Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?

Author's Note: This is for silverwolf. Reviews are appreciated and look for my website highriskromance.com launching in the next two weeks.

Sam sat alone on the top floor of the firehouse. Tonight was New Year's and Angel had a date with John. Everyone at work had a party to attend and even Chloe was at her grandparents, leaving Samantha by herself. Forcing away a wave of loneliness, she reached underneath the Christmas tree and started distributing her presents to their permanent locations. Tomorrow while Angel nursed a hangover she would take the tree down and put away the ornaments.

When Sam came to the large gift basket of bath products Chloe had given her, she decided to indulge herself. For once there was no danger of interruptions, she thought as she went into the the bathroom and began drawing a bath. Angel wouldn't be home until late tomorrow morning and Chloe wouldn't return until later in the day. There were two agents in the firehouse on the first floor and the firehouse was completely secure so no danger of Jack invading her house. What did he do on New Years? Damn it, can't you go even one day without thinking about him? Samantha berated herself as her thoughts turned to her stalker.

After taking off her clothes, Sam sunk into the scented bubbles and closed her eyes. She allowed her mind to wander. Another year had come and gone, another year of hiding from Jack and more bodies piling up on her conscience. And she didn't even get the pleasure of killing any of them, a traitorous voice in her head whispered. Wouldn't Jack love to hear that one! Lately she'd been carrying on full scale conversations in her head with Jack. Every time Samantha vowed to stop and every time Jack's voice crept back into her mind.

After over half a decade of pursuing her, Jack had never shown his face to her. Always he courted her with flowers and corpses, like whispers in the night, never face to face. She had heard his voice though, on the phone when he would call to taunt her. No one knew, but she used to listen to a copy of the tape evidence gave her when he dedicated Stranger on the Shore to her. Sam had listened to his sibilant voice so many times the tape wore out. Since then she had purchased a CD of the song, but it wasn't the same without Jack's torturous words framing the melody. Someday she might work up the courage to ask for another copy from evidence but she was afraid of how to explain needing another copy.

Jack had always intrigued her with his puzzles and his feverish, though unwanted attentions. Then, Memphis changed everything, when Samantha had been so close to Jack and yet so far away. Only a few feet away from her, he'd spoken seductively of truths she'd long denied and feelings that he alone understood. Jack had been so close she could smell the faint scent of tobacco and roses and could almost feel his breath on her body. Surrounded by the rose scented bubbles, the memory came back full force and Samantha shivered in the warm water as her nipples hardened against her will.

After Jack's voice had aroused and tempted her, nothing felt the same. Suddenly, Coop seemed less handsome and began to irritate her, work held less interest, and home felt like a hollow masquerade. Since that day, the only time Samantha felt alive was when she thought of Jack or looked over evidence from the Trades case. Sam would die of embarrassment if anyone ever discovered the small clutch of roses stolen from evidence that were hidden in her bedroom. She had never broken a single rule or law in her life, until her need to feel closer to Jack became too tempting.

Late at night when she was alone, she would inhale the fading fragrance of the roses and imagine what his face looked like. Time and again she would swear to throw the roses away in the morning and would try to conjure up a deformed monster; but she never could bring herself to throw them away. Worse still, the monstrous visage would evaporate and leave a handsome face to tempt and torment her until Samantha would succumb to temptation and touch herself. Afterwards she would look at Tom's picture and cry herself to sleep out of guilt and shame, only to dream of Jack's touch and wake up alone and wanting in the cold light of morning.

The weakest moment of Samantha's life had come when Jack had kidnapped her and carried her to Robin Poole's apartment. When she had regained consciousness and realized he was so close, she wanted desperately to feel him. Her eyesight compromised by his home brew washy wash she felt vulnerable and Jack was the only secure thing in the world at that moment. Samantha had yelled at him and had demanded he take her hand, when he hadn't she felt crushed. Had it not been for the muffled sounds of the bound Robin, Sam would have succumbed to the urge to plead with Jack and sacrificed any pride she had left.

At that moment she would have given anything for him to hold her and reassure her. To be so close and yet so far had been so terrible. Jack told her she would walk a mile in his shoes; but it wasn't the murder he briefly framed her for that made Samantha feel like she'd walked in his shoes. It was the indescribable loneliness she'd felt being so close to him and yet so far away. Was that what Jack felt? As Samantha got out of the tub and dried off, she wondered what Jack was doing...

*************************************

Jack stood in front of his full length mirror looking over his appearance with a critical eye. For several minutes he studied his tie intently, trying to decide if it was tied perfectly or not. He was wearing a white tie and black tails that he'd picked up from his tailor earlier in the day. Although Jack seldom thought much about his appearance, tonight it was important to him. Tonight he had a date with his Samantha and they would ring in the New Year together. After a spray of cologne, he picked up the black satin mask and pulled it over his eyes. The half mask framed his eyes and left his jaw and mouth exposed. While Jack didn't wish to wear a cumbersome disguise, he had to be certain of Samantha before he could reveal his true face in it's entirety.

Recently he'd noticed a change in Samantha and her demeanor. Originally Jack had intended to get a protégé and allow her to kill Coop. But Sharon got into a fight just before being released and had time added to her sentence and Sam had broken things off with Coop, allowing Jack to table Coop's demise to a later date. Samantha showing her gum chewing swain the door had been a pleasant and unexpected surprise. Something felt different since Robin Poole's apartment. When Samantha had demanded Jack touch her, it had taken all his restraint not to take her in his arms then and there. However, Jack felt she wasn't ready at that time and reluctantly resisted.

