When Ali had returned home that night, they hadn't talked about what happened at the restaurant. Sam rehearsed his words, not wanting to repeat the disaster of the afternoon, but it was all for naught. Being her first night volunteering at the woman's shelter, Ali had stayed late, not coming back to their apartment until after midnight. She was drained physically and emotionally by that point and just wanted to go to bed.

The next morning had been a rush to get to the office so no time to chat.  Despite any inner turmoil she may have been experiencing, Ali was a complete professional in the office.  She didn't waste a moment, diving right in to solve their most urgent problems. She listened and suggested a plan of attack. Sam wondered if she purposely never once mentioned Noah by name, instead referring to his studio using generic descriptions like the event location.

As they sat in meetings together with Ali carefully laying out her plans for the charity event, Sam studied her.  He had never really seen this side of her, the business side and man, was it impressive.

She was sharp and caught up quickly. When her ideas were challenged, Ali didn't back down, yet she could recognize when she didn't have the support of the room and expertly negotiated compromises. It was like watching an artist draw a picture as Ali rallied the troops around her, bringing the team together.

Her parents were fools for not involving Ali in the family business.  Sam was grateful because it was on the other side of the country and she would not be here with him if they did. But right now, she felt far away. Something had broken between them and Sam didn't know what to do to fix it.

When Ali left early to meet with a potential caterer, Sam had the feeling Noah would also be at the appointment, but she was careful not to mention it. To waste time, Sam took Cruz up on his request for a drink after work with the others in the office.  It was becoming a tradition and Sam didn't want to disappoint the gang. He was enjoying himself until a shot glass filled with a portion of thick liquid plopped down in front of him.

The hand offering the alcohol belonged to Vicky.  He later found out one of the other girls in the office had invited her.  Sam politely declined her offering, much to Vicky's obvious dismay.  Not interested in having two women pissed off at him, Sam made his excuses and went home to wait for Ali. 

When he entered their apartment, the living room was dark, but there was a sliver of light under the door to their shared office. Sam knocked as he opened it, finding Ali typing away on her laptop, Scout diligently sitting at her feet. The dog's head jerked up at Sam's presence but settled back down when Ali didn't move. Sam knew this look, she was working on her book. 

Asking if she wanted him to start dinner, hoping Ali might take a break to eat with him, Sam hid his dismay when she informed him she had already eaten. She promised to join him soon, wanting to write down her thoughts on the previous night's interactions with the abused women before they escaped her.  Ali spent the evening in the study and eventually after walking the dog, Sam went to bed by himself.

Sitting in his office, trying to focus on the report on his desk, Sam chided himself for his stupidity. He knew he had overreacted. Standing there watching Noah practically fondle Ali set off an onslaught of emotions that he couldn't control. It wasn't like him and he wanted to take it all back.

Over the past few days, he had given Ali space, hoping that would help. Prove that he trusted her. They set her up with a desk just down the hall from his office at the Foundation and now and again he could hear her voice or laughter filter into his office. He wanted to get up, find her and be part of the conversation. But when he had tried that, Ali slipped quickly into professional mode.  He heard her voice now, talking to Cruz about getting a vendor paid.

Sam hated the distance between them. Physically and emotionally. Worse he couldn't get his mind off of it.  He had to do something. Now.

Walking the short distance down the hall, he rapped on Ali's open door.  Glancing up, her cobalt blue eyes popping against her dark purple dress, she smiled when she recognized him.  That was a start.

"Can we talk?"

"Sure." She gestured for him to come in. "I have a few concepts of the invite for you to look at."

Sam closed the door behind him and Ali took her hands off the screen she was swinging around to show him her work. "Is everything ok?"

Sam walked around to her side of the desk. "Not really." He pulled her up out of her chair so she was standing before him. Then he slipped his arms around her, encasing her. She didn't return the embrace. Pressing their heads together, he whispered in her ear. "I miss us." He could barely tell, but she stiffened at his words.

"Sam, we're in the office."

"I ... I don't care. I can't take another minute of feeling like this."

Ali jerked back and stared at Sam.  His instinct was to hold her tighter in case she tried to leave his embrace, but he forced himself to remain still. She searched his face for a moment, then ran her fingers across his forehead. "Neither can I, my love."

Then she relaxed in his arms, placing her head on his shoulder. "I just don't understand how you could..." Her voice trailed off. Ali didn't want to say it any more than he wanted to hear it.

"I'm not sure myself." He had to find a way to explain. Honesty, that was how it worked between them.  "I saw you with...Noah," Sam strained to keep the bitterness out of his voice when he said the man's name. "I know you said he wasn't, but from my viewpoint, all I saw was him flirting with you. And I know you did nothing to encourage him," he felt the fire flare up again inside him at the mere memory.

Ali ran her hand slowly over his arm. It had a calming effect. "It was like I was standing outside of my body, watching myself, hearing myself say these insane words. I was out of control."

"But why Sam?  You wouldn't have said those things unless they meant something."

"I don't know Ali."

"You said you didn't trust me."

"I did?  I don't remember it."  She didn't say anything. Then it hit him what she was waiting for. "Oh, Ali, don't even think it.  I trust you.  I promise."

He felt her smile against his chest. "You better.  Because you hold my heart and I won't survive if you break it." Sam suddenly found it difficult to breathe. Her words may have been in jest but they hit him hard. He stroked her hair as the air returned to his lungs.

"I love you, Ali."

She slid her hand along his shoulder and rested it at the nape of his neck.  "I love you more."  Turning her face towards him, she reached up and brushed his lips with hers. It was a gentle kiss, hinting that the crisis was over.

Sam kissed her back, matching her pressure at first, but soon deepening the kiss as certain parts of his body tingled at finally getting contact. He needed to feel her, make sure they were whole again. Slipping his hands into her soft curls, he cradled her head, tilting it slightly as his lips left hers and traced the curve of her neck.

"Sam."  His name dripped from her freed mouth, a mixture of desire and delight. It was like a balm on his emotional wounds. She still wanted him.  And a hunger exploded inside him.

"Sam," she repeated. "We can't....oooh," he tugged gently on her earlobe. But the distraction didn't last long. "We're in the office."

It was a weak objection. Sam could feel her body responding to his touch, her fingers embedding themselves in his hair. He slipped his hands down her back, grabbing her waist. Picking Ali up, he twisted and dropped her on top of the desk, placing himself between her legs. She responded by wrapping herself around his hips, pulling him in closer to her.

Her warmth chased away the chills haunting his soul. Sam buried his face into her neck, inhaling the light lilac scent of Ali. Home.

She was undoing his belt buckle when there was a loud knock on the door. They both froze on the spot. Sam was about to move when the knock repeated, this time accompanied by the voice of his assistant.

"Mr. Harrington? I'm sorry to disturb you, but it's important."

Ali sighed in Sam's ear and he was pretty sure nothing was more important than what he was about to do.

"Sir," Ashely continued. "Your father is here to see you."