A/N: I've long since finished writing this story but I completely forgot I hadn't finished posting it on here. Progressively I'll get it up, I swear! Here's the next chapter.

Chapter Three

As Sam ran back towards the apartment her mind continued to dance with a million different thoughts and the weight of her decision. The tears that had started so long ago now it seemed still leaked from her eyes falling away into nothingness as she left them far behind her.

She'd been out too long, Shane would be wondering what had happened to her, suspicious of where she had been. The night was slowly surrendering to the pale light of the morning as her feet continued pounding against the pavement towards home through the familiar Manhattan streets she knew so well. They seemed different this morning. Strange almost. It was like they knew the decision she had made and were frowning on her disapprovingly.

"Where the hell did you run to?" Shane muttered from where he still lay in bed as she entered their bedroom attempting once again to be as quiet as possible.

She'd tried desperately to wipe her eyes and cover up any evidence of the tears she had cried but it was impossible and she prayed Shane was still too far under to notice anyway.

"I ran around the park. Ashley didn't wake up again did she?" she asked changing the subject.

"No, she woke up earlier?"

"Yeah she was screaming I'm surprised you didn't hear her."

Breathing a sigh of relief as it was clear Shane was done asking questions, Sam headed for the bathroom and discarded her running clothes climbing into the shower beneath the hot stream of water which immediately soothed her now tired body.

Her mind still raced, what was she going to tell her husband? She'd made a decision. She had to get out. As safe as she felt with Shane she was never going to be happy especially knowing Martin was leaving Kate and he wanted her back for good.

It scared her, stepping outside of that tiny box of comfort and safety her marriage to Shane had become and reaching for that unknown and unpredictability that loving Martin came with. She needed that unpredictability. She craved it, she always had. She needed to live on the edge so to speak. She needed Martin.

The afternoon came quickly and Martin turned up on her doorstep ready to take Ashley out to the park. After Shane had left for work a few hours earlier Sam had packed a suitcase for the two of them which now sat expectantly beside Martin's feet waiting just like she was to get out of the apartment.
"Daddy!" Ashley's voice was full of excitement as small footsteps came running down the hallway to greet her father. Martin scooped his daughter up in his arms, the little girl's laughter and happiness at seeing him spreading through the apartment.

"Hey baby," he greeted her, "You ready to go? Where's your coat? Go get a coat its cold out," he put her back down and she ran back down the hallway. Sam and Martin both smiled as they watched her hearing her singing to herself in the endearing way she always did.

Glancing down the hallway to make sure Ashley was still out of sight Martin quickly took her in his arms, "I moved out," he whispered against her ear.

She pulled back and looked at him, "I'm talking to Shane as soon as he gets home."

"Are you going to be ok? Do you want me to stay?"

She leant forward and kissed his lips gently wanting to kiss him deeper and longer but knowing now was not the right time, "Thanks but I really think that would just make it harder. Besides I don't want Ashley here. I don't want her to hear any of it. She doesn't need that. I just know it's going to be horrible."

"We'll be at Tony's getting pizza after the park. I'll take your stuff," he nodded towards the suitcase, "We'll wait for you until you get there."

"Ok, don't leave without me."

"Never. I'll wait as long as it takes. Promise."

They were interrupted by Ashley as she came hurtling towards them. "Are we going on holiday?" she asked noticing the bag sitting at Martin's feet. Sam crouched down grabbing hold of both of Ashley's hands where she stood in front of her.

"We're, uh, going to stay with Daddy for a while," she stuttered knowing that she was confusing her daughter, as well as herself.

"You too Mommy?" Ashley asked moving towards Sam clinging to her with her little arms wrapped tightly around her mother's neck.

"Yeah baby, I'm coming too."

"What about Shane?" Ashley questioned glancing around the apartment that had belonged to her step-father before he had married her mother.
"We're...splitting up," Sam sighed as she tried to gauge the reaction on that beautiful innocent face she was confusing.

She glanced up at Martin who was watching the exchange silently, "But you know what?" he broke his own silence, "Everything's going to be ok. We're gonna be a proper family, you, mommy and I are going to be together."

"What about Kate?" Ashley asked again looking towards Martin.

"She...we, uh, it's just going to be the three of us," Martin struggled with his reply.

"Ok," Sam heaved a sigh glancing at her watch realizing Shane would be home very shortly, "You two better go."

She kissed her daughter on the cheek as she ushered her out the door. Martin lingered in the doorway a nervous look clouding his eyes, "I'll be fine Martin. I'll be there really soon," Sam tried to assure him as Ashley tugged on his other arm.

"I love you," he offered her.

"Love you too."

I hope that's enough this time.