Thanks for all the reviews – keep 'em coming! I hope people enjoy this chapter. :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Rookie Blue.


Chapter 7

Days went by and Sam and Andy fell into some sort of routine. She'd made a quick trip back to her condo to get some clothes and check on things, but otherwise hadn't left Sam's side. She continued to do the cooking and kept up with making sure things were clean, and wouldn't let Sam lift a finger. Part of it was that she was afraid of him getting re-injured, but she was also keeping busy because she was nervous.

Yes, they'd talked and put it all out there about Nick and Marlo, but they were still in this limbo of recovery, not back to the real world of jobs and The Penny and hanging out with friends. It just the two of them; they'd exchanged the bubble of the hospital to a bubble surrounding Sam's apartment.

So, they kept up this routine - Sam was relegated to the couch or bed with the occasional walk around the apartment, and Andy cooked and cleaned and prevented Sam from doing nearly anything on his own.

Frustration was building up in Sam though. He was having trouble letting Andy do so much for him and when she turned down his offer to make dinner one night, he snapped.

"What do you mean, no?" he asked, his voice far from calm, but not quite yelling.

"I've got it, Sam. I'll take care of dinner. It's no big deal," she said, wiping down the kitchen counter after lunch.

"Would you stop that," he said, grabbing the towel from her hands. "And listen to me." His voice and actions startled Andy and she spun around to face him. "Jesus, I'm not a damn invalid. I can wash my own dishes. I can do my own laundry. And god knows I can cook a simple meal in my own kitchen!" He balled up the towel and threw it to the back of the counter.

"I'm just trying to help," she said softly.

"You're not helping, you're...you're…" He flung his arms up in frustration as his voice got louder. "It's suffocating, you hovering ever second of the day."

Her bottom lip started quivering, so she closed her eyes for a moment to steady herself. When she opened them again, Sam was still standing across from her, his hands stuck deep into his pockets. "I don't know what the hell you want, Sam. You tell me you appreciate my help. You tell me you want me to stay. But now you're acting like you can't stand the sight of me. This is what a relationship is, being there for each other. You're hurt and I'm trying to be here for you. But maybe...maybe I should've just let you recover on your own. You seem to know what's best for you."

Sam pinched the bridge of his nose, frustrated. "Maybe some time and space isn't a bad idea," he said, thinking that maybe their version of slow shouldn't have included them spending every minute of the last several days together.

Andy glanced at the clock on the wall behind Sam, and whether she liked it or not, Sam was going to get his wish. She'd promised to pick Leo up at school because the kids were getting released early and Traci knew she'd be stuck at work. "I have to go. I need to pick up Leo. Can I...Is it okay if I take the truck?" She hadn't asked his permission since he handed his spare keys over to her at the hospital, but after their argument, she felt like she had to ask him.

Sam nodded. "Yeah, of course." He watched her walk out of the kitchen and wondered what the hell he had just done. The words that came out of his mouth, he hadn't meant them, or at least the venom with which they came out. He rubbed a hand over his face as he heard the front door slam shut and wondered how he could have screwed this up again.

Andy spent the afternoon with Leo, taking him out for ice cream, then to the park. It was a good distraction. When she brought Leo home, Traci wasn't there yet, so while he went to play in his room, Andy headed to the kitchen and grabbed a glass of water. She leaned back against the counter and thought back to her fight with Sam.

She wondered what his time and space comment meant. He knew she didn't like time and space. Should she go back to his place tonight? Was it his way of telling her to stay away and give him some time alone? She knew that their past mistakes wouldn't be fixed overnight, but this was feeling eerily familiar, how he pushed her away. She could understand where he was coming from, and felt bad that he felt like she had been hovering and suffocating, but she wished he wouldn't have waited until it built up and something made him snap.

She heard Traci's keys in the lock and walked into the living room to meet her. "Sorry I'm late," Traci said the moment she entered the apartment.

"Don't worry about it Trace. Leo and I had a great afternoon," Andy said, giving her a friend a hug. "How are you?"

"Thanks so much. Things have been a little crazy at work and my mom's out of town, but I'm good. We're good," she said with a smile.

