Picks up where 4x09 left off.

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Andy watched as Nick rolled to the edge of the bed and swung his feet onto the floor.

'I can't believe you just said that', he accused of her. He turned his head back to look at her and sighed.

Andy rolled onto her front and buried her face in the pillow. She could not have made it any more awkward if she tried.

She was happy. From the moment she had seen Nick leaning against the wall outside her apartment last night, she hadn't really stopped smiling. He was such a genuinely nice guy. She knew that. And he clearly hadn't been afraid to tell her – and show her – how he felt about her. She couldn't remember the last time she'd felt her skin come alive at a man's touch. Not since Sam, anyway.

But Andy couldn't help the feeling that she was doing something wrong. As they'd hurried into her apartment, their lips never leaving each other's, stumbling over coat stands and smashing vases, she felt alive. But there was a part of her that couldn't shake the feeling that she shouldn't be doing it. She tried not to let it show on her face, and lost herself in the moment instead.

She remembered the feel of Nick's sculpted chest beneath her fingertips as he'd pushed her backwards onto the sofa. The smooth planes of his chest and the way he'd shivered as she stroked him. But it was too smooth, and his hair too light, his hands too soft, his lips were passionate but not urgent, and he forced his tongue into her mouth gently to explore. She missed the fire of excitement that used to burn in her stomach, and the weakness in her knees that only Sam could give her. She remembered smiling against Nick's lips, which he'd enjoyed. She didn't want him to know that she wasn't smiling at him. But she couldn't help noticing the differences.

The sex was nice enough. He'd run his hands over he body greedily, soaking up the shape of her breasts and the planes of her stomach. He's kissed his way down her neck and she'd responded involuntarily to the feel of his tongue on her skin. Nick was attentive; there was no denying that, and when he'd entered her she'd forgotten all about Sam, and could only think of how amazing he felt inside her. She arched her back into him an disappeared into the moment.

But it wasn't electric between them. He made her feel safe, and he'd made her laugh. They'd practically destroyed her living room on their way in and she truly didn't mind. Andy was enjoying being wanted. It made her feel sexy, and powerful and the glint in her eyes was real as Nick had nudged her nose with his and planted a kiss on her lips, hovering over her on the sofa. She was happy.

They'd moved to the bedroom at some point in the night and led side-by-side, panting and giggling. It felt natural, but it didn't feel normal. Andy tried to put Sam out of her mind, and fell asleep with her body pressed up against Nick, her head on his shoulder and her arm slung across his chest. It felt good.

The next morning she's awoken to the warmth of his body and the sound of his breath against her hair. For a moment she forgot where she was and what had happened. She poked Nick awake and smiled as he raised his head and pressed a gentle kiss against her lips.

'Morning Beautiful' he said. She smiled again and returned his kiss with more strength, trying to express her happiness through the urgency with which her tongue sought his out. They fell deeper into the moment as her rolled her over, leaning on top of her and nibbling at her earlobe.

'That was the best night since Sam…' she'd mumbled, only to be cut off by Nick.

'You're really gonna bring him up right now?' he'd exclaimed, and rolled off her.

'I can't believe you just said that' he continued.

She'd rolled her face into her pillow, and that's where she stayed for a while.

'Andy?'

'I'm sorry', she started, lifting her head and turning to face him. 'I just…I wanted you to know that I don't regret last night'.

'And you thought the best way to do that was talk about your ex, in bed?' he replied.

'Yeah well my head is in a weird place right now Nick. I know what you said last night, about Gail, and not caring. But I meant what I said too. I like you. I mean….i really like you. But I'm not ready for sniggers and gossip about how long we've been seeing each other, and whether we cheated on Gail. I can't handle everyone in the office thinking I'm a bitch for stealing my friend's boyfriend. I'm not like that Nick!' Andy babbled, losing her cool. 'And then there's the glares I'm gonna get from Sam, and the smug little smile from Cruz….and I haven't even told Traci that I like you!'

'Andy…'

'No, let me finish' she interjected. 'Last night was amazing. But I still need some time! I have this conflict going on in my mind that I can't ignore. Sam is still in my head, as much as I don't want him to be. I need to think, to work out what to tell everyone. It's all such a mess! And yesterday was awful' she cried, 'This is such bad timing'.

Nick drew her into his arms and stroked her hair.

'Andy, I love you,' he said simply. She raised her eyes to look him in the face. 'I know it's gonna be hard, and people will talk. But I honestly don't care!' he paused. 'You are the most important person to me right now, and I'm gonna help you through this as much as I can. You need space, I'll give it to you. You need time, you can have that too. I'm just glad that I got to spend one night with you at least, before you separate us!' he grinned, which made Andy blush.

She ran her eyes across his lips before meeting his stare. She kissed him again, slowly at first, and then more aggressively until they both had to pull away for air.

'Thank you', she said. 'I really needed to hear that.'

He turned and bumped himself off the bed, heading for the shower.

Andy sat up, the sheets, still rumpled from their exploits, wrapped loosely around her. She sighed. There was so much running through her mind. She knew she liked Nick, she'd known it for a while. But she'd been unable to get the thought out of her head that one day Sam might change his mind. She'd told him she knew when to quit, that day in the parking lot outside 15, and she could have sworn she saw some sparkle leave his eyes. But he was with Marlo now, and he hadn't shown any sign of giving her up. So why couldn't Andy move on, like she'd told herself she should. Like everyone around her had told her to do. Sam was just a sticking point in her heart. He has a hold on her that even she had never imagined anyone could possess. But finally, seeing him happy with Marlo, and having Nick tell her he loved her, she felt like that hold was starting to loosen. That maybe she could start to get over him properly. That maybe things might start to feel more normal without him.

The buzzing of her phone on the dresser next to her brought her out of her trance. She flipped it over and saw the caller ID.

Sam.

He always picked his moments.

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