In the months before Robin's killing spree, when Jack spoke to Samantha in Memphis, he felt her wavering and actually listening to him for the first time ever. Though the conversation was shorter than Jack would have like, it was also longer than he had dared to hope. He expected her to cry out to her coworkers at the first little verbal push, but she lasted through several to Jack's delight. Every encounter they had, he became more convinced that she was closer to accepting what was between them. Tonight would be Jack's boldest move he'd made in his pursuit of Samantha.

When she was unconscious after the spider bite, after treating her and putting the wash into her eyes, Jack had busied himself with silicon molds. He'd molded Samantha's face for a now defunct plan involving Sharon and Jack molded Sam's hands to get her hand print so he could enter the firehouse. The guards would present little problem, Jack knew where they ordered takeout from most nights and arranged for the food to be laced with a sedative. Before midnight, Jack would be able to visit Samantha and ring in the New Year with her.

Satisfied with his appearance, Jack pulled on the surgical glove he'd adhered Samantha's handprint to. Turning his hand over, he looked at her print on the palm of his hand, his eyes lovingly tracing the lines he'd nearly memorized since taking the cast. Tonight he would be so close to his Samantha, Jack thought with a smile. Jack grew hard as he looked up at one of her photos smiling down on him. Absently he caressed his shaft for a moment before pulling on a pair of black leather gloves, covering the medical glove which held the key to seeing Sam. Jack forced himself to take a deep breath and reminded himself that it would be a long time before Samantha was ready for intimate contact. Tonight, he would content himself merely to speak to her for a few moments and if she seemed receptive, maybe to steal a kiss...

***********************************

Sam opened her dresser drawer and started to reach for her pajamas when her hand moved over a silky white nightgown. When she purchased it, she'd been thinking of Jack. Later she felt guilty and so it remained untouched. The ankle sweeping gown had been on clearance so she couldn't return it and now the unworn garment called to her. What would it hurt to wear it just this once? No one would see her in it and she hadn't actually bought it for Jack, Sam tried to convince herself. Her pajamas remained in the drawer as the column of white silk slid over her curves. For a moment Samantha closed her eyes and luxuriated in the feel of the sensual fabric, but as her thoughts turned to her stalker, she forced her eyes open and stormed out of the bedroom.

Walking into the living room, Samantha grabbed the remote and started flipping through channels, desperately trying to find something to watch that would take her mind off of Jack. The silky feel of the material was starting to arouse her and she'd managed to go nearly a week without touching herself and fantasizing about Jack. If she didn't find something to occupy herself and quick, Sam would break her New Year's resolution before it even started. As she sped through the channels, Samantha finally settled on the Times Square New Years Countdown, the noisy and crowded scene was as far removed from Jack as she could imagine.

As Samantha sat watching the television she was oblivious to Jack's approach below. After parking near her building, Jack got out of his car and looked around cautiously. He checked his watch, a quarter to midnight, just enough time to see in the New Year with his Samantha. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he reached inside his jacket and wrapped his hand around his knife. Weapon at the ready, Jack slowly opened the door to the firehouse. He was relieved to find the two guards snoring loudly at a table filled with half eaten Chinese food.

Smiling, Jack walked towards the scanner, the guards would be unconscious until sometime tomorrow afternoon. Pulling off his black leather glove, Jack pressed the medical glove Sam's print was adhered to against the scanner. His breath caught as he waited for the scan to complete and the elevator door to open. Grinning as the doors opened, Jack entered the elevator and waited for the doors to close. As the elevator ascended towards his Samantha, Jack removed the medical glove and shoved it inside his jacket pocket. Just as the elevator came to a halt, he pulled the black leather glove back onto his hand.

Absorbed in the New Year's Countdown, Sam didn't notice as the knob of the front door turned slowly and then opened to admit the shadowy figure of Jack. The only illumination besides the flickering television was the lights of the tree and a few candles scattered throughout the apartment. From the shadows, Jack watched his Samantha while remaining concealed in the darkness. Drinking in the sight of her, Jack committed every detail to memory to savor and cherish when he was alone again. In the darkness he indulged in the fantasy she had dressed in the provocative nightgown to please him. Unable to resist the idea of being able to feel her skin against his, he slid the leather gloves off his hands and pocketed them.

Sitting and watching the television, Sam felt resentful towards the happy couples the cameras were panning over. Hundreds of happy women who were content with nice normal men that would kiss them at midnight, instead of watching television and fantasizing about a serial killer. Draining her glass of wine, Samantha reached for the bottle on the coffeetable and tipped it over her glass, only to find it was empty. There had only been a couple glasses in the leftover bottle from Christmas. Briefly she debated whether or not to open another bottle. Why shouldn't she? It wasn't like there was anyone to see her, why shouldn't she have as much as she wanted, the voice in her head taunted.

As Samantha stood up, the television announced, "It is now the final countdown before we drop the ball here at Times Square. Ten... Nine..."

Moving forward from the shadows, Jack murmured, "Samantha."

"Seven..." the television persisted.

