Okay seriously, the reviews are incredible!

I hope you'll guys agree with the path I'm taking this story.

This chapter is actually double the words of the first chapter, but something tells me you guys don't

mind that.

XX

''Sammy,'' Sam heard someone yelling when he entered the barn. He looked up and saw Donovan Boyd standing on the stairs that led to Frank's office. ''Sammy, we need you in here for a moment.''

Sam slowly followed Boyd into Frank's office and sat down in the chair that was across from Frank's. ''What's up Boss?'' Sam casually asked, even though the presence of Boyd already told him what the plan was.

''A new undercover,'' Boyd announced. ''Ever heard of James Brennan?''

Sam had actually, but he was unimpressed with that name. ''Jamie Brennan?''Sure, the guy had some heavy accusations on his name, but every witness ended up dead. Sam had seen some of the files and pictures, most of the victims weren't even recognisable after Jamie was done with them.

Boyd nodded to confirm the name. He looked hopeful, like Sam was a sure thing for this case. Sam on the other hand, was not sure a new undercover would be the way to go right now.

''Forget it man, he's out of the life, has been for years. It's all about the wife, the kid and the two car garage in Brampton.''

''Not anymore,'' Boyd said when he opened a file. He showed Sam a picture of a car that was totally burned out. ''Wife and daughter were killed in a car accident two months ago. Intel is saying Jamie isn't doing so well.'' Sam thought Boyd actually looked smug about it, like it's a good think an innocent woman and child died.

''And you think now might be a good time to try and work him?'' Sam asked him, his head spinning like crazy. He wasn't sure what to do with this, three years ago he would jump at the chance. A year ago he actually jumped at the chance, but right now he wasn't sure. An undercover would take his mind of all the McNally drama, but it would also mean not seeing Sarah again for a long time. No more poker nights with the guys, all those things he already missed for so long.

''Sammy, this guy is an enforcer, he's a serious player. This could be our only chance. I'm putting together a team of people that know the case.''

''When?'' Maybe if it was in the not so near future, it would be a good opportunity.

''Couple weeks.'' Donovan answered with the same smug expression.

''Couple weeks?'' Sam asked. ''I've been back a couple of weeks, I'm not even used to sleeping in my own bed.'' Sam looked over at Frank who had been witnessing their conversation without interfering.

''It's up to you,'' Frank answered. ''If you want the job I'll have to get someone transferred to 15th.''

Sam sighed and ran his hand across his face. He pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. ''Not right now, it's not the right time.''

''You said that the last time too,'' Boyd answered. ''You called me six weeks later practically begging me for the spot.''

''Yeah, that was different,'' Sam answered. Back then he turned the job down because he didn't want to leave Andy, that definitely was not a problem right now. ''It just isn't the right job for me, I just got home. Haven't even went through all my mail yet, it's too soon.''

''This is one hell of an opportunity Sam,'' Boyd said. ''If you turn it down, well let's say I'm not sure your name would pop into my head the next time we need someone.''

''I'll think about it,'' Sam said, obviously not impressed by Boyd's threat. He knew Boyd loved to show everybody who was the boss. At first Sam had a lot of respect for the guy, probably too much. He saw himself in his position a few years from now. Now he had actually worked with the guy for a year, Sam's opinion changed a little. Boyd was a good detective, but his methods weren't always respectable.

''I need your answer before the end of the week,'' Boyd yelled. ''You need to do this Sam, this job has your name written all over it.''

''Like I said, I'll think about it,'' Sam said before standing up. ''You needed anything else?'' he asked his attention shifting to Frank.

''No, you think about it and let me know as soon as you make a decision. I've got to make the appropriate phone calls if you decide to go.''

''Okay boss,'' Sam said before leaving Frank's office. He was still processing everything that was just said to him when he saw Nash storming towards the female locker room. After Nash he saw Diaz walking towards the female locker room, he stood before the door obviously in doubt if he could enter it without stirring up trouble. Sam frowned and shook his head, the rookies really did get crazier by the year. When he reached the coffee machine he saw Jerry pouring a cup of coffee for himself.

''Thank you, just what I needed,'' Sam said as he stole Jerry's coffee. When Jerry looked offended Sam gave him a dimpled smile.

''Anything for you buddy,'' Jerry sarcastically replied.

''What's up with your girlfriend?'' Sam asked Jerry.

