Hey all, I know it has been forever. Yet I really wanted to end this story. So I hope you guys are happy about how it ended. Of course Flashpoint is not mine, only this story is.

Enjoy!

Sam waited. He did not know how to start the conversation. He did not know how to work around his feelings and state everything he wanted to say. His body was filled with anger, mainly focused on himself. And that was okay.. Sam knew how to deal with anger. He knew how to deal with pain too. But there was something else.. something he tried to tell himself was only a speck of emotion in his body.. yet one that appeared to be growing.. fear. A ever growing fear. And that was strange. Sam knew how it was to be a failure.. or how it was to be seen as a failure… he had been one since he left the army according to the General. He had pretty much been told he was failing and weak all his life. It learned to be stoic, strong, without emotion. And without fear.

So Sam did not care to be a disappointment or to disappoint others. He was used to that and he could deal with it within his mind. Or so he thought. Because here he was… lying in a hospital room. Wordy sitting by his side, holding his hand and looking at him with way to much compassion. And Sam was so afraid. Afraid of the answer Wordy would give him. Afraid of meeting his father. And most of all, afraid of being a disappointment to someone he deeply respected and might even care about. A man that was his father.

In the meantime Wordy waited too. He regretted bringing op the subject, as he now saw the emotions flash within Sam's eyes. He also regretted that he was doing this, wondering if Greg or Jules would have been better. Or maybe Ed.. They seemed the have something of a connection; Ed would know how to get through. But neither of them were here. Wordy was. So now he had to take care of his friend. After a few moments, Wordy decided he needed to start talking.

'What makes you think that, Sam? Why would he not?'

Sam did not answer. Because he did not really know.

'What makes a perfect son?' Wordy asked him.

Once again Sam kept silent, but this time Wordy waited as well, forcing Sam to answer.

'Perfection' he whispered eventually.

Wordy sighed. 'Sam, no one is perfect. And your Father does not ask that from you. He wants to know you for you. That is all. You don't have to do everything perfect. You can make mistakes.'

'I don't want to disappoint him.'

'My children never disappoint me, no matter what they do.'

Sam nodded at that.. and gave a small chuckle.. 'But you are perfect.'

This caused Wordy to snort involuntary. 'You clearly don't know me long enough.' He looked Sam in his eyes as he said. 'Sam you should not think that all fathers are the same. That they are like General Braddock. General Mikeal is someone different. He is his own person.'

Sam knew that. He could never win with the General. But at least he knew what to expect. But with this man.. he had no idea.

'What does he want from me?' Sam asked.

'Your father?' Sam nodded. 'To get to know you. A chance to talk. Do you not want to talk to him?'

'I do. I guess. I don't really know what to say… I don't know what the right way is to be his son.'

'It is by being yourself.' Wordy looked around the room for a moment. 'How about we take it step by step. Just a conversation, nothing more. It does not force you to fully except the man.'

Sam had to think about that.. but eventually he agreed.

Wordy stood up to get the man, when Sam softly asked. 'Could you stay here.. when we talk?'

Wordy gave a quick smile. 'Always.'

Thomas Mikeal had never been so insecure before. At least not to his recognition. He wasn't completely certain, since the uncomfortable times of his teenage years had been so long ago; but he was certain that as a grown man.. he had never felt like this. Ever.

As he waited in the waiting room, fidgeting with his fingers, staring at a door, he thought. In a way he was happy one of his sons coworkers was still in the room. Allowing him to stay in the relatively safety of the waiting room. Thomas Mikeal was not a coward though; he was just taking a little longer to be ready to face the boy he had watched for years, loved for years.. from a safe distance. But here he was, waiting to see and talk to his son face to face.

He was prepared to do whatever Sam wanted. He was willing to lay it all open. He was even prepared to lay at his sons feet, begging; as long as his son would be willing to see him. He understood why Sam hadn't wanted him in the ambulance. But would that also mean he wasn't willing to see him?

He had been waiting for quite a while. He had hurried to the hospital after giving his statement and talking to the commander in chief on the phone. The man wasn't very happy with him. Giving him a stern warning for putting himself in danger and, as softly said, for making stupid choices in the past. But the man was a good man. A commander that earned his title. And he good friend. One that told him he would now get the change to rectify his decisions. And promised to do just that.

He had assured the questioners that he chose himself to be in the dangerous situation and he defended it by explaining that he was a soldier. And soldiers are used to danger. He survived a lot of wars! He knew what danger was and how to deal with it.

After that, he rushed to the hospital. Walking into some of Sam's coworkers. He was happy to hear that both Sam and Natalie were doing well. He saw Wordy, he believed his name was, get into Sam's room as he walked into the waiting area.. and he had been waiting ever since.

For a moment he considered, just getting up and opening the door. But perhaps his son was sleeping? Or in a personal conversation? Or the worst case situation; not willing to see him.

