There was an alternate ending, but I thought I should give us MS shippers a happy ending one after the season finale.
I hope you guys enjoyed reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Thank you for everyone who reviewed and read this since the beginning (:
And regarding an epilogue... no promises.

Reviews,please (:

Chapter 19

Dear Journal,

She wrote looking down at the blank piece of paper wondering where to start. Her hostage situation; the one that her daughter had masterminded? Martin's proclamation of love to her? She couldn't think of what to write first.

Dear Martin,

She started scratching out, 'journal'. She had always found it easier talking to Martin and sharing her feelings with him. Those blue eyes that held so much compassion as he listened to her troubles. She missed them.

I miss you.

She sighed.

A lot.

Samantha looked to her right seeing a picture of herself and Martin there. She had placed it there as soon as she got home. She smiled remembering the day that it was taken; Christmas time at the Tolands. One of the happiest times of her life.

I put a picture of us in my house. I know I refused to do that when we were together because of my stupid neurosis. I'm sorry about that. I realize now that I had nothing to fear. If I had just done what my heart told me to do… I should stop listening to my brain.

She picked up the picture looking at it and tracing his face. His arms were wrapped around her and her hands on top of his. She was looking into his eyes a soft -- content – smile on both their faces.

I'm sorry for the way I acted today, I just… I can't take picturing you with the other woman. That's why I ran to Kenosha. I needed to stop regretting my life; you are one of my biggest regrets. Sarah, leaving her, is another one. Running there, I thought I'd solve a problem. You know, the ones you talked about when you broke up with me?

I use to believe in love. The magic. The excitement. The feelings.

Before my father left. Before Sarah's father left.

A single mother of two who worked on minimum wage. That was my mother. She didn't finish high school and had about a year into community college. She worked her ass off to put food on the table. Of course, that meant that we barely saw her. My sister and me. We raised each other. She was my mother, and I was hers. It's not as bad as it sounds but it's not ideal. I didn't want that for my daughter. I wanted more for her. I wanted her to have everything. I knew Katerina and Max were good people, I knew that they would do anything for her.

You see, when Sarah's father left me, I… I didn't know what to do. I was young, and naïve. In love, too. When he left, I had no idea what to do. What am I suppose to do to raise my daughter by myself. I didn't… I don't want to grow up to be like my mother.

Samantha sighed staring up at the ceiling the picture now beside her trying to remember her mother. The rare times she would spend time with her. They were happy times, but nearly not enough. She sighed, another regret to add on her long list. She stared at the half blank piece of paper that now sat in front of her. With a sigh, she picked up the pen and started writing again.

I worked myself up to be in community college.

You don't need a PhD to be a cop.

I tried it and made it. Of course, by then. I was already here, at New York with the rest of the two million people struggling to make their dreams a reality. Tears and dreams.

I didn't want to be an agent. Much less a cop.

I wanted to be a teacher, for elementary school kids helping them to get out into the real life. But every time I saw a child, I saw mine. A baby who depended on me for everything. I didn't know what she looked liked when I dreamt of her, but I knew she was beautiful.

When I started protecting the streets and the citizens of New York. I realized that in a way I was helping protect her too. One less bad guy in the world to harm her sweet innocent face. But I had nightmares, of when she would be the victim. The small innocent child that did nothing but wasn't at the right place at the right time.

The dreams stopped and were replaced with another since I met you.

"Not a bad smile either" Her first impression of Martin Fitzgerald. Second, it was after the fact that he was the boss' kid. Un-experienced and gets to be a part of one of the top Missing Person's Unit team in the nation. He must've had to suck up to Daddy Dearest to get the job.

I thought you were just another one of those 'daddy's boys'. You proved me wrong though. You were a kind man, smart and over all just rare. A diamond, if you will. As I got to know you, Martin. I fell more and more each day. Until the fact that my father leaving me and my mother and sister didn't matter anymore. The fact that Gregory – my child's father left and that I left my own daughter. You were the one that I thought was going to save me.

For almost a year, you managed to do so.

Samantha looked at the calendar surprised that tomorrow, if they were together, it would've been their one-year anniversary. A year since Jack was 'leaving' for Chicago. A year since she had asked him to share a cab with her.

Oh how things have changed a year ago.

I was lost, you found me.

Now, I'm just lost again.

But I have to be strong now. Sarah's living with me, and she's still growing every day. She apologizes just about everyday for what she had done. I told her that it brought about better things. That it was worth it because now, she was living with me. My daughter is with me. Happy and laughing. She's satisfied and I am too.

Problem solved.

Samantha stood up telling Sarah that she had some errands to do and that she would be back later. Sarah just shrugged concentrating back on her homework as her mother hailed a cab giving the chubby nosey driver specific instructions. A quicker way to her destination. She didn't want to waste anymore time.

She knocked at his black painted door hoping for an answer. The clamor on the other side stopped for a moment as she heard feet shuffling towards the door.

With the paper in her hands, she breathed in hoping to get courage and energy.

"Sam?" Martin asked surprised to see her.

Without a word, Samantha handed Martin her journal and walked away.

You don't have to wait around for me to solve them, Martin. Being with you, hearing you say what you said at lunch today. It solved all of them.

I love you, too.

I will, always, and there's nothing you can do about it.

Except to take me back, and give me a chance right the wrongs.

Samantha.

Reviews, please.