Caitlin stepped onto the practice court, feeling a fire she hadn't felt in a long time. Her mind was still swirling with thoughts of Sam—of their night together, of the kiss they'd shared in the rain, of the thought if going home to her. It felt like everything was finally clicking into place, and it showed in the way she played.

From the first whistle, Caitlin was unstoppable. Every dribble was sharp, every pass perfectly timed, and each shot fell through the hoop with a satisfying swish. Her teammates were quick to notice.

"Yo, Caitlin's on one today!" Erica called out, watching as Caitlin drained a three from well beyond the arc.

Lexie shook her head in disbelief as Caitlin sprinted back on defense, stealing the ball and dishing it off to Hull for a fast-break layup. "Girl, if you don't play like this tomorrow, we're gonna have words," she teased, grinning as she jogged down the court.

Caitlin just laughed, but her mind was somewhere else, or rather, with someone else. It was as if the time with Sam had grounded her, reminded her why she loved this game so much, why she pushed herself so hard. She played with a sense of joy that had been missing for a while, and it wasn't lost on anyone.

Aliyah jogged over, playfully nudging Caitlin's shoulder. "Whatever you did last night, do it again tomorrow," she joked, her eyes twinkling.

Caitlin just smirked, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Don't worry, I probably will," she said, her confidence soaring. She hadn't felt this light, this in control, in a long time.

Practice wrapped up with high energy, the team buzzing with excitement for tomorrow's game. As Caitlin grabbed her things, she couldn't help but feel like everything was finally falling into place—on and off the court.

Caitlin stepped through the door of her house, still riding the high of a perfect practice. The smile on her face widened as she imagined finding Sam still curled up in bed, just as she'd left her. But as she made her way through the apartment, her heart skipped a beat when she found Sam not in bed, but standing in the kitchen, humming softly as she closed the freezer.

"I thought I told you to stay in bed," Caitlin teased, her voice playful as she approached Sam, wrapping her arms around her waist from behind and pulling her into a warm, lingering kiss.

Sam smiled into the kiss, her hands coming up to rest on Caitlin's arms. "I know," she whispered, turning to face Caitlin fully, her eyes dancing with amusement. "But I had to run an errand."

Caitlin raised an eyebrow, leaning back slightly, though she didn't release her hold on Sam. "An errand? In Indiana?" she asked with a smirk, her tone teasing. "What kind of errand could you possibly have to run here?"

Sam grinned, stepping away and walking back to the freezer. With a playful flourish, she pulled out a pint of coffee-flavored ice cream, holding it up like it was the greatest treasure in the world. Caitlin's heart swelled, her smile growing wider.

"I know it's not an ice cream cake," Sam began, her voice soft but filled with emotion, "and I know I missed some big moments... but you coming out? That's the biggest moment. I'm so proud of you, baby, and I can't wait to be there for all the other big moments still to come."

Caitlin stood there, speechless for a moment, overwhelmed by the love and pride shining in Sam's eyes. She felt her throat tighten as a wave of gratitude and happiness washed over her. She stepped forward, pulling Sam into a tender kiss, her voice barely above a whisper when she finally spoke. "You don't know how much that means to me."

They stayed like that for a moment, wrapped up in each other, the rest of the world fading away. The ice cream melted slowly on the counter, forgotten in the warmth of their embrace. Sam's words echoed in Caitlin's heart, solidifying what she already knew—this was it. Sam was it.

Caitlin deepened the kiss, her body pressing against Sam's as her hands slid down Sam's back. The urgency of the moment began to build, their need for each other growing with every passing second. The ice cream they had picked up earlier was melting on the counter, completely forgotten, as they became lost in the passion between them.

Sam's hands moved up to Caitlin's hair, tangling in the soft strands as she tilted Caitlin's head slightly, deepening the kiss even further. The air around them crackled with tension, each touch igniting a fire that had been simmering for so long.

Caitlin's breath hitched as Sam's lips moved from her mouth to her neck, leaving a trail of soft, lingering kisses that sent shivers down her spine. The heat between them was palpable, and Caitlin felt her pulse quicken, her body responding to every movement, every kiss.

Sam pulled back just enough to meet Caitlin's gaze, her eyes filled with love and desire. "I missed every part of yoh," Sam replied, her voice husky, before capturing Caitlin's lips in another searing kiss.

