8.30pm.

Martin had come over at 7, and Samantha had cooked a pasta dish,

something her mom used to make. They had opened a bottle of wine, had a good time. Each completely relaxed and comfortable with the other, what fairy tale relationships are like, for a moment anyway. The ones Samantha used to dream about when she was little, she would dream whenever she heard her parents arguing.

Samantha sighed from where she was nestled in Martin's arms.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

Samantha smiled. "Nothing. It's a happy sigh. This is nice."

Martin smiled. "Yeah it is."

Samantha moved to a sitting position, wincing when she leant on a

bruise that had been caused by O'Connors.

"You okay?" asked Martin.

"Yeah, just a small bruise." she said.

"So, interesting day huh?" said Martin.

"You could say that." said Sam yawning. "Sorry, I'm just a bit tired.

It's been a long day."

"You want me to leave?" asked Martin starting to move.

"No." said Samantha, "No it's fine. It's nice having company."

Martin smiled and pulled Samantha back down so she was lying cuddled up to him.

"Martin, tell me about your childhood." asked Samantha out of the blue suddenly.

"Umm okay. Well it was pretty normal I guess. We lived in a nice

neighborhood, in DC. My dad worked a lot, but he was around when it mattered. My mom was one of those very motherly moms..."

Samantha smiled sadly, she was glad Martin had had a good childhood. It had helped him become who he was. But she couldn't help feeling jealous. She listened to Martin's stories from his childhood, happy for the fact that it seemed that there still were some happy families, and not all were screwed up like hers.

After about 10 minutes, Martin stopped. Samantha looked at him puzzled.

"Why'd you stop?" she asked.

"Are you sure you want to hear all that? I mean...your childhood wasn't that great. It's just bringing up unpleasant memories."

"I asked to hear it Martin. Besides, hearing that there are nice

families out there, it makes me have faith."

"Faith in what?" asked Martin.

"Faith that there's still good, that there still are children that wake

up every morning and don't dread seeing their parents."

"Samantha, there are so many people out there that are happy. With our job, we usually see the ones that aren't but I promise you there are."

Samantha smiled. "I know there are, its just...its easy to lose faith

in a world like this."

Martin just held Samantha closer.

"Do you want to talk about yours?" he asked softly.

Samantha paused for a moment. "Well you know most of it, my dad was this alcoholic who used to beat us, and my mom was hardly ever there. So pretty far from perfect."

Samantha chuckled bitterly. "Well I guess nothings ever perfect. I used to have this dream when I was little."

she said her voice taking on a wistful tone. "That we did have this

perfect family. A dad who would always take me to the park, play games, always be there. And a mom who was always smiling, and you know, always be ready with a home cooked meal on the table. Everyone would be happy. But I was young and naive, I grew up."

Silent tears were now falling down her cheeks, she was crying for her lost childhood, what was supposed to have been the best years of her life. Crying for her lost innocence, someone who had to grow up too fast.

Martin not knowing what to say to comfort her just held her. Sorry wouldn't do much good now. Sorry never did much good, it wouldn't take away all the pain, the scars, the heartache would it? No. So he comforted her in the best way he could, by just being there.

"I think I was about 14 that it hit me." continued Samantha. "You know, that my father was abusive and that it wouldn't change. I would never have a happy family. I mean I'd known before that he was abusive, but in a way I hadn't. I hadn't wanted to believe it. I still remember that night. That night was when everything changed. My father had been home for a few hours, I was just in my room. He hadn't done anything and I hadn't heard any yelling. I remember just sitting in my room, petrified in case something triggered him. I must have stayed like that for hours, just huddled under the covers. He went up to bed, just ignored me completely. I was so relieved, but that's when I knew. I would always

be waiting, scared, just in case. After that night, I would beg my mom every day to do something, get a divorce, just leave, anything. But she never did."

Martin could see Samantha getting more and more worked up.

"Sam, look we don't have to talk about this." he said.

"It's fine, talking helps. I haven't really talked to anyone about

this, except Jane."

"How are things going with her?" asked Martin.

"Yeah, they're going good, she's helped me a lot." answered Samantha.

"I'm always here if you need someone to talk to."

"Thanks." said Samantha. She sat up and turned away from him, putting her hair up into a messy bun. Martin caught a glimpse of a scar, just

visible by the back neckline of her shirt. Martin gingerly reached out to touch the scar, Samantha jumped slightly.

"Did he do that?" asked Martin.

Samantha nodded, she pulled down the neck revealing the rest of the scar, a long white raised mark.

"He was pretty drunk one night, he had this broken bottle and uhhh he was aiming for my head, but got me on my shoulder instead."

"God Samantha, he could have killed you."

Samantha smiled sadly. "I know. Guess I'm lucky."

Martin smiled at her, "I love you, you know that right."

Samantha sat up, and looked deep into his eyes. She smiled. "I love you too." she said.

