Did I say a two-part story? I meant three :)

As with the previous story, the written words of the note are written in italics with Andy's actions scattered in between in parentheses.

I struggled a little with the note. We all know how reserved Sam is; he doesn't give up his feelings easily. But I also think that he must realize that he's going to have to step it up for this to work and he did have a lot of time to work on it, so if you go on that assumption... I hope I didn't go too far. It's probably more what I want him to say than what he would say, but I hope you enjoy it.

Thanks again to SairsJ who always makes time to give my stories the once over for me.

She let her watery eyes fall back down to the card.

Happy Birthday, Andy!

If you're reading this, I'll thank Collins, God, hell even Callaghan; you're home. (Andy blew out a long shaky breath and blinked her eyes rapidly, trying to clear the blanket of tears that were keeping her from fully appreciating his words.)

I'm still not good at this, but I'm going to try. I was kind of hoping that writing it might make it easier, but I have to tell you it's a good thing I bought a whole box of these cards. (Andy could feel the butterflies swirling in her stomach at the thought of Sam really and truly making an effort to let her in.) I can only hope to do as well as you did and that this will mean as much to you as your note meant to me. (Andy smiled softly. It seemed so long ago that she wrote that note and gave it to Jerry along with the picture. So much had changed since then; she had even forgotten about the gift. But right now she couldn't have been happier that she had. She didn't even want to imagine where they would be if she had found a way to get it back, if Sam had never gotten it, if he might have...) I've read it so many times I could probably recite it word for word. Thank you, Andy. Thank you for sharing yourself with me; I know that by the time I got the note a lot of things had changed but not my feelings for you. No matter what I did or said Andy that never changed. I hope you can believe me. And your note, it got me through; it didn't make the waiting any easier but it reminded me why I wanted, no needed, to do it. (Andy's eyes started to tear up again. She closed them for a brief moment as she reveled in the feelings that washed over her. He had waited.)

(Andy took a deep breath and opened her eyes again.) And the picture. I'm sorry but I just couldn't put it up with the rest of them like you asked. I couldn't do it. (Andy's head flopped back onto the pillow as she willed the tears to stay away. He said he had waited so why couldn't he put it up? She knew they still had a long way to go and maybe that's what he meant; maybe they just weren't there yet. She had to believe that. She looked back down to the page.) It means too much to just be lumped in with all the others ones. (What?) So I put it on the nightstand beside my bed. (Andy let out a short soggy chuckle of relief.) It's one of my favorite pictures now too and I look at it every day. It makes me a little sad because it reminds me of what I let slip away. But it also makes me happy because it shows me how much you loved me. And how much I loved you… do love you. Wow, it still sounds awkward but for a totally different reason. (Andy smiled. To her, it wasn't awkward; it was amazing.)

I miss you, a lot. (God, she missed him too. Every single day she was gone.) And I'm sorry that I didn't tell you when my birthday was. It shouldn't have been that hard; I don't know why I made it that way. I'm glad you cared enough to find a way though, and just so you know, it's December 15th. You may not have been here this year, but you still found a way to make it better so I can't wait for the next one. (Andy couldn't wait either. She picked up her phone and programmed the date in to his contact information just so she wouldn't forget.) I really did love the present Andy. I mean I would have enjoyed the lingerie… a lot. (Her heartbeat started to pick up and she could feel the heat warming her cheeks. She wasn't sure if it was the thought of Sam seeing her in lingerie or simply the smirk she knew was on his face as he wrote it. Just the thought of those dimples made her stomach swoop in anticipation of seeing them again, especially directed at her.) But I couldn't ask for anything more than us. It's a thing for me too; even if I've shown you otherwise.