The two of them moved together seamlessly, their connection undeniable, their bodies and hearts perfectly in sync. They lost themselves in the moment, exploring one another, every kiss and touch bringing them closer.

Later, as they lay tangled together under the covers, Caitlin rested her head on Sam's chest, the steady rhythm of Sam's heartbeat grounding her. Their fingers intertwined lazily, the room quiet save for the soft sound of their breathing.

"I never want to lose this again," Caitlin whispered, her voice soft but certain.

Sam kissed the top of Caitlin's head, her fingers gently tracing circles on Caitlin's arm. "You won't," she said softly, her voice filled with all the love she felt for Caitlin. "We'll never lose this again."

Caitlin smiled, her heart full. She could stay like this forever.

Game day arrived, and the energy in the arena was palpable. The crowd was buzzing with anticipation as the Indiana Fever prepared to face off against the Phoenix Mercury in Caitlin's first game back since the Olympic break. For Caitlin, the air was electric, but underneath that excitement was the comfort of knowing Sam was there, watching her, supporting her.

Caitlin had managed to secure Sam a courtside seat next to her good friend Tyrese Haliburton, who had began to be a steady source of support. As Caitlin warmed up, she glanced toward the stands, spotting Tyrese and his girlfriend taking their seats. A broad smile spread across her face as she jogged over to greet them.

Tyrese stood up immediately, pulling Caitlin into a bear hug. "Good luck tonight," he said with a grin, the pride in his voice unmistakable.

"Thanks," Caitlin replied, her eyes twinkling as she hugged Tyrese's girlfriend. Then, with a smile that she couldn't quite hide, she turned to Sam. "This is Sam," Caitlin said, her voice soft but sure. "My girlfriend."

The words came easily now, without hesitation, without fear. And the way Sam's eyes lit up in response, the way her smile matched Caitlin's, made everything feel so right.

Tyrese extended a hand to Sam, his grin wide. "Nice to meet you," he said warmly.

"I was hoping y'all could keep her from getting bored during the game."

"Like anyone would get bored watching y'all play."
Tyrese's girlfriend laughed.

Sam laughed, a sound that warmed Caitlin from the inside out. "No shit," she replied, shooting Caitlin a teasing look. "Especially when she starts yelling at the refs."

Caitlin chuckled, her heart swelling with affection. "Alright, alright, I see how it is," she joked. "I'm going to walk away before you two gang up on me."

She jogged back to the court, the smile still on her face as she rejoined her teammates. As she made her way through the pre-game ritual of giving everyone high-fives, she caught Lexie's knowing smirk.

"Was that Sam you were talking to?" Lexie teased, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Caitlin rolled her eyes but couldn't keep the grin off her face. "Yeah," she said, giving Lexie a high-five.

Aliyah chimed in, her own grin wide. "No wonder you were on fire at practice yesterday. When did y'all get back together?"

Caitlin laughed, her heart light. "If we win, you can ask all the questions you want," she promised, turning her focus back to warmups. But deep down, she knew that today was going to be a special day—on and off the court.

The arena roared to life as the game began, and from the first possession, it was clear that the Fever were ready to dominate. Caitlin was in her element, her movements fluid, her focus laser-sharp. She worked around Copper with a series of quick moves, driving hard to the basket before spinning into a perfect layup. As the whistle blew for the and-one, Caitlin let out a triumphant shout, flexing her arms as she glanced toward the crowd.

Her eyes found Sam, who was on her feet, clapping and cheering with the brightest smile on her face. The sight of Sam there, watching her, filled Caitlin with a surge of pride and adrenaline. She high-fived a fan as she passed, her heart pounding with exhilaration.

A minute later, Aliyah in-bounded the ball to Caitlin, and she spotted a momentary gap in the Mercury's defense. Without hesitation, Caitlin sprinted toward the basket, weaving through defenders with ease. Griner lunged to block her, but Caitlin powered through, sinking the layup just as the whistle blew again. She was on fire and feeling it.

She pointed toward Sam, her face lighting up with joy. "Let's go!" she shouted, her voice filled with pure, unfiltered emotion. The connection between them felt palpable, like an invisible thread tying them together.

