Here is another chapter. I hope you like where this story is heading. I will try and write more fluff, but I tend to be more inspired by angst and drama…but above all else I am a hopeless romantic. Sorry for another long break before another update, but shortly after my last update I had a death in the family, so traveling out of town after work almost daily has been taking precedence. Please don't forget to review. I love hearing from all of you, but there are so many that have favorited this story, and me as an author, but I haven't heard your thoughts yet. Hope everyone is having a great week.
Watching JT walk through The Penny like he owned the place was bad enough, but watching him walk towards Andy like he was on a mission was incomprehensible. Only one thought was on Sam's mind, and that was making sure his scumbag brother would not get anywhere near her.
"Walk away JT," Sam demanded as he stepped in front of his half brother.
"Hey Sammy, just came by for a drink after work when I noticed Andy across the room. I just wanted to say hi," JT responded with a smirk.
"Look, I don't know why you are here, or what you are trying to pull, but you forget that you even know who she is or so help me…"
"Sam, it's okay," Andy said, making her calming presence known by placing her hand on his arm.
"No, Andy it's not," Sam replied through gritted teeth without taking his eyes off of JT.
They continued their stare down of each other when Oliver and Chris intercepted the two brothers.
"Come on Sam, let's just get out of here," Oliver said. He knew if his best friend unleashed on JT then the consequences would be career ending. He also knew his best friend well enough to know when it came to Andy, Sam acted first and thought later…consequences be damned.
"No, this is our place, not his," Sam argued.
JT decided to add more fuel to the situation by breaking eye contact with Sam and looking past him to Andy. "Hey sweetheart, good seeing you again. Just wanted to come over and say hi," JT taunted.
This caused Sam to immediately turn to look at Andy in just enough time to see her close those beautiful dark eyes in acknowledgement that she had recent contact with that monster.
"McNally, what is he talking about?" Sam asked in disbelief.
"Oh, you didn't tell him that I checked on you while he left you all alone for so long?" JT asked. Turning to Sam, "someone had to look after her, because you sure weren't."
JT's comment was the last straw and Sam went to lunge at him, only to be stopped by Oliver and Chris who were already anticipating this move.
JT started laughing and then turned his eyes on Andy. "I'll be seeing you," he teased and then before walking away he blew her a kiss.
"What the hell? I will end you JT," Sam yelled after him.
Once JT was out of the bar, Oliver and Chris let go of Sam. He turned towards Andy and the look on his face was enough to break her heart into a thousand pieces.
"Sam…" she tried to plead.
"Not here," he responded coldly.
Several thoughts were running through his mind about why JT was interested in Andy and why she kept contact with him a secret. His and Andy's relationship has always been special and not one where secrets are kept between them.
"Let's go," Sam demanded. Without giving Andy a chance to respond, he said brief goodbyes to his friends and started for the door not waiting for her to follow.
Andy was almost in tears as she said goodbye to everyone, realizing she should have been honest with Sam about her run in with JT.
"He's just worried about you," Oliver tried to reason with her. "I've known him for a very long time, and his mind is reeling right now. Anger towards you is just him trying to cover up the fear he is feeling for why JT seems to have shown an interest in you."
At risk of losing control of her emotions, Andy didn't respond but nodded instead. She gave Oliver a kiss on the cheek and quickly followed after Sam who had already disappeared out the door.
The drive home was tense and Andy tried to talk with Sam several times, but when she would bring up the subject, Sam's hands tightened around the steering wheel and he would tell her he wasn't ready yet.
When they arrived back at their homr, Andy watched Sam walk across the living room with his hands in his hair pacing back and forth. It was Andy's turn to become frustrated at his inability to talk about the situation.
"Listen, now I'm starting to become angry," Andy said raising her voice which caused Sam to turn around and look at her in disbelief. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but given how you're responding right now, can you blame me?"
Sam laughed at her statement. "Do you really believe that?" He asked in anger.
"Don't do that, don't laugh at me," she fought back.
"Answer the question McNally?"
"Yes, I believe that. I'm a big girl Sam; I can take care of myself. I don't need your protection."
Sam was at a loss for words. Did she forget already what his brother did to his own sister? He needed to get out of there, get some space. "I can't talk to you right now. I just…I can't do this."
"Sam, please don't leave."
He walked to the door and opened it before turning around to face Andy. "No, I need time to think. Call someone to come over and be with you, I don't want you alone right now," was the last thing Sam said before shutting the door behind him.
"And you haven't heard from him since?" Traci asked.
"No," Andy answered letting out a sob.
Andy was sitting on the couch surrounded by her two best friends.
"He loves you, but you know he doesn't do well with processing his feelings," Marcy tried to reason. This caused Andy to laugh a little.
"Spoken like a true social worker," Andy said while wiping her eyes with a tissue.
"Takes one to know one girly," Marcy shot back which solicited a smile from Andy.
"I wonder where he went?" Traci asked.
"Oh I know exactly where he went," Andy answered confidently.
"Where?" Marcy asked.
The same place he goes whenever we have a big argument.
