Sam reached into the backseat and flipped open a Styrofoam container that
Riley hadn't noticed. She pulled out a large bag and handed it to Riley. Riley
opened the bag and the odors coming from the bag caused her stomach to
growl loudly.
"I figured you hadn't stopped to eat so I picked up some Chinese earlier. I hope
that's alright?"
"It's wonderful, come on let's get inside so we can eat." Riley said eagerly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There was little conversation as Riley dug into the Chinese food. By the time she
was finished Sam could see she was struggling to stay awake.
"I should get going and let you get some rest."
Riley's head jerked up and she looked panicked for a moment. "Please don't go.
I'd really like you to stay."
Sam wasn't sure that was very good idea considering what had happened the
last time they'd shared a bed. They still had a lot to talk about.
Riley saw the doubt flash across Sam's face. "Please, I really don't want to be
alone." She pleaded softly.
Sam sighed; there was no way she could refuse her. "Sure, I'll stay. What time
do you have to be in?"
Riley flashed Sam a brilliant smile. "I'm back on at 7am."
Sam glanced at her watch it was just after midnight. "Jesus Riley, don't you ever
get a break?"
"I'm off on Sunday. I actually could cut my schedule back some... but I've never
had a reason to," She gazed at Sam, her eyes warm and inviting, " 'til now that
is."
Sam lost herself in Riley's violet eyes. The two women sat staring into each
other's eyes. Riley finally broke their trance when she yawned widely.
"Come on, let's get you to bed," Sam said. Riley's eyes sparked. "To sleep
Riley... you need to rest."
Riley stuck out her lip in a pout but obediently followed Sam upstairs.
Sam removed her clothes and donned the tee shirt from the previous night. Riley
came out of the bathroom in her tee shirt and boxers and settled in bed. Sam
finished getting ready for bed then joined her.
Sam settled on her back as Riley turned out the light. Riley glanced over at Sam
and she opened her arms in invitation. Riley settled into Sam's arms with a sigh
and immediately fell asleep. Sam leaned down kissing the top of Riley's head
before drifting off to sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sam woke early it was still dark outside. She glanced at the clock; it was just
after 5am. Riley was snuggled up against her side with her head resting on her
shoulder and her arm thrown over her waist. Sam smiled and closed her eyes
enjoying the feel of Riley in her arms. She drifted back to sleep and was
awakened the second time by the blaring of Riley's alarm. Riley groaned rolling
over to shut off the offending sound. She rolled back over to face Sam smiling at
her.
"Good Morning." She said before leaning in to kiss Sam's lips. The kiss was
warm, gentle, and loving. Riley couldn't help thinking how nice it would be to
wake up every morning with Sam in her bed.
Sam returned the sweet kiss with one of her own and hugged Riley.
"Good Morning to you. Sleep well?"
Riley rolled onto her back and stretched her arms above her head. Her back
arched causing the tee shirt to pull tight across her breasts. She made a sound
like a contented cat. Sam's eyes were immediately drawn to the display.
"I slept great." The alarm rang again interrupting. Riley shut it off before turning back to Sam. "I'm sorry I have to get ready for work."
"I know," Sam said with a sigh. "Go ahead and I'll go make us some coffee."
Riley headed for the shower, smiling happily. Sam headed for the kitchen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sam searched Riley kitchen for the coffeemaker, finally finding it under one of
the counters. She got the coffee brewing and hurried back upstairs to get
dressed. She was waiting for Riley with a cup of coffee already brewed when
she came down the stairs.
She handed the cup to Riley. "I was going to make us some breakfast but you
don't have any food in the house."
Riley blushed. "Yeah, I really need to get to the grocery store. It's just last week
was so crazy and I wasn't here all week, then all this with my uncle."
"Tell you what. How about I drop you off at work then pick you up some
groceries?" Sam offered.
"Oh Sam I can't let you do that. I'll grab something at the hospital."
"You're not letting me do anything, I'm volunteering. Besides if I'm gonna be
staying at night I need more than a cup of coffee in the morning." Sam blushed
when she realized what she'd just said.
Riley grinned. "So you're going to be staying the nights huh?"
Sam took a sudden interest in the tops of her shoes. "Only if you want me to."
"Oh Honey of course I want you to. I know we still need to talk but I really like
waking up with you." Riley told her honestly.
"Me too." Sam said shyly.
Riley couldn't help but smile at the transformation. One minute she'd been
standing across from a very confident, butch Sam and the next a sweet gentle
woman with a shy uncertain smile. It was endearing to say the least.
Riley opened a kitchen drawer and started rummaging through it. She pushed
the drawer shut and turned to Sam offering her the object in her hand. Sam
stared in surprise at the key ring in Riley's hand. She hesitated then reached out
to take them.
"I'll give them back when I pick you up tonight." Sam assured her.
"Naw... just hang on to them." Riley said smiling.
Sam swallowed heavily past the lump in her throat. "Are you sure about this?"
She asked nervously. No one had ever given her their keys before.
Riley grinned at Sam's nervousness. She reached out closing Sam's hand
around the keys. "Yes, I'm sure."
Riley looked at the clock. "Shit, I have to go. I'll call you tonight when I get
home."
"You'll call me tonight when you're ready to come home. Come on... I'm driving."
"But Sam, you don't need to do..." Riley's voice trailed off; Sam wasn't in the
kitchen any more. She heard the front door open and hurried to catch up with
Sam.
Sam dropped Riley off at the entrance to the ER before hurrying to what she
hoped would be her last therapy appointment.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sam sat in her living room as the late, late show played on the TV. She had
gone to bed earlier but hadn't been able to sleep. Her thoughts raced. It was
Friday and the first time all week she'd slept in her own bed. She jumped up to
pace restlessly. This isn't good. What's the matter with me? I always slept just
fine without a woman in my bed. Hell I slept better without someone else in the
bed. It's just being back at my own place after spending the week at Riley's. I
just got used to her bed... yeah, that's it. She tried to convince herself. Riley was on in-house call at the hospital tonight which was why Sam was at home trying
to sleep in her own bed. She curled up on the couch with a blanket and finally
managed to dose off .
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Riley stared up at the ceiling of the on-call room. It was after midnight and she
was exhausted. She had tossed and turned for the last hour trying to fall asleep.
"This is ridiculous." She groused pulling one of the pillows out from under her
head and wrapping her arms around it. Sam had spent every night that week in