the kitchen. "I'll go get my basketball and meet you outside."

John turned to Sam and wrapped his arms around her waist, a smile on his lips. "You're great, you know that?"

"For giving you a haircut?"�

"Something like that," he said in a low voice before kissing her. When the kiss ended, he smiled. "Guess I should go play now."

Sam laughed. "Call me mom after kissing me like that and I'll hurt you."

Grinning, John let go and walked over to the door. "Wouldn't even dream of it." A second later he turned around and winked. "Now clean this mess up."

"You used to have french maid fantasies, didn't you?" Sam asked, grinning.

John nearly choked on his laughter. "Now that's a comment I never expected to hear from you." Turning, he hurried to get outside before Chloe came looking for him.

***

Sitting on the exam table, John couldn't help feeling exposed. He wasn't sure if it was the rather unattractive paper clothing, or the sterile white walls that seemed to stare at him. He had been waiting for almost five minutes when Doctor Thompson walked into the room.

"Good to see you again, John," he said, smiling at his patient.

"Pardon me if I don't share the sentiment," John replied frankly. "This isn't the highlight of my week."

The doctor nodded in understanding. "Then what do you say we get this over with and you can get back to work?"

"Sounds like a plan," John said with a terse nod.

Glancing over John's chart, Doctor Thompson remarked, "I imagine you know the drill by now."

John held out his arm. "Let's get the blood over with first."

"I expected as much," the doctor replied with a faint smile.

Laying back on the bed, John's eyes scanned over the ceiling while Doctor Thompson went about his work. "Since I was clean last time," John said eventually, "how likely is it to come back now?"

Glancing at John's face, Thompson spoke while he worked. "Well, I would say that each time is less. But there are no certainties."

"I was afraid you would say that," John said, his gaze never leaving the ceiling.

Knowing that talking distracted any patient during a procedure, Doctor Thompson asked, "How is married life?"

John smiled. "You remembered?"

The doctor nodded, something almost like a grin on his face. "Hard not to, what with the way you acted the last time you were in." He paused for a moment. "And the ring was something of a reminder."

"It's great, doc," John admitted, twisting the solid gold band on his finger absent mindedly.

The doctor nodded. "I would have expected as much. The two of you seemed very happy."

"Your news that day didn't hurt," John replied, staying very still as Doctor Thompson finished.

Pulling off his gloves, Doctor Thompson leaned back in his chair. "Well, no reason to assume this time will be any different."

John sat up, careful to keep the back of his gown closed. "I guess I'll believe that when I hear it."

Nodding, Doctor Thompson stood. "Then I'll see you both next week."

***

"Nervous?" Sam asked, glancing over at John once they were in the car. Before he replied, she backed the car out of the spot and drove through the parking deck and pulled into traffic.

John shook his head. "Why should I be nervous?" he asked, his voice tight.

Sam sighed. John had been edgy ever since going to the doctor the week before for his second follow up test. "No reason, I suppose," she replied, keeping her eyes on the traffic.

Hearing the hurt in her voice, John sighed. "I'm sorry, Sam. I didn't mean that the way it sounded."

Sam nodded, and glanced over at him. "I know. You're just nervous."

John grinned faintly. "Maybe I am."

A few minutes later, they pulled into a parking spot outside the now very familiar building that housed Doctor Thompson's offices. "Ready?" she asked after she killed the car.

Glancing over at Sam, John managed a crooked grin. "Let's do it."

It was twenty minutes later before John was able to breath again. "Everything looks fine," Doctor Thompson said, after showing them into his office.

John took a shaky breath, and Sam smiled. Giving his hand a squeeze, as she had done during his last check up, she said, "See? Nothing to worry about."

Doctor Thompson smiled. "I can see that you have quite the supportive wife, Agent Grant."

Glancing over at Sam, John smiled. "You can say that again."

"So, well see you again in three months."

Nodding, John replied, "Early December?"

The doctor nodded, and Sam and John stood up. "Just see the nurse on your way out and set up the appointment. That time of year get's rather busy, as you can probably imagine."

"Thank you," Sam said with a smile before they walked out of the office.

Walking to the car, Sam asked, "So, what should we do to celebrate?"

"Celebrate?" John asked.

Nodding, Sam replied, "Sure. We should do something, don't you think?"

"Okay," John said with a grin. "But what would that be?"

Sam glanced at her watch, and said, "Well, we have the rest of the day off, and Chloe won't be home from school for two hours."

Laughing, John pulled her to a halt beside the car. "Now, Sam, would you be suggesting what I think you're suggesting?"

Raising her eyebrows, Sam smiled. "That would depend on what you think I'm suggesting." Before John could reply, she leaned up and kissed him. "But I think we're probably on the same page," she added after the kiss ended.

"You have a french maid outfit?" John asked with a dead-pan expression.

Laughing, Sam shook her head. "Grant, get in the car."

***

"Tell me again why you're not working on this case, too?" John asked, talking to Sam on the telephone.

Sighing softly, Sam replied, "Because I'm needed in court for the case we finished six months ago."

John tried to grin. "I knew that." Laying back on his hotel bed, he raised his free arm over his head and stretched before folding it under his head. "How is it we always worked cases on the road together before we got married?"

"You noticed that pattern too, huh?" Sam asked with a laugh. She was sitting on the couch, Chloe's head resting on her lap. They had been watching a movie and Chloe had finally given in and fallen asleep.

John grinned. "Yeah, I noticed that pattern." He paused, and then asked, "How's the kiddo?"

Sam smiled, and twirled a loose strand of Chloe's hair around her finger. "She's great. Out cold with me on the couch as we speak."

"The phone didn't wake her did it?" John asked.

Sam couldn't help but smile at the concern in John's voice. "Nothing short of a hurricane will wake this kid up once she's asleep."

"Don't look at me like that," John kidded, "she didn't pick it up from being around me."

Shaking her head, Sam asked, "We're on the phone. How could I be looking at you funny?"

Pushing another pillow under his head, John laughed. "Because I know that tone of voice."

"Oh you do?" Sam said, laughing quietly, glancing down at Chloe.

Laughing John replied, "Afraid so, and you've been busted."

Sam smiled, and rested the phone between her ear and her shoulder. "I love you," she said after a few silent seconds.

"I love you, too," he whispered back. A moment later, he asked, "Have you decided what you want to do for your birthday yet?"

Sam shook her head, and picked the phone back up with her hand. "Not yet. That's still a couple of weeks away. It's not even October yet."

John laughed. "Yeah, but this time last year I was a wreck."

"So I was told," she said, humor filtering through in her voice.

John laughed, realizing who had told. "Grace, huh?"

"That would be the one, yes," Sam replied, still playing with Chloe's hair. She sat there, listening to the sound of John breathing on the other end of the line. "I talked to Bailey earlier, he said you should be back in a couple of days."

"I hope so," John replied. "This case is falling together fairly quickly."

Sam covered a yawn with her hand. "No more incidents?"

"No," John said, recognizing Sam's attempt to word things carefully, even if Chloe was asleep. "Only one since we arrived."

Sam sighed. "I wish they were all that easy."

John smiled. "We all do."