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Chapter 2

Andy woke up the next morning with a slight headache, most likely caused by what she'd drunk the previous night, but decided she wouldn't let it get the best of her. After a long hot shower, she swallowed a couple pain pills and made herself enough coffee to have a small heart attack. She drank most of it as she had a quick breakfast and poured what was left in a portable mug before leaving for work.

Once at the station, she geared up in record time and was sitting at her usual seat before any of her fellow rookies, which got her a surprised look from all four of them. Parade was short and once again, Andy found herself partnered with Sam. As everyone stood to get the day started, she spotted Sam walking out of the room. She wished her friends a good day and told them she'd see them after shift before heading out of the room.

"Hey," Andy called out, jogging up to Sam. "Wait up!"

He glanced over at her, slowing his pace so that she could join him. "Hey, Mrs. Sunshine, ready for work?"

"Of course!" She answered happily, adding a little bounce in her step.

"Well, aren't you in a good mood!" He exclaimed, giving her a crooked grin. "Are you going to stay that way for the whole shift this time? I don't really feel like spending the day with creepy McNally today." He grimaced. "Creepy McNally gives me headaches."

Andy chucked and shook her head. "I promise creepy McNally won't show herself today."

"Good. I have to get something from the locker room, and then I'm all yours." He told her, making her grin wider. "Are you getting a coffee?"

She winced. "Nah, I think I've had enough caffeine to last me a week." She chuckled when she saw his lips turn in a boyish pout. "I'll fix you a cup and wait for you outside."

His cute pout instantly turned into that grin again. "Thanks! I don't know what you add to my coffee, but it always tastes better when you make it for me."

She lifted her hand and wiggled her fingers. "Magic fingers." She whispered, giving him a little wink.

Sam nodded his head knowingly. "I always knew there was something odd about you." He turned around and started making his way towards the men's locker room. "Meet you outside!" He called over his shoulder.

Andy watched him until he disappeared and went over to the coffee stand, where she fixed her partner a coffee. She had no idea what she was doing so right to make his coffees taste that much better, but she gladly accepted the compliment. Drinking station coffee was almost like drinking a tall cup of black mud.

It was a regular shift. They made a few interventions, but the city seemed at peace. Usually it would have bothered her, but today, she didn't mind. They drove around their perimeter, making small talk and flirting like they always did.

At one point, as Andy was watching his face, she realized how happy he looked. Not that he was always in a bad mood, but there was something about him today that was different. Good different.

"Alright, what's going on?" She asked him out of the blue.

Sam lifted his eyebrows in curiosity, glancing in her direction. "What?" he asked innocently.

She rolled her eyes at him and slapped at his arm playfully. "I can't remember the last time you looked this happy. You haven't made ONE snit remark, you haven't complained about anyone on the road. You're chatty, you're all smiles. Something's definitely up."

"I don't know what you're talking about." He said, trying to look innocent. "I'm always this charming." He reminded her, giving her his best dimpled smile.

"Sam…"

He laughed and nodded his head slowly. "I…" he paused. "I kinda met someone." He finished quickly, suddenly sounding a little nervous.

Andy's mouth dropped open. "Oh!" Saying she was surprised was an understatement. She quickly closed her mouth and plastered a smile to her face, desperate to hide the devastation that had suddenly swallowed her heart. She'd never been this thankful he was driving and had to keep his attention on the road. "That's a surprise! Who is she? Do I know her?" She asked him, trying to sound as natural as possible.

He gave her a quick look and shook his head slowly. "No, you don't. Her name is Jessica." He told her, his smile widening a little. "We met at the grocery store, can you believe that? I never thought I'd meet someone at the grocery store, especially in front of the frozen pizzas." He told her, trying to lighten the air in the squad car.

"At least you know you already have something in common!" She told him with fake enthusiasm as she picked imaginary lint from her dark pants. The smile on her face seemed frozen, but thankfully, her partner didn't seem to see through her façade. She cleared her throat and forced herself to look back up at him. "Is it serious?"

Sam stopped the car at a red light and turned his gaze to her and studied her, before shrugging his shoulders. "I don't know yet. We've only been on one date, but we hit it off pretty good." He answered, still watching her.

Andy gave him her brightest fake smile, knowing real well it would never reach her eyes. Hopefully, he wouldn't realize it. "Cool! Are you seeing her again soon?" She asked. She knew it was the next logical question to ask, but also realized she NEEDED to know if he was.

