𝓕𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒕-𝒎𝒆-𝒏𝒐𝒕

𝓒𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝓣𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒏

Murdock had slept soundly for hours and eventually Sam sent Trixy up to his room to wake him up.

"That's the most he's slept since we picked him up" commented Face as he stood by the stove stirring the soup he had helped Sam to make.

"Surely that's a good thing" Sam replied to Face.  She was busy setting the kitchen table for everyone to eat.  B.A. and Hannibal had already sat themselves down so they were unable to show any affection to each other.

Hannibal smiled at her.  "I sure hope so kid."

The sound of laughter coming from the stairs made them all look up and Murdock practically bounced into the room with Trixy beside him.  "Did you miss me guys" he chuckled as he ran over to Sam.  "That bed is sooooo comfy."

Sam kissed his cheek and gestured for him to sit down.  "Lunch is ready."

"Goody food."  Murdock looked at Face standing by the stove.  "Wait did Facey cook?  Actually I'm not that hungry."

"Hey" whined Face.

Sam nudged Murdock and grinned at him.  "Don't worry I was supervising."

Murdock gave a sigh of relief.  "In that case bring it on."

❧

After dinner the team sat around the table while Sam cleaned up the kitchen.  They had all offered to help but she could see they were still exhausted so she refused them.

As she wiped down the table Hannibal was struck by how much she reminded him of someone.  A woman from his past that he hadn't thought about in years.

"You look deep in thought Boss" said Murdock.  He had noticed how quiet the Colonel was being.

"Sorry it's just that Sam here reminded me of someone I knew a long time ago.  I guess I got stuck in the past for a moment."  Hannibal took out a cigar and rolled it through his fingers.

Face grinned at the older man.  "Oh yes.  A past love was it" he chuckled as Sam began to dry the dishes.

Hannibal frowned at him.  "Actually yes she was.  I met her at the Base and for a few months we had quite the romance, but that was many years ago.  She worked in the canteen and it was seeing Sam cleaning the table that reminded me of her."

The blood in Sam's body turned to ice and she stopped drying the glass in her hand.  "John what was her name" she asked nervously.

Hannibal didn't notice that she had used his real name and not the nickname he usually went by but Face had and he got the feeling something was very wrong.

Hannibal smiled.  "Donna Spencer.  That was it."

Sam dropped the glass she had been drying and ran from the house with a sob.  "What did you do" asked Face angrily as he got to his feet and ran out after her.

Hannibal looked over at Trixy, B.A. and Murdock.  "I honestly don't know."

As he got outside Face saw Sam run through the snow and disappear into the stable so chased he after her.  Stepping inside he could see her leaning against one of the stalls sobbing.  He quickly walked over to her and turned her around so she was against his chest.  Wrapping his arms around her he kissed the top of her head and held her close.  "Sam talk to me.  What's upset you?"

Sam gripped the back of his shirt tightly and clung to him.  "It's complicated" she whimpered as she stopped crying.

Face held her even tighter against him.  "You can talk to me about anything Sam."