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There must be an angel with a smile on her face,
When she thought up that I should be with you.
But it's time to face the truth,
I will never be with you.

- James Blunt, 'You're Beautiful'

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Chapter 22

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Sam was exiting an exam room after seeing the doctor. He x-rayed her arm and while it wasn't sprained or broken there was a hell of a bruise. An officer came by to take a few photos before heading off to document Erica's injuries. Now done, she grabbed her coat that was lying on the chair when her cell phone started ringing. She pulled out her cell and answered, "Spade."

"Hi Sam," Jack greeted. "I just got off the phone with Danny. How are you?"

"I'm good." She replied as she put on her coat. "A little bruised but other than that I'm fine."

"Good because I need you and Danny back here as soon as possible." Jack's voice got low and serious. "Olczyk is conducting an inquiry into the Spaulding case and trial. He wants to interview you and Danny right away."

"Should we be worried, Jack?" Sam asked as she started moved to open the door.

"Just tell him the truth and it should be fine." Jack replied coolly. "According to Danny there's a big storm hitting Chicago. I tried to find you a flight out of Milwaukee but there aren't any direct to New York until tomorrow. So you guys better head back to Chicago right away, there's a flight that leaves in four hours. I'll call Louisa and tell her you'll fill out your reports here in NY and FedEx her a copy."

"Oh…okay." Sam replied trying to conceal her disappointment that she would be leaving the windy city before she and Martin would have a chance to be alone. "Alright, Jack, we're on our way."

"Good." Jack replied before adding, "I'm glad you're okay, Sam."

"Thanks. See you later." She replied before pressing the 'End' button.

She looked at the phone feeling surprised with how she was feeling. Before she would melt at hearing Jack tell her anything remotely personal but now all she could think about was how sad she was feeling at knowing that she wouldn't get just one more night with Martin. Well, at least she can arrange it so they'll ride back together. Ninety minutes in a car is better than nothing at all.

She was trying to wrap he head around this surprising revelation when she heard Danny and Charlie in the hall. She turned the corner and spotted the two men headed in her direction. "Hey guys."

Danny looked at her worriedly. "Sam, how are you?"

She couldn't help but smile at his concern; for all of his pestering Danny really was a true friend. "I'm fine. They did an x-ray and it's just a little bruised and sore. Did you have a chance to call Dominic and tell him we found Erica?"

"Actually he's in with her now." Charlie replied with a grin when she looked at him with a look of surprise. "He followed us here. Have you seen Martin?"

Sam shook her head. "No, I thought he was going to the police station with Carl."

"Change of plans, we just got a call about an abducted toddler." Charlie replied as he pulled a package of gum from his coat pocket. "I'm supposed to meet him here so we can head out to Elgin."

"Elgin? You aren't even going right back to Chicago?" Sam asked, hating how needy her voice sounded.

"No." Charlie replied soberly.

"Oh." Sam uttered.

Charlie perked up and said, "And I heard you guys have to hightail it back to New York so I guess this is adios." Charlie extended his hand. "It was nice meeting you Agent Spade, have a safe trip home."

Shaking his hand she replied, "Thanks. It was nice meeting you too. Be sure to give the others my regards."

"Will do."

Sam glanced down at the hard white linoleum floor when she heard footsteps headed steadily towards them. She looked up and there was Martin looking as disappointed as she felt.

"Hey." He greeted, casting a sad look at Sam.

"I'm going to go make a pit-stop before we hit the road." Charlie announced as he moved past Martin and headed down the hall.

"Yeah, and I'll just go check on Erica." Danny said as he headed in the opposite direction.

"I really know how to clear hospital hallway." Martin commented lamely.

Sam smiled and said, "Charlie told me that you guys already have another case."

"Yeah, we have to get going right away." His face was sad as he spoke.

"That makes two of us." Sam replied. Martin tilted his head questioningly and she explained, "Jack called and wants us back right away. There's a bit of a…. situation that we have to go deal with. We're booked on the next flight out."

Martin nodded his head and said, "So I guess you won't be making a pit stop in Kenosha."

"No, even if I wanted to I don't have the time." Sam replied hoping her voice didn't sound as morose as she felt.

"That's too bad but that's the nature of our jobs, right?" Martin remarked before cynically adding, "It just really, really sucks right now."

"Tell me about it." Sam smiled and added, "Well, I guess your sister's right." He looked at her questioningly when she said, "Must be fate."

"Yeah, must be." He softly replied.

"Martin," Charlie said from the end of the hall.

He turned around and said, "Yeah, I'm coming." He looked back at her and smiled. "So, if you are ever back this way gimme a call and we can split a cinnamon roll."

"Yeah." Sam replied with a nod. "Same here, if you're ever in New York..."

"Sam, I know that the odds are slim that I'll see you again but I really want to kiss you…." Martin began before Sam leapt up into his arms.

The kiss wasn't hesitant or tentative but hard, desperate and hungry. She wanted to catalog it in her mind so when she returned home she would remember what kissing Martin was like; the taste, the scent, and the sensation it sent through her body. So when the recollection of their brief time together tormented her at night she would be able to recall his kiss and know that she at least had this one little memory to give her comfort.

They finally broke apart and he stared down at her, his blue eyes watching her as if memorizing her face.

With a sad voice Sam said, "You better go, Charlie's waiting."

"Yeah." He smiled and took a few steps backward. "Goodbye, Sam Spade."

"Goodbye, Martin Fitzgerald." She replied with a small wave.

He stopped, looked at her one final time before turning around and walking down the hall. She watched him until he was out of sight, swallowed whatever it was that was lodged in her throat and turned around to find Danny. They had to get back to New York.