Note: This starts a little bit like my last story (Welcome Home). I promise it is differnt... Hope you enjoy and let me know what you think:-)
Nick looked over at Andy and smiled, he couldn't help it... 6 months together pretending to be a couple. At first it was extremely awkward to go from being good friends to being in a pretend relationship. Something about it got easier. Nick began to count on Andy and she certainly counted on him. They bonded, how could they not? they spent all day, everyday together, then at night they went home...together. It was part of the cover but somehow it started to become second nature for Nick, spending every night with her. They slept in separate rooms but he liked having her there. He still missed Gail but it got less and less with each passing day.
Andy: Hey...Penny for your thoughts.
Nick: Ah, just thinking about the next few days. This meeting with Dante on Wednesday...
Andy: Can we just...not talk about Dante or this meeting. It gives me anxiety. Hey did you...
Nick: Turn off the wire? yes.
Andy: Good.
They had gotten in the habit of turning off the wire for a couple hours every night. Andy of all people knew it was not a wise idea but they had to do it. After 6 months they needed to know that they had 2 hours a day to just be themselves with out anyone watching.
There was always some one listening, and watching them. Sam, he never listened. He was tempted a few times but knew it would only make things worse. He did check in on with Andy's supervisor on a daily basis That was something he could not let go of...worrying about her. He had moved on, at least that was what he was telling everyone. That is what he told Marlo anyway...
Marlo: Hey there!
Sam: Good morning.
Marlo: You looked deep in thought.
Sam: Just tired. need some coffee.
Marlo: You worked late last night.
Sam: Yeah, sorry I didn't call you last night. By the time I got out of here...it just seemed to late.
Marlo: Are you sure everything is OK? You have been on edge this week.
Sam: No I haven't.
Marlo: Andy on your mind?
Sam: Yeah...I mean, we are about to bust Dante in a couple of days. Can't wait to get that scumbag. drug trafficking...pimping out little girls.
Marlo: I know what he has done Sam...that is not what I meant. McNally...how do you feel about her coming back?
Sam: Fine. That's in the past.
Marlo: are you sure about that?
Sam leans in and kisses her
Sam: Positive. Ok, gotta go...meeting with Nash. Have a good day, Officer.
Marlo: You too, Detective.
Marlo was a good cop, she wanted Dante in prison...that is where he deserved to be. But the selfish part of her wanted Andy to stay undercover a little longer. She and Sam had just gotten into the swing of things, until the last few days he had been relaxed. Then word got out that Andy and Nick were coming back and he seemed distant. She had heard rumors of their relationship, she had also known Sam from back in the Academy. He was a different person then, cooler, calmer. They way he was before Jerry died.
Nick: Breakfast!
Andy: Why are you so chipper in the morning?
Nick: I am young and incredibly good looking...why wouldn't I be chipper?
Andy: Coffee?
Nick: Just made a fresh pot.
Andy: My hero.
Nick: Here...eat your breakfast.
Andy looks down and raises and eyebrow.
Andy: This is not breakfast. When did you even get this?
Nick: on the way home last night. Don't judge me!
Andy: Well, thank you but you can keep your chocolate cereal.
Nick: Fine. Get your own breakfast.
Andy: So what is the plan?
Nick: Not sure. Nick points to the camera Ask them.
Andy: Helpful.
Nick: You ok?
Andy: I'm ready to go home. Just getting anxious I guess...just want everything to go smoothly.
Nick: Yeah, it's about time to get home. A couple more days and this son of a bitch will be in prison and when can go on with our lives.
Andy: Worried about seeing Gail?
Nick: Nah
Andy: Liar.
Nick: You worried about seeing Swarek?
Andy: No, I am totally fine...cool as a cucumber.
Nick: Liar.
Nash: Ok so this is happening tomorrow. Are they going to be wired at the meeting?
Frank: No, too risky.
Sam:They can handle it. They will give us a signal.
Frank: Hey Walsh...how we doing with McNally and Collins.
Walsh: Not sure, they went off the wire.
Sam: What?
Walsh: No big deal only been a few hours.
Sam: I'm sorry...a few hours? Were you going to mention this or just wait and see what happens?
Nash: This isn't their usually time.
Sam: What?
Nash: They usually go off the wire between 8 and 10pm
Sam was silent, Why did they have to go off the wire 2 hours a day? More importantly...why the hell did he care?
Sam: Andy is a creature of habit, she likes a schedule and would not go off the wire.
