In A Heartbeat

Chapter Nine

Riley wasn't sure how long she'd been lying on the couch crying. She sat up

wiping the tears from her face. She winced when she came in contact with her

split lip. Riley glanced around the room wondering if she would ever look at her

living room in quite the same way. Her anger from earlier had vanished and she

just felt heartsick. Without any real thought she reached out and picked up the

phone. She really didn't consciously notice whose number she'd called until she

heard that familiar voice.

"Hello." Riley was almost surprised to realize she'd instinctively called Sam.

"Hello." Sam said again.

She cleared her throat before speaking but her voice still sounded rough from

crying.

"Hi Sam. It's Riley."

Sam tensed at the sound of Riley's voice. "What's wrong?" She was answered

by silence.

"Riley please tell me what's wrong. You're scaring me."

"My uncle and aunt were waiting for me when I got home. Dr. Stevens must've

called him and told him about us." Riley couldn't stop the tears from falling again.

"My uncle was very angry." She told Sam though her tears.

Sam glanced over at Kim and Jess. They were both watching her closely. She

put her hand over the receiver for a second. "It's Riley, something happened with

her uncle." She quickly explained.

"Baby, listen to me. Did he hurt you?" Sam's anger soared when Riley didn't

answer and started to cry harder. "I'll be right there." Sam told her already on her feet.

"No. Wait Sam. I don't want to disrupt your time with Kim and Jess. I just needed

to hear your voice. I'll be fine." She tried to convince her. She already felt guilty

for even bothering her.

Sam ignored her protests. "I'll be there as fast as I can. Don't open the door for

anyone 'til I get there." She hung up before Riley could protest further.

Sam grabbed her keys as she turned to face her sister. "I have to go. Riley's

uncle was waiting for her when she got home. Her asshole boss called him and

told him about us. He was very angry according to Riley. I think he hurt her and

she's not telling me. I've got to get up there."

Jess grabbed her backpack. "Let us go with you. I can help if she's injured and

Kim might be able to help her deal with the fallout from the confrontation with her

uncle."

Sam shook her head no. Kim stepped in before she could speak.

"No Jess. It's Sam Riley needs. Riley would've told her if she was seriously hurt.

She reached out by calling her and Sam needs to be there for her." Kim

counseled.

Sam quickly kissed Kim and her sister goodbye. "I'll call when I can and let you

know what's going on." She assured them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam broke the speed limit as well as several other traffic laws as she raced up

to Riley's condo. She figured worse case if she got stopped they'd let her off

when she told them who she was. She managed to make the almost thirty

minute drive in fifteen. She ran up to Riley's condo arriving slightly out of breath

from the pain. Her leg hadn't been up to running.

She knocked on Riley's door. It took several moments before the porch light

clicked on. "It's me Sam." She confirmed. "Let me in."

The door opened revealing Riley with her bruised face and bloody split lip.

"Oh Christ." Sam gasped before quickly stepping into the condo and locking the

door behind her. She gently pulled Riley into her arms cradling her against her

chest. "Are you alright Baby?" She asked in a gentle voice.

Riley burst into tears clinging to Sam. Sam wrapped her arms around Riley

holding her tightly to her chest. She stroked her hair trying to calm her. Riley's

tears tapered off. She shuddered, tightening her arms around Sam's waist.

"I am now." She finally responded her voice muffled by Sam's shirt.

Sam placed her fingers under Riley's chin and carefully tilted her face up. "Did

your uncle do this to you?"

"Yes." Riley whispered.

"I'll kill that bastard!" Sam hissed through clenched teeth her whole body going

taut with rage.

"No Sam. Please."

Sam berated herself. She has seen plenty of these situations and violence was

never the answer. Riley's needed her support and caring, not her anger.

"I'm sorry Sweetheart; it just makes me crazy that someone hurt you."

Riley couldn't help but notice the endearments Sam had been using. This was a

side of Sam she'd never seen. She smiled at Sam and instantly winced.

