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Recap: Sam and Oliver try to question Andy about a murder she is said to have witnessed, but she denies having seen anything. When Sam questions her at her school, he realizes she's being watched and backs off so that he doesn't put an even bigger target on her back. In an effort to instill fear in her and silence her, Andy is raped by her boyfriend and his brother. When Sam and Oliver show up on her doorstep again, she takes off and just barely manages to get away on the subway. She then transfers to a bus and makes it all the way to Burlington, where she's forced to cover her tracks as she decides where to go from there. Andy ends up in St. Catharines, changes her appearance, gets a job, and manages to complete high school and university. She even goes to the academy. While there, her instructor introduces her to Sarah Dean, who is able to share her own story of being attacked as a teen. Andy ends up moving in with Sarah and quickly realizes that Sarah is Sam's sister. Just days after Andy graduates from the Academy, Sam shows up (unexpectedly) at Sarah's house, which ends up leading to a confrontation with Andy. After discovering she's been training to be a cop, Sam reluctantly agrees to back off and keep quiet about having ever seen her in St. Catharines.

Andy jogged up the steps at the back of the house, running a hand over her face and through her hair before bending down and starting on a few stretches. Every muscle in her body was aching, screaming at her for running longer and harder than usual, but she'd desperately needed a distraction and sleep hadn't been cooperating. So, she'd forced herself to get up and pushed herself until her mind became solely focused on putting one foot in front of the other, until her throat felt raw and her legs became wobbly. That was when she was finally free of every thought, except making it back to the house.

Upon straightening, she inhaled deeply in an attempt to even out her breathing and slow her pulse, then reached for the doorknob, turned it, and stepped into the kitchen, her mind now set on finding something to drink and taking a cold shower. The second her running shoes hit the tile floor, however, her thoughts took a dramatic shift. Her eyes widened, her entire body stiffened, and her heart rate skyrocketed. Breathe Andy, she silently told herself.

Sam looked up from what was left of his coffee, watching as her grip on the doorknob tightened and she took a step backwards. Based on her three-quarter-length yoga pants, spandex tank top, and flushed face, she'd been out running. Realizing his eyes were lingering a little too long on her body, he forced them back up to her face. "Coffee?" he asked, watching as her expression changed from surprised and scared to confused. He'd hoped that the simple question would calm her to some extent, but all it seemed to do was set her a little more on edge.

Her eyes flicked to the clock, then back to him. It was only seven o'clock, which meant Sarah likely wouldn't be up for another hour. She withheld a groan. Clearly Sam didn't have the same sleeping habits as his sister – she'd even gotten up a little earlier than usual in an attempt to get back before anyone woke up, but that had obviously backfired. She took a deep breath in an attempt to calm her nerves. Despite having mentally prepared herself for another encounter, she suddenly found herself caught off guard. Sure, he'd seemed nice enough the night before when they were out by the pool, but she still couldn't understand him and that scared her.

"You do drink coffee, don't you?" Sam asked slowly, his eyes trained on her face.

Andy stared at him for a long moment, desperately trying to stop her hands from trembling. When he quirked an eyebrow, she gave a subtle nod.

Now that he had confirmation, Sam slowly got up and moved towards the pot of coffee, hesitating when he saw her take another step back. He was well aware that one wrong move could be enough to send her packing. As it was, she already looked ready to bolt. He curled his fingers around the handle of the coffee pot, keeping his eyes focused on the brown liquid, hoping that if he averted his eyes she might feel more comfortable. "Milk? Sugar?"

She remained silent, watching as he poured two cups of coffee while simultaneously trying to get a read on him. Even he seemed a little tense, or maybe just hesitant. Either way, he seemed a little uncertain and in a roundabout way, that put her a little more at ease. It also left her perplexed. Who the hell was this guy? If he was trying to butter her up so she'd talk, then he was wasting his time.

He set the pot back down and leaned up against the counter so he was facing her. It was obvious she was confused, but he wasn't quite sure what accounted for the silence. No doubt she was still worried that he'd say something, and it was obvious she was wary of him, but something seemed to have changed overnight – nothing drastic, but there was something. He just had no idea what. As Sam looked at her now though, he noted that her entire demeanour had changed in the short time it took him to pour the coffee. Folding his arms across his chest, he studied her a little more. He'd felt her eyes on him ever since she'd stepped inside, but he hadn't realized just how intently she'd been looking at him... until now. His eyes widened as it dawned upon him. Andy hadn't just been watching him, she'd been reading him, really reading him. Not that he hadn't expected her to try; he was just surprised because the shift suggested she'd actually found something. The thought disturbed him. He wasn't an overly expressive guy, and he'd done enough undercover operations that she shouldn't have been able to pick him apart that easily. But she had. He just wasn't sure what she'd learned. As discomfort started to set in, he decided to try to draw her attention back to the coffee. Clearing his throat and lowering his eyes, he said, "Let me guess, hot and sweet?"

