A/N: oh, look! It's a shorter round this time around ;) Thanks so much to those taking the time to leave reviews, the support is HUGELY appreciated...especially those leaving super long comments. It's great to hear that you're enjoying reading as much as we did writing this thing!
My personal thanks to dcj for having my back and being on top of proofing. You can thank her for making these updates happen so quickly!
Co-written with dcj
Disclaimer: We don't own Rookie Blue
'Toe-to-Toe'
"A sight game is that I am hurt, but I aim to make you believe I am not even hurt, and with this confidence appearing on my face, I don't panic, otherwise your opponent will know that you are hurt. That's the whole art game in boxing." - Evander Holyfield
Andy's at home just throwing the last of her stuff together when her phone starts to vibrate on the table beside her bed. A quick check tells her that it's her dad. Traci's picking her up in ten minutes and if she wants time to warm up properly, she can't keep her waiting.
She blows out a quick breath and snatches the phone up right before she knows it's going to go to voice mail. "Hey, Dad, I only have a couple of minutes," she greets breathlessly.
"I know sweetheart," he replies in that gruff voice that always makes her feel like the centre of someone's world. "I just wanted to wish my little girl luck."
Andy grins, as she pulls a towel out of the closet and shoves it into her bag. "Thanks Dad."
When Tommy doesn't say anything for a couple of seconds, Andy lifts the phone away from her ear and checks to make sure they still have a connection.
"Um…" he starts and she has to pull the phone right back up. "Would it be okay if your old man came out to support you?"
She can hear the uneasiness in his voice. It feels like ages ago but she's sure he still remembers the mess he made of the real Fite Nite her rookie year. In fact, in the two years since, he has stayed completely clear of the community centre especially when there's free booze involved.
But Andy doesn't hesitate. "Yeah, Dad, that would be great," she assures him. Not that there's any liquor being served, but even if there was, she's surprised at just how confident she is that it wouldn't be a problem even then. It's one of the few saving graces since she came back from UC – her dad is still sober and very proud of her… and her of him.
"Well, alright then," Tommy agrees. "I guess I'll see you there. Let's show everyone those McNally colours yeah?"
Andy detects something in her Dad's voice but she's not sure what it is. Unfortunately she doesn't have a lot of time for puzzling it out so she just bids him goodbye, figures she can ask him about it later. "Sure, Dad, see you there."
After pulling the zipper on her bag, she slings it over her shoulder and hurries out into the living room. She takes a quick inventory to make sure she has everything, but has to run back into her bathroom to grab a few more items for cleaning up afterward.
Once she decides she has it all, she walks over to the kitchen to pull out a bottle of water for the ride over. As she passes by the island, she spots a package that she's pretty sure wasn't there when she left this morning.
She opens it up as quick as she can and giggles before stuffing it into her bag and locking up.
By the time she exits her apartment, Traci is already sitting at the curb waiting in her car. "What took you so long?" She calls out through the open passenger window.
"Sorry, Dad called to wish me luck and I got side tracked," Andy explains as she tugs open the door and tosses her bag into the back seat. "And I got halfway to the door when I realized I hadn't grabbed my shampoo and stuff."
"Well, I'm glad you remembered," Traci chuckles, wrinkling her nose up a little, "because I am not taking you out to celebrate afterwards if you're all sweaty and gross."
Andy sticks her tongue out at Traci as they pull away from the curb. "You ran home and grabbed the shorts for me right?"
Traci's giggling again. "Don't worry, I got you covered." She takes a quick peek over at Andy, pushes at her when she finds she's not looking. "Though I'm sure Swarek for one wouldn't complain if you came out in whatever you got under those sweats."
Andy rolls her eyes. "Trace… that is the last…" She shakes her head, it's hard enough convincing herself let alone Traci too. "Friends, okay… we're friends… or at least I hope we can be. I mean, lunch went well right?" She knows she's practically begging for some reassurance here but… it would just be really nice to know that she wasn't the only one that felt it.
Traci nods. Lunch went more than 'well' as far as she was concerned. Though she's pretty sure both of them are fooling themselves if they think friendship is all there is to it. Now is not the time though. Now, they have a few other… things to get out of the way first.
"Wow," Andy mutters when they reach the community centre. It already looks packed and the fights are still an hour away.
"I'll drop you off at the door," Traci decides, pulling up just outside the entrance. "I'll be in as soon as I can find a spot."
Andy jumps out and grabs her bag from the back seat before giving Traci a smile and a wave, and heading in.
The seats are already starting to fill for the first bout of the night. Everything looks pretty much the same as it does for Fite Nite with just a few different banners and a concession instead of a bar.
