BEFORE

"You know it's been a week since you finally fell for my disarming charm." Wearing only his boxer briefs, he was lying on his back on the bed with his fingers interlocked behind his head and though he was awake, his eyes were closed. The duvet was crumpled up on the floor, she was wrapped up in the under sheet beside him.

"A whole week huh?" She stretched her arms up high above her head and yawned.

"Since the BBQ." He rolled his eyes over and his body followed. His arm went over her torso and snuggled her back into him, spooning her close. His chin rested on her shoulder and he kissed her gently.

"Wait…disarming charm?" she chuckled. "Not sure if that's what I would call it."

"No? Are you complaining?" he tickled her, making her squirm.

"No!" she laughed. "No, please stop no!" his fingers stopped and he rolled over onto her back as he propped up on his elbow and rested his head in his hand.

"When does your shift start?"

"In about 35 minutes. I should already be in the shower. Actually, I should already be on the road!"

"I'll drop you off."

"When does yours start?"

"Day off for me." He smiled at her then lowered his head and kissed her gently.

"No, get off!" She pushed him away and sat up but his hands could still reach her. He stroked her back and she cast a devilish gaze over her shoulder at him. "Sam…stop!" She wiggled away to the edge of the bed. "I'm going to take a shower."

She stood up, the blanket still wrapped around her body but as she moved to walk away, Sam tugged on the end of it and it came loose. She squealed with a laugh and dashed for the bathroom. Sam smiled and fell back onto the bed. By the time she came out, wrapped in a towel he was fully dressed and tying his laces.

"I'm going to be so late."

"Relax, I'll get you there before parade." He stood and turned to see her wrapped in a towel by his dresser at the end of the bed, as she rubbed a moisturiser cream on her face and neck. He came up behind her and kissed the back of her neck.

"Sam, don't even think about it."

"What?"

Her hair was tied up into a high bun but some wet tendrils had come loose, he brushed them aside and kissed her neck more thoroughly.

"I swear to god Sam, if you don't get away, I'll be using some of my training to move you aside."

Sam smiled and thought of calling her bluff but then knowing she probably would follow through, he kissed her once more then backed away. He turned and picked the duvet off the floor and shook it back into place on the bed.

"Really?" Andy watched him with a crooked smile. "You're giving up that easily?" she took two steps to cross the room to him and pushed him hard enough to knock him back onto the bed then straddled him before he could get up.

"What about your shift…?" even as he spoke the question died on his lips as she tugged on the knotted towel and let it fall behind her. She reached up and pulled the elastic out of her hair and shook it free. Sam put up no further protest and instead he sat up and pulled his own top off then kissed her. She gyrated against him and ground her hips into his so he grabbed her pelvis and tried his best to hold her still. But she was stronger, or more wilful. She pulled away from him completely and yanked his belt open. He lifted his hips and she pulled the rest of his clothes down.

"Is this a race?" he said as she pulled his jeans low past his knees then straddled his lap.

"I don't have time for finesse right now," she said as one of her hands grasped his cock.

"I feel like you are using me for sex…" he managed to get the words out even though her smooth hot hands were stroking him in ever increasing motions.

"Well you would be right…" she inched her way up closer to his crotch. He moved to sit up to help her but she pushed him back onto the bed. "Ready?" She stilled for a second and looked down at him. She rested one hand on his chest to help her keep balance; the other still held his penis and their eyes locked.

Never breaking eye contact, she lifted her hips and guided him into her entrance. Then in one slow smooth motion she lowered her hips and clenched herself around him. They both moaned. Andy tossed her head back and started to move her hips. Sam used his hands to help her keep rhythm but no matter what way he tried to guide her she sped up, faster and harder.

He clenched his eyes closed, tried to think of anything but the sweet sensation of her velvet skin grinding against his crotch. Andy rolled forward, grasped the headboard and bucked tighter against him. Sam chose this moment to open his eyes and looked up to see her breasts flailing mere inches above his head. Just out of reach. He had to hold her hips to his for fear she would fall off. He craned his neck up to see if he could catch one with his mouth, but she was moving too fast for him. Instead he buried his head into her chest and countered her movements with his own hips.