I'm so sorry, Andy. I really am. I don't know what else to say. I hope by the time you get back that I've figured out how to explain it. I'm not even going to try and write it out here now; you deserve to hear it in person anyway, whenever you're ready; it's the least I can do. (Andy hoped she was ready too. She had been so confused for those six weeks. She knew Sam had his own way of dealing with things and that she probably should have given him more space. But she couldn't bring herself to just abandon him; he was hurting and she couldn't just stand aside and let that happen. She needed him to know that she was there and that she wanted to be there for him for whatever he needed. But he wouldn't even let her do that. It hurt that he didn't want her there and she worried that it might happen again. Could he assure her that it wouldn't? Could she go through this again if it did? Was she ready? Was he? Andy shook her head to rid herself of her own thoughts so she could concentrate on Sam's.)

I hope it's okay that we came into your house. After I got the birthday gift you gave to Jerry, (Andy was definitely going to have to ask him how that happened.) I wanted to make sure to get your Christmas presents to everyone. (Andy's eyes narrowed; that really didn't sound like him.) Fine Nash thought everyone should have them I just really wanted to see what you bought, wanted to see something that came from you. (Andy furrowed her brow and looked towards the closet. She briefly wondered if they had found the other box too.) She helped me sort through them and took the ones for your friends and your mother. (She couldn't help the smirk that sprang to her lips, even in writing she could feel his resentment to her mother coming through.) I delivered your Dad's (Andy's jaw dropped open and her hand flew to her forehead. Of all the years to get hockey tickets... she would have to apologize to him for that one.) and of course the ones for Sarah's family.

Everyone loved their presents by the way; Epstein probably a little too much. Thanks for that. (She could picture Sam rolling his eyes but she really couldn't wait to see Dov in the jacket. She would bet money that he was still wearing it every day.) And Ollie and Frank & Noelle, they were more than happy to take advantage of your kindness. (Andy had to think about that for a moment and then her eyes sprang wide open when she remembered she had volunteered them to babysit. She flinched a little at Sam's reaction.) Suffice it to say when I thought about spending New Year's Eve with a girl she did have beautiful brown eyes but she sure as hell did not wear a diaper and nod off at 8pm. (A giggle sprang forth from Andy's lips until pictures started flashing through her mind - Sam holding baby Olivia, cooing over her, her asleep on his shoulder, him tucking her in. It felt like a New Year's party in her stomach; that was not a sight she would be opposed to seeing.) Seriously though that was really nice of you to think of my friends too and that kind of gift meant more to them than anything you could buy. Thought you should know I spent Valentine's with three different girls, but don't get jealous (Her back stiffened; the words I don't get jealous on the tip of her tongue.) because I really wanted to spend it with just one. It was worth it though because Zoe was actually quite civil to me. I don't think Oliver told her it wasn't my idea because he made me buy him lunch as payback for keeping the secret. (Andy grinned; that definitely sounded like something Oliver would do.)

You were right about me; I am a last minute kind of guy or more often than not a 'can I throw in with you' one too. Your planning really helped. And don't ever worry about picking out presents; you are already amazing at it. What you did for my sister and her family – I don't even know what to say except everyone loved Uncle Sammy just a little bit more this year. (Andy's cheeks flushed a little; they weren't the only ones.) You're right we are different but we do complement each other; we ARE a great team. Sarah was more than impressed and told me I better get on it. (Andy tucked her lower lip under her teeth. She couldn't help but wonder if this was the first time Sarah and her family had even heard about her and just how much he had told them.)

I hope you had a great birthday and I need you to know how much you mean to me too. I know I didn't show it very well but you do. You gave me us for my birthday and just so you know, you can't take it back. I'm going to do EVERYTHING just like I said starting with your birthday. It wasn't the same without you but breakfast was great and I told Jerry you said hi. (A huge lump formed in Andy's throat when she realized what Sam meant, when she remembered her birthday wish; she couldn't believe that he had taken her words to heart even when she wasn't there.)

