Chapter 6

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Sam's hips swayed as she made her way down the hall and into the bullpen. While the run this morning had rejuvenated her body, her spirit was still weary. All she could think about is that this was another Monday morning of another work week to look for another missing person and another day wondering if this was the day Martin would wake up.

Sam eyed Danny and Viv sitting at the conference table chatting over cups of coffee.

"Morning guys." Sam commented as she headed to her desk.

"Good morning, Samantha." Viv mumbled as she brought the steaming mug to her lips.

"Morning," Danny glanced over at Sam while tapping his pen on the table. "Jack said he had to talk to us about the hearing next week. He'll be out here in a few minutes."

"Okay." Sam arrived at her desk and began putting her things away. Since she had a few minutes she turned on her computer to see if there was any new email from Katherine. She logged on and saw that there were no new messages. Deflated, she picked up her notepad and joined Danny and Viv.

"How was your weekend?" Sam asked Viv as she sat down.

"Great. We went to the courts near the apartment and Reggie beat Marcus for the first time." Viv smiled brightly. Sam knew that since her surgery, Viv had been cherishing all the time she could spend with her family.

"That's great." Sam cheerily replied.

"Clearly he learned all his b-ball skills from his uncle Danny." Danny smugly added.

"Um, yeah, sure." Viv responded, giving Sam a sly wink.

Before Danny could offer up a rebuttal, Jack strode into the bullpen. "Hey guys, I just got word from Washington. It's going to be a closed hearing."

The team gave a small cheer. A panel was created to hold a fact finding hearing about the assassination of General Gamba and the subsequent events that followed. It took longer than it normally would have because Victor Fitzgerald stonewalled as long as he could, arguing that they should wait until Martin emerged from his coma as he was one of the principal agents involved. But as time wore on, the powers-that-be forced the issue and a date was set. The team was pleased that it was going to be a closed off to the media - because while the wounds may have healed, the emotional scars were still raw.

Jack continued, "Viv, I convinced Van Doren that the entire team needs to be there so if you want to go to Washington on the governments dime, you are more than welcome."

"Thanks Jack. I'd like that." Viv threw a glance to Sam and smiled.

The one highlight that the team tried to focus on about their having to testify in front of a committee is that the hearing was being held in Washington. They would be able to see Martin.

"Okay, I'll make the arrangements. We'll leave next Monday afternoon. In the meantime, Sam and Danny, I'll need you guys to review your notes, get your files in order, you know the drill." Jack looked at Sam and Danny who nodded their heads in agreement. Jack then softened his voice as he added, "Viv, I'd like for you to go over Martin's notes and get them ready for me to review."

"Okay." Viv replied, with a hint of sadness.

"Let's get to it." Jack gave the group a nod and headed back to his office.

As the team got up from the table to get to work, each member stole a glance at Martin's empty desk and wondered if he would ever sit there again.