Numb

The sound of music blaring assaulted them as soon as the entered the stairwell of Sam's apartment. It didn't surprise her to find that the offensive noise was coming from her door. She pushed out a cleansing breath and squared her shoulders. Then with a shaking hand, she opened the door.
Empty food containers littered the room. Trash was scattered haphazardly around the small space. Sam noted with some dismay that much of that trash was made up of beer and soda cans. She also observed several empty toy boxes including a video game box and various cd cases.
The music was louder inside and the two occupants on the couch hadn't noticed the door opening over the racket. She had almost forgotten about Carter being there until she felt him come inside behind her.
Her anger quickly replaced her anxiety as she stood surveying the mess in front of her.
Making her way to the stereo in the corner that hadn't been there that morning, she snatched it off and Alex and Steve both jerked their heads around to her.
" What the hell is going on here ? " she demanded.
Alex bound over to her, almost tripping over the trash on the way. " Dad's back and he brought presents. " he elated.
" I can see that. " she managed through gritted teeth as she leveled the man standing from the couch with a penetrating stare.
" Sam, I hope you don't mind me just showing up like this. I really wanted to see Alex. " He started.
" Really ? It looks to me. " she answered, shifted her eyes around the room, " like you were just trying to buy Alex. "
Steve held up his hands in a gesture to try and calm her down. " Hang on, if this is a bad time, I can leave. "
His eyes shifted to Carter, who Sam had actually once again forgotten was there.
" It is always a bad time for you to show up, Steve. " she spat then remembered that Alex was standing in front of her and shifted her attention to him. " I need to talk to your father. Go to your room for a minute. "
Alex looked at her with tears forming in his eyes. " Please don't make him leave, Mom. I want him to stay. Shouldn't I get some say in this ? I mean I leave her, too. "
" Alex, I said go to your room. " She repeated, harsher this time.
He whirled around and ran from the room, slamming his door with a loud bang.
" I didn't mean to get everyone all upset. " Steve told her.
" What the hell is all this, Steve ? Where did all this come from ? " she asked, stepping closer to Carter unconsciously.
" I came into some money. I wanted to spend it on Alex. No matter how many times you drag him away from me, you can't change that. " Steve explained.
" God, I wish I could. " she muttered under her breath.
" Sammy, " he said, taking a step closer to her. She retreated back away from him. " You don't mean that. "
His eyes shifted to Carter again and Carter moved uncomfortably.
" I think I will go and wait for Luka in the hall. " he told her, sing ing for the door just as the knock came to it.
Sam whirled towards it and all the earlier anxiety was back.
" or not. " Carter muttered as he opened the door and Luka stepped inside.
He halted abruptly at the scene in front of him and his eyes immediately fell on the man standing at the side of the couch.
" I take it you found Alex. " he said, sizing the new man up.
" Yeah, I found him. " Sam answered, " I was just about to try calling your cell phone again. "
" I accidentally left it at home. I left in a hurry. " he said, his eyes still not leaving Steve.
Sam looked at him for a moment and her breath caught. His hair was disheveled and his eyes that bore into Steve with such malice she had no doubt that he knew exactly who he was, were blood shot. He looked as if he hadn't slept in days. Dark circles marred the smooth skin under his eyes.
" Steve this is John Carter, a friend of mine from work and " she walked to Luka and put her hand on his arm. " this is Luka Kovac. "
Steve walked to both men and extended his hand awkwardly. Carter shook it quickly and turned his attention back to Luka. Luka just stared down at the hand being offered him from a longer moment than politeness granted before grudgingly taking it and shaking it firmly.
" I've heard a lot about you from Alex. " Steve told him.
Luka forced a smile that was pure spite. " I really like him. We've had a lot of fun this summer. "
Sam watched the entire scene nervously. She had heard about Luka's temper, but apparently he remembered his promise to her and was holding himself in check, if just barely.