"Jack," Samantha gasped in shock. Standing before her in tie and tails, with only a small eye mask to conceal his identity, was the man who haunted her dreams and fantasies.

"Five... Four..."

Closing the distance between them, Jack stood before Samantha and gathered her into his arms. Too surprised to resist, she stared at him. Jack captured her mouth with his and began to kiss her.

"Two... One... Happy New Year!"

As Old Lang Syne played in the background, Samantha melted in Jack's embrace. Part of her knew she should fight him, the part of her that was an agent. But Agent Sam Waters wasn't in control at the moment, Samantha who fantasized over Jack's roses was in control and she had no desire to pull away from Jack. Her arms wrapped around him as she returned his kiss with equal fervor. When Jack finally pulled his mouth from hers, Samantha made no move to get away from him, content to stay in his arms.

Nuzzling her face into his neck, she whispered, "Happy New Year, Jack"

"And to you my Samantha," Jack sighed against her hair.

Turning her face to his, Samantha pressed her mouth to Jack's. For a moment their tongues met, then Jack pulled back abruptly. A small whimper of protest rose from her throat at the loss of his body against hers. Her breath was coming in shallow pants, so many nights she'd fantasized about Jack and tonight he was here. Taking a step forward, she placed her hand on his arm and looked up at him invitingly. Uncertainly, Jack studied her as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. Nipples straining against the fabric of her gown, her desire was obvious. While her responsiveness pleased him, the degree of her enthusiasm gave him pause.

Reluctantly, Jack ended the kiss and gently held her at arm's length as he demanded, "How much have you had to drink tonight?"

He thought she was drunk, Samantha realized with a nervous giggle. At her giggle Jack's face clouded over slightly in displeasure. Looking up at his masked face, she met his gaze and replied soberly, "I've only had a couple glasses of wine. I'm perfectly aware of what I'm doing."

"And what is it that you're doing?"

"What I've wanted to do since Memphis and maybe deep down, what I've wanted to do since day one," she responded. Taking his hand from her shoulder, she placed it between her breasts over her heart. He instantly withdrew his hand, not allowing himself to believe her words. Moving closer, Samantha arched against him and brought his hand back to her heart, this time holding it there and lowering her mouth to suck on his index finger.

"Samantha," Jack moaned as her tongue caressed his finger in erotic promise. Nervously he withdrew his finger from her mouth. He placed his hands on either side of her face and drew her gaze to his. As desperately as Jack wanted her, he didn't want to ruin years of courtship by taking things too far.

Looking into the dark eyes that peered from the mask, Samantha could sense his uncertainty. Her eyes never left his as she confessed, "I want you, Jack."

Lightly his fingertips traced down her cheeks and along her throat. In anticipation, Sam quivered slightly as his lips gently brushed hers in a tender kiss. Lifting his mouth from hers, his hands moved over her stomach as Jack asked, "Are you certain this is what you want my Samantha?"

"Make me yours, Jack," she pleaded. As his hands slid upwards and cupped her breasts, she gasped, "I want to be your Samantha. I want you, my Jack."

"My Samantha," he breathed reverently before seeking her mouth with his.

When the kiss ended, Samantha's hands moved to the straps of her nightgown. As wonderful as Jack's touch felt through the satin, she was aching to feel his hands on her bare skin. Sliding the thin straps off her shoulders, the gown puddled on the floor around her feet. For a moment Jack's eyes ran appreciatively over her curves before rubbing his thumbs over her rosy peaks and mating his tongue with hers. Samantha moulded her hips against his, relishing the feel of his increasing arousal that pressed against her. A whimper escaped from her as his lips trailed down her throat and finally came to her breasts.

Years of forbidden desire surfaced within Samantha, heightening her arousal to a frenzied level. Pulling Jack's mouth back to hers, she devoured him ravenously and ground against his straining erection. Through a haze of lust, a sense of rightness and belonging washed over her as their embrace tightened. Fervently the couple caressed one another with their hands as their tongues dueled, as fiercely as the game that had played between them over the years. Jack reached behind Samantha and brought her thigh up around his waist, then he brought the other up as well. Holding her tightly as she straddled him, Jack luxuriated in the sensation of Samantha pressed against him.

"Bedroom?" Jack gasped as he held her.

"Yes!" Samantha cried, aching with need.

Carefully, Jack carried her towards the bedroom, he'd dreamed of entering for so long. As he walked, Samantha licked along his earlobe and traced her fingertips along the line of his jaw and his goatee. When her fingers were touching the patch of hair below his lip, Jack fluttered his tongue against her knuckles in a delicate rhythm that made her tremble as the sensation seemed to travel from her hand to between her thighs. Passing through the doorway of the bedroom, Jack maneuvered them to the bed and gently lowered Samantha. Her legs were still wrapped around him as she began pulled at his tie and sent it sailing across the room. As Jack pulled back and shed his jacket, Samantha stared at his pants in a mixture of embarrassment and horror. The black fabric across his hips was entirely soaked from her arousal and there was the distinct outline of the curve of her rear end in the shining fluid.

Jack merely smiled and assured, "I think I prefer them this way."

