Disclaimer: I don't own Without a Trace, any of the characters, storylines, or actors. However I do own my ideas.

Zai: And now, finally on to a Sam/Martin moment. hope you enjoy.

- - - - - -

Sam sat at her desk reading through yet another old case file. Double checking the paper work was in order she closed it and picked up the next from the seemingly endless stack. It was amazing just how far behind they managed to get sometimes, she mused. The ringing of her phone brought Sam out of her thoughts.

"Spade," Sam said absently, still reading through the file she had just opened.

"Hey, Sam."

Upon hearing the familiar voice on the other end Sam stopped what she was doing and gave the caller her full attention. "Hey," she replied unsure what else to say.

"How did the case go the other day?" Martin asked trying to sound casual. He did not know if Samantha knew about his father, and he really was not sure he was ready to talk about it yet.

"We found her," Sam replied wondering if that was all Martin had called about, but then figuring if he had just wanted an update he could have phoned Jack. But he hadn't, he had phoned her. "Her car got ran off the road, she was hurt but she's going to be okay." Sam said giving him the basics of the previous day's case.

"That's good."

"Yeah," Sam agreed lamely.

On the other end of the line Martin fell silent for a long moment. Sam almost wondered if he had hung up on her when he finally spoke again. "I guess you're working..." he muttered quietly.

"We don't have any cases," she hurriedly explained not wanting him to hang up. "It's been quite slow actually. We are just getting caught up on backlogged files."

"Oh. Well a slow day is always a good day," Martin replied with false perkiness.

"Yup," was all Sam could think to reply. She wondered if she should broach the subject of Martin's father when he spoke up again.

"I'm in Washington," he said slowly wondering if he would be able repeat the words he had just heard his mother say, "My dad..." he trailed off momentarily before shakily finishing, "He died."

"I know Martin," Sam admitted. "I'm so sorry. If there is anything you need, you just have to ask." She had wanted to offer he condolences earlier but had wanted to let Martin broach the subject.

The two agents fell silent. Martin stirred the gravel beneath him with his shoe. If there is anything you need. His mind spun at those words. The only thing I need right now Samantha, is you.

"Do you have the weekend off?"

The sudden question startled Sam and it took her a moment to respond. "Yes, well unless a case comes up I guess."

The question had startled Martin too. He had not meant to ask, it just sort-of popped out on its own. However, he had wanted to know the answer. He wanted to know the answer to next question even more, "Sam? Would you come to Washington?"

Hearing the pained undertone in Martin's voice, Sam made a split-second decision. It went against everything she tried to tell herself, about it being over between them, but at the moment she did not care. "Sure."

Martin felt strangely relieved knowing Samantha would be coming to be there with him. He had begun to feel like he was drowning, now it was like he could see the surface again. Still reluctant to be alone with his thoughts he kept Samantha on the phone for nearly another half hour.

They talked of inconsequential things, leaving Martin feeling almost normal as he hung up the phone. Sam had promised to phone him when she got a flight booked. He did not know why she had agreed to come, but he did not care. It had felt so good just to be talking to her, the way the used too.

It still took Martin some time before he forced himself to re-enter the hospital. His mother was sitting in the waiting room. She looked like she had aged years in only the short time Martin had been gone. She looked up as he walked over to her.

"I'm so sorry, Mom," he whispered still ashamed at how he had run off. "I shouldn't have taken off like that." He looked down at her feeling horrible for leaving her after the news she had just received.

She gave him a weak smile. "It's okay Marty. This is hard on us both."

He nodded and sat down beside her, taking her hand in his.

"I know things were not the best between you," his mother started gently, "You are both so headstrong. But he did love you Marty."

"I know," he mumbled, squeezing her hand comfortingly.

"You're a good person, Martin. Your father and I both know it. He was always proud of you, even when he did not show it," she said with a sad sigh, "I just can't believe he is gone." She said her voice barely more then a whisper, as she fought to hold back a new bout of tears.

Martin waited patiently while his mother cried. When she had finished he rose to his feet. "Let's go home," he said softly, knowing his mother was worn out. And after she got some sleep he knew that they would have a lot of arrangements to make.

They got up together and headed out of the hospital. Neither noticing any of the people who walked by, both to caught up in their own forms of grief. Martin drove and his mother tiredly closed her eyes, the occasional tear still streaking down her pale face.

- - - - - -

Jack looked up as someone tapped gently on his office door. Putting down the folder he was holding he gestured for the younger, blonde agent to enter. "What can I help you with?" he asked Sam.

"Jack, I was wondering if I could have Friday off," It was midafternoon on Thursday and Sam was not sure she could make it through the entire day tomorrow at work. Not after the conversation she had just had with a certain unhappy, blue-eyed, agent.

It was not hard for Jack to guess that this sudden request had to do with Martin's loss. He knew it would be hard if a case came in and he was two agents short, but he also knew it would be better for Martin if he had Sam there for him. "Okay, but if we get a big case, you're going to have to get back here asap."

Sam nodded and thanked Jack before heading out of his glass-walled office. She returned to her desk and booked a flight leaving early the next morning. Afterwards, she called Martin back but was transferred to his automated message. She figured he was with his mother, so she left her flight information and then hung up.

Across the room Danny sat at his desk. Sam headed over to him. She had the feeling Danny would not be upset Martin had called her instead of him, but she knew he would care if she did not tell him she had heard from their absent colleague.