Andy woke up at Nicks after a nearly 3 hour nap. She smiled (and couldn't help notice that fluttering feeling in her stomach again) when she saw Nick sleeping on the other end of the couch holding her feet in his lap, one hand lying on her ankle. She got up quietly; gently swinging her legs off his lap and out from under his hand. She quickly grabbed a sticky note off the pad on the fridge and wrote 'Thanks for breakfast… and the nap…. Oh and saving my life. The next round at the Penny is on me! See you Monday, Partner.' Giggling at her own antics, she lightly stuck the note to his chest before turning to go. Getting home she showered and called Traci, filling her in on the 'Double Shift from Hell.' She promised to reschedule her date with Leo, and asked if he would mind if she waited until her next day off. Thankful that her best friend was ok; Traci understood completely, telling Andy to lay low for the weekend and take care of herself. Traci said goodbye, but not before playfully reminding Andy that she still expected details about Andy's 'powernap with Mr. Permanent Partner Nick.' Blushing, and really thankful Traci couldn't see her through the phone, Andy laughed and hung up with an exaggerated 'Goodbye Traci!'
Monday morning came quickly, though Andy was ready to get back. She headed straight to Frank's office before going to the locker room. He was more than happy to assign Nick as her permanent partner; and had been floating on cloud nine after Andy was safe and the kid ratted on Hill. He didn't need to be convinced that a McCollins partnership would serve 15 well.
Andy headed back to the locker room, still needing to get into uniform before parade. Marlo was standing quietly at her locker as Andy rushed in. Pulling down the picture from her locker door and brushing away some renegade tears, Marlo quickly tried to leave. Only noticing the slump in Marlo's usually confident posture, Andy asked tentatively 'Hey Marlo… you ok?' Without eye contact, Marlo gave a quick 'Yep. Yeah, I'm fine' as she dashed toward the exit. Andy made a mental note to keep an eye out for Marlo. Andy had kept Marlo's secret and she was hoping that she wouldn't end up regretting it if Marlo was having trouble. Somewhere along the way, the two women had forged a mutual understanding; neither of them wanting to let their feelings about a certain detective get in the way of their professionalism.
Parade started and Frank briefed his officers on the shift ahead. As he called out the pairings for the day, he chuckled saying 'Oh and congratulations to 15's newest permanent partnership, Andy McNally and Nick Collins. Everyone give them a round of applause - Not only did they have one another's back in a very dangerous situation, but they pulled the thread that will hopefully unravel Anton Hill!' Hating the attention having been drawn to both of them, they acknowledged their co-workers whoops and hollers. Calling everyone back to order, Frank dismissed them with a 'Serve, Protect and Well done McCollins!'
Sam stood stock-still at the back of the room, Andy and Nick… McCollins?! Anton Hill?! As is, HIS Anton Hill!? It was too much to take in at once. He fumbled his way back to his desk, trying to let reality catch up with him. His instinct was to be snide and scoff (the thought of Army Boy getting his girl and his white while) but he reminded himself that he was starting over. He was trying to stay objective. He had no right to begrudge Nick for stumbling on Hill's weakest link, and certainly not for protecting Andy. How was it possible that this was turning out to be even harder than he imagined?
Thankfully, shift ended without incident and Nick and Andy made way to the Penny. Nick took up a game of darts with Chris and Dov, and Andy grabbed a table with Traci and Chloe. After Traci refused to help rescue her from Chloe's interrogation into the now infamous McCollins partnership, Andy jumped at the chance to head to the bar and order her drinks - not forgetting that she still owed Nick the first round. She cringed when she saw the only open spot was next to Sam. Straightening her shoulders, she emboldened herself saying 'It's now or never McNally – you can't avoid him forever.' Coming to the bar and trying to stand as far away from him as possible (as much space as a bar stool will allow) she called out her order to Liam. Twiddling her fingers and looking anywhere but Sam, she stood anxiously waiting. Feeling a familiar set of brown eyes looking over at her, she hesitantly glanced his direction. 'Hey,' He said weakly. Not able to keep eye contact for more than a second, she glanced up and replied with a soft 'Hi.' 'God, she can't even look at me… probably just waiting for me to say something asinine,' Sam scolded himself. 'Sooo Anton, uh?! That's big. Congratulations, McNally,' He said nervously. 'Yeah, Uh…Thanks. Lucky shift I guess' she responded faintly. 'They don't know if it will be enough to bring him down, but they've moved it up to Guns and Gangs, so I guess we'll see,' she shrugged. Seeing Marlo enter the bar, Andy grabbed her drinks and turned in the direction of her table. Determined not to let an opportunity pass by, a grinning Oliver stepped up just in time to keep her at the bar. Coming behind Sam and clapping a hand on his shoulder before pulling Andy back into a sideways hug he chuckled saying, 'So McNally…. Anton Hill Eh? Well done grasshopper!' Smiling genuinely, she thanked him. Turning to look at Sam, Oliver continued, 'Yep, that McNally… Always gets her guy! Isn't that right Sammy?' Stunned, Sam nearly choked on his scotch. Andy blushed a deep shade of red and headed back to her table. It wasn't until later that she noticed Marlo sitting across the room, and never once with Sam.
