A/N: Per usual this is not betaed. This chapter mainly deals with the development of the relationship between Root and Shaw. I've read plenty of stories and most have them on the brink of starting a relationship or are already involved. So I put together some scenes to show Root going from "I have no problem torturing Sameen Shaw and killing her to gather information to I'd give my life to protect my girlfriend."
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Archival Log: Day 1 of Shaw's Imprisonment by Team Machine
Shaw's expression was stony and gave away little indication of what was going on in the woman's head. It was an expression Root was all too familiar with from before her lover had been taken from her. Unfortunately it was also one that this imposter, Root hated that word but it was only fitting since this woman zip tied in their headquarters was not the same one who had kissed her goodbye before standing alone against Martine simply to buy the others enough time to escape.
After yesterday's incident John and Harold were understandably hesitant to approach their captive. While they were in favor of trying to bring Sam back to them they had agreed with Root that it might be best for her to make the most attempts. She had been closest to the dark skinned beauty before she had captured and was the one who wanted her lover back most of all.
That was the reason she had gotten here so early. That and how her night had been plagued with nightmares of Shaw's attack and what could have happened had the others not arrived in time.
After months of using the abandoned subway station as a headquarters it had been decided that changes needed to be made. Root did not know who had initially made the decision, but one morning she had come down there to find a campfire stove, mini fridge and a microwave neatly set up in a corner ready to use and in the case of the fridge laden with food.
Within a week a set of lawn chairs had also found their way down there along with a television and a cable box. Harold had given Root a suspicious look when he'd discovered it, but thankfully he couldn't prove that she'd been the one to bring it down. Sure she'd supplied the cable box, after hacking it to get all the free channels while not giving away their location, but really it was almost a necessity in this day and age.
So here Root was raiding the fridge at 5:30 A.M. and working on making Breakfast for Sam. She knew what the former assassin liked to eat, the two women had been practically living together for the last two months before Sameen was taken from her, and as a result both had made the other Breakfast more than once. It had allowed them some extra time in the morning for when Root was feeling frisky or Sam needed to work some excess energy out of her system.
As she cooked Root's mind drifted back to before Samaritan came online. Her lover's return was dredging up old memories, some bad but mostly good ones. Root found herself looking back and trying to figure out when her relationship with Sam had changed. At what point had they gone from reluctant allies having each other's back when circumstances required, to actual friendship before becoming lovers.
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Shaw dropped to the floor like a discarded toy. The look of betrayal still clear on her face for a moment before her eyes closed. Odd how even in sleep the woman still looked pissed off and ready to kill. 'Pity that she had to find the body so soon. She's not bad looking and I probably could have gotten the information from her another way.' A slight tingling built in Root's lower torso before being dismissed. 'Sure I've never tried that method before but for someone like her I'd be willing to give it a try.' With Shaw unconscious Root removed her mask. There was nobody to notice the look of disgust and disdain on her face as she rolled her eyes and positioned the woman to be easier to pick up.
Picking Shaw up, while copping a feel at the same time 'a nice handful. And a surprisingly tight ass for a government agent.' Root depositing the assassin in a nearby chair and secured her then went to plug in the iron.
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Root's shoulder burned. The anesthesia that had been used to stitch the bullet wound Shaw had given her was beginning to wear off. Gritting her teeth at the pain she leaned back against the headboard of her bed and stared up at the ceiling. 'She kept her promise. Sameen Shaw said she would shoot me for trying to torture her for information about the Machine. Harold certainly wouldn't have done it, and John wouldn't have bother with waiting.' Picking up the nearby glass of water Root drank most of it. Smiling she hummed a mindless tune to herself. 'Sameen Shaw a beautiful and unique name and one she certainly deserves. She's far more interesting than either John or Harold.'
She thought back to how she had given the woman her usual trademark smile as she flirted with her. It was a method she had long ago developed. By doing something that unexpected she was able to get a good read on people by how they reacted to her oh so casual innuendo. Yet when she had used it on Shaw. 'She's the first so far to be utterly unfazed by it. Is it because of a difficult childhood, or is there something more to that woman. While people are still bad code every so often there can be one whose code is more interesting and different from all others. Shaw certainly falls in that category. I'm going to enjoy picking her code apart.' A genuine smile came to Root's face the mask of serenity and happiness she constantly wore temporarily put aside.
