What were you Expecting?

Sam

Sam made it back to his apartment relatively easy, but what he was not expecting to find (even though she had warned him) was Liz curled up on the kitchen floor, stitching up a large cut on her forearm.

"Oh, hey Sam, don't be mad, but i had to use your whiskey to sterilize my med kit."

"What the hell Liz?" He said, pouring himself a drink and sitting beside her, "is....is that my dental floss?"

"What? No! Psh, why would i use dental floss hehehe-"

Sam fixed her with a look and she at least had the courtesy to look somewhat sheepish.

"Okay, okay, yes....but it works just fine, I'll be good as new in a couple days."

"What happened anyways?"

"I got in a fight with a drunk in an alleyway. Correction, he tried to fight me, but i was just not having it, and it was either my arm or my neck.....so i went with the lesser of two evils."

Sam sighed, watching as she finished stitching herself up. "Well that's gonna leave a mark."

Liz laughed, "The best stories always do,"

Sam smiled, Helping her up. She wobbled a bit, clinging to his shoulders.

"I think the whiskey is starting to kick in," he teased, playing with her still damp hair, "did you get a shower?"

" I just got stabbed by a drunk bum, of course I got a shower!" She retorted, her expression neutral.

Sam rolled his eyes, "It's nice to see you starting to take better care of yourself."

"Sam, how drunk are you right now?" She asked, tracing her fingers along his chest.

"Not nearly drunk enough to process the fact that you just sewed your arm up with dental floss and whiskey," he laughed, "You street rats really hate hospitals, huh?"

"People know me there," she sighed, nuzzling against his neck.

He inhaled deeply, wrapping his arms around her shoulders and gently swaying. He didn't know why he started this slow rhythm. There was no music, and he didn't have a clue how to dance, but it just felt nice to have her in his arms. It felt natural, normal. He knew she would be gone again in the morning, but for now she was here. He was going to make the most of it while he could. She smiled, humming a soft tune to the swaying.

"This is nice," he murmured against her ear.

She took a deep breath, still not meeting his eyes, "It is,"

"Liz-"

"Sam-"

They laughed a bit, Liz finally glancing up to look Sam in the eyes. "You go first," she laughed.

"I want you to stay with me, even if it's un-official. Even if you can't tell anyone you're here. I just.....I hate that the only way I can get a hold of you is to wait for a body to turn up. I just.....I need to know you're safe."

Liz nodded. She went through her own thoughts, trying to find a reason to say no. Something, anything. All she found was reasons to stay. Reasons why it's ok to be with him in his tiny little apartment near the police station. She sighed once more and nodded again, this time with a bit more force. As if she were reaffirming her own decision.

"Okay," she stated simply.

Sam almost thought he was hearing things, "what?"

"I said ok, I'll stay with you. But only after Claire gets back, her plants need watered and her bath tub is amazing," she grinned.