"I can only imagine what it's been like being down so many officers. I wish I could be back," Andy said.

"Sure you do," Traci smirked, sure that he friend was enjoying the down time with Sam.

Andy let out a sigh. "Today, I do."

"What happened?" Traci asked as they headed to the kitchen so she could start dinner for Leo.

"We had a fight. He yelled, I stormed out. I think being cooped up together took its toll," Andy said sadly.

"What are you going to do?"

"Try to fix it," she replied, shrugging her shoulders. "I just wish I knew how."

The friends chatted for a little while longer before Andy said her goodbyes to Traci and Leo. Sitting in Sam's truck, she debated whether she should go home or not. She wanted to see Sam so they could talk, but pressuring him was how she lost him the last time. She pulled out her phone and sent him a quick text. Ok if I come back?

She drummed her fingers on the steering wheel until her phone beeped with his reply. I'd like that.

She let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. Relationships were full of petty arguments; it's how you respond and overcome them that really counts. As she pulled out onto the road, Andy remembered their conversation years ago about time and space, and how Sam had joked about poker and porn.

Getting an idea she hoped would help break the ice between them, she stopped at a convenience store. She placed a deck of cards on the counter, blushing when it was followed by an adult magazine. The cashier didn't even give her a second look, ringing up the purchases and putting them in a bag. Andy grabbed the bag and quickly left, hoping she'd never have to go into that store again, ever.

When she pulled up outside of Sam's she hoped she was doing the right thing. She found him in the living room and he shut the TV off when she walked over and sat down next to him on the couch.

"Truce?" she asked, handing the paper bag over to him.

He opened the bag, giving the contents a double take. He let out a chuckle and stuck his tongue in his cheek at he looked over at her.

"You said the best thing after time and space was poker and porn, and we both know I don't like time and space, so..." She grinned at him and shrugged her shoulders.

"These could come in handy," he said, pulling out the deck of cards and tossing the rest of the bag to the side. He shifted on the couch to face her. "Maybe the next best thing to space is some type of compromise."

"I'm sorry if I was hovering. But it's been just over two weeks since you were shot, and lying in a hospital near death. And I don't want you to hurt yourself again, so I'm just trying to help. I'm trying to be there for you. I wasn't there after Brennan, but I'm here now and I want you to be okay. And...and..."

Sam grabbed one of the hands she was flailing about and brought it to rest on his leg. "I'm sorry I flipped out. I know you're trying to help. But I...I need room to move and do what I usually do, albeit not as strenuously. I need to get back to normal. I love that you want to help me, but you need to let me do some things on my own. Like cooking dinner."

"I get it now, I do. But Sam, you have to talk to me. Don't let it build up until you snap," she suggested. "It's not good for either of us."

He looked down at their linked hands as he nodded. "I'm glad you came back," he admitted, when he raised his eyes to hers. All he could think about while she was gone - other than the actual fight - was how lonely his bed would be without her tonight. "I still want to cook you dinner, but how about tomorrow. Tonight, we order in."

Andy smiled as she started to get up. "I'll go get – " She stopped herself and sat back down. "I can get the menus unless you want to."

He gave her hand a squeeze, knowing what she was doing. "Thanks, they're still in the drawer next to the fridge," he said. He'd been on his feet enough this afternoon with all the pacing he'd done.


The next week passed by smoothly. Sam and Andy had found a new routine, a messy one that really wasn't a routine at all. They spent a few nights at Andy's condo, with the rest of the time spent at Sam's place. They also had some time away from each other when they hung out with their friends. Their argument had made them realize they needed to pop the bubble they'd been keeping themselves in.

They'd also found a middle ground where Andy helped Sam, but he still remained independent. And if he felt she was hovering to close, he said something. At the same time if Andy felt he was overdoing it, she had no problem telling him so. They'd somehow found the compromise they'd talked about.

They'd also gone on their first real date since being back together. Sam insisted on surprising her - he'd even sent her home to get ready so he could pick her up - and took her to their favorite restaurant, a quaint mom and pop place on the outskirts of downtown. He'd reserved a corner table so they had some privacy and they both enjoyed every second of it. Talking, laughing, thinking back to some of the good times they had, sharing funny stories. They were so relaxed, the maître d' had to inform them the restaurant was closing because they'd lost track of time.

