Part Three
During the morning briefing, which was short during their current lack of cases, Sam and John kept a discrete distance between themselves. It didn't stop both Grace and George from noticing the few glances that passed between them.

After the meeting broke up, Sam disappeared into her office and John went to his desk. Casually standing off to the side where neither Sam nor John would notice them, Grace and George talked quietly.

"I think it finally happened," Grace said.

George glanced over at Grace, a grin on his face. "And what exactly are you referring to by it, Grace?"

Grace playfully slapped George's arm. "Not what you're implying, buddy."

"Okay, okay." George laughed. "But I guess we were wrong."

"How's that?" Grace asked.

Before he turned to go back to his computer station, George replied, "It didn't take them forever."

***

Just before it was time to leave, John walked up to Sam's office. After knocking on the door, he glanced around and ducked inside. "Keep acting like that, Grant," Sam kidded, "and Grace and George will be here in two seconds flat."

"It's like being under surveillance." John laughed, looking over his shoulder. Crossing the office, John leaned against the corner of Sam's desk. "So," he said, "what happens now?"

Sam smiled. "I believe the common term for it is we go out on a date."

"Boy, am I glad you were here to tell me that," John said sarcastically, grinning.

Closing the file she had been reading, Sam laughed. "Whatever I can do to help."

"So do you and Chloe want to go out to dinner tonight?" John asked, brushing a strand of hair away from Sam's face.

"What do you say that I find a sitter and we spend this evening with just the two of us? Try and figure out where we're headed."

John nodded. "If that's what you want to do, it sounds great." He stood up and began to walk out of the office. Pausing, he turned. "Do you like French food?"

"As long as it isn't snails or frog legs," Sam said, laughing.

John smiled. "Then I know just the place. I'll pick you up at, say, eight?"

Sam nodded and smiled. "See you then."

***

Chateau de Fraise was lit up with thousands of sparkling miniature lights, and the soft notes of a quartet drifted in the air when Sam and John pulled up. Killing the car, John got out and hurried around to open the door for Sam.

"Thank you," she said and smiled brightly. Taking his offered hand, they walked into the restaurant.

The dinner held its share of surprises. Like when Sam ordered off the menu, speaking fluent French. She couldn't help but laugh at John's reaction. "John," she said, smiling. "You look like I just sprouted another head."

Closing his mouth, he laughed. "You speak French?"

"Oui," she said, handing the menu to the waiter.

After he ordered, John handed his menu to the waiter, and looked at Sam. "Just what other surprises are you hiding?"

Sam shrugged coyly. "Now, what fun would it be to just tell you?"

They had just received their food when a wandering violinist walked up to the table and began to serenade them. Sam and John applauded politely when he finished.

Throughout the meal, Sam and John discussed all sorts of things. Although they did try and keep work out of it. Like breakfast that morning, each of them seemed content to avoid a serious conversation that might become too heavy.

During the dessert, however, John sat his fork down. "We've managed to avoid the one conversation that's the reason we're here."

"I know," Sam said, placing her napkin on the table. "We need to discuss us."

John grinned. "We need to talk about if there is an <>."

"Do you regret last night and this morning?" Sam asked, steadfastly meeting John's gaze.

John replied simply, his voice serious. "Never."

It was Sam's turn to smile. "Then I think there is an us."

"So . . ." John began.

"What now?" Sam finished. When John nodded, she said, "We just see what happens."

***

Over the next few weeks, Sam and John continued seeing each other. Quite often, John would spend the evening at Sam's house, helping Chloe with her homework and enjoying quiet time with Sam.

A month after their first date, Sam was sitting in her office when a delivery arrived. A guard ran it up from the check station, and Sam smiled when she pulled the gold box top off to reveal four long stem peach roses. When she looked up, John was standing in the doorway.

"Do you like them?"

Sam's smile returned. "I love them. They're beautiful."

John smiled, still standing in the doorway, his hands in his pockets. "Good. I'm glad."

"But why four? That's an unusual number." 

John laughed. "I couldn't come up with anything original, so I went for one rose for each week." He paused when Sam laughed. "It sounded different."

"It's sweet," she said. "Are you coming over tonight?"

Shaking his head, John replied, "Sorry, I have surveillance duty on the Ramsey case."

