Broadened Horizons

Final Chapter

Out of all three dates, this was the one that Sam was most nervous about. He had a massive crush on Greg but felt like Greg might be the one out of the three guys that maybe felt the least for him even though the Sergeant never gave him any reason at all to feel that way.

The day of the final one on one date came and everyone was very excited albeit a little scared and nervous for it. Sam took a cab to the restaurant where he was meeting Greg and he got there just as Greg himself drove up.

Sam: Right on time. (He laughed nervously)

Greg: Come, let's go get our table.

They went inside and the hostess showed them to their table, giving them their menus and informing them that their waiter would come by shortly.

G: You're nervous and maybe even a little unsure or afraid and I don't need to be a profiler in order to know that. What's going on Sam?

Sam looked into Greg's eyes, deciding to just grab the bull by the horns.

S: You want to do this right, like you want to date me?

G: Of course I do Sam, you're wonderful, you're intelligent and... you're beautiful. (He said the last part causing all the blood to rise to Sam's cheeks) I'm not doing this because Spike is practically in love with you or that Ed wants you. I really like you. You have nothing to worry about on that front. I want to be with you.

S: Thank goodness, I was so worried that maybe you were doing this only for Spike and Ed's sake. It's just that you've never really shown that much interest not as much as the other two so I've always been a little unsure.

G: I'm your boss, Sam. I had to make sure that I wasn't forcing you into something, it's the same reason why I'm not as affectionate with Ed and Spike when we're at work. I don't want anyone to ever feel pressured or feel like they have to do what I want just because I'm their Sergeant.

S: I don't know what Ed and Spike have to say about this but I don't agree with your methods at all.

G: They feel that it's absolute nonsense to put it politely but I never want to use my position to get anything personally.

S: I want to be with you not because you're my boss but because I really like you and I know just like everyone else on the team that you'd never use your position for personal gain and it's one of the things that attracts me about you, how honourable you.

G: Stop with all the flattering now. (He smiled)

S: You started first by calling me beautiful.

G: Well you are.

...

They placed their orders and their waiter brought their drinks a few minutes later.

...

While they were waiting on their food a guy who had been staring at Sam since he entered the restaurant comes up to their table and starts flirting with him.

S: Sorry but I'm already on a date right now, so if you could walk away please.

Man: What, with him? Are you serious?

S: If you don't walk away right now you'll really regret it.

Man: Okay whatever dude, it's your life.

...

The guy left as their food came and as the waiter placed their food on the table, Sam kept looking at the expression on Greg's face. The men said their thanks as the waiter finished and walked away.

S: Why don't you seem affected by that at all?

G: It's happened before when I've been out with Spike. It's easier to just let it go.

S: No, you're Sergeant Greg Parker. You don't just let things go.

G: Sergeant doesn't let things go. Here I'm just Greg, an older guy aiming way above his range.

S: No, don't you dare. You're amazing and caring. You make Spike happy and you somehow manage to control Ed and still have time to try and include me. You just need to not care what everyone else thinks.

G: It's not that simple, Sam.

S: It actually is.

G: So if I decided to hold your hand or kiss you out of the blue that would be fine with you?

S: I'm going to kiss you now to show you that I could care less about your age. (He says pulling Greg closer and giving him a kiss right in the middle of the restaurant)

Just as Sam started pulling away Greg pulled him into a deeper kiss. When they finally pulled away they had large smiles on their faces.

S: You know, I saw you and Ed in the briefing room one night, you gave him a kiss on the cheek and I was literally torn in half. Half of me was so happy that the two of you were happy but the other half was absolutely crushed because I thought there was no hope then, if you guys looked that happy together.

G: Can I tell you a secret about that night? (He smiled)

S: Go ahead.

G: Ed told me: "come closer, give me a kiss" which confused me but I went along with it anyway and when I kissed him, he told me that you were there and he wanted to know what your reaction would be. (He said smiling wider, leading to Sam smiling too)

S: Nothing gets by him does it?

G: Rarely.

S: What about that day in the locker room with him and Spike?

G: No, that wasn't planned. That was just Ed reacting because his partner was in distress.

S: Well I'm glad he's so perceptive.

They finished their dinner date and left the restaurant holding hands both with mega watt smiles on their faces.

...

A few days later the guys were having their first of hopefully numerous group dates. They were all gathered in Greg's house again.

...

Spike had delegated tasks for each of them in order to complete their Sunday lunch. He is obviously in charge of the main part; the meat, Ed and Sam are on sides and Greg is on the salad.

Ed: Even you shouldn't be able to mess that up, Greg.

G: Oh hush.

Sp: His cooking lessons are coming along pretty good actually, one of these days he'll be kicking us out of the kitchen to cook something delicious.

S: Cooking lessons, why wasn't I a part of this?

Sp: It was before your time and I decided to start with the most hopeless first, sorry babe. (He said seeking out a kiss from the older man)

G: None taken. (He says giving Spike the kiss he's searching for)

The other two shake their heads with fond smiles playing on their lips.

...

After months of working together the four police offers had developed a certain type of fluidity on the field that has easily transferred to their personal lives which was evident as they worked in the kitchen, giving each other space when needed without even having to be asked.

Lunch was a boisterous affair with the four passionate men having the time of their life, each settling into the flow of their new relationship.

...

After lunch things started becoming a little bit more interesting and Sam finally and completely understood what he was getting himself into and he wasn't really bothered by it at all, the opposite quite actually.

Ed: So we can either take this slow or... we could come up with a tac plan that everyone agrees with.

The guys all laugh shaking their heads at Ed but each with an extra shine in their eyes.

...

THE END!!!