Chapter 34

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Sam walked into Martin's room and found him watching TV. She glanced at the screen and saw that it was Sports Center. Again. He had been in the hospital for a couple of days and each time she visited him he was watching something sports related. It was a good sign that he was doing well but sometimes she wondered just how much ESPN one man could possibly watch. Chuckling she asked, "Don't you ever get tired of watching Stuart Scott recount game plays?"

"Never." Martin replied with a grin.

"Where are your parents?" She asked noticing that they were alone. His parents had been keeping constant vigil in his room for the last few days, which while completely and absolutely understandable, she secretly wished that they would give her a little bit of time alone with Martin.

"I finally convinced them to get out of the hospital and get something to eat. Their constant hovering was nice at first but I needed a break as much as they did." He answered as he clicked off the TV. He scooted up in the bed and Sam moved to help adjust his pillow. When he was situated he looked at her and said, "Thanks."

"No problem." She took the seat next to Martin's bed and leaned forward with her elbows resting on her thighs, hands clasped. "Can I get you anything?"

"No, I'm cool." He pulled the blanket up and straightened it out. "Between you and my parents I'm going to get used to being spoiled." He absentmindedly scratched his scratched his chin that sported four days growth. While she was never a fan of men with stubble she had to admit it made him look a little dangerous and a lot sexy. He leaned into the pillow and said, "I can't get over how different my dad is acting around me."

She gave him a warm smile. "It's good though, right?"

"Yeah, it's good, weird, but good." Martin's eyes lit up and he said, "He is actually talking about taking a little vacation so we can hang out for awhile, maybe play some golf or go to a Knicks game."

"That's great. It's good to know that something positive came out of all of this." Martin nodded his head solemnly. Sam knew that this was the time to talk about everything she had been thinking about so she looked into his eyes and softly said, "I was really worried about you Martin."

"Well, you made it in time so I guess it's my turn to say thanks." He reached out for her hand and said, "Thank you for saving my life, Sam."

"You're welcome." She grinned widely before adding, "But it wasn't just me, your dad was there too."

"I know. I've already talked to him about it but it isn't just about shooting Davidge. When I was walking through the woods and I was certain that he was going to kill me it was you who helped me figure out what to do. I remembered what you told me you did in that junkyard with Kiet." Martin looked at her with tenderness and said, "So, in a way, you saved my life twice in one day."

Her lips curved into a smile and replied, "So we're even then? Two for two."

"Yeah, let's just hope it stays at a tie." Martin looked at her with affection as his thumb started to gently caress her hand, sending a tingling sensation throughout her body.

She knew that now was the time to talk about what she was feeling so she leaned closer, looked into his eyes and said, "Martin, I know that I wasn't particularly nice to you lately."

"I can't say I blame you." He stilled his thumb and quietly breathed, "Sam, I'm really sorry about how I ended it. You deserved better but I…..just didn't know how else to do it."

She lowered her eyes and replied, "I won't lie; I thought it was a low blow to do it in the office. Although, thinking about it later, I certainly started my share of fights at work."

Martin didn't reply but just nodded his head almost imperceptibly. "I'm just glad that we are getting back to good. That we are friends again."

Sam's stomach contracted at hearing him use the word 'friends'. She didn't want to return to being just friends, she wanted more. She glanced at their hands and knew that he was probably just playing it safe. The way he was holding her hand was not a gesture indicative of someone who just wanted to be friends, amigos, mates. It was a physical expression between lovers. She couldn't blame him for being not wanting to risk ruining what they were seemingly rebuilding but being federal agents they were risk takers weren't they?

She licked her lips and said, "Martin, when you were missing I realized some things. I pushed you away because I was scared of what we were becoming and what that meant. But not knowing if I was ever going to see you again, to see your smile, it was ten times scarier. Just the thought that you would never be in my life anymore was unbearable. Martin, I don't want to go back to being just your friend." She moved her hand in his and intertwined their fingers. "I want to give us another try."

"Good because I want that too, Sam." Martin replied as he pulled her hands towards him so she had to get out of her seat. She sat on the edge of the bed and she moved her arm so her hand rested on the other side of him. Her upper body was positioned just over him with her face directly in front of his. "But if we do this again we both have to promise to be a lot nicer to each other, to talk things out and not just fight or have sex to keep from talking about why we are fighting."

"Okay." Sam leaned in further so her face was inches from his. "As long as we're making promises, do you promise to not storm off when we fight?"

"I promise." He moved his face forward and his lips lingered just over hers. His breath was hot on her lips and she stared deep into his blue eyes that were filled with hunger as he said, "Do you promise to let me in when you start to freak out about me or us or anything else rather than just start a fight?"

"I promise." Sam replied with her lips touching his but not quite kissing. "So, are we in agreement? Are we getting back together?"

"I think so." Martin murmured against her mouth as his free hand traveled achingly slow up her arm which sent goose bumps all over her body.

"Good." Sam whispered. "Because the other thing I realized is that I love you, Martin."

She saw his eyes go wide before he smiled against her lips and said, "I love you, Sam."

She grinned before she pressed her lips to his and kissed him. It was tentative at first, tasting and remembering before slowly increasing in intensity and passion and love.

He kissed her hard and deep, his tongue gently thrusting inside. She tilted her head to give him better access and moved a hand behind his head to runner her fingers through his hair. She knew that this first step in reconciliation was going well when she heard Martin release a guttural moan in appreciation of what her mouth was doing to him. She moved her other hand to his chest to press him tightly against her. She was so lost in the kiss as the world around her faded into a hazy blur that it took her a few minutes to realize that Martin's moans of pleasure had turned to grunts of pain.

He pulled away from her kisses and said, "Sam, stop." He grabbed her hand that was on his chest and she opened her eyes to see that his face was grimaced in pain. He looked at her with sad eyes and said, "Sorry, I'm still tender there."

"Martin, no, I'm sorry I wasn't even thinking…" Sam apologized as she scanned over his chest to make sure he really was okay.

"Really, it's okay Sam." He lifted the hand he had grabbed and lifted it to his lips and kissed it softly. "Besides, in my condition I can't do much more than kiss and I really wanted more."

Sam smiled, kissed him softly and replied, "Well, then I guess we just have something to look forward to."

He gave her the grin that she had missed seeing everyday. She smiled coyly and said, "Scoot over. We may not be able to do much but I'd like to do something else I've missed doing with you."

He looked at her questioningly but did as he was told. She kicked off her shoes and moved to lie down next to him. It was a tight fit for two grown people on a twin bed but she lay on her side with her head tucked safely between his shoulder and neck. She rested her arm delicately over his chest and asked, "Is this okay?"

Martin sighed as he kissed her forehead and replied, "It's perfect."

To be continued in the Epilogue.