He leant over to kiss her and she leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his neck. The kiss grew more and more passionate. Martin broke away from Samantha, his eyes hazy with love and passion. "Bedroom." he whispered. Samantha nodded, smiling. Martin picked her up and carried her into the bedroom, shutting the door behind him.

7.00am

Samantha opened her eyes, squinting as a ray of light from between the curtains shone in her face. She yawned and stretched.

"Morning." whispered Martin from next to her.

She rolled over so she was facing him. "Morning." she smiled. "Now this is a sight I could get used to in the morning." she teased.

"It is a beautiful sight." he said.

"You know we've got to be at work in an hour and a half." said

Samantha.

"Well I think we should share a shower, to save time of course."

suggested Martin.

Samantha grinned. "Race you there." she said getting up and heading towards the bathroom. Martin jumped up after her, chasing her into the bathroom.

40 minutes later they were showered, breakfasted and caffeinated ready for a day at the office.

8.20am

They arrived at the office slightly early, surprised to see Vivian

there already.

"Hey Viv." said Samantha.

Vivian looked up to see her co-workers holding hand, each with a

certain kind of glow around them.

"Morning. Good night?" she asked with a twinkle in her eyes.

Martin and Samantha just grinned at each other.

"You're early." said Martin changing the subject.

"Yeah Reggie was actually ready on time for once." said Vivian. She

glanced at her watch. "I guess Danny and Jack will be in soon."

Samantha sat down at her desk, and smiled to herself, she felt properly happy for the first time in ages. She looked around at the office that she spent most of the day in, and settled comfortably into another day of work.

3 and a half weeks later.

About just over a month had passed since the trial, and 3 weeks since the O'Connors incident. Samantha was back at work on a regular basis, going out onto the field everyday. Her relationship with Martin was great, and anyone could see that they were truly happy and in love. Samantha felt that everything was improving, and starting to make sense again. She still had counselling sessions, but not as frequently, only when she felt like she needed them. She and Jane had formed a strong friendship after spending so much time together, and would often meet for lunch or something. She had told Vivian and Danny more about her

past, things she had already told Martin. Things were still sort of

awkward with Jack, given their past history, they kept their distance from each other. Not in a bad way, but they just felt it was for the best, so they only ever talked on a professional level, unless they were all out or something.

8.45am

It was a Friday morning, and the team had just solved a particularly hard case involving a college student, who had gotten mixed up in the wrong crowd, was found to have been doing drugs and gambling, and was now in huge debt. He had been missing for over 2 days, when they discovered a suicide note. The NYPD had found his body in the river. The case had taken its toll on the team, and they were all incredibly tired, both physically and mentally.

Danny walked in yawning, carrying several cups of coffee for the

others.

"Hey Sam. I just saw Van Doren, she wants to see you in her office." he said.

"Now?" asked Samantha.

Danny nodded.

"Okay, don't drink my mocha!" she said to Danny on the way out.

"Hey, you wanted to see me." said Samantha, knocking gently on Van Doren's door.

"Yeah, take a seat." replied Paula.

Samantha walked in shutting the door behind her, and sitting in the seat opposite Paula's desk.

"Well I received some bad news this morning." began Paula.

Samantha looked at her warily, waiting for her to continue.

"It was from the prosecution lawyers for Atkins and Riley. As you may realise, it's been almost 5 weeks since the trial,"

Samantha nodded.

"And Atkins was charged with a mandatory 8 weeks, without parole."

Samantha nodded again, guessing as to where this was going.

"The prosecution heard from the defence that Atkins is going to try and get parole, and that she could be out in as little as 3 weeks time. I just wanted to tell you that, and that I'll keep you posted if I hear anything else. Just wanted to give you a heads up." she finished.

"Thanks." said Samantha. "But Riley's still in there right?"

Van Doren nodded. "He won't be getting out for a long time."

"Okay. Thanks again." said Samantha. She smiled at Van Doren and stood to leave the office.

"Samantha." Paula said.

Sam stopped, surprised by Van Doren calling her by her first name in the office.

"If she does get out, I'm not saying she will, but if she does. Be

careful." Van Doren said.

Samantha smiled again. "I will." she replied, walking out the office.

"What did Van Doren want?" asked Martin as Sam walked back in the bullpen. Danny and Viv looked up hearing Martin's question.

"Just a chat, you know about Jane and the counselling." she lied.

Danny nodded but Martin looked at her suspiciously.

"That my coffee?" asked Samantha looking away from Martin's prying eyes, picking up a cup on the table.

Danny nodded.

"Jack's given us a ton of paper work to do today." said Vivian,

gesturing to the large pile on the table. "And he wants everyone's

final reports on yesterdays case."

"Okay." said Samantha. The others nodded and they all made their way to the large table, settling down for the morning.