''What do you mean?'' Jerry asked surprised. ''We drove together to work, she seemed fine.'' Jerry poured another coffee and fixed it just the way he liked it. ''She say anything to you?''

''No, just saw her running towards the female locker room, probably some weird rookie thing, because Diaz followed seconds after that.''

''Diaz entered the female locker room? He didn't look up if that was allowed?'' Jerry joked. Even though the rookies were there less than three months, their reputations were already spread through the division. Nash was known as the normal one, Epstein as the overenthusiastic screw up, Diaz was the rule follower, Peck was the promising legacy cop with an attitude and McNally was the daughter of the once golden detective and of course the girl that screwed over Sam Swarek.

''I think if we go look he will still be standing there, wondering if he's allowed to go in.'' Sam said laughing. When someone clapped him on the back he turned around and saw Oliver standing there.

''Great, thanks,'' Oliver said as he took the coffee out of Jerry's hands, just before he wanted to take a first gulp. Jerry rolled his eyes, but didn't even protest anymore. ''Anybody know what's up with the rooks?'' Oliver continued. ''McNally looked like someone stole her favorite doll and ran away to the locker room when Diaz put his arm around her.''

''I don't know man, they seriously are weirder this year than the last few years combined,'' Jerry said.

When Oliver and Sam shot him a glare he continued. ''Traci isn't so bad,'' he quickly added. ''She's actually very mature. But seriously, do you know they all sleep together?''

Sam's eyes widened and when he looked next to him he saw Oliver chocking on his coffee. ''Not sleeping together – sleeping together,'' Jerry quickly said. ''Just like a sleepover kind of thing, like they're 12.''

''Epstein could be 12,'' Oliver said. ''And I remember you waking up on my couch on several occasions, so let's not mock sleepovers.''

''Well, those times weren't planned,'' Jerry said.

''Happens every poker night,'' Sam smiled. ''I think one time you actually made it to my bed before I did, what forced me to sleep on my couch.''

''Yeah, yeah,'' Jerry muttered. ''Stick up for the rooks, whatever,'' he said before taking his new coffee and walking away.

XX

''Andy?'' Traci called out into the locker room. ''Where are you?''

''Here,'' Andy said.

Traci walked around the lockers and found her best friend sitting on one of the benches with her head in her hands. ''What happened Andy? Are you okay?'' Traci asked as she moved to sit next to Andy. She put her hand on Andy's shoulder, but Andy immediately stood up and shrugged her hand away.

''I'm fine,'' Andy said. ''Just a little short of breath, I don't really know what happened.''

Traci looked at her best friend, not really believing what she was saying. ''Did anything happen?'' Traci asked concerned. ''Something with Swarek?''

''Traci, I just felt weird for a moment okay?'' Andy snapped. ''I'm just going to drink some water and I'll be fine.''

''Okay, whatever you say,'' Traci said putting her hands in the air. When there was a knock on the door of the locker room Traci stood up and opened the door.

''Is she okay?"' Chris asked. ''I don't know if I did anything, but if I did, I'm sorry.''

''She says she's fine,'' Traci said. ''What the hell happened out there?''

''I don't know,'' Chris answered. ''We were talking and she seemed fine. I made a joke and put my arm around her waist, just as a joke to Gail. All of the sudden she ran away. Swarek was in Best's office and we could see him, so maybe she thought of something that happened with him?''

''Yeah, maybe..'' Traci said, still unsure of what actually happened between Sam and Andy. Andy had told her she dated Sam, but never gave her the true reason for the break up. When she talked to Jerry about it he had some less than flattering words for her best friend. After that the McNally – Swarek relationship was of limits for Traci and Jerry. Traci didn't believe that Andy used Sam and left when the relationship became too serious and Jerry wanted to protect his best friend. They both decided it was best to table that conversation and not bring it up again.

''I'm going to see if she's okay, alright? If we're not back before parade starts, just tell Best Andy got sick and I'm helping her?'' Traci asked before leaving Chris again. She walked towards Andy and decided to tell her friend the truth. ''Andy, what happened?''

''Nothing,'' Andy said before trying to pass Traci. ''I'm fine.''

Traci blocked Andy's body with her own and crossed her arms before her chest. ''I don't believe you,'' she said. ''This is not you, I don't know what is going on and if you don't want to tell me than I can't force you. Just please promise me your talking to someone because whatever is going on with you, you need to deal with it.''

