Sam pulled out her case file and looked at the little girl who a mother had pinned all her hopes on was still alive. Daniela Wesley. She wanted more than anything to be able to go to her mother and give her the news that her child had been found and that she would be returning to her loving arms. Sam heard the door open and looked at her new partner as he strode in with two cups of coffee.

Starting Early? Gabriel asked, handing her the coffee.

I am just going over the case once again to see where to begin. It seems an open and shut case against the father. There wasn't anything that would arouse suspicion that he would ever take the child from her mother.

Then why are we even taking this case, Samantha?

Gabriel something in my gut is telling me that there is more to this. I believe that there is a possibility that this child is one, alive and two, someone who knows her has her.

Gabriel looked at Samantha and saw the earnest need in her to find this little girl. However he knows what can happen when you allow yourself to become emotionally invested in a case.

Samantha, what happens if you can't find this little girl? What if there is no happy ending? Gabriel asked.

Sam thought about what she hadn't allowed herself to fathom .That she might not succeed. Gabriel my gut tells me that I have reason to hope. That this little girl is alive and that she needs my help. Believe me I know all about stories not ending in happily ever after. I am not that naive, I know more than I want about the cold reality, that life can be a bitch. IF it doesn't turn out as I hope, I will be sorry but know that I gave a mother grieving everything I could.

Gabriel watched the passion she had for this case, wash over her face. Okay Samantha, where do you want to start?

I want to go interview the mother one more time. Oh and can you please just call me Sam?

I think Samantha suits you much more than Sam, so No Samantha, I can't grant your request, he laughingly said then winked at her.

Sam rolled her eyes, grabbed her notes, snorted and walked out the office.

Gabriel smiled and genuinely felt happier than he had in months as he followed her out into a new PC day.

Ms. Wesley Can you tell us everything you remember about that day, Sam asked softly.

Ms. Wesley sighed and started to recount her last moments with her daughter. I went into her room and woke her up for school. I had given her a bath the previous night so she went into her bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth. She is a very independent little girl. She picked out what she wanted to wear and even got herself dressed. We sat down and ate breakfast and she told me how she won the lead in her school play. I always try to have these little moments in the morning with her because I work and the mornings are our private, quiet time together. Sam could see the tears in the woman's eyes and her grief at never having those moments again. A part of her could relate to that loss. The loss of the little things hopes and dreams.

I walked her into the building. I always do because I want to make sure she is actually inside. I wanted to prevent something like this from happening, yet even this wasn't enough, she said as her voice broke with unshed tears. Gabriel held her hand and coaxed her to continue. When I walked into the school to take her back home, they told me she never arrived. They told me that they had a note from me saying she had a doctor's appointment and would not be in the next day. From that moment I just don't remember much else. I know my little girl is out there. I would know if she were not in this world. I am her mother! I would KNOW!

Ms. Wesley one more question. Why do you believe your husband has her?

My husband was very bitter when the courts gave me custody. He couldn't understand how a little nobody like me beat him out for primary custody. After all he is a wealthy man. After she disappeared so did he, but the police said he has an alibi and they have no reason to suspect him. I do because he kept making all these threats about me never seeing her again and then he just stopped, his demeanor changed and he was so nice to me. A part of me knew something was wrong, I just couldn't prove it. He has my baby; I NEED you to bring her home.

Ms. Wesley, if your daughter is out there. We will do everything in our power to bring her back to you. She looked into those steel gray eyes and the conviction in them reassured her as nothing had since her daughter went missing. Thank you, I believe it. Mr. Daniels, Miss McCall I await the good news.