A/N: Just a little musings about what I'd like the writers – wait, they're on strike – maybe I can get hired! I'm non-union! – Oh, sorry, I digress. Anyway, just a short little something I'd like to see happen…
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot. Honest. Wish I did own WaT. I could retire. Go to some nice beach and relax. Not have to grade papers. Who am I kidding??
Stepping up
Sometimes, someone else has to do the dirty work.
"Want to tell me what got you all worked up today? I know it wasn't really the case, Sam," Martin tried to meet her eyes. He knew something happened during lunch as he saw her temper mounting from the moment she returned to the bullpen and then finally exploding.
"He signed the paper as if it were nothing. He doesn't want anything to do with me—or his child," Samantha looked at her chipping nail polish, the crumpled napkin held tightly in her fist, anywhere but her companion's face.
Martin nodded, not too surprised that the focus of her anger was Brian, the father of her child. Hoping what he was about to say wouldn't start her up again he said what was in his heart, "Well, I do," Martin reached across the slightly grimy table and took her hand in his. The café wasn't too far from her apartment. Martin had decided to check up on her after Jack kicked her out after her screaming match with a suspect.
Her head snapped up, "'You do' what?"
"I want to be part of this child's life—your child's life, Samantha," he put as much sincerity into his words as he could without spooking her. Their friendship was still on shaky ground at times as it was.
"Why?" Samantha couldn't fathom why anyone would want to be responsible for another man's child; especially someone like Martin who yearned for his own children.
"Why not?" he understood her hesitation. After all, if the natural father wanted nothing to do with the child why would he? "Seriously, Sam, the kid is going to need someone in its life that can survive on more than chocolate and coffee. Not to mention someone who knows more about babies than where they come from," he gave her a smile.
She tried to return the smile, but failed, the tears pooling in her eyes and threatening to fall, "I don't understand you," Sam swiped at her eyes and gave a rueful grin, "Damned hormones. But honestly Martin, why would you do this for me? For us?" she let her hand fall on her ever-growing stomach and asked again, "Why?"
His grip on her hand tightened, "Do you remember what you told me when I was in the hospital? That you'd always be there for me?" He waited, watching her nod, "Well, obviously I heard you and you were there for me the whole time I was recovering—not to mention helping me get my head straight after I decided pills were better than reality. And truth of the matter is, no matter how hard I pushed you when we were together, no matter how much it hurt when we—er, I—broke it off, no matter what, I still care about you. Aw, hell, Sam. My sponsor says to be completely honest with my feelings!" He ran the hand not holding hers through his hair and blew out the air in his lungs forcefully, "Honestly, Sam, I still love you. Have since the day I walked into the bullpen."
Samantha used her free hand to try and stop the flow of tears running down her cheeks. She blamed them partly on hormones, but in all honesty, they were mostly from the man sitting across from her. "So you want to be part of my life too? Not just the baby's?"
"If you'll have me," Martin wanted the whole enchilada with Sam—marriage, more children, the dog and some kind of house—picket fence optional. "I love you, Samantha Spade. I'm sorry it took me so long to tell you."
"No, Martin," Sam shook her head, "I'm the one who should apologize. When we were together, you did everything right. I was too scared to let everyone else know. I figured if nobody knew, than it wouldn't hurt as much when it was over and I was wrong." She stopped talking and took a sip from her glass of water. She licked her lips and brought her gaze to meet his, "Truth is, I love you too. And I'm really sorry I got myself in this mess before I pulled my head out of my ass to realize it." Samantha wiped her face again and shook her head, "I should have stuck to the alcohol and left the bartender behind the bar where he belongs."
There was a silly grin on his face, "Really? You love me?"
"Yes, I love you, ok," Sam sounded far more annoyed than she really was. Keeping her hand in his, she got up and sat down beside him. "Martin, I do love you. I think I've loved you a long time but couldn't admit it—not even to myself."
"Why not?" He pulled her close and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
Samantha leaned her head on his shoulder, "I've only said 'I love you' to two other men in my life. My husband cheated on me with my best friend and my father…"
"…left you and your sister," Martin finished for her.
She nodded and sniffed back a tear, "It hurt when my dad left. I was only six. I thought it was all my fault. Emily and Mom didn't talk about him anymore and when I tried to, they made me stop. After a while, I stopped even trying to ask anything about him."
"And Chris?" Martin remembered the name of her husband just like he remembered every other detail he knew about her.
"Chris, well, he hurt me too. Just in a very different way. When I caught them in bed—that hurt. Our vows weren't even a month old at that point. I tried to make it work, but eventually, I decided there was only one thing I could fix and that was me. So I left."
Martin kissed the top of her head, "I'm awfully glad you did. If you hadn't, I would have never met you." He kissed her again, "I know you told me some of this when we were dating and I wish I hadn't dismissed it so easily as your past and your past having no bearing on the present. Maybe then I could have been more patient."
Sam pulled back and looked him in the eyes, "If we're going to do this, Martin, we can't have any more 'could haves' or 'should haves.' It isn't healthy," she would have continued, but a small foot made her gasp and she laid a hand on her belly.
"What is it?" Martin was instantly concerned.
Smiling, Sam shook her head, "Nothing, but he kicked. Here, feel!" She grabbed his hand and placed it in the right spot.
For a few moments nothing happened, and then he felt it, a small kick. "Wow! He does that often?"
"More and more every day," Sam grinned and then grew serious, "I'm glad you came to find me, Martin. I've been a little terrified about doing this all by myself," she gave a short laugh, "Maybe more than just a little terrified."
"So, we're a couple again?" Martin wanted it all out on the table.
Samantha nodded, "But this time, we do it right. No secrets, no hiding, nothing but honesty." She screwed up once with him and wasn't going to risk doing it again.
He nodded, agreeing with her, "I'm in this for the long haul, Sam, but only on one condition," Martin hoped he wouldn't chase her out with his stipulation. "I will never do anything to hurt you or the baby. I will help you raise the child and love him or her like my very own."
"So what's the condition?" Sam was puzzled. So far she hadn't heard anything that would break the deal.
"That after you have this baby, and it is a little older, that we have one together. I want you to be the mother of my child too," Martin held his breath waiting for her answer.
"Well, aside from the awful morning sickness that lasted for nearly four months and came morning, noon and night, so far being pregnant hasn't been too bad. I could consider doing this again. Maybe even two more times," she loved shocking him. Sometimes it was just too easy. "I know I said I didn't want kids, Martin. I'm not stupid, but that comment certainly was."
"Is that a 'yes'?"
She smiled and nodded, "That's a 'yes' to both your condition and to being a couple again."
"And we'll take that part slow," Martin added, kissing her lightly on the lips to seal the deal.
"Right, slow," Sam moved back to her side of the booth, "So is this like our first date?"
"Sure!"
"Then how about feeding the pregnant woman?" Sam grinned.