''I'm okay Trace, I promise,'' Andy said acting like nothing was going on.

''Did Swarek say something to you?'' Traci asked again. ''I know you two have a history, but if he's being inappropriate you need to file a complaint.''

''No, he's actually being very civil,'' Andy said slowly before sitting down on the bench again. ''God, I seriously thought I was stronger than this,'' she said before putting her head in her hands again.

''Stronger than what?'' Traci questioned. When Andy didn't answer her Traci was lost for a moment. When she had met Andy in the academy they grew close almost immediately. Traci didn't have a perfect situation being a teenage mom, she was used to people judging her. But never Andy, she was supportive and helpful from day one. Andy always was a cheerful, happy person, but Traci could see beyond that. Maybe it was her mom's instinct or something, but she saw her friend was hiding something from everybody. Traci never pushed her on it, but if it was going to eat her friend, than she would push. She would push until the walls came down, she just hoped she didn't force the walls to grow even higher.

Andy shrugged her shoulders and took another sip from her water bottle. ''Doesn't matter,'' Andy said. ''I'm okay now, I just freaked a little.''

''Why?'' Traci tried again.

''Nothing,'' Andy said. ''It was stupid.''

''If something freaks you out, it doesn't make you stupid,'' Traci protested. ''I'm sure you have good reasons for it.''

''I don't,'' Andy promised. ''Look, I know you're worried, but it's really not necessary. I will be fine.''

Traci slowly nodded again and looked at her friend. She had a theory about what happened, but she knew she was walking on very thin ice with this. She hadn't worked with Swarek yet, so she really didn't know what he was like as a person. From what other people told her, she knew he was a good friend, amazing cop, but he was known to bend the rules and had a temper. Maybe that temper got the best of him from time to time, she didn't know him, but it could be.

''Andy, I know I might be way out of line with this, but I have to ask,'' Traci waited until Andy looked up. ''Did Sam ever hurt you?'' she asked her friend cautiously. She knew it was her boyfriends best friend she was talking about here, but her friend was acting weird and Traci wanted answers.

''What?'' Andy asked sounding a little offended. ''What do you mean?''

By Andy's facial expressions Traci guessed she was wrong. ''I don't know. Everybody keeps saying he's great, but that he does have a temper and isn't exactly a rule follower.''

Andy just shook her head and Traci saw a small smile on her face. ''Not with me,'' she said. ''He only bends the rules when they are worth breaking. And for his temper.. let's say we fought hard from time to time, but he never laid a hand on me.''

''Okay, that's good,'' Traci said obviously relieved to hear that.

''He was sort of perfect,'' Andy said, not really speaking to Traci but just talking like she was talking to herself. ''Everybody always sees this rough bad-ass person when they look at him, but he's not. At least not when he was with me. He was sweet, caring and even though he always made the stupidest jokes anyone could ever come up with, he made me laugh.''

''Sounds like he's a pretty great guy,'' Traci softly told her friend while rubbing her back.

''Yeah,'' Andy said. After another second she seemed to get back to life and realize she actually said all those things out loud. ''But that's over now, so no use dwelling on the past.''

''Andy, come on,'' Traci said. ''Why can't you tell anybody why you broke up with him? I don't know what is going on with you, but you need to tell someone what happened before this thing eats you up alive.''

''It's not so simple,'' Andy tried again.

''Why not?'' Traci asked.

''Because, it's not,'' Andy said helplessly. ''I know I'm known as the bitch in this story okay? I know everybody thinks I used him and kicked him away when it was convenient for me. I am very much aware of the fact that everybody is whispering behind my back, but I can handle all of that. I can't handle being known as the weak girl.''

''Weak?'' Traci asked. ''Why would they think you're weak?''

Andy placed her hands next to her thighs and leaned forward. Traci had only seen Andy cry once, that was a silent cry when her father fell off the wagon for the umpteenth time. So Traci was a little surprised when Andy placed her hand over her mouth and let out a sob.

''I screwed up so bad,'' Andy said when the tears that were threatening to fall during their conversation finally fell.

''What happened?'' Traci asked.

Andy shook her head one more time and let out another sob. ''I didn't want to leave him, believe me that was the last thing I wanted.''

''Then why do it?'' Traci asked. ''Sweetie please talk to me.''

Andy sat up straight again and wiped away the tears on her cheek. She took a deep breath and shook her head again. ''Not here,'' Andy said. ''We need to work and I can't start sucking on my job now too.''