The evening is actually a community fundraiser – Fighting for the Neighbourhood. And it's not just the police department that takes part. People from all around the community come out to help fight for their neighbourhood – the fire department and police are almost always on the card and then it's usually storeowners or civic workers or whoever they can drum up.
Each group volunteers two people to get in the ring and they duke it out for the charity. Tickets are sold, bets are made, and the community association is the one that wins. The money is used for drug programs, after school programs, anything to keep the kids a little safer.
There's even a whole complicated betting scheme set up. Andy's pretty sure one of the local 'entrepreneurs' helps with that because it's more complicated than anything she can wrap her head around. She does know this though – no one bets on a KO unless they want to donate their money. The fight's not about taking someone down, it's about building something up.
Andy smiles as she runs her hand along the ropes. There was this time last year though, where two neighbouring store owners stepped up, happened to be in the middle of a feud at the time. It was standing room only and more than one person betting on a knockout for one side or the other. They actually had to come out in uniform that night for crowd control; good thing too because Sam even got caught in the middle of a rather lively dispute and ended up with a pretty good shiner. He was not in a very good mood when they finally got back to the station, of course that turned around once she got him home, put some ice on his eye, kissed it all better…
When she thinks about it, she has a lot of really good memories that involve Sam and boxing gloves. She can't think about the quarantine without smiling - the way it ended, how he knew just what she needed to really get past all the hurt and betrayal surrounding Luke.
And then there was the time he took her to the gym in his neighbourhood back before… well, before. She wasn't sure she had ever worked out so hard in her life, but she loved every minute of it. She loved the way he always pushed her past what she ever knew she was capable of. She could barely breathe by the end of it but she had never felt more alive, more happy… just never felt… more.
God what she wouldn't give to have that back again. She could see it clearly in her mind, dancing around each other, taunting, teasing, laughing... loving.
Andy flinches when she feels a hand on her back, expects to see Traci's smiling face but instead she's greeted by Oliver. "Hey champ, practicing the fine art of visualization?"
Andy's eyes narrow a little in confusion. "What?"
"Visualization," he repeats sagely. "You know. You decide what you want to happen, picture yourself doing it or getting it, and boom it comes true."
Andy gulps in a little air and blinks a few times… could she… was it even…? She dismisses it pretty fast though. If all she had to do was think about it… yeah… wouldn't just be memories she'd have of Sam right now.
Oliver's studying her pretty close, has a pretty good idea what or who her dreams for the future might include, but decides he'll save that little tidbit for their next ride together in the cruiser. "Please tell me you were at least picturing yourself knocking Cruz around a little."
Andy starts to chuckle, gives her partner a friendly hip check. "Have you been watching the Oprah channel again?"
"Hey," he cautions feigning offense, "there happen to be a lot of good shows on that network."
Andy snorts out a laugh. "A-nd it's Zoe's favourite."
Oliver smiles at his partner, really does like her a whole lot. She's almost like a… he wants to say daughter but then pictures her with Sam and goes with little sister. "That it is, McNally. That it is."
"Happy wife…" she sings out.
"Yeah, yeah, enough about me," he gripes before putting a hand on her shoulder and giving it a quick squeeze. "You ready for this champ?"
Andy nods her head, smiles right back at him. "It's all good, Oliver," she assures him. She takes a look at the clock and figures she should probably get to the back, wonders a little why he's so early. "You know the fight doesn't start for like another hour right?"
"I know, I know," he nods. "I just wanted to wish you luck again before I go have a quick one at the Penny."
"You're not going to watch the first fight," she asks.
Oliver gives her that look, that 'you're really asking me who's buying lunch' type of look that he sports most days. "Think I'll pass," he grumbles, "you've seen one hose monkey strutting around all sweaty, you've seen 'em all."
Andy rubs a hand quick on the back of his shoulder. "Thanks, Oliver." She really does like him a whole lot, likes that he seems to like her… and the idea of Sam and her.
He takes a few steps toward the door but then turns back. "I'll be back before the fight." It goes without saying that means she's going to be privy to some more of his famous words of wisdom.
"Can't wait," she says just as Traci jogs up beside her.
"There you are," she huffs out breathlessly, "I went to the back and couldn't find you."
"Just getting another pep talk from Oliver," Andy explains tipping her chin at his retreating back.
Traci shakes her head as a big grin spreads across her face. "Let's get you suited up and ready to go before he decides to come back."
Andy is just about dressed when they hear a knock on the outside of the door. Nick enters first but he's got one of Gail's hands covering his eyes and the other pushing him forward. "Are you decent?" She calls out from behind him.
Andy and Traci laugh as Gail pulls her hands away and links one into Nick's. "We just came by to remind you that you need to kick her ass."