" If everything is all right here, " Carter said, " I need to get back to the hospital. "
He threw a look at Sam and she nodded quickly. " Okay, " he added. " It was nice meeting you. " he told Steve. " Luka, I'll come by your place later. "
Luka nodded to him and with that he left.
The three of them watched as the door closed then there attention returned back where it had been, Luka staring at Steve, Steve staring at Sam and Sam looking nervously from one of them to the other.
" I guess I should be going, too, since everything is all right with Alex. " Luka said finally. " I 'm sure you and Sam have a lot of catching up to do. "
Sam stepped closer to him and reached out to touch his arm again. She was grateful he didn't pull away, because he looked at first like he might.
" Can I talk to you for a minute before you go ? " she asked, quietly.
Luka nodded followed her as she lead them down the hall after casting another hateful look at Steve.
" Are you okay ? " she asked, as she shut the bedroom door.
He looked startled for a minute. " Yeah, I'm okay. " he answered.
" You don't look like you've had much sleep lately. " she said, coming closer to him and touching his cheek.
He let out a deep breath and ran his fingers through his hair. " It's been a really rough couple of days. " he admitted.
" Why ? What's wrong ? " she asked.
" Just some things I've been dealing with. " he mumbled.
" Luka, you don't have to do this alone anymore. I want to be here for you. " she told him, kissing his cheek softly.
He looked down at her with a strange expression on his face. " I do have to deal with this alone for now. " he answered. " Besides, it looks like you suddenly have your own problems to deal with. "
Sam shrugged and leaned into him. His arms went around her and she let herself indulge in the comfort she got from them.
" I really don't want to deal with this practically problem right now. " she groaned.
" I can make him leave. You say the word and he is gone. " Luka said, brushing her hair away from her face.
" No, Alex would just hate you for it. It's better that I do it. He'll hate me, but hey he's almost a teenager. We'll just get start a little early. " she smiled, ruefully.
" Do you want me to stay ? " he asked, " I can be back up anyway. I don't like leaving you alone with him. "
" I'll be fine. Maybe I can come by later. " she offered.
" Well, Abby called me earlier and wants to have dinner and Carter said something about coming by. Maybe we can get together tomorrow and do something with Alex after school. " he said, letting his arms drop and taking a step away from her.
Sam's heart snuck and she forced a smile. " That would be great. We should do that. " she answered.
" Yhoulhould probably get back out there. " Luka said, " And I should get going. "
He brushed a quick kiss against her lips before heading out the door.
As she heard the front door shut, she had to fight against the tears that threatened to come to the surface. Things had definitely changed between them. She offered a silent prayer that Abby and Carter could make a difference.
Just as she was turning to head back out the living room her door opened and Steve poked his head inside.
" Is everything all right ? " he asked. " I didn't mess anything up by showing up like this did I ? "
" No, everything is fine. But I want you to take all your stuff and leave. " she said, squaring her shoulders and trying to summon up all her courage.
" Sam, " he mumbled as he walked into the room and shut the door behind him.
She instantly tensed at being shut up in the small rom with him.
" I'm serious. I don't want you here. You are not good for Alex. " she said, firmly.
" Oh, really, and this Luka guy is good for him. " Steve asked, stepping closer to her.
She crossed her arms in front of her chest. " I am not discussing Luka with you. "
" I just want to stay a few days until I find a place of my own. A week at the most. " he told her.
Sam's eyes went to the door as it cracked opened and she saw Alex looking at her with pleading eyes.
She looked away and squeezed her eyes shut, her courage abandoning her. " You can stay the night. I don't know beyond that. "
Steve came forward and hugged her. " You won't regret it this time I promise. Everything has changed. "
Sam pulled away from him quickly. " Yes, everything has changed and I want you to realize that now. You can spend time with Alex if that is what he wants but you stay away from Luka and don't even try to touch me again. "
He put his hands up and backed away from her. " All right. I understand. You and this doctor have a thing going and I won't get in the way. " he assured her.
Sam seriously doubted his sincerity