''You can't deal with everything alone,'' Traci said. ''That never ends well.''

Andy took another sip of water and took another deep breath. ''I'm okay Trace, just need to get to work and get my mind on other things.''

''Okay, will you tell me if I come by tonight?'' Traci asked. ''Or anybody else, just talk to someone.''

Andy slowly nodded. After keeping everything in for a year, she felt like she needed to let it out. And it would be best if she told her best friend, before she lost it and told someone who wouldn't believe her and use it against her. ''What about Leo?''

''Dex,'' Traci replied quickly. ''I'm all yours.''

''Okay, I don't know if I can tell you, but you're welcome okay. We'll see what happens.''

XX

When Frank was done with parade he told Gail to go check on Andy and Traci. If Andy was too sick to work, Traci was allowed to drive her home.

Gail went to grab a coffee first and then walked to the locker room. When she wanted to open the door it already flew open, Traci stepped out and Andy followed quickly.

''Best wanted to know if you're okay to work?'' Gail asked Andy.

Andy shot Gail a questioning look. ''Because you're sick?'' Gail clarified. ''If you're not, Traci can take you home.''

Andy looked at Traci and knew she lied to explain their absence during parade. ''No I'm good to work, just felt sick for a moment, but I'm sure it's nothing.'' Andy lied.

''Okay, well that's good because that means I can go out on patrol while you're on desk,'' Gail smiled. ''Good luck, you're with Dov.'' After that Gail went turned to Traci. ''And apparently your favorite detective requested your help on a case, but I'm sure that's a total coincidence,'' she said with a smirk.

''Gotta tell Jerry not to request me anymore,'' Traci muttered. ''Before you know it I'm the division's whore.''

''The division's whore and the division's bitch, best friends.'' Andy laughed. ''Actually seems fitting.''

''Good to see you smile again,'' Traci said before giving Andy a one hand hug. ''Now I got to kick my boyfriends ass before people actually think I'm sleeping with him to get interesting tasks.''

''Nobody's gonna think that,'' Andy tried to reassure her friend.

''I would,'' Traci said before heading for the D's office. ''I totally would.''

XX

A year and a halve before -

Andy and Sam were out together, they went to see a movie and after that they went to a bar for a drink. Neither of them knew the bar they were heading towards, but they didn't really care about it because they just wanted a simple drink.

''Movie sucked,'' Andy said as they walked towards the bar.

''Your taste in movies sucks,'' Sam said. ''It was funny.''

''Well, you consider 'hambulance' a classic, so I guess that makes my point,'' Andy laughed. She loved nights like this, just the two of them. She liked his friends and he didn't seemed to be bothered by hers, but it was still nice to have moments together with their busy schedules. Andy had another big test coming up and Sam picked up a few extra shifts, so nights like this were rare.

''Hey, you laughed when I told that joke,'' Sam protested.

''Didn't want to hurt your feelings.''

''Oh, and hurting my feeling is no longer an issue?'' Sam asked smiling. He loved teasing her, she always took the bait.

''No, but experience has told me your ego already is big enough,'' she teased back.

Andy sighed and placed her head on his shoulder. ''I missed you,'' she confessed.

''We live together, how can you miss me?'' Sam asked.

''We live together, but with our schedules we hardly see each other. You are working when I'm off and when your off I'm either in school, at the diner or studying.''

''So stop working at the diner,'' Sam suggested. He had brought it up before, but she didn't want to depend on him for everything.

''We talked about his,'' Andy warned him. They stopped walking for a while and Sam pulled her close to him.

''I know, I'm just saying,'' he replied. ''Just promise to think about it okay? I don't make a lot, but we also don't spend that much so we could deal with one income for a while. It would give you some room to focus on school and have some free time.'' When he saw she was going to protest again he put his finger on her lips to silence her. ''I hate to see you bend yourself in half to work your hours at the diner, go to school and study between that. So I'm telling you I wouldn't mind providing for the two of us if it would make your life a little easier.''

''You already know my answer,'' she smiled at him. ''And I love you for offering and caring, but I'm really fine. Sometimes I just wished we could see more of each other.''

''I think I saw quite a lot of you this morning,'' Sam said wiggling his eyebrows.

Andy smacked his chest and started laughing. ''Yeah, well see if that happens again any time soon.''

''It will,'' he said confident.

