A/N: Y'all blow me away! THANK YOU for all the follows, favorites & reviews on the 1st chapter. Hope y'all continue to enjoy the ride ...


Andy was waiting on the step when Sam pulled up. She was beautiful and Sam wondered if maybe she had a date later. She smiled as she climbed in the truck. "Hey!"

Sam returned her smile. "Hey."

They walked in the diner and Kim whistled. "You guys tryin' to get on a 'Best Dressed' list? Wow!"

Andy blushed that pretty pink and even Sam felt himself flush a little. "Thanks," was echoed by both as they made their way to the booth.

Kim set their coffees down and left them alone.

"Kim's right, you look great," Sam said softly.

Andy blushed again. "Thank you. You look pretty good yourself."

Sam smiled. "Thanks. If you've got somewhere ..."

"Nope. Only plans I have for the night are right here. But if you ..."

"Only place I'm going is home after I drop you off."

Andy smiled. She wanted to relax but something about Sam wouldn't let her. "You ok?"

"Did I tell you why I'm teaching?"

"Nope."

"Let's just say I'm not exactly known for playin' by the rules."

"Dare I ask if you've broken any lately?"

Sam flashed a smile, his dimples on display. "Depends who you ask."

Andy laughed.

"That's why I had to change to tonight. One of my babysitters wanted to see me last night."

"Babysitter?"

"White shirt."

Andy laughed softly before she asked, "Everything ok?"

"Yeah. Just not sure what last night was about yet."

"Why?"

"Not long after I got home I got a call from my handler in Guns and Gangs with an undercover op."

"Do you wanna take it?"

"I'm not sure."

"Why not?"

Sam knew he was telling Andy more than he should, but he'd gotten used to telling her things.

When Sam hesitated Andy put her hand on his. "Sam?"

"He called the op my get out of jail free card."

"Meaning?"

"It's not exactly a secret that this 'assignment' was punishment for coloring outside the lines one too many times."

"So the undercover ..."

"If I said yes, you'd walk into a class and I wouldn't be there."

Andy couldn't help it, the idea of Sam just disappearing made her sad. She couldn't look at Sam.

Sam hooked a finger under her chin. Andy wouldn't meet his eyes. "McNally, look at me." When she finally did as he asked there were tears in her eyes. Sam sighed. "Andy ..."

Andy cleared her throat."You said you're not sure ... why not?"

Sam didn't look at her as he said, "Gotten used to being home, I guess."

"Except you're not home, you're here ..."

"Tryin' to get rid of me, McNally?"

"No. Sam, what've you been telling us since class started?" Sam looked at her, curious to know what she'd gotten out of the class so far.

Andy took his hand. "You've been tellin' us for weeks to go with our gut; to listen to that little voice ... well, what's yours telling you?"

Sam looked at their hands before he looked at Andy as he softly said, "To stay here with you."

Andy stared at Sam, sure she'd heard him wrong but then he spoke again.

"I was sure this 'assignment' was gonna be the hell the shirts intended it to be ... then I met a beautiful brunette."

Andy's skin flushed with a light blush making Sam smile.

"I'm not friends with women but I'm friends with you. I'm not known for being a 'Chatty Cathy' but I can sit here for hours and talk to you."

It was Andy's turn to smile.

"I've walked away from my life - including the woman in it - for an op before, but this time, I'm not sure it's worth what I'm giving up."

Andy gave him a shy smile. "And what's that?"

"Seein' you graduate."

She hadn't moved her hand so Sam twined their fingers together.

"Afraid I'd skip out without you here?" she teased.

"You are not dropping out," he spoke so low it was almost a growl.

Andy laughed. "You haven't growled at me since that day I walked in on you beating up your desk."

"I wasn't beating up my desk."

"I'm sure your desk would say otherwise if it could," she teased with a grin that made Sam smile. "Y'know you never did tell me what that was about."