You gave me us for my birthday. And I know that for there to be an `us', I have to be all in just like you. (Andy's eyes widened again; that felt like too much of a coincidence. She got up from her bed and pulled her gift box out. The smaller box she had tucked behind it so long ago was still there. She wondered if he had opened it; if he had figured out that it was supposed to be for him until... She glanced back at her present and the note still up on the bed and decided that she would check the box fully later. She really wanted to hear more from Sam; she got back up, crawled under the covers again and picked up the note.) So here I am this is me and I'm all yours.

Andy set the note down and began removing the paper from the gift assuming that's what he meant by his cryptic words. Her fingers were trembling as she tried to remove the tape. She let go of everything for a second and shook out her hands hoping to steady them and her nerves. Once she could remove the lid from the box, Andy pulled apart the tissue surrounding it. Her mouth dropped open; it was a photo album. The anticipation was killing her; it had to be...

She flipped it open to the first page. There was a picture of a man and a woman with a small dark haired baby that she assumed had to be Sam. She didn't know how old he was but she could already see the tiny dimples forming in his cheeks. The next one was the same small family except with a young girl in it as well. She was smiling with the same dimples as little her brother and from what Andy could see, as their father as well.

Andy flipped through the pages drinking in every detail, Sam as a small child – he looked so happy; another family picture, but this time the father was noticeably absent. There were a few more of Sam and Sarah as fun loving children but the second Andy flipped to the next page she could feel an instant change. There was an entirely different family staring back at her, the mother and father were blond with blue eyes and although the same daughter and son were present, the smiles appeared forced and the young girl's eyes were just...blank. Andy studied the photo for a few more seconds but had to turn from it; it hurt her heart just to look at it.

After that, there were few more family pictures but in each one everyone seemed to be guarding their own personal space. Andy let out a long sigh; that was one part of Sam's life she was definitely curious about but she also knew it was going to be hard on both of them to dredge it up.

Thankfully, when she flipped the page again, the smiles were back; there were pages of Sam, Oliver, Jerry, Frank and Noelle through the academy, graduating and what looked like their rookie initiation into Fifteen. Not surprisingly Noelle was drinking the shot with her hands while the boys held the glasses in their mouths as their arms remained cuffed behind their backs. Andy leaned her head in close and squinted her eyes as she looked into the background; she huffed out a disbelieving breath. She could just make out Boyd in the background. He appeared to be holding court with what she recognized as the detectives her Dad used to work with; none of them looked overly impressed. She didn't blame them; she was sure even back then he was an ass.

On the last two pages, Sam included a recent picture of Sarah's family and finished with one of him and Andy. She slid her hands along the image of Sam from top to toe, trying her best to pull his essence straight from the page. She loved the picture and she loved him. With a smile, she set down the album and recaptured the note.

Sarah made the album for me, well for me to give to you. I have a few pictures but she kept most of the old ones so she had the reprints done and put them in the album. I thought about writing on them for you but then decided I'd rather tell you about them in person. You've probably guessed a little about my dad, about the foster stuff maybe, but I have so many stories about the academy that I know you'll like and maybe you can tell me a few about your time there too. (Andy chuckled, she definitely had some stories he would get a kick out of.) There has got to be a reason why you are so close, but then I guess I'm closest to the friends I met there too.

The picture of Sarah's family is from this Christmas. That's Sarah and her husband Dan. Their oldest son is Connor, then my niece Emma and the little hellion is Max. I really hope to introduce you in person though... soon.

The last picture I put in. I hope you can tell that I love you.(Andy let out another long, slow breath; he had written it more times in this card than... She got up to get a glass of water from the bathroom so she could wash down the lump in her throat. She saw it as plain as day… in both of their faces. Even way back then she loved him, and when she finally let herself say it, she couldn't believe how good it felt. And even though she told him he didn't have to, it felt really good hearing it back.)

I just want you to know that you make me happy and I'm thankful for you every day. I don't have to imagine my life without you in it because I lived it, and I don't ever want to do it again. (The waterworks had started up again. She knew exactly what he meant and she never wanted to feel that way again either.)

