"Don't worry about me," I answer with a smile playing on my lips.

********

I head back to the office, seeing Martin reading over a file.

"What have you got there?" I question, glancing over his shoulder.

"Just finishing up paperwork, so I can take the night off," he eyes me with a yawn. "Vivian left already. Where's Jack and Danny?"

"Home," I respond. "Case was successfully closed."

"Yeah, I heard from Jack, but I thought he was coming back here."

"Nope," I shake my head. "He went home to his wife," I shrug. "You want to get out of here?"

"Don't I always?" he laughs softly. "I heard you did good negotiating during the hostage situation," he eyes me with a smile.

"Yeah, I did," I answer with a growing grin. "I guess things are finally looking upward."

"It's about time," he muses, helping me into my coat and down to the parking garage. "Listen, Samantha, there's something I should tell you, but I'm not sure how."

I take a seat in his car, buckling in, and glancing over at him. "Just say it," I point out the obvious.

"I don't want you to shoot the messenger, and I swore to Jack I wouldn't say a word but--"

"If it involves Jack, I'm not sure I want to know," I state. "If I hear something from you, and I need to go to him about it, I will."

"That's what I was worried about," he lets out a sigh.

"You can't expect me not to."

"I know, but you should know what happened. Maybe I'm being stupid by telling you," he pauses as we head off towards my apartment.

"Martin, if it's eating you up that much, then just say it. I probably already know anyways."

He eyes me, and then lets out a sigh. "If you tell Jack, he'll kill me."

"Why?" I question as we make our way up the stairs to my home.

"Because I caught him reading something he wasn't supposed to be."

"You mean the client files. I know he was looking into those."

"Not just any files," Martin eyes me.

"Are you implying he was reading my file?"

"When I came in the office he just opened it. I don't know what he read, or didn't read, but I told him it wasn't right, and you should be notified. He asked me not to, Samantha, but I couldn't lie to you. You mean too much to me as a friend to keep that kind of secret from you."

"Thanks," I respond with a half-hearted smile and a sigh.

"Now you're upset," he points out, as we step inside and shut the door to keep the cold air out.

"I'm disappointed," I correct him, heading towards the kitchen to grab something to make for dinner.

"Let me cook."

"You don't have to."

"I know. I don't have to be with you on Christmas either, but I want to," he answers with a smile and places his hand gently on my shoulder.

"Thank you," I whisper out. "I'm glad you're here tonight. I'm not sure I could handle this on my own right now. Especially after what you told me."

"I shouldn't have," he shakes his head with a sigh.

"I asked him earlier if he had my file there. He didn't answer me. I should have known."

"He's probably just concerned; it isn't like you tell us much of anything, especially what's bothering you."

I shrug off his words and turn my back, looking into the fridge for something to drink. I glance into the cabinets above the fridge, pulling out the hard liquor.

"Samantha, I'm not sure that's a good idea."

"We have tomorrow off," I point out. "Besides I need to unwind." I grab a shot glass, filling it before downing it. Martin watches me and lets out a sigh, as I take two more shots before interfering.

"You've had enough." He takes the bottle from me, as I give him a pitiful look.

"I'm barely feeling the effects, Martin," I whine.

"After dinner you can have some more. You've barely eaten anything today as it is."

"Fine," I roll my eyes and head towards the refrigerator to grab something to munch on.

"Go sit down," Martin pushes me towards the sofa. "I'll work on dinner, while you rest up."

"Can I have my bottle back?"

"No," he eyes me strongly, as I let out a frustrated sigh and stand up.

"Where are you going?" He questions, as I head down the hallway.

"To drown myself in the shower," I retort.

I shut my bedroom door, remembering to lock it this time. I head towards the phone, deciding on whether or not I should ruin Jack's Christmas, like he has mine. It wasn't bad enough we had to be at work, but he also went behind my back. I shake my head in disgust and head for the shower. I know it won't change things, but maybe if I can unwind at all, Martin will be better company, or maybe I'll be better company.

After I finish showering, I slip on a pair of warm flannel pajamas, and head out to see Martin cooking on the stove.

"How's it coming?" I question, entering in the kitchen to smell the delicious food on the stove.

"Almost done," he glances back at me. "Nice pajamas."

"Don't make fun," I eye him.

"I'm not. You just look really cute," he answers, while I head on over to grab the plates to set the table.

"Thanks," I respond, as I feel myself blushing.

After dinner we both take a seat on the sofa, and I eye the kitchen. "You want to know where I hid that bottle of alcohol, don't you?" I nod with a grin. "Wouldn't you rather be sober tonight?"

"Not really," I answer. "I trust you, and I personally would rather not think about the failures of my life."

"What failures?"

"See you're already making me think about them." I stand up and feel Martin's hand on my wrist. My eyes meet his as I notice how dark they are. "Martin, let go." I try and wiggle my hand from his grip, but can't stop laughing as he holds on.

"You don't need anymore to drink," he tells me.

"What's the worst that could happen? You won't let me drink enough to get a hangover," I eye him seriously.

"What about another migraine?"

"I've got you here to help," I grin wickedly in response, as I hear him let out a deep breath of air that glides past my lips.

"You're wearing the perfume I bought you."

