Chapter 20

Martin walked in to work a few days later and greeted Sam, Danny and Elena who were already sat at the conference table. A quick glance around showed that Rick's bag and coat were at his desk so he was also around somewhere. He placed his things at his desk before taking a seat at the table next to Sam giving her an extra smile, which she eagerly returned. Although the team's attitude hadn't changed much, they were still keeping a close eye on Martin, he and Sam were less bothered by it since their day together.

"Morning everyone," Vivian started as she walked through the bullpen to the board. Rick followed her but he stopped and stood by the desk. "Missing is 32 year old Laura Miles. She is a language teacher who was reported missing by her husband Anthony Miles after her boss called home after she didn't show up at work for a department meeting yesterday. Parents, sister and friends haven't heard from her. Sam, Elena, go to her home and speak with the family. Danny, check out her phone and credit records. Martin, Rick, head over to her school and talk to her colleagues. I have a meeting upstairs but keep me informed. Get to it." She headed back out of the bullpen again.

Martin was surprised to be partnered with Rick. It was the first time they had been asked to work with each other but he thought that it may be a good chance for them to get to know each other better. Martin glanced at Rick as he stood and gave him a slight smile. Rick gave him a blank look in return as they headed toward the elevator. Then again this might be a long day.

"Give him a chance" Sam said seeing the silent exchange. "He's really a good guy." She smiled "I'll see you later"

"Give him a chance" Sam's words echoed in his head as they walked out to the car, Rick two paces ahead of him. He wasn't sure it would do any good or even if he wanted to, but it clearly meant a lot to Sam that they got along so he was willing to try.

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By lunch time they had no solid leads on their missing person's location but Martin was getting very fed up with Rick's attitude. The car journey to the school had been made in silence as had the hour and a half they spent waiting at the school to speak to the principal. Martin had attempted to start a conversation with him several times but his questions were met with one word answers and his comments that were not to do with the case were met with silence.

They were now stuck in traffic on the way back to the office. The traffic was at a stand still because of an accident ahead and they hadn't moved more than 3 car lengths in 20 minutes. Rick was driving and was pretty chilled out listening to the radio tapping out the tune on the steering wheel. Martin on the other hand was getting more and more frustrated and annoyed by the minute. He glared at Rick and glared at his offending fingers.

Rick saw Martins glare out of the corner of his eye and started to tap out the beat louder as Martin turned and looked out the window. He wondered what and how long it would take for Martin to snap and say something.

Martin looked out of the window and took several deep breaths reminding himself that he had to try for Sam. But as he heard Rick increase the volume of his tapping he couldn't take it any longer.

"Will you knock that off?" He snapped. Rick looked at him blankly quieting his tapping but not stopping it. "I mean what is it with you? I get that you care about Sam. I get that you want to protect her. I get that you two are close. But I'm trying here!"

Martin was frustrated and his voice was raised. "I know it means a lot to Sam that we get on and I want to make her happy so I'm trying. But you're not making it easy. I mean I try to have a conversation with you and you blank me! You're making no effort here!"

Martin was almost shouting at him now but still Rick didn't react. He just sat there with that same blank look never wavering. Martin looked in to his eyes and saw some emotion there but couldn't decipher it. And he wasn't sure he wanted too.

"Are you just going to sit there? Is that your way of solving this problem!" Still Rick didn't show any sign of emotion except in his eyes. And again Martin didn't care. "I really don't know what the hell it is that Sam sees in you that make's her think you're a good, caring, likeable guy!" Martin turned away and looked out of the window, closing his eyes and taking deep breaths trying to calm down again.

"Can't you see that I want to be with her? That I love her? That I will do whatever it takes to get her back and make her happy?" He said turning back to Rick. Changing tack he lowered his voice and tried to get Rick to see that he wasn't the only one who cared about Sam.

"Martin." Rick started "I can see that you care about her. And I can see that she wants you. But you can't ignore the past. You can move past it but not forget it or pretend it didn't happen. You can't expect the rest of us who have seen what Sam's been through to just let you back in to her life and not keep an eye on you. We want to see her happy and if that means being with you then that's fine. But right now you still need to prove yourself. Prove that you're not going anywhere this time."

He spoke calmly, and with an even tone but there was strength to his words. Not anger as Martin expected but more the strength of knowledge, care, and lack of care probably, at what Martin was saying and doing. Martin thought back to what Sam told him about the night she first met him. He began to think that he was a guy who was quiet but not because he was shy or anything. The opposite in fact. He was the kind of guy who would never be ruffled by anything and could stay calm and quiet when most guys would hit the other guy.

Martin was beginning to respect him and realize why Sam thought so much of him. He was a natural leader that knew his place and was happy to follow orders from his superiors. The kind of guy who wouldn't expect anything of you, who would voice his opinions only when necessary but always have one and never care what anyone else thought of it.. The kind of guy who wouldn't get in the middle of something when it wasn't his place. Sam was probably right to think a lot of him.

Martin sighed realizing that he'd been too harsh in his judgement of Rick. He was just a quiet guy looking out for a close friend. Martin couldn't fault him for that.

"I'm not going anywhere this time. This is where I want to be. Here in New York with Sam. And I will do everything in my power to not hurt her again." Martin said quietly. He was calmer now and feeling a little guilty for snapping at Rick.

"Time will tell." Was all Rick said staring out at the traffic in front of him.

Martin frowned slightly, studying Rick's profile as he still showed no obvious sign of caring. Good guy or not he could be infuriating.

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As the agents prepared to leave at the end of the day, missing person found safe and well, Martin still thought that Rick didn't like him but that the dislike was less. There was less tension around them after their talk in the car.

"How'd it go?" Sam asked Martin at his desk as he gathered his things.

"Okay. I think. He's a hard guy to figure out. I think things are a little better but no promises on becoming his best friend or anything." He said with a grin.

"Well that's a start. Thanks for making an effort at least." Sam said shyly.

"Anything for you" Martin said huskily looking in to her eyes.

"Sam you coming?" Danny broke the moment and Sam turned her face away flustered.

"Yeah. Coming." She managed to say. "Bye" She directed at Martin blushing slightly.

"See you tomorrow Sam." Martin told her as she hurried to catch Danny up.

"Bye Martin" Rick replied walking with Sam. She looked at him oddly.

"He's trying." He said off her look.

Sam looked at him as he headed for Vivian's office. That from Rick meant a lot and not just because he and Sam were close. Rick wouldn't say something like that unless he thought that Martin was really trying and was determined not to give in at a minor setback. He was beginning to trust him.

Sam waited with Danny at the elevator and looked back to the bullpen where Martin still was with a thoughtful expression on her features. Maybe it wouldn't be risking so much to be with him again.