Reaching Out

Chapter 15

An hour and a half later…

Sam, Sara, and Catherine walked across the hospital's parking lot. After Megan was brought to another room, and an extra bed was made for Lindsey, they'd left the two girls, promising to be back early the next morning.

"He told me it was fine," Sam said as she stopped at the driver's side of her black Chevrolet Lacetti. "You can stay for at least a week." She unlocked the car and the three women got inside, the two blondes in the front, Sara in the back.

"That's really kind of him," Catherine said quietly before stifling a yawn.

"Yeah," Sam nodded as she thought back to the phone call.

The paramedic had called her brother, Nate, to ask if he had a room available in his small hotel…

"Sam, kiddo. It's good to hear from you," her older brother said. "Been a while, huh?"

"Yeah…yes it has," the paramedic replied, her mind immediately running back to thoughts she thought she'd buried deep -apparently not deep enough. As Sam was quiet for a while, her brother's voice soon filled the silence.

"She's back in town, you know?"

The blonde suddenly snapped out of her thoughts as Nate's words registered in her brain. "No, I didn't…And I don't care," she replied snappy.

"Sorry, Sam. I didn't me-"

"No, Nate. I'm sorry," the paramedic interrupted. She let out a sigh before she continued. "Listen, what I wanted to ask is if you have a room available?"

"You need a place to crash for a while?" Nate's voice was filled with concern.

"No, not me, big brother. Some friends of mine need a place to stay for a few days." Sam raked a hand through her short, unruly hair.

"Hang on," Nate replied.

Sam grinned as she heard her brother's muffled yell, asking Paula, his wife, whether they had a room available. Her grin got even bigger as she heard her sister-in-law's reply, telling Nate to get his lazy behind off the couch and check the bookings himself.

"I'll have to check…one moment," Nate said quickly before putting the phone down.

A few minutes later he got back on the phone. "Alright," he started, panting a little as, apparently, he had ran up and down the stairs to check the reservations in the computer at the hotel's reception. "I only have one room left that's free for at least the coming week."

"Good," Sam replied.

"But," Nate quickly started, "it's the honeymoon suite."

Sam smirked. "Oh, that's okay. They won't mind."

"Okay. We'll make sure it's ready. When will they be here?"

"I'll drop them off at about…" she trailed off as she checked her watch. "At about nine."

"Alright, kiddo. See you then."

"Thanks, Nate. Bye."

"It's really nearby. We'll be there in ten minutes," Sam said as she revved up the engine and headed out of the parking lot.

"Are you and your brother close?" Sara asked as she looked out of the window, though wasn't really looking at the passing surroundings.

"We were…Haven't seen him much last six months or so," Sam replied after a while. "But that wasn't his fault…" the paramedic trailed off, not elaborating any further. But neither Sara nor Catherine really noticed; they were both very tired, the day's events taking toll on their energy.

"I'll be glad to finally lay down for a while," Catherine said after she'd stifled another yawn. "Catch some sleep." She looked over her shoulder as Sara didn't reply and was met with a peaceful sleeping brunette, her head leaning against the car window.

*-*-*-*-*

It was around nine when Sam pulled up at Nate and Paula's hotel, the SF Inn. "I'll take your bags along, you wake her and I'll meet you two inside," the short-haired blonde said.

Catherine nodded. "Alright." She looked over at Sara, who was still sleeping, then turned to face Sam again. "We'll be right there."

The paramedic gave her a curt nod, then opened the door and started to get out.

"Sam?" Catherine called.

The blonde stopped. "Yeah?"

"Thank you...For everything," Catherine said as she rested her hand on the paramedic's arm.

Sam blushed a little. "Not so sure whether you'll thank me once you see the room," she muttered under her breath as she proceeded to get out of the car.

Catherine got into the back of the car as well, carefully reaching out for Sara. She placed one hand on the brunette's shoulder, the other tucked a strand of hair behind Sara's ear. She softly started to wake her. "Sara….we're here."

The younger woman moved a bit in her seat, but didn't wake up, instead, she leaned into Catherine's touch.

"Sweetheart," Catherine started again, this time nudging her a bit harder.

Brown eyes fluttered open and settled on sapphire ones. "Hey," the brunette said softly as she put her arms around Catherine and pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Hi," Catherine replied as quietly. She placed a soft kiss on Sara's forehead, then pulled back out of the embrace. "Sam took our bags already, let's go inside…so that we can sleep in real beds."