"Oh god… now, now Sam… now…" Sam noticed the change in her pace, realised she was nearing her climax and only knew one way to increase the pressure for her. He used all his strength to hold her in place as he swiftly sat up then turned and pushed her back into the bed. His legs were against the wall now and he could still reach the headboard with one hand. The other he slipped under her butt and angled her hips in a way that gave him better purchase.

He knew it wouldn't last long for either of them so he didn't even try to prolong it. He pounded into her hard, and fast, without ceremony. One of her hands grabbed his back; the other reached over her own head and grabbed the headboard to counter his movements.

"Okay?" he asked, though he didn't miss a beat.

"Mmmm," he lips were pursed; her tongue made an appearance to wet them then her teeth bit down hard. Her breath came in short sharp pants, mingled and matched only with his. But only seconds had to pass until both of them were ready to finish. Her ankles wrapped around him and he slid in to her one final time pushing them both over the edge.

Moments passed before either of them moved. Sam rolled off her, pulling her with him so that they were lying on their side, face to face.

"Jesus…" Sam brushed her hair off her face and kissed her. "You're incredible."

"Incredibly late…" She pushed him away and jumped off the bed. "Get up, you're taking me to work." She hurried around the room to get dressed but he just lay back and watched her. "Sam! Get a move on!"

AFTER

"It's been two days, since she woke up and you're telling me she still doesn't remember anything?!"

Sam paced left and right the length of the family room. Frank stood by the door with the surgeon and watched.

"It's called retrograde amnesia. Her brain is a little swollen, causing some pressure on her left frontal lobe. It's quite common for short term memory loss to be a cause of head injury like this."

"And how long will it last? You said already it will be a few days."

"I was hoping after the initial swelling went down we would see an improvement. But these things can take time. In very rare occurrences do the memories stay incomplete."

"Incomplete!? More like non-existent" Sam was shouting, his arms gesturing widely as he tried to contain his anger.

"Like I said, it's impossible to tell. There is nothing more we can do for her here. She needs to go home, surround herself with familiarity and I'm more than convinced that it will all come back to her very soon."

Sam had no response. He let his hands drop to his sides. Frank shook hands with the surgeon and watched him leave then turned to Sam.

"You need to step back." Frank crossed the room to his side and turned him away from the window to face him. "You are going to go crazy. What Andy needs right now is support. From her friends, from her family."

"Her dad is gone to Vancouver. I called him already but he can't make it back for another week."

"So now she needs us. You, me, Nash, Peckstien. We need to guide her through this."

"I know, I know."

"Well to do it effectively you need to step back, and calm down."

Sam nodded.

"The surgeon said she can go home, I can go in there, talk to her and bring her home, but something tells me this is something you want to do."

"I haven't seen her since…since she woke up."

"No time like the present."

Frank patted Sam on the back then walked out.

Andy sat in a chair by the window beside her bed. It was a strange sensation, she pondered, to not know anything about yourself. She examined her hands as if they would give her a clue about her life. She had spent hours looking at herself in the mirror, trying to jog some remnant of a memory but nothing came. Some visitors came and left over the last few days. It was a mish-mash of strange conversations that she struggled to recall now. The doctor has spoken to her earlier and mentioned that she was being discharged and it scared her no end to think that this room, all she knew was about to be taken away from her. A soft whoosh of the door opening made her turn.

"You!" she exclaimed as Sam walked further into the room. His heart jumped in his chest at the thought that she had recognised him. Maybe this was all a misunderstanding, he thought as he crossed the room towards her, a smile creeping over his lips. "You were here the other day…the day I woke up."

"Oh…yeah, I was." Sam's heart plummeted further than it had been before and his smile faded. "How are you feeling?" Andy shrugged and it pained him to see her familiar gestures with a cautious fear in her eyes. "Sorry, that was a silly question. I was talking to the surgeon…"

"Sorry but…who are you?"

Sam's breath caught in his throat and it took him a minute to respond. "Sam. Sam Swarek."