Sam's smile dimmed, but didn't disappear. "I understand, believe me, all part of the job."

"In fact," he said, glancing at his watch, "I better go. I'll call you, okay?"

Sam nodded. "Be careful."

"Always." John smiled.

***

After John had left, Grace walked into Sam's office. "I was walking to Bailey's office to give him the report on the latest victim when I noticed those." She pointed at the flowers.

Sam smiled, and leaned over to smell the fragrant flowers. "I wondered how long it would take you," Sam kidded.

"I have a sixth sense about these things." When Sam glanced at her with an odd smile on her face, Grace added, "Well, I do when it's the two of you anyway. I didn't ask for this ability," she joked, holding up her hands in mock surrender.

"Oh, I don't know," Sam said, still smiling. "I think it gives you something to do when you get too bored."

Grace sighed, and sat down on the couch. "That's not very often here lately," she said. "It seems we're making up for the easy couple of weeks we had."

"The Marshall autopsy still bothering you?" Sam asked, suddenly serious. She was referring to a case that had been stumping half of the VCTF for several days. Its name had come from the first victim, a well-known Athens businessman.

Grace nodded shortly. "There's something I'm missing. I just can't put my finger on it."

Sam smiled sympathetically. "I'm sure you'll figure it out."

"How is the profile coming?" Grace asked.

Sam sighed, glancing at the piles of open folders on her desk. "Narrow down which one we're talking about and I'll tell you."

"I see what you mean," Grace said understandingly. "So, are you and John doing anything special tonight?"

Sam shook her head. "No, he's working surveillance on the Ramsey case."

Grace smiled. "It's a good thing you two started dating when you did. If you'd waited much longer, you would never have had the free time to manage it."

"Occupational hazard," Sam said with a half-grin.

Grace stood up and walked across the office. She stopped in the doorway and smiled. "Wouldn't have it any other way, right?"

***

When John called later that night, it was Chloe, not Sam, who answered the phone. "Hi John," she said.

"Hey, how's my favorite kiddo?" Static echoed on the line, a result of John's using his cell phone during a sudden thunderstorm. Even over the static, John heard Chloe sigh. "What's wrong, little one?" he asked, concerned.

"When are you going to come back over? I haven't seen you in days." He heard the childlike hope ringing in her voice.

John sighed. "Sorry, kiddo, it depends on how long this case lasts."

"I know," she said sadly.

"What if I gave you a ride to school tomorrow? Then we can talk about everything we've missed here lately. Sound okay?"

Smiling, Chloe agreed. "Okay! I'll tell Mom."

John laughed. "Okay then. Say, can I talk to your mom?"

"I'll get her," Chloe said. In the background he could hear her calling for Sam. Just before handing over the phone, Chloe added, "I love you. Bye."

"Bye, Chloe," John said, waiting for Sam to pick up the phone. "Did you hear that?" he asked, awe in his voice.

Sam smiled. "Yeah, I did. Seems like you won her over."

"Tell her good night for me, okay?" John asked, still surprised by what Chloe had said. He had never really connected with children quite so deeply before.

"I will," Sam said softly. "How's everything going?"

John shrugged. "No change. We watch the house, and I think it watches us. That's all."

"Something has to break soon." Sam tried to assure him.

John sighed. "I really hope so. This is going beyond dull."

"I'm sure you and Bobby are passing the time easily enough with your sordid humor." Sam laughed. "You're just wanting some pity."

John smiled. "Yeah, well. Not everyone can appreciate the true humor that Bob and I share." A loud crack of thunder followed the lightning that split the sky. "I better go."

"'Night," Sam said, before hanging up the phone.

***

"We got him!" John exclaimed, walking into Sam's office a week later.

Sam looked up. "Ramsey?"

John nodded, and leaned against the corner of Sam's desk. "We started noticing activity late last night, and the morning crew nailed him."

"That's great," Sam said. "Now maybe you'll have a little more time off."

John smiled. "I hope so. Although, I'm supposed to go talk with Grace about the Marshall case in a few minutes."

"That one isn't going so well." Sam sighed. "Grace has been stumped for over a week, and George can't find any leads either."

"Really?" John asked. "I haven't had a chance to go over the files yet."

Sam flipped through the pile of folders on her desk and handed John one. "Here's what I have of the profile so far. You might pick up something from it."

