This story is going to be shorter than I expected. Probably around ten chapters instead of 15. Thanks as always for the reviews and story alerts. :)
Title: Two halves of a whole
Author: Cindy Ryan
Pairings: Andy/Sam
Notes: Mild swearing
Andy awoke to the smell of food cooking. It took her groggy senses several seconds to identify chicken.
Chicken and a vegetable. Possible asparagus?
Opening her eyes Andy sat up. She instantly regretted the fast movement as everything spun.
Footsteps moved quickly from the kitchen and strong hands gripped her shoulders.
Sam.
"Hey...easy."
Andy squeezed her eyes shut as the pain in her head intensified. "Ow."
"I'll get the pain meds. Sit tight."
Like she could move.
"What time is it?"
"Almost seven."Sam replied as he retrieved the medicine bottle from the kitchen counter and got a glass of water.
"At night?"
"Yeah and still the same day in case you were wondering."Sam added as he returned to the living room.
"Thanks."Andy said softly as the pills were pressed into her right hand and the glass into the other.
Andy swallowed the pills and drank half the glass of water.
After a moment Sam took the glass from her. "Better?"
"Yeah."Andy acknowledged and slowly opened her eyes meeting Sam's concerned gaze.
"Things still spinning?"
"No."
"Good. You hungry?"
"Starved."Andy replied as Sam stood. "Whatever you're cooking smells wonderful."
Sam placed a gentle hand on Andy's right shoulder. "I don't think your stomach is up for that yet. Want soup and toast?"
"Sounds good."
"Rest."Sam ordered as he went back to the kitchen.
Andy settled back against the pillow. When only mild nausea came with the movement she took that as a good sign. The sight of Sam in her kitchen was strange.
Especially since he was moving around it like he'd been here for years.
Andy didn't miss the concerned glances he shot her when he thought she wasn't looking. For all his cockiness and machoness Sam could be very sweet.
Some woman was going to be very lucky to have Sam Swarek as a husband.
Andy stilled at that thought. Funny, until recent events she'd never
considered Sam the marrying type. He seemed content to enjoy the
bachelor lifestyle. However, the way he was taking care of her now.
Plus the way he'd always had her back even after her training period
was over showed a side of Sam she found endearing.
Yes deep down Sam had the makings of a good husband.
A sigh escaped Andy she wasn't sure why she was thinking about Sam and
marriage. After all she was living with a perfectly good sexy man. A
man who loved her. Andy thought she loved Luke. Of course she did
that's why she agreed to marry Luke, wasn't it? What two people in love
did?
If the pain meds were making Andy admit hard truths she'd admit that
she cared for Luke deeply but he never made her heart race.
Only one person did that and he was currently fixing her toast.
Andy stared up at the ceiling. None of the heart racing stuff mattered
in reality. It was clear that Sam had gotten past whatever attraction
there had been between them. Hadn't he? She recalled clearly the look
on Sam's face after she'd been shot. Then after when he'd pulled her
behind the communications truck. Andy had tried to reassure him that
she was fine. The way Sam had looked at her took her breath away. It
was if he hadn't truly believed she was okay until he touched her.
"Chicken noodle or beef vegetable?"Swarek called from the kitchen
jolting Andy from her thoughts.
"Chicken."Andy answered after a beat.
Andy watched Sam fix her dinner. Maybe once she was strong enough to
sit up without the world spinning she and Sam would talk.
Really talk.
Especially about things they were pretending weren't important.
Like making your heart race and who you committed your life to.
The pounding in Andy's head returned along with the guilt. Luke had
been so good to her. She really should just accept things for what
they were.
Talking with Sam about where they stood Andy would probably end up
looking like a fool and losing a solid friendship in the process.
Memories of the blackout made Andy realize the risk was worth it.
She had to know before she committed to Luke any further.
"The Mayor's probably going to give you a medal."Sam stated twenty minutes later as he placed a wooden tray on the coffee table.
"What?"Andy asked as she gingerly scooted to the edge of the sofa.
"You're a hero."Sam explained with a grin."And it's all over the news."
Andy nearly choked on the spoonful of soup she'd just taken. "It is? Crap."
Sam handed her a napkin. "Commendations are a good thing, Andy."
"Not that, the press. I don't want Luke finding out that way."
"Afraid he'll come home?"Sam countered.
"No, it's just that his Dad needs him."
"And you don't?"
"Not for this...I'm being well taken care of."
At Sam's raised eyebrow Andy instantly wanted the words back. Maybe
the conversation couldn't wait after all. Maybe they'd have to deal with the proverbial pink elephant in the middle of
the room now. Putting it off wasn't going to make it any easier.
Taking a deep breath Andy reached for Sam's hand and pulled him down
onto the sofa next to her.
"Sam, this may seem out of left field, but we need to talk."
Swarek nodded solemnly. "Yeah, we do."
