Hiya! Just a little one-shot that came to mind today during Algebra 2. My sister tells me I should add more chapters, but we'll see. For now I'm marking it as complete, but I am considering an epiloque.

Tell me what you think! I love feedback! *hint hint*

It's well past 2 in the morning when the lone figure at the bar finally gives up hope.

He pulls on his jacket and hands a few bills to the bartender, checking his phone one last time before getting up and walking out the door. He shoves his hands in his pocket, stepping slowly towards his truck, hoping that in the 30 seconds it takes him to get to his vehicle, her car will come careening into the parking lot.

But it doesn't.

Instead, his phone vibrates in his pocket, completely catching him off guard as he's trying to fasten his seatbelt. He fidgets in his seat checking each of his pockets before finding the one it's in. He's perplexed when he sees an unidentified number flash on his screen and he sets it down with a sigh, letting it go to voicemail.

But the caller doesn't want to leave a voicemail. His phone dances around the cup holder he set it in as it rings again, and slightly annoyed, he picks it up.

"What?" he snaps.

"Grumpy? I'd say I could call later, but I can't." A feminine voice says on the other end.

"Andy." He's not in the mood for pleasantries.

"I just wanted to let you know that I couldn't come tonight."

"I understand." He replies curtly.

"No, not like that. I physically, geographically, could not come." She says.

"What do you mean?"

"You didn't hear from me… or anyone for that matter… But I'm on the task force. We had to move tonight. I just wanted you to know there was a reason I stood you up."

"You took the job? Even after everything I said to you?" Sam asks her.

"Don't start using that accusing tone on me, Sam." She defends herself. "I'm not one of your suspects that you have to interrogate. And yes, I accepted the position, even after everything. But I didn't accept it because of everything. I went to Luke yesterday morning, and told him I wanted in. He didn't really think he could justify putting me on the force right away, but after my actions last night he said no one would question it. So I took the job."

"What made you suddenly decide you wanted in?"

"Because I didn't want to be 'that girl', Sam. The one who let's a guy get in the way of everything she wants out of life." She sighs.

"That's what I was to you? Just a guy who stood in the way?" Sam asks disbelievingly.

"You were much more than that. You know that."

"But you still think I was in the way." He says, rather than asks.

"If this is where and how we're going to hash it out, fine. Yes, Sam, You were in the way. Every time I made a decision about my police career, you were right there telling me how it was the wrong one. Every time I chased a suspect, you butted in because you needed to make sure I was okay. Every single time I did anything in that Division, you were right behind me looking over my shoulder."

"I didn't know you felt that way." Sam says.

"Neither did I." She answers honestly. "I was always so in love with you that I just didn't see it… I thought it was sweet. But now I realized how much I depended on you; as a partner, and as a person. When you broke up with me, I was lost. I didn't know how to be me without you in my life. Because I hadn't been 'just me' for so long. I need this Sam, I need to prove to myself that I don't need anyone to do my job for me. And I also need to thank you. Because standing in my way made me realize how strong I truly am."

They are both silent for a few moments, as neither really knows what to say.

"Can I ask you something?" Sam asks.

"Yeah." Andy says quietly.

"If you hadn't had to move tonight, would you have come to the Penny?"

"Sam… I don't know." She confesses.

"Why?"

"Because on one hand, I know I love you more than 3 words could ever describe, and I know that if the chance presented itself, I would spend the rest of my life with you. But on the other hand, you have the capability of hurting me more than anyone else ever could. And even though you promised it would never happen, it did. You broke me. If it hadn't been for Nick and Traci and Dov, I would've transferred. I don't know how to trust you again. I don't know how I'd believe you if you told me you'd never hurt me again. You made me promises, Sam, and you didn't keep them. How do I trust you after that?" Andy asks him.

"Andy…"

"Look, I have to go. I wasn't supposed to call you in the first place. I just wanted to say goodbye… I have to let you go."

"Don't do that… Please, Andy."

"I don't know what else to do, Sam! I just know I can't do this. I'm gonna be gone for half a year, and I can't spend it thinking about you. I have to go…" She's cut off.

"Andy, just… please hear me out." Sam pleads.

"Okay… but make it quick."

"I know I don't make it easy… I've done some stupid things, and I know I'm over-protective. I've tested and stretched your trust to the limit. I'm hard to love…"

"But you did anyway. Despite everything I put you through, you loved me unconditionally, and always kept your promises. I wish I could say the same for myself, but I can't, and I won't make excuses for it. I never deserved someone like you… You deserve so much more." He continues.

"But I am promising you… right here, right now. No guns, no grenades, no armed suspects or crying children… Just us. I'm promising you that I will fight for us like I didn't before. And I'm promising you, whether you believe me or not, that I will do everything in my power to prove to you that I'm worth it. Because I love you, Andy McNally, more than you'll ever know."

"Sam… don't do this right now." She whispers.

"I know you don't trust me right now, and I understand… I really do. And I want you to know that I'll be here when you come back. I'll be waiting for you."

"I can't ask you to do that." She says.

"You're not asking, Andy, I'm telling. I know you have to go. So go do your thing, McNally. Remember to trust your instincts. You've got good ones. Don't let anyone tell you differently."

"Thanks." Andy smiles.

"No problem." Andy can practically hear him smirk.

"Goodbye, Sam." Neither knows what exactly that goodbye means.

In a dark parking lot, in the early morning hours, a man leans back in the seat of his truck and stares at his phone screen. At the same time in another part of their city, a woman hangs up the receiver in a phone booth, and slowly slides the door open before tucking her hands safely in the pockets of her pea coat and walking down the lightly illuminated streets.

Thanks for reading!