Andy McNally awoke with a start at a frightening crash of noise from outside. The roaring clap almost made her jump out of her bed. Her eyes heavy with sleep strained against the hanging darkness, trying desperately to take in her surroundings. Her still sleepy mind replayed the earlier events that night so vividly, Andy's baggy tee shirt began to stick to her sweat dampened body.
Luke was on his way. All he had to do was call Frank and get a warrant and they would be able to put Ray Nixon behind bars for the rest of his life. Andy's mind was racing with self reassurances, but she still felt uneasy. And Andy knew there was really only one person she needed when her mind went out of control like that, someone who promised to always be there when it mattered. She quickly made the decision to call him, to call her partner, to call the man she trusted with her life. And then the cold, strong hands of Ray Nixon grabbed her from behind. Their struggle left Andy knocked out on the floor of the storage unit, but she still heard the clashing of the metal sliding door locking her in with her captor.
Andy felt her heart racing faster than it ever had before as she ripped her mind away from the terrifying memory. Another boom sent shockwaves down her spine. It sounded so much like the heavy storage room door. She flipped on the lights, and they illuminated the unfamiliarity of the bedroom she was in. Tears welled up in her brown eyes and spilled over, leaving streaks down her face like the rain that was sliding down the window in large droplets.
And then came the knock, followed closely by Sam Swarek poking his head into the room. Just the sight of him pulled Andy back to reality. This was Sam's guest bedroom, this was Sam's house, he made her stay with him so she wasn't alone. Andy's hysterics calmed, but all Sam had to do was take one look at her to see the fear in her eyes. He strode over to the bed and wrapped up Andy with his body. His strong arms brought Andy more comfort then she imagined anything could. Her breathing got back under control and Sam brushed away the stray tears from the face of the woman who he cared for so much. He gently kissed her hair and spoke into her brunette locks.
"It's okay, Andy. You're safe. It's only thunder. I'm here now, and I'm not gonna let anything hurt you. I should have had your back in there today and I didn't. God forbid anything happened to you, I wouldn't be able to live with myself.."
Sam leaned over to search his partners face for a reaction to his words, and realized sleep had once again taken over her body. He smiled to himself, and settled in for the rest of the night. Callaghan had her back today when he should have, and Sam didn't plan on leaving her alone and scared again. He had once told her he was there when it mattered, and he meant it.