"Let's get you taken care of. Where's your first aid kit?"

Sam kept an arm wrapped around Riley's shoulders as they made their way into

the bathroom. She directed Riley to sit on the commode as she searched for all

the supplies she needed. She carefully cleaned her split lip with peroxide and

wiped the blood off her face. When she was done she pressed a soft kiss to her

forehead.

"Go into the living room and I'll get some ice for your face and lip."

Riley looked hesitant. Her eyes drop to her lap and she made no attempt to get

up.

"What's wrong Baby?" Sam questioned kneeling down in front of Riley.

"I really don't want to go back in there right now." Riley told her softly.

It took Sam a second to realize that must've been where the confrontation with

her uncle had taken place.

"Do you want to leave? We could go to my apartment." Sam offered.

Riley shook her head. "No I won't let them run me out of my own home but..."

Riley seemed suddenly almost shy. "Could we go up to my bedroom?"

Sam grinned causing Riley to blush. She reached out and stroked Riley's cheek.

"Whatever you want. Why don't you go change into something comfy and I'll get

the ice and be right there."

Riley's eyes were liquid pools of heather as she gazed into Sam's eyes. "Thank

you."

"You don't have to thank me. I'll be here whenever you need me for as long as

you need me."

Riley felt her tears start to flow again. Sam immediately enclosed her in a warm

embrace.

"Everything is going to be alright Riley. I promise."

Riley turned to head up the stairs and didn't see the look of pain that crossed

Sam's face.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam made her way into the kitchen fighting the tears that threatened to fall. She

felt like a tight band was closing around her chest. She prepared the ice for

Riley's split lip. When the image of Riley as she'd looked when she first opened

the door filled Sam's mind her tears started flowing. " What have I done?" she cried to herself. " This is all my fault. If I'd just left her alone none of this would've happened." She dried her eyes and splashed cold water on her face before

heading upstairs. She didn't want Riley to know she'd been crying. I need to be

strong for her, she reminded herself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sam stepped into the doorway of the bedroom and stopped in shock. Riley was

standing as if she was frozen in the middle of the room. The place was a mess.

All the drawers were open with clothes hanging out of them. The covers were

pulled off the bed and lying in the floor.

"Riley?" Sam called quietly, not wanting to startle her.

"Why would she do this? What'd she think she was going to find?" Riley cried.

Sam stepped over closer to Riley. "Who? Who did this?"

Riley turned to face Sam. "My aunt. When I came home, my uncle was waiting

for me in the living room. I thought she hadn't come with him. Then she came

down the stairs to join us. She must've been up here... doing this."

Riley looked so lost standing there staring at the wreck of her bedroom. Her

eyes seemed to go dull and vacant.

Sam walked over to the bed and quickly pulled the cover back up and onto the

bed. Riley never moved from her spot in the middle of the room. When she was

done Sam took Riley by the hand and led her over to the bed. Riley just stood

there making no move to sit down.

"Sit down." Sam gently instructed pressing lightly on Riley's shoulders when she

didn't receive a response.

She carefully placed the towel with the ice inside against the side of Riley's face

and lip. She lifted Riley's hand and placed it against the towel urging her to hold

it in place. Sam was starting to get scared by the vacant look in Riley's eyes.

Maybe she should've let Jess come with her. She left Riley sitting on the bed

and went around the room pushing clothes back into drawers. Once she had the

room back into some semblance of order she went back over to Riley.

Kneeling down in front of her, she gently stroked her uninjured cheek. "You okay

Baby?" she inquired softly.

It took several moments but Riley's eyes regained their focus. She looked at

Sam then around the room. "Oh Sam, you didn't have to do that."

"Don't worry about it. How about you get into some PJ's and get ready for bed

then we'll talk."

"Okay," Riley agreed. She opened a drawer and pulled out a tee shirt and pair of

boxers before heading into the bathroom.