John took the folder, taking the opportunity to hold onto Sam's hand for a moment. "Thanks." After looking at Sam for a moment, he continued. "You look tired."

Rubbing her free hand over her eyes, Sam replied, "It's just been a busy couple of weeks, that's all."

John nodded, squeezing her hand. "What do you say to me taking you and Chloe out for ice cream tonight?"

Sam smiled faintly. "I think Chloe would love it, and I know I'd enjoy actually getting to see you again."

"Then it's a date," John said, standing. Kissing Sam on the cheek, he whispered in her ear. "I'll see you tonight."

***

"Hey, Grace," John called out after walking into the morgue area. "You in here?"

A second later, Grace's head appeared from behind a large stack of crates. "Yeah, right here." She walked around the cluttered area over to her desk. "What can I do for you?"

"Bailey told me to consult with you on the Marshall case," John said, dropping into a chair beside Grace's desk.

The medical examiner nodded her head. "Yeah, now that I think about it, he mentioned that to me too."

John looked closely at Grace. "Rough day?"

Grace laughed shortly. "Rough week, actually."

"That's what Sam was saying, too," he said with a nod.

At his mention of Sam, Grace smiled. "How goes that?"

"Sam and me?" John asked.

Grace grinned, rolling her eyes. "Yes, you and Sam. How's everything going? I've never really gotten to talk to you about it."

John laughed. "Maybe, but I've heard all about your cornering Sam."

"That was weeks ago," Grace laughed, crossing her arms. "You can't tell me that George didn't bother you about it."

"Oh, he bothered me about it, all right." John laughed, but didn't elaborate.

"You know," Grace said, changing the subject. "I noticed the other day that it's almost time for your physical."

John nodded. "Yeah, I know. I've just got to make the appointment with Doc Oc."

"Who?" Grace asked, confused.

John laughed. "Sorry, Spiderman joke. I meant Doctor Jordan."

"Don't forget," Grace said, wagging a finger at him.

He held up his hands. "I won't, I won't." A moment later he said "If you can keep a secret, I'll tell you something."

Intrigued, Grace sat down facing John. "Do tell."

"Well, actually, I need a piece of advice."

"Okay."

John smiled, his eyes sparkling. "What do you think of sapphires in engagement rings?"

Grace's mouth fell open slowly. "You mean?"

"I was thinking about proposing on her birthday," John said calmly.

Grace's features broke into a smile. "I can't believe it, you're really going to propose?"

John glanced around nervously. "Hey, keep it down. I haven't told anyone else."

"Okay," Grace said. "Let's see, her birthday is in two weeks, right?"

John nodded. "Just enough time to try and find the perfect ring. Which is what I needed your advice about."

"Sapphires," Grace repeated.

"Sapphires. The idea I had was for a ring like my grandmother's." He paused, knowing that Grace might be confused by the family connection. "My mother's mother, I mean."

Grace nodded. "What did it look like?"

"A single sapphire stone in the middle, with a solitaire diamond on each side."

Smiling, Grace replied, "It sounds beautiful. She'll love it."

"Are you sure it's not too soon?" John asked, suddenly not sure.

"If anything," Grace said, shaking her head, "you two defy tradition."

John smiled, "Thanks, Grace."

"Anytime. Now, about the Marshall case . . ."

***

"How's the Marshall case coming?" Sam asked a couple of nights later while she and John were watching television at her house. They had put Chloe to bed an hour earlier, and were enjoying the quiet time together. During rough times at work, when time alone was rare, they would often just sit on the couch and talk.

John glanced down at Sam, who was half laying on the couch with her head resting on his chest. He hugged his arm, which was across her shoulders, tighter. "I thought we decided to leave work at work?"

"I know," Sam said. "I just haven't heard much about that one since Bailey and I started working on our new case."

John leaned down and kissed Sam on the top of the head. "It's going fine. A little better than when I started on it. Grace thinks she found something with the last victim that we've been missing."

"I miss getting to work together on cases sometimes. It was the only chance we had to see each other there for a little while."

"I know," John said. "It'll get better soon."

"So," Sam said, trying to change the subject. "Who do you think will win?" she asked, pointing at the football game on television.

