And he calls
He had slept until after noon and after a shower and a change of clothes had found himself settled in front of the television with little else to keep him occupied. Ok, not true..the stack of journals beside the couch were screaming for his attention but that wasn't where his thoughts were.

Without really thinking about it he reached for his cell from where it sat beside the couch. Claire was working, which meant dinner alone...or did it? He keyed the number
in before he could change his mind then listened as it rang.

Sam had just gotten out of the shower when heard her phone ringing. She slung a towel around her body and walked, dripping water, out of the bathroom and into the bedroom. She furrowed her brow at the unfamiliar number before flipping it open and pressing it to her ear, moving hair out of the way, "Hello?"

"Hi...did I catch you in the middle of something?" His voice was still deep, coffee not yet having drawn the effects of sleep from it. The sound of an auto race drifts in from the television in front of him.

She furrowed her brow further not recognizing the voice, "Who is this?"

"Luka...from the hospital." He thought better then opting for the more intimate reminder in case she might have someone close enough to hear.

A large smile broke out on her face and in her voice, "Hey you. You caught me at a perfect time, I just got out of the shower."

"My loss." His smile carried into the words as he voiced them.

She bit her lip for a moment and then shrugged, "Another time, maybe."

"I'd like that. Can you talk?" His voice remains quiet.

She nodded, sitting on her bed, water wetting her sheets, "Sure, what's up?"

"I was wondering if you had plans for this evening...I thought maybe I could make good on the dinner I owe you and...maybe get to know you better?" The end of his words rose in a question leaving it open in what ways he might mean.

She smiled wider and nodded again, although he couldn't see her, "I'd like that, Luka. A lot."

"I know it's late notice...so I don't mind if Alex joins us."

She stands, securing the towel around her chest before sitting down again, "Are you sure?

"Yes...of course, if you want to get someone to watch him I could pay for it, I know it's kind of expensive, but either way is okay with me."

She shook her head, "No, it's fine. You don't have to do that. I just need to figure out what to do."

"I know I don't have to, I'm offering, you just started work and it isn't like I can't afford it." He paused to lower the volume on the television as the sounds of a rather loud crash broke into the conversation. "Sorry about that, where would you like to go?"

She jumped slightly at the loud sound on the other end before sighing, "It's okay." She considered his question, "Depends on if Alex is coming."

"Do you want to call me back?"

She pursed her lips before nodding, "Yeah, let me make a few phone calls and then I'll call you back."

"I'll be here..you have the number?"

She pulled her cell phone away from her ear to make sure it caught his number, "Yeah, is this your cell phone?"

"Yeah it is, and if you need to pay extra I told you it is on me."

She shook her head, "I couldn't make you pay for a babysitter. I'll figure something out."

"You're not making me, Sam..I offered, don't worry about it." His tone remained calm even as he argued his point.

She rolled her eyes at his persistence, "I'll call you back in a few after I've figured out what I'm going to do?"

"Alright..I'll be here...reading journals...lots of journals." He shook his head at the thought before continuing. "Talk to you soon." He clicked the phone off as he finished talking and reached for one of the magazines on the floor before turning the television back up and flipping it open on his lap.

She chuckled, "I'll be sure to take my time then." She hung up after saying good bye. After storing his number she flipped through her cell phone before remembering the old lady upstairs who had offered to watch the boy whenever Sam needed. She snapped her phone shut and dressed before leaving the apartment and going upstairs to ask the friendly neighbor.

Once back in her own apartment after talking with the woman she opened her cell phone once again, found his number, and clicked send, patiently waiting for him on the other end.

The phone picked up almost as soon as it rang. "Kovac." The sound of the race continued in the background.

"It's me." It was out before she realized he would probably have no clue who "me" was, "Sam." She added, feeling stupid.

"You've called to save me from eschemic bowels?" His voice held a chuckle behind it.

She scrunches her nose, "I had mercy on your soul."

"Thank you...this is not my idea of fun." He tossed the magazine aside before lowering the sound on the set again. "So...have you found a sitter?"

She smiled when she could hear the sound lessen on the other side, glad that he'd had the courtesy, "When we moved in the lady up stairs had offered to watch him. Apparently Alex is the same age as her grandkids who live in California so she's taken a liking to him. She said she'd take him over night if I wanted." She left his option open.

"That's good, have you thought about where you'd like to go?"

She shook her head, "I don't know the city that well. I just know where the market, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Ikes, and work is."

"Ok...well, we could go down on the pier..maybe get something there and see some of the city. Unless you'd like to go somewhere more fancy then that?"

"Whatever you want to do. Surprise me, just tell me what to wear."

"How about something comfortable?" He paused a moment before adding. "We'll be on the water so it might get cool."

"Comfortable it is. How much time do I get to get ready?"

"How much time would you like? I can go back to my bowels while I wait.." It might be hard to tell if he was joking as he managed to deadpan the offer.

She scrunched up her nose again, "Depends on whether or not you're picking me up or if I'm meeting you somewhere."

There was a moment of silence before he answered. "I can pick you up unless you're more comfortable meeting me somewhere." He left unsaid that she might not want him to return to her apt by the evening's end.

"Do you want directions to my house?" She smirked, answering his question.

His laugh drifted through the phone. "I think I can find my way back. What time would you like me to pick you up?"

"Come on over whenever you're ready, I've just got to blow dry my hair and attempt to make it somewhat presentable."

"I don't think that's a problem for you, I'll see you soon." He held the phone a moment more then flicked it closed.