''That's optimistic,'' Andy smiled widely.

''Nah, that's experience,'' Sam said before he gently lowered his mouth to his. Andy tugged on his jacket bringing him closer to her and he let his hands settle on her waist. She was wearing a black dress that ended at the middle of her thighs. Sam loved her legs in that dress, especially with the

heels she wore under it. Andy never showed off much, but sometimes she would put on an outfit that would drive him wild.

''Get a room,'' someone muttered while trying to get past them. Sam backed away from Andy and grinned. ''That's not a bad idea, what do you say McNally?''

''I say you promised me a drink,'' she said before tugging on his arm and dragging him to the bar.

When they found a table Sam walked to the bar to get them some drinks. Andy waited until he returned, patiently waiting for him. The bar was packed, so it took Sam a while to get his order in. When he returned Andy rewarded him with a deep kiss.

''What was that for?'' Sam asked when she backed away.

''Just love you,'' she smiled.

Sam grinned and handed her the drink. When he sat down next to her they talked about his work, about Oliver's kids that she had babysat the night before and about her upcoming test. Sam knew she was always nervous when she had to study for those tests, always afraid she wouldn't have studied hard enough. Sam had complete faith in her and he knew she would do great, no matter how insecure she was about it.

When Andy finished her drink Sam went to the bar to get a refill. A strange guy gladly took his seat and turned to Andy.

''My boyfriend was sitting there,'' she told him in a nice voice, but her facial expression told the guy to get lost. She knew Sam hated it when guys hit on her. She knew it wasn't a possessive thing, more a protective thing. Still, she could live without it, even though she sometimes felt like it confirmed his love for her. She knew he loved her, even though him bringing it to words was a rare occasion.

''Your boyfriend was stupid to leave his beautiful girlfriend alone,'' the guy said. ''Maybe you should get a new one.''

Andy rolled her eyes at how cheesy the guy was being. ''He's getting me a drink and I think it would be best if you would just leave.''

''I think I would like to get to know you a little better,'' the guy said. ''What's your name gorgeous?''

''None of your business,'' Andy replied. She really didn't want to talk to the guy, sometimes she got a good laugh from guy's hitting on her, but this guy came a little too close.

''Oh playing hard to get?'' he asked. ''Just wait until you're on your back in my bed, I bet I could get you to tell me everything about you then.''

At that Andy grabbed her purse and Sam's jacket and walked away from the guy, she really wasn't in the mood for this right now. And she knew things would get worse if Sam saw a guy making her uncomfortable. Andy walked towards the bar and put her hand on Sam's shoulder.

''Can we get out of here?'' she asked.

Sam looked at her and raised his eyebrows. ''Something wrong?'' he asked.

''No, just changed my mind and I want to go home,'' she said. ''Can we go?''

''Yeah of course,'' Sam said. He walked away from the bar and took his coat from Andy.

Before they got a chance to leave the bar the guy that was hitting on her came up to her again. Andy saw him coming and sighed knowing Sam would get pissed if he would try something again.

Andy deliberately kept her eyes off the guy as she put her hand around Sam's waist. She hoped that would be a signal for the guy to get lot, but obviously she was wrong.

''Leaving already?'' the guy asked when he stood in front of her. He pushed her hair out of her face and Andy took a step back. The guy blocked her with his body and Sam immediately pushed his body between them.

''I suggest you walk away right now,'' Sam warned the guy.

''Or else what? You're going to stand up to protect your slut?''

Andy knew that was the wrong thing to say to Sam, that was very much the wrong thing to say to Sam. Sam made himself a little taller and tried to stare the guy down, but apparently the guy didn't feel threatened at all. He pretended to walk away, but just when Sam seemed to relax again, Andy felt his hand on her ass.

She saw the punch coming even before Sam lifted his hand. The guy went straight to the floor and Sam grabbed Andy by the waist and pulled her with him, outside the bar.

''Sam,'' she yelled at him when they were outside. ''You could have walked away, you can't go punching people because of stuff like this.''

Sam didn't even respond to her. He just held her by the waist as he walked to his truck with long angry strides. Andy knew there was no point in starting an argument now, they were in the middle of the streets and she didn't really like public fights.

Sam's truck was parked close to the bar, so it took them just a minute to reach it. Sam opened the passenger side and released his hold on Andy.

''Get in,'' he said.

