Sorry for the lack of updates. I hope this chapter was worth the wait. I tried to keep the drama until the end because I felt we needed a break. I wouldn't exactly call the first part of this fluff, but it definitely is not my trademark angst. Hope you enjoy. Oh and to the guest reviewers who keep thinking Andy is a cop…please re-read the title of this story. Thank you everyone for your reviews.
One week after Sam and Andy first met…
"I don't know Traci," Andy complained while grabbing her new friend by the arm. "I'm starting to have second thoughts."
"Come on," Traci encouraged. "One night here with everyone, and they will feel like old friends."
"But you're the only one I will know in there and…"
"Exactly. You are here to make new friends tonight," Traci reasoned.
Knowing she needs to come out of her comfort zone, Andy does her best to shake off her insecurity. "Okay, let's go in."
"Besides, you look hot. That white top on your gorgeous olive skin is smoking."
This earned a chuckle from Andy. "I'm not looking to meet anyone tonight."
"Well you never know what the night will bring," Traci teased while she opened the door to The Penny.
Andy walked in behind her and took in the scene. She noticed the center of the room held the bar with stools circling around and the rest of the room was mixed in with tables and chairs. The opposite side from where she was standing displayed the stage. She briefly wondered what bands would play in a place like this. The pool tables to her right caught her eyes next and she couldn't wait to play a round.
"Feeling up to a game?" She asked Traci, nodding in the direction of the tables.
"Anytime, anywhere," she accepted the challenge. "First, let's introduce you to a couple of people."
After Andy agreed, she followed her friend across the room to the closest table by the stage. She noticed a couple of familiar looking faces in the group.
"Hey, it's CPS," Dov announced to the table.
Andy blushed in embarrassment, suddenly being made the center of attention.
"I remember…Epstein…right?"
"You got it, Dove Epstein," he acknowledged. Patting his friend next to him on the shoulder, "you remember Diaz?"
"I do," Andy answered.
"Call me Chris," he said as he stood up to shake Andy's hand.
"Chris, it is."
"You know these two clowns already?" Traci inquired.
"Yeah, she knows us. She rocked it the other night on an on call," Dov responded for her.
"I wouldn't go that far," Andy tried to down play the compliment.
"Oh I would," another familiar looking person said as he put his drink down on the table. "Oliver Shaw at your service," he said while also shaking Andy's hand.
"Well, we haven't met yet," a blonde with big blue eyes announced, causing Andy to look in her direction. "I guess I haven't had the pleasure." The comment appeared somewhat snarky, and Andy wasn't sure what to think.
"Oh, don't mind Gail. She's just a little cranky tonight," Chris offered.
"Every night," Traci muttered under her breath. This caused Andy to stifle a laugh. "This is Nick, Gail's better half," she introduced next.
"Humph." The sound coming from Gail.
"Nice to meet you Nick," Andy replied, giving him a small wave.
"What? Don't I get an introduction?" A petite curly haired woman joked as she walked up and made a home on Dov's lap.
"Of course you do baby," Dov assured while wrapping his arms around the small waist and giving her a squeeze. "Andy, meet my girlfriend, Chloe."
"Hello."
"Nice to meet you Andy. Decided to come out and play tonight?" Chloe inquired.
"Umm, something like that I guess." Andy smiled at the bubbly girl before her. Looking around at the group, she couldn't help but be a little envious of the closeness they seem to share with one another, even the blonde that appeared to not really care about anyone else's presence except for that Nick guy.
"I know of a few games, McNally."
The deep voice behind her, forced Andy to catch her breath. It's been a week since she last heard this voice and turning around she came face to face with the dark, sexy eyes that have been haunting her ever since.
"Andy, you remember Detective Sam Swarek from Guns and Gangs," Traci stated with a guilty grin as she walked up to hug Jerry who also just arrived.
"Yup, vaguely," Andy tried to play it cool. Wanting to take him down a notch with that cocky grin of his and not wanting to give it away that she told Traci all about them meeting last week.
"Ouch," Sam feigned hurt.
They both chuckled a little.
"So, what brings you here to 15's after work hot spot?" Jerry asked.
Forcing herself to look away from Sam's intense gaze, she shrugged her shoulders and answered Jerry. "Your girlfriend thought it would be a good idea since I'm new to the area."
"That's right and now we're going to play a game of pool," Traci stated. "Come on, let's go grab the last table before someone takes it."
"See you around," Sam declared.
Andy smiled before turning to walk away.
Sam watched the brunette social worker over at the pool table while he sat at the bar with Jerry and Oliver.
"So, she's the one brother." Oliver stated.
"What do you mean 'the one'?" Sam asked confused.
"Yup, I would say she's 'the one'," Jerry confirmed.
"What are you two talking about," Sam inquired.