Walsh:But she does... every day.
Sam: Yeah, everyday between 8 and 10PM. it is 11am. Something is wrong.
Walsh: They are fine.
Nash: I agree with Sam, something is wrong this is not like her. They keep that schedule for a reason. Frank...
Frank: Ok, ok. We are not going to just bust in but we will get close and find out what is going on.
Sam: Let's go.
Andy awoke with a pounding headache. She was trying to piece together what led her here...here where was here? Then she realized, she was in a trunk. This could not be happening. The morning had started out normal, they had breakfast. She remembered Nick going out to the car to get something, a phone maybe? That's right...Andy couldn't find her phone so Nick went to look and see if was in the car ,while Andy looked around their cover apartment. Then it all just goes blank.
Sam arrived with Nash to steak out the warehouse. They could see Nick outside and it looked as though he was arguing with some one.
Sam: Looks like Dante.
Nash: Where the hell is Andy? Nick looks pissed.
Sam: I am getting closer. I need to know what they are saying.
Nash: Sam!
Sam: Stay here
Sam slowly inched closer. He looked around waiting for Andy to appear, she was nowhere in sight. Andre walked away throwing his hands in the air.
Dante: That bitch is a cop. I know she is your girlfriend but she has been LYING to you! Lying to ME! She is going to pay.
As Dante was screaming Nick saw Sam out of the corner of his eye.
Nick: What did you do with her?
Dante: I am taking care of it.
Nick: Dante, please! Look there has to be some explanation there is no way she is a cop. I am with her every day, we wake up together every morning. I think I would know if she was a cop!
Dante: You want proof? Here!
Dante threw the phone at Nick. He looked down and saw a message from Walsh. It read: Takedown on Thursday? On schedule? Confirm.
Nick tried to look calm but inside he was freaking out. What the hell was Walsh thinking sending her that text?
Dante: I saw her looking at her phone the other day, she looked uncomfortable and as soon as I asked her what she was doing she got jumpy and put her phone away. I kept an eye on her, when she wasn't looking I took the phone.
Nick: We don't know that she is a cop...that is one text message. It does not mean anything.
Dante: I know you love her...
Nick: I do love her and I know she would not do this to me. To us. We have a good thing going here. We all work well together. I am telling you. You are wrong. Where is she?
Dante: She is waiting for me, by the river on the west side...I am debating...drowning, shooting or both? I gotta go, this whole this is a mess and we have to move this operation elsewhere. I don't have time for bullshit, just make sure our asses are covered we are leaving town tonight.
Sam got back in the car.
Sam: Drive now!
Nash: What the hell happened?
Sam: DRIVE! This is why I don't let other people drive she tells me I am a control freak but this is why...can you go any faster?!
Nash: Where am I going?
Sam: The river on the west end.
Nash: Why?
Sam: Andy is there...Dante is going to kill her. She's been made.
Nash drove as fast as she could. Sam called the station to fill Frank in. They decided to push up the arrest...they had no choice. From what Sam figured they had a 15 minute head-start on Dante, Sam knew the area...it wouldn't be hard to find Andy. The idea was to surround her without anyone seeing. As soon as Dante touched her they would move in. If they could not make the bust they were going to get him on attempted murder of a police officer. The plan was good but Sam was uneasy. They had an extremely small window.
Sam:I don't like this plan. We are basically using Andy as bait!
Nash: I know, it is scary but we will protect her.
Sam: Why do we have to wait? I mean this is her life we are talking about!
Nash: You are not thinking like a cop right now. You are thinking like a boyfriend.
Sam: No, Nash, no. I am thinking like an intelligent human being. She is not my girlfriend anyway...I have moved on.
Nash: Whatever, look, she is my best friend no one wants to go save her more than I do. But if we bust in there 6 months goes to waste. Her leaving, it will have all been for nothing. She will not be OK with that.
When they got to the river they spotted the car and slowly made their way to the surrounding woods. This was impressive. in less than 12 minutes Frank had assembled
cops around the perimeter of the car. Sam was getting nervous, he could not see her.
Nature must have calling because the driver got out of the car and went into the woods for a couple minutes. While he was away Nash and Sam heard a banging. The son of a bitch had her in the trunk. Sam looked at his watch. If Dante didn't her there soon he was going to end this.
Marlo was not far from Sam, though he didn't notice. She watched Sam, the look of fear was clear to her. Sam didn't talk much about Andy, actually he never mentioned her. Anything she knew about Andy McNally was from her fellow officers. Sam would not discuss her, and when her name came up he always just brushed it off...
