"For you." she said ever so quietly.
She knew why she did it, she did because she wanted him to be happy, and she truly believed in that moment when her arms were in the air and her voice yelling Ford's name that Sam was and would always be happier with Marlo. In a way it was Andy's way out, instead of seeing Sam everyday with her, watching them leave work hand-in-hand, show up at the penny; together. Just seeing him with somebody else who wasn't her, slowly broke her heart, everyday, little by little it hurt a little more than it did the day before. So she took the bullet for Marlo, so she wouldn't have to watch him with her anymore because there was a huge chance she could die.
Die for the man she loves.
"Andy..." he said, brushing her hair out of her face and kissing her forehead. He felt like he could breath again, she was here, she was awake and she was going to be okay. But then it all hit him at once, this was his fault. He was the one that brought Marlo into their lives, and she was the one that dragged Ford into the picture and if they had never started to date, then Andy would never of been shot. This was all his fault.
Being able to look at his face and read it was never one of the many talents, but in this moment she could read it like a book, he blamed himself.
"Sam don't okay?" his focus was brought back to her, "Sam, I need to tell you something, I did this because I want you to be happy.. I want you to feel free, and open with whoever you chose. And in that moment when I saw Ford pointing his gun at Marlo, I had this feeling and you're the one who's always telling me to trust my gut, that if she died you would never be happy and I couldn't bare to watch you unhappy for the rest of you life. So I please, please just don't let me having an extra belly button be for nothing, be happy okay?" he could see her eyes welting with tears, "be happy Sam, because my heart can't take seeing you miserable, I love you Sam Swarek and all I want is for you to be happy."
She didn't remember what he said in the ambulance or maybe she wanted him to make his choice with a clear mind, you know without her life hanging in the balance. But it was never a choice for him, it was always her, and it would always be her. She was the one that made his racing mind calm like an ocean, she's been there for four years without even really knowing it, she would be the one allergic to silence in the squad car when she was a rookie and they were just driving around, saving his ass on her second day on the job with Anton Hill, finding him at the Alpine Inn, she was always there for him when he needed in the most, she'd there when he didn't even know he needed her there, saving him, reminding him there's always something to come home for.
Marlo was there for him, but not in the way she was, she never pushed him, he felt like she never needed him. He wasn't the needy type but there was something about Andy needing him that gave him self assurance. "Andy, I can't be happy unless," he paused, he wanted what he said next to be meaningful and not ruin it with awkward umm's and uhhh's in between thoughts. " I can't be happy unless I'm with you. You have this effect on me, I can't explain it, and I don't want to understand it, you aren't just apart of my life, you are my life. And seeing you get shot made my life flash before my eyes, and you need to know when I saw my life, it had everything to do with you. The kids, house with the white picket fence, a dog; all of it. My life isn't worth a damn without you."
Hearing him say all this was all she needed, "Good, because I really need you right now." Her face fell into his chest, and she let the tears flow.
"I'm not going anywhere." He told her, wrapping his arms around her. "And I meant what I said, I love you Andy McNally."
"I love you, Sam Swarek."
Fini.