Desire pushed embarrassment aside as the urgency for their union returned. As Jack stripped his vest off and removed his knife and it's sheath, Samantha started wrangling with the buttons on his shirt. Impatient to feel him inside her and his clothing already damaged, she gave up after two buttons, grabbed the elegant shirt on either side and ripped it open. Jack slid his feet out of his shoes and sat on the bed beside Samantha. Their lips met as he slid off one black sock and then the other. Anxiously Samantha reached for the zipper on Jack's pants and struggled to get it down. His erection was pressing tightly against the fabric, making it nearly impossible to coax the zipper down.

At last the zipper gave way and Jack's cock sprung free. He stood up to allow his trousers to slide to the floor, groaning slightly as Samantha reached out to caress his shaft. With no more barriers except for Jack's mask, Sam moved back on the bed and beckoned him to join her. Climbing onto the bed, Jack lowered his mouth to her breasts again. As Jack moved over her, Samantha reached up to remove his mask. Suddenly, Jack's face was over hers as he grabbed her wrists and held them over her head.

"No Samantha," Jack growled. "Not until the day you're mine completely."

Although she was disappointed he wouldn't allow her to remove the mask, desire was greater as she wrapped her legs around him and arched up against him. Samantha was nearly sobbing with need when Jack slowly began to push inside her. While she appreciated his gentleness, her needs were too intense to take things slowly. Using her legs around his waist to pull Jack in all the way, Samantha gasped against his mouth as she stretched to accommodate him. As they began to move against each other, their coupling became fierce and intense.

Samantha whimpered as she stared at the dark eyes glittering in the black mask above her. Hot and slick Jack moved within her making her tremble as his mouth sought hers. Faster and harder they mated, years of muted passion at last finding a release from their bodies. Wantonly Samantha writhed under Jack, her desires unfettered by the watchful eyes of the VCTF. Crying out Jack's name, Samantha reveled in the feel of it on her tongue as she repeated it over and over in unguarded abandon. Hearing Samantha's litany of his name, Jack's eyes took on a nearly maniacal gleam as he exalted in the sound.

Under the intensity of Jack's gaze, Samantha realized they weren't merely having sex, they were consummating their relationship. With every stroke and caress, Jack was making her his Samantha and Sam was being pushed aside. Their bodies were speaking vows that would change everything in her life. The thought should have terrified her, but instead excited her as the last barriers of denial fell away under Jack's touch. Jack worshipped her and God help her, but Samantha wanted every bit of it. As Jack moved closer to the edge he grew even harder inside Samantha, the sensation pushed her to the edge and she began to climax beneath him.

"My Samantha," Jack groaned possessively as he came hard within her.

For several moments they lay in each other's embrace, gasping and gently kissing. Once he was recovered enough, Jack rolled onto his side, pulling Samantha with him, their limbs still intertwined. Tenderly he pushed a strand of hair from her face and gazed into her blue eyes with wonder. There were so many things that he longed to say, but didn't for fear of shattering the moment. Almost shyly he reached out to caress her cheek, as though afraid she would pull away. Sensing Jack's concern, Samantha pressed her mouth to his and kissed him. When the kiss ended, Jack gave her an adoring smile, that made her heart turn over.

"My Jack," Samantha said softly. "I've thought about us together like this; but I never dreamed it would be so amazing."

His confidence returning, Jack smiled wickedly, "It was quite nice. Not what I intended for our first time, but very nice."

Feeling his cock stirring against her and seeing the playful expression on his face, she asked, "And what did you have for our first time?"

"For starters," Jack answered moving his hand to the curve of her breast. "I would have made love to you in a slower and more gentlemanly manner."

At that Samantha giggled. Only her Jack would discuss making love in a gentlemanly manner. Enjoying the slow and sensual play of his hand as he gently began to roll her nipple between his thumb and index finger, Samantha inquired, "How so? Making love slowly I understand. But how does one make love in a gentlemanly manner?"

"Perhaps it would be best if I were to show you," Jack suggested. Slowly he kissed her then moved his mouth lower. His mouth trailed at a leisurely pace across her breasts and down her stomach. Her eyes went wide when she felt his goatee brush against her clit and realized what he was about to do. Caressing her warm sex with his tongue, Jack paused and informed her, "A gentleman never makes a mess. Since I seem to have done so, it would only be gentlemanly of me to clean it up."

Tenderly his tongue caressed between her thighs. As he licked her fevered slit, his tongue seemed to inflame and rekindle the fire that had burned moments ago within her. Jack's tongue teased Samantha with slow deliberation, grazing her pussy with velvety sweetness. Flutters of pleasure slowly ignited throughout Samantha's body. Her hips rose off the bed to meet his laving attentions. When he'd begun licking their combined fluids, she'd been surprised, but found it oddly erotic as his mouth passed over her clit and the patch of hair under his lips teased in a feathery wisp over her.

Although his ministrations became more focused on her clit as Samantha grew more aroused, he maintained his unhurried pace. Waves of ecstasy washed over her and she cried out his name in release. Several soft licks accompanied the aftershocks of her orgasm, then his fingers gently replaced his tongue and his mouth moved slowly upwards. When Jack's mouth came to Samantha's breasts, he looked at her inquisitively to see if he was permitted to move further upwards. Jack lips were still shining with the mixture of their excitement.

Roused by the idea of tasting his lips this way, Samantha provoked coquettishly, "When making love in a gentlemanly manner, what happens after the gentleman cleans up his mess?"