"Sam, you don't like football." John laughed, continuing to flip through the channels with his free hand. "Much less pro football."

Sam laughed, tickling his ribs for good measure. "I know, I was just curious." While trying to avoid her tickling hand, John stopped flipping channels. "What about watching this?" Sam asked after looking at the television.

"What is it?" John asked, relieved she had gotten distracted from tickling him. He followed her line of sight, to see what she was interested in watching. 

"The History Channel," Sam explained. "Looks like something about ancient Egypt. Might be interesting."

John grinned. "Well, the company helps keep it interesting."

"John." Sam laughed and turned her head to face him. "Now, just what did you mean by that?"

"Who me?" he asked as innocently as he could manage, leaning down to steal a kiss. "How about that?"

Sam smiled. "Well, I liked that."

"More interesting than mummies?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.

Sam grinned, her eyes sparkling. "Leaves the mummies in the dust, I'd say."

John burst into laughter, just before kissing Sam again. "What do you say we bury the mummies?"

Sam play slapped John in the ribs. "How about we wrap up the mummy jokes?"

"But won't you be my mummy?" John baited, not quite laughing.

"That's neighbor," Sam corrected, "and no, I'd much rather be here." To prove her point, she pulled him into another very anything but platonic kiss.

When then kiss ended, John was grinning. He punched the power button on the remote and sat it down. "Good, I think I like you being here, too."

"Well," Sam said, pulling back a few inches. "That would be a good thing considering this is my house."

"Silly me," John said, laughing softly as Sam leaned forward to kiss him.

***

"We've got another one," John said, walking into the morgue to find Grace. It had been almost a week and a half since they had started working together on the case.

Grace looked up from where she was sitting at her desk. "Another one?"

John nodded with a glint in his eye. "But this time our killer was interrupted."

"We have a witness?" Grace asked, surprised. She moved to gather her evidence bag.

John shook his head. "According to what the local guys told me over the phone, the witness may not be much help, he's a local vagrant, rather well known for his drinking." John waited for Grace to finish gathering her supplies, and held the door open for them to walk through. "What I'm betting we've gained is evidence, Grace."

"Exactly." She smiled. "Maybe we've finally caught a break."

An hour later, John and Grace were at the crime scene. "It looks like we may have a print," Grace said when John walked up and kneeled beside her. "I'll have to get it back in the lab to be certain, but it's a chance.

"Anything else so far?" John asked. He had been busy talking with the man who had stumbled onto the gruesome scene, but as expected, he had been of little help.

Grace nodded her head. "Possible fibers in and around the throat."

"He didn't have time to tidy up this time," John said, his eyes cold.

"We may have just caught our break," Grace said, smiling for the first time about the Marshall case.

***

"Anything conclusive?" John asked, walking into Grace's office.

Grace looked up and waited for John to sit down. "I just finished the examination," she stated and handed John a folder. "I've already sent the print to George. As soon as we rule out that it doesn't belong to the homeless witness or victim, we have a definite starting point."

"That's the best news I've heard in days, Grace," John said, reading over the report. "What about the fibers?"

"That, I'm afraid, won't be as much help in tracking him down. It's a weave of rope that's common to saddleries."

John nodded. "It could be a start. We could cross match the prints to anyone on record that has business with any saddlery around the Athens area."

"Precisely." 

"Now we just have to wait and see what George comes up with." John leaned back in the chair, still glancing over the notes.

Grace laughed, almost relieved. "Hurry up and wait time, in other words."

"Something like that." John grinned.

"So," Grace said. "Are you ready for next week?"

John rubbed his hands together. "Four more days, Grace."

"Do you have the ring yet?" she asked.

He shook his head. "Not yet. I pick it up right after my physical."

"Good boy." Grace grinned. "You made an appointment."

"Yeah, well," John said, "as soon as I'm done there, I'm going to Mason's Jewelers to pick up the ring."

Just then, the phone on Grace's desk rang. She grabbed the phone. "Yes?" A moment later, she said, "Thanks, George."

"What did he say?" John asked before Grace had time to hang up the phone.

Grace finished hanging up the phone before she smiled. "We have a match."

"Let's go get him, then." John smiled, walking quickly out of the office.

***

Four days later, John was on the phone confirming their dinner reservations and playing with the ring he was going to give Sam that night. "Yes," he said into the phone, "two under Grant." After a pause, he said, "What do you mean you must have lost the reservation?" 

