Hi everyone. This is a short one-shot. I'm sure undercover work is fun and interesting, but on the other hand I believe it can sometimes be too much. Working with that concept I was thinking what would happen if one of the characters started to show signs of being under too long. How would the situation be handled. This is the result. Hope you enjoy the story.

Disclaimer: The author of this fan fiction does not, in any way, profit from this story and all creative rights to the characters belong to their original creators.

The warm spring breeze felt welcoming against her face as she sat on a bench and gazed out on the blue coloured water of Lake Ontario. The winter they recently begun emerging from had been long and bone chilling cold. Today was still only 18 degrees Celsius out, but the warm sun was shining and welcoming, the sky was bright blue, and she was away from both the warehouse where she worked six days a week and the dingy apartment she called home.

"Okay, here you go...one scoop of chocolate and one scoop of pistachio in a regular cone." Her make-believe-husband said as he handed her the ice-cream cone he had just purchased before sitting down beside her on the bench.

"Thanks, what flavour did you get?"

"Raspberry Ripple." He replied with a shy smile.

To the few passer-bys they seemed like every other ordinary young couple enjoying an afternoon outing. They weren't, they were very different.

"It's beautiful here." She said thoughtfully.

"I thought you would enjoy coming down here. It's a nice change."

"It's a wonderful change. I wish we could stay here all afternoon."

"We can stay as long as you like. There's no rush to get back."

They're going to ask where we were this afternoon."

"I know...I think we should tell them the truth. We drove out to Pickering to visit Frenchman's Bay at the bottom of Liverpool Rd. The two of us enjoyed an ice-cream cone and strolled along the boardwalk. It was romantic." He replied with a grin as he gave her a nudge with his shoulder.

"I don't think I have ever been here before."

"You're kidding!"

"No! She replied as she shook her head. Her pony tail flapping back and forth, making her look more like a high school girl than a mature woman.

"No one ever brought you to Frenchman's Bay?"

"My dad usually took me to Kew Beach or we drove to Wasaga Beach and stayed over night at a hotel."

They were into the fifth month of their undercover op. He knew going into the assignment what it was like being away from family and friends for an extended time period. He could handle the distance. Five years in the military, with four of them spent overseas in Afghanistan prepared him well for this type of situation. His partner...she appeared, to the outside world, to be handling the isolation. Not once did she waiver from the role she was playing while in public. Behind the closed-door, of their dingy apartment, he was noticing some changes though. Her appetite was decreasing and her weight was dropping. Honestly, she really could not afford to lose any weight. She wasn't smiling and joking as much as usual. Three nights ago she woke screaming with a nightmare. They expected to share a bed as they were presenting themselves as a married couple but he realized early into the op that she was uncomfortable with the idea. To help with the situation many evenings he purposely stayed up late to watch TV, eventually falling asleep on the sofa. The night of the nightmare it took him a good 15 minutes to calm her down. She never did tell him what frightened her so badly. All he knew is that she asked him to hold her trembling body as she attempted to relax and fall back asleep. Every night, since the dream, she asked him to sleep in the bed with her. It was not physical contact she craved. He was not sure if he felt relieved or disappointed with the realization. The reason finally struck him last night. She was fearful of her dream returning. She wanted him beside her to ward off the scary dream.

"How's the ice-cream?"

"It's really good. I was trying to think of the last time I had an ice-cream cone. I guess it was when I was younger. My dad use to take me every Sunday evening, in the summer, for a cone."

"Not your Mom?"

"She was already gone. It was just my Dad and I at that point." She replied as she glanced at him.

He turned his head and watched her a few moments. Something was going on in that pretty head of hers and for the last couple of weeks it was toying with her emotions. The sparkle, in her eyes was gone, replaced by a deep sadness. Her smile, especially when they were playing their characters was their, but it didn't light up her face like usual.

"Something is definitely going on."

"A penny for your thoughts." He said with a small grin just before he leaned into her and whispered in her ear "Andy".

It took her a couple of minutes but finally she turned her head to look at him and answer.

"That sounds so good." She replied as small tears ran down her cheek.

"A penny for your thoughts sounds good?"

"No...hearing my real name." She whispered into his ear.

He placed his arm around her shoulders and gave her a small squeeze. She needed the comfort and he wasn't completely sure they were not followed. They were good at both spotting and losing a tail, but the people they were working for were just as good at what they did as well. The idea was to take her someplace, away from prying eyes and ears, in an attempt get her to talk, but his gut told him, even though they were not near the warehouse, it was a good idea to stay in character.

"He...told me he loved me." She said in a barely audible voice.

"Who?"

"The night we went under...Sam."

He studied her a moment.

"You still went under."

"Yea...he...tried to joke about the break-up. Just sweep it under the rug. I...it had been six weeks. I..."

"You felt tired by that point."

