() Andy's actions in the beginning of chapter three are directly related to the ultimate conclusion of this series. Unfortunately, they will not be explained for many chapters. In fact, their complete meaning won't be clear until Book Three. I applaud your sharp eyes.

Chapter Four – A Time to Run for Cover

Canvassing a neighborhood has its perks. Getting out of the patrol car, but not having to chase a fleeing felon is high on that list. The sun was making a bright appearance. The air was brisk but not bone chilling. The neighborhood had no loose vicious dogs, all good. The results of the canvas, not so good. No one, other than the lady who had reported a problem, saw anything. No one knew anything, except a dead body in their neighborhood scared the stuffin' out of them. The only consolation Andy could think of was the 'pile of trash' dumped in the lady's back field would be cleaned up.

When the partners arrived back at quarters they checked with Sgt. Best about the undercover operation, before they started on the lengthy process of entering the results of the canvas into the department's computers.

When Sam tapped on the door, Sgt. Best motioned them in. He began speaking when the partners were seated. "Sam, we will be pulling you off the street while Andy is in training. Tomorrow you two need to clear your desk. Make sure everything is up to date. This operation is going to take at least six months, maybe more. If anything, either of you have worked on, goes to court, thorough reports are imperative. After shift, Sam, I want you to drive Andy down to Buffalo." Sgt. Best turned to Andy. He expected to see excitement; instead, she looked shocked. "Andy, I contacted a friend with the department there. He has a brother who runs a bartender training class at their local community college. The class isn't currently being offered but the training facility is available. The set up is perfect."

"I leave tomorrow?" The hesitation was apparent in her voice. "Why Buffalo?"

"There is less chance of your training being noticed. The feeling is the stolen goods are not leaving the country. Why risk border searches with stolen property. Buffalo isn't that far but it is out of country."

"How long will I be there?" Sam said nothing. They hadn't spent a night apart since that first night they were together. He was more pragmatic than she, but he still wasn't looking forward to being separated.

"Probably two weeks and they are going to be busy ones. You will be given private instruction in the afternoons and then work in a bar every night. My understanding is you should be able to tend bar at the Hyatt when this guy is through with you."

"Oh," was her only response. She had thought she would be trained in town and be home with Sam every night. At least there would be a weekend when she could see him.

"I know fourteen straight days and nights of working are going to be exhausting but you will have a few days off after you get back to take care of personal matters." Sgt. Best turned to Sam. "Sam, you've been through this undercover preparation before. Just check in with me when you come in day after tomorrow. Anything else?"

Andy was so miserable she couldn't answer; Sam wasn't happy but at least he could speak. "I don't' think so, thanks, Frank." He stood, took Andy's arm, she finally stood, he opened the door and they left the office.

The door barely shut before, "I don't want to be away from you." The sadness in her eyes made Sam's heart clinch. He didn't want to be away from her either. The realities of his decision to go into this undercover weighed heavy on him. I was the right decision but it did not come without some pain.

"It won't be long. We'll be back together when it's over."

She shook her head and bit her lip. This was no fun.

Their love making that night was satisfying but it wasn't fun. Andy, felt like it was a desperate, if unsuccessful attempt to store up the touch and feel of him, and later when he lay sleeping and she lay sleepless beside him, she knew memories of his touch were just that, only memories. They were a poor substitute for the real thing.

Sam had fixed dinner that evening. Andy had packed. She kept coming into the kitchen to ask if he thought she should bring some item or other with her. She probably could have packed adequately without his input but she didn't want to be separated from him, not this evening and surely not for the next two weeks.

After dinner, as they sat together on the sofa, they had difficulty talking. Silence from Sam was not unusual, but Andy was such a chatter box, her silence was noticeable. Sam finally spoke.

"At least we have cell phones. You can call whenever you have time. You're going to be so busy you won't even have time to be homesick." Andy's answer was an admission she had not shared with Sam before.

"Every day at work, I know I can't touch you." She chuckled. "I can only think about touching you, but I have to be careful with that too." Her emotions were playing across her face, first a smile, then desire and finally remorse. "When I think about it I get such a desire. It's nearly painful. But two weeks…, I won't even see you. I know I can't stop this but I really don't want to be away from you. I really don't."

"Andy, it won't be forever. You'll see; you'll do fine." Sam tried to put as positive a face on the situation as possible. He wasn't going to be happy away from her either, but it had to be done. Sam reached over the back of the sofa, pulled his guitar into his lap, and began Willie Nelson's, Let it Be Me. He sang and watched Andy watch him, her, with the tears streaming down her face; her lips held tightly together to keep from sobbing.

He never meant to make her sad. Everything he did, he did with her in mind. He had intended to tell her just how important she was to him, and to tell her in song but her reaction told him singing wasn't going to do the trick tonight. The guitar went over the back of the sofa before he gathered her in his arms. "Please don't cry. You know I love you. I'd stay with you if I could. Just remember, when you think of me it will be because I'm here thinking of you. You can do that for me, can't you?" He kissed her hair, rubbed her back and rocked her.

