Have You Ever Tried Sleeping With a Broken Heart

A/N: Hey all! First, many many apologies for the confusion on the other fic. I hope it makes sense now. I promise I am still working on the next few chapters. It's actually a lot harder than you would think to write about people on vacation when you have never been to their destination. I have looked up a LOT of info on Niagara. Probably more than I ever needed to know. Anyway, expect that to be coming shortly. (I promise, Kate!)

So this fic may be a one-shot or at most two chapters? (You all know me, that could change) I am probably one of the last people on Earth still rocking an iPod touch for music in the car and it's been awhile since I updated the playlist. On my way home today, Alicia Key's "Have You Ever Tried Sleeping With a Broken Heart" popped up and it inspired me to write this. Set at the end of 2.07 and if I do it right, should flow nicely into The One Where Andy and Sam Go On Vacation. Consider it a prequel if you will.

Disclaimer: Nope. I'm willing to have a meeting though. Also, don't own the song, just the thoughts it inspired.

"Luke cheated. With Jo."

"I know."

"I'm tired." Andy told Traci as they drove towards her apartment, tears streaming down her face. She had tried so hard to keep herself together, to be the strong person she so desperately wanted to be, but when she got in the car with Traci, she couldn't help it. She knew Traci would never judge her, never think less of her or hold this night against her.

Traci reached over and put a reassuring hand on top of Andy's. She didn't say anything, knowing there wasn't really anything she could say in the moment to calm her friend. Instead, she let the comfortable silence fill the air, mixing with the soft, heartbreaking cries of her best friend. As she drove, Traci thought of what to say, what to do, that could help her friend.

Deciding maybe the silence wasn't helping, Traci switched on the radio, turning the volume to a low, but stil audible level. A few minutes later, a slow song that Traci recognized began to fill the space. She was going to switch stations, not knowing if Andy would really want to hear a break-up ballad, when Andy beat her to the control, only to Traci's surprise, she turned the volume up.

Even if you were a million miles away

I can still feel you in my bed

Near me, touch me, feel me

Traci glanced at Andy as she slowed for a red light. There was something different about the look on Andy's face. Traci imagined Andy would be thinking of Luke, but looking at her friend, she found herself second guessing that idea. Traci knew what happened with Nixon earlier in the day and began to wonder if the tears Andy was crying were just for her failed relationship with Luke, or if they had something to do with Sam not being the one to be there when it mattered today.

So tonight, I'm going to find a way to make it without you.

Have you ever tried sleeping with a broken heart?

Well you could try sleeping in my bed

Lonely, own me, nobody ever shut it down like you

When the second verse started, Andy shocked Traci by singing along softly with the words and it was then that Traci's suspicions were confirmed. And Traci knew what she needed to do, how to really help her best friend.

They pulled up to Traci's and exited the car. Traci led Andy to her door, hand firmly in hers as Andy looked a bit unsteady on her feet. As they reached the door and Traci unlocked it, Andy shifted and for the first time, Traci could make out the bruises on her best friend's delicate neck. Swallowing her own tears, Traci led Andy inside, instructing her to sit on the sofa and relax.

Andy didn't even try to argue, wedging herself into the corner of the sofa, pulling her knees to her chest she took a few deep breaths, trying to calm herself down. As she closed her eyes and went to blow out the air she sucked in, her mind immediately betrayed her with images of Ray Nixon just before he tried to strangle her. It was all too much, and suddenly Andy felt trapped.

When Traci came back into the living room a minute later, bottle of wine tucked under one arm, water bottle in her hand and a blanket and pillow in the other, she stopped at the sight in front of her. Andy was frantically stripping her hoodie and shirt off, as if it was burning her skin. Traci quickly set down the items in her hands and rushed to Andy's side.

"Andy, Andy it's okay. You are here and safe. It's okay Andy. Calm down." Traci used her best soothing mom voice as she gently grabbed Andy's wrists, trying to bring her friend out of her panic attack.

Andy's eyes were wide and wild, darting around the room without really focusing on anything. She felt a presence and somewhere in the back of her mind she registered the voice of her best friend trying to talk her out of the panic that had taken over.

After a few moments Andy finally started to calm down. Traci continued to soothe her, telling her over and over again in a calm, soft voice that she was okay and she was safe. Finally, Andy's breathing evened out and she glanced at Traci.