I know I said I can't be a cop and be with you, but where there's a will there's a way. You might be surprised at what I came up with. I can't wait to tell you. (Andy's head jerked up and her brow began to wrinkle. What? He had already been thinking about it. What could he have done?)

Call me when you get back okay? I don't want you to worry about anything; it's all good. I want this and I hope you do too.

Love, Sam

PS I may have grumbled, but I was happy to come with you to your Dad's that night even if the surprise was on us. (Andy laughed; she had definitely not been expecting her Dad to have company. But she was happy for him and hoped that he was still doing well.)

PPS: Nash and I took turns airing the place out and keeping it clean for you. The food was actually her idea, but the ice cream was my treat.

Happy Birthday, Andy. I love you.

Andy set down the note and picked up her phone. She stared at it for a few minutes trying to decide what she wanted to do, what she could even say after six months. And then what about Traci? She and Sam were obviously working together in keeping Andy's place clean; she really needed to talk to her too. Andy's head flopped back onto the pillow as she contemplated the right thing to say, but nothing would come. Finally she decided to just text them both a 'thanks' and see what happened.

Sam and Traci were sitting in their office reviewing witness testimonies. They still had a few hours left in their shift and they were both looking forward to the day just being done. They had hit a road block on their latest case and were hoping that the review might stir up something new but so far no luck.

Sam tossed his file onto his desk and stood up to stretch his legs. "You need a refill?" He asked Traci gesturing towards her mug after he picked up his own.

"Yeah, that would be great."

She held the cup out to him and he scooped it up with his free hand just as his phone started to vibrate. He fumbled with the mugs before finally pulling the cell free from his pocket just as he reached the door. He stopped dead in his tracks.

Traci hadn't noticed Sam's hesitation because her phone had alerted her to a text as well. She was still staring at the screen when Sam pivoted back to look at her, his eyes wide.

She looked up at him with the same disbelieving look. Her eyes dropped back to the screen and then up at Sam and then the screen again. "It's from Andy," she whispered.

"Me too," he echoed, saluting her with his own phone.

"What did she say?"

Sam pursed his lips. "Haven't looked. You?"

"Me either. Do you think it means…"

"She's back," Sam murmured, confirming her thoughts.

Traci nodded; she wouldn't have been able to contact them otherwise. If she had her own phone, it must mean she was home so it had to be good news.

She looked over at Sam again and he motioned like she should read it. He had already sat back down, fresh coffee long forgotten.

They opened it up at the same time. It was short and sweet and addressed to both: 'Thank you.'

Traci furrowed her brow; it wasn't like Andy to be so succinct even in a text. Sam was scowling but more because he worried that it was too detached. She must know by now…

After a few seconds of silence, Traci offered up a theory. "Maybe she just wanted to reach out. You know, let us know she was home obviously and that she appreciated what we did." She shrugged a shoulder. "I guess she's leaving it up to us what we do with it."

Sam was scowling. "I think I put myself out there enough, Nash. Don't you think it's her turn?"

Traci offered him a soft smile of understanding, and insight only a best friend would have. "Sam, she's probably scared; she disappeared without a word and she has no idea if you left that stuff last week, last month or last year."

Sam was shaking his head. "I was there on the weekend; there's no way she doesn't know that's recent and if I wanted to take back the presents I could have."

Traci was shrugging again. "Unless you forgot or didn't bother. Sam, I think this was her way of reaching out and I for one am going to take full advantage. I'm glad she's back and I want her to know it."

Sam huffed out an indignant breath. "And you think I'm not…"

"No," she interjected. "I'm just saying six months has been too long and I'm not wasting any time being mad. Hell, it could have been me and I would have wanted her to welcome me back happily."

Sam tapped in a couple of words and then stared at the screen. When he looked up Traci was typing furiously on her phone.

'You're home then?'

'Yeah, just got here a bit ago. Thanks for everything.'

Traci took a quick peek up at Sam. 'It wasn't just me.'

'I know. Is he…'

Traci didn't wait for Andy's response before sending her another. 'We'll catch up later okay; I know I'm not the only one who missed you ;) Call me.'

