Once she was settled in the chair, which he was sure was intended for him, he grinned and kissed her neck.  With a smile still stuck on his face he walked around to the other side of the table and sat in the stool.  He took a bite of his steak and moaned.  The food was as good as it smelled and looked.<br/><br/>It was a pleasant setting . . . the two of them having a meal . . . sitting across from each other.  Then he noticed the expression on her face which changed from light and happy into something else.  It was some thing horror . . . or panic . . . but then one of angry disgust as she looked around the room.  Her knuckles were white as she looked like she was choking the life out of her fork.  He took a swallow of beer because he was parched and then stood, grabbed the stool and moved around the table to sit by her.<br/><br/>“Irene?  What’s troubling you baby?  You were so bright and happy . . . and now . . . well what’s wrong?”<br/><br/>He lightly moved some of her hair to behind her ear so he could better see her face and then rested his hand lightly on her forearm.<br/><br/>“Please?  Let me take care of it . . . of you.”<br/><br/>Sam picked up her hand and, being careful that the fork was pointed away from him, kissed the back of her hand as he slipped the fork out of her grip.<br/><br/>He managed a smile for her, “Have I mentioned how beautiful you are in that dress?  Especially now that you’re unarmed?”<br/><br/>He was distressed seeing her so down.  Inside his head he was speaking what he felt, but what Sam was sure she probably didn’t want to hear. ‘ Jesus I hate seeing you like this . . . and not knowing how to make it right.’<br/>