Thomas Mikeal was in desperate need of coffee, but the machine in the room had a broken sign on it. He also wasn't willing to leave the waiting room, afraid that exactly at that moment Sam's coworker would leave the room.

He tapped his foot and fidgeted again. Considering walking around the room for a moment. When the waiting room door suddenly opened, showing Sam's bosses. Ed and Greg. Both with a relaxed look on their face. He addressed then immediately.

'Good afternoon sirs. It suppose you are aware that Sam is doing well?'

Greg smiled. 'Yes, we got the message from our team.''

'And the statements?' Thomas asked, sincerely worried for the teams sake.

'All will be well.' Greg told him.

Ed agreed, saying. 'I believe we have you to thank for that as well?'

Thomas shrugged. 'I just talked to the commander and took responsibility.'

Ed nodded. Not giving a real word of thanks. Greg did however. 'Thank you for that.' He looked at the room and continued. 'Have you seen Sam yet?'

Thomas gave a sigh. 'No. Your coworker, Wordy, is inside. Sam might still be sleeping though. I have been waiting here.'

'Alright, I am sure wordy will be out soon. Let's sit down for a moment.' And he did just that. Ed following suit, but surprisingly going to sit next to the General, and not his sergeant.

Mikeal had a feeling Ed Lane wanted to ask him something. The man had appeared to be quite a protective force. Something General Mikeal was happy for; this man was supposed to protect his son after all. Ed however did not ask anything. He simply sat down and every once in a while, he looked the General over. After letting this happen for a couple of minutes he was done with it. This day had been long enough.

'Is there anything you need, mister Lane?' he asked with a strong voice.

Ed Lane looked at him for a couple of seconds before looking back at the hospital room door. 'What is your plan?'

'What?'

'What do you want from Sam?'

Mikeal sighed and smiled. There it was again, the protective force. 'I want to tell him what he wishes to know. I want to have the role he is willing to give me. I made wrong choices in my life, but he is not one of them. Not taking care of him, not being there for him.. that is. I wish for that to change. I want to be there for my son and I want him to know that.'

General Mikeal looked at the hard eyes of the man sitting next to him.

'I am not going to force him to do anything. I am not general Braddock. And I am aware the boy has gone through so much over the last hours.. so I will understand if he is not ready. Or willing. He is a grown up after all. He doesn't really need a father.'

'He does.' Came the words suddenly from the door to the Sam's room. All three men in the room had been so focused on their conversation that they had not noticed Wordy coming into the rooms.

They all immediately stood up. 'How is he?' Mikeal asked.

'Fine' for a moment Wordy doubted if he should say nothing, but the sincere worry on the Generals face made him change his mind. 'but worried.'

'About what?' It was Ed how asked it.

Wordy looked at the General. 'The same thing you are worried about I think. How it is gonna be. What to expect… how to start.'

General Mikeal nodded. 'So am I.'

'He will be alright. So will you. If those words you spoke were the truth.' Ed provided.

'They were.'

Wordy sad down. 'General Braddock was a mean man to both his children' Thomas could feel the shame growing bigger in his heart. He let his son with this man. Wordy however continued. 'Yet it also gave him his sister. And he became a fine young man. It will, at times, be though but I think he could need a father in his life. And to be shown love.'

'Yet he is worried' Mikeal questioned.

'Yes. He never really had a father.. he feels like he doesn't really know how to be a good son.' Wordy looked at the general in front of him strictly as the general lowered his head. 'but that is okay, because you don't really know how to be a father either.'

General Mikeal looked up at that.

'I will try.'

'And so will he.'

Wordy moved towards the door. 'How about we go see him?'

General Mikeal gave a massive smile and moved forward with great hast.

Try they would.

Sam looked tired, Ed noticed. But also in a way at peace. As the four man walked into the room, Sam opened his eyes.

'I was already thinking you guys weren't coming.' Sam spoke with a smile. Not looking directly had the man that was his father.

Ed smiled. Knowing Sam needed a moment to talk about normal things. 'Hey Sam. How you doing? Quite they day you had.'

'I am thinking I should have gone to the BBQ.' This made three man in the room chuckle. Sam continued. 'I am fine though. Truly. It is just a small wound. I will be able to work again in no time.'

'Good! We need to continue training after all' Greg told him and patted Sam's leg.

Sam wanted to respond, when out of the corner his father suddenly spoke. 'What do you exactly do? At SRU?'

Sam looked at the man, than back at Wordy; who nodded at him.

'I am a sniper. And tactical and such.' Sam spoke carefully.

Thomas Mikeal nodded. He knew that. He knew Sam was a sniper and he mentally kicked himself for such a stupid question. He just needed to be part of the conversation. His nerves were killing him. General Mikeal stayed quiet.

Sam however decided to say more, to test the man.

'I am training to become a negotiator.. or trying to.'

General Mikeal smiled and answered honestly. 'That is a very good thing. Solving situations with words is always better. And it is extremely impressive.' Sam gave a quick smile. 'I am sure you will be good at it.' This caused Sam to give a unfortunate laugh. Ed followed him suit.

