Chapter 7: Goodbye

Previously on: Chasing Pavements

'It was Luke, and he was holding Andy's hand…and kissing her.'

A.P.O.V

Sam had been gone for a while and I was glad he could go home and get some rest; he shouldn't have to stay here and take care of me when none of this was his fault in the first place. I was dozing off when I heard a knock at the door, I assumed it was Sam and told him to come in. Assuming it was Sam was a bad idea, because the least person in the world I wanted to see just walked in.

He didn't look as bad as I did; he was wheeled in by the nurse and I couldn't describe the look on his face, I had never seen such a pained expression on his face.

Once he was beside me he looked me up and down and put his head in his hands in shame.

"Andy I.."

"Luke if you're about to apologize, please don't." I said interrupting him.

"But Andy I am…" Luke said in his hands.

"Look at me Luke." I said. He couldn't be the coward now; he had to look at me while I told him what I was about to say.

He lifted his head and looked at me in the eyes.

"What has happened between us is pretty crap and I would love nothing but to blame you for all of it, but I can't bring myself to do it. We're humans and we make mistakes and unfortunately my mistake was staying with you when we both knew that our hearts weren't in it. We rushed the entire thing and while that still isn't an excuse to cheat it was both of our faults. I'm moving out as soon as I get out of here, I'll still be civil towards you at work, but other than that I think im done with you being in my life. Thank you for the time that we had together, but we both know it's definitely over." I said taking a large breath.

He simply shook his head and kept repeating over and over how sorry he was, and I really knew he was and I doubt he'd get over this any time soon, and that is why I don't think he deserved further punishment.

He grabbed my hand and leaned in for a kiss, it was a goodbye kiss and proved that we both no longer cared for each other in that way. It was an acceptable goodbye and he left, apologizing for the last time.

S.P.O.V

The nurse wheeled out Luke and I was so mad, how could she let him kiss her? After everything that has happened how could she possibly take him back! I considered going in her room and demanding an explanation, but then I remembered that it wasn't really any of my business. My hand curled up into a fist and I took a big breath, Andy isn't stupid she would never let him back in her life after everything that has happened. I calmed myself down and walked into her room she was awake and looked extremely bored.

"Hey there McNally, you look like you're having fun." I said with my dimple smile.

"Shut up Sam, I'm so bored its crazy!" She said.

"Was that Luke I just saw leaving the room?" I asked her nonchalantly.

"Yeah, we talked things out." Andy said.

"Oh, well I hope you guys sort things out then." I said lying and grinding my teeth.

"Sam, I told him that I'm moving out as soon as im out of here and that we can act civil to each other but other than that we're over. Whatever you saw was just a goodbye, nothing more." Andy reassured me.

I suddenly felt childish for getting angry and I felt embarrassed, only Andy could bring this out in me.

I remembered the drawings that were in my hands and I passed them over to her, she looked at each one with shock and a smile.

"Lion..Lady?" She asked me raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, it's a long story." I told her.

"Well tell me, I have plenty of time." She said while patting the seat beside her.

"While you were unconscious I went for a wonder and I got lost; I was walking through the cancer ward when a little boy came up behind me and tugged on my shirt. He asked me if I was a police officer and I said yes, he told me that he wanted to be one when he grew up. A nurse called him Andy and he was in trouble, he introduced me to his friends and he asked me to tell a story. So I told them about all of our adventures and what you'd been through, little Andy came up with the name Lion Lady and they all wanted to draw pictures for you. Little Andy is very wise and they all want to meet you when you're feeling up to it." I finished.

Andy simply stared at me and burst out laughing, that certainly wasn't the reaction I was expecting.

"You're joking right?" Andy said still laughing and trying not to move too much.

"No Andy, I'm not." I said seriously.

She straightened up then and stopped laughing once she realized that I was being completely serious.

"I would like to meet them." Andy said.

"If you feel you're up to it then I can take you whenever you want." I told her.

"Oh and, do you want to explain this one?"

It was the picture of Lion Lady and a picture of me with a love heart, it was signed by Andy.

"You'd better ask little Andy about that one." I said.

I couldn't reveal my feelings toward her yet it was too soon and she had to focus on getting better. I thought back to what she said about moving out once she got out of the hospital, where would she stay? She couldn't cope on her own with her injuries.

