Luck Of The Draw

by Celandine

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/asc/celandine/luckofth.php
Summary: When Janet is in need, Sam comes to her rescue...in more ways than one.
Info: Written for the Sam/Janet ficathon

'Hit.'

Sam slowed outside the cracked door of the infirmary and raised a quizzical eyebrow at the words which drifted out.

'No, wait. I think I need to double down on that. Or was I supposed to wave? Shit!'

Hearing the shuffle of paper, Sam gave the door a slight knock before pushing it open.

Janet sat at one of the examination tables on a high metal stool. Her gaze couldn't help but sweep from long legs up to her skirt pulled taut around her thighs and ever upward to her slim waist and blouse cut low. The peek of rounded breasts only aggravated Sam's quickening need to tamper her lustful emotions. Janet's lab coat might as well be invisible for all the good it did in hiding what her eye automatically sought out with their every meeting.

It was hell being attracted to someone who didn't return your feelings. Well, at least that's what she believed. She had tried flirting with Janet on differing occasions, but so far it seemed she'd only come to a solid wall of nothing each time; no idea the woman was being hit on nor any supposed interest. At least that's what she surmised. She only hoped Janet wasn't fully aware and just being kind by ignoring her attempts so as to not hurt her feelings. She'd rather be in crossfire on an alien planet rather than be hit this close to her emotional home.

Turning, Janet gave a little embarrassed laugh, "Honestly. I don't usually talk to myself out loud.'

Eyeing the deck of cards she held in one hand and the few that were laid out on the table, Sam drew her conclusions quickly. Sitting down in the empty chair beside Janet, she gave her a lopsided smile, 'Now that's disappointing.'

As their eyes met, a sizzle of current flew between them which Sam, with mental foot down, knew she couldn't be mistaken about this time. Or could she? With her yo-yo emotions unsettling her, she cleared her throat and cast her eyes at the splay of cards across the table once more.

Seeing her interest shift, Janet picked up the playing cards and quickly practiced shuffling them as she explained easily, 'I'm helping out with a charity casino night later this evening through Cassie's school. All proceeds will be used to buy more books for the school library.' Looking up, Janet smiled. 'I thought it was a great idea and still do...but I was roped in to help out last minute when someone came down with the flu. Andrew assured me since it was all in fun, no experience was needed beyond a general idea of the game. Who knew blackjack was that complicated though? Basic strategy is...well, basic, but memorizing what to do with each hand is difficult when I have only a couple hours to learn.'

Seeing an open window, Sam was no dummy in throwing open the curtains and jumping through. Tight fit be damned! "I can help you out if you like. I'm not much of a gambler, but I have played some poker with the guys and even the occasional blackjack game as well. We can take turns dealing and well, you know...'

Leaving the offer hanging, Sam held her breath as she waited, busying herself by pulling Janet's 'cheat sheets' over to ease her sudden nervousness. Gazing with unfocused eyes at the black and white print, she nearly jumped from her seat as she felt Janet's hand cover hers.

'I'd love your help, but I can't promise my 'hits' will be related only to the game.'

Swallowing heavily what Sam believed could only be the entire galaxy suddenly lodged in her throat, she lightly gripped Janet's hand in her own as she looked up determinably and fixed her with a smile.

'And the one time your being lucky won't come down to a matter a chance either.'