"I was...I spent six weeks in so much pain...I was tired...I wanted it all to stop so badly."

"You felt as if he was playing yo-yo with your emotions."

She nodded her head as a small tear escaped her eye and ran down her cheek.

"I...um...I set my career back, a few steps, once before for him...this opportunity came up...I guess..."

"Take the opportunity and redeem your career or stay with a guy who you almost destroyed your career for and then when things became tough emotionally ran and put you through hell. I know. Remember, I was your break-up buddy." He whispered to her with a smile.

"I miss him."

"To be honest I know what you feel like and surprisingly I understand Sam"

She turned her face and looked at him a moment before turning and staring out at the lake again.

"I wasn't always the charming individual you see here before you today. Five years ago I was set to head to Vegas and marry Gail. Things became too serious too quickly and...I...well I woke up one morning terrified. A few months earlier I had walked into an Army recruiting office and signed up. It seemed like a good idea at the time. My parents couldn't afford to send me to college and I didn't want to work a dead-end job for the rest of my life. The military called a few days before Gail and I were supposed to leave for Vegas. I took the opportunity. I ran. Told Gail in an e-mail I was leaving, jumped on a bus and thought I had solved all my problems. I was young. I wasn't mature when it came to love. It's what caused me to become scared and to run."

"It didn't work."

He shook his head gently. "No, I couldn't get her out of my head. I volunteered for three more tours of duty in Afghanistan trying to distance myself from her and my emotions. I finally gave up. I left the military after the last tour. I came back to Toronto and applied to the police academy. I figured it was the best way to try to reconnect with Gail. I heard through the grape-vine she was now a cop at the 15th.

"Andy...absence really does make the heart grow fonder. If he loves you...he'll be there when you get back. He'll wait for you...trust me."

"Why are you here? Why take this opportunity? Why leave? You have Gail back in your life."

"Gail was on the verge of being suspended or fired. She was planning to take an extended vacation overseas to try to deal with disgracing the family name. I couldn't be there everyday, seeing her desk, expecting her to come walking around a corner, hearing the rumours...I...thought this would be a good distraction. I figured we would both be arriving back to reality at the same time."

"Andy...even if he tried to date other woman the last few months...I tried to date other woman...I just kept coming back to thinking about Gail. None of them could compare to her. If he loves you...he won't be able to get you out of his head and...he will be there when you get back. If he isn't...you always have me...the world's best break-up buddy." He said with a smile.

For the first time in two weeks Andy gave a real smile.

"Look, I see myself in Sam. He's older and handles most situations as an adult, but when it comes to love he's the same as I was back then, immature. I have a feeling you are the first woman he has ever been truly involved with in a relationship. If he follows me he'll figure out what he has and he'll wait. He'll be there when you get back."

"Come on! Let's finish our cones while we walk along the boardwalk." He said as he stood up and extended his hand out for her to take.

"Did you spot any of the goons from the warehouse?"

"No, but that doesn't mean one of them is not around. We should walk."

They strolled along hand in hand past the children's spray park, the play ground and beyond until he slowed down eventually stopping, wrapping an arm around her waist and drawing her close. She was trained well. Without even a hint of hesitation she melted into his body. Her thought was he spotted someone watching the two of them. A moment later he tilted his head, leaned in and gave her a small peck on the lips before moving to her cheek and then whispering into her ear quickly before pulling back.

"Straight ahead...I'll try to give you a few minutes."

She maintained eye contact with him as he removed his arm from her waist and once again took her hand in his. It wasn't until they started walking again that she looked forward.

Walking towards them, in the distance, was a dark-haired man with a small white puppy on a leash. Even from afar she knew...she knew the walk...the way he wore his jeans, his black t-shirt, the dark grey spring jacket she loved on him."

"Sam!"

As they neared each other she felt her make-believe-husband again let go of her hand. She popped the last of her cone into her mouth before turning her head to see him casually pull a napkin out of his pocket, and then reach over to wipe some ice-cream from the corner of her mouth before giving her another quick peck and whispering, "Place it in the dog's collar." A moment later he took her hand in his and pressed a small memory stick into her palm.

"Oh my gosh! He's adorable." Andy exclaimed as Sam and the puppy approached.

"Oh here we go. Puppies, kittens and babies...she's a real sucker for all three." Nick stated.

"Can I pet him?" She asked while ignoring her make-believe-husband's comment.

"It's a she actually and yes you can pet her." Sam said while making direct eye contact and smiling slightly.

He was sporting two days worth of growth on his face and his hair looked as if he combed it by pillow, but in Andy's eyes he looked incredibly sexy.

It took everything she had to tear her eyes away from him and crouch down to pet the puppy.

Nick slowly walked over to a garbage can about ten meters away and threw away the napkin he had used to wipe Andy's mouth earlier and to try to give his two colleagues a couple of minutes alone.

