TWENTY THREE

The moment the trio had returned to the Federal Building, Sam had slumped into one of the couches in Vivian's office. She couldn't bear to sit in the bullpen, hearing the team go over the new possibilities.

Martin had briefly told her what had caught his and Danny's attention. She hadn't had the energy to go into further depth with them.

She quickly, feeling the soft couch beneath her, shut her eyes and was quickly asleep.

"Dominic Stanzister is the brother of Michael Stanzister, and for the past six years has been the one to keep Mario Rodriguez, and other prominent members of his clan out of jail." Danny sighed rubbing his eyes.

Martin swiveled in his chair to look at Danny. "That doesn't mean he's not a member of the organization." He pointed weakly at Danny.

"Well I also ran Dominic Stanza, and all Stanza's for any possible link with the clan, and that's the only link." Danny sighed. "I also had a look at his bank, phone and office records for any inadequacies, and there are no payments into the clan from him, nor are there any suspicious phone calls, or missing hours from his office."

There was a period of quiet between the two men as both attempted to find quick ways of knowing whether or not Dominic Stanzister, the lawyer for Jack Malone in his trial, was linked to the Rodriguez clan.

"I'm sorry man." Danny sighed, standing and heading for the break room with his empty coffee mug.

Martin sighed, knowing that the time was drawing for them to be back at the court house. He grabbed his jacket and headed into Vivian's office to get Sam. A small smile crossed his face as he caught sight of her through the glass, lying on one of the many couches. She had a smile across her face and was sleeping peacefully.

Slowly he made his way across the room to her, crouching when he reached her. As he gently stroked the hair that was driving him crazy from her face and behind her ear he saw her eyes flicker. He removed his hand not wanting to be hurt.

Sam had found herself waking when she heard the gentle creak of the office door. She knew it was Martin and wanted to know what he was doing before she revealed the fact that she was awake. She thought about opening her eyes gently but when she could hear his breathing inches away from her she decided against it.

The touch of his fingers against her face sent shockwaves through her body; both pleasure and pain. That was what was driving her crazy.

She realized she was in love with him before the attack. When she felt his body above and inside hers whilst they were staying at the Toland's, she knew. Corny yes they were making love when she realized but still, when they finished, there was something in the beating of her heart that told her.

Now, feeling him touching her killed her. She would always feel the sensations, the tingles of electricity that passed between them, but with those feelings came the memories of what those other men had done to her.

The trial didn't help things either. Now she had to sit through and remember what had happened. She was surprised she only through up once and not repeatedly like she had anticipated.

Martin was watching her. She was just staring blankly in the direction of his chest, although not focusing. "You okay?" He whispered.

"I'm just conflicted." She sighed, not yet quite out of her trance.

"How?" He sat down so that his eyes were at her level.

"This trial, memories that come with it, how I feel, you." She whispered, sitting up and looking at him. "I just wish I could move on." She shut her eyes and hung her head as though in defeat.

"Compared to what you were like when you first came out of hospital, you are so much better now." Martin sighed taking a seat on the couch next to her.

"No I'm not. I'm the same if not worse. Then I actually knew what I didn't like, I couldn't stand to be in the same room as a man, I actually had feelings and emotions. Now I'm just numb." She didn't look at him as she spoke.

Martin sighed, trying to find ways to talk to her and make her happy.

"What the worst part about everything is, is that the man I love I can't do anything with." She admitted glancing up at him briefly. "I can't even complain about something without you not attempting to comfort me without fear of being castrated." She sighed seeing how much he wanted to rest his arm on her back and move it in slow circles all over her back.

In an attempt to prove her wrong, Martin gently rested his hand on her back, causing her to jump.

"And when you do actually touch me I do that." She smiled angrily.

Neither saw Danny standing outside the office with his jacket on ready to go, watching them with a small smile on his face. He watched for a few moments before heading for the elevators.

"Tell me a way you can help yourself, or I can help you?" Martin breathed leaning slightly closer to her.

Sam turned her head and looked at him. "I don't know." She whispered shrugging, her eyes beginning to fill with tears. "I could suggest touch me more, but then every time you touch me I'm both in this mix of pleasure and unbelievable pain." She rolled her head so that she was looking at the ceiling and then back so that she was looking at everything in front of her.

"You've fallen for her haven't you?" Danny smiled as Martin looked over his shoulder in the general direction of the bathroom.

"What?" Martin snapped his head in the direction of Danny after hearing what he had said.

"You have, you've fallen in love with her." Danny said again, taking a mouthful of his water.

Martin didn't respond, returning his gaze to the direction of the bathroom. "It was never intentional." He whispered.

Danny smiled taking another drink, watching Martin. "You should tell her."

"No I shouldn't. If I tell her something like that, there are two possibilities of how she'll react." He said turning back. "She'll either be happy and move forward, or she'll spiral out of control." Martin sighed.

Martin knew why the memory suddenly flashed through his mind.

"I love you." He said without thinking.

Sam looked at him started. "What?" She breathed even though she had heard what he had said, and now her insides were having a field day.

"I love you." He breathed looking at her, watching her face.

Sam felt as though she was about to burst with happiness, or like a young girl feels after her first kiss. Although as she thought about that all she could remember was the feeling of braces, saliva all over her lips and chin, and the taste of pizza, then pushing him away from her saying 'eww, gross!'

"What?" Martin smiled at her. She wasn't looking at him, but had a smile on her face as though she was in another world.

"Sorry." She said her trance broken. "Just a memory." She raised her hand to his cheek, wondering how long he had felt like this. "I never thought I'd hear them again." She whispered, finding herself become lost in his eyes.

Martin smiled weakly. "I never thought I'd be able to say them to you without being castrated." He didn't have time to breathe after he finished, because she had her lips pressed against his.

It took Martin a moment before he fully registered what she was doing, and as he began to deepen the kiss, he felt her pulling away.

"Not here." She whispered as they parted, resting her forehead against his.

"You've definitely moved forward." Martin sighed, lifting his head to kiss her forehead.

She wrapped her arms around him, a huge smile on her face, happy that she had been able to touch a man in a positive manner; even more happy that Martin had admitted he loved her.

"I love you too." She whispered, snuggling her head into his shoulder.

Martin felt like his day was complete. But he felt panic rise when he caught sight of the clock on Vivian's desk, and realized that they were meant to be at the court house about now.

Before he had time to react his phone began ringing. Sam let go of him as he reached into one of his many pockets to answer it.

"Tell Sam I have the best news." Danny's voice announced, from the echo it sounded as though he was in the hallway.

"Okay what is the best news?" Martin asked looking at Sam.

"During the adjournment, Joanna put in a motion to remove Sam as a witness. It was accepted. She doesn't have to come in again." Martin had held the phone in front of him, motioning for Sam to lean forward as Danny spoke. When she heard the news her face lit up.

"She's very happy Danny." Martin said as Sam had her arms around Martin.

They finished the conversation, Martin flicked his phone closed and led Sam out of the office.