"Oh… you're a cop too… my boss? My partner?" she tried to recall the details that her friend had mentioned when she visited yesterday.

"Partner." He was at the end of the bed bow and used it for the support he needed. "So…I talked to your surgeon. He said you are ready to be released."

"Yeah… he mentioned that." She brushed her hair behind her ear, showing the bandage on her temple more clearly.

"Well I'm here to take you home."

"Where is that?"

"An apartment off King st."

She looked at him blankly and he was at a loss for words. Her eyes filled with tears and it was all he could do not to take the three small steps to close the distance between them but he held fast, his fingers curling around the cold metal frame of the bed.

"Don't worry, I'll take you there, help you get settled in." He watched her for a moment more, the worry crossed her face and watered her eyes. "Everything will be ok."

"Ok." Her voice wavered but she was determined not to show him so he let it slide. Andy stood and only then noticed that she was wearing hospital clothing. "Do you um, do you have any clothes for me?"

Sam dropped a paper bag onto the bed and turned his back to give her some privacy. He heard the bag rustling as she opened it and pulled out a pair of jeans and a light blue tee he had taken from her flat that morning. Her arm was in a sling from the shoulder wound but she managed to pull on her underwear and jeans, though she couldn't fasten them. Her bra proved to be more trouble than she was able for. She slowly slipped her arm out of the sling then pulled the strap up to her shoulder, then slipped her other arm into the other arm hole.

"Um…I think, eh I think I need some help." She turned her back to him and slowly he looked over her shoulder to see her unfastened bra.

"I'll eh, I'll get the nurse." Sam all but ran out the door and called the nurse in to help Andy. As the nurse closed her bra, fastened her jeans then helped her on with a tee, Sam waited outside the door, pacing the hallway.

"There." The nurse tied her laces and stood up to admire her handy work. "You look a million dollars."

"Yeah, thanks." Andy smiled at her as she walked out then started to pack what little belongings she had. She turned to see Sam walking through the door again and he took her bag without asking.

"Ready?"

"I guess." Andy took another look around the room. The only room she had ever known and followed Sam out of the hospital.

They drove in practical silence. The radio was off, the windows were up and only the gently blowing from the aircon could be heard. Andy looked out the window, and watched the unfamiliar city fly by. Soon she would be at home. Such a foreign concept for her right now. Bubbles of fear popped in her stomach making her feel uneasy. She fidgeted in her seat, pulled on her belt and tried to get comfy.

"Hungry?" Sam asked, speaking for the first time in 20 minutes.

"Hmm?"

"Are you hungry?"

She nodded her head. She wasn't sure if it was hunger or fear but she knew she wanted to delay stepping over the homestead for as long as possible. Thankfully Sam didn't ask what she wanted to eat. She had no idea what she liked, what she preferred or even what would be available.

He pulled the car into a car park outside a small bar and without hesitation got out. Before she knew it, he had come around to her side of the car and opened the door. He proffered a hand and she looked up at him for a moment before taking it.

"Welcome to Davy's." He led her into the bar, held the door open for her and waved at the hostess as he crossed the room to a booth by the window.

"Come here often?" Andy asked as they took the menus from the holders and started to read.

"Not as often as I'd like, but as often as I'd dare."

"Special occasions then, huh."

"Something like that."

She watched him over the rim of her menu but his concentration was focused on what to eat.

"So what's good here?"

"You usually get a BLT or some sort of salad."

Andy smiled. She delighted in the thought that they had been here together before. That he had shared these so called special moments with her, but as soon as that delight was there it vanished in the realisation that she couldn't remember any of them.

"Okay guys, what can I get you today?" The waitress pulled a pencil out of her hair and a notebook out of the pocket on her apron.

"I'll have a grilled club."

"The works?"

"You know it."

"And you honey?"

Andy stated at the menu. The options seemed to be endless. Words streamed into letters the pictures swirled before her eyes and suddenly she felt ill. She looked over the menu and stared at Sam. He slid out of the booth and took her arm then hurried across the restaurant to the restrooms. Pushed open the door to the ladies and brought her into the stall in time for her to heave into the toilet bowl.