Andy quirked an eyebrow at him and pressed her lips together to stop herself from smiling. The fact that he was right was a little eerie, and yet she suspected that he was trying really hard to ease her discomfort, which ultimately meant that the tables were slowly turning and he was rapidly falling into a more uncomfortable position. The idea seemed amusing, making the tension in her body lift a little more. He really was trying. With that in mind, her grip relaxed and her hand finally released the doorknob, though she remained firmly planted in the doorway. She took a moment to mull his words over a little more. Hot and sweet. It applied to more than just her preferences for coffee... Her face fell. Men weren't hot and sweet. Men were the reason she was like this. The reason she couldn't trust easily. Men caused her paralyzing fear. And Sam was a man... Another thought struck her. So was James, but he was good – she could trust him, at least more so than any other man, a lot more.

Sam's eyes flicked back up to her, frowning when she continued to remain silent. He could feel his irritation growing, and was about ready to give up and let her fix her own coffee when he saw the slight twitch in her lips. A split second later, the first makings of a smile were gone and her face was clouded over. The intense gaze from the night before returned. Though she'd schooled her features soon after, he had a pretty good idea what she was thinking, yet, the fact that she'd even found humour in what he'd said was a good sign. Hell, he hadn't even realized how it sounded until her lips had twitched. The more he thought about it, the more comical and horrifying it became. On any other day, most people may have seen it as a lame attempt to hit on her, but with Andy – given her past – if taken in the wrong context, it seemed a little crass. Still, she had almost smiled, so surely somewhere inside of her, behind all of the pain and fear, her light hadn't been completely extinguished by her past. "That…" Sam began, grimacing. "That may have come out wrong."

He could have sworn that her lips twitched again, but feeling a little awkward, he turned back to the coffee and dumped some sugar in both cups, trying to ignore the feeling of her eyes on him once more.

Andy desperately tried not to laugh. He wasn't the same guy she'd had a run-in with all those years ago – he'd seemed the same in those first few minutes the day before, but since then, something about him seemed different. She continued to watch him as he made both coffees, tensing a little when he turned back to face her.

Sam stared at her for another moment before setting her cup down on the kitchen table. "I'll be in there," he said, gesturing towards the living room. "Unless you…?"

She shook her head – her only plan was to go upstairs and shower. Beyond that, she had no idea, but if he was going to be in the living room, she'd find somewhere else. At least this way she could avoid another run-in. After watching his receding back, she slid out of her shoes and closed the back door. Her eyes then flicked to the cup of coffee. She'd watched him make it, seen that he hadn't done anything to it. And since cops hadn't shown up at the house overnight and he hadn't tried to take her in, she supposed that maybe he really was genuine with what he said. She slowly reached out and let her fingers curl around the mug, letting the warmth run through her fingers before heading upstairs for a shower.

When the sound of footsteps disappeared upstairs, Sam got up and returned to the kitchen, a small smile on his lips when he saw that the coffee mug was gone.


Later that afternoon…

Sam got out of his truck, then moved to the back to get Cooper out. As he moved to lift his nephew, he paused, his head snapping in the direction of the front porch. Sarah and Andy were sitting on the swinging bench, engaged in a conversation. What had caught his attention though was the sound of Andy's laugh. It wasn't that he didn't expect her to laugh or even smile; it was just that he hadn't really seen it before. He studied her for a few more seconds – she looked so relaxed and almost content. The thought nearly had him turning around again to give them more time, but the boy was exhausted and no doubt needed a nap.

"Uncle Saaaaaammy," Cooper said, wiggling in Sam's arms.

He snapped out of it and pulled Cooper out of the truck and set him down, watching as the boy awkwardly ran up the front steps. He followed at a much slower pace, his eyes flicking to Andy as her gaze landed on him. There was a noticeable shift in the air. With a sigh, he continued forward.

