Sorry for the delay in updating! Meant to put this up earlier this week but then all sorts of things got in the way… anyway, here's the next installment… thanks for all the comments and reviews! I really appreciate them. This chapter is a little angsty, but I promise everything will work out!

Disclaimer: I sill have no ownership of Rookie Blue.

Backup
Chapter 3

"Hold the door!" Andy called as she rushed from the cab towards the CN Tower. The rain was still coming down steadily, and she had, of course, forgotten a coat in her haste to get to work that morning.

Sam would always remember how she looked that moment she rushed through the door – cheeks flushed, hair a little wild, a slight scowl on her face as she teetered in her heels. Without thinking, she caught her balance by grasping his shoulder.

He took in the short, snug dress and what looked like a mile of bare leg and felt his mouth dry. And though he didn't know it, Andy had been right – if it were possible to physically swallow one's tongue, he was convinced he would have. He couldn't mask the desire in his eyes as he looked at her; couldn't break his stare until Oliver gave him a slight shove.

"Watch it, buddy." Oliver murmured so no one else could hear.

Sam snapped out of his trance. "McNally, don't you ever dress appropriately?" He hadn't meant for the remark to sound so sharp, but he could tell by her reaction that it had stung her. "I mean, come on, no coat?"

She visibly relaxed, and studied him. "I'm going to ignore that, and instead tell you two how nicely you clean up."

"Why thank you, McNally!" Oliver said jovially. "Where's your dashing detective tonight?"

Andy faltered a moment, then looked directly at Sam when she spoke. "Well, I imagine he's at work. But it's not quite my concern anymore – I ended things with him."

Sam stilled, and stared at Andy as he processed what she had just said, the air thick with the things that remained unspoken between them. Oliver looked back and forth between them with an expectant look on his face.

He finally broke the moment with a quip. "Well, sorry to hear about that. Shall we go see what kind of food the white shirts ponied up for this year?" He smacked Sam on the back as he walked towards the group of people waiting at the elevator banks. Andy followed him, stopping by Sam and leaning into him.

In a low voice, she took a chance. "Your move."

He actually sputtered. They boarded the elevator, and the crowd shifted around until they found themselves wedged in a corner, face to face, the city shrinking below them as the elevator ascended. Sam leaned in and spoke so no one could overhear them. "What the hell is that supposed to mean, my move?"

She tilted her head up and smiled at him. "Just that, Sam. I made my move, and it's your turn now." As she spoke, she sincerely hoped she wasn't making the biggest mistake of her life.

Someone jostled Sam, and he fell into her for a moment. Her back was against the glass of the elevator, and a thrill coursed through her when she felt his body flush against hers. She knew in that moment that she hadn't made a mistake – there was genuine chemistry between them.

"You made your move? Up until a few hours ago, you had a boyfriend."

"Exactly. And now I don't."

"And so you just expect me to… what? Be your backup, whatever?"

She considered, and sighed as the elevator slowed. "You're right. I handled that wrong. Seems to be a theme with me."

The elevator finally reached the top, and the crowd spilled out into the foyer.

"Sam." She gently pulled him to a corner and waited until they were alone. "I realized something this afternoon. Luke wasn't right for me. I was faking it, hoping that someday if I faked it long enough, he would be. And then I realized… well, I realized there was someone else I had feelings for. So I made a move. And now it's up to you."

He scowled at her, unsure how to proceed. So she wants me to make a move? Haven't I already shown her what I want? "McNally, I'm not some monkey who's going to jump through hoops at your command. You can't hit me with all that and expect me to –"

"Hey guys!" Traci bounced out of the elevator with the next round of people. With her were Dov, Chris and Gail, all dressed to the nines. "Are we ready to raise some money?" She took in the way that Sam and Andy were scowling at each other, and knew she needed to catch up on something.

"Let's party, guys!" Dov led the way into the restaurant, and Andy reluctantly let herself be pulled along. She shot a glance at Sam, who remained where they had stood, looking more than a little shell-shocked.

Maybe it had been a mistake after all.

Was it really a mistake? Next chapter coming soon – I promise to update sooner this time. Please let me know what you think!