A/N: Okay, so I admit to having a soft spot for Luke. I kinda like the guy, completely clueless though he might be. I don't like LukeandAndy though; let's just be clear about that right now.
Luke Callaghan walked into the Black Penny as he did practically every night now. He wasn't sure why he tortured himself like this, but he couldn't seem to resist.
Music blared from hidden speakers.
Well, just look at that girl with the lights comin' up in her eyes / She's got to be somebody's baby / She must be somebody's baby
As always, his brooding gaze went directly to Andy. Not that he was stalking her or anything, but just being in the same room with her lifted his spirits. He grabbed a barstool near the door and ordered a vodka on the rocks; watching the beautiful girl with the smile like sunshine. Also as always, he wasn't alone in this activity. Half the men in the bar were doing the same. Luke downed his drink and ordered another.
All the guys on the corner stand back and let her walk on by / She's got to be somebody's baby / She must be somebody's baby / She's got to be somebody's baby / She's so fine
Hearing her laughter brought back the memory of the first time they met at this bar. It was after Fite Nite and he hadn't been at all sure she would show up. Then she had walked in and lit up the room. Luke hadn't been able to take his eyes off of her and she had chosen him to be with.
She's probably somebody's only light / Gonna shine tonight / Yeah, she's probably somebody's baby, alright
Even though his work had distracted him frequently, he had always tried to make time for Andy. Not that it seemed like she ever really needed him. She was an incredibly strong woman. Looking back, though, it appeared he'd missed a lot of clues telling him that, strong or not, she both wanted and needed a man whom she could lean on. Eventually, she had realized that she had a guy like that in her life already. Unfortunately for him, his name wasn't Luke Callaghan.
I heard her talking with her friend when she thought nobody else was around / She said she's got to be somebody's baby; she must be somebody's baby / 'Cause when the cars and the signs and the street lights light up the town / She's got to be somebody's baby / She must be somebody's baby / She's got to be somebody's baby / She's so…
After laughing her way through her miserable failure at darts, Andy handed the game over to Epstein and Diaz and made her way to a table where Gail Peck was waiting with drinks. He watched her talking with her friends as if they were the only three in the room. Luke imagined they were discussing every aspect of what had happened during their day. She used to do that with him. He hadn't really realized it at the time, but that was probably the best six months of his life. He hadn't known what he had until she was gone. He had tried focusing on his work and dating other women, but he missed Andy brightening up his days and nights.
She's gonna be somebody's only light / Gonna shine tonight / Yeah, she's gonna be somebody's baby tonight / I try to shut my eyes, but I can't get her out of my sight
Seeing her every day was incredibly difficult, especially now that he could see where he had gone wrong. It would have been so easy to focus a little more on strengthening their relationship. A few more evenings spent with her instead of at work; a random text message during the day to arrange a special date; a little more time taken to show her that he cared about what was happening in her life and he wouldn't be sitting alone right now. Finishing off his second drink, it occurred to Luke that maybe it wasn't too late after all. If you didn't count the other rookies, Andy seemed to be alone tonight. This was a fact that he had not failed to register on several previous occasions. He threw a few bills on the bar and stood up. Maybe it was time.
I know I'm gonna know her, but I've got to get over my fright / Well, I'm just gonna walk up to her / I'm gonna talk to her tonight
Before he could even take a step, he saw Andy's face light up as she shot out of her chair and made a bee line for the man who was walking toward her. Luke watched as she melted into Sam Swarek's arms. The look on Sam's face was that of a man who had just been given everything he ever wanted in life.
Yeah, she's gonna be somebody's only light / Gonna shine tonight / Yeah, she's gonna be somebody's baby tonight
Luke turned and walked out the door.