Perhaps I could suggest if she'd like to stay in my spare room until she is fully recovered, but what if she declined?

A.P.O.V

I had been in the hospital for five days now, my cuts and bruises had become nothing but pink scars on my skin. My bones however were a different story; a physiotherapist came in yesterday and told me that it would take another surgery to fix my shoulder and that both my knee and shoulder would take intensive therapy.

I begged Sam to let me go and see the kids to take my mind off things, I was so curious about them and I really wanted to meet Little Andy and ask him about the drawing. I still couldn't believe Sam had made friends with some kids here at the hospital; usually Sam avoided people unless it was his close friends.

He helped me into the wheelchair and I winced as the pain from my shoulder and knee shot through my body. Even though both were in heavy casts I still hadn't moved this much unless I was going to the bathroom.

I didn't show that I was in pain though and it eventually subsided as Sam took me down to the kids.

Once we got there five kids came running from their beds and hugged Sam.

"Everyone, meet Andy. Andy let me introduce you to Sarah, Alicia, Peter, Michael and finally little Andy." Sam said pointing to each one.

Sarah and Alicia were wearing matching bandanas on their heads and they looked so sweet, Peter and Michael were staring at me curiously and little Andy looked excited to meet me.

"It's nice to meet you Lion Lady." Little Andy said and they each shook their heads in agreement.

I laughed, "It's nice to meet all of you, I've heard so much about you." I told them.

I looked at Alicia again and I she was gazing at me intensely, I gave her a curious look and she went back to her drawing table.

Well that was a little creepy.

"Thank you all so much for the drawings, I loved them. Alicia, you're very talented." I said to her from across the room.

She nodded and I heard a small 'thank you.'

"Did you like mine Lion Lady?" little Andy asked.

" I did! In fact I wanted to ask you what made you draw it." I asked him smiling.

I saw Sam stiffen and I knew he didn't want me to ask this question.

'Isn't it obvious? You guys look the same as my parents, my dad calls it love." He said to me.

I stared at him shocked and he just continued to smile, Sam was as red as a tomato and he looked as though he would rather be anywhere else.

Before the awkwardness could grow Sarah, Michael and Peter began to explain their drawings and I paid attention to them. It was obvious they grew bored in here and I felt sorry for them, these kids were so bright.

We spent a couple of hours there and I was beginning to grow tired, my body was feeling the exertion and Sam saw it.

"Sorry kids, time to take Lion Lady back to her den so that she can sleep." Sam said standing up.

They all groaned and I thanked them all for the drawings again.

I saw little Andy tug on Sam's shirt and he bent down as little Andy whispered something in his ear, I didn't catch any of it.

Sam was wheeling me back to my room and the tension was growing, I still wanted to ask him why Andy thought we were in love. But I decided to ask him a different question instead:

"What did Little Andy whisper in your ear before we left?" I asked him.

"Oh, ah he asked me to bring him back candy." Sam said.

He couldn't lie to me but I let this one slide, he would tell me in his own time.

Once I got back to my room my physiotherapist was waiting for me;

"Ah Andy, I just wanted to let you know that the doctors said you can go home. Our appointments will begin in six weeks after your surgery and once you've had more time to heal." He said.

I was relieved that I could go home, but where exactly was home at the moment? I couldn't live with Traci and I couldn't move in with my dad.

"Thank you, its good to know I can finally leave." I said smiling.

"Take care of yourself Andy and I'll see you in six weeks or so." He said and left.

I sat there trying to think where I could go until I got my own apartment but I came up blank.

Sam sat beside me in the chair and took a big breath.

"McNally, its okay if you don't want to but I know you don't want to go back to Luke's or take up space at Traci's or your dads so I was wondering if you'd like to stay in my spare room until you can find your own place and get back up on your feet." Sam said nervously.

Did he really just ask me to move in with him?

Maybe I was reading too much into it but I really did need somewhere to stay and he was right about my dad and Traci.

"Okay." I said.

He looked surprised, "Okay?" He repeated back.

"You have no idea how much of a favor you'd be doing for me Sam, thank you." I said.

I wasn't going to say no, this is the perfect way to get closer to Sam and maybe once I'd recovered could tell him how I actually feel.

He smiled and tried not to show it:

'I'll get your discharge papers then." Sam said and walked out of the room practically dancing.

This would be an interesting couple of months…