7.30pm

They had just finished a long day at work, and Martin and Samantha had gone back to Samantha's apartment where Martin had left his car the night before.

"So...night Samantha." said Martin.

Samantha smiled nervously. There was something she had been wanting to say once they got by themselves but she couldn't quite work up the courage.

Martin looked at her curiously. "What's up?" he asked.

"Oh ummm not much." replied Samantha.

"Somethings been bugging you all day. What is it?" he asked.

"Well it's just something I've been thinking about, mostly today

actually. I don't know if it's rushing or too soon, but I thought why

not. Not that it was just a rash decision, I have been thinking. You

can say no, I uhhh-"

"Sam, you're babbling. Tell me." said Martin.

"Okay, umm we've been dating for a while now right? And I thought you should have this." she said and handed Martin a key. "I mean it's just easier this way, you don't have to keep ringing every time."

Martin smiled. "Thanks Sam, this means a lot."

Samantha smiled back, the nervousness fading.

"One thing? Why today? Does it have anything to do with what Van Doren said? I know she didn't want to talk about Jane." said Martin.

Samantha sighed. "She told me...she told me that Atkins was requesting parole when the 8 weeks are up, and that she may get out. It just...I don't know. It makes me feel safer knowing that you have a key." She blushed. "Sounds stupid I know."

"It doesn't sound stupid." contradicted Martin. "It sounds....sensible

I guess that's the right word."

Samantha smiled. "Well. Goodnight." she said.

"Oh I'll walk you up." said Martin.

"You don't have to." said Samantha.

"Yes I do."

Samantha looked at him puzzled.

"If only I had walked you up that night, he whole thing with Riley and Atkins may never have happened."

Samantha suddenly understood why he had been so protective lately, hardly letting her go anywhere or do anything by herself.

"It wasn't your fault you know." she said placing her hand on his.

"But-"

"No buts." she said firmly. "If you had walked me up, then maybe you would have gotten hurt too. Or they would have just waited for another opportunity. They weren't just going to give up, just because you were there one night. It wouldn't have stopped them. Really it's not your fault. No one blames you, least of all me."

Martin smiled and felt the guilt he had been carrying since that night ease away with Samantha's words. "Thank you." he said.

Samantha replied by kissing him soundly. "I'll let you walk me up this once, but I can take care of myself."

"Don't I know it." Martin jokingly moaned.

It was getting closer to the day that Atkins may be released, in fact

it was tomorrow. Samantha had been getting updates from Van Doren, who had heard that it was likely that she would be given parole. Samantha tried not to think about it, but she couldn't ignore that little nagging in the back of her head, that reminded her of Atkins threat. The others noticed that she was acting slightly out of the ordinary, but only Martin and Danny knew why, as they were the only ones who knew about the threat Atkins made.

10.00pm

Samantha yawned tiredly. "Sorry." she said to Martin and Danny. "Long day."

"Least we get the morning off tomorrow." said Danny, also yawning.

"Look what you started Sam." he said once he finished.

Samantha laughed. "Oh well."

The three of them were out sharing drinks, after a day at the office.

Vivian and Jack hadn't been able to make it, as they had to go back to their families.

"Umm so you been thinking about Atkins getting out?" asked Martin carefully, not wanting to ruin a perfectly good evening by changing the mood, but also wanting to know. Danny also looked at Samantha curiously.

"I've been trying not too, but I have been thinking about it more,

seeing as it's tomorrow." she admitted.

"Don't worry I'm sure everything will be fine." said Danny trying to

stay positive. Even he was not sure, as he had seen how spooked Sam was by what Atkins had said, and that she truly believed it.

Samantha gave a small smile. "I hope so." she said, trying to hide her nervousness. She yawned again. "I should head home, I'm completely exhausted."

"Same." said Martin. "You wanna meet for a coffee tomorrow before work? 12.30?" he asked.

Samantha nodded. "Yeah sounds good."

"Danny?" asked Martin.

"Sorry I got plans." smirked Danny.

"Ooo with who?" asked Samantha.

"With my dentist." replied Danny.

"Oh." said Samantha.

Danny laughed. "What were you expecting?"

"Something more interesting." answered Samantha sighing.

Martin smiled. "How about we set him up on a blind date?" he joked.

"Now that has possibilties." said Samantha. "Anyway. I'm off. Night

guys, see you tomorrow."

"Night Sam." said Danny.

"Bye." said Martin giving her a hug and a kiss while Danny pretended to throw up in the background.

Samantha kissed Martin again, after playfully punching Danny's

shoulder. "Bye." she said, leaving the bar.

Danny and Martin stayed to talk for a little while longer, before

heading home themselves.

A/N: Okay, technically there is only one chapter left, but there are two endings. With one ending there will most probably be a sequel. So if you could please tell me in your reviews after the last chapters if you want a sequel or a new story. Thanks!