Hey everybody! As you may have noticed, I've become totally addicted to writing fics. This is the second one in like, two days? Madness.
This one isn't a romance at all, because that would be weird with Andy and Dov. It revolves around friendship, and how certain people can keep you afloat when no one else can.

Once again, the beginning of this fic took its first breath in the last chapter of Uncertainty, my previous fic. It's not a must-read-to-understand type dealie, but if you've got time,
then you know, why not. Right? (:

Of course, reviews and constructive criticism are appreciated times fifty. You guys have been so great in my past fics, I'm hoping you'll keep it up, it makes me feel so great!

Disclaimer: I don't own Rookie Blue, or its darling characters.

A Different Kind of Family

Dov Epstein lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Two weeks after Chris had moved out, and he still wasn't used to the empty house. 'Maybe I do need a dog.' He rolled onto his side, his hair falling into his eyes. His breathing synched up with the throbbing bass that was shaking his neighbour's house. Another failed attempt at sleep.

He rolled out of bed and grabbed a small blanket before trudging down the hallway in his boxers. He made himself comfortable on the couch, lying on his stomach, the blanket only covering his legs. The city sounds swirled around him and he smiled, the cars were his favourite lullaby. He was nearly asleep when a sharp knock sounded from the door. Startled, he fell off the couch. Cursing, he pulled himself off of the floor. There was another knock, and after that a third. He made his way over to the door. When he opened it, he was surprised to see a tearful Andy McNally.

"Dov." She cried, throwing her arms around his neck. He braced himself as her knees buckled and she wholly stopped standing on her own. His arms found their way around her back, and he found himself at a loss for words. They stood in the doorway, Andy's sobs not letting up for a good fifteen minutes. Goose bumps spread over Dov's body and she realized he wasn't wearing a shirt.

"You're cold." She whispered between breaths.

"Come on." Dov took the pillow near Andy's feet and walked her into the house, his hand on the small of her back.

She walked into the living room and dropped herself into the large armchair, bringing her knees up to her chest and sinking backwards. Dov walked over to her, still completely in the dark as to what was happening.

He lifted her head and placed her pillow beneath it, then ran his hand over her knee.

"What's wrong, Andy?" His voice was soft. Sobs racked her body for a few more seconds before she started to retain her breath.

"Sam left tonight, for the op, and then I had a bad dream, and I didn't know where else to go." Her breath still evaded her.

"Wait, Sam left where?" Dov raised his eyebrows.

"The human trafficking op. They called him under early, and now they're saying it could take months." The tears started to flow again. "I can't sleep in our bed without him next to me, knowing that he could be lying dead in an alley somewhere." She buried her face in her hands.

"Shh, it's okay." He pulled her into his arms. "Sam's a great guy, but an even better cop. He's gonna be fine."

"But what do I do while he's gone? I haven't slept alone since that day with Sarah. I don't think I can do it, Dov, I can't." Her voice was raw.

"You need to get some sleep, Andy." Dov said, standing up. Just by looking at him, you wouldn't think he was very strong. But two hundred push-ups everyday had made him deceptively fit, and this was demonstrated nicely as he leaned down and lifted Andy into his arms. He carried the woman down the hallway into his bedroom, and set her down in the bed. He pulled the blankets up over her body and knelt next to her, brushing her hair out of her face.

"If you need anything, I'm right down the hallway, okay?" He kissed her forehead and got up to leave.

"Wait, where are you going to sleep?" She lifted her head from the pillow. He paused in the doorway.

"I can just crash on the couch." He assured her.

"What? No. You have to sleep in here, I'll take the couch." She started to get up.

"No, Andy, you sleep in here." He blocked her exit.

"But I can't just kick you out of your bed." Andy turned and started arranging the pillows. "Here, you sleep in here too. I promise I'll stay on my side of the bed, I swear. Unless this is your side, then I can move over." She tried to straighten out the comforter but he stopped her, laughing.

"Andy, its fine. Everything's fine." He walked around to the other side of the bed and climbed in. After a few minutes of silence, Dov was reminded of why he moved to the living room in the first place. He exhaled sharply and lifted himself out of bed.

