Chapter 2-Retrain showdown
Andy and Chris were scheduled to speak at a local high school as part of career day. Unfortunately, when they got there, they found out that the dates had been mixed up. After Andy got Chris to get over his disappointment, they started to head in the direction of the precinct. In a nearby alley, they came across a badly beaten man. The victim had been assaulted and left bleeding in the alley behind a local night club. He was speaking in conspiracy theories as they attempted to get a statement from him before he was taken to the hospital. Medics felt it was urgent to have him looked at so they took some quick notes and watched the ambulance drive away. They canvassed the area and spoke to the bouncer of the bar who gave them a lead on two Jamaican men.
They stopped back at the barn to speak to Detective Barber who was guiding them on how to handle the investigation. As Andy glanced through the window to where the retrain exercises were taking place she noticed that the detectives were milling around and cheering on one of their own. She questioned Detective Barber on why they were involved.
"Sammy threw down the gauntlet. Said we didn't have the stones. I think he's gonna be sorry." Andy felt a pang of nausea; she didn't think it was Sam who was going to be sorry. She made her way into the retrain room as Noelle was beating the crap out of Detective Watson. Sam was screaming his head off in support when he noticed Andy next to him.
"Hey, hi…Sam?"
"What is it McNally? I already told your boyfriend that I'm not gonna hold you back from the love shack." Way to be mature Sam old boy.
"It's not even like that, okay." Yep, he's still pissed.
She avoided any further conversation and quickly retreated from the room. They spent the next hour following up a lead from the two Jamaican men, who had allibied out. Unfortunately the lead brought them to suspect another cop. Detective Derek Bibby. Chris had discussed what happened with Steve Peck, Gail's brother, and also Bibby's partner. Things got interesting when Bibby's sister came in with a story that would exonerate her brother. Andy and Chris knew they were naïve at times on the job but they weren't idiots. This whole story didn't sit right but who were they to question a senior officer? Furthermore, what would be the repercussions if they did? Andy decided that she wanted to run this by Sam. Sam was all about the job and doing things right. He would certainly not want her to be collateral damage if they ended up reporting this veteran cop. She knew, or she thought she knew, that Sam would put his feelings aside to help her, he always had. She went in search of him and found him in a quiet hallway on his cell phone.
He saw her immediately and turned away.
"You can stop avoiding me now?" He hung up the call and turned toward her.
"Avoiding you?" he asked in mock disbelief
"Yeah, running away every time that you see me. FINE, it was what it was, whatever, I won't over think it but you're still my training officer, right?"
He nodded. His own words coming back to bite him in the ass.
"That means I can come to you with a problem, no matter what that problem is or who that problem's with?"
"Sure, what? You and Callaghan fighting over who get's top bunk at the cabin?"
Another dig. She hoped that the look on her face did not show how much that stung.
"Oh, that's hilarious, I'm referring to a case Sam."
He couldn't resist her, the way she said his name, and she was so close to him he could smell her shampoo, but before he could snap himself out of the daze she came back at him.
"You know what? Screw it."
Crap, now she really hates me. He let out a loud sigh before heading back to the retrain room. He noticed that she was already in there, standing with Luke. Ah, just a little visit with her "fishing" buddy. God, what the hell is wrong with me? He is her boyfriend, not that she ever gave me a chance. I so want to kick his ass. His thoughts were interrupted by Peck's voice.
"Next up Swarek and Callaghan." Whistles erupted from the crowd as Luke suited up to be the attacker.
Yes! Early Christmas for you Sammy boy.
Andy felt the nausea brimming again. This could not end well. Sam would be out for blood, she could see it in his eyes. Unfortunately for Luke, he had no clue what was coming his way.
Sam took Luke down early. He played with him a bit, not going for the kill. Finally, he had had enough. Luke kept coming at him with that stupid grin and all Sam could think about was the smug look on his face when he told him about that damn fishing cabin. It was all Sam could take; he started beating Luke relentlessly with his baton. The minute and a half seemed like an eternity to Andy. Fortunately, she was not the only one who noticed Sam's anger. Best finally stopped the match but not before all eyes fell on Sam. He knew he'd gone too far, but in that moment he didn't care. Beating up on Luke was not going to change anything. He might have felt better for the moment but the fact remained that Andy made her choice and it wasn't him. Sam got up, tossed his baton at Luke and walked away, but not before glaring over at Andy.
After they confronted Bibby at the bar, all facts were confirmed that he was in fact the man who assaulted their vic in the alley. Between Bibby's "how dare you mess with the brotherhood" speech and with Sam blowing her off, Andy convinced Chris that they needed to go straight to Sgt. Best. When the sergeant realized what they were insinuating, he asked for Noelle and Sam to sit in on the conversation.