In the days that passed, Andy also found out she passed the police department physical so she could return to work. Her first day back went smoothly. It felt weird not spending her day with Sam, but it was good to be back working with her friends, even if she was stuck in booking for the day.

She met Traci, Chris and Dov at The Penny for a quick drink, but didn't stay long as Sam wasn't really up for The Penny yet and she promised him she'd be home for dinner. When she opened the door to his apartment, delicious smells assaulted her senses.

"Ohmygod Sam," she called out as she headed to the kitchen. "Whatever you're cooking smells absolutely delicious."

"Baked ziti and garlic bread," he said turning around as she joined him. "Thought we'd celebrate your first day back."

She walked over to him and pulled his face to hers with both hands on his cheeks so she could kiss him. "Thank you."

"It's almost ready, another 10 minutes or so," he said. "How was today?"

She gave half a shrug as she backed up until she was leaning against the counter. "Boring. Easy. I was in booking and other than a few drunks and repeat speeders, it was quiet."

"Frank will have you back on the streets in no time," he said before moving over to the stove to take the garlic bread out.

"I know. And it's nice to ease back into things. It'll be busy soon enough," she said, enjoying the view as he bent down in front of the stove. "You need any help?"

"Nope, have a seat. It's my turn to wait on you tonight," he said, smiling at her.

They took their time with dinner; Andy savored each delicious bite and regaled Sam with some of the stories their friends and co-workers had caught her up on. When dinner was over, they sat on the couch, found a good movie that was just about to start, and got comfortable. Andy molded herself against his side and he wrapped an arm around her.

It was only about half an hour into the movie when Sam absentmindedly rubbed his hand up and down her side, and inadvertently grazed the side of breast each time. She tried to ignore it, but each touch was electrifying. She finally grabbed his hand, laced their fingers together and rested them against her waist.

Sam looked down at her and their eyes met, and he have her a smirk when he realized what he'd been doing. When her eyes stayed on him, he took a chance and lowered his head until their lips met. It wasn't long before they abandoned the movie completely, lips and hands roaming each other's bodies slowly. It wasn't the first time they'd started making out like teenagers since he'd come home, but this time they both felt the passion boiling.

It was when Sam pulled her on top of him as he started to lie down, that she snapped herself out of the fog he'd put her in. She'd done what she promised herself she wouldn't do each time they made out. She let the passion take over, making her forget he was still recovering. As much as she wanted to take it further, she was too worried about injuring him.

"We, uh, we should get back to the movie," she said, sitting up straight as she adjusted her shirt and focused on the TV.

Sam was a bit taken back by her sudden change in mood. Even though they were taking things slow, it seemed like the right time to take this next step. He licked his lips as he stared at her and tried to read every emotion her body was giving off. He could tell she was fighting some internal battle, but about what, he wasn't sure.

"Sorry," he said. "I thought…"

"No, no, it's fine," she said, shaking her head as she briefly smiled at him before focusing on the TV again. "Just, um, maybe we should just watch the movie."

He knew she wasn't fine - the fake smile was a clear indication of that - but he didn't want to push it. He loved her and wanted nothing more than to make love to her, but he wouldn't pressure her. He was, however, pretty worked up and wasn't sure he could be this close to her right now without clearly putting on display how she made him feel.

"I'm gonna go take a shower. Not really interested in the movie anymore," he said, standing.

"Sam…" She didn't want him mad at her for stopping like that, but she was scared. Her fingers had snaked their way under his shirt as he pulled her on top of him and when they grazed his scar, it was like she was electrocuted. She couldn't breathe. She was afraid of hurting him. He hadn't been out of the hospital very long and she was terrified of doing something to send him back.

"It's fine, okay. I'm tired. Come to bed when you finish the movie," he said, walking down the hall.

Andy only sat there a minute longer before shutting the TV off and following Sam to his bedroom. She found him taking his jeans off, his shirt already tossed aside.

