There When It Matters

Sam Swarek played the voice message over again until he memorized it. He couldn't believe he'd just left like that. Left her. If it wasn't for Boyd, bringing over his phone and his address book so he could tie up loose ends, he would have never heard the message in the first place...at least, not until he got back. He played the message again, letting the beautiful sound of his partner's voice fill his ears.

Hey, uh...

Look, I just wanted to say that...I know that I've got a plan, you know? And...it's a great one...but screw it. Okay, screw the plan, because I don't wanna save the good candy for later anymore, you know? I wanna drink the champagne now, and...okay, you've got three weeks, right, so...let's make them count. Starting tonight. I'm coming over.

Sam sighed. He wished there was some way he could call her, explain. He missed her so much. There were so many things he wished he'd said last night. He'd had so many good memories of her, and he'd had his opportunity to kiss her. He'd even seen that she'd wanted to, and he hesitated. And now that opportunity was gone. He didn't expect her to wait for him. Who knew how long he'd be undercover for? He just wished she was here with him.

Suddenly, his phone went off. He looked at the screen. It was her. It was Andy. He fought every temptation to pick it up, to answer it, knowing full well that if he did, the possibility of blowing his cover stood. He stared at the screen, at war with himself, watching it go to voicemail. His phone beeped, letting him know that a message had been left.

Andy McNally stood outside the Black Penny, staring at her phone.

I'm going to call, she thought. She hit #3 on her speed dial, and after several rings, she heard the familiar sound of Sam's voice.

"Where are you? God, Sam, you could have at least said goodbye. I mean, after all we've been through, I thought I at least deserved that...but I get it. Look...stay safe, please. Come back to me soon."

She glanced at her phone. No messages.

Jerry came out then.

"Oh, hey Andy...", Jerry began. One look at her face, and he changed what he had been about to say.

"Hey, what's up, McNally?", he asked.

Andy was openly crying now, not caring that Jerry stood there, watching.

"He's gone. He's just...gone.", she said. Then she broke down, and Jerry reached out to hug her. Traci stood just behind, watching her friend cry on his shoulder. She walked up behind her and placed her hand on Andy's shoulder. Jerry and Traci shared a look. It was one of sympathy. Traci gave her friend a hug, and gave her an "are you okay" look. Andy nodded, so Traci and Jerry gave her one last look, and then they were on their way.

Just then, Oliver came out. One look at Andy's face, and he knew that she needed him.

"Andy?", he asked. She broke down completely again, and he embraced her.

"Look, sweetie. I know Sam better than anyone. I know that he loves you. He'll be back."

"He didn't even say good-bye. Who does that?", she bawled. Oliver just embraced her tighter, shushing her and placing a hand on her hair.

"We'll get through it. We'll cope. We'll do it together, okay?", he said. She nodded through her tears. Then he put an arm around her.

"So...got any plans for the rest of the evening?"

"Well, I was going to go to Traci's alone...but...I could be persuaded elsewhere."

"Well, I happen to know a good place for all-night ice cream. You down?", Oliver asked.

"Ooh, ice cream. Sounds good." They walked together to Oliver's car, and he quickly shot off a text to Zoë letting him know what was up, and then he got in.

"Okay. Be warned. They have the best ice cream in the whole world!", he cautioned.