'That is debatable.' Sam said.

'I am not giving you the drugs, jackass' Ed laughed, causing big smiles from the members of the Team.

Thomas Mikeal looked up confused; knowing he was missing a part of the story here. Sam debated what to do for a moment, before deciding he wanted to know this man. He wanted to see where this would lead. He wanted to try. So he spoke up and started telling the shameful story.

As time grew late Ed explained he needed to get home. But not before giving Sam a stern warning to rest and come back to work soon. He promised Sam he would shoot him again if he misbehaved, causing Sam to smile. Showing his forgiveness and knowing his team leader had his back.

Sam asked his father many questions. About the general's youth. About his own mother and the situation and also the general's life and family. Talk of the future was left alone for a while; both knowing a lot of things were up to the court system.

After a while a nurse appeared, asking Sam if he wanted to see his sister. Sam nearly jumped out of his hospital bed in enthusiasm.

'I take that as a yes.' The nurse spoke and Sam nodded.

'I will make sure that her bed will be brought down here. She will be here in a minute.'

Both Greg and Wordy stood up; taking the cue. 'That means it is time for us to leave.' Wordy spoke up and looked at the General.

The General nodded and stood up from his stool as well. 'You should rest' he spoke, as he touched Sam's leg for a moment.

Sam smiled and nodded. 'Thanks, for all of it.' He told Greg and Wordy who just smiled in return, ready to leave the hospital room. General Mikeal was about to follow when Sam spoke up.

'Do you want to stay?' General Mikeal looked back into the eyes of his son; eyes that tried to look anywhere else. 'Natalie might want to meet you..' Sam continued. 'And maybe we can talk.. for a bit more.'

'Of course.' General Mikeal smiled. 'Of course' he repeated. And he smiled a bright smile.

…

Sam looked up from his little sister. Natalie had been so thankful to see him that she immediately got out of her bed and crawled into his. He had not let her go since. For a while she had spoken with Sam and the man that was Sam's father. Natalie had been a bit harsh on him; being protective of her brother. But she as well, had seen that the General was a good man. So she had warmed up to him. General Mikeal had understood the feelings and he had tried to show her he was more than willing to have her in his life as well as his son's. Sam had told her over and over again that he was not going to leave her; that she was still his sister and nothing would change that. She had hugged him and told him the same thing. Not long later she fell asleep her head on Sam's shoulder. Sam had continued to, softly, talk to his father. When he also started feeling tired he asked the man to come back in the morning. The General had agreed and left. But not before stating: 'Sleep well, my son'.
Sam had not completely known what to do. How to respond. He had just smiled and closed his eyes. Sam knew it was not going to be easy; the coming months.

His thought to be Father was in prison. So was his mother. And he wasn't sure if he could forgive either. Natalie had to deal with both her parents in prison and Sam needed to be there for him. And then there was his work, his training and of course.. his father. But something inside told him that those last three things were nothing going to be a negative thing.

As Sam was just about to go to sleep; he felt his phone shaking. Greg had given it back to him, right before leaving. Sam considered ignoring it, but the soldier in him could not let it go. So he answered, whispering: 'Hallo, this is Sam.'

'Good you are still awake.' Jules her voice came over the lines.

Sam smiled immediately.

'Jules.' He spoke a little too hard. Causing Natalie to move a little in her sleep. Sam immediately softened his voice.

'Sorry I cannot speak to loudly, my sister is sleeping.'

'I understand' Jules whispered back. 'I am thankful that you two can be together.'

'So am I. It is though on her.'

'and on you.' Jules continued.

'Yes… I guess.'

'It is important to be honest Sam, also to yourself.' Jules told him sternly. 'And to talk.'

Sam laughed a little. 'I will try. But.. let's talk about something else. Something nice. I was just about to go to bed after all.'

'Do you need a bed time story.'

'If you know one.'

Sam could hear Jules laugh over the phone. A wonderful sound.

'Well I don't. But I agree, let's talk about something nice. I was also about to sleep, before deciding to call you.'

'I am glad you did.'

'So am I.'

For a moment it stayed silence; both wondering why they spoke the words.. and what to do with that flickering of emotion that spiked in their stomachs.

Sam decided to change subjects. 'So you are wearing your pj's now? I am sure it is better than what I am wearing ; still in the hospital cloth.'

'Poor you. Those things look horrendous' Jules gave and laughed softly at Sam's expanse. She then continued, poking a joke at herself. 'But yes, I am. With bunny slippers.'

Sam laughed, fully and honestly.

'Very charming.' She spoke sarcastically with a smile.

Sam laughed again and spoke. 'Well I don't know Jules, it is kinda sexy.'

And tthen he knew.. All would be well.

That was it. I hope you guys liked it. I am considering writing an look into the future or something; if you guys are interested. Any ideas or wishes?

Thank you though for reading my story and giving your reviews. Please send me one more