A/N: This is my first multi-chapter fic in a pretty long time - bear with me. It technically includes a big season 5/6 spoiler, however, I wrote fics two years ago under the same assumption so... take it or leave it, I guess.

Special thanks to M, A & M for your support!

Prologue: Set about three years in the future

"I'm so nervous, Sam! I hate feeling like this. My stomach is in knots right now," Andy admitted anxiously, folding her arms across her chest. For weeks, she'd been dreading this day; leaving your way of life could be exciting, but leaving your heart behind in order to do so was a terrifying feeling.

"Oh yeah?" Sam scoffed, seemingly distracted as he pulled out into traffic. "You know what else is in knots? My lower back," he said matter-of-factly, shifting around in his seat in discomfort. "So you think I can get off the couch sometime in the next five years?"

Andy gave him in an indignant look before rolling her eyes. "Can you at least try to be a little sympathetic here? This is a big day," she argued, flipping off the rock music playing on the radio. "And it's your fault you're sleeping there."

Sam groaned in response. "Christ, Andy. That was a complete misunderstanding," Sam said irritably, surprised she hadn't let it go by now. "After everything we've been through in the past year –"

"Oh, don't even tryto lecture me about 'what we've been through'!" Andy cut him off, glaring from across the truck. "Are you kidding me right now? I was there."

Sam practically growled with frustration. He tipped his head back against the headrest, squeezing the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white. All he'd wanted for the past few days was a chance to explain, but she would have none of it.

"Can we at least try to be civil?" he asked a minute later, knowing Andy was listening even if she wasn't acknowledging. "Everyone's going to know something's up the second we walk in."

Andy laughed sardonically, continuing to stare out the window. "Ha. As if they've never seen a domestic between a married couple," she said, mostly under her breath. "Besides," she added, looking in his direction this time, "who says they'll even remember who I am…"

"McNally," Sam sighed, glancing back and forth between her and the road. He had the sudden urge to reach over and touch her, to try to relax her. "Don't do that."

"Don't do what?"

They'd talked about this enough times in the past that he knew she was only being stubborn. Without careful treading, Sam predicted it would turn into another screaming match. "Look, if you're going to feel like this every day, why don't we just call Claire and get it over with?" He offered gently.

Andy scoffed audibly, eyes widening. "Ohhhh-ho-ho. No friggen way. I am not going there. I'll never hear the end of it from you," she accused, reaching across and pressing a finger into his shoulder.

Sam's head shook with denial. "That's a total lie!" he argued, feeling slightly annoyed at her accusations, "It's her that -,"

"Exactly my point," Andy cut him off, eyebrows furrowing with annoyance.

If Sam had replied, Andy imagined that it would have been a string of curse words. Instead, he switched the radio back to rock, threw on his sunglasses and didn't say a single thing. Though she couldn't help but smirk; after all this time, she still found him sexy when he was angry.

Just five minutes later, Sam was pulling up into the parking spot, and Andy's stomach turned. He put the truck in park and flipped the key in the ignition, oblivious to Andy's current state. But before he could open the door, Andy stopped him.

"Sam, wait," she said, reaching for his arm before he could step down. When he spun back around, their eyes met and after a brief hesitation, his expression softened into something slightly less angry. "I...," Andy began to explain, but paused, nervously brushing her hair behind her ear.

After a deep sigh, he peeled her fingers from the strong grip on his t-shirt and clasped his fingers in hers.

"It's going to be fine. I promise," he told her quietly, lifting their connected hands and pressing a kiss to the back of her palm. "It'll be over before you know it."

Andy closed her eyes and nodded, immediately feeling the soothing relief of his voice. "I know," she whispered, gently squeezing his hand before releasing it and reaching for the door handle. "Here goes nothing," she said, mostly to herself as she hopped down from the truck and pushed the door shut.

Sam threw his arm around her shoulders as they walked towards the door and pressed a warm kiss to her neck when she leaned into him. "Here goes nothing," he murmured, before letting her go and opening the door in front of them.

Maybe first days aren't all that bad, Andy thought.