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Her head felt so heavy it took much of her little remaining strength to keep it from dropping to her chest. Her clothes felt grimy and sticky from being saturated in sweat for hours on end. The strain on Root's body from Control's interrogations had left her weak and nearly helpless.
She did not have the energy to maintain her usual smiling mask. It wasn't worth the effort anyway. Control had seen through it in minutes and it had served only as fuel to the woman's fire. Making her all the more determined to drain Root dry of information and then dispose of her like a used Kleenex.
So when she received Her message that help had arrived Root had struggled to look the vile woman in the face. She would have spat had she the energy and had to settle for giving her a triumphant smile. She got a sadistic joy from telling this woman, comprised of so much bad code that it made her stomach heave, just how she had been played. Control's look of abject horror had allowed Root the moment she needed to tap into the little energy she had left in reserve to make well on her threat.
When Shaw arrived gun at the ready to rescue Root via lethal force she had felt a sense of relief well up inside her. The string of tears struggling free from her eyes, the way her heart ached and even the sudden weakness Root felt. She had logically explained it away as being a result of the torture she had been forced to endure. At the time she had not yet been ready to admit that she was capable of feeling happiness, joy and even love towards another person. Those emotions were beneath her and the only people she had ever loved or trusted were long dead.
Sameen Shaw had used her medical knowledge that day to stabilize Root and make sure she would not die. For almost two days Shaw had stayed by Root's side making sure the woman did nothing to impede her recovery. When Root had pressed her Shaw had grunted and said "I'm just doing this because I would never forgive myself if you went and got yourself killed. I went to a lot of trouble saving your life and I'm not about to let you throw it away that easily."
In that moment Root's trademark smirk had slipped and her true self had emerged for a moment. No witty retort, flirtatious comeback had come from her. She had simply said "Thanks Sameen. Good to know I can trust you with my life." She had then smiled and fallen asleep and slept peacefully in what felt like the first time in months.
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"It's almost hard to believe that so much has changed in such a short amount of time." Sameen somberly said over the rim of her glass. If the golden amber liquid inside was not proof enough for Root then the reddish tint to her eyes was more than proof enough.
Root sat down right next to Sam. A part of her knew that Sam needed a friend right that moment so she did not even give a thought to sitting in her usual spot across from the woman.
In a way she knew what the woman was going through. Before the Machine had entered her life Root had refused to see people as anything but bad code. Much of which needed to be wiped from the system so that the few fragments that were not as horribly corrupted could be rewritten. She had patiently taught Root time after time that it was her own coded that needed to be rewritten before it became the epitome of what she hated. Those lessons and her developing relationship with Shaw, Harold and even that brute John had caused upheaval in her life that would have probably killed her had she not been who she was. The emotional fallout had been hard enough and had led to Root keeping her distance from the gang by running various errands for Her close to a week after her first emotional breakdown.
Looking at Sam, the table she sat at buried under empty bottles of: beer, gin, vodka and anything else alcoholic the short statured woman had managed to get her hands on, caused painful constrictions from her heart. Flashes of her own Mother in the scant days that Root had been forced to remain at home before the woman had drank herself to death made her grab the woman's hand before she drained the glass dry.
"You've had enough Sam."
Over the years Root had trained herself not to flinch when facing an angry drunk. A survival trait that had kept her alive during the worst moments of her mother's drunken rage. Still the emotionally cold glare Sam gave her brought more painful memories to the surface. "I'll know when I've had enough. Now let go." Sameen venomously spat.
Speckles of alcohol infused spit hit Root's face yet she did not let go of Sam's hand. "Sameen we all miss Detective Carter. She wouldn't want you sitting here drinking yourself into a stupor over her death."
"First Reese tells me I can't go hunting down the monster responsible for her death. Then Finch won't give me any new numbers till I've calmed the Hell down. Now you are telling me I can't drown my sorrows." Sam grit her teeth and wrenched her hand free of Root.
The glass, slick with condensation and sloppily poured drinks, left the drunk Sameen's hand in a blur of motion. Its speed greater than if Shaw had intentionally thrown it. Where it exploded against the wall into a miniature storm of glass, dust and alcohol with a near melodious noise.
