Chapter 4

Thanks for all your support. Two chapters in less than 24 hours didn't think I'd make it.

Andy let herself into her condo after Traci dropped her off.

"Nick" she called. She was greeted back in silence, walking into the kitchen while shrugging off her jacket and kicking off her shoes she found a note on the island.

Hey Andy, went to break the "news" to Gail and to change up for my shift I'll be back as soon as I can. And I want to finish our convo before shift otherwise ill have to call in sick." Nick

Andy went to get ready for bed since she wasn't going in today- Frank had given her the next few days off to get her act together. She showered and changed into PJ's and got under the covers flipping onto her stomach to get into a comfortable position to read her wedding magazine. She was so tired that not even five minutes passed before she was sound asleep.

Nick knocked on the door, when there was no answer he let himself in with the spare key Andy had given to him earlier in the day. Dropping it off in the kitchen he found that on the back of his note was a note from her as well.

Hey, Nick in my bedroom Andy.

He walked slowly through the apartment assuming she was sleeping since it was so quite. When he got to the bedroom his breath hitched. She looked so peaceful sleeping like that as if there was no trouble in the world. He sighed happily he can stay like that all day.

And then came the moment where his world suddenly turned black. Andy tossed and turned all the while shrieking "Nick". He froze. What was going on? Why was she like this? Reality set in and he rushed to lie down next to her soothing her back to a peaceful sleep by tracing her patterns on her back and whispering "Don't worry Andy I'm here its okay. Whatever it is we will be okay I love you"

She turned over and snuggled closer to him wrapping her arm around him and tucking her head on his chest right below his chin. He wanted to wake her so he could figure out why she was screaming his name. But his nurturing nature kicked in and he put himself before her. He found himself doing that lately he was always making sure the other was happy whether it was pacifying Gail or making sure Andy was REALLY fine. He figured having grown up the way he did taught him how to be so selfless, in fact he had no idea how to be selfish.

All the thoughts of why she could be screaming his name ran through his head maybe it was still the UC or what happened today he really didn't know but whatever it was he was going to fix it he vowed.

Finally Andy woke up. "Hey," she said sleepily reaching up to kiss him. Nick kissed her back strongly, letting himself get lost in her. They finally broke apart Nick propped himself up looking deeply into her eyes. After awhile Andy feeling the look getting too intense broke it off.

Nick sighed and looked at the floor shaking his head.

"Nick?" said Andy worriedly. "What's the matter?"

"It's alright it's gonna be fine"

"Andy, you know when I came home I was coming to your room and you were screaming in your sleep."

"What'd I say?"

"Nick"

Andy turned pale and immediately stammered "Nick I can't talk about it not yet anyway, can we just enjoy ourselves now" "Please" she begged.

"Andy I need to know I won't be able to sleep tonight please tell me what's going on. I love you so much I can't just see you hurting and not do anything about it." Nick was almost near tears.

"Just to be here Nick that's it I need from you to be here, that I'll wake up every morning with you next to me."

Nick smiled still a bit uneasy but ready to accept it if…. NO he needed to know why and he was going to get an answer he was tired of always putting everyone in front of his needs.

"You need to tell me I can't I can't live knowing your having a nightmare with me in it Please tell me. I really need to know."

"Fine Nick but still answer my question."

"Andy, are you asking me to move in with you? Nick laughed giddily, "I'd love to"

"Kay "she said. "I really don't want to tell you but I will I have this dream where we are in that room and you don't shoot me so Von shot you and you fell down his shot hit the right spot… at the same time right after he shot you and was about to shoot me was when everyone busted in to the place it was perfect timing for me but you were dead"

Nick look at her, her eyes were filled with tears threatening to fall, wordlessly he pulled her in for a hug they just sat there for a few minutes enjoying each other's company.

"Hey, I need to get to parade in a few hours but can we finish what we were talking about before?" asked Nick attentively.

"How about you first tell me how'd it go with Gail? Should I worry about it?"

Nick laughed "Nope not anymore" turning serious he said "You really want to know?" without waiting for an answer he went on to tell her how she had tried to kiss him and the whole story. Surprisingly Andy took it quite well with the only response being "great at lease I can still be her friend or something" then reached up for a kiss to make up for the one Gail stole.

"Sam stopped me the other day at parade and told me he misses me and he's sorry. I told him no hard feelings and that I hope we'd be more than friends some day when we are both healed not in the husband way but kind of like a good man friend like you and I were before WE started. Right now I want you all for myself! To be honest we need to set ground rules for this work relationship to work okay? No PDA at work only after shift okay we should keep work and our love life separately."

"Whatever you say Andy, I'm glad time doesn't work for you being that I wouldn't of lasted to long before I would just jump on you proving you were feeling the same way just too scared to admit it"

Let me know what you think so far./ thanks for all the support