Smirking at his lack of subtleties, he pulled up a stool next to Sam. Glancing at Oliver, Sam admitted 'She can't even look at me Ollie?!' 'Of course not brother – but you've only just begun. One small step for mankind… One gigantic leap for Sam Swarek,' Oliver reminded him as he bought Sam an extra round. With a wink and a shrug, Oliver explained he had to get home and check on Celery. (He had to make sure the plants she was growing for her newest potion were legal.) 'Keep the faith, Brother,' he called out over his shoulder.
It had been a week since the shift from hell and the boys' night at the cabin. As promised, on her next day off, Andy spent the day with Traci and Leo. She and Leo watched the Globetrotters DVD until he had to lay down for a nap – having been to his Dad's the night before and staying up past his usual bedtime. Giving him a hug as he shuffled off to his room, Andy promised they'd have another 'Aunt Andy date' soon. Glad to have some down time together, they sat chatting and watching re-runs of Sex in the City. 'Sooo speaking of Mr. Big, You know Sam and Marlo broke up?!' Traci asked, making a pathetic attempt to segue.
Nearly choking on a sip of wine, Andy didn't know how to feel. She sat quietly for a moment, absorbing the information. At first she felt a small twinge of hope flutter to her heart, but she promptly squashed it, reminding herself that their break up likely had nothing to do with her. With that in mind, she actually felt bad – bad for Marlo. She knew Marlo cared for Sam – had even admitted that she loved him – and Andy knew better than anyone the damage that accompanied a Swarek break up. 'Ugg.' She thought to herself. 'Why can't anything ever be easy?!'
Turning to Traci and looking down at her nervous fingers picking at the rim of her wine glass, Andy finally spoke. 'Honestly Trace, I just feel bad for Marlo. Thinking about it now, I'm not sure that news should have much to do with me. I mean Sam and I have been a part for a while. We barely speak these days and on the occasion that we do, it's either very awkward or really hurtful. I don't think we are the people we used to be. He's changed and I'm trying to make some changes too.' 'And one of those changes being Nick?' Traci interrupted – asking partly out of her own curiosity and partly to see if there might still be hope for her detective partner. Blushing lightly and looking up to face her friend, Andy answered 'Yeah… yeah I think maybe so.'
Traci knew that a part of Andy McNally would always love Sam Swarek, but Traci was afraid that part of Andy was closing off more and more each day – especially each day Andy spent with Nick. Traci wanted nothing more than for Andy to be happy and to find real love – a love that she could feel secure in and enjoy. Traci understood that Sam's leaving her had hurt Andy even worse than Luke's betrayal. Sam had done exactly what Andy had always been afraid he would do – the one thing that kept her from choosing him in the first place. Despite this, Traci felt for Sam because she knew it was his worst regret and she had seen first-hand that he hadn't been the same since. Even though she still hoped Sam could have a chance to fix things for himself and Andy, Traci acknowledged that Andy could probably find something very real with Nick. He was solid, loyal… and obviously head over heels in love with her. He was also super-hot and just 'bad-boy' enough to keep Andy entertained. 'Oh Sam.' Traci thought to herself. You've got your work cut out for you, and it looks like it's going to get harder every day!'
That night, Andy tossed and turned – her thoughts rumbling through her mind as sleep eluded her. 'Should she wait for Sam? Was he worth the risk - AGAIN!? Or should she let herself try with someone else? Was she ready to give Nick a shot?' Giving up on sleep as the sunlight crept in her windows; she decided a long run would do her good. She and nick had made a habit while undercover so she thought she'd call him to join. Nick was always up early… 'Can take the boy out of the Army but you can't take the Army out of the boy,' she scoffed to herself as he answered 'Morning Partner' after first ring. They met at the park halfway between their two apartments. Their usual banter was light and playful and their pace was steady as they ran their usual 5k. Nick was still content just being with Andy. He wasn't going to push her to make a decision, but had been thankful that she seemed to be taking baby steps towards establishing something more with him. 'I'd run beside her for 500k each day if that's what it took,' He vowed to himself.
