TITLE: 'Til the Sky Turned Blue – Book III of VI
AUTHOR: Jennifoofighter
RATING: PG up to NC-17: Sexual situations, violence, strong language
KEYWORDS: MS, JS, M/OC, D/OC, VM, and friendship all around.
SPOILERS/TIMELINE: Post 'End Game'
DISCLAIMER: Hank and Co. own everything Without a Trace. No copyright infringement is intended, ...yada, yada, yada, I get nothing but the satisfaction of having them do what I want if only for a little while.
NOTE: Thank you Pru for the 'Book' idea. It makes it much easier to organize.
AUTHORS NOTE: I am asking you to take a journey with me. For some it might be a bumpy ride but I promise that you will be very happy once we arrive at the final destination.

~*~*~*~

I tell myself a little lie
That my heart beats by my own decision
That I needn't see your face to start my day
I was raised to rely on my own plan
I know how to stand
Through an earthquake
Oh so my pride it demands
That I never toss it away

~ 'Indispensable' by Jen Chapin

~*~*~*~

JFK airport is always a constant buzz of activity: tourists in 'I heart NY' t-shirts anxious to return home and tell their friends and family about their trip to the 'big apple'; travel-weary men and women walking determinedly with their briefcases and laptops in town for business; families arriving from other countries for long-awaited reunions, speaking in foreign tongues. In other words, it is a place where anything is possible.

Martin strode through the airport, maneuvering through the throngs of people, excited to be back home in New York. While he enjoyed being able to see so much of his family back in Washington, he was just sick about the reason; being back in New York made him feel more like himself, more in control. He gripped the handle on his laptop case and pulled his suitcase closer to him so as to avoid bumping people as he rushed along.

As he passed through the security check-point he spotted a young woman in tiny shorts and tank top with her arms and legs clasped around a soldier in uniform. They were in heavy make-out mode and seemingly oblivious to the world around them. His eyes then glimpsed a young father who appeared to be returning home from a business trip. He was welcomed by his wife and two toddlers who were excited to greet him with wet kisses and a sign that read, 'Welcome Home Daddy!'

Martin couldn't help but envy these men. The only thing awaiting him here was a cab ride into Manhattan. He was so engrossed in thoughts of what those men had that he didn't he almost missed the familiar blonde figure standing in the middle of the crowd smiling directly at him. It took him a few seconds to register who it was but when he did, he grinned from ear to ear.

Smiling he approached her. "What are you doing here?"

"I was in the neighborhood." Sam smiled coyly, looking him over and glancing at his luggage. "So, you need a ride stranger?"

"I'd love one." He smiled back, soaking in the sight of her.

"Great." She grabbed his laptop bag before he had a chance to protest. And then, quite unexpectedly, she moved in for a hug before kissing him squarely on the mouth. She pulled back and whispered, "Welcome home."

Martin smiled back, surprised at her very public display of affection but welcoming it all the same. "It's good to be home."

As they turned to walk to the exit, Sam reached over and grabbed his hand. Martin looked down to see their fingers intertwined and thought that if this was a sign of some of those changes Sam had mentioned then maybe things really were going to be different this time.