Traci looked up at Sam. "She's back."

Sam watched as she set her phone back down on the desk; he furrowed his brow. "That's it; you're done. You don't want to…"

Traci waved him off. "We'll catch up later. I just thought there were other people she might want to talk with too," she added pointedly.

Sam blew out a soft breath and hit send on his phone.

Andy didn't have to wait long for a reply. She tried not to be too disappointed that it wasn't Sam that responded first but decided he was probably busy. She exchanged a few simple texts with Traci, and when her friend begged off quickly she couldn't help but wonder if Sam had said anything to her.

Her phone buzzed again. 'You're Welcome.'

Andy smiled when she saw his name pop up, and her fingers sped over the keys. 'I can't believe you did this'

'Good thing?'

Andy started typing immediately. 'Great thing. Thank you.' She didn't want him to second guess himself, and just to make sure, she didn't even give him a chance to formulate an answer before she sent the next message. 'You really did do it all. You took out my garbage, you cooked.'

'To be honest, Nash did most of the cooking.'

Andy smiled; she could just picture the look on his face. For as cocky as he could be, he was also very humble and he never took the credit when it wasn't his. 'Not all of it. Lasagne was great. You been walking my dog too?' Andy giggled hoping it would make him smile too.

':) Sorry, no.'

'Two out of three ain't bad.'

'It is when Oliver sang it on karaoke night last week.'

Andy barked out a laugh but then immediately covered her mouth to stifle it; she didn't want to wake up Nick. She listened for a few seconds but couldn't hear anything from the other room. She re-read Sam's note trying to decide on an appropriate response. Her eyes widened and her heart rate picked up at an errant thought. Should she? Her fingers hovered over the keys for a few seconds till she finally resolved herself to just do it. 'Almost makes me wish I was there.'

She leaned back against the headboard, took a deep breath and waited.

'Oh yeah, what would you sing?'

Andy pursed her lips. 'All by myself?'

She waited, but nothing came through. After a couple of minutes, she worried that maybe she went too far. She was just contemplating another text to undo what she had done when her phone came to life in her hand. She looked down as Sam's name flashed up on the screen. She clicked accept and held the device up to her ear.

Before she could stutter out her greeting, she heard, "No, you're not."

A small smile graced her lips at the sound of his voice and the assurance in his words. "No?" She whispered.

"Not if you don't want to be," he replied just as softly.

It took everything she had to stop the ramble at the tip of her tongue telling him that she didn't want to be, that she missed him every single day, that she never felt so alone, that she never wanted to be apart again, that she couldn't live without him. But she knew it was way too soon for monumental declarations. Other than that though, she really didn't know what to say.

The silence was just starting to get uncomfortable when Sam broke it; he obviously wasn't used to her being speechless either. "Are you okay, Andy? Do you want me to... or Nash," he offered quickly, not wanting to push her. "Do you want someone to come over?"

Andy could feel her pulse in her throat. Did she want that? Was she ready? She knew she wanted to see him, but was now the right time? Plus, he was working. "I'm okay and Nick's here so..."

Andy's words caught in her throat when she heard what sounded like a muffled growl come from the phone. What could she have...?

She listened as Sam cleared his throat. "That's good, um, good."

Andy felt like she should explain and this time she couldn't hold back the ramble. "He just wanted to have a good night, you know? He figured his place was probably filthy and there was food here and it was clean and he's taking a nap… o-on the couch of course..."

She heard a soft chuckle on the other end of the line and relief washed over her.

"Well, you can tell him that his place is clean too."

"Really?" She knew his parents had passed and that Gail was his only real tie to Toronto. But she had a hard time imagining Gail looking after his apartment once she realized he had left without a word.

"Yeah, Nash had to practically wrestle Peck for the combination to his locker, but she finally got it."

"Tell him he owes me!" Traci yelled from the background.

