Sam was out light in a few minutes from exhaustion and stress. He did curl up with Annika all night and into the next afternoon, just loving her in his arms.

***

The flight back wasn't as bad, but he was worried about Katie. He was prepared to scold her for using that number too. It wasn't a good idea to have a daughter who cried wolf on his hands....

When he finally got home, he called Vic and let him know how it went and tahnking him for all the support. Without Vic, it wouldn't have been possible.
He had some time to kill with Annika. It involved pouring vodka and bourdon for them both.

Annika lifted her shot of vodka. "To the mission." She said and shot it back. "that... is pretty good stuff."

"I got the best." Sam whispered softly. "Well, in america at least." He laughed a little and shrugged. "I tried calling Katie. She said she'd be over tonight. Not sure what's taking her so long. What do you think its about? Honestly My best guess is that...someone hurt her or...that boyfriend of hers."

Annika shrugged, having no idea. "I don't know." She said quietly and poured herself another shot of vodka. 'I'm sure... everything will be alright though."

"Yeah hopefully. Whatever it is I hope it was worth that message during the mission. I think that really was the reason for the hiccup...I zoned out a few times worrying."

Annika nodded. "But the point is... that we did it." She said softly. "And even though there were hiccups... it was successful."

Sam sighed and nodded, getting up. "I'm looking forward to some celebrating with you." He said, moving over and kissing her cheek softly. He moved her head to look at him and kissed her more deeply.
But just then the door opened and Katie walked in. She looked pale in complecion. She frowned a bit seeing her dad kiss Annika, but Sam quickly pulled back.
"Katie." He said quickly. He looked to Annika and sighed a little but before looking back to his daughter. "What's wrong sweetheart?"

Annika frowned, looking to Katie. She didn't look well....

Katie ran in and hugged Sam tight. She immediately broke down into tears.
"Baby whats wrong?" Sam asked again. He looked over to Annika and frowned, hugging his daughter close.
She didn't answer, just burying her face in his chest.

Annika watched Katie and Sam, frowning. She stayed where she was, knowing this was something for just them.

Katie murmured something softly.
"What---Katie...?" Sam asked again gently.
"I'm pregnant." She managed.

Sam froze for a few moments before closing his eyes.
Jesus Christ
"Katie." Sam deflated, hugging her tighter. His tone was mostly sympathetic...but there was an edge of disapointment.
Sam glanced to Annika, having no idea how to deal with this.

Annika sighed and looked down, not knowing what to do either. She glanced back up and looked to him.

Sam exhaled and pulled back. "Let's talk about this alright?" He said softly. "The options and everything."
Katie nodded and moved over to the couch. "I'll be over in just a second." Sam said drifting over to Annika. He took her hand. "I've gotta handle this so..." He breathed softly. "Uhm...why don't you wait in my room? Kay? I'll be in afterwards and..." He smiled a little. "I really...do mean to have a small celebration." He whispered in her ear. He kissed her cheek and pulled back. "But I've gotta go be a dad."

Annika nodded. "I understand." She whispered and stood up, giving a small sympathetic look to Katie and then slipping into Sam's room.

Sam sighed and moved back to the couch. He sat across from her in the chair and she told him about her boyfriend---that lawyer---how she found out and everything else.
"Well what do you want to do Katie." Sam asked softly.
"I don't...know. I don't...I think I want to...I was thinking that maybe an abortion would be best..."
Sam's face stoned over. "Katie, I won't let you do that." He said adamantly.
Katie looked up and got a bit defensive. "It's not your choice." She breathed. "And it's not like I'd make you pay for it---"
"That's murder and you know it. There are enough deaths in this world as it is you don't need to do this." Sam said firmly.
"Dad! Chill! alright? It's just a stupid...I'm not that far along and ...I mean I had sex with him I didn't expect this to happen! It wasn't supposed to be a big deal!" Katie argued, crossing her arms and looking away, getting upset.
Sam's jaw clenched. "Sex is a big deal, Katie. It's always a big deal."
"Yeah that's why you're over there fucking a twenty-five year old right? She's only four years older than me!" Katie snapped.
"That is none of your goddamn business!" Sam shouted. Katie definitely didn't get that 'pinching the right nerve' from him. That was her mother's quality. She always knew right where to twist the knife. "You do not talk to me like that! I am your father!"
Sam was losing his temper a little.
Katie still wouldn't look at him. "You were never a father to me." She murmured.
Again...That was Regan's trait.

Katie stood up. "Mom told me that you wanted to get rid of me too."
Sam stood up to match her height. "And she talked me out of it Katie. Thank god she did."
"But it's not like you were around anyway! You left us cause you loved your job! You loved what you did over both of us!"
"Katie that's not true---"
"Yes it is! And even when mom died and I was tossed into your arms again you could barely stand to have me around. I don't want to do that to this baby! I don't want to have a baby without a father!" Katie shouted.

Sam inhaled deeply. "You're being selfish. Have the child and give it to parents who need a baby. Hell, Katie, I'd raise my grandchild by myself. Don't kill it just because---"
"Bullshit dad." Katie snarled. "You only want to so you can make up for the shitty job you did the first time! Where did you think I learned being so selfish from?! Face it. You would have been content to dump me on mom and never see me again!"
"That's enough!" Sam erupted. "Go to your room your selfish spoiled little brat!" He fumed. "You know I've tried so hard to be the best I could be for you. I'm sorry that I'm a shitty father. I'm sorry that I let you down but that is between you and me and you will not...WILL NOT use that as an excuse to kill your baby!"

Katie stood, fists clenched before she ran into the guest bedroom and slammed the door shut.
Sam was shaking, and tears brimmed to his eyes. That had hurt. That had really hurt.