As Andy and Nick make their way in to the Black Penny, cheers is going out to them, on a job well done. They says "thanks" and push their way over to the bar.
Liam- Congratulations guys.
Andy- Thanks.
Liam- Glad to have you back.
Nick-We are glad to be back.
Liam passes each one a beer.
Liam- This one one me.
Andy-You don't have to do that.
Liam - I know, I want to.
Andy- Thanks.
Liam- Go enjoy you night, I think I saw you friends when they came in heading to the table over by the dart boards.
Nick-Thanks again.
Liam was right, once they made it a bit farther away from the bar, they could see Dov, Chris, Chloe and Gail all sitting at the table.
Dov-Andy, Andy, over here.
Andy and Nick reached the table as Dov and Chris were starting to stand.
They each gave Andy a hug.
Andy-I missed you guys. I am glad to be home.
Chris-We missed you too. We're also glad your home in one piece.
5 of them talked among them selves, as Gail just sat there. She never spoke to Andy yet and she barely said anything to Nick. Out of the blue she spoke.
Gail-Andy I am sorry about this morning..
Andy-It's ok, I get it really Gail.
Gail- No I don't think you do. I was pissed you left with out a goodbye, but once Traci filled me in on what she thought happened about the task force, it fit. Then you come back, you have been home for over a week now and not once did you even call. You either Nick. When I seen you today, it was almost like you were pretending nothing happened and that you were not gone for 6 months.
Andy- I am sorry Gail. I would never have left with out a goodbye to any of you if I had a choice. Your right I have been back for a bit now, and never made any attempt to get in contact with anyone. It's not that I didn't want to, I just ran out of time. I crashed when I got home for almost two days, spent some time with my dad, seen my mom, went to get groceries and been trying to get my life back on track. There is just not enough hours in a day. When I saw you tis morning, I wanted to hug you, but I was nervous so I said the first thing I could think of.
Andy was holding back tears, it was obvious to everyone. Nick moved his chair closer to Andy and rubbed her back as he spoke.
Nick-I know Gail I am sorry. I picked up the phone many times to call you during the last week, but put it back down as fast as I picked it up. I decided what ever we needed to say to each other was better to be said face to faces and not over the phone, and definitely not when I was sleep deprived. So what do you say, ready to have that talk now.
Gail-Yep, better to get it out of the way. I see a table right there, I will go get it while you go get us a drink.
Nick- Sure I will be right there.
Nick leans over and whispers in Andy's ear. He ask her if she is going to be all right. She smiles and he leaves. Chris and Dov watch them and are shocked at their comfort level with each other.
Chloe-I am going to go get a bit of fresh air
Dov-Do you want me to come with you?
Chloe-No, I will only be a few minutes.
As soon as Chloe leaves the table Dov ask the question he been itching to ask the past three minutes.
Dov- What is going on between you and Collins?
Andy-Nothing we are just friends.
Chris-There sure seems like there is.
Andy-We are comfortable with each other. Being undercover, with just each other we become good friends. When I was down he would comfort me and vice vera. That's it.
Dov- He told me about the kissing.
Chris- What kissing?
Andy- I know he did, he told me. It was part of our cover Chris. It was nothing more then a show.
Dov-Ok, if that is your story I believe you.
Andy- Not a story, the truth. So do you want to tell me whats going on between you and a certain new rookie.
Chris- See Dov I told you it was written all over your face.
Dov- Oh, this coming from the guy who...
Chris-Enough Dov.
Andy-Please let me finish it. Coming from a guy who I would bet my last pay check on has the hots for ice queen again.
Chris-She not that bad
Andy-I know, I'm sorry. So am I right?
Chris-Yes on both of us.
Dov- How did you know?
Andy- It was my job for the past six months not to let NOTHING escape my eye. I am always watching now. Kind of scary I know. I am hoping I can scale it down some soon. I seen so many things undercover I hope I never have to see it again.
Chris-What gave as away?
Andy- Well for starters, Dov and Chloe have been making eyes at each other so far all night. And you when Gail got up to leave to talk with Nick her hand was in yours. You gave it a squeeze as she left, but that is not what gave it totally away, It was the look you had as you were holding her hand, and when she left your face was blank trying to show no emotions.
Dov-Wow, Chris, she is good, even I never noticed the hand squeeze.
Chris-That's because as Andy just pointed out you never took your eyes off of Chloe.
They all start laughing.
Andy-Ok guys, time to fill in the blanks. You first Dov.
Dov- No way Andy, you first, I don't need to be under cover for 6 months to see that there is something going on between you and Collins.
Chris-He is kind of right.