Sam huffed out a quick chuckle. "Anyway, his place should be decent too."

"That's good," she agreed, nodding to herself as her mind started working to find something else to say to keep him on the phone. "You're working with the D's today?" She wondered aloud.

"Yeah, uh, I..."

The reluctance in Sam's voice had Andy backtracking almost immediately. "It's fine Sam. I should probably let you go; I'm sure you're busy."

"No, it's okay; I just..."

"Don't worry about it," Andy interrupted with an exaggerated yawn. "I should get some sleep anyway; we've been up all night so..."

"Oh, yeah, sure," he conceded knowing all too well the exhaustion at the end of a UC and debrief. But he couldn't just let her go without reassuring himself that he would hear from her again soon. "Can we talk later?"

Andy took a deep breath and swallowed hard. "Yeah, I'd like that," she agreed.

She could hear the smile in his voice as he replied. "You get some sleep then and we'll..." he blew out a long breath. "Night, Andy."

Andy giggled softly. "Night, Sam."

After a few seconds of listening to him breathe on the other end of the line, she finally ended the call with another, almost silent "night, Sam."

She placed the phone on the night stand, burrowed under the covers and closed her eyes.

Andy woke up a few hours later and looked at her clock. It was almost six. She was still tired but figured it would probably be best if she got up now so that she could sleep again later. She walked out into the living room to find Nick just pushing himself up off the couch. "You making coffee," he mumbled obviously still half in the throes of sleep.

"I was thinking about it," she answered back.

"Good, I'm gonna," he gestured towards the bathroom and then made his way toward it running his hand over his face and through his hair.

Andy laughed. After living with him for six months, she was used to giving him some time to wake up before carrying on a conversation.

When Nick came out a few minutes later, he definitely looked more alert. He walked straight into the kitchen and gave her a half hug. "I love you Andy but that couch sucks."

Andy pushed him off of her playfully. "Hey, I told you it wasn't great, but you insisted."

"I know," he conceded wistfully.

"You want some good news?"

Nick narrowed his eyes and looked her over. "You do look happy," he noted accusingly.

"I had a good sleep and..."

"Nice, kick a man while he's down."

Andy chuckled. "That's not what I meant. I just feel better now that I... slept."

Nick eyed her warily. "And?"

"And, I may have talked to a couple of people," she added with feigned nonchalance.

"Anyone in particular?"

It went without saying that he knew who she meant; she was sure the blush in her cheeks had given her away. So instead of an answer she offered him the news she had alluded to earlier.

"Rumor has it your place has been cleaned too," she revealed giddily.

She saw surprise flash in his eyes but when hope started to take its place, she knew she had to cut in. "Traci says you owe her one."

Nick tried to hide the disappointment by turning and grabbing for a mug, but after six months he couldn't hide much from Andy. "You can still stay for a while if you want," she offered.

Nick slid around her and lifted the coffee pot from the machine. He poured them each a cup and then pulled open the fridge. He turned back towards Andy as he shut it again. "You need milk."

Andy scrunched up her nose partially at Nick's evasion but mostly at the thought of drinking her coffee black. "We could go get groceries?" She suggested pushing the cup aside.

Nick picked up his mug, blew on the hot liquid for a bit and then took a long sip. "Actually, I should probably head home; you know, try and get a decent night's sleep."

"You sure?"

"Weren't you the one trying to get rid of me earlier?"

Andy just dropped her chin and quirked her eyebrow. She hoped he knew better than that.

"I'm sure," Nick affirmed setting his cup down on the counter "An actual bed is sounding pretty good right about now."

Andy offered him a sheepish smile. "Sorry about the couch."

"No worries," he replied making his way to the door.

"Guess I'm on my own," Andy sighed pouring the unfinished coffees into the sink as Nick slipped on his shoes.

He was pulling the door open just as Andy emerged from the kitchen. "No, I don't think you are," he announced.

Andy's eyes darted away from Nick and focussed on the visitor in the doorway.

"You good?"