A sinful smile curled his sensual mouth as he replied, "In addition remedying any messes, a gentleman always offers to share any delicacies he may have on his person. So my Samantha would you-"

Her lips cut his words off as she pressed her mouth to his. Although Jack allowed her to initiate the kiss, he gently controlled it, forcing Samantha to accept the slower pace he was setting. As splendid as the ferocity of their first coupling had been, Jack was intent on prolonging their lovemaking this time and exploring the subtle nuances. Softly their tongues entwined as their mouths moved in a slow dance. Acquiescing to the leisurely pace Jack insisted on, Samantha ran her hands over his chest and shoulders.

Between Samantha's thighs, Jack's fingers matched the languorous pace of their kiss. Pleasure welled up in Samantha as Jack's thumb manipulated her swollen clit and two of his fingers moved deftly against her g-spot. His other hand was threaded through her hair, holding her gasping mouth to his. Against Jack's shoulders, Samantha's hands trembled as he kept her on the brink. The first flickers of orgasm, sparked to an intense blaze as Samantha's hands clutched convulsively around Jack's upper arms.

When her tremors ceased and she relaxed in his embrace, Jack withdrew his fingers from her pussy. Moving his moist digits over her nipples he brought them to almost painful peaks as his mouth teased against Samantha's. As Jack caressed her, Samantha ran her hands down his smooth shoulders and over his firm backside. Trailing one hand up his back, she ran her fingers through his honey colored locks, her other hand moved tenuously over his hip and wrapped around his arousal. His sharp intake of breath was gratifying to Samantha as she stroked his shaft.

Pulling her mouth from Jack's Sam slowly nibbled down his neck. Wide eyed, Jack watched as she lowered her head downwards. Meeting his gaze for a moment, Samantha moistened her thumbs in her mouth and grazed his flat nipples. Her thumbs continued to caress him as she moved her mouth to his shaft. Starting at the base she licked up the underside of his cock then circled her tongue around the ridge. Looking up at Jack's face, she was pleased to see his eyes were closed and his head was tilted back with a look of ecstasy. Tantalizingly a drop of precum danced at the tip of his cock beckoning her mouth.

As she licked the swollen head, she brought one hand down from his chest and started to gently caress him. Her fingers and thumb couldn't quite meet as she wrapped her hand around his impressive arousal. For several minutes Jack allowed himself to enjoy her touch before pulling her upwards and drawing her mouth to his. Wordlessly he urged her onto her back and tenderly traced her face with the back of his hand. Looking into his eyes Samantha smiled, no man had ever made her feel as desired and treasured as Jack had.

"Samantha," Jack purred and gently covered her body with his.

Very slowly he slid his erection inside her and sought her mouth with his. Thrusting almost as if in slow motion, Jack drew each stroke out. The slow movements made Samantha very aware as every inch of him as he pressed inside of her. Just as she grew accustomed to the languorous rhythm, he gave a single hard fast thrust on the instroke, then resumed his slow pace. Every few thrusts he would go from slow thrusts to one quick hard thrust, the contrast between the two was agonizingly exquisite.

Wrapping her legs around his, Samantha clung to Jack as he guided her through the sensual movements. Gently rocking her hips as he moved within her, Jack kissed her deeply entangling his tongue with hers. Arching against him, Samantha surrendered to his almost worshipful loving. Dark eyes peered from the black satin mask, shining with love and adoration. Looking at the man who had pursued her for so long, she realized this was truly where she belonged. Intense pleasure suffused her body as Samantha lost herself in Jack's embrace.

On the edge of climaxing, unguardedly Samantha sobbed, "I love you. I love you. I love you Jack."

Feeling her beginning to convulse around him, Jack allowed himself to explode inside her on the last deep hard instroke. Breathing heavily from exertion and satisfaction, he kissed Samantha tenderly and propped himself up on his elbows so she wouldn't have to bear his weight. Clouded with emotion, Jack's eyes turned nearly as black as the mask that surrounded them. In the heat of passion, his Samantha said the words he'd longed to hear for nearly a decade; but whether she would still mean them in the light of day was another thing altogether.

"My Samantha," Jack sighed as he gazed into her sapphire eyes. "Do you have any idea how much I love you?" Not waiting for an answer, he continued, "Tonight has been the happiest night of my life."

"Mine too," she purred contentedly and kissed him. Samantha couldn't remember the last time she'd felt so free or happy.

"I want you to know that I understand you may not feel the same way in a day or two. I realize that tonight may be all I'll ever have."

A slight frown marred Samantha's face as she asked, "What do you mean? Jack I meant it when I said I love you."

Pulling her tightly against him in an embrace, Jack responded, "Tonight it's just you and me and you're thinking with your heart." Gesturing towards the window where the first glow of sunrise peeked through, he told her, "During the day when you're with your friends you may feel differently."

"No, I won't. Everything is clear now and you're what I want."

Wistfully, Jack replied, "My Samantha wants and loves me, yes. But what of Agent Sam Waters? Samantha may be capable of loving me, but I don't think Agent Waters will allow Samantha to have what she wants."