''I'm not a dog Sam, you can't tell me what to do.'' Andy said. She knew she was pushing his buttons, but she wasn't some defenceless little girl who needed him to fight her battles. She would have been able to put that guy in his place, without his 'help'.

''Get in,'' Sam said again, clearly not leaving any room for a discussion about this particular subject.

''I think I'm going to walk home,'' Andy said protesting. She knew Sam would never physically hurt her, but if looks could kill she would very much be dead after that comment.

''McNally, get in the truck right now,'' Sam said with a clenched jaw.

Andy saw some people looking at them, so she decided it was best to just follow his orders. It would be a little embarrassing if someone called the cops and Sam's colleagues would show up because someone thought Sam was hurting her.

When she was seated Sam slammed the door close and walked over to the driver's seat and quickly started the engine. Neither of them spoke the entire ride home, Andy kept glancing at Sam and everytime she saw him gripping the steering wheel harder or clenching his jaw.

When he parked the car she opened her door and got out immediately. She took her keys from her purse and opened the door. Andy walked to the bedroom in a straight line and shut the door even before Sam was in the house.

Andy took off her dress and shoes. This was not how she wanted this night to end, their night had been so perfect and now she was taking off her own dress, while she imagined that would have been a nice task for Sam this evening. She opened the clasp of her bra and took off her panties, she even put on nice underwear for him. When she was naked she walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower.

Their fights always started like this, both of them to mad to say another word to the other person. Most of the time they would ignore each other till one of them broke down by yelling or apologizing. Andy had to admit that if someone started yelling it was mostly her, if someone apologized it was mostly Sam.

When she was done with her shower she grabbed a towel and dried off. She took an elastic from the cabinet to put her hair in a messy bun. She put the towel around her before walking out of the bedroom again. She knew it was stupid, Sam had seen her naked hundreds of times, but she was pissed at him and he didn't deserve to see her naked right now.

Sam wasn't in the bedroom, so Andy dropped the towel and put on some clean underwear. She took an old pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt and quickly put it on too.

She knew she wasn't going to be able to sleep, so she went downstairs again. Sam was sitting on the couch watching hockey. By the look on his face Andy could tell he wasn't really watching.

Andy grabbed a water bottle from the fridge before walking into the living room again. When she looked at the TV she saw the hockey players just started a fight.

''Oh look,'' she said. ''Punching people. Guess I can see where you learned to do that.''

Sam snorted and still refused to look at her.

''Seriously, watch some more, you never know when it comes in handy again,'' she pushed him a little further.

''The guy called you a slut and grabbed your ass Andy, what the hell did you expect me to do?'' Sam yelled at her.

''I don't know? Maybe not pretend like I'm some helpless teenager and let me handle it myself?''

''How would you have handled it?'' Sam asked her.

''I would have walked away or I would have used words. You know those Sam? Words? That means talking to people with your mouth instead of with your fists!'' she yelled back.

''And you think the guy would have backed away if you asked him nicely?'' Sam asked. ''God you're so damned naive sometimes.''

''So you had to punch the guy?'' Andy asked. ''I can take care of myself you know?''

''Yeah, you were doing a spectacular job,'' Sam said. ''But I'm not even going to have this discussion with you, because you always know everything and I know nothing. So let's just say it: I was wrong. Because that's what you want to hear right?''

''Not if you don't mean it.'' Andy said.

''He was touching you Andy. For Christ sake, do you not understand why that would bother me?''

''Of course I understand why it would bother you, I just hoped you had a little more faith in me and let me handle it by myself.'' Andy screamed. She was so sick of his protectiveness over her. And she got it, because she knew the horrible things he witnessed every day. She knew what happened to his sister. She read the newspaper so she knew about the things people did to each other, but sometimes it felt suffocating being around him. He would never let her walk home alone when it was dark, one time he even picked her up from a friend's house with a cruiser. While he was working.

''He was touching you Andy,'' Sam repeated again. ''Nobody touches you but me.''

''Oh I'm your property now?'' she asked. ''Well Sam, is it okay if I go to bed? Because I'm a little tired and I have an early morning tomorrow. Or is there anything you need my body for right now?'' she knew she was being immature and dramatic, but she was not his property and never would be.

Sam threw his hands in the air and let out a sarcastic laugh. ''Yeah, you go sleep. Walk away, that's what you do best anyway.''