Both women had watched the spectacle in silence. Then with a grumbling growl that sounded more like a rock slide Sameen whipped her head around to glare at Root. "Now see what you made me do."
Sameen's voice had dropped to a near whisper but inwardly Root whished Sam had just yelled at her. Once more she felt like she was a child being yelled at by her parents who would take simple mistakes and blow them out of proportion. Root was striving to remain strong because she could see how much Sameen was hurting even if the woman refused to acknowledge it.
Root watched as Shaw leaned forward in her chair, having to steady herself on the armrest, as she began picking up and discarding bottles searching for one that was not empty. The longer her search continued the more frantic the woman's pace became till halfway through her search the short statured woman gave a loud angry yell and like a tsunami swept her arm across the whole morbid collection of bottles sending them off the table in a violent jumble.
Sameen let out a wail brought on by frustration but born of grief as she slammed her fist through the glass tabletop. "Damn! It's not supposed to be like this! We save all these people and yet we can't save on of our own. It's not supposed to work like that!"
Root watched silently as a few tears slithered from Sameen's eyes. Soon they became a waterfall as the woman's anger could no longer hold back her sorrow. Leaning over Root wrapped her arms tightly around Shaw and held her. She knew that the proud woman would later vehemently deny that she needed this small measure of comfort, but at the moment it was what she needed most in the world. Root's own eyes stung as she let her own grief come out. The small measure of justice she had gotten for Carter had helped her to hold herself together up to this point, and now that she was alone with the woman she viewed as her closest friend Root let herself mourn.
"It's alright Sam." She said in a near whisper that went unheard. "I'm here for you. I'll always be by your side to lend you strength when you most need it." Root was not sure what compelled her to say that, but the moment the words left her mouth she knew they were true and that she would sooner dye then break this promise to Sameen. That was probably the moment when Root truly fell in love with Sameen Shaw.
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With a groan Root's eyes opened. A starch white room and quiet continual beeping welcomed her back to the world of the living. If possible her whole body ached. It took Root a couple of seconds to piece together where she was and why she was here.
'I was ambushed while trying to get the number out.' She recalled. 'She didn't have eyes in the place due to the gangs destroying all cameras in the neighborhood in order to protect their illegal activity.' That had made it difficult to get a teenager, who had witnessed a drug dealing killing a couple of people, out of the area safely. The Machine had advised her to have backup but Root had stubbornly insisted she could handle it. Root's stubbornness had resulted in her unintentionally exiting the building just as some of the drug dealer's hired goon squad had pulled up having gone out for pizza. The resulting shootout had miraculously resulted in police being called, likely by the Machine from hearing it all going down on Root's phone.
Root had taken a few gunshot wounds but managed to protect the number until help arrived. She had then passed out from blood loss once it was certain that both of them were safe. Before passing out Root could have sworn that she heard screaming her name. Whether it had been out of anger, grief or some other emotion she had been too weak at the time to be concerned about.
The hospital room she had been put in was private, likely the work of Finch and the Machine. There were a couple of vases of flowers over on the window sill catching weak sunlight that was not obstructed by cloud cover. The room's only chair was a brown leather recliner. It was positioned to the right of the hospital bed and was set facing the television. Root knew the thing was meant for patients who were mobile enough to get out of bed, or for visiting family members. Even if Root were so inclined to try and leave her bed for the chair she could not since it was currently occupied.
Root gave no thought to putting her smirking mask on. Not only was she too weak, but she was finding it more difficult to be anyone other than herself around the sleeping woman. She smiled at the usual neat dark hair that was a tangled knotty mess from untold hours spent tossing and turning in an uncomfortable chair. Even in sleep Sameen appeared to be glowering at the world as though ready for someone to try and attack her or her charge unprovoked. Covered with Root's brown leather jacket, the sight of which made Root smile and her heart skip a beat, she could still make out Sam's left hand tucked in neatly at her side and loosely gripping the hilt of a military knife.
"Sameen." Root's throat was dry and her voice was slightly deeper than normal from fatigue. Still Shaw instantly snapped alert her dark chocolate brown eyes scanning the room from danger before focusing on Root's own milk chocolaty eyes. "I'm not certain I'm really awake. Can my handsome protector give me a kiss so the lingering effects of the sleeping curse are dispelled?"