"How was the park?" Sarah asked, looking from Andy to her brother.

"Busy," Sam replied with a shrug, as he started to climb the stairs. He watched as Cooper kissed Sarah on the cheek. "He's…" Sam fell silent, his mouth falling open as the boy crawled up on the bench and pulled himself onto Andy's lap.

"He's…?" Sarah pressed, a small smile forming on her lips upon seeing her brother's reaction.

All he could do was stare, no longer really aware that he'd stopped moving altogether.

"Sammy, that's rude," Sarah said. It really was, but that didn't stop her smile from widening.

As Andy wrapped her arms around Cooper, Sam could see the smallest traces of sadness, but otherwise she seemed perfectly content. "Kids don't bother you?" he asked slowly, not really expecting an answer given how the morning went.

Andy hesitated, keeping her eyes trained on the top of Cooper's head. "Most do," she admitted.

Forcing his eyes away, he walked up the remaining steps and leaned up against the railing to the left so that there was still enough distance between himself and the women.

"I'm going to start dinner," Sarah said a few minutes later, after unsuccessfully trying to start up a conversation with her brother and her friend. She turned to Andy. "Are you going to be okay?"

Andy nodded, turning her attention back to Cooper, though she continued to watch Sam out of the corner of her eye.

"Do you want me to leave?" Sam asked when his sister had disappeared inside.

She looked up at him, her eyes searching his face for a long moment. She still wasn't sure what to make of him. He was confusing, no doubt about that. But all of those years ago, when he'd sought her out at school, she'd sensed that she could trust him. And, she'd almost listened to him, but fear made her run. Still, the fact that she'd felt that way at some point had to mean something, right? Yet, so much time had passed. She didn't know him. And sometimes she felt like she hardly knew herself. Realizing he was still waiting for an answer, she hesitantly shook her head. "You're fine over there."

Sam merely nodded, watching as Cooper fell asleep in Andy's arms. Her eyes had largely been directed down at the boy, and when a small smile touched her lips, he couldn't help but smile too.

They sat in silence for over half an hour before Sarah appeared in the doorway. "Dinner's ready."

Sam took a step forward, his initial reaction being to take Cooper from Andy, but the sudden look of fear in her eyes made him step back several feet and say to Sarah, "Can you hold the door for her?"

Sarah nodded, and as Andy picked up Cooper and moved towards the door, he stepped back further. She paused in the doorway, hesitating, before turning to look at him.

He remained still, watching her with a frown on his face. Was she waiting for him to move back more?

Andy stared at him for another moment before giving him a small smile, causing his eyebrows to raise in surprise.

Seconds later he returned it and she vanished through the doorway.


They'd just finished eating when Sarah dashed out of the room to grab the phone, returning ten minutes later with a smile on her face. "It's for you," she said, holding the portable phone out to Andy. "It's James."

Andy frowned, but took the phone and left the room.

Sam looked at his sister questioningly. "Her instructor from the academy," said Sarah.

He nodded.

Five minutes later they heard the front door slam. Sarah's eyes widened and she scrambled to get up from the table. She dashed outside. "Andy," she called out.

Andy had already made it down the front steps and was standing on the driveway, bent over with her hands on her knees to try to keep herself up. Her mind was reeling and her heart was pounding so heavily she thought she was going to be sick.

"Sweetie, just think about what he said, okay?"

"You know?" Andy said, pushing herself up and turning to face her friend. "He told you?"

Sarah nodded. "Yeah, he did. He wanted to run it by me first, see if I thought you were ready... If I thought it was a good idea."

Andy laughed dryly. "You know, if you want me to go, that's fine. I can move out in the morning, or tonight... I'll go, but I can't go back there."

"I don't want you to leave sweetie. I really don't," Sarah said gently. "But this could be really good for you. I know you trust him, and I think he can really help you."

"I'm not going back," Andy said, struggling to hold back the tears.

"Just think about it, okay?" Sarah said. "If you still decide you don't want to, you can stay here for as long as you want. But, if you decide to go, you're always welcome to come back and visit. I just really think you should consider what he said." She paused. "I know it won't be easy, but I think it will be worth it."

Andy shook her head, unable to keep the tears at bay any longer.

Sarah wrapped her up in a hug, until Andy broke free a few minutes later and retreated to the back of the house. She waited another moment before heading inside, finding Sam lingering near the front door. She gestured for him to follow her back to the kitchen, taking a quick look out the window to make sure she saw Andy before sitting back down. "Her instructor is going back to Toronto to be closer to his family... He's taking a spot at 27 Division and he's asking her to go with him."

