As always thank you everyone for reviewing/favoriting this story and me as an author. It means a lot to know that so many like this storyline because I for one would love to see it on the show if the writers can do it justice (which I have no doubt they could). It's actually second on my list of storylines I would like to see with of course McSwarek reuniting as numero uno.

Just FYI, I'm not sure how Women's Crisis works in Canada but here in the state that I live in (in the U.S.) you can't just call up the safe house and ask to speak with the victim. You have to call the crisis hotline and IF the victim is at the safe house a message will be sent to them, and the victim then has the choice to call you back. You never get to know if the person is there if they don't call you back.

Hope you Enjoy!

It's five o'clock and we don't have any leads on where Daniel might be. We managed to obtain a probable cause warrant for his arrest and patrol is actively looking for him. The door to parade is open and I can hear Sam briefing the night shift on today's events. He's providing them with Sarah's work contact information in case Daniel comes into custody so she can let Angie know. I hear someone walking towards our office, and when I look up, I see Oliver poking his head in the doorway.

"Hey Callaghan you want to catch a drink at The Penny with us?"

"Oh am I part of the cool kids now that I'm partnered with Swarak?" I ask half joking.

"Nah, Swarek's cool because I let him be seen with me," with a laugh Oliver fires back.

"Dream on Ollie," Sam says as he rolls his eyes coming back from parade.

"Oh hey Sammy, just asking Callaghan here if he wanted to head over to The Penny and have a drink."

I can see a look of curiosity display on Sam's face, and I'm sure he's wondering at what point was I all of a sudden included. Sure we have all worked together for a long time but I've never been "one of the five". Transferring over to 15 from 27 was fairly smooth but I still felt like I was the new kid on the first day of school. Then I started dating Andy, which kind of sealed the deal for me not being included as part of the group with the TOs.

"Yah sure, come along, and maybe if you're lucky I'll let you pay for a round of pool," Sam says with a smug look on his face.

I look at my two co-workers before me and I wonder if this is a good idea. "What about Andy, won't that be kind of weird for the both of you?"

With a sigh Sam responds to my question. "It's been two years since you and McNally broke up and if she can get past it then I guess….I can….still quietly hold a grudge." Sam and Oliver look at each other and both stifle a laugh.

"Whatever Swarek, I'll let you buy the first round." I start to turn off my computer and pack up for the day. "I'll see you over there."

"Alright it's a party," Oliver says as he rubs his hands together and leaves our office to go change in the locker room.

"Like it's 1999," Sam sarcastically calls back out to him.

With just me and Sam in the room I again bring up my concerns about Andy. I know she's over our past relationship, but this still might be a little awkward, and of all people Sam will know for sure. "Seriously though, I don't want to make Andy uncomfortable. It's one thing to work together but entirely different to hang out after work."

"Listen, if I thought in anyway Andy would feel uncomfortable I would have told Oliver it's not a good idea. It might do you good to see her happy outside of the work place. She really has forgiven you."

I feel a little relief from Swarek's statements but until I can see and hear it from Andy, I will never be able to truly forgive myself for hurting her so much.

"I however still think you're an idiot, but hey your loss my gain," Sam states as he's putting on his jacket while staring at me with a big smirk on his face.

"You're an ass you know that?" I argue back.

"So I've been told."

"Besides you're the idiot if you don't realize she was yours all along." I mentally kick myself for telling him this, giving him the satisfaction of knowing that although Andy did love me in her own way, her heart always lied with Swarek.

"Let's table this discussion for now; all this male bonding today has left me with an overwhelming desire to drink," Sam jokes although I'm pretty sure he's being serious at the same time.

"Whatever you say Sammy."

"I really hate it when you call me that."

"I know."

Walking into The Penny I see Oliver across the room. I quickly make it through the growing crowd and have a seat next to him.

"Glad you made it Callaghan. Decided to finally grace us with your presence," Oliver jokes as he takes a drink of his whiskey. "By the way, we men drink whiskey, so I hope you don't mind a little added hair to your chest."

He could use some I'm sure," Sam states as he and Andy walk up behind me. "He's always seemed a little too baby faced to be a hard ass detective."

I watch Sam pull out a chair for Andy who smiles at me as she sits down. I could be a total jerk right now and tell him that his girlfriend would know just how much hair I have on my chest, but for Andy's sake I'll let Swarek win this one.

"It's good to see you Luke. I feel like you're never around anymore," Andy tells me.

"That's because I'm too busy babysitting your boyfriend out in the field," I answer while looking at Sam from the corner of my eye. I can see him take a big swig of his drink.

After a few seconds he finally responds. "Dream on buddy."

"I hate it when you call me that."

"I know," Sam says with a big grin throwing my words back in my face.

"Okay, pissing contest will begin in about an hour. Drink up you two because I think you will be the leading contenders with all that animosity," Oliver jokes with us.

The mood at our table lightens up and it doesn't take long for all the other rookies to join us. There are times when it seems to others I'm laughing and paying attention to what they're saying but I'm really just sitting there taking it all in. I've never really felt like I've belonged anywhere, and truth be told watching how close the TOs and rookies are with each other, I've longed for that same companionship in my own life. Andy is the only person, other than Jo, to know about my past and where I come from. I've managed to lose the two people in my life, besides my family, that I've allowed to really see who I am. Before I can fixate on self pity I'm pulled out of my thoughts from someone calling my name. I half hold my breath when I realize it's Andy.