Sam once again approached the bed and quickly finished her remake job. She

kicked off her shoes and propped a pillow against the headboard; situating

herself with her long legs stretched out.

She'd just gotten settled when Riley stepped out of the bathroom. Riley's eyes

widened for just a second at seeing Sam in her bed. She made her way across

the room and quickly climbed into the bed on the side opposite Sam. Her

expression was so open and wounded that Sam instantly opened her arms

offering whatever comfort she could. Riley threw herself against Sam's chest

burying her face between Sam's breasts. Sam held Riley tight murmuring

soothing words into her ear as she rubbed her back. Sam spent long moments

holding her. Riley finally relaxed in her arms.

"Want to tell me what happened?" She asked.

Riley took a deep breath before she began. "My uncle was waiting for me when I

got back from lunch with you. I guess they'd left a message on my machine

saying they would be here today but I never checked it. As soon as I walked in

the door, my uncle demanded to know where I'd been. I told him I'd been out

with a friend. He seemed really upset which is strange for him. He never shows

his emotions. He sneeringly asked if it was the same friend that had been

hanging around the hospital. That's when I knew what it was all about. That

bastard Stevens must've called him. I tried to change the subject and avoid the

confrontation. I always knew they'd take finding out I was gay poorly. I guess

that's why I didn't admit it to myself for so long. I wanted them to be proud of

me." Riley started to get choked up then shook her head refusing to cry. "That's

when he told me he wouldn't have his reputation tarnished and be embarrassed

in front of his friends by such deviant behavior and forbid me to see you again.

My aunt threw in her two cents telling me that they knew I wasn't 'that way' and

would get me help."

Sam struggled to keep a hold of her anger knowing there was more to come.

She knew if she lost her temper Riley would never tell her what else had

happened.

"I told them I was gay and the sooner they got used to it the better. I'm 35 years

old and it's time I chose my own path. My uncle was furious. He stormed across

the room and demanded I do what I was told. He said no niece of his was going

to be a queer. It's the first time in my life I've ever stood up to my uncle. My aunt

then proceeded to tell me how ashamed my parents would be of me."

Riley couldn't hold back her tears anymore. The comments about her mother

had truly wounded her.

"Is that when he hit you?"

"No. He told me that my mother manipulated my Dad and that she was just

some white trash slut. He said if my Dad had stayed in LA he'd still be alive."

Riley was sobbing now making it hard to understand her. "I told him my father

loved my mother and had left LA to get away from him. That's when he slapped

me and told me I was the same white trash as my mother and...." Riley was

sobbing so hard Sam couldn't understand her. She cradled her to her chest

trying to calm her. Her words suddenly became clear. "He said I should've died

with her."

Sam was in shock, this man is supposed to be her uncle?" she thought

incredulously. Her temper flared at the pain the bastard had caused Riley.

"Then they left?" Sam questioned praying it was the end of the horrible

encounter.

Riley laughed bitterly. "Oh no, then he told me that I was no niece of his and to

never contact them again. He added not to expect any money from the family

estate. I laughed in his face and told him I didn't want any of his fucking money.

That's when he hit me the second time. I told them to get out before I called the

police and I demanded my condo keys back from my aunt. Then they left."

Sam was torn between guilt and anger. The guilt won out and tears began to trail

down Sam's face. Riley felt Sam's body began to shake and looked up to see

the tears running down her face.

"I'm so sorry, this is all my fault. If I hadn't pressured you into getting involved

with me none of this would've ever happened." Sam tearfully apologized.

Riley was shocked. How could she possible blame herself for this? Riley felt her

anger rise. It was one thing for her uncle to hurt her but now he'd hurt Sam. She

couldn't believe Sam could blame herself for this. She'd set her straight right

now!

Sam took Riley's silence as condemnation. When Riley pulled out of her arms,

Sam's shoulders slumped and her head dropped to her chest, her tears dripping

onto her shirt.