Uncertain of the answer herself, she couldn't answer Jack. Quietly she clung to him and closed her eyes wishing things were less complicated. Samantha knew she loved him, but was she really ready to leave her life behind to be with him? Opening her eyes and looking at him, Sam felt like her heart was being ripped out. Surely she hadn't fallen for him so completely after only a single night. But it wasn't only a single night. For nearly a decade Jack had courted her and loved her and for nearly a decade Samantha had lied to herself, pretending it didn't touch her heart.

Sunlight was starting to spill into the room as Jack reluctantly pulled away from her and asked, "Angel will be home soon, won't she?"

"Yes, but-" Samantha trailed off.

"Darling, while you may be able to explain a strange man wearing a mask in your apartment to your roomate, I fear the drugged guards downstairs might be a bit more difficult to dismiss."

Turning away, she agreed, "I suppose."

Gently, Jack took her chin and turned her face towards him. Samantha sniffed slightly as she unsuccessfully tried to blink away the tears that had been forming.

"My darling, I never wanted you to cry. Please my Samantha. Please don't cry. I would rather turn myself in this very minute than cause you to cry."

"No!" she exclaimed in horror. Clutching him she demanded, "Promise me you'll never let them capture you!"

"They never could; but for you I would turn myself in. There's nothing I wouldn't do for you my Samantha."

"Take me with you then," she suggested sadly as Jack started dressing. As he tucked the scraps of his shirt into his pants, Sam tried, "After making love, doesn't a gentleman have to take the girl with him?"

Pulling his jacket on, Jack moved towards her and gathered her in his arms. Tenderly he kissed her and answered, "A gentleman never presses a lady for a life altering decision when she isn't ready to make it. He does however, watch over her and bide his time until the moment she is ready to make that decision."

Scalding tears spilled from her eyes as she buried her face against his chest. "When will I see you again?"

"The next time you see me is up to you. I hope it will be very soon. The next time will be without a mask between us," Jack promised, brushing the tears from her cheeks. Pressing a final kiss to her mouth, he vowed, "I love you, Samantha. And when you are ready, we will be together."

When he let go of her, Samantha knew he was leaving. As he walked out the the bedroom she whispered, "I really do love you, Jack."

***********************************

Jack slipped past the still sleeping guards and walked towards his car. Casting one last look at the firehouse, he slid into his car. After turning the engine over and pulling away, he pulled the mask off his face. Last night when he'd come to spend New Years Eve with Samantha he'd hoped for a kiss. Never had he even dreamed she would allow him to stay and make love to her. Afterwards, he regretted leaving, but it would be better to let Samantha come to him when she was ready rather than take her with him now and lose her because she wasn't ready. Although Jack knew he'd done the right thing, a lump of emotion lodged uncomfortably within his throat.

As he drove, Jack considered his next move. While a gentleman would never pressure a lady to make a decision, he could offer her a gift. To reassure her of his affection after spending the night together was only appropriate, Jack decided. Running over a list of possible victims, Jack settled on the perfect gift. Grinning down at his ripped shirt and the powdery white remnants of Samantha's arousal on his pants, Jack thought a trip home was in order first. And he should probably give his Samantha a few hours to rest before sending her to work.

***********************************

For several moments after Jack left, Samantha remained frozen, her mind too tumultuous for movement. As she gradually collected her thoughts and emotions, she forced herself to walk through the living room and eradicate any indications of her visitor before Angel came home. Picking up the silky nightgown and carrying it too her room, Samantha reached in her bedside table for the roses she'd stolen from evidence. Inhaling deeply, trying to find a small trace of Jack she laid on the bed and closed her eyes. Maybe Jack was right about her not being ready to leave with him, but it didn't change how much it hurt, she decided as tears coursed her cheeks. Gradually exhaustion claimed her and she fell asleep clutching the dried roses.

Several hours later, Samantha roused and stretched. Physically her body felt more satisfied than she could ever remember. However the delicious soreness of pleasure felt slightly hollow without the man who made her feel that way. Where was Jack right now? Home sleeping? Up to some mischief? Glancing at the clock beside the bed she knew she should get up to look in on Angel and Chloe would be home soon, yet oddly they didn't matter. Samantha knew that they should matter to her and attempted vainly to muster some concern when her cell phone rang. Clicking the phone on, she answered.

"Samantha," the voice on the other end purred.

"Jack!" she cried out a smile crossing her face for the first time since he departed earlier.

"Have you gotten some rest?"

In disbelief she asked, "You called to see if I got some sleep?"

There was a throaty chuckle which sent a shiver down her spine and made her toes curl with delight as he answered, "Of course. A gentleman must always reassure a lady of his feelings following a night of lovemaking and check on her."

"Yes I got some sleep," Samantha replied. Blushingly she added, "A little sore, but in a nice way."

"You may want to shower and get dressed soon if you haven't already."

Brightening slightly, "Are you taking me somewhere?"

"In a manner of speaking. Agent Malone should be calling you within the hour regarding my token of affection I am presenting you with."

Jack had killed someone for her. Samantha should feel disgusted, instead she felt pleased. On some level Jack's offering was sweet and reassuring. Before she could respond, Jack promised her that he loved her and that he would be watching over her, then the line went dead. Rising from the bed, Sam moved towards the bathroom to shower with a smile on her face. Briefly she wondered whose death Jack was gifting her with as she reluctantly allowed the water to wash his scent off her body. No sooner than she'd dried off and begun dressing than the call from Bailey came.