"How old is she?" She asked as the puppy placed her two front paws on Andy's knee and stretched in effort to sniff Andy's face.

"She's just over eight weeks. I got her for my girlfriend. She's been out-of-town awhile on an extended business trip. I thought it would be a nice surprise for when she returns."

"She's a labradoodle isn't she?"

"Yea, my girlfriend mentioned a few times she likes the breed. She's attracted to the good-natured, pleasant attitude they tend to display."

Satisfied that Andy was not a threat, but a friend the puppy lay down on the ground, rolled over and showed her his tummy.

Andy rubbed the puppy's tummy and asked. "What's her name?"

"She doesn't have one yet. I'm still trying to pick one out. I was hoping my girlfriend would be back before the puppy was ready to pick up. I thought we could choose a name together. I found out last week she's expecting she'll be away for another three or four weeks. I miss her. I guess that is what happens when you become separated from someone you love. I wish she was coming home sooner."

"I'm sure she loves you and misses you just as much." Andy replied looking up at Sam.

She slowly stood up and placed her hand into Nick's. As much as she didn't want to right now she knew she needed to stay in character.

"The puppy's name...I've always been partial to the name Sheena." She said.

"Sheena...I do like the sound of the name. Thanks...I think I may use it. It actually sounds like something my girlfriend would suggest." Sam said as he stared directly into Andy's eyes.

"Um...would you mind if I took a picture of your puppy?"

"No, go ahead." Sam said as the puppy sat beside his leg chewing happily on her leash.

Andy snapped her picture using her phone and smiled softly at the puppy and her antics.

"Yea, I'm trying to get her accustom to wearing her collar and using her leash. She doesn't seem to care for either one at the moment. My friend Oliver says it takes a bit of time. He suggested I look into obedience classes."

"That actually is a good idea."

"My name's Amy. This is my husband Danny." Andy said softly.

She was fighting back tears. He could tell.

"I'm David. I live in the neighbourhood."

"We're just visiting here for the afternoon. We live on the west end of Toronto."

Her clothes were cheap and well-worn. She wasn't wearing make-up and the only jewellery she was displaying was a cheap pair of small ear-rings. Her weight was down and she had dark shadows under her eyes from not sleeping well.

"God, she is still the most beautiful girl I have ever seen."

"It's been nice talking to you. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day." Sam replied.

"You too...and good luck with the puppy." Andy said.

They looked at each other for a moment before parting ways. Sam walking along with the puppy in one direction while Nick and Andy continued their stroll together in the opposite direction.

"Thank-you...for arranging this...How did you know? She whispered as Nick slung his arm around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze.

"I didn't. I managed to make a call the day after your nightmare. I was worried. A few hours later I received a message to bring you here today. Luke figured it out." He whispered.

"See, I told you...absence makes the heart grow fonder. Shhh...don't cry...it's almost over." He whispered as he leaned in and placed a small kiss on her temple.

A half hour later Sam and the puppy entered a police safe house located three blocks north of the board walk.

He bent down and removed the small memory stick from "Sheena's" collar and handed it to Luke.

"How is she?"

"She's showing signs of being under too long. Her weight is down and she has dark shadows under her eyes from not sleeping well."

"Did you talk to her? I mean really talk to her. Tell her the truth."

"Yea...she feels the same way. We spoke in code, but we understood each other."

"Will she be okay? She should only be under for another month. The op is close to being over."

"I think she will be able to hang in there."

"We shouldn't leave here for a couple of hours. Have a drink with me. I think you could use one." Luke stated as he poured them each a glass of scotch.

"To Andy and success." Luke said as he and Sam tapped their glasses together.

"You were right."

"About what?"

"I was an idiot. I should have talked to her and made up with her long before I tried."

"You're immature when it comes to love and relationships Sam."

"Yea, I guess I am."

"Fortunately she still obviously is in love with you. Don't blow it when she comes back."

A month later the warehouse was raided by the police. Sam was part of the task force's raiding party and was there when everyone was arrested. He made sure Andy was at the back of the prisoner line when the paddy wagon arrived. There wasn't enough room for the last three women and they were transported to the station in police cruisers. Sam made sure Andy was driven by Noelle.

It was another 10 hours before she could be processed and quietly released. It nearly killed Sam to have to stand by and watch as due course played out. He knew they needed to keep everything real to protect her undercover status and life but, all he really wanted to do was place her in his truck and drive her home. Her weight loss apparently had continued over the last month. He noticed earlier when he led her, by the arm, over to the police cruiser. At least the dark shadows under her eyes were gone. When she was finally released, officially due to lack of evidence involving her in any crimes, he quietly asked if he could give her a ride home.

To his relief she nodded her head gently and said "yes".

As he was driving her to the condo he took her hand in his, entwined their fingers and smiled.

"The first day of the rest of our lives." He thought.