Disclaimer: So I still don't own WaT nor the characters, but the plot is all my own!

twinmuse (Colly E.) - not too much damage…

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CHAPTER 11 - Recovery

Martin watched her sleep. He had taken the day off and wasn't leaving her side, ever again, if he had anything to say about the situation. He reviewed what the doctor told him about her condition: a severe case of dehydration, 27 internal stitches and 24 external ones. About two weeks healing time, and she'd be as good as new. He could even take her home, if she promised to lie still and only move if absolutely necessary for the next two days. He argued that point with the doctor for her—he knew how much she loved staying in the hospital. Now, all he had to do was wait for her to wake up.

He saw her eyelids start to flutter open. He stood next to her and called softly, "Sam?"

"Martin?" she asked without opening her eyes.

He nodded, even though she wasn't looking at him, "Yeah, it's me. You're safe." He stroked her cheek and brushed the hair off her face. "I'm right here."

She opened her eyes to look at him. She remembered what she tried to tell him in the warehouse, "I heard him kill Leon. They, uh, they were arguing and Leon was telling Patrick to quit harassing him. That he didn't love Patrick any more, and that's when I heard the knives. They hum in the air, did you know?" she paused, remembering something else, "You know, it wasn't until Leon came to the warehouse that I even learned Patrick's name. He never told me. And then he went away. I don't know for how long, but…"

"It's ok, Sam. We found Leon. Viv and Elena found him in Sands' storage unit about eight blocks from the warehouse," Martin continued to stroke her face and run his fingers though her hair. He decided to change the topic, "Danny says he's got a bruise that's turning purple and it's all your fault!"

She smiled, "Then he shouldn't have insulted my outfit. Serves him right."

They continued to stare at each other for several minutes. They were so focused on each other they didn't notice the nurse who poked her head in and then changed her mind.

Sam decided to break the silence first, whispering, "Martin? You saw the tape, right?" she bit her lower lip.

He stopped running his fingers in her hair and caught her mood, "Yeah. I did."

"I-I know you're here and all and I just can't help wondering," she brought her hand up to his cheek. "We haven't said anything like that in months, but it is true. I still love you." There, she had said it—and not under the influence of any drug.

"Ah, Sam. I-" Martin began nervously.

She pulled her hand down, "It's ok. You don't have to lie to me, Martin." She turned her head.

Crap! She was taking this all wrong. He put his finger under her chin and forced her to look at him, "No, you don't get it, Sam. I'm just nervous. You're right. We haven't talked about our feelings in a long time," he paused to catch his breath. His relationship with Sam sometimes felt like running a marathon. He traced the outline of her lips, "I still love you, too."

Danny, Elena and Vivian stopped by to see Samantha. Vivian led the little parade and stopped short after barely opening the door.

"Hey, Viv, what's the deal? Danny asked.

She smiled, "Nothing, I just don't think they need any interruption right now."

Fin.

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Or is it???

Stay tuned for the epilogue!!