"You're a good man, Sam Swarek. I'm sure I don't deserve you."

The next morning was hectic. They had to get ready for work, but the matter of getting all of Andy's things in the truck, before they left, took their attention as well. Andy didn't even have an opportunity to reflect on the time that would pass before she was in Sam's home again. When she saw Traci in the locker room she knew she had to tell her something. Today's activities would not draw much attention, but when Sam came to work tomorrow and Andy wasn't with him, questions would be asked. Andy put her hand on Traci's arm as she was about to exit the room. "I need to talk to you."

"Sure, Girlfriend, what is it, trouble in paradise?" She always marveled at how well Andy and Sam did. She was sure there were no two more different people on the planet.

"I'm going to be training out of town for a couple of weeks. Will you and Jerry keep an eye on Sam?"

"Whoa! Sam may be a rascal but his is not going to cheat on you. You don't have to worry about that. He can't see anyone but you, and where are you going?" Traci was amazed Andy could be worried.

"That is not what I meant! He's going to be lonesome. Take him to dinner, drive him home from the Penny, and look out for him."

"Oh, we can surely do that. Now, where are you going and what kind of training? I haven't heard anything about any training on the schedule."

"I really can't tell you. What I can tell you is it's in preparation for an operation Sam and I are going to be involved in soon." Andy hated being so vague but she figured Traci would know all about it soon enough.

"Our undercover team swings into action again. You don't seem like the type for all that high drama, but I guess with Sam around you're Wonder Woman." Traci liked being a cop. It was a good job with good benefits. The stuff Andy got into was just a little too dangerous for her taste but her friend seemed to thrive on it.

Andy chuckled at the comment before locking her arm with Traci's as the friends headed to Parade. "Thanks, Traci, and keep this to yourself."

"Silent as a tomb," with one finger over her lips.

The morning flew by. From the beginning, Andy had been in charge of doing reports. First, because she was the rookie and they got all the shit jobs and later because she did them faster. There was a third reason. Sam didn't like reports, Andy didn't mind and Andy loved Sam, very simple. Today, Sam pitched in, not because she couldn't have gotten them done, but rather because that was where Andy was and Sam wanted to be with her. Everything was finished by just after three when they went to check out with Frank. He saw them approaching his office and waved them in.

"All finished?"

"It should be complete. What Andy didn't do, she checked to see I had done right. I don't' know how the department lived with me before she joined to rescue me."

"Sam!" The flash of anger was apparent in her eyes.

"That's what good partners do. But you already knew that." Frank said.

"And I have a good partner, but it is fun to pull her chain once in a while." He really wanted to see some emotion from her other than sadness. He had been successful.

Frank got down to business with the last minute reminders. "Andy, you will be staying with a cop and his wife. These are good people. They will enjoy the company and you won't be in a strange town all alone. There are probably some home cooked meals thrown in. You have been identified as Carol Marcus. This will give you a good opportunity to get comfortable with your cover. They know you are a cop on special assignment but they should not acknowledge that to you or others. Both of them understand they are the first stop on your journey to a new identity. Your trainer knows only the name, that he is being paid by the city of Toronto, and not to ask any questions. If you must take your cell phone do not let it off your body. Let Sam know when you have completed training and he will come get you. Do you have any questions?"

"Gun and badge?" she was sure she knew the answer but she wanted it official.

"You are being paid, so officially you are on duty, but being in a foreign country, a gun is a bad idea. You have absolutely no use for your badge. Your Andy McNally identification needs to be left with Sam when he drops you off. You need it only for crossing the border and he will be with you both ways. You do have cash, right?"

"I got American not Canadian currency."

"Good thinking. Have a safe trip. We'll see you in a couple of weeks."

"Thanks, Frank." Sam added as he ushered her out of the sergeant's office. "Get changed, Sweetheart, and I'll meet you in the truck." He squeezed her arm before he headed to the men's locker room.

He sat in the truck with the door open while he waited for her. Her grace never failed to impress him. Today was no different. The moment she exited the station he spotted her. Her long hair falling around her shoulders, the tight jeans, the low cut sweater, so seductive but never cheap. She was a class act and today she had it all together. She shook her head, squared her shoulders, and headed for him. Whatever she was feeling, she was always the professional. Things were as they were. She could not change them; she would make the best of the situation. Sam would never know whether the outfit was to torment him or to fill the part into which she had been cast, either way, she looked… fine and he would keep that picture in his thoughts while they were apart.

-0-

The trip to Buffalo will be a sad one but since it's only an hour or so away plus border crossing, the misery cant' last too long before the lovers bid each other 'adieu ', and Andy begins her adventures without him.

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