Notes: This is only the second Profiler story I've ever written, and it's the first I've posted, so I hope you like it. You might find inaccuracies in my time line, I'm having to work by memory. Two things worth mentioning... One. Nathan is still with the VCTF in my reality. Two. Coop, uh, Coop who? Sorry, I didn't like him enough on the show to write about him now .*g*

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Cynthia Saunders, Sander/Moses Productions and NBC (anyone else??) They're not mine, I'm just playing with someone else's toys. I promise to return them. Hey, if they *were* mine, Sam and John would already be together... *g*

He looked around the room, but didn't see the familiar blonde hair that he sought. Quickly he hid the shopping bag he was carrying under his desk. Looking around once again, he sat down in his chair. He looked rather suspicious and was having to keep from looking over his shoulder up at Sam's office every two minutes.

John had arrived early, before any of the other agents he worked with and his plot for Sam's birthday was going according to plan. He smiled to himself as he walked to the command center for the morning meeting.

"What's got you so happy?" Nathan asked when he saw the grin John was trying to hide.

"Me?" he dead panned. "Nothing, why?" He sat down at his usual seat. Outwardly he worked at looking as normal as possible. Inside it was a different story. He could only hope his plan worked, otherwise he'd be in the dog house with Bailey if he upset Sam too much.

The team was discussing the latest case, however John was having trouble paying attention.

"John?" He blinked when he realized that Sam was talking to him.

Realizing he has no idea what had been asked, or who had asked it he responded, "What?" He looked at Sam, and then at Bailey.

"I asked if you had found anything new that you should share. That is, if you'd care to join us here mentally as well as physically." Bailey looked at John with a stern look on his face, to which John returned a sheepish look at being caught not paying attention.

"No, I don't have anything new right now." Averting his gaze, John looked down at the file laying in front of him on the table.

"Alright, that's it then. We're done for the moment." With Bailey's closing comment, the group began to split up with each heading a different direction. Before Bailey could call out to John to come to his office to discuss his inattention, Sam pulled him aside.

"Bailey," she said, guessing what he was about to do. "Let me talk to him." He nodded his head in the affirmative, and Sam left to catch up to John.

He had already sat down behind his desk and was pretending to read a file when she found him. He felt like he had been busted with his hand in the cookie jar, and it had dampened his mood somewhat. However, when he saw Sam walking toward him, his eyes began to sparkle.

"John?" She questioned. He tried to look busy, but he knew she would guess that he was stalling. When she decided that she wasn't going to get a direct answer, she continued. "What was that back there? You're not usually one to get caught not paying attention."

He finally looked up when he heard the genuine concern in her voice. It wasn't how he had planned for it to go, but it would work. He cleared his throat and began speak. "Actually, it's sorta your fault," he said with a small grin. He saw the confusion in her eyes and then asked, "Can we continue this conversation in your office?"

She blinked once, then twice before saying "Sure, I'll meet you there in a couple of minutes." With that she walked away not seeing the hopeful smile John was trying to keep from his face. Still, his eyes held a mischievous glint to them as he retrieved the shopping bag from beneath his desk.

Two minutes later he knocked on the door to Sam's office. She waved him inside and he closed the door behind him before she spoke.

"So, do you want to tell me what you meant?" She didn't kid around, he noted.

He sat down on the couch in her office and placed the bag at his feet. "Ah, well, I know that tomorrow is your birthday and all." She tilted her head to the side while she listened and he couldn't help but think how cute of a gesture it was. When he realized that he was staring at her but not speaking, he continued. "I got you a present, actually." He paused again, this time reaching for the bag lying on the floor and pulled out the contents.

Sam was startled when she saw the elegantly wrapped present John was holding in his hand. She didn't move as he stood and walked to sit on the edge of the desk. When he placed the parcel down gently on the top of her desk she looked up into his eyes and whispered, "For me?"

He smiled at her question. "Of course it's for you. You are the one whose birthday is tomorrow, aren't you?" She continued to stare at him and when she made no move to open his gift he spoke again. "Come on, open it, I'm dying to know if you like it."

Gingerly she picked up the present. After looking at it for a moment, she began to carefully unwrap it. John feigned impatience by tapping his fingers on his leg, but his smile never faded. When she had finally rid the box of the wrapping paper, she still had no clue as to what it contained. She opened the box and began to hunt through the layers of tissue paper. Inside was a small jewelry box.