Andy knew where that was coming from. When they just started living together they had a fight. Not even a big fight, but Andy was upset about it. She went to her father's place and spent the night there. She never told Sam she was leaving so when she came back the next morning he was still up, he never even went to bed because he was worried about her. She never even realised how much she scared him by just disappearing like that and they had agreed to talk things over. Sam told her that if she wanted to live with him, she couldn't just leave whenever she felt like it. Being in an adult relationship meant you couldn't run away from each other the moment things got hard. She had apologized over and over for it. She honestly never realized he wouldn't know where she went. Whenever she had a fight with her dad she would stay at a friend's house, he never made a big deal about it. But she had to learn that this was different, she was in a relationship now and that meant you stayed in the same house, even if you didn't want to see each other.

Andy was close to crying now and turned around to go to bed. She knew she wouldn't fall asleep any time soon, but she just wanted to get away from Sam for a moment. When she entered the bedroom she took off her sweatpants and threw them next to the bed. She crawled under the covers and cried for a few minutes. After that she stared at the wall for the better part of an hour. When there was still no sign of Sam she got out of bed again and walked downstairs.

He was still sitting on the couch, he didn't look up when she came in and that made her feel even worse. She softly sat down next to him and was silent for a minute. After that minute she put her hand on his shoulder and tried to get him to look at her.

''I'm sorry,'' she said, her voice still sounding a little weak. ''I know you're trying to protect me but that isn't your job okay?''

Sam finally looked at her. ''Not my job?'' he asked her.

''Well, you're a cop, so maybe,'' she reasoned. ''But when you're my boyfriend it isn't.''

''Protecting you as a boyfriend is more my job than being a cop,'' Sam said getting angry again. ''Don't you get that? If you want someone who's going to stand on the side lines while you get hurt, than you are with the wrong person.''

Andy's eyes widened when he said that. Because even with his crazy overprotective nature Sam was all she wanted. She loved him more than anything.

Sam noticed her fear and put his hand on her thigh. ''Look, I didn't mean..'' he started. ''I'm sorry okay? I know you can handle yourself, but I am not going to apologize for punching that guy.''

Andy nodded and fisted her hand in his hair.

''It's not okay if someone touches you when you don't want them too. I'm never going to let anything happen to you as long as I got a say in it,'' he said gently. ''You're the most important person in my life and even when you think I'm overreacting, I promise I'm only looking out for your best interest.''

''I know,'' Andy said softly. ''I'm sorry too, I shouldn't have yelled and I was being childish.''

Sam slowly kissed her and nudged her nose with his. ''It's okay,'' he said.

''We okay?'' she asked finally meeting his eyes.

''Yeah, we'll be fine,'' Sam promised before pulling her to his lap.

XX

That night Traci knocked on Andy's door with a bottle of wine in her hand. When Andy opened Traci raised her hand with the bottle of wine in it. ''Liquid courage?'' Traci smiled.

Andy gave her a small smile before stepping aside to let Traci in. Andy didn't say anything and Traci walked to her couch.

''Want a drink?'' Andy asked.

''How about just a glass?'' Traci said while raising the bottle.

Andy nodded and walked to the kitchen. When she came back she placed the glasses on the table and opened the bottle.

''So, ready to talk?'' Traci asked.

''I'm fine,'' Andy said again.

''Cut it out,'' Traci said with a lot of force behind her voice. ''You told me you are not fine this afternoon.''

''That was this afternoon,'' Andy said. ''I just freaked out for a moment, now I'm fine.''

Traci shook her head and let herself fall back to the couch. ''Sometimes I wonder if you trust anybody,'' she said.

''What do you mean? I trust you, I just don't want to share every detail of my life with you,'' Andy said. ''And I don't think I should have too.''

''I'm not asking for details, I'm asking about something that has obviously affected you in a huge way.''

''I can't Trace,'' Andy sighed.

''Why not?''

''Because I don't want you to look at me as if...''

''As if what?'' Traci asked in her cool mother voice.

''It's just a really long story,'' Andy tried one more time.

''I've got time,'' Traci said.

''I wouldn't know where to begin.''

''How about at the beginning?''

Andy sighed and looked at her best friend. She knew it would be such a relieve to finally tell someone, let someone in. Yet, she was afraid for the consequences. They sat together in silence for two minutes before Andy took in a deep breath. And for the first time she told someone her true reason for leaving Sam.

XX

I'm mean, I know!

What do you guys think happened?