"You listen to me Samantha McKenna!" Riley demanded angrily.

Sam's head popped up at Riley's angry tone. For the first time since she'd

entered the condo, Riley's eyes were full of life and sparking with her anger.

"This is not your fault! I was already dating women before I ever met you. It was

just a matter of time before my uncle found out or I told him. I'm only going to

say this to you one more time! You...didn't... pressure... me... into... anything!

Riley punctuated each of her words with a sharp poke into Sam's chest.

Sam couldn't help it, she grinned helplessly. Riley was just so damn cute when

she was mad. "OK... OK...I get it!" Sam said rubbing her chest where Riley had

repeatedly poked her.

"Good." Riley exclaimed as she settled back into Sam's arms.

Neither woman spoke for some time they just savored the feeling of safety and

comfort offered by the other woman. As the tension of the night finally caught up

with Riley, she yawned widely wincing at the pulling on her split lip. Sam

caressed Riley's hair as she yawned again.

"Maybe I should go. You need to get some sleep."

Riley tightened her hold on Sam. "Please don't go. I don't want to be alone."

Riley pleaded.

Sam slid further down into the bed drawing Riley closer to her. "I'll stay 'til you

fall asleep then I'll crash on your couch...okay?"

Riley pressed against Sam's side and looked up into her eyes. Her lower lip

stuck out in a pout. "No, stay here... in my bed with me." Riley could read the

hesitation on Sam's face. "Please," she added.

Sam couldn't resist the plea in Riley's voice. "Sure Baby, whatever you need."

Riley hugged Sam tight.

"I'm not sure I have anything that would fit you."

"That's alright; I'm fine like I am."

"You can't sleep like that Honey. Let me see what I can find." Riley said climbing out of bed over Sam's protests.

She rummaged around in several drawers before coming up with an oversized

tee shirt. She held it up to herself and it came down to her knees. She pressed

the shirt into Sam's hands. Sam had learned to recognize that particular

stubborn look on Riley's face and knew there was no sense in protesting further.

She headed for the bathroom to change. Riley followed her pointing out where

the towels were and getting her a spare toothbrush. Once Riley was gone Sam

set about getting ready for bed. She stripped down to her bra and boxers.

Changing her mind, she removed her bra before slipping the shirt over her head.

It fit more like a tee shirt on her. It was slightly tight across the shoulders and

chest and did nothing to hide the outline of her breasts. The shirt that had gone

to Riley's knee's barely made it to the top of her thighs and her boxers stuck out

from under the shirt. Shrugging her shoulders she made her way back into the

bedroom.

Riley had turned off the overhead light leaving just the bedside light burning.

She'd removed the comforter leaving a sheet and light blanket on the bed. She

pulled back the covers invitingly when Sam approached. Sam swallowed hard

still not convinced this was a good idea. Buck up McKenna, she chastised

herself, look at her she needs you. She slipped into the bed and settled on her

back. Riley turned off the light. Even though the bed was a queen, there wasn't a

lot of space between them. Sam wasn't a small woman like Riley. Sam glanced

over at Riley. She could just make out her face in the moonlight coming in from

the open drapes. Her eyes were open and she appeared to be staring at the

ceiling.

"Come here Riley." Sam said lifting her arm up.

Riley didn't have to be told twice. She immediately came into Sam's arms resting

her head on her shoulder. Sam's arms came around Riley.

"Good night Riley." Sam whispered softly.

"Night Sam. Thank you for staying." Riley said sighing quietly.