As the maitre d' of the restaurant spoke, John interrupted him. "Yeah, whatever." Taking his aggravation out on the phone, he hung it up roughly.

John began to think about another way to work out his plan. Looking down at the fragile ring that he still held he carefully put it back in its box. "Time to improvise," he mumbled to himself.

It was Saturday afternoon, and Sam was spending the afternoon with Chloe before she and John went out to dinner that evening. Glancing at his watch, he discovered that he only had two hours to work with. Grabbing his car keys and her ring, he quickly left his apartment. He had an idea forming in his mind.

***

"Did you like the play, Mom?" Chloe asked, after they had left the theater.

Driving through downtown Atlanta, Sam smiled. "I liked it very much, Chlo. Thank you for thinking of it."

Chloe laughed. "Well, I wanted us to do something different this year, you know?"

"What do you say that we buy the book?" Sam asked. "We could read a chapter a night before you go to bed."

Chloe nodded eagerly. "I'd like that. It'd be like remembering the play all over again."

"Good, I'll pick it up one day next week, okay?" When Chloe nodded, Sam went on to say, "You do remember that Angel is coming to visit tonight, right?"

Chloe nodded again. "I remember. So you and John can go out." Chloe smiled. "Angel hasn't been to visit in forever, Mom."

"I know," Sam said. "So the two of you should have fun tonight."

Twenty minutes later, they pulled up outside the house. Angel was already there, waiting. Chloe jumped out of the car as soon as Sam killed the engine.

"Angel!" she called out, running up to her. "You're here!"

"Hey, Chlo," she said, bending over to give her a big hug. "How've you been?"

Smiling, Chloe took Angel's hand and led her into the house behind Sam. "I've been great," she said over her shoulder.

Once they were inside, Chloe ran upstairs to change out of her dress and into play clothes. While she was there, Angel and Sam talked in the living room.

"Happy birthday, Sam," she said, giving her a hug.

Sam smiled. "Thanks, Angel. It's been too long since you were here." She walked across the living room and dropped her purse in a chair.

"My art's really taken off," she said with a smile.

Sam looked over at her friend and smiled warmly. "Congratulations! I'm so happy for you."

Instead of smiling, Angel's face grew serious. "So it's serious between you two?"

Knowing instinctively what she was referring to, Sam nodded. "Yeah, it's serious."

"You know what I told you about him, Sam." Angel laid a hand on Sam's arm. "He's not a one woman kind of guy. He sees commitment and he bolts."

"I know you two had problems, Angel," Sam said, smiling faintly. "But we've been great."

Angel smiled. "Then I wish you the best. I only want you to be happy."

"That's what John makes me."

***

When John pulled up in Sam's driveway, he recognized Angel's car. After walking up to the door, he rang the doorbell and waited.

"John," Angel said when she opened the door. "Come in," she added, standing aside.

John smiled, doing his best to be polite. "How've you been, Angel?"

"Better," she smiled. "Thanks."

"Is Sam ready?" he asked tentatively.

"She's right here," Sam said from the stairs, with Chloe standing next to her. Looking down at John in his suit, Sam couldn't help smiling. "You look nice."

"Yeah, John," Chloe agreed, "You look handsome."

With a smile to match Sam's, John winked at Chloe. "Why thank you little one." He turned his gaze to Sam, wide-eyed. "You look wonderful, yourself." He had a hard time tearing his eyes away from Sam, dressed in a spaghetti strap, navy blue satin dress.

After walking down the rest of the stairs, Sam crossed the living room. "So are you going to tell me where we're going?"

John grinned, shaking his head. "Not just yet. Are you ready?" When Sam nodded, he held out his elbow formally. "Then your chariot awaits."

Sam laughed, and looked over at Angel and Chloe. "Thanks for your help, I'll see you two later tonight."

Angel nodded and smiled faintly. "Have a good time."

"Bye Mom, bye John," Chloe said, smiling brightly and waving.

***

They had been driving for about fifteen minutes when Sam spoke. "Where are we going? This road doesn't go into town."

John laughed. "You're quite the impatient one tonight, aren't you?"

"What can I say, you've piqued my curiosity," she said, smiling.

