Sam stood at the hotel door and waited, the sound of his knock echoing down the empty corridor.

He could hear Scout whining on the other side of the thin wood separating them. He didn't know if Ali was in there or not, but when Sam saw the light shift under the gap in the door, his stomach tightened in anticipation.

It had been too long since he had laid eyes on her. Too long since he felt the warmth of her skin, heard the lilt of her laugh, been in her presence. The coldness of text messages left him hollow and missing Ali. Tonight, he could not take it anymore. He had to see her.

It had taken a few hours and the help of his assistant to track down where Ali might be. Ashely had stayed late after work to narrow down the hotels allowing dogs as permanent guests as well as humans. It had taken most of the evening to drive around the city visiting the ones with the highest potential. Sam had struck out time after time, returning to his motorcycle dismayed and disheartened.

Sam had decided this hotel would be his last stop, giving up hope of finding her when he struck gold. As he was parking his bike, Sam saw Noah strolling through the lobby. Of course, the gallery owner could have been visiting anyone, but the connection to Ali was enough to boost Sam's confidence.

He approached the hotel reception desk and zeroed in on the lone female occupant. Concentrating his boy-next-door smile on her, Sam wove a tale of wanting to surprise his girlfriend on the unsuspecting girl. It took a bit of convincing but eventually he was able to worm Ali's hotel room number out of her after showing her a collage of pictures of the two of them on his phone.

Brimming with hope, Sam rode the elevator to her floor and bounded out of the open doors. Only as he approached Ali's hotel room did Sam begin to doubt himself. Ali had asked for space. He had promised to give it to her. He had given her days. Was that enough?

Driving forward, he decided he had to find out. He told himself he just had to see her with his own eyes.

And then she was there. The hotel door had swung open to reveal the love of his life standing in front of him. All doubts flew away as he looked upon her. She was as radiant as ever, dressed in a shimmery white blouse and blue pencil skirt matching the sapphire blue eyes he missed staring into.

He took a step forward, calling her name. He wanted to pull her towards him, kiss her and beg for forgiveness.

But he didn't get a chance. Scout pushed in between them, slamming into Sam and stopping his trajectory. At the same time Ali stepped back. Well more like wobbled back, clutching the door for support. It was then Sam noticed that not everything was right with his Ali.

She was normally a lesson in perfection. He had seen Ali take on the wind tunnels masquerading as the streets of New York without letting a hair get out of place. But now, her locks, which were pulled into a tight bun, had errant strands escaping in a very un-Ali like way. Her form-fitting clothing was slightly askew, giving her a rumpled look. Her eyes were rimmed with red and seemed to be having trouble focusing on him. Both her hands clung to the door as if it alone was responsible for keeping her upright.

After what seemed like an eternity, Ali finally spoke. "What are you doing here?" Her words came out slightly slurred.

Was Ali drunk?

The question was on his lips, but he fought to keep the words in. The way Ali looked at him, it was like she was daring him to comment on her state. He could see her resolve hardening before him. A fight was the last thing he wanted. That was not why he had come.

Sam swallowed hard. Of all the scenarios he had run through early this afternoon in anticipation of this moment, Ali being intoxicated had never entered his mind. How had this happened? Sam remembered seeing Noah in the lobby. Then he had been hopeful Noah meant Ali was near.

The pain in his gut flared up again. Was Noah the reason Ali was in this state? Had they been out drinking together and he brought her back here, to her hotel room? Or had they been drinking here, sitting on her bed?

Sam stared at her lips. The remnants of her favourite ruby red lipstick shadowed there, a reminder of what once was. Rubbed away by what though? The rough edge of a wine glass? A kiss with Noah?

No, Sam pushed the thought away. Not possible.

Ali loved him. She would never kiss another man. It was just the end of the day. A long day by the looks of it. A day that ended in alcohol. How many days had ended this way, he wondered?

The version of Ali standing before Sam was one he had not seen in a long time, not since they had first met. Back then, when he had seen her around the club, Ali was often under the influence. A way of filling the void in her life at the time. Had Sam driven her to this?

All those nights he had left her alone. A pang of guilt stabbed at his heart. He was such an idiot.

"I had to see you," Sam answered her question honestly. "Can I...can I come in please?"

Sam held his breath waiting for the answer. He didn't know what he would do if she said no. He didn't want to go against her wishes but he also could not leave her like this.

Ali tilted her head, with a puzzled look on her face. The movement caused her to sway again. "Sure." Ali twirled around, letting go of the door and stumbled into the room. Sam followed, pulling Scout with him. Trailing closely behind Ali, Sam shadowed her path. When she abruptly stopped, Sam bumped into her, knocking her off balance.

Sam instinctively reached for her, wrapping his hands around her waist to steady her. It was a move he had made a million times before, his hands moulding to her familiar curves. Normally she would sigh and sink into him. Sam would place his chin on her shoulder and plant feathery kisses on her neck. Or tug gently with his teeth on her earlobe causing giggles he could feel rippling through her.