From the look she'd seen on his face when he'd started talking about this Jessica, she shouldn't have been surprised with his answer.

The light turned green, forcing him to look at the road again. "Yes. We're going on our second date tomorrow."

She could see him sending her quick glances out of the corner of her eyes, so she made sure to keep that smile plastered to her lips as she nodded her head eagerly. "Let me know how it went!" She told him, wondering if he knew she was lying. She didn't want to know the details of his date with another woman.

They stayed quiet for a few minutes, both painfully aware of the awkwardness slowly filling the squad car.

"You hungry?" Sam asked her out of the blue, probably wanting to lighten the mood.

Andy rolled her eyes at him and let out a small chuckle. "Sam, we just had lunch less than an hour ago, how can you still be hungry?" She asked him, thankful for the change of subject. She'd promised him no 'creepy McNally' today, so she shook herself and went along with his usual banter.

He chuckled and shrugged his shoulders, his playful grin back on his lips. "I don't know. I think I need a sugar boost. How about some doughnuts?"

She snorted. "You have GOT to be kidding me… do you KNOW how long I'm gonna have to work out to burn those calories?" She shook her head. "Get whatever you want. I'm fine with my apple." She told him.

"Fine. But don't ask for a bite, 'cause I won't give you one." He told her as he directed the car towards the closest doughnut place he knew.

Andy stared out the window, grinning mischievously. "You should watch what you eat more." She mumbled under her breath, knowing real well he could still hear her.

"What was that?" he asked, sounding slightly insulted.

Her grin grew larger, but she still didn't look at him. "I said, you should be careful about what you eat."

Even if she couldn't see him, she knew he was gaping at her, probably trying to look mad. "Are you saying I'm getting fat?" he nearly shrieked, playing along with her.

Andy looked at him, unable to keep herself from laughing at his outburst. "Oh my gosh, I think I had the exact same conversation with Traci two days ago."

Sam laughed bitterly before pointing his finger at her. "Laugh all you want McNally. This is not over. I'm still you're TO."

She shook her head, unable to stop giggling. "No you're not."

"Well, I'm your senior."

She nodded her head eagerly, totally agreeing with him. "That you're right… dad."

"McNally!"

The afternoon went by pretty quickly. The car was never quiet for long, since as soon as they stopped talking, either her or Sam would break the silence with small talk. Andy made sure not to think about the news Sam had dropped on her, knowing real well it would only put her in a bad place again. If she did, she would attract Sam attention again, and he'd start asking her questions she couldn't answer. She had to keep a strong face and wait till the end of shift to come. Deep down, she wanted nothing more but to curl up into bed and let it all out.

Once back at the station they both went straight to their locker room to get changed into their street clothes. Andy quickly took her gear off, deciding she'd take a shower when she'd get home. Plus, she didn't want to see Traci, since she knew she would see through her façade the second she'd walk in.

As she walked out of the locker room, she was surprised to see Sam leaning back against the opposite wall, apparently waiting for her. "Hey! That was fast!" He told her, falling in step with her.

Andy shrugged and lifted her backpack over her shoulders. "I decided I'd take my shower at home. The water pressure here sucks." She lied, giving him a small smile as he held the door open for her.

"You coming to the Penny tonight?"

She winced, remembering she'd told Traci and the boys she'd go with them after shift. She really didn't feel like it now. "Maybe, I'm not sure."

Sam told her he was going to be there and asked her if she needed a ride back to her place. She quickly declined the offer, telling him she wanted to take advantage of the nice weather to walk. They had the next day off, so they both wished each other a good time and separated, him heading to his car and her walking in the opposite direction.

She'd been walking for a few minutes when she got the sudden urge to run. Without a second thought, her legs started moving faster and faster, taking up speed until she was running full speed. She'd always enjoyed running, she loved the feeling of freedom it always gave her. But right now, what she loved the most was the fact that it prevented her from thinking. All she could focus on was keeping a good pace and not forgetting to breathe. Almost manically, she ran until she finally reached her apartment building. Only when she shut the door behind her did she allow herself to stop moving.

That's when she felt it. The soaring pain that grabbed her heart in a death grip and squeezed it with such force, she forgot how to breathe. Now, safe in the confines of her apartment, she could finally admit it.

She was utterly, madly in love with Sam Swarek.

And the man she was completely in love with had had to find someone else for her to realize it.

She took a few shaky steps and let her bag fall to the ground as she dropped onto her couch, letting the tears stream down her face.

She'd taken too much time. And now, it was too late.

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