When he looked over at her standing in the doorway, the look in her eyes told him everything he needed to know.

"You don't have to be afraid," he said, reading her like an open book. "I'm not going to fall apart." Her quick intake of air told him she was surprised he knew what she was thinking. "I know you, Andy. I know that's what's going on in your head."

"I'm sorry. But you were shot. I don't want to hurt you," she said softly.

He sat down on the bed, motioning for her to sit next to him. She obliged, letting him take her hand in his. "I can't go running a marathon. And my strength isn't back 100 percent yet, but we can take it slow and easy. You're not going to hurt me."

She took a deep breath, looking at him sadly. When she pulled her hand from his, he wasn't sure what to expect. Her lips curved into a small smile, a genuine one this time. "Lie down." He raised his eyebrows and she simply repeated her instructions. "Lie down."

Giving her his can't-wait-to-see-where-this-is-going look, he shifted around until he was lying on the bed with his head settled comfortably on his pillow. She kneeled on the bed next to him and placed her palm over his scar. He opened his mouth to ask what she was doing, but she silenced him with a small shake of her head.

She let the tips of her fingers trace his scar back and forth. The skin was pink, such a contrast to his tanned skin around it. It was smooth like a baby's bottom, the hair shaved off during surgery not having grown back yet. She swallowed the lump in her throat at the thoughts of what caused the scar - the shooting, his kidney transplant. How a part of her was inside him. She leaned down, her hair cascading around her face until it tickled Sam's stomach, and pressed her lips on the center of his scar. She stayed like that for several seconds until she felt Sam's hand on the side of her head.

She looked up at him as his fingers played with her hair. "You promise me you're okay?" she asked.

"I am."

"Promise to tell me if it starts to hurt?" she asked.

He nodded.

She stretched her body out alongside him, curling into his side as his arm came around her back. She lifted her head as he tilted his down. "Okay then," she whispered just before their lips met.

"Are you sure? If you're not ready…" he said when they pulled apart.

"I'm ready. I've been ready, but I thought I'd hurt you." She was smiling when their lips met again, and they continued where they'd left off on the couch.

A while later, clad only in their underwear, they were both lying on their sides, flush against each other - Andy was still afraid to put her weight on Sam. Lips fused together, his hand glided down her side dipping and rising with every curve until he hit the fabric of her panties.

He rolled her onto her back, his hand moving with one destination in mind. However, as his fingers danced over her skin, he felt an unfamiliar bump not nearly as smooth as the rest of her skin, and it hit him. He snapped his head back, startling Andy, and her eyes flew open. She saw his eyes focused down on her scar.

His fingers hovered over it, not able to pull his eyes from her marred skin. Delicately, he finally lowered his index finger to the raised skin and traced the scar with his fingertip. "I did this to you," he whispered.

She tried to get him to look at her, but he rolled off of her and onto his back, staring up at the ceiling. "You lost part of you. I caused this. You have that scar because of me."

She rolled onto her side, propping her head on a bent arm. She reached her free hand out, but stopped short of touching him, afraid it would send him bolting out of bed. "Don't you get it, Sam? I could have lost you."

"You don't know how this could affect you," he said, rubbing a hand over his face. "What if you need your other kidney at some point? What if you're hurt and something goes wrong because I have your kidney."

"I don't regret what I did. I never will," she said, shaking her head. "And if you can't accept that you're worth it, worth someone caring about you this much, then look at it as me being selfish. I couldn't risk losing you. I need you. I saved you for myself."

She took his hand in hers and placed his palm over her scar. He tried to pull away, but she wouldn't let him. "Feel it, Sam. It doesn't mar me. It reminds me that I still have you."

He slid his hand from her scar to her hip and she rolled her body so she was half on top of him. Her eyes searched his, silently waiting and needing him to make the next move. "I wish you didn't have to go through what you did for me," he whispered.

She cupped his jaw, her thumb brushing over his lips. "Don't be," she said, slowly lowering her face to his. "I love you."

He closed his eyes and let his fingers trace her scar again, trying to relate positive thoughts to the feel of it under his fingertips. Andy gave him a moment before pressing her lips to his. "I love you too," he whispered against her lips.

