Chapter 1

Andy stood there looking in the mirror in the bathroom of the house she and Luke owned. All she could see was the black and blue mark on her right cheek bone and the bottom of her eye. She never thought her life would go this way, especially with Luke. He was supposed to be the safe choice the right choice. He was supposed to never hurt her. He was a good cop and he loved his job. He was always working late for cases and took on extra cases even though he didn't need any. He was supposed to be the right choice and now she was starting to wonder if he really was. She swore to herself three weeks ago that she wouldn't be that girl and she was not going to let this happen. She wasn't going to be the stupid rookie who hooked up with a detective and got her heart broken. She wasn't going to be the joke of the precinct. As far as they were all concerned her and Luke's relationship was perfect. The sad part was up until three weeks ago it was.

Flashback

Andy was on her way back home to speak with Luke. She couldn't believe that he had cheated on her with Jo. He had told her that he went out to his cabin for the night to get some fresh air and heal. He had just gotten out of the hospital not too long ago and Andy could see he was getting a little antsy. When he had said he was going to the cabin she didn't even think twice. She just told him to go and have some fun and relax. She told him that she could tell he needed some time away after everything. She was understanding and encouraging towards him. Now she finds out that he not only didn't go to the cabin, but instead went to the hotel for a sting operation. Not that that wasn't bad enough he also slept with Jo while she was worried for him. Andy was furious that he had cheated on her. They were supposed to be getting married and here he was sleeping around with his partner who was also his ex. She was so mad she was shaking. She couldn't believe this was happening he wasn't supposed to be like this. He was a good man and a great detective. This couldn't be happening to her right now. She pulled up in front of the house she shared with Luke and got out. She couldn't believe she was actually going to have to have this conversation. He was the one man she thought she wouldn't have to worry about something like this. She didn't even go back to the station she just took one of the unmarked cars they had used to transport the witness to drive home.

She walked into the house and went looking for Luke. She saw him in the living room cleaning.

"Hey you're back earlier than I expected. How did it go?"

"Is it true?" Andy's tone was serious and anger was clear all throughout it.

"Is what true?"

"Jo did you sleep with her?"

"What? Who told you that?"

"Friday you said you went to the cabin. Yet she has a pack of matches from Friday that she got from the same hotel you forgot your credit card at. So don't you even try to deny it, because she already told me after I figured it out."

"Andy it's not like that. She called me to help out with a surveillance operation at the hotel. I told her I wasn't cleared for duty yet, but she said I was allowed to sit in a room. So I went and I told you I was going to the cabin, because I knew you would worry. Listen to me it was a mistake and I regret it ever happened. I didn't tell you, because I knew this is how you would react."

"Oh so it's my fault you went and lied to me."

"I'm not saying that, but let's be honest here I'm not the only one that has done this. You were with Swarek while we were dating and I forgave you for it."

"I didn't sleep with him."

"You still cheated on me with him."

"We weren't even serious. You slept with Jo while we were engaged. It's completely different."

"Were engaged?"

"You don't seriously think I'm still marrying you. You slept with Jo, your partner, a person were both work with and now I look like the idiot. How is this going to look at work when everyone finds out?"

"No one has to know. I can make Jo transfer to a different station. We can work this out. We love each other. I made a horrible mistake and I can make this right again."

"We can't. I can't trust you."

Luke went and moved closer to Andy as he spoke.

"Yes you can. I'm still the same person as I've always been. I made a huge stupid mistake, but it's one that I can make better. I'll have Jo leave and then things can go back to how it used to be. Just tell me what you want from me and I'll do it."

"I don't… I don't know right now. I'm upset and I'm hurt. You slept with her and then you come back home to sleep with me. How do you think that makes me feel?"

"The same way it made me feel after you cheated on me with Swarek. You're not an innocent victim here you did the exact same thing on me. I'm willing to work on this and try to fix the problem. Which is more than I can say for you."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"You cheated on me with Swarek and yet you still ride around with him every day practically."

"He's my partner."

"He doesn't have to be. You could have been assigned a new one. You didn't have to keep being his partner. You cheated on me with him and now you spend all this time with him in that car doing God knows what."

"We're working that's what we are doing."

"Well at least I'm trying to fix the wrongs I have made. I said I would get Jo transferred and she's my partner. Unlike you I want to make this work."

"I never said I didn't, but you slept with her. How am I supposed to just act like that never happened?"

"You could at least try. We can get past this, but only if you're willing."

"I'm not saying I don't love you. I do, I just can't believe this is happening. She didn't even regret what she did. She told me and had this smug look on her face. I have to work with her and she knows that she got me."