Marlo was snapped out of her thought when she heard a noise. It was Dante's car coming down the dirt road.
Dante's driver parked and and headed over to the trunk of the black sedan and opened the door. The driver, who looked like a giant next to Dante, pulled Andy out of the trunk and threw her on the ground. Sam lunged forward, it was instinct. Shaw who was standing next to him, pulled him back.
Dante: You stupid bitch, you thought you had me fooled? Stupid girl, you will pay for your sins.
Andy: My sins? You are about to shoot me for what?
Dante::You are a COP! A Pig!
Andy: I am not a cop. Dante, I have been working for you for over 6 months...you trust me!
Dante: I did trust you until I found out you have been lying to me. There is a price for what you have done, and now you are going to pay.
Dante pulls out the gun and cocks it. That was all they needed.
Frank: POLICE! Drop your weapon...drop your weapon NOW!
Dante looked stunned but still did not drop his weapon.
Dante: You think I am scared of you? A cop? never.
Frank: Your right? I am just one guy...what can I do? What about 30 cops?
With that they all step out of the bushes surrounding Dante with guns drawn.
Dante started to raise the gun towards Andy, before he could, a shot was fired and Dante fell to the ground.
Dante was wounded but not dead. He was arrested on scene and taken to the hospital, both drivers were both arrested.
Sam and Nash ran to Andy and untied her. The two people she missed the most, she has never been happier to see anyone in her life.
Sam: You Ok?
Andy: Yeah, I don't even know what happened. How did he...
Sam: We will fill you in after you get checked out.
Andy: I am fine!
Traci: Andy, you need to go to the hospital...it's protocol.
Andy didn't want to go to the hospital. She wanted to talk to Sam. What was going through his head? Would he take her back? Did she want him to? She didn't know. All these months of thinking about what would happen when she came face to face with him...now she was here and didn't know what to think.
Sam:Nash is right, you have to go to the hospital.
Andy: Sa...
Sam: Andy. You are going. Nash take her. When you guys are done get back to the station.
Sam walked away leaving Andy standing there. She didn't know what she had expected from him but she knew that wasn't it.
Traci waited with Andy in the hospital room
Traci: It good to see you.
Andy: It is good to see you too. I missed you. More than you know.
Traci: You can ask you know.
Andy: Ask what?
Traci: About Sam.
Andy: What about him?
Traci: ANDY!
Andy: Why wasn't he in uniform?
Traci: Ah...he is a detective now.
Andy: You're joking.
Traci: Nope. You weren't the only one who needed a change of scene.
Andy: Has he mentioned me?
Traci: I need to tell you something.
Andy: What?
The Doctor walked in the room interrupting their conversation. He cleared Andy and told her she could get back to work. Traci was greatful for the interruption. She knew she had to tell Andy but she just got home, it didn't feel like the right time.
Traci: I am taking you home
Andy: No I am going to the station. i need to give my statement.
Traci: It has been a long day.
Andy: Trac, station... now.
Traci: Well, you got awfully bossy while you were away.
Andy: Sorry, i am just tired. How is Nick?
Traci: He was fine, he should be at the station.
Andy: Good.
Traci: How did it go with you guys.
Andy: It went well.
Traci: I don't know details were you guys living?
Andy: Cover apartment outside of town.
Traci: Wait...together?
Andy: Yeah, we were pretending to be a couple.
Traci: So did you...
Andy: Traci, we were acting.
Traci: Well how much acting?
Andy: Trac, it was nothing. We had to kiss once in awhile.
Traci: You HAD to?
Andy laughing: YES!
Traci: So...is he a good kisser?
Andy: Traci! We were under cover.
Traci: I guess that is good. Gail would kick your ass.
Andy: How is Gail.
Traci: Strange...she has been very nice lately. I am waiting for her to snap. I would not want to be Collins that is for sure.
Andy: Is she pissed at me?
Traci: Honestly...I am not sure. She has been weird. It is a little unsettling to be honest...
Andy: Noted...I will sleep with one eye open.
They arrive back at the station. Andy gives Frank and Walsh her statement. She was pretty pissed at Walsh. He was the reason this all went sideways. She kept her cool. She was tired and there was nothing she could do about it anyway. Besides she wanted to find Sam and talk to him. As she walked through the station she spotted him in the kitchen. As she made her way there she stopped dead in her tracks. Who the hell was that? The next thing she knew a dark haired woman was kissing Sam. Her heart sank and she rounded the corner and went into the locker room. This was not something she expected. She had a pit in her stomach. She felt nauseous, and had to get out of there. Just as she was walking out Marlo came in.
