Disclaimer: RB does not belong to me.

Rated T, just because.

A/N: How totally intense was that last scene between Andy and Luke?

Kay, so ... as much as I love Andy/Sam (they totally belong together), I refuse to just skim over Luke and pretend that he was never there or important to her. I actually kinda like his character, and would love him with Andy if Sam weren't in the picture. Just wanted to get that out, sorry.

This one was hard to write, but I like how it turned out.

('You' is Andy.)

I hope you enjoy!

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Andy McNally. Set after 'Girlfriend of the Year'.

As the door slams shut behind him, you can feel your heart cracking.

Because Luke ... he was your chance.

You chance at finally having something good in your life; your chance at being able to prove to yourself that you're worth something; your chance at caring for someone, while the feelings are mutual; your chance at living the dream; your chance at normal – or as normal as a relationship between a cop and a homicide detective can be.

Luke was your chance at finally having a happily ever after.

(She'd sue Disney for planting stupid, unrealistic ideals in little girls' heads that will never lead to anything more than bitter disappointment if she thought it would do any good; but she knows better.)

Luke was safe.

And as safe as he makes you feel, Sam just isn't a safe choice.

That night with Sam was … the best mistake of your life, just like you told Traci; little did she know how much seriously you meant it, though. It was amazing, and passionate, and could have been perfect under different circumstances. (If you weren't with Luke, and he wasn't your training officer, and you weren't so protective of your heart.) Under the circumstances, though … it was sudden, and poorly thought out, and a far cry from perfect.

That night was what you thought you needed, at the time; after the incident with Benny's death and Luke's attitude towards the whole case, and after you shot a man and Luke took charge of the case instead of taking care of you. (Not that you blame Luke, though – it's his job; and not that you need anyone to take care of you – when Sam did, it was just … nice.)

That night changed a lot in your dynamic with Sam (even though you didn't actually hook up). The way you work together; the way he acts towards you, and the way you act towards him. Despite Sam's insisting that 'it was what it was', it was a lot more than just that.

Luke was right, though, when he said that it sure as hell wasn't 'nothing'.

That night was 'something' alright.

It would just be so much easier if it was nothing.

And that's what you need right now, above all else. You need easy. You need easy, and you need safe. You need someone who makes you smile. You need someone who, at the end of the day, will hold you and say 'I love you' and understand that that's what you need. You need someone who cares about, and you care about. You need it be that simple.

It can't be, though; not now.

And hell, maybe no relationship can ever be.

You just know that you had a better shot of it with Luke than you can ever have with Sam.

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Pretty disappointing from a Sam/Andy point of view, I know ... but I just needed to write it. Hope you liked anyways!

Pretty please review!