Decisions made

Rating: K+

Spoilers: Umm… The Road Home, I think.

Summary: The decisions they made/make and the effects on their lives.

"Ahh, there you finally are. I thought you'd never come." The comment made Samantha smile. She had already expected it. Especially from Danny.

"I know, I'm sorry I'm late guys, paperwork took longer than I thought it would," She explained with a smile toward both of them.

"It's okay hot stuff. I mean, you are a lady after all, you're allowed to be late. We don't mind it one bit," Danny quipped with a grin.

Martin just smiled and got up, as she chuckeld at his remark. "Here, let me help you with that," He offered and helped her take her off coat. Hanging it on the back of her chair, he then pulled it out for her to sit down.

"Thanks." She gave him a sweet smile, at which Danny just rolled his eyes.

"You know, you didn't have to take that 'lady' just as literally and start playing the gentleman, Marty," He teased.

That received him blushes from both of them and a glare from Martin, and he chuckled at his obvious success at making his friends uncomfortable. He decided to drop the topic of their however-defined relationship for the moment though, instead choosing to change the subject. After all, he wanted all of them to have a good time on this day that was so important to their friendship.

"So, we already ordered, got you your favourite, as you asked. And we told the waitress to get you a Martini as soon as you got here, that okay?"

"Yeah, that's fine. Thanks," She added toward Martin, having no doubt it had been him remembering her favourite drink. Again, he just smiled in return.

The simple gesture made her heart flutter, and Samantha couldn't help but hope that one day, she finally might get up the courage to admit what she really felt for him.

Of course, it had been his decision to break off things with her in the first place, and it still hurt thinking back to that day 'they' were officially over. But things had changed between them over the last couple of month. Their friendship had grown as his health continued to improve, and Samantha couldn't help but notice how the old chemistry from their early days seemed to have returned. Finally, she saw a chance for them to get back together again. This time without he rmaking all the wrong decisons.

At that moment, the waitress came over with her Martini, shaking Samantha from her thoughts for the moment.

"Okay, now that we all got our drinks, I'd like to make a toast," Martin began. "Today, it's been a year since my first N/A meeting and the last time I took one of those damned pills. And even though it's been hard getting over it and getting past everything that's happened, I can't help but be happy thinking back on the past year. You two have been the best friends anyone could have imagined, and I know that I couldn't have made it without you. So thank you. To our friendship," He ended and raised his beer. Danny echoed the sentiment and raised his bottle of water, as did Samantha with he Martini.

After they had all placed their drinks on the table again, Samantha said, "You know you didn't have to do all this. Inviting us for dinner, I mean. Or say anything, for that matter."

"She's right," Danny replied. "Being there for you was the least we could do after everything that happened, man. In fact, we should have been there through everything, then none of this would have happened..."

"Hey, don't got there now," Martin interrupted. "I know I didn't have to do this, but I wnated to. And no matter what you say, it doesn't go without saying what you did for me. This is the leats I could do to say thank you."

Samantha smiled and put her hand on top of his. "We're proud of you for everything you accomplished. And I'm happy we're finally back to this again," She added as she took Danny's hand in her own as well.

They stayed like that for several moments, until Danny decided to ease the situation by saying, "Now's the time where we're all supposed to get up and hug, right?" The all started laughing and Samantha playfully slapped his arm.

The rest of the evening went by quickly, with them talking and laughing about everything and nothing, sharing new office gossip and teasing Danny about his latest girlfriend, Fifi Trixibell.

When it neared one a.m., Danny decided to call it a night, leaving Martin and Sam alone before they even got the chance to get up with a conspirational wink. Sam just shot him a glare, while Martin seemed confused by his hasty depart. He payed, and they left the restaurant together.

As they stood at the curb, trying to get a taxi to stop, Samantha couldn't help but notice how similar this situation was to the one nearly two and a half years ago, when she had first invited him back to her place.

She had never regretted the decision she made that night, because even thoguht their break-up had caused her hurt, the time she spent with Martin was the best she ever had. For some time now she had been thinking about and hoping for a second chance with him, but not only was she too afraid to act on her feelings, but also his N/A rules prohibited relationships during thr first years of therapy. He was very strict with keeping these rules as he said there had to be a reason for them to exist, and she wa all for him doing whatever it took to get back to his old self again.

When a cab pulled up next to them Martin offered it to her and she walked away, wishing him a Good Night. But just as she was about to open the door to the cab, she turned baxck toward him. His year was over, right?

"Hey, Martin! You want to share a cab?"

This time, he didn't have to mention he lived about, or hear her confirm she already knew that. He just started walking toward her.

Samantha was sure that she wouldn't regret this decisions either. And judging from the huge grin spreading across his face, neither would he.

The End

A/N: So, this took a teeny tiny bit longer than I said it would. Sorry for that. As for the name of Danny's girlfriend, I really hope no one close to you has that name. And I also didn't make it up, I got it form the VH1 site, the wackiest baby names. Those poor celebrity kids...