She pressed the length of her body against Sam's side. It wasn't long before

Sam felt Riley relax and her breathing even out. Sam lay for a long time enjoying

the feel of Riley in her arms. She too eventually drifted off to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley woke feeling disoriented. She was hot and reached down to push the

covers off. Even uncovered she was still hot, the bed itself seemed to be

radiating heat. That's when she realized her pillow was moving. She forced her

eyes open and found a tee shirt covered breast directly in front of her face. Her

eyes widened in surprise and her head jerked up; seeing Sam's sleeping face

the events of the evening came rushing back. Riley laid her head back down on

Sam's chest. It was still dusky in the bedroom; she looked over at the clock on

the nightstand and saw it was not quite 5am. She'd obviously moved during the

night. She remembered starting out with her head on Sam's shoulder and

pressed against her side. Now her head and upper body was resting on Sam's

chest and belly and her thigh was bent and resting across Sam's legs. The body

under her felt like an electric blanket. Boy she'll be handy to have around in the

winter. Her eyes went back to the breast in front of her. Unable to resist she

brought her hand up and brushed across the soft mound. Getting no response,

she did it again with just a little more pressure. Continuing to gently stroke and

then knead Sam's breast she grinned when the nipple started to harden and

Sam moaned in her sleep. Feeling braver, she slipped her hand under Sam's

shirt that had conveniently slid up during the night exposing her belly. When her

hand closed over her bare breast and squeezed Sam's body jumped and her

breathing changed. Riley knew she was awake. She continued to fondle her

breast and when the nipple hardened further rolled it between her fingers.

"What are you doing Riley?" Sam groaned.

Riley moved until she was fully on top of Sam straddling her hips before meeting

her eyes. She slid both hands under her shirt and kneaded her breasts. Sam's

hips bucked up.

"What's it look like I'm doing." She asked leaning down to gently kiss Sam's lips and being careful of her own split lip.

Sam had wanted this woman for weeks and she was rapidly loosing the battle

against her raging libido. She knew after all Riley had been through she was

very vulnerable and it probably wasn't a good idea to become intimate right now.

She was having a tough time convincing her libido of that.

"This is so not a good idea." Sam gasped when Riley rolled both nipples

between her fingers."

"Really, I think it's a great idea." Riley informed Sam as she pushed her shirt up and replaced her fingers with her lips gently sucking one of Sam's nipples into

her mouth.

"Oh God!" Sam moaned. Every tug of Riley mouth on her nipple sent an

answering throb between her legs. She gripped the sheets tightly. "We have to

stop Riley... We should wait... We need to talk... Sam panted.

Riley released Sam's nipple and moved up to whisper in her ear. Her hands

continued to caress her body. "I'm done talking... I don't want to wait and if you

really want me to stop you better say so fast 'cause I'm not stopping." Riley

whispered huskily in her ear. Her hot breath in Sam's ear was driving her closer

to the edge. Her hand slid down Sam's belly and into her boxers. Sam's legs

spread open without her permission granting access. Riley groaned as her

fingers slid into the wet hot folds. Her hips jerked in response. She tried to push

her own arousal aside wanting to pleasure Sam.

Sam's back arched as Riley stroked her determinately. When Riley moved back

down to take one of her nipples into her mouth Sam knew she wasn't going to

last much longer.

"Riley...please...I'm going to come." Sam didn't know if she was begging for it to happen or pleading for her to stop.

Sam's husky desire laden voice almost pushed Riley over the edge. She

straddled Sam's thigh then thrust her fingers inside her. Sam screamed out

Riley's name and came hard with the first thrust of her fingers. Riley kept her

fingers buried deep inside Sam riding out her climax as she continued to thrust

against her thigh. Only seconds later Riley stiffened and cried out as her climax

rushed through her body. She slumped against Sam's chest her fingers still

inside her. Both women lay panting trying to regain their composure. Riley

moved first gently removing her fingers from inside Sam. Sam groaned loudly as

she pulled out.

Riley lifted up meeting Sam's bright eyes. "I... I lo..." Sam just couldn't get the words out. Riley didn't need to hear the words she could see the love

shimmering in Sam's vivid blue eyes. She leaned forward kissing her softly. "I do

too," she told her. Tears started to track down Sam's cheeks.

"What's the matter Honey?" Riley asked gently. "That's not a bad thing is it?"