Shaw's face softened upon seeing Root was awake. The woman frowned for a second then relaxed her grip on the knife. "Just woken up and the first thing you do is flirt with me. Yeah, you're definitely going to make a full recovery." The grumble from the shorter woman was lighthearted and there was amusement mixed with concern in her eyes.
"How long was I…?"
"Too long in my opinion. Though medically being unconscious for a little over 12 hours isn't a bad sign." Sitting up in the chair Sameen shifted around to face Root. "You had me scared there." She said quietly her eyes leaving Root's face to fixate on the wall behind the taller woman.
Reaching a hand out Root blindly felt around for Shaw's knee. Her hand was taken in Shaw's rough calloused hand and given a squeeze. "I didn't know you cared." Root said in a singsong tone as she weakly chuckled at her attempt at humor. Her enjoyment was cut short by a warning growl from Shaw who was looking at her once more.
"Don't even joke like that. I've already lost too many people that are important to me, I have no intention of losing anymore." Then before Root could respond Shaw got in her face and kissed her hard on the lips.
Her breath froze in her chest and her mind went haywire. With a moan of delight Root relaxed into the kiss and closed her eyes. It was warm, wet and tasted slightly of tears. When the two women broke apart Root was gasping for air and Shaw's face was the same color as Root's jacket
"I'll be back in a few minutes. I need to grab something to eat. Stay here."
Root had remained in bed. Her mind too fixated on the kiss to even think about leaving.
Root was discharged from the hospital the next day, and had been taken to Shaw's apartment. The shorter woman was in no mood to argue and had pointedly told Root that she wanted to make sure that she didn't strain herself too much while she was recovering. That order had lasted maybe thirty minutes. During which Root had behaved herself.
After thirty minutes in her apartment Shaw had decided that Root needed to get cleaned up. The hacker had gone home in the blood encrusted, bullet holed clothing that she had been admitted to the hospital wearing. Root had pointed out that it wouldn't be wise to get her bandages and gauze all wet in the shower along with her lack of mobility. To which Shaw had pointedly told the woman that she'd take care of getting the taller woman cleaned up.
Everything had been going innocently. Root had been holding a towel up to cover herself and Sameen had changed into a swimsuit. They had managed to wash Root's front half, determining that if they got past it then the hard part would be over, but when Sameen had been washing Root's toned back she had taken a moment to trace the bullet scar in Root's shoulder. Her inattentiveness had resulted from the bar of soap slipping from her grasp. To retrieve it Shaw had been forced to go to the front of the full sized tile inlaid shower. She had knelt down to pick it up when Root, in her infinite wisdom had commented "Careful Sam you know what people say about dropping the soap."
Sameen had lifted her head to make a snarky remark. Her dark colored locks had been plastered to her face and shoulders giving her a wild sexy look that made Root's core ache. Then as Root watched Sam's eyes took on a look resembling melted dark chocolate. They were warm and inviting and Root licked her lips in desire. Then Shaw ran the tips of her fingers up Root's calves. Her progress was slow, teasing and made the tall woman's long slender legs tremble in desire. Shaw's hands pushed up the sides of the towel while still leaving her mound covered. Root's breathing was shaky and uneven as Shaw's hands reached her hips. The former assassin's grip was secure but not too hard, as though she knew to be careful with Root and was trying not to leave behind bruises. Root watched entranced as Sameen's mouth open and her pink tongue darted out to lick her lips and teeth. Shaw pulled Root closer to her face, which was crotch level with the pale skinned brunette, turning her head and closing her eyes Shaw ducked beneath the towel.
"S-sam." Root squeaked out. There was no doubt that Sameen could not smell Root's arousal. Hell Root knew she was practically dripping at this point. So when the shorter woman licked the length of her slit Root braced her hands against the wall. She ground her pussy against Sam's face as the woman continued to eat her out at a slow pace.
Normally a messy quick eater Sameen Shaw seemed intent on taking her time with Root. Licking up the free flowing juices she used a few fingers to spread Root's lips far apart as she pressed her mouth against the woman's opening. Delving deep she explored the woman's inner folds and cavern.