When she drove to the crime scene, she adopted a serious expression. Arriving at the house of the victim, Samantha parked her SUV and flashed her credentials as she went through the crimescene tape and into the house. No sooner than she entered the house and Bailey lead her towards the victim. Photographs were being take and Grant was moving a UV light around trying to find the message from Jack. At last personnel moved away from the body allowing her to get a look as Malone filled her in on the details as Grace bent over the corpse.

"His name is Brad Stanton, age 35," Bailey informed her.

Samantha's mind took the name in and a smile pulled at her lips. How Jack had found out about Brad Stanton, she was uncertain. But the gift was oddly fitting. In high school she'd dated him briefly and he'd half talked, half coerced her into giving him a handjob. The next day he broke up with her and spread across the school a rumor that she had slept with him. Jack's word echoed in her mind about the conduct of a gentleman. Raising her hand to her mouth, she stifled a giggle and passed it off as a cough.

Bailey continued, "He was found this morning by a friend. Atlanta PD called us because he'd been tied with electrical cord."

"I'll have to do a complete autopsy; but I'd say he died from head injuries. His tongue has been cut out, detectives found it in the trashcan in the kitchen. And I'd say this is our murder weapon," Grace said holding up an evidence bag. Inside the bag was a bloody telephone receiver. "The phone is an old fashioned hardwire style that I think our boy brought to the scene."

"Guys," Grant drew their attention to the wall and held the UV light up so they could read the message he found. Glowing under the light written in Jack's familiar scrawl was Love You Sam.

The team turned in shock as Samantha broke into a smile and began to giggle uncontrollably. Concerned, Bailey lead Sam out of the house and suggested that she go home, that Sam could work on the case tomorrow. Samantha was still smiling as she made her way through the crowd of people that had gathered around the crime scene in morbid interest. As she opened her SUV, she discovered a dozen thorny roses sitting in the drivers seat. Sam knew she should call the task force over, but instead moved the blossoms to the passenger seat and drove away.

Far away from the crime scene, Samantha parked her vehicle and gathered the fragrant flowers to her chest. Inhaling their scent deeply she sighed contentedly. Jack was trying to reassure her that he loved her. Gestures which should have disturbed her, were sweet and touching. As she enjoyed Jack's gift, she was unaware he was parked a discreet distance away, observing every nuance of her expression. Soon, Jack thought. Today was a very important step. Samantha had accepted his gifts with pleasure and Agent Waters had remained silent about the roses.

***********************************

Jack sat at his computer and typed, turning the cameras in Samantha's apartment on so there was a video feed to his screen, but not to the VCTF. With relish he watched Sam smuggle his gift of roses past her roomate under her coat and into her bedroom. His fingers caressed her beaming face on the monitor as she ran her fingers over the blossoms. Sublime and beautiful, he thought as he watched his beloved. An unholy grin crossed Jack's face as he lit a cigarette and he heard Samantha say his name over and over into the roses. Watching her embrace the roses and listening to her speaking his name, Jack knew she would be with him soon.

***********************************

Sam was getting ready for work, she knew Bailey would expect an explanation for yesterday's giggle fit at the crime scene. As she contemplated what to tell him, she dropped her earring and bent down to pick it up. When she reach under the edge of the dresser for the piece of jewelry, her hand brushed a soft piece of fabric. Curious, she pulled it from under the dresser. Jack's tie she realized rapturously and rubbed it against her cheek. The faint scent of his cologne along with a trace of tobacco and roses clung to the fabric. Tucking the soft white fabric inside her jacket feeling of contentment washed over her.

At work, Sam sat in the command center at the table. George was entering information into his laptop and a picture of the corpse was up on the screen. As Bailey droned on about the details of the crime scene, Samantha felt bored. Looking at her co-workers she wondered how she had ever considered them friends. All were decent ordinary people and none of them actually mattered to her if she was completely honest. At last George brought up the picture of Jack's message and Samantha's heart leapt. Unthinkingly, she reached into her jacket and brought out Jack's tie. Stroking the fabric between her fingers she could almost feel his presence as she stared at his message of love.

***********************************

Jack watched his monitor with amusement as the group discussed his latest offering to his Samantha. With pleasure he observed the apathetic expression on her face and it's change to interest when his love note was placed on the screen. The group was oblivious to Sam's demeanor, but Jack noticed every minor nuance and reveled in it. When she brought his tie out of her jacket, it took Jack a moment to identify what it was. So that's what happened to his tie, Jack thought as Samantha fondled the scrap of fabric. Shock and euphoria washed over him as Jack stared at his monitor and the scene exploded before him.

***********************************

The morning meeting drew to a close and the team was preparing to go to their respective offices when Grant noticed the fabric in Samantha's hand. Grabbing it from her, he held it up and teased, "Hot date recently?"

Samantha lunged for Jack's tie. How dare that clown touch it! Fury washed over her as she struggled to maintain a facade of propriety. Tightly she demanded, "Give it back, now."

Unaware he was in dangerous territory, he playfully refused. George and Bailey laughed and Grace asked who the lucky man was. The words fell unheard around Samantha. Her Jack's property was in someone else's hands and rage was coursing though her. No longer was John harmless and boring, on the edge her consciousness he had become a threat. A violent and frenzied feeling as intense as her passion for Jack rose up within her. Trembling with anger, the urge to kill him seethed from her every pore.