By the end of the first quarter, the Fever had taken a commanding lead, 33-16. Caitlin's teammates swarmed her, celebrating their hot start, but her eyes kept drifting back to Sam. She couldn't help it—every time she looked at Sam, she felt more grounded, more complete.

At halftime, the Fever maintained their lead, 54-37, and Caitlin's confidence only grew. The entire team was having a game, and the chemistry on the court was undeniable.

But in the third quarter, the Mercury made a push. With three minutes left, Copper hit a three-pointer, putting Phoenix up by one. The arena buzzed with tension, the momentum shifting. Caitlin felt the pressure building, but as she glanced toward the stands, she saw Sam take a deep breath, silently encouraging her to do the same.

Caitlin nodded, calming herself. She called for the ball from Aliyah, her mind clear and focused. As the ball hit her hands, the clock ticked down. Fever fans grew restless, but Caitlin moved with a deliberate calm. Her eyes scanned the court, the defenders all gravitating towards her, finding Lexie Hull wide open in the corner. With perfect precision, Caitlin delivered the pass.

Lexie caught it, her hands steady. One second left on the shot clock—Lexie let the ball fly just as the buzzer sounded. The ball sailed through the air, time slowing as everyone held their breath.

Swish.

The ball fell perfectly through the net, the crowd erupting as Indiana regained the lead by two. The Fever bench exploded in cheers, and Caitlin grinned, fist-pumping the air before turning back to Sam in the stands. Sam's face lit up, the pride in her eyes unmistakable, and Caitlin's heart swelled with determination.

The Fever's momentum surged, the energy from Lexie's three igniting the entire team. As the fourth quarter began, Caitlin took control once again. One minute in, she found herself just beyond the arc, her defender sagging off ever so slightly. Without hesitation, she launched the shot.

The ball arced high, spinning perfectly as it soared toward the hoop. When it splashed through the net, the crowd roared, and Caitlin turned, adrenaline coursing through her veins. She caught a glimpse of Sam and Tyrese, both jumping up from their seats, their cheers blending into the overwhelming noise of the arena.

In that moment, everything felt perfect.

As Caitlin jogged back on defense, she made eye contact with Sam and couldn't resist. She pointed toward her, and then, with a grin that lit up her whole face, she made the heart hand gesture she'd become known for—the one that had sparked so much speculation over the years. The crowd noticed, the camera panning to her, but for Caitlin, this moment wasn't for anyone else.

It was for Sam.

Sam's heart skipped as she watched Caitlin, her breath catching in her throat. She knew exactly what the gesture meant, but this time it was different, Caitlin's always done it to her general section, never directly towards her, and warmth flooded her chest as she made the heart symbol back at Caitlin, a silent exchange that said more than words ever could.

With a fresh burst of energy, Caitlin led the Fever down the stretch. Her vision on the court was sharp, finding open teammates and threading perfect passes that broke down Phoenix's defense. With every basket, the Fever pulled further ahead, their confidence growing with each possession. The final buzzer rang out, and the scoreboard showed a 98-89 win for the Fever.

The team rushed the court, hugging and celebrating the hard-fought victory. Caitlin was swarmed by her teammates, their energy infectious as they bumped her and shouted congratulations.

But even amidst the chaos, Caitlin's eyes searched for Sam. As the crowd slowly began to file out, Caitlin spotted her standing near the edge of the court, her smile wide and her eyes locked on Caitlin.

With a playful grin, Caitlin jogged over, her heart pounding for reasons beyond just the game. "Boring game?" she teased, wiping sweat from her brow as she approached Sam.

Sam laughed, the sound warming Caitlin from the inside out. "Not even a little," she replied, her voice full of admiration.

Tyrese clapped Caitlin on the back as he passed by, shaking his head with a grin. "Good game. Way to scare us in the third."

"Thanks, Ty," Caitlin said with a nod before turning back to Sam, her expression softening. She helped Sam  over the rope meant to keep spectators from getting on the court.

For a moment, they just looked at each other, the noise of the arena fading into the background. Caitlin's chest swelled with emotion—this felt like the beginning of something new, something she was finally ready to embrace fully.

Without thinking twice, Caitlin leaned in, pressing a kiss to Sam's lips, not caring that the crowd was still there, not caring that people were watching. It wasn't about them. This moment, this kiss, was for her and Sam—for the love that had never faded, the love they had both fought so hard to find again.