"I told you I'll have her transferred. If I tell her to she'll do it. We can put this all behind us. I only want you. I love you Andy not her."

Andy closed her eyes she needed a minute to try and get her mind together. She wanted to believe Luke she really did. The problem was she didn't know what to do. She was tired and confused and all she wanted to do was just lie down and sleep. She swore to herself that she would never be with a cheater and yet here she was actually thinking about giving Luke a second chance. He wasn't like everyone else though, he was sweet and gentle and caring. He made a mistake should she hold that against him forever? She could run from this just like she always does when things get rough or she could stay and work through it.

"I'm tired I just want to go to bed right now. Tomorrow is your first day back so tell Jo to get a transfer. We can try and work this out. For right now though I just want to sleep."

"Okay let's get some sleep."

Andy just gave a nod and headed down to the bedroom to get changed. Luke followed behind her with a small smile on his face.

End of Flashback

It had been three weeks since that night and Jo was still there. Luke said he had told her to put in for a transfer, but she was still there. Andy didn't know if he did actually tell her or if she just refused to do it. They still worked long hours together and Luke was still just as friendly as he had been. Her friends and Sam could tell that something was bothering her, but she just told them she was fine, that everything was great. Sam didn't believe her for a second. He could always tell when she was lying. He was her partner after all and had been for the last eight months; he knew her better than anyone even Luke. He knew something was wrong with her the moment she came in. He was always attentive to her. He just knew what mood she was in and what she needed. Part of her wished she had that type of connection with Luke. Sam was just her partners though, so she assumed that was what it was like with all partners.

The last three weeks had been a little rocky with her and Luke. They argued about Jo still being there and how they acted together. Luke just told her that she was just being jealous and paranoid. Tonight things had been taken to a different level. They had been fighting about Jo and Sam. He wanted her to get a new partner and stay away from Sam. Andy had argued back that he was still with Jo and he said that she was waiting for a transfer to be cleared. The argument had gotten so intense she was now supporting a bruise on her face. He had gotten in her face, screaming at her about Sam and her "relationship". She had put her hand on his chest and gently pushed him back out of her face. That was when he had punched her on the right side of her face. At first she was stunned at what had just happened. Not only had Luke cheated on her he just punched her. The look on Luke's face could tell that he was shocked at what he had done. He immediately had started to apologise for what he had done. He once again had convinced Andy to not leave him and they had gone to bed. Now it was the morning and she had to go to work with this new bruise on her face. She didn't know what she was going to do. She couldn't use make-up; her cover up wouldn't even cover the darkness of the bruise. She needed to come up with a lie to tell everyone at work about it. She couldn't tell anyone the truth that Luke had hit her. She wasn't going to be that girl, she wasn't going to tell anyone that Luke had not only cheated on her, but had hit her. She wasn't going to be a victim and if she was no one was going to find out about it, especially Sam. The worst part was she had to go into work and speak with Sargent Best about getting a new partner. She didn't even know what she was going to say. He wasn't just going to let her change partners on a whim. Luke had made it clear to her that she needed to get rid of Sam. Andy could understand partially why he didn't want them riding together. She didn't want him with Jo and he didn't want her with Sam for the same reason. She didn't want to change partners, but Luke had made a valid point. She wanted to work on their relationship and try to make things go back to how they used to be.

She left the bathroom and grabbed her things so she could head out to work. She took the time to try and come up with some kind of believable lie she could tell about not only her bruise, but not working with Sam. She got into the station and headed into the locker room to get changed. Of course Traci and Gail were already in there. Once they saw her face the questions started.

"What the hell happened to you?" Gail asked

"Are you alright?" Traci asked

"I'm fine it's nothing. Luke and I had a few drinks last night and by a few I mean I got hammered. I didn't realise he was in the kitchen with me and I had turned around he had a cupboard open. I walked right into it when I turned around. Has to be one of the lamest things I have ever done."

Andy said with a smile on her face. She was trying to play it off as if nothing had happened.

"You are so never going to hear the end of that." Gail laughed

"Ya I know. I couldn't believe it this morning when I got up. I had no idea I had hit it that hard, but I guess that's what happens when you're drunk." Andy laughed

"Sam is going to tease you about that you know." Traci said

"That's okay I'll just remind him how he got caught by a rookie." Andy joked back.

"Ya he's never going to let that go." Traci said, "I'll see you in parade."

