Being noble sucked.

The thought ran through Sam Swarek's mind for the uptenth time that night as he sat watching McNally and Callaghan on the dance floor of the Black Penny. Slow dancing. Sam took another swig of his beer bottle only to find it empty.

He looked at the barkeeper and signaled for another one even though his heart screamed for something stronger.

That should have been him holding Andy tenderly in his arms, swaying softly to the music. Shit! That would probably be him if he'd followed his heart on the drive from Sudbury and made his move. He'd been looking into those big beautiful eyes, telling her about his sister – of all the unlikely things for him to be doing – and it had been on the tip of his tongue to ask her out. She and Callaghan had been on the outs so any advance on his part wouldn't have been poaching… per se. Yet, at the last moment, he'd chickened out and instead told her that Luke was a good, dependable guy who was worth her waiting him out.

Of all the asinine things he'd said and done in his years on the force, this one had to take the cake.

"There you go, officer."

Sam barely took his eyes from the dancing couple long enough to acknowledge the bartender and pick up his beer.

You've been a moron; but you don't need to compound the mistake by mooning over her like a lovesick teenager.

Gah! Not that love word again. It was all Noelle's fault if he was sitting here even just thinking about it. He sure didn't need or want to love McNally. He was her T.O. She was too young and idealistic. And if that wasn't deterrent enough: she was with someone else.

"Are you thinking of going after Callaghan with your baton again?" Noelle asked as if just thinking about her had made her materialize on the seat next to him.

Sam forced a smile he wasn't feeling and resolutely turned his back to the dance floor. "You'll never let me live this one down, will you?"

Noelle leaned toward him so her voice would carry above the din of the bar. "I'm not gonna ask you what went on, Sammy. Your reasons are your own… Just be careful, okay. I would hate to see you get hurt."

Sam struggled for composure under her all-too-seeing eyes. "I don't know what you mean," he said nonchalantly, flashing the Swarek dimples for good measure. "There's no way Callaghan could get the jump on me, even if he says otherwise."

"I'm not talking about Luke Callaghan and you know it. I don't know what's going on between you and your rookie… but it's obvious she's got you tied in knots."

"McNally," Sam jeered. "Why would you think there's something going on there?"

He'd perfected the art of masking his emotions when he'd gone undercover so he knew he appeared relaxed; but everything in him stilled waiting for Noelle's reply.

"Please, don't insult my intelligence. Do I have to remind you the way you begged me to take her to Sudbury for you?" Noelle darted a look behind his shoulder. "I told you I wouldn't ask and I won't. I just…"

Sam waited for the rest of the sentence but knew it wouldn't come when he sensed a presence behind him.

Andy.