"Yeah," I nod and watch as he releases his grip on me. He shuts his eyes for a second before opening them. "Martin, what's going on?" I eye him curiously.

"You just smell really good, that's all."

"I would hope so. After all, you bought it for me." I smile wickedly and bend down to press a soft kiss to his lips, a rather friendly gesture. He catches me by surprise, though, and wraps his arms around my waist, as I feel the kiss building and the heat between us. His tongue brushes against my lips, asking entrance for more as I pull away. "Martin?" I feel my head foggy and confused at what's going on. His eyes speak volumes, yet his lips say nothing.

"I'm sorry," he blurts out rather loudly, as I move to sit beside him on the sofa. Our legs brush against each other when I take a seat.

"Don't be," I answer, moving my hand along his jaw line. "It felt really nice," I reassure him, moving my hand to his thigh.

"Samantha, we can't," he shakes his head.

"We don't have to," I point out, "if you tell me where the bottle of rum is."

"Oh no," Martin shakes his head. "You're not getting it."

"Come on," I whine. "If I don't have any more, then at least I want you to catch up with me."

"Not a good idea."

"What's the worst that could happen?"

"I could let my feelings for you get in the way of common sense," he states seriously.

I can't help but laugh. "You're kidding me?"

"No."

"Then relax." I move my hand over his chest. "I won't seduce you, if that's what you're worried about."

"You could have fooled me," he glances down at my hand on his chest.

I roll my eyes and move my hand to his shoulder. "I just want to unwind tonight. Please?" My eyes meet his, and he stands up and heads for the kitchen where the pots and pans are. He pulls out the bottle of rum and gulps quite a bit down.

"I think we're caught up now," he answers.

"You just dirtied my bottle," I state dumbly and then laugh at the absurdity of it. "Give," I put out my hand to have some more.

"I don't want to hear any complaints in the morning," he warns me before handing over the bottle.

I take a swig, gulping down enough that I manage to feel my mouth go numb.

"You're dribbling." Martin moves his hand over my mouth, wiping at the rum that's dripping down my lips.

"Thanks," I answer, moving my fingers over my own lips and then over Martins. "Feel numb yet?" I question before moving my lips over his.

"Samantha," he whispers out as I capture his mouth and feel the heat building between us. It's been too long since I felt loved, and right now it feels perfect. His hand finds its way into my hair, as our kisses grow hotter and more intense. "You smell so good," he breathes into my ear as I feel the room growing warm and my face flushed.

"You're just saying that because you gave me the gift," I eye him sternly.

"Not true," he tells me. "Oh, yeah, I never got to open your gift." He eyes me with a smile and sees the package on the coffee table.

"I can give you something better," I grin, playfully nipping at his lips.

"No," he shakes his head, "as tempting as that is, I want to see what's in here." He peels back the remainder of the paper to reveal a box of chocolates.

"I know it's not real personal, but I thought you might like it," I wince at the horrible I gift I got him.

"It's perfect," he answers, unwrapping the clear plastic and pulling one out. "A chocolate-covered strawberry," he smiles "Open up."

He feeds me a bite of the juicy treat before I move my lips to his, feeling us making a mess between us. I can't help but laugh as I feel his tongue and lips lapping up at the chocolate that's dribbled down my chin.

"You're making me sticky," I groan.

"Good," he answers, moving his lips onto mine again, and this time rolling us so I'm on my back with him above me on the sofa.

My lips nip at his, tasting the chocolate, and the strawberry flavor. "Mmm, you taste yummy."

"Yummy?" He eyes me as I feel my cheeks burning and I nod. "You're so adorable when you're drunk."

"I'm not drunk," I scoff at the idea.

"You're not?" he questions, moving his mouth down to my neck, as I lean my head back exposing the bareskin to his tongue.

"No, just aroused," I answer.

"That makes two of us," he tells me, kissing the hollow of my neck as his hands tease my sides.

"We could take this someplace more comfortable," I suggest with a grin, brushing my lips against his, as I roam my hands down his back and slide my fingers beneath his shirt.

"As much as I want to," he eyes me seriously, "I can't."

"Oh," I feel slightly hurt and pull out from under him.

"Samantha."

"Just don't," I put up my hands to stop him. "No explanation needed," I tell him, closing the bottle of liquor and walking off into the bedroom.

"Sam," I hear his voice knocking on my door.

"Samantha," I correct him and see him slowly opening the door. "You have no idea how much I want you, but I care too much to be with you."

"Martin you're not making any sense."

"I couldn't let it be a one-night thing between us. I like you Samantha, a lot."

"I know," I nod with a soft smile, tugging on his hand and pulling him onto the bed, his body falling above mine.

"I think I'm falling in love with you," he whispers down to me.

"No," I shake my head. "It's the rum talking. In the morning you won't be saying those kinds of things."

"Only because I'm too worried what you'll think of me."

"Awww," I whisper out, pulling my arms around him in a hug as I slide back onto the mattress to lie down and feel his body lying beside mine.

I brush my lips against his and he gently stops me. "I want this more then anything, Samantha, but I won't do this until I know you love me in return. I can't take the heartache it'll cause."

"You're such a romantic." I run my fingers along his jaw before giving him another kiss. The rest of the night becomes a blur from the alcohol and sometime during the early hours I fall deeply asleep wrapped in Martin's arms.