Marlo: Oh Hi, McNally Right? I'm Marlo new to 15 since you left.
Andy: Nice to meet you.
Marlo: So, you did a great job undercover. Must be good to be back.
Andy: Thanks, yeah good to be back. A little strange but good. Listen it was nice meeting you. I am exhausted so I am going to go. Have a good night.
Marlo: Thanks...looking forward to working with you! She yelled as Andy flew out the door.
As she was nervously rushing into the hallway, Andy crashed into Nick.
Nick: Hey, I have been looking all over for you.
Andy: What the hell happened to you?
Nick: Gail punched me.
Andy: Ouch. You ok?
Nick: I'm fine, tired.
Andy: Yeah...me too.
Nick: You ok? you have had a hell of a day.
Andy: Not really. I could use a drink.
Nick: Penny it is!
Andy and Nick kept to themselves at the Penny. Their friends all had other plans and they were not really in the mood to socialize anyway. It had been a long day...a long 6 months really. Andy looked up and saw Sam and Marlo walk in.
Andy: Uggh.
Nick: Woah, are they...
Andy: Yup.
Nick: Wow, Im sorry Andy.
Nick put his hand on her shoulder trying to be supportive
It's going to be Ok.
Andy: Thanks.
Sam looks over just as Nick and Andy are having what appeared to be a very personal moment. Now he knew the feeling of having a knot in his stomach...this did not go unnoticed by Marlo.
Marlo: Sam!
Sam: Yeah?
Marlo: you ok?
Sam Of course, why?
Marlo: Just checking. Marlo wasn't sure what Sam was thinking but she knew his mind was somewhere else...it was on Andy
2 beers later Nick and Andy decided to leave. Sam watched them walk out the door. he hated to admit it even to himself, but he wanted to know what was going on with them. He didn't want to care but he did. He knew he shouldn't, it was not fair to Marlo but he couldn't help how he felt.
Marlo: So I was thinking that I would stay at your place tonight. we don't have to work until 1, so we can sleep in.
Sam: Sounds great but I need to get up early. Gotta get a run in and then headed in early Nash and I have a couple of new cases.
Marlo: Oh, ok. Well do you want to stay at my place then?
Sam: I think I am just going to go home and get some sleep. It has been a long day. I am going to go pay the tab. Be right back.
Marlo saw Walsh walk by and he had a black eye.
Marlo: What the hell happened to you?
Walsh: Ask your boyfriend.
Marlo: Sam? Why?
Walsh: He punched me when he got back to the station today. He was pissed that McNally got burned. Said that I almost got her killed and he clearly was upset so he punched me...about 3 times before Shaw pulled him off.
Marlo: oh my God. Sorry Walsh.
Walsh: Whatever. Guy is a hot head, not the first time he has flown off the handel over her. I need a beer, see you tomorrow.
Marlo sat there a little stunned that Sam would do that. Even back in the academy he was so calm and cool. This person that she has seen today, she doesn't really recognize him.
Nick brought McNally home and walked her to the door.
Nick: This is weird.
Andy: Yeah? What's that?
Nick: I don't know, we have spend every night together for 6 months...will be weird not to see you in the morning.
Andy: Collins...are you trying to say that you are going to miss me?
Nick: Noooo...ok maybe a little.
Andy:I am going to miss you too. Have you been to your apartment yet?
Nick: Uhh yeah, I have no apartment.
Andy: What?
Nick: Remember the bad storm we had over the winter, when we got snowed in for those 2 days?
Andy: Yeah
Nick: Well, apparently my roof caved in. Everything was pretty much ruined. The landlord was nice enough to salvage what he could and put it into his storage unit until I got back, but the apartment has to be gutted. He is still waiting on the insurance money so I am basically homeless.
Andy: Nick, I am so sorry. You will stay here.
Nick: No, it's cool. I will get a hotel until I figure something out.
Andy: Nick, I have a guest room that is not getting used. Besides, I wouldn't want you to miss me too much.
Nick: Are you sure about this?
Andy: Positive. As long as you keep making me breakfast...no chocolate cereal
Nick: Deal.
They got inside and decided to have a glass of wine, It was time for Andy to ask some questions.