"Yup" Andy said to her two friends leaving the locker room. Andy got dressed quickly she still had to speak to Best about getting a new partner. She still didn't know what she was going to say, but all she could do was hope it was enough. She got dressed and headed over to Sargent Best's office. She knocked and waited until he waved her in.

"You alright McNally?"

"Oh ya I'm fine. Just had one too many shots of tequila last night and walked into a cupboard door."

"You need to be careful. A woman walking around with bruising in a police station we all tend to think the same thing. What can I do for you?"

"I was actually looking to see if I could partner with someone else for a while."

"You and Swarek not getting along?"

"No we are. It's just we've been riding together for eight months roughly now and I thought it would be good to switch it up. Each officer does things differently I thought it would be good to learn from another one as well. You learn different things from each partner."

Best seemed to think about it for a moment. Andy couldn't help, but feel like he was trying to decide if he should believe her or not.

"Okay I can partner you with another officer for a while."

"Great thanks Sarg."

"See you in parade in five minutes."

Andy gave a smile and a nod to that. She headed out of the office and made her way down to the parade room. She was hoping she could get through the day without having to see Sam. Fate though, had other plans. He was down in the bullpen watching her in Best's office. The second she came out and started to head towards the parade room he was right behind her.

"McNally." Sam called out in his stern voice. She turned around and sure enough his face showed everything that he was thinking.

"Yes sir?" Andy said in a soft voice. She knew she had to lie to Sam, but that just wasn't easy for her to do. Sam raised his eye brows for a second at the sound in her voice. Not only that, it had been a while since she called him Sir. They were partners; he was no longer her training officer.

"Where'd the bruise come from?"

"It's nothing. Luke and I had a few drinks last night and I walked into a kitchen cupboard that he had opened. I was busy doing something in the kitchen and I didn't notice he was in there with me. So I turned around and I walked right into it." Andy said trying to sound very blasé about the whole thing.

Lying to other people wasn't easy, but Andy could do it fairly well. She had gotten better over the months of working this job. Lying to Sam though, that was a whole other demon, one that she had yet to nail down. He could just always tell when she was lying to him. It was frustrating, but even worse was the strong desire in her to talk to him about her problems. It was taking everything in her in that moment not to just spill her guts to him. She knew he would just sit there and listen and when she was done he would make her feel better. That was the whole thing behind the blackout night. She had killed a man and Luke was too busy digging up bodies to even drive her home. Sam was there for her when it happened; he was there in the locker room before she went home. He was even there when she needed a distraction. He made her feel safe and wanted. In those few moments everything in the world was all okay and she could feel like she could breathe again. Sure enough Sam didn't look like she believed her at all.

"A cupboard huh"

"Yup"

"That must be a weird shape cupboard to leave a bruise like that."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"You don't know what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the bruise on your cheek there that looks exactly like you've been punched."

"Sam I walked into a cupboard door. I was drunk."

"I've been a cop a lot longer than you McNally. So you can fool your little rookie friends, but you can't fool me. I can't even tell you how many times I've heard that exact sentence from a woman getting pushed around by her old man. I don't believe it from them and I don't believe it now."

"Sam I'm dating Luke not some gang banger or drunk. Its Luke he would never lay a hand on me and you know that. I'm not some battered wife; I just had too much tequila last night that's all."

Sam just gave a slow nod, clearly not buying any of this for a minute.

"What did you talk to Best about?"

Andy was about to come up with another lie when she heard her name being called from behind her.

"Andy."

Andy and Sam both turned their attentions to Luke, who was behind Andy.

"Hey you were gone this morning when I got up."

"Ya Jo called me in for a case. Did you talk to Best yet?"

"I did ya. I was just on my way to parade so I should get going."

"Alright I'll see you tonight."

Luke walked away and didn't notice the look that Sam was giving him. It was no secret that Sam didn't really like Luke. It wasn't that he was a bad cop, he was a great detective. The problem Sam had with him was that each year he would pick a new rookie to sleep with. He always led them on and then dumped them when something better came along. Sure with Andy it was different they were engaged and living together, but still Sam didn't like it. Luke was all about his work and he always put that ahead of Andy's needs. He didn't comfort her when she killed a man; he wasn't there to protect her when she got shot. When she went undercover with him at the mermaid lounge he didn't even talk to Andy to make her feel comfortable and like she could do it. It was the opposite in fact, she felt like he believed this was too much for her to handle, which put doubts in her that Sam had to correct.

Before Sam could say anymore Andy walked away and into the parade room. Sam had no choice, but to follow. The day was about to start and at least he could speak to her in the car. They were partners after all and he was going to get to the bottom of this. Sam sat in the back next to Oliver as Best went over any news he had for today. He was right at the end when he spoke up about partners.