Getting to the station after the run, they headed to the locker rooms to change in time for parade. Frank greeted his coppers in the usual fashion and after calling out assignments, beckoned 'McCollins' to his office. Sharing a glance at one another, Nick and Andy made way to Franks' office only to be met by none other than Luke Callahan and Jacob Blackstone. Getting straight to the point, Frank explained 'Collins and McNally, we wanted to give you a heads up. Callahan and Blackstone have been assigned to build another task force, this time focusing on Hill. The both of you should be prepared to be called in by Guns and Gangs to assist at any time. I expect either of you to be ready to help in whatever way possible.' With a 'Yes Sir' in unison, the pair shook hands with Luke and Blackstone and turned to head out on patrol. Walking out, Luke smirked over his shoulder 'McCollins? Ha. I bet Swarek loves that!'
Walking out of his office just in time to see Andy and Nick shaking hands with Callahan and Blackstone, Sam stood frozen, panic sitting in his gut like an anvil. 'Undercover?! God, she can't be leaving NOW?! Nope. No way. Not going to happen!' Desperate for information – for her, he grabbed her arm and pulled her into the interrogation room as she was walking past. Nick stopped abruptly, but not before he found himself staring at the door shut in front of him. Locking the door behind them, Sam spun Andy around so that he was between her and the door. She stood open-mouthed and shocked in front of him. Almost instinctively, he took a step towards her before catching himself and stopping. He wanted nothing more than to let all of his words tumble out, but as usual he was suddenly mute. After an inquisitive but impatient look from Andy, he finally grunted out 'Uhh sorry for stopping you – it's just uhh it's just something's been bothering me and I needed to get it off my chest.' 'Oh God, is he really doing this – is he really going to tell me that he wants to start over?' Andy thought to herself. 'Uh about the wedding and what I said at Leo's party – I was totally out of line and I need you to know how sorry I am,' Sam stuttered out, wanting to say more but not being able to. 'Stupid Andy!' She scolded herself for her hopeful presumptions. Trying not to let her face betray her she shrugged it off saying 'Uh yeah. Sure. No problem. Was what it was right? Yeah fine. Really. Totally disregard,' she rambled as she stepped around Sam and headed towards the door - wishing at that moment that she had the ability to teleport herself to another dimension. 'It was what it was… Damn it Swarek, why did you ever teach her that phrase!' Sam berated himself. Speaking up before he lost his chance, 'Are you going undercover!?' - The words rushing out as he stood, still with his back turned away from her (not being able to face her if she was about to answer in the affirmative). Halting mid-step and bewildered as to Sam's seemingly random admissions and questions, Andy shook her head and replied with a quizzical 'No, not that I know of?' Stepping through the door and to the hall, Andy stilled momentarily to shake herself from her daze. Finding Nick waiting for her, she just shook her head – a silent plea to keep his questions at bay – and headed out of the station to the cruiser.
Breathing out a sigh of relief, Sam collects himself as he exited the interrogation room. Ok so that wasn't exactly how he expected to make his next move, but desperate times call for drastic measures right? He knows he's still got Nick to contend with, but at least now he'll still be fighting for Andy on his home turf.
On patrol, Andy made a decision. She was tired… Tired of feeling like a yoyo... Almost a year since they were together, another failed relationship under his belt, and he still wasn't able to be open and forthright. She wasn't going to do it anymore…. It was time to get off the Sam Swarek rollercoaster. Peering over to Nick as he drove, she realized she had a man who was both safe and sexy right in front of her. She knew she trusted him. She knew she cared about him. He had her back… made her laugh… reassured her. 'What had taken her so long to get her crap together?' she wondered. Making up her mind, she asked 'Hey, uh… so I'm taking Leo to the Raptors game this weekend. Traci opted to use the chance to have a grown up night with Steve, so I have an extra ticket. Wanna come with?' 'Yeah sure! That would be awesome!' was his reply. 'Cool kid, good basketball, a beautiful woman… what's to deny?!' he added with a smirk.