Andy- I all ready told you guys there is nothing going on, I will tell you it again tho. Nick and I had to play a couple, it was part of our cover story. Neither of us made it up either. We had to kiss a few times to make it look real. While I was under cover I hit a rough spot. Nick was there for me. We got to know each other better then we did. Undercover brought us closer together, just as friends. Not once did we ever cross that line. Living with each other, being the only person each one of us could talk to, and knowing we couldn't trust no one else, we grew more comfortable around one another. That's it end of story.
Dov- Your telling the truth aren't you?
Andy (laughing)-Yes I am.
Dov- Did you use your tongues when you were kissing?
Andy turns beet red, dead give away no need for her to answer.
Dov- So what was up with Nick rubbing your back?
Andy-He seen I was up set. He was just having my back. We made a promise to each other we would have each others back no matter what. Now your turn.
Dov- Promise you won't say anything?
Andy- I won't Dov.
Dov- There is not much to tell. Chloe and I like each other. We spend our days off together just doing fun things, and in the evening after work we join our fellow coworkers here at the Penny for a drink.
Andy- But you don't want anyone to know!
Dov-No, we are not dating, we are just having fun and enjoying each others company. Plus you know first hand how hard it is to work with someone you are dating.
Andy-You are right, my lips are sealed. So Chris what about you and Gail? Where is Denise?
Chris-Denise left. She never really liked it here that is why I put in for the transfer in the first place. It was taking to long and it was taking a toll on her. With each passing day with no word she hated it more, we were fighting a lot because of it. One day she got up and said she had enough, packed her things and left.
Andy-Oh, Chris I am so sorry.
Chris-Don't be, it is for the better, we weren't happy together. And we both get to see Christen. Timmins is only a little over an hour away. We decided that we would each have Christen for a week at a time, for the time being anyway.
Andy-That must be hard with you working!
Chris-Sometimes, but I make it work, between Dov, Gail and my self we all seem to make it happen.
Andy-Sorry I wasn't here to help out. This thing with you and Gail, is it what's making you think twice about the transfer?
Chris-Dov, can't you keep quiet about anything?
They all laughed at that because they knew he couldn't.
Chris-Yes and no. I like Gail I always have, in the last 6 months with us hanging out more, me feeling for her grow more. I never told her tho, I know she still has some kind of feelings for Collins and I respect that. I want her to decide what is what with her and him before I say anything. I like were we are now as friends and if that is all she can offer, then I am willing to accept it. With that being said if things don't work out for her and him, after a while I will tell her how I feel. I can't win her heart if given the chance from some other place. And no, because I like it at 15, I have real friends and awesome co workers here. I was willing to try in Timmins for Denise but she left already, and what we are doing works, so why try to fix something that is not broken.
Andy- I for one hope you stay, if not I will came visit as much as I can.
Dov-We forgot to tell you, we moved.
Andy-Really that's good, where you move to?
Chris- A block from you, farther from he station. Once Denise left we talked and decided it would be best to find another place where Christen could have his own room.
Andy - That is great.
Dov-There's more, Gail lives with us.
Andy spits her mouthful of beer out.
Andy-What did you just say?
Dov-Gail lives with us.
Chris-When we mentioned about moving into a bigger place, she wanted to move in with us.
Dov-I was all for it. We save money by splitting the bills three ways. We do month to month, that way if anyone wants out they can.
Andy-So you guys moved to a 4 bedroom apartment?
Chris-Once Gail said about moving in we looked, but nothing was in our price range so we stayed with a 3 bedroom. The one we got, it is bigger then our two room was, way bigger. Christen sleeps in my room when he comes over and I sleep on the sofa, this way he still has his own room.
Andy-Why did Gail want to move in?
Chris-She felt a lone. She didn't want to bother Traci, you and Nick both left. All she had left was us.
Andy-How is she with Christen?
Dov-Really good. The first time Chris told me Gail was looking after Christen for the day while we were at work,I wanted to call in sick. But she surprised me, when we got home she was on the floor playing with him, as if she has been doing it everyday.
Andy-That is Gail, failures is not an option for her. When can I meet Christen, it seems I have some spoiling to catch up on.
Chris-This is his week with Denise, so how about someday next week.
Andy- Ok sounds great, I look forward to meeting him.
Andy- Dov you were with the new TO today?
Dov- Yeah, her name is Marlo Cruz
Andy- What is she like?
Dov- She is awesome, just like a Sam junior.
Andy-Wow. Dov did you give up your man crush on Sam for her?
Chris roars laughing as Dov turns beet red.
Dov-I do not have a man crush.
Andy-I know Dov, I am just joking.
And her and Chris laugh again.
Andy-All jokes aside, what's she like? Oliver said she use to be a 15, and she went to the academy with all them. I am trying to get a feel for what she is like in case I need to ride with her soon.