"Why's that?"
"Because," she drawls out, "she had the nerve to try and stick me with the paperwork for the second shift in a row. Would've probably made me miss the fight too." Gail taps her foot at the floor, clearly irritated at whatever Cruz-related memories are flashing through her mind.
"Pretty sure you can fight your own battles," Andy smirks.
"I'm here aren't I?" Gail huffs, head bobbing once and her lips desperately attempting some form of…smile. She rolls her eyes when Andy doesn't appear to be getting the message. For goodness sakes, it's no wonder Swarek gets so frustrated with her. Can't she just tell when someone is rooting for her? She stares at Andy a little while longer, gives a fierce but friendly bark to try get her point across; "Just be ready okay."
"Don't get distracted," Nick continues on for her. "You can do this. I'll be counting the punches okay. Look at me between rounds and I'll let you know how you're doing, if you need to step it up. You don't have to prove anything, just… don't lose. You're representing here; gotta keep my streak intact."
Andy grins back at Nick, but before she can agree to the terms Gail pipes up again. "Yeah, and if you don't win, I'm pretty sure Dov won't be able to make rent, will probably be looking for a place to crash… just sayin'."
The parking lot of the community centre is packed by the time Sam gets there. He rolls his eyes as he navigates his way through the arrows pointing him toward the back of the lot. He should've known everyone would park here early, then bide some time over at the Penny, which is less than a five-minute walk.
Still, the long hike across the car park toward the centre does him some good. He's come straight from the station after a quick shower and change of shirt there. The crisp air now is helping to re-jig his brain. He's spent so much of today wrapped in thoughts of the case, and the past and the future of he and McNally, that this few minutes at least is giving him time to focus on now.
Sam blows out a slow breath as he walks through the door of the gym. He's timed his entry carefully. He didn't want to be so early that he arrived the same time as the boxers and their respective 'camps', but not so late that he'd miss wishing everyone good luck –
Ringside is still pretty quiet, but a few of the rookies have taken up position already. They're milling around some seats near the blue corner, so Sam assumes that's where McNally will fight.
He nods an acknowledgement to Diaz and Epstein; their eyes following his every step as he walks toward, and then past them, to get to his first port of call.
Sam's never been this dubious when entering women's locker rooms before, but he figures caution does need to be exercised on this occasion…for a whole host of reasons, potential for bare skin is actually probably lowest on the rank of concern –
The only consolation Sam has, is that he knows he won't be walking into a shared space. Previous experience of these things tells Sam that the two women will each have their own designated space to prepare.
He spots Nash about to walk into one of the change rooms and catches her eye. She pauses in the doorframe, holds a finger up to who he assumes is McNally before stepping back and in Sam's direction.
(It's something he likes about his detective partner: her ability to read a situation quickly, and take the initiative to help out however she can).
Nash gives Sam a reassuring grin. "Oliver's in the process of giving his second last pep talk. I can drag him out of there if you like?"
Sam nods. "Give me a few minutes…" He bites at his lip, pretty much dreads the task he has to perform before he can spend a little time wishing McNally good luck. He tilts his chin in the direction of a room where a senior officer just walked out from. "I'm just going to wish Cruz good luck if she'll let me…uh…can you ask Andy if it's okay that I come in after that…I just…I don't want to put her off…I know she'll be trying to focus on things…"
Traci curls a few fingers over Sam's forearm. The gesture is almost maternal, a calming reassurance that she at least understands what he's trying to say. "Go," she replies quietly; "I'll meet you back out here soon."
Sam goes through a similar discussion with the friend of Marlo's that is guarding her door. He thinks he recognises the guy as being SWAT too –
"I just wanted to wish her good luck…" Sam says coolly, after he's told Cruz doesn't want any interruptions.
"Sam…" he hears Marlo's voice from behind the burly form that's currently obstructing his view. "Come in."
He nudges SWAT guy out of the way and finally finds himself toe to toe with the petite brunette that up until a couple of weeks ago was someone that felt easy to be around –
Now the atmosphere between them just feels awkward, no matter how hard Sam tries. Still: professional, friendly, polite, boundaries, he repeats in his head silently a couple of times.
"Just wanted to drop in and wish you good luck for tonight." Sam keeps his hands at his side, posture as relaxed as he can. He's hoping like hell Cruz will have the nous to drop any questions that she started asking earlier today –
She smiles up at him. "Appreciate it, Sam." She nods, reaches out and runs a hand down his arm. "Really happy you're out there to watch."
Sam nods, breathes a little easier. Wonders if he should say anything else before he says goodbye –
"So. You didn't tell me earlier. Who's your money on?"
