Chapter 3

It had been 5 years since Martin had joined the team and it seemed as though things had settled down. Jack had moved to Chicago to be nearer his daughters. Elena had joined the team and her and Danny had been dating now for a few months. Vivian was now in charge and the team seemed complete. Sam and Martin hadn't moved on any further in their relationship but had maintained a close friendship over the years.

Their latest case was a 6 year old girl called Becky Walters who had been kidnapped from her grandmother's back yard. Vivian briefed the team and put the girl's picture up on the board. Samantha stood up and looked closely at the photo. Vivian came up behind her.

"You ok Sam"

"Yeah, I'm fine." She replied heading to her desk.

Vivian was not entirely convinced so she decided to keep a close eye on her for the time being.

Samantha and Martin were at their desks doing background checks on all the neighbours, friends and family to identify any possible suspects. They were getting nothing. Samantha sighed and threw her pen down in frustration. Martin walked over to her.

"Sam"

Samantha looked up at him.

"You wanna talk about it?" Martin looked at her, concern visible on his face.

"It's just" Samantha nodded towards the picture on her desk of Aimee.

"Balcony?" Martin looked at her questioningly

She nodded and followed him.

"This case is just bringing it all back. I thought I was ok but maybe I'm not. I just wish I could have done something more to find her. I miss her so much." Samantha said, tears forming in her eyes.

"You did all you could Sam everyone knows it; especially Aimee. It's gonna be ok, you know. I'm here for you."

Martin put his arms round her and she held onto him tightly.

"Thanks Martin" she said looking up at him.

Just then they heard a knock on the window. It was Danny and it looked like he and Elena had found something. When Martin and Samantha entered the bullpen Viv, Danny and Elena were sitting round the table.

Elena spoke first "One of the neighbours saw a blue transit van parked across the road just a few hours before the girl was taken. The driver was sitting in the vehicle and didn't get out."

"We pulled a photo from a traffic light camera and got a number plate, it's a fake." Danny said sighing.

Half an hour later the team were getting nowhere fast. Vivian got a call on her cell phone. The same transit van had been spotted at a gas station in South Albany. Local P.D had investigated further and found Becky safe; but shaken up in the back of the van. Their suspect had fled and there was no trace of him.

Elena was relieved that the girl was found safe and sound. Cases like this hit her hard and no doubt Sam too. Her and Sam had formed a close friendship but there was one thing they barely spoke about; Aimee. Danny had told her a bit about what happened; that she was abducted and never found. That was eight years ago now; no one ever found out anymore and the case was still unsolved.

"You ready to go?" She heard Danny's voice behind her.

"Yeah; are Sam and Martin coming?"

"No; Viv is and Marcus is gonna meet us there."

"Great; I just checked in with my mom and Sophie's fast asleep."

Danny led her out leaving only Sam and Martin in the office. It was 7pm on a Friday so most of the other agents had left too.

Sam came back from the file room to see only Martin's light and computer still on. She was glad it was him she was left with. She smiled when he placed a cup of coffee on her desk.

"Thanks."

"No hot date?"

Sam shook her head and took a sip of her coffee.

"So you're just as sad as me then." He said smirking at her.

"Hey; I could be on a date I just chose not to be."

"So spending Friday night in the office is your alternative." He said laughing lightly.

"It's just been a long day." She said turning her attention back to her paperwork

Martin frowned; he had noticed she was distracted today.

"What is it?" he asked pulling up a chair beside her.

"What?" She replied looking confused.

"Come on you've been acting weird all day."

"Like I said it's just been a long day." Martin knew she was pushing him away; he'd come to realise she talked only on her terms. It seemed like whenever he got too close she would clam up.

"Why make it longer then?"

Sam looked at him; getting more pissed off by the minute. She just wanted to get on with her paperwork, go home and forget today. Usually she didn't let it affect her work but something just felt different about this case. She couldn't put her finger on it and that's what was getting to her so much.

"Excuse me." Sam said staring hard at him.

"You could be at home now; why are you still here?"

Sam didn't say anything and started clearing her desk. She switched her computer off and stood up. He still sat there; wondering how far she would take it.

"I'm going now; you happy?" She said still seething. He was incredible; the only man who could piss her off but still make her love him at the same time. She picked up her bag and coat turning to leave. She was stopped by an arm firmly round her waist.

"Martin." She sighed, her defences were wavering and he knew it.

"Don't go; not like this. Just let me help you." He whispered in her ear.

She dropped her jacket and bag on a nearby chair.

"I won't go yet. You can take your arm off now." She said noticing he still had a hold of her.

He ignored her and instead turned her in his arm to face him. He put his arms round her waist and pulled her closer to him. He was glad when he felt her relax in his arms. He saw Danny striding toward the bullpen.

"I hate to break it to you but Danny's back." He said sighing.

She didn't shove him away which he was happy about. Instead she lifted her head off his chest and wiped her eyes.

"Forgot my wallet. So this is what you were up to." Danny said smirking.

"We weren't up to anything." Martin protested.

"Right." Danny said unconvinced looking at Martin's arms still round Sam's waist.

Sam rolled her eyes and smiled.

After Danny had left Sam turned back to Martin.

"I think we'll be hearing about this for a while." Sam said smiling slightly.

Martin smiled and fought the urge to lean in and kiss her.

"I can't tell you what's wrong because I…don't know myself. It just feels like we're missing something…besides a kidnapper."

"Sometimes cases don't make sense. This one had a happy ending so maybe we should focus on that."

"Yeah I guess you're right. Thanks." She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek.

He almost lost it right there. He could smell her perfume, feel her soft lips and look into those hazel eyes. He gulped which she obviously heard and she laughed lightly.

"You want to go get some dinner?" She asked.

"Sure." He released his hold on her and immediately missed her warmth.

She put on her coat and bag and walked alongside him to the elevator. He walked in slightly ahead of her and smiled when she reached for his hand and held it gently.