Dov-She is fair, tells it like it is, has no favourites, and always wants you at your best.
Andy-Anything else.
Chris and Dov both look at each other trying to figure out who is going to talk and how much should they say.
Andy- Come on guys, what are you trying not to tell me.
Dov- Sam and Marlo use to be together, when she was at 15, years ago
Andy- So her and Sam use to date, what's the big deal?
As Andy ask her question, the door to the Penny opens up, in walks Marlo, with Sam's arm around her waist. She sees the look on Dov and Chris's face,so she decides to slowly turn around in her seat. What she sees almost knocks to the floor, she was not expecting that. Andy sees Nick staring, she gives her head a little shake to say no, to stay there as he is getting up out of his seat. He understands and sits back down.
Andy- Now I know what you were trying not to tell me. It's ok guys I am a big girl, and I left, I never expected him to wait for me.
Chris-We're sorry. I am not sure what is going on between them, they are always together here.
Doc-We wanted to ask so many times, but all of us decided it was none of our business and stayed out of it. Plus Swarek seems happy.
Chris-When we are at work, they talk but are just like you and us. What ever they have stays out of the work place.
Andy decides its time to change the topic.
Andy-Dov, shouldn't Chloe be back by now?
Dov-Yeah, when she came back in from outside she wove on her way over to the other table. I think she wanted to give us time to catch up.
Andy- She didn't need to do that. I like her. Traci and I are having girls night in a few nights time, think she would want to come.?
Dov-I am not sure, you can ask her. I don't know how well she knows Traci.
Andy-I'll ask her, what's the worst that can happen. It doesn't matter if she knows Traci, she don't know me either, it can be a getting to know you party. I am thinking about asking Gail too.
Chris-She would like that. She will never tell you, but she misses you and Traci.
Andy- Misses Traci,, she has been here the whole time.
Dov-Between her working,, grieving over Jerry,and raising Leo, she never had much time for anything else the past months. She comes to the Penny once a week, if we are lucky it's two but no more then that.
Andy- I had no idea, no wonder Gail was extra upset at me, she really had no one except you two and sometimes talking things out with a guy is not the same as talking to a girl.
Chloe returns to their table, Andy asks her about joining her, Traci , and maybe Gail for a girls night in the near future. She accepts and is excited to be included in.
Andy- Holy, it's late, I need to get going. I am still not use to getting up early, and i need to work in the morning.
Chloe- I should be going too, do you need a ride home Andy?
Andy- No thanks, I just live a few blocks away, I like walking, it helps me clear my head.
Chloe-Ok, it was nice meeting you today, and I look forward to working with you.
Andy-Same to you. See you tomorrow. I will get in touch with you when I found out the details of our gether.
Chloe-That would be great. Night
Andy said good night to Dov and Chris as she gave each one a hug.
Dov-Do you want one of us to walk you home.
Andy- No, I am good.
Chris- You sure.
Andy-Yes I am sure, night guys. I am just going to say bye to Nick and Gail
Andy could feel his eyes on her as she mades her way over to Nick and Gail. It takes everything she has in her not to turn around. She can't let him know she can still tell when he is looking. Her and Sam will talk just not tonight.
Andy- Sorry to interrupt, but I just wanted to say good night.
Nick- Your leaving? Is it because of Sam?
Andy- Yes Nick I am leaving, and no it is not because of him. In case you have not looked at your watch lately, it almost 11.
Gail- Really it's that late?
Andy- Yes.
Nick- Hey wait, I will be right there.
Andy- No Nick stay and finish talking.
Nick- Gail did you say all you needed to say?
Gail- Yeap.
Nick- And we're good?
Gail- Yeah were good.
Nick- Good night Gail. See you around. And I am sorry I hurt you.
Gail- Night, see you tomorrow at work. And I know you are.
Gail returns to the table with Dov and Chris, as Andy and Nick leave together.
Nick-You alright? Your awful quiet.
Andy- I am fine, just a little over whelmed from today. You know Nick, I am very capable for walking my self home.
Nick- I know, but I am staying at yours tonight.
Andy- Missing me already Collins.
Nick-Not you, just your snoring, it's like music.
Andy- Whatever Nick. I don't snore.
Nick- Keep telling your self that
Nick and Andy make it back to her apartment in no time.
Andy- Hey Nick, do you want to talk about it?
Nick- Not tonight Andy, maybe soon. Do you want to talk about it.
Andy- Nope.
They got ready for bed, and then put whatever extra pillows Andy had down the middle of the bed. like they did undercover.
Andy- Good night Nick
Nick- Good night Andy
Andy- Hey nick
Nick- Yeah Andy
Andy- Can you hold me for a bit.
Nick-Sure Andy
Andy- Thanks