Sam's chest tightens again, along with every muscle in his arms, legs, and face. He attempts for casual when he pulls his arm from her grip, puts his hands in his pockets. "The charity, Cruz. I donated directly to Frank yesterday… told him I wasn't placing bets."
Marlo nods, a few mildly surprised expressions crossing her face. "So. You don't want some kind of return on your cash? Because, I can probably give you a hot tip on who's going to win."
He shakes his head and lets out a dry laugh. Right now, Sam feels like there were, are, and probably never will be any real winners. He's hurt Andy, Marlo, and himself on more than one occasion of late, and he can't see how this fight will change any of that. "I think I'll wait until the next poker night before I start gambling again."
She smiles again, reaching up to give him a hug. He leans into it, but keeps some distance between them, wanting to make sure she knows that's all it is; is a good luck. "Bye, Cruz," he says, pulling away after a couple of seconds. "Take care of yourself out there, okay? It is for charity after all."
Marlo throws her head back and laughs freely. "You just wait…I know you're gonna be impressed with what you see of me out there."
Sam raises an eyebrow, his heart skipping a beat at the thought that his ex-whatever is about to try and teach Sam…and Andy….some kind of lesson. Extract some revenge. He knows she's competitive, but the tone in her voice suggests she's taking this more seriously than a friendly fight -
He wants to give her some sort of warning, but he's already reminded her it's for charity. He's not sure what more he can do –
"Okay," Sam replies slowly. "I just don't want to see anyone get hurt…"
"Pfft," she snorts at him, laughing again. "Not gonna get hurt, Sam –"
"I'm talkin' about McNally as well," he interjects abruptly, his voice on the border of terse and his control starting to slip away.
Cruz shrugs back at him, incessant; "She's a big girl, isn't she? She can take care of herself."
Sam has lost his patience now. He knows he's hurt Marlo, but this is ridiculous, she's talking like a spoiled brat. A jealous one at that. "She can," he nods, jaw set firm. "But I also know that she'll be taking tonight in the spirit it's meant to be taken…so I'm asking you….as a friend…not to take advantage of that."
Cruz peers through her lashes at him. "God, Swarek. I haven't seen this side of you before…I think you really need to go take a long, hard look at the influence that girl has over you…"
"What…" Sam interrupts, squinting his eyes. The lack of respect Cruz is showing Andy is quickly dissolving any respect that he has for Marlo. He's pretty shocked at her words, actually. Talk about seeing new sides of people. "That girl's name is Andy McNally, Marlo…and irrespective of what's happened between her and I in the past, she is our colleague, and my friend –"
The two stand in a stony-faced stare off for a few silent seconds before Sam starts to back out of the room. "Goodbye, Marlo," he huffs out the farewell, his blood pressure beyond boiling. He turns on his heel and walks out of the room quickly; if he stays there any longer, he'll want to put a pair of gloves on himself.
It takes Sam less than four strides until he's alongside Nash. Scrubs his hand over his face furiously as she plays with her phone.
"Sorry…" She says, looking at him with concern in her eyes. "Just had to tweak arrangements for getting Leo to school on time tomorrow morning."
Sam shakes his head, still working hard at calming his temper. "It's not you…" he starts, but then stops. He blows out a breath, gives Nash a stare that might get his point across. "I think we might be in for a hell of a fight."
Traci's jaw drops open immediately; she's put two and two together alright. "Should I go warn the ref?"
Sam shrugs. "I don't know how serious she is…just...probably we should all keep our eye out, I guess?" He's sounding insane even to himself here, surely Marlo wouldn't do anything underhanded to make whatever ridiculous point it is that she's trying to make. And then he's not sure where Andy's at even –
"Can I go see her?" Sam hitches a thumb in the direction of where he assumes McNally still is.
Nash nods quickly. "You do that, I'm going to go join Oliver…I'll listen out for any news from the other corner as well…"
Sam nods in reply, breathing a little easier again. At least if it looks like the fight is getting ugly, he'll have Nash's help in cooling things down.
He watches Traci walk down the hallway and out through to the ring, and then takes another couple of deep breaths before he walks through the door to McNally –
She's got her back to him when he gets in there, a foot on a bench and lacing up one of her shoes. She's wearing a green, silky gown with a white shamrock on the back…the tip of her dark braid poking the top of the thing.
Sam smirks. Puts his hands in his pockets and keeps his distance. He'd like to rub his hand over her back, but that's not his place anymore. "I thought the 'luck of the Irish' was supposedly bad?" He hears himself ask instead.
She turns to him immediately, a crooked smirk of her own planted firmly in place. "I couldn't kick a gift horse in the mouth…"
Sam's smile grows bigger as he steps further into the room. "Your dad?"