"Wha –?" Andy began, but stopped when Dov calmly but quickly walked out of the room and down the hall. Andy heard the front door open.

Dov walked around the corner and up to his neighbour's front door. With purpose, he slammed his fist against the light wood.

"Dale! Open the door!" He called in. With no answer, he resorted to drastic measures.

"Police! Open up!" He hammered the door again. A few seconds later, and obviously wasted Dale appeared in the doorway.

"Hey, man. You want a beer?" Dale's speech was past slurred.

"Dale, you gotta shut off your music." Dov wasn't messing around.

"You see, Dov, I would, but if I shut it off, no one will know if my speakers are working?" Dale stumbled backwards a little. "You aren't wearing a shirt." He leaned over and threw up in the umbrella holder next to the door.

"Dale. Music. Off. Now." Dov ordered.

"Sorry man, I can't do that." Behind Dale, a scantily clad blonde woman appeared. Dov knew a hooker when he saw one.

"Dale, either the music goes off right now, or you and the hooker are going down to the station." He was yelling now.

"You don't understand, man!" Dale yelled back.

"No, Dale, you don't understand. My friend is having a really bad week and she needs to get some sleep. And she can't sleep with your pathetic party boy music blasting through the walls!" Dov spoke condescendingly, and Dale's eyes widened.

"Is that that babe who came to your door? Whoa, man. Are you hittin' that?" Dale lowered his voice.

"No, Dale. I'm not. Now shut off the music." Dov didn't back down.

Inside, Andy lay awake, straining to hear what they were saying. She heard voices elevate and clambered out of bed and down the hall. She turned towards the door just in time to see Dale take a swing at Dov, who expertly ducked before decking him in the jaw.

"MUSIC, OFF, NOW." He yelled. Dale drew his arm back, preparing to take another shot when Andy darted across the yard and up the stairs.

"What is going on?" She yelled. Dale's arm fell to his side.

"You're so hot." His eyes were wide. Dov pushed his shoulder a little. "Why aren't you hittin' that, man?" He turned to Dov. Andy could see his jaw tense up and she stepped forward, grabbing his forearm.

"I've got this." She whispered in his ear, discretely. Dov took a step back, and Andy took center stage.

"Hey, Dale. I'm Andy." She smiled and held out her hand for him to shake. Instead, he kissed it.

"It's a pleasure, sexy." Dale responded. Andy could feel Dov moving forward behind her, she signed for him to stop.

"I was wondering if you could turn down the music, Dale." She asked him sweetly.

"Sure, anytime. Maybe you two wanna come hangout with me and Ginger, here?" The blonde woman came to stand next to him. Andy stifled a laugh, and graciously declined.

"Maybe next time? I'll see you later, Dale." She smiled before turning and grabbing Dov's hand, leading him away. They got back to the bedroom and Dov turned to her.

"How did you do that? He doesn't even know you, but he just listened to you!" Dov cocked his head. Andy smile outshined the tears still fresh on her cheeks.

"It's cause of my boobs. Guys always give in, because they don't really know what they're agreeing to. They just stare and nod." She explained. Dov shrugged.

"That does make sense, actually." He replied.

"I used to hate it, but then I realized I could use them to my advantage. And like, let's face it. They are pretty great." Andy laughed before climbing back into bed. Dov joined her, and the two made themselves comfortable. Andy sighed; it was now almost 4 AM.

"Let's call in sick tomorrow." She whispered.

"Sounds great." He laughed.

"Thanks for letting me stay here tonight, Dov." Andy's voice was faint.

"You are always welcome here Andy, you know that." He replied honestly.

"You've bailed me out so many times; I'll never be able to thank you enough." Her eyes were closed now.

"Andy, you practically kept me sane in the Academy. We're pretty even." Dov laughed sleepily.

"Whatever you say. Love you, brother." Andy yawned and buried her face in her pillow.

"Love you too, sis." He replied.

Less than five minutes later, Dov was nearly asleep when a noise startled him awake.

"Damnit, Andy." He whispered to himself. "I thought you stopped snoring."