Sam flashed her a dimpled grin and winked at her making her smile as she flushed with a soft blush before he said, "That was what? The second time we had coffee?" Andy nodded. "Yeah, I wasn't gonna tell the cute student I was just gettin' to know that I had white shirts keepin' tabs on me."

"So we are breaking the rules?"

"Like I said, depends who you ask," Sam said with a devilish grin.

Andy squeezed his hand. "I'm not dropping out, Sam, with or without you here. You reminded me it wasn't how my dad did the job that I looked up to, it was what he did. I'm here 'cause I wanna help people," she smiled with pride, "but if you say yes, I'm gonna miss this," she whispered softly looking at their hands because she couldn't look at him.

"Thought you wanted me to go?" Sam teased.

"Before you say yes or no you need to have your hearing checked," Andy said shaking her head, "'cause I'm pretty sure you missed me sayin' I didn't, I asked what you wanted to do."

Sam flashed the dimples and Andy shook her head again as she laughed. "I'd miss that too."

"What?"

"Your smile. Those dimples."

Sam flashed another smile and Andy chewed her lip to keep from smiling back.

"Hey Sam," Kim called. Sam turned to look at her. "When are you gonna take that girl on a real date, not just bring her here?"

Sam and Andy looked at each other and laughed.

"She's still got 6 weeks left at the College, another 6 months for her training period," he looked at Andy, "and if I took the assignment I was just offered she may not even remember me when it's over ..."

"Forget the man who gave me back why I wanna do this job, don't count on it," Andy said softly, smiling.

"Have you talked to Tommy lately?"

"We usually have lunch together Sunday afternoon, if he's not feeling Saturday night," her voice like her eyes, dropped.

"You havin' lunch together tomorrow?"

"Won't know that 'til I get back to Toronto," Sam couldn't help but notice the way the life went out of her voice and how her body language took on the weight of the world.

Sam squeezed her hand so she'd look at him. "Want a ride?"

"No, Sam, I'm sure you have better things to do, I'll catch the GO ..."

Sam smiled softly. "Can't think of anything I'd rather do than spend time with you."

Andy couldn't help the blush. "Me either," she said softly, smiling.

They talked until Kim kicked them out. "Alright you two, as cute as you are, get outta here."

Sam laughed as he slid out of the booth and got to his feet. Throwing enough money on the table he held out his hand to help Andy. Like any other night, Sam's hand was on her back as they walked out.

Andy was quiet as Sam pulled onto the street. When they were almost at her apartment Sam glanced over. "What's goin' on McNally? You're never this quiet," he teased.

Andy turned in her seat to look at him. "I can't ..."

Sam was glad when her building came into view. Pulling up to the curb he put the truck in park and killed the engine before turning to look at her. "You can't what?"

Instead of answering him she looked down at her lap.

When she didn't look at him Sam reached for her hand. "Andy, talk to me," he said softly.

"I know you said you want to, but ..."

Sam rubbed his thumb across the back her hand. "But what? You don't want me to?"

"No. I mean yes ..."

"Which is it, McNally?" he teased.

Andy sighed then smiled. "Yes."

Sam didn't give her a chance to say anything else. "Good. What time do you wanna go?"

Andy shook her head, "Doesn't matter to me."

"Pick you up at 11?"

Andy smiled. "Ok."

Opening the door, Andy was still smiling when she got out. "Night Sam."

Sam smiled. "Night McNally."

Sunday morning Sam pulled up to Andy's apartment and waited ... and waited. After 10 minutes he got out of the truck and went to the door. The landlord was a little hesitant giving him Andy's number until Sam said he was a cop, then he wanted to know if Andy was in trouble and after Sam assured him she wasn't, that he knew her from the OPC he sighed in relief and gave him directions to which apartment was hers. Sam knocked on the door. "McNally?"

Sam laughed when he heard a muffled "Shit!" and her hurried movements before the door flew open. "Be ready in a minute!" she called out as Sam stepped inside and closed the door.

She came back into the living room a few minutes later. "Sorry."

Sam took one look at her and thought WOW! "You ready?"