Andy nods, both feet now on the ground and walking in the direction of Sam. She stops a metre away. "Gave it to me this afternoon…he's even coming to watch…"
"He's here…Jesus…should I be concerned?" Sam's eyes widen, his tone light despite some nerves about that particular fact. He's pretty sure Tommy would never lay a finger on him, but Sam wouldn't blame him if he did.
Andy laughs brightly. "He knows I can take care of my own broken heart."
Sam feels nauseous when she says it. It doesn't matter how many times he tells himself they've hurt one another, he will never really forgive himself for not…for not fighting harder for her first time around. He nods eventually, knows there's regret all over his face. "I'm sorry…" he says quietly.
"Sam," Andy interrupts softly. "Come on, we've been through that bit."
When he looks at her face properly, he sees the regret there too. But. She is still smiling at him. That's when he sees the forgiveness, realizes her efforts today were about taking steps forward. That just like Sam and his coffee gesture, she too was trying to make inroads to them being friends. This girl ? –
She's the strongest woman Sam's ever known.
He smiles at her properly. "I don't come bearing gifts…but I do want to wish you good luck."
He holds out his hand to her, takes the one she offers up and shakes firmly. He looks down at their joined hands as the surge through his body happens, realizes it's the first time they've really touched one another since she's been back. The gesture reminds him of how much he liked holding her hand when they were together –
(Just that. Holding her hand while they were walking, sitting, driving, or in bed…
When the weather was cooler, he'd make her take her mittens off and hook his fingers around hers, squeeze at her palm. He just liked the way her hand – even when it was cold – had this weird ability to warm all of him).
God. He misses her something shocking.
He has for a very long time.
He looks back up at her face, eventually. Notices she's looking down at their hands too. Her eyes startle when she hears Sam clear his throat.
Andy's heart is thumping rabbit-fast with the handshake; Sam's warm, firm hand bringing back memories of her happiest times. She always loved the way their hands found one another. Loved how he'd search for her fingers in the middle of the night and wrap his hand around hers. Loved that it was the one display of affection he never held back from, at just the right times –
Andy barely stops the smile she's got on her face from turning sad…
A good luck before a boxing match with his new girlfriend (if that's what Cruz still is) wasn't exactly how she imagined their reunion with touching might be.
Still. He's here. Trying to be a good friend. That counts for a whole lot.
Sam doesn't miss the sad smile on her face when it happens. He's pretty sure he's got one of his own. He didn't want this to happen, didn't want her thinking negative things before she went out there tonight –
He wants her to do the best she can, put on a show with that mega-watt smile of hers not missing a beat. Still, there's something inside of him that's a little selfish. If it's even just for a half of a minute, he wants her in his arms. Wants to wrap her whole body inside his tight and make sure she gets at least one of the messages that he's trying to send.
He takes a chance and moves in another step closer, tugs at her hand so her torso leans into his. "I know you'll be great, McNally," he says quietly, reaching his other arm out to wrap around her shoulders, and then releasing her hand so he can get that arm around her waist.
He doesn't move any more than that.
Neither does she.
As soon as they're in the position, Sam knows he's done the right thing. She feels just like he remembers; warm and soft, muscles and curves. He works hard at not wanting to slide his hand under her gown. Works harder still at not wanting to take every stitch she's got on all the way off.
Andy is convinced she'd fall if Sam wasn't holding her like this. This long, long agony she's been holding inside for months and months and months is coursing its way through her body, head to toe and then back again –
The only thing is…with every passing second that they stay like this, the agony is slowly fading away. The familiarity of every one of his muscles, every straight line, jut and curve of his body –
Andy feels as though she's finally, finally, actually home.
He's warm and solid, even almost the safe that she remembers at one point in time.
The only ache left as she gathers the courage to mirror his position is an ache in her chest. It's almost like some kind of dark void that she doesn't want to think too hard about. She thinks that maybe it has something to do with the fact that like that case today…friends are friends…and no more than that.
She guesses if they're friends they can probably hug occasionally, which is great of course…
But. Sam is not hers.
For as uplifted as she felt about her enlightenment, she is always, always going to miss that space between friendship and what she would truly love for them to be…
She blinks her eyes a couple of times, realizing she can't afford to be wistful tonight. Later when she's home with a glass of wine, maybe –
But, she made a commitment to the division. She has a job to do now. She pushes to her toes a little, almost knocks herself out with pleasure as she takes in some more of his scent. Berates herself as she blushes, before turning to running a couple of mantras on loop in her head.
When McNally pushes up on her toes, Sam is just about done for. He's not sure whether she did it on purpose, but the gesture lines up their hips. If his brain wasn't hyper-vigilant right now, it's likely he would've hoisted her up.
