A/N: to those of you who reviewed. Thanks a bunch. Always means so much! There is nothing like feeling that your words actually mean something, so thank you! Yes, this is a multi-chapter fanfic, which needs to be furiously updated prior to the Season 2 debut next week! Hope you continue to enjoy…
Chapter Two: What lies beneath
A sharp rap at the window breaks Andy's daydream. She jumps slightly, then frowns. Sighing loudly, she takes her time putting down her phone, leaning over and opening the door.
Poking his head in, Sam hands her a cup of coffee. She can see from his damp hair curling slightly that he has taken her advice. Somehow, this doesn't make her feel any happier. Her thoughts, her throwaway comment, confirmed.
"Thought you might need that," he says, gruffly, before easing himself into his seat.
"Thanks." She is short. And being difficult. And she knows it.
Sam simply shakes his head. Pulls out into the traffic, takes a swig of hot coffee, before glancing over at her.
"What's crawled up your butt?" he asks. "Callaghan's time of the month?" He knows he is pushing her. He just wants to get a reaction. Anything. Something.
Her only response is a long, hard, dark look before she scowls back into her coffee cup. Sipping. Ignoring.
"Right… So, that's how it's going to be," he mutters, turning his attention back to the road.
Andy stares out of the window.
The day is spent in relative silence. A couple of minor disturbances, one B&E, a case of suspected domestic abuse. They do what they need to do, minimal interaction. He's not used to her being so quiet. And she, if she is honest, isn't all that used to not filling up the space with words. But, each question, each word that slips into her mouth, is bitten down, swallowed bitterly. She cannot, will not, allow that little green monster push past her lips.
Sam has barely pulled into the barn's parking lot at the end of shift, before she is out of the car. Muttering something about paperwork that needs to be done, Andy slams the door behind her, moving quickly across the lot.
It's after 7pm, by the time Andy has finished the reports. She emerges from the locker room, fresh from her shower, her bag hanging over her shoulder. Sees Sam leaning against the wall, just in the shadows.
Sighing, she makes to move past him. Intent on ignoring that he is even there. He catches her elbow, stopping her short.
They stand. Him leaning against the wall, her just in front, eyes focused on the front door.
"McNally, I don't know exactly what your problem is, but you are obviously pissed…"
"Not now Sam," she spits out. Pushes past him, starts to walk away.
He has had enough. Spins her around, leaning in as her back presses against the wall, his hands flat on the wall, either side of her head.
"Yes, now." He grits out.
She turns her head away, and grabbing her chin, he roughly jerks her back: "Now, I have been patient today, seeing that you obviously have a hangover. But, I am not going to be as patient tomorrow."
Andy continues to stare sullenly at him. He moves his hands to her shoulders, gripping her firmly. Starring deep into her eyes, he is surprised at the anger, and something akin to hatred, he sees there.
"Now, I don't know exactly what your problem is. And quite frankly, I don't want to know. But, like it or not, I am the senior officer here, which means I still make the rules. And for as long as we are partners, I need to know that you have got my back, and that I have yours. This… this…," he lets go as he leans back and waves his hands in the air, lowering his voice, the anger, the frustration dripping on every word ".. is just going to get one of us hurt. Or worse. And, I for one don't want your blood on my hands."
There is a flutter of emotions across her face. Breathing deeply, they stare into each other's eyes. He leans in again, his hands bracing against the wall, moving closer. Her guard drops. Just for a moment, a second. Enough…
The women's locker room door swings open. Voices. Laughter. The moment is broken. Shattered. Gone. Two sets of eyes slide over to where Gail stands in the doorway, Sam's jacket slung over her arm.
Sam drops his hands, Andy looks from the one to the other. "You finished?" she asks, coldly. "Because I certainly am."
Wrenching open the door, she lets it slam behind her. Closing on Sam. On Gail. She looks across the darkening lot, to where Luke is waiting for her. Her past; her future.
Sam smacks the wall in frustration as Gail walks up to him, wincing slightly. "Too much?" she asks, quietly, gently, laying an hand on his arm as he stands, his forehead resting against the cool surface.
"Come on Sam, let's get that drink."
They sit side-by-side in the noisy pub, the dark-haired and the blonde, swirling their bourbon. Silent. Each lost in their own thoughts.
Sam clears his throat: "How's Chris doing?"
Gail's eyes light up at his question. "He's good. Popped in to see him earlier. Now that they have put him in general ward, even us police officers have to abide by the visiting hours. But they should be letting him home tomorrow."
They sip their drinks quietly for a while. "Thanks again for taking me to the hospital to see him last night," she says, softly. "It was because of you, they let me in."
Sam offers a half-smile. "Who am I to stand in the way of true love?" Bumps her shoulder. She grins.
"Andy thinks we had sex."
Sam looks at her. She nods.
"She thinks we spent the night together. Twice. And, to be honest. I may have encouraged that thought. Just a bit." She holds her index finger and thumb up, inches apart.
He continues to stare at her. An unreadable expression on his face.
"Who am I to stand in the way of true love?" she throws his words back at him, bumping his shoulder this time.
Quiet again.
"So, what are you going to do about it?" she finally asks.
He shrugs. "Nothing. She's with Callaghan, living with Callaghan and, until that changes, I can... No, I will do nothing."
They sit silently again, shoulder to shoulder, comfortable.
Same clears his throat: "Her reaction - that was good though, wasn't it?" he asks.
They both smile into their drinks.