Sam's eyes widened.

"She trusts him," Sarah explained. "And I think he can really help her." She sighed. "I know from experience how hard it can be to find a place where somebody gets it. And he does. He really does, and it's a great opportunity for her. Probably the best thing for her right now." She paused, a sad smile on her face. "I was hoping she'd find a place at my Division, but I don't want to hold her back. She needs this, but—"

"She doesn't want to go back to Toronto?" Sam finished.

Sarah nodded.


Andy went to the end of the large property and sat on the tire swing, mindlessly letting it slowly spin her as other thoughts consumed her. Yeah, she trusted James. It had taken the greater part of the year to get to the point where she felt like she could really trust him, but she got there and she knew Sarah was right when she said that this could be a really good opportunity. Hell, this could be her only real opportunity to become a cop. As it was, she'd likely either be shoved behind a desk or paired up with whatever female cop was available, so having a male training officer and partner that she could trust would increase her chances of being let out on the streets. She knew all of that. And she was pretty sure she could handle working long shifts with James. It would be different, but she liked him. They got along. She trusted him. But none of that was the problem. The real issue was the fact that 27 Division was in Toronto and that was one place she'd told herself she could never go back to.

She let out a deep breath. Going back would essentially defeat the purpose of coming to St. Catharines in the first place. It would raise a lot of questions. Put her father and herself in danger. It would be a huge risk, one that she couldn't take. Even if this was her only shot at making a career as a cop, how could she possibly put her dad's life in danger? And what if she ran into J.J and the guys? What if she became a cop and realized she couldn't do it after all?

When the ropes from the swing were wound tight, she started spinning in the other direction, this time a little faster. The scenery around her started to blur together: the pool, the trees, fields, house. Everything. She blinked hard, struggling to bring something into focus. Anything. Her eyes finally settled on the house. This place had become her home. Sarah and Cooper had become her family. They were her life. Her new life. And the prospect of leaving them not only left a hole in her heart, but it terrified her. Could she really go back to her old life? Did she even want to?

She'd desperately wanted to ask Sam about her dad. She wanted to know how he was doing, how he'd managed since she'd left. As much as she wanted to know though, it was also the fear of knowing that kept her from asking. Of course she missed him. Not a day went by that she hadn't thought about him and wondered what he was doing and if he was okay. She'd even picked up the phone a couple of times to call him, but before she could press the last number she always hung up. What if he wasn't doing well? She'd want to go back to help him, but how could she help him without putting a target on his back? If he needed her, she'd want to do anything and everything in her power to help him, but could she really risk his life and hers just to return? That's what she was afraid of: finding out he wasn't okay, having to decide between the lesser evil, and wanting to help but ultimately doing more damage. Then again, maybe Sam would tell her that her dad was doing well. It would hurt knowing that he'd carried on with his life and maybe even forgotten all about her, but at least he'd be happy, and in knowing that he was okay, maybe she could stay away for good. Let him be happy. Be at peace. But it wasn't that simple. Not knowing was torture, but knowing could set her up for something she wasn't prepared to deal with. When it came down to it, her decision could affect more people than she cared to admit. She let out a frustrated sigh.

Even when the sun went down and the sky grew dark, she barely budged, her mind racing and her heart pounding. Things were finally starting to go right in her life, she was finally starting to pull herself together, and now she was faced with another wrench. Her five and ten year plans were rapidly vanishing before her eyes. Her future was growing dark, uncertain.

Sliding off the swing, she lay on the grass beneath the large tree and stared skyward for hours as the moon rose and stars spread across the sky. As the hours passed, a slight chill crept up on her, but she ignored it. She could deal with the cold. She could deal with a lot of things, but how she was going to figure out what to do with her life from here on in, she had no clue. Tears spilled down the side of her face, and that same feeling of being alone and confused that she'd felt when she first stepped foot in St. Catharines started to creep up on her once more. And just like it had been that day, Andy knew that no matter what she did, everything was about to change.

Thanks again for reading! Let me know what you think.

Up next, Andy's still torn when it comes to her future as a cop, so she approaches Sam in an effort to find some answers. BUT, will it help or will talking to him make things worse? And, will an unexpected visit from one of Sarah's exes affect Andy's decision?

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