Stand-by Me

Letting Your Guard down

Sam and Iain are now out the hotel room and on their way down to the south bank for their lunch. Sam has ended up taking her crutch with her as she felt it was needed due to the slight pain in her leg.

Iain had never left more close to Sam, more than he had ever done before. He felt she was enjoying his company also. "So where shall we go after lunch?" Iain questions as they get off the tube and head towards the escalators.

"Not entirely sure" Sam smiles happily as they exit the station and walk along the road towards Southbank.

Iain thinks to himself as they walk along the river themes, "Food then shall we go on the London Eye... or take a walk up to London Bridge" Iain suggests.

Sam laughs slightly and looks at him with a smile on her face, "So Iain... All you think about is your stomach."

He nods in agreement and takes hold of her free hand as they walk towards a café which has chairs and tables outside. "Here do? We've got a nice view also" Iain smiles as he spots an empty table and walks over to it quickly, just in case anyone was to take it.

As Sam catches up and walks to the table Iain stands again and pulls one of the chairs out for her to sit down in. "Oh thanks Iain" Sam smiles cheerfully.

Iain takes a seat next to her and begins to search the menu for something he found appetising. "I have no clue how you're so hungry..." Sam laughs.

He smiles and puts the menu down "Oh Sam... you should know me well, food! Food is the middle name" Iain chuckles merrily.

Sam laughs at him and glances through the drinks menu, "So any idea on what we shall have to drink? How about we share a bottle?" Sam suggests.

"Last night we shared a bottle of white wine and then we ended up in bed together... do you think that's a good idea?" Iain replies and notices Sam blushing a little at the thought.

"Erm... yes..." Sam giggles as she looks at the selections of different wines.

Soon a waiter comes over and takes their orders before leaving them too it, Sam sits day dreaming watching the world go by and Iain sits watching her, He gets his phone out and quickly takes a photo of her as it looks really natural and perfect.

"You know... on that day..." Iain starts.

"What day?" Sam asks curiously.

Iain takes a deep breath before continuing to speak "The day of the accident" Iain speaks.

"Oh right..." She prompts.

"I really thought I was going to lose you... they almost called it on you" Iain admits as he looks up at Sam.

She nods and thinks to herself before starting to speak "I don't remember anything of that day" She admits.

"Oh... do you want to know or not?" Iain questions.
Sam nods and sits quietly, "It seems so distant now but we got called out to a collapse roof at a community Centre with multiple casualties, there was a young girl who was trapped behind the roof beams and the fire crew removed some and there was a small hole small enough for you to get through with bits of equipment. You got the young girl out and we all left the room, you stayed behind to pick up some equipment... I think. Then the floor started creaking, you came forwards away towards the door, then suddenly the roof collapsed and the floor caved in... and you went down with them" Iain speaks before noticing Sam's lip is trembling and her eyes have gone puffy.

He leans forwards and looks at her "Sam?" He smiles.

She shakes her head and wipes away her tears that are now slipping down her face, Iain instantly feels sorry for her and stands. He walks over to her and hugs her, Sam instantly hugs him back from her seated position. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you..." Iain apologises frantically.

Sam smiles and wipes her nose with a tissue "I'm fine honestly."
Iain raises an eyebrow and looks at her "Seriously Iain, I'm fine... just all a bit too soon" She admits, he could tell from the look in her eyes she hated letting her front down and showing her venerable side.

"Sam... It's okay to show emotion, we're not robots" Iain admits.

Sam laughs and rolls her eyes "You said that to me in the back of that truck in Afghanistan" She smiles as Iain moves away from the hug.

They both make eye-contact and smile at each other "Yes... Major Nicholls..." Iain teases and Sam rolls her eyes at him.