Sorry for the delay. Work's been insane and I'm going to school part time. Should have two more chapters to go after this one. Mild swearing in this chapter.

Title: Lifeblood
Author: Cindy Ryan
Pairings: Andy/Sam, Gail/Chris
Spoilers: Set while Sam's undercover

Having found out from Traci what ICU room Andy was in Jerry accompanied Sam. The two friends walked in silence through the hospital. They got into an elevator and headed to the third floor.

"We cleared it so you could visit as long as you wanted."Jerry explained as they stepped off the elevator. "With Tommy out of town we're basically all the family she has anyway."

Swarek nodded as they walked down the hall.

"The other driver's blood alcohol level came back clear."Barber continued. "He just lost control going to fast on ice and slid through the intersection."

Andy's room came into view when they reached the third one down on the right. Jerry flashed his badge to the nurse on duty who nodded and went back to her rounds.

"This is so fucked up, Jerry."Sam stated as he caught sight of his partner for the first time in weeks.

Andy was pale her hands and left cheek covered in bandages. An IV ran into her right arm. Cardiac monitor leads were attached to her chest.

"She's made it this far, hang on to that."Jerry replied quietly. "I'm going to check on Traci."

Sam took a deep breath and stepped into the ICU. Sitting down in the solitary chair Sam took Andy's left hand in his.

"You are bound and determined to give me premature gray hair, aren't you?"Sam asked as he leaned back in the chair his hand still linked to his partners.

Swarek knew he should talk to Andy. However anything intelligent had left Sam's brain the moment he saw her. Sam hadn't been happy with how he left things between them when he went undercover. Sam knew as cowardly as it was if he'd found Andy to say goodbye he wouldn't have been able to leave. He had wanted to give undercover work one more try.
To see if he was still good at it. To see if that was what he still wanted.
The longer the op went Sam found himself thinking about Andy and all the chances they'd had to go to the next level. Remembered the black out and wondering how different things would be if the power hadn't come back on when it did. Now all Sam had was regrets.

"A car wreck was the last thing I expected you to get in while I was gone."Sam stated softly. "I know you're tired and hurting, but you have to fight awhile longer. If it gets too much you can lean on me. But first you have to wake up. I need you to do that, Andy….I need you to wake up and tell me you're okay. Honestly I don't know what I'll do if you're not okay."

Andy didn't stir and Sam squeezed her hand once more before settling back in the chair.

Gail angrily scraped two inches of snow off the squad's windshield and hood. The plows had been able to clear the city's main streets during the storm's lull. Parking lots however were another story. Snowy parking lots or not Best had ordered everyone back out. Peck would be glad to get back in the car and get the heater cranked up.
Hell, she'd be glad to get this day done with.
A shadow crossed in front of the parking lot light before Gail heard footsteps crunching on the snow. She turned to see Dov huddled against the wind and the light snow that was falling.

"Need help with the back windshield?"Dov asked.

Gail nodded grateful he wasn't bringing up her fight with Chris.

"Here, I'm done anyway."Peck stated as she handed her partner the scraper and got in the car.

Once in the car Gail rubbed her gloved hands together before starting the engine. She turned up the heat and the defroster letting it get the remnants on the windshield that she hadn't been able to.
Taking off her gloves Gail pulled out her cell phone. Her finger hovered over the text message icon tempted to send an apology to Chris. Traci had been right it hadn't been the time or the place. But then Chris always knew how to press her buttons.
Andy's accident was causing Gail to rethink her priorities. To rethink things with Chris. He'd been good to her.
Really good.
Even with her kiss with Dov, Gail could tell there was still something to salvage with Chris. Pulling up Chris's number Gail typed out a message:

'Sorry. Talk later? Will buy breakfast."

Just as Dov clambered in the car Gail received a reply back.

'Sorry too. Be careful. Breakfast sounds good.'

Smiling briefly Gail pocketed the phone and turned the wipers and headlights on.

"Things okay?"Dov asked as he held his hands over the heat vent on the dashboard.

Gail nodded. "They will be. Any news on Andy?"

Dov shook his head. "Sam's here. Hopefully that'll help."

"If you believe in that kind of thing."Gail replied as she put the car in drive and headed out of the parking lot.

Sam glanced up an hour later at a knock on the ICU door. Oliver stood on the other side in a pair of dark blue sweats and a large bandage on his forehead.
Standing Sam walked to the door and stepped out into the hall shutting it behind him.

"Ollie, should you be out of bed?"Sam inquired as the two friends moved to stand against the wall opposite Andy's room.

"Rested enough."Shaw replied quietly. "Just a concussion. How's she doing?"

Sam sighed as his gaze tracked back to his partner's still form. "Same."

Oliver shifted from one foot to the other. "Sam, I'm sorry…."

"It was an accident."Sam interrupted bitterly. "Nobody's fault."

"I still feel like I should've done something different."Oliver replied.

Sam shook his head. "This isn't on you, it's on me. I shouldn't have left."

"Don't listen to what the docs are saying, Sammy."Oliver stated softly. "If anybody can pull through this with flying colors it's Andy. She'll be up and around in no time."

Sam nodded before pushing away from the wall and reentering the ICU.