Sam swallowed several times before answering. "No Babe, it's not a bad thing. I

just... I just never thought it would happen to me."

Riley hugged Sam as tight at she could in response. "Me either Honey... me

either."

The women lay together each one glowing in the revelation of the other. They

finally drifted back to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley was the first to awaken again. This time when she opened her eyes she

found a naked breast inches from her face. Glancing at the clock she saw it was

just after 9am. A grin spread across her face as she remembered what had

happened earlier. Her hand stroked down Sam's side stopping when she got to

her boxers. She looked down seeming to notice for the first time that Sam still

had her boxers and tee shirt on and she was still completely dressed as well.

She couldn't help it, it just struck her as funny and she started to laugh. Her

laughter woke up Sam. She looked down at the redhead resting on her chest

and kissed the crown of her head. Riley lifted her head up still chucking.

"You find my body that funny." Sam asked.

"Oh Honey, I find your body lots of things, funny isn't one of them." Riley assured Sam leaning over to kiss her breast. "I was just laughing cause I realized we

were both still dressed.

Riley snickered at Sam's confused look. "I always knew when we finally made

love for the first time we wouldn't manage to get our clothes off and I was right."

Sam laughed. "I guess someone did get a little carried away," Sam teased. "But that can be remedied."

Riley gasped finding herself suddenly on her back under Sam. Her heart rate

picked up and her breath hitched at the burning passion in Sam's eyes. Sam

lifted up enough to grasp the bottom of Riley's tee shirt hesitating until Riley

eagerly nodded her head. Riley helped her pull the shirt over her head.

"Beautiful." Sam breathed. She leaned down to gently kiss an exposed breast.

Riley groaned at the soft kiss. Sam's hand slid down to her boxers. "I want to

see all of you...please." Again, she just nodded. Sam sat up and knelt next to

Riley. She gently lowered her boxers down her legs and off. Her hands were

shaking and she was trembling with excitement.

Her eyes traced Riley's body from her firm full breasts down to her slim waist.

Her gaze traveled further down to the red triangle of hair at the top of

surprisingly sculptured thighs. "You are absolutely gorgeous," Sam said huskily.

Riley felt her heart slam in her chest at the look on Sam's face. She was afraid

she'd come as soon as Sam touched her.

"I want to see you too." She begged.

Sam pulled her shirt over her head then lifted up and removed her boxers.

Although Riley had seen Sam in various states of undress before nothing

prepared her for Sam in all her glory. She was magnificent. Her broad shoulders

were well muscled, her breasts small and beautifully shaped. Her stomach was

rock hard. Her eyes continued downward to the thick patch of black hair

between her legs. She licked her lips unconsciously. Her eyes landed on the

scars on her thigh. She gently reached out and traced the scars with her fingers.

Sam shivered at the touch. Opening her arms to Sam, she urged her back down

on top of her. She spread her legs encouraging Sam to take her place between

them. They both moaned as their bare bodies made full contact for the first time.

Sam's hard belly pressed into Riley's center and she couldn't stop her hips from

pushing up into her. Sam used her arms to support most of her weight not

wanting to crush the much smaller woman.

"Oh god you feel so incredible." Sam groaned leaning down to kiss Riley gently.

She slipped down slightly kissing her neck and upper chest. Riley pushed on

Sam's shoulders urging her lower. Sam was more than happy to comply. She

was finally going to get to taste the breasts that had been taunting her for weeks.

She laved her tongue over the already hard bud before gently sucking it into her

mouth. Riley's hands came up tangling in Sam's hair holding her in place. Sam

brought her hand up to knead the other breast. She could feel Riley's wetness

painting her abdomen as her hips rocked rhythmically against her. She lifted

enough to give herself access and releasing her hold on her breast used that

hand to slip down between their bodies. A shrill beeping sound caused her to

jump before she could reach her goal. She released Riley's nipple to look

around for the source of the sound. Her eyes landed on Riley's pager on the

bedside table.