When she finally saw her birthday present she gasped softly. There was a thin gold chain from which hung a small gold moon and a star dangled from the top of the moon. She held the fragile gift in her hand and looked up at John who seemed to be holding his breath.

"Do you like it?" he asked. He was searching for any reaction at all when she stood up and hugged him.

"It's beautiful," she whispered. Returning to her seat she said, "John, you shouldn't have. I mean, you didn't have to."

"But do you like it?" He persisted.

"You know I do."

He took the necklace from her hand and fastened it around her neck. "Then that's all that matters. I saw it in the store and it just reminded me of you somehow."

She touched the small charm that rested just below the hollow of her neck, "Thank you."

He had sat back down on the edge of her desk and took a deep breath to steady himself to ask about the next part of his plan. "One more thing, though." As she looked at him she noticed that even though he was acting somewhat nervous, his eyes seemed to dance. She nodded for him to continue. "I was wondering if you would have dinner with me tonight."

He hadn't noticed that he was holding his breath until she responded, "Okay. What time?"

"What if I pick you up at seven?"

He stood up to leave her office when she replied, "Great." He almost shook with relief and his smile was bright enough to light up the room.

After he had left, Sam sat at her desk for a long time. She didn't move, her brain was stuck back on what had just happened. Although she hadn't shown it, she was thrilled by the present that John had given her. Without a thought, she reached up and gently touched the moon and star. Silently she wished that she understood what her feelings for John were, he had an affect on her that she couldn't quite explain.

Shaking her head, she concentrated on getting some work done. After the fifth time she had looked at her watch in as many minutes, she gave up on reading case files. She sighed, she had no idea how to distract herself until seven o'clock that evening. No idea at all.

Meanwhile, John called a nearby Italian restaurant to confirm the reservations he had made on the off chance that Sam would agree to have dinner with him. Hanging up the phone, he leaned back in his chair. He almost hadn't gone through with asking her out, he was so sure she would say no.

Sometime before he'd forced himself to admit, if to no one but himself, how he felt about Sam. He loved her, although he couldn't place when or where he'd fallen for her. Not that it mattered, he felt more strongly for her than he did for any other woman he'd ever been involved with. Not that we're involved. he thought. His near jubilant mood was dampened by the questions springing up in his mind. He knew how he felt for her, but he was more scared of how she felt for him. Or rather, how she didn't feel.

Several agonizing hours later, John found himself downstairs at the firehouse waiting on Sam to come down. He paced nervously, but stopped when he heard the elevator doors open. When he saw her he could have sworn that his jaw hit the concrete floor. He thought she was stunning, standing there in a dark blue velvet dress that made her eyes seem to glow.

He was brought back to reality when he heard her ask, "Ready to go? Sorry you had to wait on me."

"Not a problem," he replied as he led her to his car parked outside.

They drove to the restaurant in relative silence. When they arrived and John walked around the car to open Sam's door, her breath caught. For the first time she truly looked at John dressed in a nice suit, with his hair combed back. When he held the door open for her, she had to fight not staring at him. It was then that she realized just how handsome John Grant really was.

During dinner the conversation flowed. They talked about Chloe and anything not related to work, or to Jack. John caught sight of something reflecting the soft candle light and realized that it was the necklace he had given her that morning. A moment later he noticed when Sam reached up and touched the charm subconsciously to make sure it was still where it was supposed to be.

Half way through dessert he asked Sam what her plans were for her actual birthday. "I think Chloe has something planned for me, but it's supposed to be a surprise," she grinned.

John laughed, "It sounds like someone got sneaky. Now, Sam, that's not very nice."

Joining in his laughter she continued. "Yep, you caught me. It's tradition with us, we spend our birthdays together. It's sort of a girls day thing." She continued to laugh when she added, "But you're the big macho man, you wouldn't know anything about a girls day."

"Gossip and chocolate?" he baited.

"Oh no, we'll have to change our top secret plans. The men are catching on!" Sam almost couldn't believe how good of a time she was having. When she had agreed to go out with John, she had no idea what to expect. However, she was being delightfully surprised.

John took care of the ticket while Sam had ducked into the restroom. When she returned, they were ready to leave. He placed his hand at the small of her back as they exited the restaurant.

He paused after opening the passenger side car door and dared to ask one last question. "What would you say to coffee at my place?" His eyes were hopeful, but wary at the same time.