Instinctively her hand grabbed a sharp silver letter opener that rested in a small pot of pens and pencils on the desk. A moment later, Samantha grabbed John by the throat and slammed his back down against the table. Her other hand held the letter opener against his throat as the VCTF stared in wide-eyed horror. Too stunned to move, they watched in disbelief as Sam pinned John down, a murderous expression gleaming in her eyes.

"H-h-here," Grant stuttered holding the tie up to her.

For several minutes, Sam continued to hold the improvised weapon at his throat. At last she removed her hand from his neck and took the piece of fabric from his hand. After releasing him, she placed the opener back in the pen holder.

"Sam?" Bailey managed to speak at last. Moving cautiously towards her, he gently suggested, "You've been under a lot of pressure lately. Why don't you take the rest of the day off and go home?"

Home, that sounded good. Smiling pleasantly, Samantha agreed. Her expression became less pleasant when her boss offered to drive her home, but he rapidly agreed to let her drive herself. Bailey suggested that he come over that evening and perhaps they could discuss working out some vacation time for her. Shrugging Samantha left the stunned group, pleased to be going home. There she could think about Jack in private without having to listen to the tiresome droning of her co-workers. Behind her the concerned group discussed the incident and blamed Jack's latest murder for Sam's violent outburst.

***********************************

Rising from his desk, Jack dashed over to his closet and grabbed the ivory suit he'd purchased yesterday after leaving the roses in Samantha's SUV. He'd known it would only be a short time before she was ready and so he was prepared. As he dressed, he glanced at the remnants of his shirt and his stained pants from New Years Eve. Grinning at the ivory trousers as he pulled them on, they were far more Samantha friendly. Rapidly he tied a tie around his neck. Samantha would be home soon and he planned to pick her up shortly afterwards.

***********************************

When Samantha arrived, home, Angel and Chloe were surprised to see her and she told them she had a head ache and wanted to lay down. From the happy expression on her friend's face and given the secretive manner she'd adopted lately, Angel didn't believe her, but kept silent. Sam went to her bedroom cheerfully humming Old Lang Syne and shut the door behind her. Alone in her room, Samantha stripped off her business suit and she pulled a dress out of her closet that she had stopped wearing when Jack first began courting her. Today she wanted to dress for him even though he wasn't around to see, he'd promised to be watching her and if he was she wanted to show him how much she loved him.

The dress was fell to her knees in layers of ivory chiffon with crimson roses scattered all over the fabric. Short of tattooing his name on her flesh, Samantha could make it no more obvious who she belonged to. Standing in front of the mirror she spun in a happy pirouette. At work today, Agent Sam Waters had realized she loved Jack and had in essence destroyed her career. Now only Samantha remained and picking up the roses she had smuggled in the other day, she laughed as she remembered the expression on her coworker's faces. A slight frown marred her face as she thought of Bailey coming over tonight to straighten her out. Her displeasure was interrupted by her cell phone ringing.

A wave of anticipation coursed through her as she answered, then crested into joy as Jack's voice greeted her on the other end, "Samantha."

"Jack!" she cried out in pleasure.

"The last time we met, I told you I would see you soon, but that I thought you weren't ready to make any life altering decisions," Jack reminded her. Then inquired, "May I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"The night we spent together you told me you loved me? Do you still feel the same way today?"

"I love you so much it hurts, Jack. Please let me come to you."

"Will you still love me tomorrow?"

Without hesitation Samantha replied, "Tomorrow and the next day and the next. I love you Jack."

"When a lady knows what her heart wants, a gentleman offers to take her with him," Jack informed her playfully. "If you're ready Samantha, I'm outside waiting for you. Bring anything that is important to you because there will be no going back if you join me. I love you and am waiting for you my Samantha."

The line went dead as Jack hung up. Euphoria flood Samantha, Jack was only a few steps away. Looking around her room for a moment, she realized there was nothing that was important enough to bring with her. Stripping her wedding rings off, she headed for the bedroom door. Walking past Chloe and Angel, Sam told them she loved them and walked out the door. On the elevator ride down she tapped her foot impatiently and burst out the lift the moment the doors opened.

Dashing outside, her heart leapt as she spotted the convertible with a familiar figure lounging against it across the the street. Glancing quickly at traffic, Samantha dashed across the street and into Jack's waiting arms. No mask concealed his handsome features as his face lit up at the sight of her. Their lips met in a tender kiss as they stood in one another's embrace. After mating their lips together for several minutes, Jack held the passenger door open for her and anxiously Samantha got in. As Jack started the car, he placed his left hand of the steering wheel and wrapped his right arm around Samantha as she slid next to him and nuzzled against his neck.

Tracing her hand along his thigh, Samantha inquired, "Do gentleman ever break the speed limit and take shortcuts to get home?"

"Occasionally. Certainly a gentleman would if his lady wished him to do so," Jack smiled at her.

Caressing her hand over his shaft, Jack grew very hard as Samantha informed him, "This lady definitely wishes you to do so. I'm anxious for you to make love to me." Then teasingly she added, "In a gentlemanly way of course."

Jack threw his head back and laughed as he pressed his foot down on the accelerator. A short time later, he carried Samantha over his threshold and obliged her. In a gentlemanly manner of course...