Shifting gears as he made a turn, John replied, "Well, too bad. Tonight you just have to wait."

Ten minutes later, Sam realized where they were going. "The cabin?"

"Maybe," was all he would say.

When they arrived at the cabin, it was well past dark. From the outside, though, the interior of the cabin seemed to be glowing. "John?" she asked, as he took her hand and led her to the cabin.

Walking up on the porch, John unlocked the door and waited for Sam to walk inside. He smiled when he heard her gasp in surprise. "It's beautiful."

John followed her inside and closed the door behind them. Walking up behind her, he rested his hands on her shoulders. "Happy birthday, Sam," he whispered, dropping a kiss onto her collarbone.

"How did you manage this?" she asked, awe still in her voice. Walking into the interior of the room, Sam found herself surrounded by what looked like hundreds of white candles. A white sheet of paper laying on the coffee table caught her attention. "What's this?" she said to herself. Scanning the note, she smiled, and turned to John. "'Have a wonderful night, Love Grace'?" she read aloud.

John grinned sheepishly. "Well, I needed the help."

"I can't believe you went to all this trouble," Sam said.

Walking over to where she stood, John pulled her into an embrace from behind. "You're worth it." A moment later, he let go and walked over to the counter. Sitting there were two freshly chilled glasses of champagne. John handed her one of the flutes. "A toast?"

Taking the offered glass, she smiled. "How about to happiness?"

"To us." They clinked glasses and took a drink.

Sam sat her glass down on the coffee table. She put her arms around John's neck, and he also sat his glass down. "Thank you for tonight. This is wonderful." Leaning her head forward, their lips met in a gentle kiss.

When John pulled back, he snuck a hand into his jacket pocket and felt the familiar band that rested there. "There's one more thing."

"What else could you do?" Sam asked, leaning back. "This is perfect."

A slow, nervous smile spread across John's face. "Come here," he said, and lead her to a chair. "Sit," he added, a confused smile on her face, she complied.

"What is it?" she asked.

His stomach fluttering, John slowly lowered himself down onto one knee, so that he was kneeling in front of Sam. "I don't know how you feel about me," he began, his nervousness echoing in his voice. "But I know that I don't want to imagine tomorrow without you."

Carefully, he pulled the ring from his pocket and held it out for Sam to see. The candlelight glinted off the trio of stones as he asked, "Will you marry me?"

Sam's mouth dropped open, and from the moisture that had filled her eyes, a single tear slipped down her cheek. She tied to speak, but nodded instead. 

After John slipped the ring onto her finger, she wrapped her arms around his chest. "I love you, John," she managed to say.

His own eyes glinting with moisture, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and let go of a relived, shaky breath. "I think I've waited my whole life to hear that."

***

They drove home later that night, but it was the next morning before they told Chloe. Although Angel had spent the night, she left soon after Chloe woke up.

"Hi John," Chloe said after walking down stairs. "Are you here to eat breakfast with us?"

John smiled and picked Chloe up in a giant hug. "Sure am, kiddo." After he let her down, Sam walked into the room.

"Hey, Chlo," she said, smiling.

Chloe grinned. "How did your birthday surprise go?" she asked eagerly.

Sam glanced from Chloe to John, caught off guard by her question. "Just how much did you know?" Sam asked, smiling.

Chloe looked up at John, and back at her mom. She shrugged her shoulders. "Well, I had to ask someone's permission, didn't I?" John asked with a grin.

"Chloe, you knew all along?" Sam asked, shocked. When Chloe nodded her head, Sam laughed. "You kept your secret very well." Glancing at John, she asked, "What I if I had said no?"

"Chloe and I discussed that too, didn't we, little one?" John said.

Again, Sam looked back and forth between Chloe and John. "I can't believe you two," she said good-naturedly. Walking over to sit next to Chloe, Sam asked, "And what do you think about all of this?"

Chole beamed. "I like it!"

"Then I'm glad we all agree," Sam said, tickling Chloe.

From where he stood watching Sam play with Chloe, John asked, "Are you two ladies ready for breakfast?"

"I am!" Chloe cried, jumping up and running into the kitchen.

Sam walked over to John, and leaned into his offered embrace. "Happy?" John asked.

Sam smiled, holding him tighter for a moment. "Very."