"I—I'm sorry, Trace, I don't know what happened. One minute I was sitting on your couch trying to calm down and I closed my eyes for a second and the next thing—" Andy's voice started to break and she stopped.

"I get it, sweetie, I really do. A lot happened to you in the last few days. Your mind is trying to process everything and it's difficult. It's a lot to take in. I brought you some things. I think maybe we will save the wine for another night, but you need to drink the water. It will help your throat. I have a pillow and blanket as well." Traci went to get the items she put down in her attempt to calm Andy. She handed over the water and busied herself making up Andy's bed.

When everything was ready, Andy sat back down, once again pulling her knees to her chest. Traci turned on the TV and channel surfed until she found Friends. She and Andy had been fans of the show since the later seasons were still on the air and she hoped that something familiar might help Andy. She glanced over to find Andy had already shifted into more of a sleeping position, her head gently resting on the pillow, fast asleep.

Traci smiled at the sight, hoping the almost peaceful look on Andy's face would remain. She stood up, covered her friend and made her way down the hall to check in on Leo before going to her own room. It was late, and she was beyond tired, but she wanted to talk to someone first.

"Hello? Traci? You okay, it's getting late." Jerry's familiar voice filled her ears. Traci couldn't help but smile and the tinge of concern in his tone. A few weeks ago she had called him late because Leo spiked a fever and she was debating taking him to the ER.

"Hi Jerry, I'm okay, I just got home a little bit ago… Andy's here." She trailed off.

"How is she doing? It's been a tough day for her, on all levels."

"Not good. I mean I knew she wouldn't be good, I just wasn't expecting her to be as not good as she is, although, honestly? I don't think it's as much about Luke as I expected it to be."

"What do you mean?" Jerry asked. He had been sitting at the Penny with Sam and Oliver, nursing a drink in case his best friend ended up not being able to drive. Surpisingly, Sam was also nursing a scotch, and Jerry couldn't help but wonder if he wanted to be sure he could drive. At the moment, Sam had gone to the bathroom. Jerry motioned towards the phone and Oliver nodded. Getting up, Jerry stepped outside to continue the conversation. He knew if Sam came back and figured out who Jerry was talking to, he would be at Traci's in a flash and Jerry wasn't sure that was the best move.

"Well, on our way home that Alicia Key's song came on, you know the one about sleeping with a broken heart? Anyway, I thought she wouldn't want to hear it, but she turned up the volume and even sang along softly with the second verse."

"So, Trace, I don't get what that has to do with anything other than Luke." Jerry told her.

"Jerry, do you know the lyrics? Think about it."

Jerry thought for a moment and decided to just pull them up on his phone. As he quickly scanned them, he caught on. "It's Swarek. Her hurt, her emotions, while I'm sure they have a lot to do with Luke, they also have a lot to do with Sam."

"Yes, that is exactly what I'm thinking. We got back here and I went to grab drinks and blankets for her and when I came back to the living room I found her in a full scale panic attack. It took me a few minutes but when she calmed down, she told me she had only closed her eyes for a second and she could see Nixon. She's sleeping now, but I know it won't last long and I honestly don't know what to do, Jerry. I've never seen her like this." Traci's own voice broke as she finished. Her heart was shattered for her friend, and Traci couldn't help feeling somewhat responsible.

"I told her to put Sam on ice. That Luke was stable and safe and wouldn't hurt her like Sam could. I knew she had feelings for Sam, but I wanted to protect her since T.O.'s and Rookie's are not supposed to be together. Maybe I should have just helped her hide it, this would never have happened."

"Traci, hunny, no. Stop. Andy is a grown woman, and while I know she listens to your advice she is capable of making her own choices. She chose Luke. Granted, I don't think she really wanted to. You would have to be blind not to see that she loves Sam, hell I think even a blind person would see it. But she for whatever reason, chose to try to push past it. I'm not trying to blame anyone here, just I don't want you to feel bad. Luke and Jo should feel bad. Hell, even Sam should feel bad for what happened earlier today, but not you."

"What do you mean should, Jerry? Please tell me Luke and Jo are not at the Penny right now. Together."

"They are. Came in a little while ago. They are celebrating closing Zoe's case and by the looks of things, that celebration probably won't end when the bar closes. I know Andy's not here to see it, but I thought maybe Callaghan would have some shred of deceny not to basically flaunt what happened in public like this, especially after what happened to his ex just a few hours ago." Jerry was disgusted at his colleague. After Andy left with Traci it was like the man turned a switch off in his mind and became a completely different person. He was no longer the apologetic, groveling ex.

