Re: Penthouse: Iris / Sam
[It was different than holding a patient (which she didn't do often, but sometimes on the pediatric ward), and it was different than holding TJ, because it was Sam. There was history there that Iris remembered, even if Sam didn't. But the hug prodded at something in her, too, the memory of Sam's broken voice, telling her about Joey. When Sam's arms tightened, so did Iris', holding on while she closed her eyes to try to stop the hot pressure of tears. And if it seemed right to tip her face down, to press a kiss to the side of Sam's head, she didn't fight it.
She didn't say anything else while Sam sobbed, while she tried to fight her own tears. It wasn't until it seemed like the sobs might slow that she whispered again.] Hey, I've got you. [She didn't say it was okay. Or even that it would be okay. That wasn't a promise she could make. It wasn't even believable.]