Andy: SOrry, I was so distracted earlier I didn't even ask you how everything went today.
Nick: Smoothly considering, Dante had told me to sell the rest of the supply to Billy and then get the hell out of town. I was at the warehouse with the guys packing up Billy's van. A bunch of cops came from 15 and 27 and busted us.
Andy: The guys have no idea you were involved?
Nick: Nope, well not yet anyway. Hopefully it stays that way.
Andy: I am sorry.
Nick: Why would you be sorry? I Andy you were kidnapped.
Andy: I was made, Nick.
Nick: yeah...you were made because Walsh blew it. What the hell was he thinking? Well, Sam took care of him at least.
Andy: What do you mean?
Nick: I assumed you heard...when I got back to the station I walked in just as Sam had punched Walsh.
Andy: What? Why?
Nick: He was pissed that you were made. After everything that happened with Boyd Sam expected that Walsh would have been a hell of a lot smarter. He got 2 punches in before Epstein and Diaz pulled him off.
Andy: Wow, he didn't seem to care at all when I saw him. He wouldn't even talk to me.
Nick: Trust me, he cares. He is probably pissed at you too.
Andy: At me?
Nick: You did leave.
Andy: He left first!
Nick: I know, I know.
Andy: Nick, you have been in agreement with me that I did the right thing, now you are acting like it is all my fault.
Nick: No. I do think you did the right thing. I just...look Gail let me have it tonight. not just with the punch but she said some things.
Andy: What kind of things?
Nick: Oh you know, " I hate you" " You ruined everything". It just went on and on. I don't blame her I did ruin everything.
Andy: In your defense, you thought she was going to Europe.
Nick: I know. I should have said goodbye though.
Andy: Uuugh. I know, I know.
Nick: Do you regret going?
Andy: I am not sure...I couldn't count on him, he was the one person I thought I could count on no matter what. Then all of the sudden I couldn't. I know he lost a lot, but he just threw me away.
Nick: You didn't deserve that.
Andy: I don't know, maybe it was too much for him. Maybe he felt like I was going to fast.
Nick: Andy...why are you doing this to yourself?
Andy: He is with some one else, Nick. He told me he loved me and now he is with some one else. What am I suppose to do with that?
Nick: Maybe it is time to move on.
Andy: I was not sure what I was coming back to, I didn't know if he would be happy to see me or angry. But a new girlfriend?
Nick: We are not going to solve this tonight and you need sleep.
Andy: I need to talk to him.
Nick: After a good night sleep Andy.
Andy: Alright, I'm going to bed. Do you need anything?
Nick: No, I am good thanks. Going to jump in the shower and then go to bed myself.
Andy: Ok, good night.
Nick: Andy, thank you for letting me stay here.
Andy: Anything for you partner.
Nick: Hey...he is an idiot.
Andy cracks a small smile and closes her bedroom door.
Sam had dropped Marlo off. He felt a little guilty but he just could not focus on her. He was so angry, at Walsh for screwing up, at Dante for nearly killing Andy. Then there was Nick. He knew it was wrong but when he saw him today he had a desire to punch him too. He saw that someone beat him to it and later found out that it was Peck. He wasn't surprised, they waited for Nick and Andy at the bar the night. Gail's pain when Nick didn't show was apparent. When Andy didn't show, it scared the hell out of Sam but he was planning to keep fighting. It wasn't until the next day that Frank told him that McNally was gone. He didn't believe it. So he went over to Andy's to see her. He still had a key to her apartment. She had never asked for it back and he didn't want to give it back. Somehow it felt like keeping that key meant it wasn't over. It was so ridiculous, he ended it so why had he been hanging on to something as silly as a key? Because he loved her, and whether he had admitted it to himself at the time or not, he wanted to find his way back to her. But when he walked into the apartment, he just knew that she was gone. Normally, when she got ready in the morning she would leave clothes on the floor, makeup on the bathroom counter. It use to drive him crazy but in this moment, he missed it. He wanted to see the mess it meant she hadn't really left, it meant she hadn't left him.
Thinking about that night was not helping. He was avoiding the truth. The person that he was made at was Andy. She gave up, and it wasn't the first time. He was getting heated reliving all of this. He knew he was not going to be able to sleep, so he drove, and drove around town. He wasn't really paying attention to where he was going, he just kept driving. Before he knew it, with out even thinking, he was at Andy's. He would have to talk to her at some point, now was as good a time as any...