Andy took a deep breath and laughed softly. "No, but I never am."

Sam laughed softly and motioned to the door. "Let's go."

A little over 2 hours later they were within the GTA heading for Tommy McNally's apartment. The closer they got the more fidgety and nervous Andy got. Sam reached over and held out his hand, Andy grabbed it like a life preserver making Sam chuckle a little.

"Sorry, I just ... I never know ..."

"Hold on as long as you need to, as tight as you need to."

Andy thought I may never let go as she smiled and said, "Thanks."

Andy was still holding Sam's hand as she knocked on her dad's door. Her fear was warranted when he answered the door hung-over and unhappy to be disturbed. To avoid any questions Andy dropped Sam's hand when she heard Tommy at the door, she was glad she did when her dad looked at Sam and said, "Swarek?! What the hell are you doin' here?!" He looked at Andy. "You in trouble?"

"No, Dad, I'm not in trouble. He was nice enough to offer me a ride. Nice to see you too, by the way," her voice was dripping with sarcasm. "Guess we're not havin' lunch ... again!" she turned and started down the hall.

Sam didn't say a word to the elder McNally, just went in search of the younger. He found her sitting on the tailgate of his truck. He sat next to her. She didn't look at him or say anything for the longest time, when she did her voice was thick with unshed tears. "I'm sorry you wasted your time bringing me into the city."

Sam reached for her hand. "I wouldn't call spending time with you a waste," he said softly.

She finally looked at him and gave him half a smile. "Sorry about my dad."

"Not here for your dad."

"After the way he just treated you, I'm glad."

"Treated me? I'm more concerned about how he treated you ..."

Andy sighed. "He'll call and apologize after he sleeps it off."

Sam didn't care if Tommy was her dad, that didn't sit right with him.

Andy's "I owe you lunch for bringin' me into Toronto," surprised him.

"No, you don't."

"It won't kill you to let a girl buy ya lunch, Sam."

Sam rolled his eyes.

"I promise, I won't tell your girlfriend," Andy said dryly but there was laughter in her eyes.

Sam bit the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling. "You sure the boyfriend won't get mad?"

"I think I'll risk it."

Sam laughed. "I know somebody who would ..."

Andy looked at him confused.

"Kim."

Andy laughed. "This isn't a date, Sam. This is me saying 'Thank you' to a friend."

If she was anyone else there's no way Sam would even consider letting her buy him lunch, but she was right, they were friends. Sam looked at her. "You wanna have lunch, we'll have lunch but you don't owe me lunch, McNally."

Andy sighed. "Fine. Where d'you wanna go?"

Neither were interested in the downtown core. They chose a quiet little restaurant and had what for them was a quick lunch. Sam's hand was on her back as they walked out.

As Andy got into the truck Sam's phone rang. Seeing the name on the caller I.D he swore making Andy give him a worried look. "Sorry." He connected the call. "What d'ya want, Boyd?"

"Sammy! Man, I haven't heard from you ..."

"That's because I don't have an answer yet, when I have one, you'll hear from me," and he disconnected the call.

"What was that about?" Andy asked looking at Sam.

They'd had such a great day together Sam was reluctant to tell her but he wouldn't not tell her either. "That was Boyd,"

"Your handler," she whispered.

Sam reached for her hand. "I meant what I told him, I don't have an answer yet."

They'd spent enough time together both in class and out that Andy didn't have to say anything for Sam to notice the sudden change and know something was bothering her.

Without a word, instead of heading in the direction that would take them back out of the city, Sam was suddenly going somewhere else. If it was anyone else Andy would've questioned it, but it wasn't anyone else, it was Sam and wherever he wanted to go ...

Half hour later Sam pulled into the driveway of a house that was dark. He got out of the truck and went to open Andy's door. Taking her hand he led her to the front door. He fumbled with a key before opening the door.

"Sam? Where are we? What're we doin' here?"

Sam couldn't help the smile as he closed the door and flipped on the lights. "Make yourself at home, McNally."

Andy looked around. "This is your house?"