1 year ago
Sam helped Andy limp into their home, supporting her by her waist and good arm.
"Here let me get you over to the couch," Sam said softly.
"Am I that heavy Swarek? Are you dying to sit me down somewhere so you can rest?" Andy teased trying to lighten the mood.
"Hardly," Sam responded. His voice was very tight and obviously not taking the bait.
"I'm fine…really," Andy tried to reason with her boyfriend while being helped down to the couch.
"Fine, yeah okay."
"Sam."
"You just have a black eye, bruised ribs, sprained ankle, and a broken arm, but yeah you are just fine as can be McNally…silly of me to worry." Despite the anger flowing through Sam, he is taking great care in getting Andy's ankle propped up with some pillows on the couch.
"Stop," Andy demanded.
"No, you stop," Sam told her while sitting down on the coffee table facing her.
"Stop what?" Andy asked.
"Stop putting yourself in danger, your job is not that important."
"Excuse me? I know you did not just say that to me?"
"Andy, I have to stand by while you put yourself in danger every day that you go to work."
Andy couldn't believe what she was hearing. Although she knew Sam worried about her, she had no idea he would ever tell her to just quit her job.
"You put yourself in danger too you know," Andy tried to reason with him.
Standing up, Sam started to pace the room, frustrated that she wasn't seeing his point.
"Yeah, I know, but I'm the trained police officer. You can't even carry pepper spray."
"I told you, it's because caseworkers are supposed to leave a situation if they can't de-escalate through conversation."
"Didn't work today," Sam argued.
"No Sam, it did not. I didn't know the boyfriend was in the house. The mom said he was gone, and I trusted her," Andy said in defeat.
"Why didn't you have the police with you?" Sam's voice took on a sound of desperation.
"I've told you over and over…unless I know for sure that my safety is compromised, having the police present only makes for more of a hostile environment. My clients trust me less when someone in uniform is standing over me."
"Better to be less trusted and come home alive."
"That's not fair Sam."
"No Andy, what's not fair is me being at work today and getting a phone call from the hospital telling me you had been assaulted."
"Sam," Andy whispered but Sam continued.
"My heart stopped, I mean literally stopped. The staff worker that called me couldn't tell me anything other than to come down immediately. I could feel the blood drain from my face and a cold sweat take over my body. Thank god Traci was there when I received the call because I don't even remember the drive to the hospital. I just remember I kept dialing Marcy but she wouldn't answer."
"That's because she was in court."
"I know that now, but you two seem to team your cases so neither of you are ever alone at a house."
"Not today," Andy was starting to understand what Sam must have been feeling when he got that phone call.
"Yeah, obviously."
"Please stop okay? I've been through enough today," Andy pleaded while tears started to stream down her face.
Sam sighed, realizing how hard he is being on her right now. "I need to go and clear my head."
"What? What do you mean?"
Sam walked over to Andy and handed her the home phone. "Please call someone to be with you. I need some air," Sam requested as he leaned down and kissed Andy on the top of her head before walking out of their town house.
2 Hours Later
Sam came home to Traci sitting on the couch reading a magazine.
"Shhh," Traci whispered as Sam closed the door.
"Is she sleeping?"
"Yes, the pain meds are finally kicking in."
"I'm awake," they heard Andy from down the hall.
"I'm going to take off now so you two can talk, that is assuming I can trust you are going to go easy on her."
"I've cleared my head. Thank you Traci for coming."
"Anytime. I love you both you know that right?"
"Of course. We love you too."
"You better," Traci responded as she walked towards the door.
Sam didn't say anything but smiled instead. He then walked into the bedroom where he found Andy laying down.
"You better?" Andy asked.
"Hmm, no…but I am more calm," Sam responded as he leaned up against the door frame.
"I'm not quitting my job."
Sam sighed in defeat. "It was wrong of me to expect you to quit what you love, and wrong of me to imply your work isn't important. There really is no greater work than helping a child. I just never want to feel again what I felt today when I got that phone call."
"Would you prefer someone tell you in person?" Andy questioned.
"Not even funny McNally," Sam warned.
"I wasn't trying to be a smart ass Sam, I know if something ever happened to you on the job I would prefer someone tell me in person."
"How about nothing ever happens to you and no one has to tell me anything. I like that option the best."
Andy gave him a sad look, knowing she could never promise him that. "Sam come here please."
He walked across the room and sat on the bed beside Andy and took her hand in his.
"How are you feeling?" he asked as he swept some of her loose hairs off her forehead."
"Well, Traci was right. The pain meds are kicking in."
"That's good."
Both of them didn't say anything for a few seconds until Andy was the one to break the silence. "Why did you leave? You never left before when we argued."
"We've never argued about something so important. I left because I scared myself with how angry I am. I didn't want you to see me like that."
"Are you that mad at me?" Andy asked with desperation in her voice.
"No, not you…at him…at the bastard that did this to you. I haven't wanted to tear apart someone so bad since Sarah was attacked."
"I'm sorry, this must be bringing up so many bad memories for you," Andy said while squeezing Sam's hand.