Sam stood quietly in the corner, knowing full well that he had screwed up badly. As a training officer, he needed to be objective and supportive. Neither of which he had been today.
As if reading his mind Noelle asked,
"Why didn't you come to one of us?"
Sam had guilty written all over his face.
"They tried, I was…..distracted." He felt awful. Andy wouldn't even look at him. He couldn't believe that this day had turned out so horribly. Just this morning he was on cloud nine. Ever since that conversation with Callaghan he had turned into a complete ass. Right now all he wanted was a shower and a drink…..a very large drink.
Frank would get the wheels in motion as far as Internal Affairs was concerned. He would try to keep the two rookies names out of the report but at this point, he couldn't make any promises. Andy and Chris were dismissed and made their way to their respective locker rooms. They couldn't wait to hit the Penny for a drink and forget about this crazy day.
Andy grabbed her bag from her locker. Luke was planning to meet her at the Penny and they would leave for his cabin from there. The cabin. She cringed at the thought of making this trip with Luke. She should have been more adamant about not going. She sat in the quiet locker room and pondered this predicament that she found herself in. She was a smart girl but with matters of the heart she sometimes just didn't use her head. How could she go away with Luke while knowing full well that she had feelings for Sam? And Sam…., she let out a sigh. Despite his moronic behavior, she knew that she was partially responsible for Sam's actions. And despite the fact that she was so angry with him right now, she couldn't help but think about how wonderful he has been to her. He has been her teacher, a friend and a rock when everything else was spinning out of control. She also couldn't stop thinking about that night at his house. No questions asked, he let her in. He didn't reject her, he could have…..probably should have…..and now look where they are. She was so confused. Luke is sweet, kind, handsome, fun to be with. Sam…..he's sweet too. He doesn't want anyone to know it, but he is. Handsome too, actually more hot than just handsome….. and fun. She couldn't remember a time when he couldn't make her laugh over something silly. Here she had these two completely different men, yet, they had similar qualities.
However, there were two major differences. First, Sam was always there for her. Ok, maybe not today but otherwise….ALWAYS. Luke put work, cases before her, ALWAYS. Second, things with Luke were always nice, their sex life was good…..but that night, the night of the blackout was... amazing. They hadn't even slept together but oh boy the attraction was there. They had never kissed before but it felt like those were the lips that hers were meant to be pressed against. He had never touched her like that, but she felt so wanted in his arms. She felt butterflies from his kisses, something she had never felt before. She needed him, and she never wanted to need anyone. She snapped out of her daze. She glanced at her watch and decided that she would head to the Penny, maybe have a minute to herself to figure out what to do.
Fifteen minutes later Andy walked through the door to the Penny. She glanced toward the back for her friends. She saw Sam at the bar staring into his scotch and tried to quickly walk past him. Not happening. He caught a glimpse of her in the mirror behind the bar. He spun around to his left and reached out for her arm.
"Hey." God, she was stunning.
"Hey." She tried to sound normal and attempted her best pissed off look.
"Listen, that was a brave thing you did today, reporting that Vice Squad guy. I'm sorry I didn't believe…Sorry I didn't listen to you."
"Me too." She said quietly and started to walk away.
He still held her arm "Andy."
Her eyes held his for a moment before she looked away. She took a deep breath and moved closer to him. "You were right Sam, it was what it was."
The back door to the Penny opened and in walked Luke. Sam let out a sigh.w They both glanced in his direction. He got caught talking to a couple of friends and Sam decided to go for it, all or nothing.
"I lied." He said it so softly, she wasn't sure he actually said it.
"What?"
"I lied to you…..about that night."
"Sam, what are you talking about, I don't understand."
His hand trailed down from her arm to her hand and held it. He was being totally inappropriate but he needed to touch her, to feel some reassurance. Fortunately, she didn't pull her hand away.
"Please don't go….with him."
Her eyes got wide as the gravity of what he was saying registered in her mind.
"Sam…"
"Andy, I know I have no right to ask, but please, I need to explain,…I was such an idiot,…. just please don't go."
"You ready?" It was Luke. Sam discreetly let go of her hand. The bar was crowded and loud so it would seem they were just that close to hear each other.
"Um, yeah." She was talking to Luke but still looking at Sam.
Sam tried to pull himself together and swallow the lump that was constricting his throat. "Hey, have a nice trip you guys." He turned back toward the bar.
Luke put his arm around Andy, as they headed for the exit, but not before she gave one last glance at Sam. They walked outside toward Luke's car.
"Hey, your not having second thoughts are you?" he smiled as he opened her door.
"Luke, ...I can't do this."
This chapter didn't come out as easy as I hoped. Please let me know what you think. =