Sam's next problem is: she smells like his soap. Well, his soap and McNally. He frowns a little in confusion, trying to remember whether they actually used the same stuff in the first place. He's pretty sure he's still got some of her things in his vanity because she hardly ever used them, always used his.
He runs the hand he's got on her shoulder real, real careful down her back as he thinks some more about that. Stops it in its tracks before it gets to a particular spot that he knows he won't be able to come back from, but accidentally brushes his knuckles there anyway and then almost swallows his tongue.
He bites his lip, chastises himself: You're here to wish your friend good luck.
It's so long since either of them said anything that Sam can't remember whose turn it is to talk. He hopes hard that McNally has something up her sleeve; otherwise he's in danger of wanting to make her miss the fight –
"Well," she says finally, chin on his shoulder as they stay in the embrace. "My main focus is the fact that the charity will be the real winner tonight."
Sam grips into her tighter. Right in that moment he wants to kiss her…or do something…show her just how much he admires and loves her gracious and generous heart. He can't though, and he knows it. It's not his place to play with her affections like that. He has to pull himself together here, keep his emotions in check –
"You're an awesome person, McNally," he whispers back at her. "And I'm happy…that we're friends."
Sam listens closely to the small breath Andy sucks in and hugs her tighter again. "Me too, Sam…" she pulls back from him carefully, reaching back down for his hands. "I want us to be that…I…I've missed us not being that…"
They stand in silence for another minute, just looking at one another and grinning. An apparently silent compromise between the pair of them, that friendship is 100% what they will have.
It's Sam that takes the plunge and breaks the moment this time, knowing full well that it's almost time for her to go out. He considers telling her about the fact he's broken things off with Cruz, considers telling her that she's one of the reasons he did that, that he's still in love with her…no matter what. But no way does Sam want this to become about him. It's not fair to muddy her thoughts when she has to focus on the fight –
He decides in the end, not to say anything about any of that…but just bring her back to what she's up against. "I know it's not your style, McNally…and God only knows what the rest of your camp is telling you…"
Andy giggles, thoughts of Oliver's preaching still ringing loud in her ears. She squeezes Sam's hands lightly, can't wait to hear what his opinion is too.
"But remember what I said to you a couple of mornings ago…when I left you with your training?" Sam knows his voice has gone a touch more serious than what it should, but he desperately needs to send her some sort of message that Cruz is serious about this bout.
Andy grins, cocking her head to the side. Of course she remembers…when it comes to Sam Swarek and his advice (and other things)…she remembers it all. "I believe you suggested I practice my countering."
Sam nods, small smile on his face as he returns the squeeze of her hands. "The best defense is a good offense." He looks into her eyes, to check she's taking him seriously. "You do whatever it is you need to do to protect yourself, McNally." I never want you to get hurt ever again runs on loop in his head.
She furrows her brow at him, but it looks like she understands.
Sam decides to lighten the moment just a little, get her adrenalin pumping and her face smiling again. "I don't wanna have to get in that ring and pull you outta there bloodied and bruised…" He winks at her, hoping she knows it's a tease that's more aimed at his own desire to pull her out of burning buildings despite how well she can handle herself.
She laughs brightly again, shaking her head and pulling him in for another light hug. "I'm gonna be fine, Sam." He closes his eyes as her hand rubs up and down his back as a gesture to make her other point; "We're gonna be fine."
And she knows without a doubt that they will be.
No matter what the future holds, they are going to be fine and they are going to be there for each other. And it's… a start.
She's not even sure which one of them lets go, but all too soon, Sam is backing out of the room. He's still got his eyes on her though, and it's nice to know she's not the only one who wants to keep this thing going.
She's pretty sure she hears him chuckle under his breath before he tilts his head and follows it out the door.
She stands smiling over at nothing for a few more seconds before she blows out a long breath and slips down to the bench. She's actually feeling a little lightheaded now that she's coming down from the rush she feels every time he's around, needs to get her heartbeat back to a regular rhythm if she's going to get through this.
When Traci asked her before if he could come in, she was a little surprised, happy for sure, but still surprised. He had told her good luck when she left the station, but this… this was so much better. It was just them and… it really doesn't matter what happens next because… he's there and he isn't going anywhere… and neither is she.
She tightens the robe up around her waist, catches a peek of it in the mirror. Trust her dad to go all out like that. She wonders if he's out there yet; if he's found someone to sit with. She actually thought he might come back…
Her jaw drops. What if he ran into Sam when he was on his way out? She told Sam that he knew she could take care of herself, and she's almost certain he wouldn't do anything… at least not here. But still, Sam probably isn't his favourite person right now despite what little she's said… her father was a detective for way too long not to have put two and two together… or in this case apart.