"It's ok…you're ok…" He held her hair away from her face and stroked her back as she heaved into the toilet until she was empty. She rolled back onto her haunches and tried to catch her breath. "Better?"

"I dunno…" she muttered honestly. He helped her to her feet and she went over to the sink. She turned on the tap and splashed water onto her face with her good hand. "So… lunch?"

Sam smiled and held the door open for her. As they walked through the restaurant Sam waved at the waitress, put a hefty tip on the counter and they left. Back in the car Sam drove slowly through the city to her flat, taking a longer route than was necessary but knowing she needed the time to prepare, but eventually he parked the car outside and turned off the engine. They both sat in silence for a few moments.

"We can stay here as long as you need. There is no rush with this."

Andy avoided his eyes. Looked up at the entrance to the building then took a few slow deep breaths. "No, it's okay. I have to get this over with."

She opened the door and Sam hurried to catch up with her. He walked just behind her as they climbed the stairs to the main entrance. He reached around her to unlock the door then walked with her up to the 2nd floor. They stood outside her flat. Sam unlocked the door again but he didn't open it. She reached up and pushed the door open then stepped in. The living room was well lit from sun but was in somewhat of a disarray. She looked at some of the clothing that was strewn across the couch. Shoes were kicked off and left askew by the door with a couple of napsacks. All over the kitchen was what looked like the remnants of a meal for six people.

"Who lives here?" she asked as she looked around in confusion.

"You do."

"Alone?"

Sam nodded. "Sorry I should have cleaned up a bit, made it a bit more welcoming." He proceeded to pick up her jumpers and coats that were over the back of the arm chair then kicked her shoes and bags away from the middle of the floor.

"You don't have to do that, its ok." She walked over to him and made him put down the clothes. Sam wasn't sure what to do with his hands. He wanted to get busy, cleaning up, keep busy. "So this is where I live…I'm a bit of a pig."

Sam smiled. "Do you recognise anything?"

Andy looked at him as he watched her carefully. When she took the clothes off him and she brushed her hands off his arms she recognised that sensation. His warm skin, hers tingling. She thought she recognised his face but she couldn't be sure. She wasn't sure if it was recognition or desire but there was a definite need or want to reach up and stroke his face, rub her thumb across his full lips and his fingers through his thick hair.

She didn't trust herself to speak right at that moment so instead she shook her head. She turned her attention back to her surroundings. She walked in and out through the rooms, all the while Sam stood stock still in the centre of the living room.

She was almost expecting a flood of memories to wash over her as soon as she walked through the door. But instead all she met was wall after wall of frustration. Nothing was even remotely familiar. There were photos on the walls of her and various friends. Some she recognised from the hospital, some she didn't at all. She found herself sitting on the couch, surrounded by nothing she knew.

Sam let her be for a moment then slowly crossed the room to sit by her side. As the couch dipped beneath his weight, she leaned towards him and he easily draped an arm around her. She nestled her head into his chest and sobbed.

This. She thought. This was the only thing that felt faintly familiar. She tilted her head up to look at him and Sam wiped the stray tears from her face with his thumb.

"It's going to be ok," he whispered not for the first time. It took all his willpower not to lean down, close the short distance and kiss her.

She saw the decision cross his face and almost wanted him to make the move. She contemplated making it herself but then as she saw him make up his mind to retreat she did the same.

"I better go. Let you get acquainted with your…" Sam looked around the room and stood up from the couch. "Your flat."

"Yeah…ok…thanks." She walked with him to the door and held it open. He backed out of it, needing to tear himself out of the place, away from her.

"Wait…" he placed his hand on the door to stop her from closing it. "I got you this…" he pulled a mobile phone from his pocket. "I dunno what happened to yours, it wasn't in your belongings at the hospital."

"Oh, thanks." She took the phone and activated the screen.

"I added my number in there… Sam…call me if you need anything. At any time. Ok?"

"Yeah, yeah I will." Sam smiled and stepped back far enough so she could close the door.