Sara rolled her shoulders, feeling the tightness in the muscles."Hmmm yeah, a real bed…that sounds wonderful."

Both got out of the car and walked to the Inn's entrance where Sam was waiting for them.

After Sam introduced her brother and sister-in-law, Nate handed them the key to their room. They were a bit surprised when the man told them what room they would be in, but the need for sleep..for a real bed…was bigger than their need for a 'normal' room.

Paula walked the two women to their room at the third floor, while Nate took the chance to catch up with his kid sister, quickly guiding her into the small office, next to the reception area.

"How have you been?" Nate asked as he opened the small fridge that stood next to the large filing cabinet and took out two beers, offering one to Sam.

She shook her head, "Have to work late shift. I'm doing okay."

Nate put the beer back in the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water.

"Thanks," the short-haired blonde said. "You and Paula still going strong?"

"As strong as ever." Nate smiled broadly as he sat down behind his desk. "We..we're having a baby."

"Really?" Sam looked at her brother. "I'm going to be an aunt?"

The dirt-blonde man took a swig of his beer, then nodded vigorously. "But you don't know yet, alright?"

"How far along is she?"

"Two and a half months," Nate stated proudly as he looked at the picture on his desk -a picture of Paula, taken on the Bahamas during their honeymoon. He turned back to Sam, scratching his chin, the two-day stubble producing a scratching sound. "And how are…things?" he asked as he opened his beer, carefully regarding his sister.

"Don't go there," Sam snapped before taking a gulp of water.

"Did you s-"

"Nate, please." The angry look the paramedic gave her brother made him shut his mouth immediately. Just as the silence in the office was about to turn into a painful one, Paula walked into the office.

"Hey Sam, good to see you," the short, red-head said as she walked over to where Sam stood, leaning against the wall next to the filing cabinet, and pulled her in for a hug.

"Congratulations," Sam whispered into her sister-in-law's ear, smirking as she saw the surprised look on Paula's face as she leaned back.

"Nate!" the red-head said, sending him a dead glare.

"Sorry, babe." He shrugged, a big smile fixed on his lips.

Paula walked over to him and sat down on his lap, her arms linking around his neck. She gave him a quick peck on his lips. "You're forgiven…daddy."

Sam smirked. She was glad to hear Paula was pregnant. They'd been trying for several years and had tried all sorts of fertility treatments, but it had never worked. Until now.

The short-haired blonde checked her watch, noticing it was almost ten already, she pushed herself off of the wall. "I have to get going…shift starts in an hour and a half."

"Did you tell her about-" Paula asked Nate, but was quickly interrupted by him.

"No."

Sam looked at the two, but as neither were about to explain what they were talking about she shrugged once, then threw her empty water bottle in the can. After saying goodbye to her brother and sister-in-law -promising to stop by the next morning, the paramedic headed for the exit.

Just as she opened the door and wanted to step outside, someone called after her.

"Samantha?"

The voice that came from behind stopped her dead in her tracks, her heart beating in her throat as she recognized that voice instantly.

Chapter 16

"Samantha?"

The voice that came from behind stopped her dead in her tracks, her heart beating in her throat as she recognized that voice instantly.

The short-haired blonde took a deep breath to calm herself, but didn't turn around. Instead, she continued her walk back to her Chevrolet.

"Sam, please," the voice called again, this time sounding more desperate.

Just as the paramedic was about to open the car door, a hand was placed on her upper arm, turning her around. Sam's eyes filled with anger, but as they met two dark brown eyes staring at her in despair, the anger was quickly replaced by pain.

"Sam. I know you think that-" the woman started.

"Like hell you know what I think," Sam snarled as she removed the hand that clamped onto her upper arm. She quickly evaded her eyes, not wanting the other woman to notice the welling tears.

"Please, Sam. Listen to me," the woman tried again. "I want you to know-"

"There's nothing I need to know of you, Magdalena. And I've got nothing to tell you…you made that very clear last time." With that said Sam got into her car, slammed the door closed, and sped off.

The short-haired blonde stopped at a traffic light, punching the wheel in frustration as visions of what had just happened filled her thoughts. "Dammit, Magda," she muttered to herself. "Why do you have to turn up now?" the paramedic added. She'd just reached the point where she'd been able to let go, to put it all behind her. But one look into those dark eyes and it all came flooding back to her -the love, the hate, the caring…the pain.