She shakes her head and shuffles over to the sink to splash some cold water on her face. Sam can take care of himself too; she knows that. And she knows that even if her dad is upset, Sam won't make a scene. He wouldn't do that to her. He would take care of it, like he wants her to take care of herself.
She dries her face on her towel and then throws it onto the bench before she bounces around on her feet a little, just to keep everything loose.
Countering, she can do that and with Nick keeping track, she just has to get out there and push through it. That's it. Get in and get it done.
She's not going to make a spectacle of it, is pretty sure that side pool Andrews has going is riddled with all sorts of woman scorned type items. But she won't be 'that girl' either.
She's not naïve enough to think that Cruz might not try and push a few buttons, so she'll be ready. And she's definitely not going to make it easy on the woman, that's for sure. She'll give Cruz a fight if she wants it, but it'll be fair.
She hears another bell from inside the main auditorium and she's pretty sure it's the second one, which means she'll be up soon. And just like that, Oliver pokes his head in. "We're almost up, champ."
Andy grins big and waves him in. "I was starting to wonder about you," she sings out, "remembered it was wing night at the Penny."
Oliver tips a brow at her in challenge, still he swipes a furtive hand at the side of his pants just in case. "Been here for a bit actually," he defends picking up her towel and water bottle. "Was just spreading the love around." He gives her a quick shrug. "Besides, I knew you were already covered in here."
Andy swipes the bottle of water out of his hands and takes a good long drink, hopes it might cool down the blush she's got going.
Oliver clears his throat then, flicks the towel towards her to get her attention. "Thanks for asking me to be your guy," he tells her sincerely. He knows he's not her first choice but he can live with that, can live with stepping in until the right guy steps up. Still, he is touched that she asked him over everyone.
Andy knows any one of the rookies would have been more than capable, Nick and Traci especially. And all of her friends have had her back on more than one occasion these last few weeks, but Oliver… besides the fact that she knew he would get a kick out of it, it's his assurances (and insights into the inner workings of Sam Swarek) that have really kept her going since she got back. She just couldn't picture being out there with anyone else.
Andy smiles small, has to blink back a little moisture. "Thanks for always being in my corner."
"It's my pleasure," he croaks back, fighting at a little emotion himself. "Besides…" he gives her a cheeky wink, "I always put my money on a sure thing."
When Sam first got here tonight he was unsure as to where he was going to sit as a member of the 'audience'. His original line of thinking was that he wanted to get a good enough view to at least be appeased that not too much damage is being done, but not so close that it was a dead giveaway as to which (whose) team he's actually on.
As things stand now though, that little display by Cruz…his time with Andy…Sam knows where he wants to stand. And despite the fact he'd like to be McNally's corner-man, he knows that they're not quite there yet. That's Ollie's job tonight. He also knows that he isn't one of the rookies, even though Nash is in that mix. In the end, he decides that standing next to Noelle would be his best bet –
As he scans the room looking for his friend, he smiles small. Feels relieved at where she's standing actually, because he knows now –
His place is in her corner…somewhere…at the very least watching her…and cheering her on.
No matter what.
"Thought Ninja might've come too…" Sam says through a smirk, taking position beside Williams. "You know how distracted Oliver gets. I think McNally could do with a spare set of eyes."
Noelle turns in Sam's direction, broad grin on her face. "Sammy," she says, still through the grin. "You're watching the fight from here?"
Sam nods imperceptibly, chews into his bottom lip to tamp down the smirk. He knows Williams can read…some things…about him. He scratches at the back of his neck, thinks of an appropriate response. "Thought this angle would give me a good view."
Noelle nods her head sagely; grin going smug. "That so?" she enquires, looking Sam up and down.
Sam wants to laugh at the look she's giving him, except for the fact it'd be at his expense. He rolls his eyes eventually, Williams' inspection getting the better of him. "Why arrrre you looking at me like that?" He's a glutton for punishment, for sure. His question is just the ammunition that Noelle needed –
"Have you lost a little weight since last night?"
"What?" Sam asks; brow furrowed and a squinted gaze at his friend. He was expecting something, but it wasn't quite that…
She glares back deadpan, delivers her explanation with a similar tone. "Off your shoulders, Sammy."
Sam sucks in his cheeks, but then releases a laugh and a breath at the same time. How the hell his colleague can navigate the minefield of Sam's goings on and moods about women, he will never know. In the end, he just nods because he's got no comeback, and it's pointless really…he'd rather focus his energies on getting through the rest of tonight.
