Noah and Sami met 30 days ago.

ENDING OF PREVIOUS POST:

"Thank you." Sami gulped. "I know we're not alone, but Noah, I love you."

Exhaling, he said, "And I love you. Goodnight, Sunshine."

"Goodnight."

After Sami left the room, Sarah said, "Boss, we already know this conversation won't be discussed again."

"It's on tape."

Bob chuckled. "It's not. For some unexplained reason the record function isn't working." He exhaled. "I'll check it tomorrow and see if I can get it working. 'Night, Boss."

"You guys are going to get me in so much trouble."

"We haven't yet," replied Jose, "'Night, everybody. Wait. If anybody's interested, I didn't barf on Boss, once."

TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 25

Mid-afternoon, on Tuesday, Sami heard footsteps and glanced up from her puzzle. "Noah!" She rushed to him and went into his arms. "You snuck in."

A few kisses ensued.

"I didn't sneak in. I walked through the front door like I always do." He held her tight. "You doing all right?"

"I am."

He lifted his bag. "Let me put this in my room, and then we'll take Jasper for a walk."

"I'd like that."

*****
Holding hands, they headed toward the pond. They came to a group of large rocks and sat.

Noah exhaled. "We've sat here on a few occasions and got to know each other. It's a beautiful day. Slight breeze and not too hot."

"We have and it is." Sami stared into his eyes. "You're having a conversation for conversation's sake. What's going on?"

"Before I left the city, I stopped by the hospital..."

"You saw Myra?" interrupted Sami. "Can I see her?"

He studied his hands. "Not yet. She's showing signs of improvement but not enough for visitors. Her doctor promised when she is, I'll be notified." Watching her frown, he continued, "I'll keep checking in case he gets busy and forgets about contacting me."

Sami leaned her head against his muscular arm. "Thank you." A few moments passed before she asked, "Is there anything else?"

"There is." Noah grinned. "The SunDrop LLC is breaking a few laws, but not laws that concern us. They deal with crossing state lines. They knew nothing about Chen's organization. How do you feel about going home Thursday?"

Jumping up, Sami shouted, "Really?"

He stood and held her. "Really." After a few kisses and hugs, he continued, "We'll close down this place and pack tomorrow, and then leave Thursday probably mid-morning."

Their eyes met, as Sami said, "Noah?"

"You're worried about us, aren't you?"

Swallowing, she said, "This is a controlled environment."

"You've been here for twenty-five days. I've been with you for twenty days, almost three weeks."

"How do you know the number of days?"

"I have to do daily reports on what's going on." Noah grinned at her wide eyes. "Don't worry. It's all been good." He paused. "Now to answer your more pressing question, I can't predict the future, but my heart tells me we'll be fine."

They re-sat on the rocks.

"You've said yourself when you get in work mode you forget everything around you. You'll get busy for days, weeks, or months at a time and won't have time to contact me. You told me it's happened before."

"You're right. That was the old me. Being with you has taught me there's more to life than work, having somebody who cares," he hesitated, "somebody who loves me and who I love. You've taught me to enjoy life. I like playing games, taking long walks, dancing, laughing, and all the things you've talked me into trying. This is all you."

She cuddled into his arms. "I hope you're right."

Both Noah and Sami glanced up as Sarah approached. Noah asked, "A problem?"

"Galvin wants the after-action-report."

"Did you tell him we just got back?" replied Noah.

Sarah smiled. "Is that your official response?"

Sami exhaled. "It's not his official answer. He's coming in to fill out the paperwork." She stood and studied Noah's eyes. "I know your intentions are good, but I have a feeling you may not have a choice."

"Sami, I won't let it happen," said Noah as he stood.

"You can't promise that." Sami held out her hand. "We'd better get back to reality."

"Sami?" As Noah took her hand, he studied her. "Trust in us."

"We need to get inside. We'll talk more later."

*****
Inside Safe House E, Noah called Galvin and took the phone outside so they could speak privately.

Sarah, Bob, Jose, and Sami watched through a window and wondered what they were discussing. The conversation appeared animated. He put the phone away and came inside.

"Boss, is everything all right with Galvin?" asked Jose.

"Of course, why wouldn't it be?" Noah faced Sami. "Make some," he closed his eyes, walked to her, and touched her arm. "Sunshine, if you have time would you make a fresh pot of coffee?"

"Of course. I'll bring it to you guys when it's finished."

He pecked her cheek. "Thank you."

As Noah headed toward the makeshift computer lab, he said, "Team, make a list of everything we need to square away before we leave this place."

When Sami brought coffee cups and an insulated coffee carafe to the computer lab, she paused.

Jose glanced at her. "Sami, is there a problem?"

"Since there isn't a threat, I wondered if Jasper and I could take a walk. We won't go far. I'll wear the Fitbit so you can keep tabs on me."

Noah frowned. "I'm not sure..."

"Noah, there isn't a threat," interrupted Sarah. "It's safe for Sami to go outside. She'll have on her Fitbit. We'll hear everything."

He nodded. "Okay."

Jose pointed toward the door. "I'll let her out."

After Jose and Sami left the room, Sarah continued, "Noah, Sami's an adult. She can take care of herself. You're going to have to trust her. Release the leash. You can't control her."

Noah stared out the window. "You're right. She'll fight against it." His eyes met Sarah's. "And rightly so." He thought a moment, then continued, "Find out where she trained for Urban Krav Maga and set an appointment for late Thursday afternoon. I want, no, I need to know how good she is. Hopefully, she'll understand."

