Title: Unexpected
author: Cindy Ryan
series: Take Two
timeline: Set after 1x02

Half an hour later Eddie found Sam sitting in the passenger seat of a squad car. The rain had stopped and since Sam hadn't seen him yet Eddie paused by a tree and watched. The baby girl they'd rescued was now in his partner's arms. Sam was cooing at the baby as she rocked sight thawed something inside Eddie. He tried to clamp down on the sensation telling himself for the thousandth time that he was immune to Sam Swift. That she was nothing but a headache.

Still as he watched Sam hold the baby Eddie knew he was fooling himself. His partner was trouble with a capital T. Eddie knew she was breaking through his defenses. Despite his best efforts Eddie realized with a start he and Sam were becoming friends. What he'd told the judge was true. Sam was trying to turn her life around. The courage she'd shown tonight proved that. Not many would do what she had. Pushing himself away from the tree Eddie approached the squad.

"You're good at that."Eddie commented quietly as he reached the police car.

Sam looked up startled then smiled.

"Paramedics said she's fine."The actress reported. "Baby carrier protected her from the fall."

"She's lucky."Eddie commented as he let the baby play with his right thumb. "Crime techs did a DNA test and confirmed the stabbing victim is her mother."

"Sad."Sam murmured as she looked down at the baby. "Detective Rollins has called in CFS and an agent is on their way."

"They'll find relatives to place her with."Eddie assured his partner.

Sam nodded and then looked away from the little girl and back at the PI.

"How's the shoulder?"Sam asked with concern.

Eddie held up the ice pack the paramedics had given him after a portable xray had cleared him.

"Not dislocated; just strained."Eddie responded.

Sam stood and shifted the baby to her left arm. Before Eddie could react Sam had enveloped him in a huge hug. Or as best she could while still holding the baby. After a moment Eddie let his arms encircle both of them.

"Thank you."Sam said quietly after a long moment. "I thought I was dead...if you hadn't caught me..."

"You're determined to give me a heart attack; aren't you?"Eddie asked with a grin then sobered. "I saw you slip off that ledge..."

"I didn't think about the risk...well I did..."Sam faltered. "But I just knew I couldn't leave her there."

"You are something else, Samantha Swift."Eddie murmured.

Sam wasn't entirely sure if her partner meant that as a compliment or not but she decided to take it as one. A friendship was starting to form between them after a few rough starts. Sam had heard the fear in his voice when she'd dropped off the roof. Seen it again in his dark eyes when she'd fallen. Eddie could be a buzz kill but under that hard rough exterior there was a big softie.

Sam let herself stay in Eddie's embrace a few seconds longer than was necessary. She couldn't help but notice Eddie didn't resist her being there. The little girl stirred in Sam's arms and she looked down and smiled. She hoped the baby would be alright. That she'd end up with a good home and be surrounded by people who loved her.

"You think she'll be okay?"Sam asked quietly.

"Yeah."Eddie agreed as he trailed a hand over the baby's head. "Anybody who's luck lands them on that tiny ledge is bound to have a bright future."

Sam knew he was right. Because a good thing had come out of her broken engagement and floundering career. The same good would happen to this little one out of the tragedy of her mother's murder. Sam nestled the baby close and then reluctantly stepped away from her partner. Together they waited for child and family services to arrive.