Sam surprised both John and herself when she said yes.

While John was in the kitchen making the coffee, Sam wandered around the living room in his apartment. She punched the power button on the stereo. Selecting the shuffle function on the CD player and pressing play, she was curious what type of music John had in the player.

He entered the living room carrying two cups of steaming coffee when he noticed the music. Inwardly he wondered what she thought of the CD she had just started. Handing her a cup, he was relieved when she commented, "Nice music."

They both sat down on the couch and he replied, "Yeah, I like to listen to it sometimes when my brain just won't shut off. It's relaxing."

The longer they sat and talked, the more Sam grew convinced of her feelings for John. It had been a long time since someone had made her feel so special, since Tom actually. As much as she longed to act on her newly discovered feelings, she was hesitant. One thought overran her thoughts. Jack.

John noticed Sam stiffen suddenly, and placed his hand on her arm. "Hey, you okay?" His question was full of concern. She blinked slowly and nodded her head. An idea popped into his head and he began to speak before he could talk himself out of it. "I've got an idea," he began, placing his mug down onto the coffee table and standing. He held out his hand and asked, "May I have this dance?"

She took his hand, placing her cup on the table, and stood. They moved to the center of the living room, each listening to the soft music coming from the stereo. After a few moments, she placed her head on his shoulder. By that time, John almost had to look down to ensure he wasn't floating. However, he heart nearly stopped when he heard Sam sniffle, and then choke back a broken sob.

He rubbed her hair with his hand trying to soothe her. "What's wrong?" His words were whispered, and he searched his brain for what might have upset her.

Her reply was muffled by his shirt and he had to strain to hear it. "I think I'm falling in love with you." John froze, then wanted to leap for joy. Had he heard her right, he wondered? Could she possible love him? His mind was racing. She loves me. Then why is she crying?

When he trusted his voice to not betray his somersaulting emotions he asked, "But why are you crying? I've loved you since, well, forever. You say the words that can make me the happiest man on the planet, yet you find yourself in tears?"

She shook her head slightly, "It's not that." Sniffing, she pulled her head back to where she could look him in the eye, without leaving his arms. "I can't. I can't love you. I won't."

Hurt flared in his eyes at her words. He dropped his hands and moved to walk away from her. "You won't?" He didn't bother to mask the pain in his voice. "Why?"

She closed the gap between them. "I don't want to lose you. Don't you see? Jack takes everything that I love. He would take you, too." John began to shake his head angrily, but Sam continued. "John, I won't risk you like that."

Finally looking her in the eye, he spoke. "I don't care about Jack. I refuse to play by his rules."

"John . . ."

His eyes spoke of his stubborn determination. "No, Sam. Don't you see? If you give up on a chance at love because of him, then it's the same as letting him win? No matter which way you end up alone and he gets what he wants. He's a sick bastard, but I refuse to give up on you. On us." The last two words were but a mere whisper, barely discernable above the music.

Sam's eyes filled with tears once again. He pulled her back into his arms, kissed her on the forehead and whispered, "I love you, Sam."

She put her arms around his neck and whispered, "That's a good thing, seeing as how I love you too." She smiled faintly before John leaned down and their lips met in a lingering kiss.

Sometime later John broke the comfortable silence that had surrounded them. "So, do you like my little plan for your birthday present?"

She was again resting her cheek on his chest while they danced slowly, "Plan, huh?" she kidded. "You better believe it." A moment later she asked, "What is this music, anyway? It's beautiful."

He smiled, he thought she might find it funny just what they were listening to. "Actually, it's the soundtrack from 'Titanic'."

She laughed softly, "John Grant, are you telling me that you bought the soundtrack to what you would probably call a chick movie?"

Laughing, he replied, "I guess I'm guilty. Like I said, it helps me relax when I'm upset." Fighting fake tears he added, "Can I help it if I like to cry at movies?"

Playfully she punched him in the arm, "Yeah, we'll see about that."

"Uh oh," he grinned.

Sam listened for a moment, leaning her head to one side when she asked, "What piece is this one? I think it might be my favorite of what I've heard."

John pulled away from Sam and walked over to the player to check the name of the song. When he found the right one he answered, "It's called 'A Life So Changed'."

Again pulling him into her arms she whispered, "How appropriate." Any other words were interrupted by John's lips claiming hers in another kiss.

fin