Mewls of pleasure came spilling from Root's mouth with profanity. "Fuck Sam!" Her head fell back as her hips bucked against Shaw's mouth. The woman's nose massaging her clit with each bump and grind. "Stop teasing me!" Ignoring her injuries Root planted a hand against the shower wall while her other hand wrapped Shaw's wet hair up in a fist and pulled the woman tight against her crotch.
With a little struggling Shaw managed to pull her mouth away from Root and quickly slipped a finger inside the taller woman. "Think of this as payback for all the images you put in my head over the last several months Root." Shaw shot back with a wicked smirk as she scratched against the front of Root's pussy causing spray of fresh juices to come spilling out. "You can stand a little teasing once in a while."
"Sam." Root's eyes flashed with desire as she growled the woman's name out. She gave a hard yank on Shaw's hair, ensuring the woman was looking up at her. "If you dare stop now then I am going to climb out of this shower. Grab some zip ties and tie you to the faucet and use your body for my own pleasure till you are begging me for release."
The threat had proven ineffective. Sam had continued to tease her for another good ten minutes. When her release came Root had temporarily blacked out. When she came too she was in Sameen bed with her arms and legs firmly secured to the bed posts. Shaw had taken care to not aggravate Root's injuries and had spent the next several hours pleasuring Root and being pleasured in return. By the time the two women were finished the entire apartment and bed was saturated with their scent. It had probably been the high point of both of their lives up to that point, and one that the made continual attempts from then on to surpass.
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Root's underwear was thoroughly soaked through by this point and Shaw's breakfast was ready. With a sad sigh Root reflected how much she had changed during the short few months the two of them had been an unofficial couple. She had stopped hiding her feelings from Shaw. The mask comprised of her trademark teasing smirk was never worn around Sameen anymore. She never tried to hide her thoughts or feelings from Sam and knew the same could be true of the other woman.
Though it pained her to do it Root put on her usual smile, even if she wasn't feeling it at the moment, and put the food on a tray. Heading to the subway car where Shaw was firmly secured she opened the door. "Morning Sam, ready for some breakfast?" She said cheerfully doing her best to ignore the bloodstains that marred the carpet and walls from Sameen's brutal attack on Finch and Reese last night.
"Fuck off Bitch." Shaw said by way of greeting. She looked up at Root through loose strands of hair. Her scowl was all teeth bared in almost a snarl that made Root subconsciously sway her hips to feel the gun that was still safely secured behind her back in the event their reluctant prisoner attacked.
"Sameen." Root said with sadness. Unlikely as it was she had hoped that Shaw would be different this morning, but unfortunately she was still as hostile. Moving closer she set the tray down on the floor before seating herself. "I'll need you to open your mouth."
"Why the Hell would I eat anything you made. You certainly couldn't cook when we were living together. You almost poisoned Bear when you made him that veterinarian approved cake for his Birthday. So if you are planning on killing me, then just pull out the damn gun and shoot me. Or does that interfere were yours and the Machine's plan." Sameen said bitterly.
Root's heart ached and she took a breath to steady herself and drive back the tears that already threatened to emerge. "We are not going to kill you Sameen. You know that. We don't kill people unless we have no choice. Have you truly forgotten that and all the good we've done as a team?"
Shaw spat at Root. Her spit nailing Root between the eyes and dripping in a sticky mess onto the food that Root had painstakingly prepared.
With a dejected sign Root stood leaving the food behind for the moment. "Fine if you want to be inhospitable then I'll leave you alone for the time being. I'll be back later." Turning to look at Sameen, who was refusing to look at Root and was intently staring at the far wall. The usual words tumbled from Root's lips without a thought. "I love you Sameen."
Shaw blinked and then silently turned her head to look at Root. In that instant when their eyes connected Root saw Sam's mouth twitch and her eyes took on a sorrowful look. In a blink they were back to being cold and heartless, but it had been enough for Root.
'You're still in there.' Root thought hope welling up inside her. 'Samaritan does not completely have your loyalty. I can still save you my love.' It was perhaps the first bit of good news since before Sameen had been captured. With new determination Root left the subway car her mind already working towards the solution of saving and bring back her Sam.
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A/N: I hope you enjoyed this. If you see any mistakes or places that need correcting then please let me know. Feel free to review and let me know what you thought. Until then enjoy the rest of your day.