Sam let go so he could cradle her bruised and battered face. "Listen to me; you don't have anything to be sorry about. The asshole that's rotting in a jail cell right now is who's to blame."
Andy didn't respond and Sam crushed his lips to hers. "I love you McNally," Sam whispered in between kisses.
"I love you too Sam," Andy cried.
Leaning back he wiped away her tears. "I went to the spot at the CN tower fountain where I asked you to move in with me last month."
"Why?"
"Because it reminds me of a happy time with you, and sitting on one of those benches overlooking the fountain gave me a chance to clear my head."
"Well, I'm glad you came back to me."
"I'll always come back to you," Sam promised before kissing her again.
Present
"I meant what I said McNally, I'll always come back to you."
All three girls looked up at the broken man standing in the doorway overhearing the story Andy was telling her friends.
"I didn't hear you come in," Andy said, staring at Sam in somewhat disbelief at the change in his demeanor.
Sam didn't respond, not knowing really where to even start.
"Why don't we go," Marcy suggested looking at Traci.
"You okay?" Traci asked turning to Andy.
"I'm fine," Andy assured her friends.
As they got up to leave, Sam stopped them. "Thank you both for being here with her."
"Just like I said before, I'm always here for you two," Traci reasoned.
Sam nodded and focused back on Andy as the two girls left the home.
"I'm sorry, I just really don't know what else to say," Andy explained.
"How about why you didn't tell me that you had a run in with my psycho brother?" Sam asked while sitting down once again on the coffee table across from where Andy was sitting on the couch.
"Because I guess I want to protect you as much as you want to protect me."
"Fair enough...What happened?"
Andy sighed, knowing she was going to have to give him the details. Andy didn't want secrets in their relationship anymore than he does. "About a week before you came home from UC I was at The Penny. I was hanging out with everyone and having a good time which is rare when you are gone because I miss you so much."
At this admission Sam leaned forward and gave Andy a chaste kiss. "Go on," Sam urged as he pulled away.
"I was walking towards the restroom when I felt someone grab my wrist."
"He touched you?" Sam asked feeling his anger beginning to rise again.
"Sam, I'm not going to continue if you can't promise me you won't do anything stupid."
"Okay fine…for now."
"He was being super creepy and looking me up and down all the while saying he couldn't believe his little brother would leave me alone for such a long time to go undercover."
"He has a point."
"No he doesn't, and besides Oliver and Traci are always checking in with me when you're gone."
"What happened next?" Sam urged Andy to continue.
"Oliver, Chris, Dov, and Nick intercepted our conversation and got JT to let go of me."
Sam blew out a breath he didn't know he was holding.
"But Sam, there's something more."
"What?"
"JT said he keeps tabs on you."
"Could be, he is still working for Bobby Alvarez and he's connected."
"Now it's my turn to be worried." The thought of any of those men wanting to hurt Sam in any way makes Andy sick.
"Don't worry about me…it's you he apparently has the interest in, but I just can't figure out why."
"Maybe you're the real target, and he's just using me to get to you," Andy suggested.
"I know you aren't going to like this, but your safety is going to have to be priority one at this point," Sam announced with determination.
"I am not some weak flower; I can take care of myself."
"I'm not taking any chances when you are involved. We're going to need to come up with a plan so you are never alone."
"I will not alter my life for that man."
"This is not debatable Andy. I've put aside my feelings when it has come to your job despite the numerous unsafe situations you find yourself in. I will not compromise your safety when my brother is involved."
"Can we just go to bed and talk about this in the morning?" Andy pleaded.
"I think we really need to discuss this now," Sam reasoned.
After a few seconds of silence, and neither one willing to relent, a mischievous look overcame Andy as she got off the couch and straddled Sam's lap. Wrapping her arms around his neck, Andy started kissing him. Sam parted his lips and Andy deepened the kiss.
"Mmm, McNally…this…is…not…going…to…work" Sam said in between kisses.
Andy then reached down and started rubbing the bulge in his jeans that demonstrated the opposite of what Sam was saying.
"Tomorrow…we…talk…"Sam conceded as he stood up and carried Andy to the bedroom.
The clock read 4 AM when Sam gave up getting any sleep. He knew there was one thing he needed to do before he would find any minimal amount of rest. He looked down at Andy sleeping and let his eyes roam over her soft olive skin that was illuminated by the glow of the moon seeping in through the blinds. He placed a soft kiss on her shoulder and eased himself out of bed. Walking into the living room he picked up his cell phone that he left on the coffee table. He told Andy the truth about going to the fountain tonight, but he left out the part where he called dispatch to find him a much needed phone number. Dialing he heard the ringing echo in the phone. Finally a tired voice answered.
"Who is this?" The voice demanded.
"Stay the hell away from Andy. If you ever so much as touch her again, I swear JT I will kill you."
The menacing laughter on the other end of the line made Sam's stomach twist into knots. "You couldn't protect Sarah from me, what makes you think you can protect your girlfriend?"
"You motherfucker. Name the time and place JT and I'll be there."
"In time little brother, in time."
Then the phone clicked and all Sam heard was silence.