"Looking good McNally." Sam called to her from the other side of the parking lot.
Andy smiled and turned in his direction. She wasn't quite back to normal, though the stitches had been out for three weeks. She was back at work, the last two weeks in a strictly desk monkey capacity.
Sam had been reinstated with a severe warning. Probation was a bitch. He'd been flying solo while McNally recovered at home. Today was the first day they were working together since the incident one month earlier.
"Coffee?" he offered her the steaming hot beverage; extra hot, extra milk, no sugar.
"Thank you." She sipped tentatively and then took a longer gulp once she was sure it was just how she liked it.
"Timbit?" He asked, holding up the cardboard box of doughnut holes.
"Careful, someone might get the impression you wanted a partner." She teased even as she snagged two chocolate Timbits and loaded them into her mouth.
The smell of her shampoo, like almond, filled his nostrils and his heart raced. He'd visited her every day she was in the hospital, but when she'd been released he hadn't felt right visiting her at home. Not even when he learned third hand through Jerry Barber that she had broken up with Callaghan. He wanted her, as a friend, as a partner, as so much more than that... but he would be damned if he was going to take advantage of her vulnerability.
He held up his keys as an offering. "You driving?"
Andy grinned. "I believe you owe me a few days behind the wheel."
"You're not wrong." It was so good to see her smile and laugh. He knew she still couldn't run at full speed and that she got tired easily, but he was elated to be able to take her away from the station for even a half day. As much as he hated to admit it, he had missed having a partner these last three weeks.
Andy pulled the police car out into traffic and cruised at exactly the speed limit. This time she joined him in laughter at the line of cars they built up behind them after just a few blocks.
"1505, we've got a noise complaint at 313 Sherbourne Street."
Sam threw a quick glance at Andy's profile. Her jaw tensed but otherwise she looked calm. "1505, 10-4 we're on our way."
Andy made a right turn onto Gerrard and headed south west to Sherbourne. It was not lost on either of them that this call was only a block north of the Sam's Foods where Andy had been stabbed.
Sam turned in his seat so he could watch her face. "You ok?"
"Fine, sir." She answered without taking her eyes off the road. Her knuckles were white from the tight grips she kept on the steering wheel. Her shoulders raised and fell with every shallow breath.
They pulled up in front of 313. A two story home covered in peeling baby blue paint. He could hear the banging and crashing before he opened his door. The neighbour who had called the police stood on the sidewalk twisting her hands and periodically casting panicked glances at the house behind her.
"McNally, take the neighbour's statement while I check it out." Sam ordered as he stepped out onto the sidewalk. The fact that she didn't protest told him he'd made the right decision.
Sam kept one hand on his gun as he walked up the front walk. He banged twice on the front door and hollered loudly enough to be heard over the noise inside, "Police! Open up."
The noise stopped and he heard the clatter of feet on the stairs and then the door flew open. A young boy, maybe eight years old, stared up at him with wide blue eyes.
Sam stooped down so he was on eye level with the kid. "Hey, buddy," he kept his voice light; it never helped to scare a kid when you wanted information, "That sure was a lot of noise. Everything ok?"
The boy nodded.
"Are mommy or daddy here?"
The boy nodded and then, before Sam had a chance to say anything, ran back into the house, up the stairs and out of sight.
Sam leaned his back against the door frame and cast a quick look out to the street. Andy was in earnest conversation with the neighbour. She looked better, the tension that had flooded her body when dispatch sent them here had eased. She looked like her old self, leaning a little towards the older woman, jotting down notes on her notepad. He smiled at her when she glanced his way and then turned back to the house.
Twenty minutes later the homeowner promised to keep the noise down and they were on their way back to the barn. They didn't speak on the drive and went their separate ways once they returned to the station. He left McNally to do the paperwork while he checked in with Boyko about her first day back on the streets.
"How'd she do?" Boyko asked.
"She's ready." Sam said, taking a seat across from the Staff Sergeant. "Noise complaint on Sherbourne." He watched Boyko's face for any hint that the call had been routed their way for more reasons than just proximity.
Boyko's face gave away nothing. "Thanks for checking in. Tell McNally she's back in the rotation starting tomorrow."
Sam caught up to Andy in the parking lot. She's changed out of her uniform and into jeans and a simple white tank top.
"Good job today," he said, matching her stride for stride.
"I didn't do anything." She sounded frustrated.
"You passed Boyko's test. You're back on the streets starting tomorrow."
She stopped dead and turned the full power of her grin on him, "Really?"
He nodded. "Need a lift?"
She shook her head no and Sam fought back a wave of disappointment.
"Doctor says I should walk when possible, build up my strength." She gestured in the general direction of the street, "Walk me home?"
"Sure."
They talked about nothing particular until they stood before her building. Sam lingered, not wanting to let her go, but having no reason to stay.
"See you tomorrow?" She phrased it as a question, and held out her hand.
His mind flashed to the last time they'd shaken hands. This time he didn't hesitate to take her hand in his. "Tomorrow," he confirmed, taking a step towards her, their hands still clasped. "It is good to have you back, McNally." He said softly.
She met his eyes, and smiled warmly. "It's good to be back."
He wished he could draw her to him, press his lips to hers. Instead, he dropped her hand and took a step back, allowing the cool evening air to fill the space between them.
One day, maybe. But today was not that day.
***The End***
A/N: Thank you everyone who read and reviewed!