The two fighters from the fire crew are just stepping out of the ring and the mats are getting a quick wipe down. More seats are starting to clear as their fans head to collect their winnings, hit the concession stand and by the looks of it for some, head home.
The seats around Epstein and Diaz open up and Traci, Nick and Gail make their way over. They take the row behind the boys, but Nick doesn't like his vantage point so he shifts down beside Chris to get a better angle.
Gail huffs a little as she waits for him to make up his mind. When it seems like he's finally settled in, she looks over at Traci and nods to the seats in front of him. Without another word, Traci gets up and moves down a couple of rows. Gail follows along behind and when she gets in her seat she leans back and rests against Nick's legs. "Much better," she announces to Traci as she hooks her arms around his knees. "Now we just need to find you someone to lean on."
Traci gets a wistful smile on her face. She's sure Gail didn't mean anything by it, it's just…
Gail's satisfied smirk starts to slide when she catches the look on Traci's face, the one she tries so hard to keep hidden.
God, sometimes her mouth… she generally takes pride in her lack of filter but… it's usually for effect and never at the expense of a friend. She nudges Traci a little with her elbow. "If Dov didn't have the knobby knees of a ten year old girl, I'd offer him up, but like most women, you're probably better off without him."
"Superintendent Peck," Dov calls out over her shoulder.
Gail's eyes flash wide as she spins in her seat and forces a smile of greeting onto her face, but her mother is nowhere to be found.
"Not funny, man boy," she growls out when she turns around.
"A little funny," Traci concedes and the whole group, with the exception of the sole blonde, bursts into a fit of laughter.
The familiar sound rings out over the noisy crowd and has Noelle looking back over her shoulder.
Ninja's teething right now and she's been standing up most of the day. She turns back to her companion and nods her head to the raucous group. "You wanna sit down, Sammy?"
He gives his shoulders a quick shrug, guesses if she's up for it so is he. Standing or sitting, the deal's done, might as well make it official.
As he gestures for her to lead the way, he sees Nash waving Tommy McNally over. His normally steady gate stutters a little; he hasn't seen Tommy since…
Noelle feels him stall out beside her but doesn't look back. "Never known you to run and hide Sammy."(At least not from anything other than his feelings anyway.)
Sam flashes his teeth quick and gone. "Not hiding," he grumbles, "just… now's not the best time."
"Yeah, well, it's not about you… or him," she retorts ready to push him forward if she has to, "It's about her so… suck it up."
Sam knows she's right, only hopes Tommy sees it the same way because his options are pretty slim. Oliver will be ringside so he can't sit with him… "What about Frank?" He blurts.
"Nice try Sammy," Noelle smirks. "He's rubbing shoulders with the brass." She looks back over her shoulder. "Figures he needs to be impartial anyway." She turns all the way back around, taps the left side of his chest once with her fingers. "But his heart's with the rest of ours."
Sam shakes his head; she will never cease to amaze him. He tamps down the grin but gestures for her to lead the way.
"Got his money on her too, I hear," Sam mutters.
Sam can't see it, but Noelle's got a twinkle in her eye, is pretty certain there'll be one in Sam's in the not too distant future too. "We all do."
Noelle seats herself behind the girls, leaves the spot right between her and Collins free.
Tommy is just sitting down on the other side of Nick. Dov and Chris have slid in beside the girls after shaking Tommy's hand and freeing up a seat for him. Tommy claps Nick on the back as he settles in beside him. "How does she look, Son?"
Sam blinks a few times, bites back that feeling he gets sometimes when he thinks about just how close GI Joe is to Andy… and maybe to her Dad now too?
Tommy used to call him son a lot too when… well, when.
First time it caught Sam a little flat-footed, took him almost a minute to even find his voice. Which of course Andy found hysterical, teased him relentlessly about it for the rest of the night. That was until he got her home… got a little relentless himself… until he got her a little breathless.
When Tommy looks away from the rookie, the smile drops from his face. But Sam tries to keep his firmly planted on. "Tommy," he nods.
The reply is quick and curt. "Swarek."
Sam knows he has to tread carefully here; he hasn't been Swarek to Tommy since he was a rookie, is feeling more than a little inexperienced right now too, but he soldiers on. "She looks good," Sam answers for Nick. "Saw her practicing a couple days ago and just wished her luck again. She's ready."
Tommy's eyes go a little wide at that. Andy hasn't told him a lot but he knows it hasn't been easy since she got back… since before she left. And he knows that Swarek not being around had a lot to do with that.
"Ready or not, she needs to be careful," her dad cautions, "gotta protect herself when it's just her out there."
"She knows what she's doing," Sam assures them both.
"I hope so," Tommy replies because the last thing he wants is to see his little girl hurt… again.
Up next: We've got a fight on our hands!
