This was originally intended to be a songfic based on Kenny Chesney's song Somewhere With You. However, once I started writing it became more of a story inspired by the song. The song isn't featured in the story at all, but feel free to listen to it if you want to know where I'm coming from with this. This chapter doesn't have much action. It is just there to set the story up. I appreciate reviews and opinions on whether the story should be continued, especially since this is my first attempt at fanfiction. And of course I own nothing Rookie Blue.
At the end of a long day on shift there was nothing Sam Swarek liked more than going to the Penny and drinking a scotch with his buddies, especially when Andy was there. She always came over. Always made a point of coming over. And then there was the way her eyes scanned the bar for him the instant she stepped inside and the soft grin that spread across her face when she saw him sitting in his usual spot at the bar, usually with Jerry or Oliver. But he was missing all the fun of the Penny standing in the shower at the station thinking about it. So he quickly jumped out, toweled off and threw on his usual black v-neck t-shirt and jeans. He casually noted that all the day shift coppers were gone and wondered if he had missed McNally's entrance to the bar. He strolled out to his truck relishing the light breeze and the softening chill of the springtime air. Before he knew it he was parked outside the Penny.
He entered the bar and furtively glanced around in an attempt to ascertain if Andy had arrived yet. But before he could complete his survey Jerry popped into his field of view.
"Sammy, buddy, come have a drink with me and Ollie," Jerry said as he all but led Sam to the bar. Before he knew it he was sitting at the far corner of the bar between Oliver and Jerry with a scotch already in front of him that he didn't even order.
As he started to resume his scan for McNally, Jerry cleared his throat.
Oliver grimaced. He couldn't let Jerry blurt out exactly what he was thinking. That would crush Sam, and this night was going to be tough enough. Oliver placed his hand on Sam's shoulder causing him to spin around to face him. "Sammy, just let her go. You've been carrying that torch long enough."
Sam's eyes barely had time to register surprise before Jerry blurted out, "She's moving in with Callaghan, Sam." The surprise, hurt, and anger flashed through Sam's eyes. Then he slowly and methodically turned and picked up the scotch which he quickly knocked back. Instantaneously all three men raised their hands to the bartender to get Sam another drink.
Andy slipped into the bar smiling. Today had been a good day. Sam and she had stayed busy enough to not be bored but not too busy to not have time to talk. In fact their normally light banter had led to some more revealing conversations. She was hoping she could get Sam to let his guard down tonight. Her eyes scanned the expanse of people looking for him. When she caught him looking at her from across the room her face lit up. But Sam just looked away.
Uh oh, something has happened to drastically change his mood… Andy thought.
She started to move across the bar to where Sam sat with Jerry and Oliver hoping that she could figure out what had suddenly changed. But halfway there Noelle stopped right in front of her.
"Andy, just order your drink and go sit with your friends. You've already done enough as far as Sam is concerned," Noelle stated.
Andy looked at the female training officer in shock. "How do you figure that?"
"Andy, Sam needs time and space without you in it now. We would expect you to understand that with everything you've already put him through," Noelle said snidely.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Andy said in a defeated, flat tone. But despite her denial she shrugged her shoulders, ducked her head, and walked up to the bar half the room away from Sam.
She walked across the room to where Traci sat with all the rest of their rookie class, without one glance back at Sam. His eyes bore holes into her back with the intensity of his gaze the entire way. She hoped with all her heart that he would decide to come talk to her and work out whatever had so obviously ruined his disposition.
Traci noticed Andy's reaction to Noelle's confrontation and couldn't help but wonder what was so wrong. Gail and Chris noticed the defeat and hurt in Andy's body language as she approached their table. And when she sat down with her back to the bar even Dov noticed.
"What was that all about?" Traci asked curiously.
"I don't know," was all Andy could muster in reply.
"You look like crap. Want another drink?" Gail asked, not knowing what else she would be able to do to help. (She was the ice queen after all.) Andy nodded with relief. Her first drink was barely touched but she was just happy Gail wasn't being mean this time.
Dov's eyes lit up at the chance to have more drama to spill. He always loved a good story, especially the ones that he was closer to than anyone else. "You need us to kick their ass, Andy?" he asked, jokingly, hoping to lighten the mood. Andy simply shook her head.
Chris moved closer to Andy and slipped his arm around her shoulders. "How about you drink that second drink that Gail is picking up, and we'll take you home." She nodded thankful that Chris was so empathetic.
Across the bar, Andy gulped down a scotch and a tequila shot, hugged Traci goodbye, waved to Dov, and allowed Gail and Chris to lead her outside. Sam had had enough. He couldn't sit at the bar with his buddies trying to be supportive and consoling and plying him with drinks anymore. He stood up abruptly and dropped a couple bills on the bar top. "I'll see you guys later."
"But Sammy you can't leave now the game is just getting…." Jerry started before Oliver interrupted. "It's okay man. We understand. Let us know if you need anything."
Sam just nodded curtly before stepping outside.
Traci looked conspiratorially at Dov, who simply cocked his eyebrow. "We need to find out what is going on over there. I'll take Jerry. You take Oliver." Then Traci rose and started walking across the room. Dov paused for a split second to think it over then shrugged his shoulders and hopped out of his seat to follow Traci.
Both Jerry and Oliver were too distracted by their own conversation about how worried Sam had them to notice that the rookies were quickly approaching.
Dov slid into the seat next to Oliver. "So, how is the game going?" he asked hoping to strike up so friendly conversation.
Oliver spun around. "Huh?"
"Wow! What's got you so distracted that you aren't even watching the hockey game?" Dov asked, slightly more inquisitorial this time.
"Just some friend stuff," Oliver managed to cover the basics without giving any details.
Dov just nodded as he silently admired the other man's skills at avoiding answering things he didn't want to talk about.
Meanwhile, Traci approached Jerry. Her tiny, soft hand delicately placed on his shoulder quickly pulled him away from conversation with Oliver. It had been at least a month since she had touched him, especially in that way. He was beginning to think that Dex had finally won her heart, but this might mean something different.
"You think we could go somewhere more private to talk, Jer?" Traci asked softly.
"Um… yeah… okay…" he stammered in reply as he gulped the rest of the drink and threw a couple bills on the bar top.