A lot of emotions flooded through Andy that night, but one she'll never forget is the moment when Sam was kissing down her naked body. He hesitated when he got to her stomach before slowly and gently letting his lips graze every inch of her scar. When he was done, he pressed a long kiss to her hip, and she swore she felt something wet hit her warm skin. It was only a fleeting thought though as Sam's mouth quickly focused elsewhere, making her lose herself in his passion.


Sam woke up the next morning to find Andy nearly completely on top of him, their legs tangled and arms holding each other securely. She'd been so careful with him over the last few weeks, treating him like fragile glass, that he was relieved she was comfortable enough after last night to sleep like this. Her boney hip, however, was poking right into his scar, and the dull pain from it was what woke him up.

Not wanting her to treat him with kid gloves again, he was careful not to wake her. He shifted his leg, which caused her to move hers, therefore angling her body a different way. He breathed a small sigh of relief as he rubbed his hand over where he'd been shot.

He wondered if this was how he'd always feel, this dull pain if too much pressure was put on this area of his abdomen. That wouldn't bode well if he got into it with criminals. A simple punch to the gut could have him debilitated in pain. The thought that it might affect his job scared him. What if he didn't pass the department physical because of it? What if he was chained to a desk for the rest of his career? He didn't want to think about the what ifs, but the thoughts wouldn't leave his head. He was glad when he felt Andy start to stir.

Her eyes were still closed, but feeling her body wrapped around Sam's, she smiled. "Morning," she mumbled sleepily, as her hand caressed his chest.

He turned his head to kiss her forehead. "Good morning."

"That's not a proper kiss," she said, teasing him as she finally opened her eyes and lifted her head. She pressed her lips to his, immediately deepening the kiss. When she needed air, she pulled back, grinning at him. "That is a proper good morning kiss."

"Can't argue with that, can I?" He pulled her in for another kiss, loving the moan that escaped her mouth into his.

This time when they pulled apart, she laid her head on his chest and his fingers danced up and down her back. They stayed like that for several minutes and Andy couldn't help but feel he was somewhere else. She lifted her head, resting it on a bent arm so she could look down at him.

"What's wrong?" she asked as her finger traced his jaw. Now that she was really looking at him, she could see that his face was laced with worry.

"Woke up thinking about stuff," he said vaguely.

"About us?" She was pretty sure that wasn't it, but it was the first concern that popped into her head.

"No, no," he assured her, brushing hair out of her face and tucking it behind her ear. He sighed and looked up at the ceiling. "Work. My physical. If this dull ache will ever go away completely."

"You were shot three weeks ago and went through two major surgeries." Her fingers brushed over his forehead and down the side of his face. "Give yourself time to heal."

"But what if I don't? What if this is it? It's possible I'll never get back to what I was before," he said, admitting things he hadn't shared with anyone yet.

She saw the deep concern in his eyes and her heart broke for him. "Don't think that way, Sam. The pain you feel…" She covered his scar with her hand. "...will go away. But until your body is fully healed, it's going to be there. You survived getting shot. You survived a kidney transplant. You are courageous. You are the most determined man I know. You will do whatever is necessary, however long it takes, to get back to where you were." Her hand moved back to his face now, cupping his jaw and tilting his head to make sure he was looking into her eyes. "And I will be here and do whatever I can to help you."

When Sam admitted his fears, he expected to see pity in Andy's eyes, but instead he looked into them now and saw confidence and support and love. He swallowed a lump in his throat and caressed her cheek with his hand. "You have a lot of faith in me."

"Because I know you can do it."

"So sure of that, are you?" he asked, his lips fighting to curve into a smile.

Andy smiled at him, seeing his mood had changed. "Yup," she said, popping the 'p.'

Sam rolled them over until she was underneath him. "There's something I'm sure of," he said before kissing along her jaw.

"What's that?" she asked, tilting her head to give him better access to her neck.

"You...have an hour...before you have to be up for work," he said between kisses.

"I do."

"And I know just how to spend it," he said with a waggle of his eyebrows.