Sam's POV

When Sam had originally come up with this silly fake laugh, he thought it'd been a good idea and acting job on his part. After a long night though, he was even starting to annoy himself with it. The drug dealers didn't seem to impressed either and he knew he was treading on thin ice. His gut hurt with worry for McNally and he hoped she'd keep her wits about her and not do anything stupid. She was a great cop and he knew he'd never forgive himself if anything happened to her. 'And not just because you're in love with her.' Sam's inner voice kicked in and he shook those thoughts away. Burying those feelings so far hadn't worked so far but for now it was all he had available. Maybe he just wasn't burying them deep enough.

Sam did his best to shift his focus on the situation at hand so that he didn't get himself killed too. The drug dealers led him into the abandoned warehouse and Sam felt the hairs on his arm start to stand. His gut knew this was not a good situation. The door opened and he knew immediately that his cover was blown wide open. Landry was in the corner and his eyes narrowed in on him before Sam could even blink.

Sam was able to anticipate the gun being drawn just in time as he made a dive behind some old barrels before the others could grab a hold of him. Shots rang out in the building so loud Sam could barely hear the Police yell out as they stormed in, guns blazing and immediately felt relieved for the backup. Andy must have found out Landry was here for them to have come so quickly. She was even better then Sam had thought and he'd had more faith in her then anyone. The police took over the scene quickly and Sam stood up dusting off his clothes. Oliver came over with a smile, clearly glad to see that Sam had dove for cover in the crossfire.

"Glad your okay Buddy" Oliver said reaching out to pat his back.

"You and me both" Sam replied breathing in a sigh of relief.

"Your rookie really came through for you today. She got wind of Landry and knew we had to come in and rescue you." Oliver told him.

"I knew she could do it." Sam replied shrugging his shoulders but he couldn't help but be proud. She had come a long way that girl.

"We'll take care of this. You go clean up and we'll see you tomorrow." Oliver said nodding to the exit.

Sam nodded and made his way out and into the cool night. He noticed the way the air hit his skin and he realize how much you appreciate the little things in life the nights you get shot at. Leaning on his truck he took in the scene and watched his fellow coppers busy at work. The biggest bust in 15's history – what a night, he thought to himself. Then he saw her and actually felt his heart jump. She was looking for him and then he realized that she didn't know he was alive yet.

"McNally!" He called out.

She turned and smiled. He realized as they stood there that he probably owed his life to her. Not that it mattered now. She practically owned him and she didn't even know it. Sam had always been a tough guy, knew how to take care of things. Didn't need anyone and always made his own path. And yet one word from her and Sam was putty in her hands. He hated himself for it because he knew there was nothing he could do about but sit back and watch her live out her happy life with Luke. And could he blame her? Luke was as good as guy as they came. If anyone deserved that happiness it was Andy .

He finished talking to her and started to walk away, turning his head only slightly in time to watch her rush into Luke's arm. He turned away quickly, stuffing his hands in his pockets and kept walking. He'd survived that night thanks to her and that was what mattered. Heck, he'd even gotten to kiss her even though they were acting. Well... she had been acting. No one had to know that for him those kisses were more real than most things in his life. Suddenly the events of the night the power went out came swirling back into his mind and he tried once more to bury those memories as well. He'd thought of that night a million times since it happened and he knew dwelling on those memories was just torturing himself. Getting the girl too would have been too much luck in one day and the universe just did not work like that. Sam knew that better than anyone.

Andy's POV

Andy stood there shaking, her eyes scanning the scene, desperately searching for a trace of him. She saw a body bag out of the corner of her eye and took a deep breath before forcing herself to look over at it as they uncovered the face. She almost died with relief to see that it wasn't Sam.

"McNally!" A deep and familiar voice called from behind her.

"Your okay." Andy replied whipping around to see him leaning casually on the side of his truck.

"Yah... Thanks to you. You were great in there" He smiled. Andy smiled back still shaking from what had just happened. She was relieved to see him.

"Thanks." Andy said.

"See you don't have to fake it anymore..." Sam told her. Andy shrugged her shoulders and smiled a bit bigger.

"Well... ah you should get in there and get his statement..."Sam said a bit awkwardly as he spied Luke out of the corner of his eye. "See you tomorrow Copper?" He added with a raise of his eyebrows.

"See you tomorrow..."Andy added softly turning to watch him walk away as Luke headed over.

"Hey he's okay... You had his back" Luke reminded her.

"Yeah..." Andy nodded slowly. "Thank you for having mine."

She hugged him tightly asking with a smile when they would get their keys and hoped she was making the right choice. He seemed happy by it and held her close. She thought she felt happy about it too. So much had happened that night and she knew Luke loved her. He'd backed her up and she was grateful for that. Let her know that despite their troubles he was a good partner to have, on the force and in life. But somehow Sam's words... "You don't have to fake it anymore." Still rang in her head. She shook them aside.

Was she still faking it? Andy wondered as she headed over to talk to Traci and Dov. It was true she cared for Luke, but she cared for Sam too. She didn't know what she would have done if he had died tonight. They had become close as partners and the night they almost slept together had been one of the best mistakes of her life. She knew she had never felt such panic and pain in her heart, the way she had running from that building not knowing if he would be okay. Not even the night she had shot her first person compared to the way she felt to think Sam might be dead. That was a terror that ran so deep she still felt in shock over all of it.

"You okay?" Traci asked as they started to pack up.

"Yeah, I'll be fine." Andy smiled weakly. "Just need to get some sleep." She added.

"Okay... but if you need to talk. I'm here. I mean your partner almost died in there. That's enough to shake anyone up." Traci reminded her.

Andy nodded hoping Traci would drop it. Traci knew her and Sam's history and Andy knew the undertones of Traci's question. She knew that Andy cared for Sam in ways more than a regular partner should and definitely, more then she should before moving in with her new boyfriend. Why was life so complicated?

She waved goodbye and headed toward Luke who was busy talking with the other detectives.

"Hey. You ready to go?" Andy asked softly touching his shoulder.

Luke put an arm around her shoulders.

"Almost. Wait for me in the car? I'll be there soon." Luke promised handing her the keys. Andy nodded but couldn't help wonder why soon meant. She felt immediately guilty for thinking it. Luke had had her back tonight. They were moving in together and they were happy for the most part. Just because he wasn't always around didn't mean he didn't have her back right?

Andy didn't know how long she sat in the car thinking and reflecting back on the night. It could have been hours or it could have been five minutes, by the time Luke opened the opposite car door. They drove back to his apartment in silence. All she knew that on the day she had finally made up her mind and chosen Luke once and for all, it should have made her feel warm and fuzzy inside. Instead, all she felt was tiredness and guilt.

'You've had a rough night. Your partner almost died and you were scared. You'll be happy for you and Luke tomorrow. Luke loves you so you should love him too. He's a great guy.' Andy's inner voice reminded her.

She looked over at Luke who smiled back, reaching over to squeeze her thigh and knew she was lucky to have him. So what was her problem?

They pulled into the driveway and both of them climbed into bed feeling exhausted. Luke feel asleep immediately but of course Andy laid there with her eyes wide open.

"You don't have it fake it anymore..." Sam had said.

'Why does it feel like I still am? ' Andy asked herself as she felt a tear slid down her cheek and onto her pillow.