As she drove off again, she finally got her thundering heartbeat under control again.

She did look good, Sam thought as her mind filled with the Latina's appearance. "She really looked good in her chef's uniform," the blonde muttered, hating herself for thinking that thought, feeling betrayed by her own feelings. "Better than…" she trailed off as she remembered the outfit Magda was wearing.

She grabbed her cell and quickly dialed a familiar number.

"Hey Sis. Miss me already?"

"Shut up, Nate. Why didn't you tell me she's working for you again?"

"Be- because you didn't want to talk about her, remember?" Nate answered.

"You could have informed me about this!" Sam practically yelled into the phone. She then snapped her cell shut, not waiting for her brother's reply, and threw it on the passenger's seat. Sam wiped feverishly at the tears that were rolling down her cheeks.

"Dammit, Magda…I still…" The paramedic left her sentence unfinished, not daring to say out loud what her heart was screaming out to her.

*-*-*-*-*

After Sara's head had hit the soft pillow, it didn't take long before she fell asleep. Catherine, who'd checked out the honeymoon suite's bathroom, walked back into the room. "Wow, this is one heck of a room," she started. "There's even a-" She didn't finish her sentence as she notices Sara lying on the four-poster queen bed -still fully clothed though already fast asleep.

The strawberry blonde walked over to the bed and started to untie the shoelaces of Sara's boots. She placed them on the ground and sat down next to the younger woman.

"Maybe we'll get back one day to check that out," Catherine whispered as she reached for a lock of Sara's hair, pushing it out of her eyes. She placed a soft kiss on the brunette's forehead before she reached for her own shoes.

Quickly crawling in next to the younger woman, Catherine rested her head on Sara's shoulder and her arm around Sara's waist. Unconsciously, Sara immediately wrapped her arms around the smaller woman, holding her close.

Catherine sighed, thinking about all that had happened to them. She was amazed at how something so horrible had brought them so much joy, and love, as well. Looking up at the sleeping brunette, she was glad to finally see a relax, calm expression on Sara's face.

The last few days had been so physically as well as emotionally draining that it didn't take long for the strawberry blonde to fall asleep as well.

*-*-*-*-*

Lindsey sighed. It was already 4 am and she still hadn't been able to sleep. She looked over at where Megan was lying. Noticing the calm, steady intake of breath she realized her girlfriend was fast asleep.

The blonde turned onto her side, careful of her hand, giving her a better view of the curly-haired brunette.

She sighed again. "God, I wish that stupid nurse hadn't…" she muttered under her breath, but didn't finish as she heard footsteps out in the hall, coming towards the room. As someone entered the room, she quickly closed her eyes, pretending to be asleep.

The person -Probably that uber-bitch of a head nurse, Lindsey thought- walked past her bed and stopped at the next; the bed Megan occupied.

Peeking at the woman, she was able to distinguish a familiar uniform. "Sam?" she whispered.

The short-haired woman practically jumped around at the sound of her name being whispered. Big eyes turned to Lindsey as Sam spoke in a hushed tone, "Geesh, Lindsey. Are you trying to kill me?"

"Don't think the hospital's the most effective place to try that," Lindsey quipped quietly.

"Well…" Sam started, but then decided not to share some of those stories. "Never mind. How's Megan?"

Lindsey looked past Sam, at Megan's still sleeping form. "She's okay, all things considered…though I feel like…" the blonde trailed off as she began to sob quietly.

Sam sat down at the foot of Lindsey's bed. "You feel like she's shutting you out."

The girl nodded. "Yes."

"I know how that feels." Sam sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose. Lindsey looked at her questioningly, silently asking her for an explanation.

But the paramedic didn't give her any. She couldn't. Sam took a deep breath as she rested her hand on Lindsey's knee. "Don't give up on her. No matter what she says, just…Don't give up." She looked over at Megan once more, then got up from the bed. "I'll see you tomorrow." And with that said, the paramedic left the room, Lindsey still thinking about what Sam had actually meant with her words.

Settling back on her side again, she stared at Megan. Her mind went over Sam's words. The blonde got the feeling there was a lot more behind it all, and made it her quest to find out what had happened to Sam. With that thought in mind she finally drifted off into sleep.

Continued…

Thank you for reading! Feedback is very much appreciated and can be sent to mbinc_65@hotmail.com