"NO!" She growled. "This can't be happening." Determined to ignore it she went back to Riley's breast. The shrill beep sounded again.

Riley was so lost in the haze of passion it took her several moments to realize

what was happening. When the pager shrilled the second time, she cursed

pulling away from Sam.

"Damn it. NO! Not now." Knowing she couldn't ignore it, she reached over and

picked up the pager. They wouldn't be calling her to come in early if it wasn't

something serious.

Sam rolled off of Riley and laid on her back trying to get control of herself. She

couldn't remember ever being so aroused and the beeping of the pager had

done nothing to curb that.

Riley glanced at the display. It was the ER's number. Sparing a quick pained

glance at Sam, she picked up the phone and started to dial.

Sam listened to the one sided conversation. It was obvious she was going to

have to leave. I can't believe she's just going to leave. This being involved with a

surgeon really sucks, Sam whined to herself.

Riley hung up the phone and turned to Sam. She had her arm thrown across her

face. Riley reached out a hand to gently stroke Sam's belly. Sam jumped at the

touch and pulled way.

Riley's breath caught at the pain of Sam refusing her touch. Her shoulders

slumped and she removed her hand. "I'm so sorry. That was Denny. There was

a major construction accident downtown. They're sending us several of the

critically injured as soon as they have them extricated. I have to go. Please Sam

I'm really sorry," Riley pleaded contritely.

Sam realized she was being childish. There were people seriously hurt and Riley

was needed at the hospital. She removed her arm and looked at Riley. She

couldn't help the surge of renewed arousal the nude woman caused. Riley was

looking intently at the bed with her shoulders slumped in dejection.

"How soon do you have to be there?" She asked pushing aside her arousal and

annoyance.

"They expect the first arrivals within thirty minutes so I have to go right now."

Riley said, still looking down at the bed refusing to make eye contact with Sam.

Sam felt bad realizing she'd hurt Riley by pulling away from her touch. She

reached out and gently ran her hand up her thigh. Riley's head came up meeting

her eyes. "Grab a quick shower, you reek of sex." She told her wiggling her

eyebrows. "Then I'll drive you in and come get you when you're done tonight."

Riley laughed her eyes regaining their sparkle. She was so happy Sam wasn't

angry. "You don't have to do that. I don't have in-house call but I'll still be on call."

She warned. "It could be late."

"Get in the shower Riley!"

Riley glanced at the clock. "Shit." She exclaimed when she realized ten minutes

had already passed. She jumped off the bed, grabbed some clothes, and

headed for the shower. She was back in less than ten minutes her short hair still

wet. Sam was already dressed and waiting.

"You really don't have to drive me in." Riley told Sam as she stopped to put on

her shoes.

"Riley I'm driving...let's go." Sam said turning and walking out of the room. Riley grinned and happily followed her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was a quick drive to the hospital. Sam pulled up outside the ER to drop Riley

off. "I'll call you as soon as I can." She leaned over the console giving Sam a

sweet kiss on the lips.

"I'll be waiting," Sam promised.

Riley headed for the ER at a fast jog, a silly grin plastered on her face.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riley spotted Denny as soon as she stepped into the ER. "Hey Denny, what've

we got?"

The tall lanky blond turned at the sound of his friend's voice. "Oh my God Riley

what happened to you?" He asked in shock.

Riley was confused for a second wondering what he was talking about then her

hand went to her bruised cheek. She glanced around and noticed several people

listening intently to the conversation. She didn't want her personal life bandied

about the hospital. At times, it was like living in a fish bowl with everyone

knowing everyone else's business.

"Oh don't remind me," she laughed. "I tripped over my own feet and bashed into an open kitchen cabinet."

Denny narrowed his eyes looking at Riley suspiciously. Something wasn't right

here but seeing their audience, he decided to let it go. He'd get the truth out of

her later.

"What've we got?" Riley repeated.

They headed off together to take care of all the injured construction workers.