Sam laughed as he put his hands on her hips and walked her further into his home. "Don't sound so surprised."

"Not that the house is yours, jackass, that you brought me here!"

Sam turned her around to look at him. "Why?"

Andy couldn't keep the laughter out of her voice. "Pretty sure this goes against every rule."

"You oughtta know by now it's no fun playin' by the rules all the time."

Andy couldn't help the giggle.

Sam went to the fridge and grabbed 2 bottles of the only thing he had - water - before going back to the living room. He handed one to Andy before sitting on the couch.

Andy kicked her shoes off before sitting on the couch and pulling her feet underneath her.

The minutes ticked by, neither saying a word, until Andy asked, "Where'd we pick up the elephant?"

Sam laughed. "Not sure, but I know when."

Andy couldn't deny it and gave a sad smile.

"What d'ya say we get rid of them?"

Andy looked confused. "Them?"

"Pretty sure there's more than one thing we need to talk about."

Andy smiled shyly. "Yeah."

Sam held out his hand. Andy turned and sat against the armrest as she placed her hand his.

"Where d'you wanna start?"

Andy looked at their hands. "Do you ever wonder if we woulda met another way?"

"You don't like how we met? Or that we met?"

Andy put her hands in her lap. "I didn't say that."

"Could make dating difficult if you did," Sam teased.

Andy couldn't look at him as she said, "Dating? Who's dating?"

Sam ran his tongue over his teeth to keep from smiling. She was baiting him and they both knew it.

"You make it this hard on all the guys that try to ask you out?"

"No, just the guy who has the most to lose if I say yes."

Sam finally looked at her. "If?"

Andy's eyes flashed with laughter as she shrugged. Sam couldn't help but laugh.

"What? Never have a girl say no before?"

"Are you?"

"Nothin' to say no to, you haven't asked ..."

Sam shook his head as he reached for her hand and said, "I think we got a few other things to talk about before I do that ..."

Andy gave a sad smile. "Which elephant d'you wanna talk about first? The one with a white shirt or the one with the shitty timing?"

Sam couldn't help but laugh. Clearing his throat he looked at their hands before looking at Andy as he said, "If I stay, I'm gonna ask you out ..."

"You gonna leave if I say no?" Andy teased.

Sam rolled his eyes. She knew the answer or she wouldn't be teasing him.

"You say yes we'd be breaking more than a few rules ..."

"No more than we're already breaking."

Sam laughed. "Not sure the OPC would agree."

"Afraid the OPC won't want you for another class?"

Sam raised his eyebrows and Andy laughed.

They were quiet for a few minutes. Andy broke the silence when she said, "Forget about me,"

Sam gave her a look that said as if, she ignored it and continued, "if Boyd brought this to you any other time, would you go?"

Sam looked Andy in the eye as he said, "Never had a reason not to before." He rubbed his thumb across her knuckles. He was quiet for a few minutes before he said, "If I take it I don't know how long I'd be gone," his voice was a whisper.

Leaning over she kissed his cheek. "I know."

Sam wrapped his arm around her and Andy curled up against him.

"If I go, I want you t'do somethin' for me," he said softly.

"What's that?" There was a smile in her voice.

"Stay here."

"Sam ..." Andy looked up at him.

"You graduate you're gonna need a place to stay when you come back to the city ... I go under, my life is gonna depend on my ability to keep my head in the game, it won't be if I'm worried about if you found a place ..."

"You this concerned about all your students?"

Sam rolled his eyes. "Smart ass."

Andy flashed a grin but Sam could tell she was unsure.

"Anybody asks, you're house-sitting so my team doesn't have to watch it."

"It won't seem strange you asked a student?"

"You were asked because I could trust you."

Andy smiled. "Got it all figured out, huh?"

"Except whether to go or not."

"Sam ..."

"I can't ask you out then disappear for who knows how long and I can't ask you to wait til the job is done so I can ask you when I come home ..."

"Yeah, you can, because if you don't or won't neither will I."