As they pulled apart, Caitlin whispered, "I'm so happy you're here."

Sam smiled, her eyes soft and full of love. "I'm happy to be here."

—

Together, they stood there on the court, the noise and excitement of the arena fading into the background. The victory, the rush of adrenaline—it all felt sweeter because they had found their way back to each other. Sam's hand was still clasped in Caitlin's, and for a moment, everything felt perfect.

But reality crept back in as Caitlin glanced toward the tunnel. She knew she had to head back to the locker room to debrief with her teammates and get ready for the post-game press conference. Reluctantly, she squeezed Sam's hand one last time.

"I have to go," Caitlin said softly, her smile apologetic. "But wait for me after?"

Sam nodded, her eyes warm. "Of course. I'll be right here."

With one last lingering look, Caitlin jogged back toward her teammates, her heart still racing—not from the game, but from the connection she and Sam had rekindled. As she made her way into the locker room, the cheers of her teammates and coaches greeted her. High-fives, hugs, and congratulations were thrown her way as they celebrated the big win. But in the back of Caitlin's mind, she was already thinking about Sam, waiting for her outside.

After a quick shower, Caitlin pulled on her team gear, mentally preparing for the press conference. Her heart was still light from the game and the moment she shared with Sam, but now, the questions would be different.

Seated at the podium, Caitlin fielded the usual questions about her stellar performance.

"Caitlin, that was an impressive game. You seemed unstoppable out there. How are you feeling about your return after the Olympic break?"

Caitlin smiled, her answer coming easily. "It feels great to be back. The break was good for me, but getting back on the court with my teammates, feeling the energy of the fans—it's something you can't replace. Tonight was just about doing what I love and trusting my team."

The reporters scribbled down notes, nodding along as they asked follow-ups about her key moments and strategies during the game. Then, one reporter leaned forward, his voice taking on a different tone.

"And about that hand heart gesture you did after that last three-pointer... You once said you'd only do it when there was someone special in the audience. So, can we assume that someone was in the crowd tonight?"

Caitlin hesitated for just a second, her mind flashing back to Sam, who was undoubtedly waiting for her outside. A slow smile spread across her face.

"Well..." she began, her voice soft but confident, "Yeah, there was someone special in the audience tonight. I guess you could say that."

The room buzzed with whispers, the implication hanging in the air. Caitlin didn't offer any more details, and the next question moved on, but she couldn't help the giddy feeling bubbling up inside her. She had never felt this sure before—this ready to be open.

Later that night, after the post-game press conference and the high of the win had settled, Caitlin and Sam found themselves back at Caitlin's apartment. They had stopped to pick up takeout on the way home, too tired and too content to cook.

Now, they were curled up on the couch, cartons of food spread out in front of them. The living room was dimly lit, the glow from the TV casting a soft light as they ate in comfortable silence. The game had been exhausting, but this—this quiet, intimate moment—was exactly what Caitlin needed.

As they shared their meal, Caitlin's phone buzzed, and the name "Kate" flashed across the screen.

"She's probably going to give me shit for not telling her about us," Caitlin said with a grin, swiping to answer the Facetime call.

Sure enough, the moment Kate's face appeared on the screen, her eyes were wide with mock disbelief. "You kissed Sam on national television," she blurted out, "before you told us y'all got back together?!"

Before Caitlin could respond, Claire's voice chimed in from somewhere off-screen. "We've been trying so hard for this to happen! And you didn't even call us when it finally did?"

Caitlin and Sam exchanged a look, both of them laughing. Caitlin held up her hand in defense. "Whoa, whoa, hold on. First of all, we're not officially back together yet."

Sam raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Oh really? You literally introduced me to Tyrese as your girlfriend."

Caitlin grinned but didn't back down. "Yeah, but I still want to be asked."

Claire's voice cut in again, full of playful exasperation. "Why does she have to be the one to ask?"

"Caitlin asked last time!" Kate chimed in

Caitlin rolled her eyes, glancing at Sam with a teasing smile. "Exactly! I asked last time. It's her turn."

Sam laughed, shaking her head. "You're impossible."

After some more playful banter, Kate and Claire finally let it go, though not without making Caitlin promise to fill them in on all the