"Listen, Sam's here. He went to the bathroom, but when he comes back… we'll talk. Let me know if anything changes or if she panics again."

"Okay, and Jerry? Thanks. Sorry I interrupted your drink."

"Are you kidding, Trace? Nothing to be sorry about. You never interrupt me. I love you, baby. Okay, he's back I gotta go."

"Love you too, Jerry." Traci hung up, smiling to herself. Hopefully Jerry could talk some sense into Sam. She knew that in reality, it would take some time for her friend to move on enough to let her heart be open to loving someone, but she knew Andy and knew deep down, Andy loved Sam. Loved him like she loved no other, not even Luke. Remembering their upcoming vacation in a few weeks, Traci smiled as she settled into her pillows. Maybe by the time they leave, enough time will have passed and something can happen. In that moment though, she just hoped to get some sleep before what she was certain would be a long night of being there for her friend.

Jerry hung up just as Sam reclaimed his seat. Oliver, who had taken residence in the seat on the other side of Sam, raised an eyebrow at Jerry. He had overheard the conversation and was ready to back Jerry up. He knew the guy would need it.

"So, Sammy how are you, really?" Jerry asked, sipping his drink as he watched Sam motion for refills and a round of shots. Sam only ever ordered shots when they were celebrating or when the day was a bad one and he wanted something to numb the thoughts in his head.

Sam sighed. He knew the conversation was forthcoming when he saw the look on his friends' faces after using the bathroom. He also knew he wasn't going to get out of this, hence the shots.

"I let her down today. I was jealous and I let my emotions get the better of me and she could have been… she was almost… I should have been the one." Sam couldn't get the words out, couldn't bring his mind to think about how close he really came to losing everything because he let his own ego get in the way.

"Listen, Sam, you can't beat yourself up over this." Oliver told him after the trio downed their shots. "You messed up. It happens to the best of us, but how could you have known that she would find the evidence she did? We've been trying to close this case for years. I don't think any of us could have guessed what was going to happen today, least of all her. Yes, you let your feelings get the better of you, but you have a chance to fix things. For the love of God man, get your head out of your ass and do something about this."

"He's right, brother. I just got off the phone with Traci and McNally, well she's not doing so well. She had a panic attack when she got to Traci's and she's sleeping right now but Traci thinks it's only going to be a matter of time before she wakes up."

Sam looked up when Jerry said panic attack. The thought of Andy trying to hold it together but not being able to made him feel even worse.

"What do you want me to do?" Sam finally asked, running his fingers through his hair.

"Get over there and show her that you ARE there when it matters." Oliver told him.

"Sammy, we've been friends for a long time. You have never been this way. About anyone. You don't let women in. It's been who you are for so long, but this girl? You let her in. I know you know she's different. I'm not saying you go over there, profess your undying love and devotion to her, but I'm saying you go over there and show her that you're not going anywhere. Show her that when the chips are down you are not going to run, you're not going to chase the bottom of a bottle, and you're not going to put work before her. That's what she needs." Jerry knew if there was anyone on Earth that would calm Andy, Sam was that person.

Sam let the words sink in for a moment, before grabbing his jacket off the back of the chair. He stood, threw some bills down to cover the drinks and nodded at his best friends.

"Sam, tell her we're all thinking about her. We're all here. She's not alone." Oliver called. Sam nodded. He honestly didn't know what he was going to say or do when he showed up at Nash's, but he knew he needed to do something, he needed to right one of the wrongs in this very bad day.

"Sammy, one more thing." Jerry called. Sam turned.

"Traci said the bruises on Andy's neck are starting to show. It's… they're bad, man. Traci said Andy jumped almost off the couch when she went to touch her, so you're going to have to take it slow. You know the drill. But don't make her feel like the victim, you know it won't get you anywhere. I know you know this, but I know when you see her you're going to act on instinct…" Jerry trailed off. He knew Sam was in for a rough night and he didn't want Andy's physical response to deter him.

"Thanks, I will handle it." Sam told him, knowing full well that he would need to treat her with kid gloves, but without making her feel it. With one last glance at his friends, Sam headed off to show the woman he loved that he was still there.

But seriously, did you all really think I was going to keep this a one-shot?