But this time was different. Sam felt her bristle at his touch and his heart wrenched. Ali had never responded to him like this. He had never been so close to her, yet felt so distant. His instinct was to pull her tighter to him, make her remember him. Instead he loosened his grip while gently guiding her to the edge of the bed.

Ali sank into the mattress, holding her head in her hands. Sam knelt before her, placing his hands on either side of Ali but not touching her, ready to catch her if need be. He felt frozen, wanting to take care of her but afraid she might pull away from him again. He didn't know if he could withstand being thrown out right now.

"Let me get you some water?"

It came out as half a groan but Ali agreed. Sam shot up and over to what had to be the minibar. Inside he found a bottle of water and quickly returned to his girl. Unscrewing the bottle top, he offered the liquid to her. "Love, drink some of this."

Water-rimmed eyes regarded him for a moment. A tear spilled from one and Sam's hand itched to reach up and wipe it away. Before he could move, Ali dragged the back of her hand across her face, removing it. She grabbed the water with her other hand and proceeded to chug a good portion of the bottle back.

"Better?"

Ali shrugged, shoving the bottle back at Sam. Then she started, uncoordinatedly, untucking her blouse.

"What're you doing?" asked Sam.

Ali whined, "I'm hot." She tried to lift the piece of clothing up over her chest, but it was too form-fitting and wouldn't do as she was asking.

Sam put the bottle of water on the nightstand. "Here, let me help."

Ali grunted, but acquiesced, giving up her struggle with the material and letting her hands hang limply in her lap. As Sam began unbuttoning her blouse, Ali looked away across the room to avoid his gaze. Having finished with the buttons, Sam eased the silky article off her shoulder and freed her arms, leaving her half-exposed breasts held by a lacy bra, sitting in front of him. He tried not to respond to the fleshy mounds heaving before him but he felt his mouth go dry from want.

Swallowing hard, Sam asked, "Ok?"

Ali stared at him, opening her mouth as if to say something, only to close it in silence. Her eyes fluttered and Sam grasped her shoulders to keep her from slipping sideways. Her skin was hot and slightly damp underneath his touch. The thought that Ali might be sick entered his mind, but he ignored it. Flashbacks to his own drunken stupors and the sweats they brought on reminded him it was just the alcohol burning off.

Squirming beneath his grasp Ali was trying to stand up. "What is it Ali?"

"Umph!" She blew out a huff of air. "The skirt. Off. Now."

Sam pulled her up into a standing position. Staying close, he let go of her arms and worked as quickly as possible to undo the zipper on the skirt. Eventually the teeth moved apart and the skirt fell to the floor. Ali leaned into Sam, resting her head against his shoulder. Sam didn't move, not wanting to break the spell.

Reaching up she placed one hand on his chest. Gathering the material of his shirt, she clutched it in her balled hand. She let out a little whimper. Sam couldn't take it any longer. He gathered Ali up in his arms and held her. This time she didn't stiffen. This time she melted into him, letting out a rattling breath before inhaling deeply again.

They stood that way for a few moments. Sam stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head. More and more Ali gave her weight over to him until he felt responsible for keeping her upright. He didn't want to let her go, but they were going to fall over if he didn't do something. He moved to set her back on the bed.

When he pulled away, she refused to let go of his shirt. "Don't go...," she murmured.

Sam shrugged out of his leather jacket, letting it fall to the floor beside her discarded skirt. Pulling the t-shirt over his head, he softly tugged the material out of her hands. "Ali, I'm not going anywhere."

Her head lolled back, her eyes closed and Sam felt she was moments away from passing out. Swiftly he popped his shirt over her head and threading her arms through the proper holes, covering her now cooling skin. Then he tilted her towards the bed, resting her head on the waiting pillow.

"Sam?"

"Yes, my love?"

But she didn't continue. It seemed confirmation that it was him was enough for Ali. She curled her legs up onto the bed. Sam grabbed the blanket from the bottom of the bed and tried to drape it over her. Ali swatted it away, kicking at the fabric.

"No...you..." Her voice faded away. Not knowing what Ali wanted, Sam hovered over her trying to decipher what was best for her. Sam was at a loss until Ali found his hand and pulled it towards her. He was only too happy to comply. Climbing into bed with her, Sam pressed himself against her back, covering her with his body.

Ali rolled over so she was facing him and burrowed underneath him, pressing her cheek against his chest. Sam tucked her into him as close as possible. He gently worked the elastic out of her hair, freeing her raven locks and ran his fingers through the silky strands in soft strokes. Ali murmured in pleasure in response.

Within moments, her steady breathing let Sam know she was fast asleep in his arms. She may be drunk, but Sam trusted Ali knew this was where she belonged.