"Earth to Luke, you there?"

"Huh? Yah sorry, just thinking about a case," I lie.

"Why don't you come with me to the bar and we'll grab another round for everyone?"

I'm not sure what to make of this. I look over at Swarek to determine what he's thinking and I don't see a change in expression. He's still joking with the others and when he notices both of us get up at the same time he gently grabs her hand and brings her back down for a quick kiss and a caress of her cheek. Andy responds to Sam in the same manner and I turn my head feeling as if I'm intruding on an intimate moment between them, knowing I have no right to be a part of their lives in any way.

As I make my way to the bar knowing Andy will be right behind me at her own pace, I'm left with the feeling of knowing that even when he doesn't appear to be paying attention, Swarek always has Andy on his radar and aware of any change with her. It brings me a secure comfort in knowing Andy will always be protected as long as Sam's around.

Mick the bartender greets me when I finally make my way through the crowd. "What can I get you Detective Callaghan?"

"Just another round for everyone at my table." Mick leaves to fill the order just as Andy comes and stands next to me, leaning against the bar, she turns to face me.

"I'm glad you came out tonight Luke, really I am." I can hear the sincerity in her voice. After dating for as long as we did and working UC together, I know when she's telling the truth.

"Thanks Andy, that still means something to me you know." I say back to her with just as much truth.

"I'm happy Luke," she blurts out. "I mean I know you've been worried about me. Sam seems to tell me everything now. It's funny really; he goes from being 'Mr. Too Cool For Feelings' to 'I'm an open book'. It's amazing what a little grenade in the hand and six months away with no contact can do in breaking down someone's walls."

I can't help but laugh despite remembering how scared I was when I heard over the radio how heroic she was that day. I don't tell her that though, it will do no good for her to hear. Instead I tell her the words that will matter most to her. "It was only a matter of time before Swarek stopped being the idiot I told him he was being."

"So I've heard." A soft smile forms on her lips and there's a hint of pink in her cheeks that wasn't there a few moments ago.

"Even the walls he built were no match for you. I knew eventually you'd get through to him. Of course I never dreamed that you'd put your life on the line in doing so. "

"What can I say? Serve, protect, and be as dramatic as possible."

Silence falls upon us and for a few seconds I contemplate taking over some of the drinks that are already made, but when I reach for them I feel the warmth of Andy's hand on top of mine. Immediately our eyes connect and she tells me the words I've longed to hear.

"I forgive you Luke. I know that everyone makes mistakes and it hurt like hell, but you and I really weren't meant to be." She starts to chew on her bottom lip, probably in anticipation of what I'll say next.

"From the start I knew you had feelings for Swarek, I just didn't want to see it. I was wrong for sleeping with Jo, but you're right, in the end everything worked out for the best."

She squeezed my hand and then pulls away. The gesture was symbolic to what was happening between us right now. With her forgiveness I can truly let go and I feel like I can finally breathe again. As if to prove my point I take a deep breath and let it out, yup that feels good.

Mick starts to place the rest of the drinks down on the bar and I know we're soon going to have to return to our table. "It's really nice to see you so happy," I say to her hoping she believes me.

"I am happy and I want that for you too. Sam told me about your run in with his sister this morning."

The mention of Sarah has me almost spitting out the sip of whiskey I was in the middle of taking. "There isn't much to say really. In the short time I talked with her I found her intriguing."

"And beautiful right?"

"Oh I didn't notice." I lied again.

"Oh come on Luke, Sarah's gorgeous."

"Okay she is very beautiful, but why are we even having this conversation? Sam made it clear if I even think about asking her out I'm a dead man. Although the thought of being able to put Swarek in his place and claim it as self defense is very appealing."

"Luke," Andy says to me in a warning tone. "First of all, you are each other's partners so you back each other up no matter what when you are on the job. Secondly, if you have an opportunity to get to know Sarah you should go for it. She's an amazing person and so are you. Everyone deserves a second chance, but just know if you hurt her then Sam will have to stand in line because I will kick your ass myself."

Picturing an angry Andy coming at me leaves me with a valid question of whether or not I should be scared or amused. Instead I ask another valid question. "Why are we even talking about this?" I ask in confusion. "I had one encounter with her this morning it's not like we're going out on a date. I might not ever see her again."

"Because she just walked through the door," Andy replies slowly and deliberately with just the right amount of disbelief.

I hesitantly turn around to see Sam's sister standing in front of the door looking around for any familiar faces. I immediately notice the soft curls in her hair that weren't there this morning and the strapless black top, form fitting jeans, and black heals that should be outlawed on a woman like her. What is it about Sarah Swarek that draws me in? It's not simply her beauty, although there's no simplicity to her beauty at all.

Sarah first spots Andy and I see a look of relief on her face to have found someone she knows. Then when her eyes flash over to me that relief turns to curiosity. Trying to hide the shock on my face I look back to Andy who's grinning, and then to an empty chair, because out of the corner of my eye I can see one pissed off Sam Swarek walking our way. I guess the battlefield lines have been crossed again and our unspoken truce is over.