"Alright there's a slight change up in partners. Epstein and Swarek you'll be riding together and Shaw and McNally you'll be riding together. Serve, Protect and get out there."

Sam looked over at Oliver when Best said that they would be switching partners. Oliver just shrugged his shoulders. He didn't know anything about this either. Oliver leaned over at whispered to Sam before getting up.

"I'll keep her safe." He got up and called out to Andy. "Alright McNally it's you and me. Let's get out there."

Sam watched as Andy walked out of the room behind Oliver. She didn't even look at him as she left. Sam now knew that she had asked Best to change partners this morning. Judging by what Luke said this morning, Sam had no doubt that this had to of been his idea. Dov walked over to Sam with an eager ready to please look. It wasn't that Sam didn't like Dov; it was just that he wasn't Andy.

"I'm ready whenever you are sir."

"Head out to the car, I'll be there in a few minutes." Sam said as he got up.

He had to speak to Luke to see what the hell is going on here. He went over to the D's office and saw that Luke and Jo were in the room cuddled up by the computer. Sam was seriously starting to get a bad feeling about this whole situation. There was no reason for Luke to be letting Jo get so close and comfortable around him. He opened the door and got their attention.

"Comfy"

"What do you want Swarek?" Luke asked.

"Well let's see. My partner has been acting completely different for the past three weeks. She comes in this morning with a bruise, talks to Best and now she's not my partner anymore and she won't even look at me. Care to tell me what the hell is going on."

"If she doesn't want to be your partner anymore then that's her decision."

"Her decision all of a sudden." Sam clearly didn't believe a single word Luke was saying.

"We talked about it. She asked how I felt about it and I told her. She felt that for our relationship it would be best if she had a new partner. One she didn't make out with while we were dating."

"You mean you were jealous and couldn't put it behind you. I told you nothing happened. You want her home safe at night? I keep her safe on shift so she can go home safe at night. She has been my partner for eight months. I have been there through her highs and lows. I was the one that was there when she needed someone, not you. Maybe you should stop focusing on your job and start focusing on what she needs."

"I'm a homicide detective. I don't get a say in what cases I get. When I get the call I go regardless of what is going on at the time. I love her and she knows that."

"You love her eh. That's why you're up her all cozy with this one, your ex –girlfriend."

"Yes Jo is my ex, we were partners and we dated. That's all in the past. We're up here working on a case."

"Before Jo was here you worked normal hours. Now that she is here you're all of a sudden working long hours and extra cases. You put a ring on my partner's finger and the second Jo shows up, you're never around anymore. She might not see it, but I do."

"Nothing is going on between us." Luke said

"If I was her I'd be more concerned that she's wearing the engagement ring that Luke used with me." Jo said with a smirk on her face. Luke closed his eyes and looked over at Jo. Clearly he wasn't impressed that she had just said that to Sam of all people.

"What?"

Sam couldn't believe what he had just heard. There was no way that Luke used an old engagement ring to purpose to Andy.

"It's just a ring. I bought it and Jo said no. I put it in my lock box, but Andy found it when she went for the gun. It doesn't matter how I purposed, or where the ring came from. All that matters is that Andy said yes."

"She doesn't know that you kept an old engagement ring and then gave it to her." Sam couldn't believe this. Yes it was just a ring, but it was an engagement ring. It was supposed to mean something personal. That ring was the one he bought for Jo, it was meant for her not Andy.

"It doesn't mean anything, it's just a ring. I love her and she loves me. It's not my fault that you can't accept that fact. She wanted a new partner and now you can leave us alone. Now if you don't mind I have work to do." Luke said as he turned his attention back over to the computer screen.

Sam couldn't believe this was going on. He stormed out of the office and headed outside to the car. He knew that Luke could be an ass and inconsiderate, but he never expect this. He talked Andy into getting a different partner, because he was insecure and jealous. Now she was out there with Oliver, which wasn't too bad at least he would keep her safe. That wasn't the point though, she was his to protect and keep safe. Now he was going to be constantly worried about her. To top it all off it looked like Luke was the one doing the cheating. He was too comfortable with Jo, plus he gave Andy her engagement ring. That was wrong on so many levels he didn't even know where to start. He got outside and went over to the cruiser that Dov was sitting by. He took the keys from him and got into the driver seat as Dov went into the passenger seat. As he turned the car on and pulled out into the street, all Sam could think about was that it was going to be a long day.