A whimsical tune dragged Sam from his slumber. His alarm, telling him it was time to get up. Reluctantly, Sam disengaged himself from Ali. She moaned in response to his absence.

Yawning, Ali turned to Sam and complained. "It's too early."

Sam bent down and kissed Ali on the forehead. "There's some saying about early birds and worms that comes to mind."

Ali cocked an eyebrow at him. "That's what comes to mind right now?"

Chuckling, Sam caressed Ali's cheek. It was definitely not what was on his mind. Rather it was filled with contentment at spending the night with this amazing woman. After dinner, they had tried to watch a movie. It hadn't lasted long, as they each teased the other until Sam couldn't resist the temptation any longer. They made love slowly and sweetly, this time, relishing the pleasure of touching, tasting, coaxing each other. Unlike before, Sam made sure that Ali was completely satisfied before he slipped into oblivion himself.

"What comes to mind is what a lucky man I am, my love."

A bright smile spread across Ali's face. Sam's heart leapt. Making her happy gave him such fulfilment.

"Oh, nice save. Okay, up we get." She threw the sheets off and sprang out the bed. "Last one to the shower has to do all the work." Sam let her win.

When they finally left the bathroom and got dressed, Sam asked her to come into the office with him. They discussed plans for the day in the car on the ride over. While Sam was in his morning meeting, Ali was going shopping to find a warmer coat. When Ali had dropped Scout off at Sam's parent's place last night before coming into the city, his mother had recommended a designer in town to Ali, telling her she needed to stock up on warmer clothing. The couple agreed to meet up for lunch and then head home for a weekend of what Sam hoped included lots of home-cooked meals and cuddling time.

Sam was excited to show Ali his workplace. He liked introducing Ali to his co-workers, showing her the charities he was looking at as potential recipients of Harrington donations. The list was only a start, but he had already selected a local homeless shelter in dire need of support and the New York chapter of an organization that helped women and men escape abusive situations. Both were near and dear to Ali's heart.

Too soon, it was time to walk Ali to the elevator. His meeting would start in less than half an hour and Sam wanted to prepare. Ali was slipping her coat on when Sam's assistant Ashley knocked on his door.

"Mr. Harrington. Ms. Gabbidon is here." Sam flashed a look at Ali before returning to his brunette assistant. "She said she came early to talk to you. Do you want me to put her in the conference room?"

Clearing his throat, Sam shook his head. "Um, no. I'll get her as I walk Ms. Stinson out." There was no use in trying to avoid Ali meeting Vicky. After their discussion last night, it would be odd if Sam didn't introduce them. Even if he didn't want to. Now that Vicky was back in his life, at least temporarily, there was a good chance Ali would have to interact with her.

Sam picked up a pen and then put it down again. What was he doing? He wasn't going to need a pen to introduce Ali. He tried to control his suddenly rapidly beating heart. As they walked down the hall together, Sam grabbed Ali's hand. It felt warm and reassuring.

Turning the corner, Vicky came into sight. She was dressed in a pale grey suit with a black and white polka-dotted blouse peeking out from below the jacket. Her short, brown hair was streaked with copper, highlighting the pixie cut and her caramel eyes. Pale lipstick against pale skin gave her a professional look that didn't match with Sam's image of Vicky. To him, she was stuck in teenage years, too much eye makeup and heavy lipstick that left marks on him.

Sam thought he saw Vicky's smile waver when he emerged with Ali in tow. "Vicky," Sam stopped just out of arms reach of the woman before him. "Morning. Thanks for coming in."

"I thought we could review the proposal before the others get here." Vicky glanced at Ali and nodded her head.

Sam pulled Ali forward and slipped his arm around her waist. "Oh, Ali, this is Victoria Gabbidon, an old acquaintance of mine." Ali stiffened a little as that last phrase came out. Sam checked her face, trying to read her but Ali was in full professional mode, flashing a perfect smile. "Vicky, this is my girlfriend, Ali Stinson."

"Girlfriend? Well, that's something I never expected to hear from the permanent bachelor Sammy Harrington." Sam resisted wincing at the familiarity Vicky took with his name. He hadn't been called Sammy since high school. Vicky regarded Ali. "You must be very special to have captured his heart."

"Oh, I don't know about that," purred Ali perfectly. "I do know that Sam is special and I'm a lucky woman." Ali echoed his words from this morning and Sam released a knot of tension in his shoulders that he hadn't realized he had been holding. "Now, I'm sure you have important things to discuss. I think I should be going."

Suddenly Sam didn't want Ali to go. He wasn't sure why. Maybe he didn't want to be alone, maybe he was worried about her being alone in the city without him. "You'll be back soon." Did his voice sound whiney?

Reaching up and brushing the hair off his temple, Ali nodded. "Before you know it." Then she pulled him in for a not so innocent kiss. Heat radiated off her body and Sam luxuriated in it.

"I love you," Ali whispered in his ear. Then she stepped away from Sam.

"I love you more." Sam proclaimed, missing her warmth already.

Ali winked at Sam, then turned to the woman blatantly watching their interlude. "Nice to meet you Victoria. We'll have to do lunch someday and you can tell me all about Sam in his wild youth."

"I would love that," replied Vicky, a little too eagerly for Sam.