"Should I set it up for around four o'clock?"

"Probably. I expect she'll want to see her family as soon as she gets home." Noah took a sip of coffee. "Thank you."

Sarah touched his arm. "I understand."

"Bob?" asked Noah. When Bob faced him, he continued, "As soon as we get back, I want Sami to have a wrist communicator. I don't want our phone numbers in hers or hers in ours. The wrist communicator needs to be only her voice activation and only initials. If she wants to call Sarah, she says call S and it calls Sarah. This way if any of us lose our communicators Sami won't be compromised."

"Roger that, Boss." Bob exhaled. "Boss, she'll be safe."

Jose stood beside Noah. "Don't forget to remind her to stay away from Big T."

"I won't. I'm hoping she understands why."

Later that afternoon, Sami said into her Fitbit. "I'm at the front door. I need to start dinner."

Noah opened it for her and kissed her cheek. "Did you have a nice walk?"

Her eyes lit up the room. "I did. Thank you for letting it happen."

He nodded. "You're welcome." He watched her walk into the kitchen.

*****
That evening Sami set out a serving tray with cut up chicken breasts, green peppers, tomatoes, onions, and mushrooms. Alongside it she set skewers, and plenty of different sauces. Next to that she laid out all sorts of salad fixings.

Jose glanced at the table. "Sami, are you on strike? None of this is cooked."

"You noticed," she teased and waited until the rest of the team arrived before she continued, "As Jose accurately noticed, dinner isn't cooked. I thought for our second to last night together we could use the firewood Noah chopped. We can make Kabobs and for dessert, S'mores. I found plenty of skewers. Make your own Kabobs. You can have only chicken or chicken and an assortment of vegetables. It's up to you." Her eyes met Noah's. "Would you please make us a fire?"

"Sounds like a plan. Bob and Jose, carry the table and a few chairs outside."

Once the fire started and everyone had assembled their Kabob, they began cooking.

Noah slipped an arm around Sami and kissed her. "This was a good idea. Any other suggestions going on in that pretty little head of yours?"

"I do have another idea." She spoke loud enough for all to hear, "Guys, I thought we might share what's the first thing we're going to do once we return to the city. You might want to think about it before we start. After we finish with the first round of Kabobs, be ready to share."

*****
Bob finished his first Kabob. "Boss, I think maybe The Department needs to hire Sami to help with team building. She's good at this."

Jose chuckled. "If I remember correctly, Boss's first encounter with her when he arrived wasn't positive."

Rubbing his cheek, Noah said, "You're right." He chuckled. "Her slap stung pretty good."

"I'm sorry," whispered Sami.

"It didn't hurt nearly as badly as the hatred in your eyes." He took her hand. "I hope I never see that again."

"I'll start," Sarah said as she smiled. "The first thing I'm doing when we return is visit with my OB/GYN. I already have an appointment for late Thursday afternoon."

The team said, "Good."

"Jose, how about you?" asked Sami.

"I'll call Ellen, but I'm sure that door has closed. Relationships are hard to maintain. The Astros are home, so I'll go to the game."

Studying the fire, Sami said, "I understand."

Noah used his thumb to caress the top of Sami's hand. "I won't let it happen."

"I pray you're right." She swallowed. "Bob?"

"I'm going with my beautiful wife to her doctor's appointment. Then work on getting you a wrist communicator. We'll talk more about that later."

All eyes focused on Noah.

"I guess it's my turn." Noah thought a moment before his eyes met Sami's. "Would you go next? I need more time."

"Sure." She focused on Noah's hand as it tightened around hers. "There are two things I want to do immediately. First, I have a relationship that needs to be redefined. We'll need to figure out what comes next. Second, I need to see my parents."

A long silence continued, before Noah said, "I guess it's my turn. I know Bob and Jose expect me to say something like go to my office and clear my desk. I know it's piled high." He exhaled and studied Sami. "But my immediate task is to figure out how to prioritize my life, so work isn't first. From now on a certain young lady will be first on my list." He dried a tear creeping down Sami's cheek. "I'm serious about this."

"Thank you."

*****
After dinner was cleared, Noah and Sami took Jasper for his final nightly walk. They held hands and occasionally kissed along the way, before Noah said, "Sunshine, I'm serious about making you a priority."

"I know and I hope it works that way. I won't lie. I'm worried."

"I understand."


~~~~~
CHARACTERS:

Sami Martinez - Twenty-five-year-old high school teacher, who's working to find a kidnapped teenage girl.

Noah Taylor. - Homeland Security team leader, who works in the Human Trafficking department. Alias - Trey Morgan

Jose, Bob, & Sarah - Agents who work under Noah. Bob and Sarah are married.

Laura Martinez - Sami's mom.

Jasper - Sami's Great Dane, a large breed dog.

Myra Rodriguez - Kidnapped teenage girl whom Sami was close to.

Julia - Teenage girl, who was friends with Myra and Sami works with.

Big T - Neighborhood pimp; not a friendly person

Numerous Team Members - They will show up periodically but not really important to the story, except they're there.

Chen - Charles Henry Edward Nichols - Human trafficker and into some really bad stuff.

Chief Galvin Baldwin - Noah's supervisor.

Marc - Sami's old boyfriend.

Mateo Enrique Aguilar de Pereira - a very close friend of Sami's; a rich playboy

Juan Pablo Enrique Aguilar de Pereira - Mateo's father