"The one that's put pep in your step this last week," Jerry joked.
This earned a solid laugh from Oliver.
"Pep in my what?" Sam asked annoyed.
"You know, Sammy…the one that has turned that frown upside down. The one that has made the sparkle in your eye shine. The one that has practically had you skipping around."
"I don't skip." Sam was feeling full on irritation starting to rise inside him.
"You know what we mean," Oliver declared.
"We can tell a difference since you've been back, and it's not because your home. Usually you can't wait to go back undercover and you're usually pissed your assignment is done for the first few weeks you're back," Jerry reasoned. "Oliver told me about the sparks flying between you two at the bust last week."
Sam hung his head down in defeat before looking back up at his friends. Taking a swig of his beer that was just brought to him; he decided to lay it on the line to the two people, besides Sarah, who are closest to him. "I didn't like knowing she was going back to her office so late by herself. I mean, you know the area she works in?"
Jerry and Oliver nodded in agreement.
"So, after the scene was cleared, I drove to her work and waited until she came back from dropping off the kids she took to the relatives. We got to talking and I convinced her to have breakfast with me."
"What did you two talk about?" Jerry inquired.
"Mostly about our jobs. After I drove her back to her car, there were a few awkward moments between us."
"You wanted to kiss her, didn't you Sammy?" Oliver teased.
Sam wasn't even going to try and deny that statement. "How could I not? I mean look at her. She's gorgeous."
"No, it's more than that, Oliver argued. "I know you Sam. You don't have a problem finding a girl to kiss."
"There's something about your first meeting with her that's stuck. You can't stop thinking about her, can you?" Jerry asked.
Sighing a little, Sam took another drink before answering. "In our line of work, it's so easy to see the bad in people. She saw good in a situation that anyone else would have found hopeless. Haven't met anyone like her."
"Why didn't you get her number then?"
"What is she going to want with someone like me? I could be gone next week if the right assignment came along."
"Why don't you let her decide that? By the way she couldn't take her eyes off of you a few minutes ago, and how she keeps not so subtly looking over here, I would say you should go over and talk to her." Oliver encouraged.
"She's playing pool with Traci, I don't want to interrupt." Sam said, trying to find any excuse to keep him firmly planted at the bar where it's safe.
"Oh, okay then. I guess you don't mind if Jerry and I wager on how long it will take before any one of the single men drooling in her direction attempt to strike up a conversation with her."
"Hmm," Sam grunted.
"Oh, I don't know Ollie. Another five more minutes maybe?" Jerry bet.
"Well, judging by the guy in the grey t-shirt two tables away who was just pointing at Andy and is now high fiving his posse, I would say 20 seconds is more accurate."
Sam looked over to his left and confirmed Oliver's observation. The guy in grey was taking one last swig of his drink while looking directly at Andy. His friends' gestures appeared to be encouraging him. "I'm on it," Sam declared while pushing himself off the bar stool. He made it over to the guy in grey just as he was beginning to walk towards Andy. "Have a seat pal," Sam boldly demanded while quickly placing his hand on the guy's shoulder. Sam didn't wait for a response as he continued on his short journey to Andy.
"Swarek 12 o'clock," Traci warned.
Andy turned around to see Sam walking towards them. By the time he reached her, she had to remind herself to breathe.
"Hey," she said to him as he approached.
"Jerry is wanting you at the bar," Sam lied, looking at Traci.
"But we're in the middle of a game," Traci responded.
"I'll take over. Besides, McNally's form is way off." Turning to Andy, he continued. "I can help her with that."
Andy stood there in stunned silence, not sure of what to say. She watched Traci hand over her cue stick as she walked away, but not before giving Andy a look of amusement.
"Come here, McNally." Sam gently persuaded.
"Does that work for you with the ladies?"
"What?"
"Being demanding."
"I don't know…you tell me?"
"I think I came to play pool, so if you have something to teach…then teach," Andy challenged.
"Then come here," Sam smirked.
Andy walked over to Sam as he stood the cue stick up against the table.
"You see McNally, there's a method to shooting pool. You can't go about it just any old way."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah," Sam answered, licking his bottom lip. "Turn around."
Andy did as she was told, and to her pleasant surprise, she felt Sam slide his hands up on her waist. She then felt him against her back, his taught stomach muscles and strong, broad chest as a barrier to anything behind her.
"Now, grab the stick and position it in your hands," he said softly in her ear, causing shivers to rack through her body. "You cold?" Sam asked a little amused.
"Hardly," Andy breathed out. After she arranged the long, slick piece of wood in her hands, she waited for Sam to continue.
"Now, just slightly bend over like you're about to shoot." The seduction in his voice was evident and Andy followed his direction.
"Nice," Sam observed as he held on to her waist just for a moment longer before taking his hands away to help her angle the cue stick better.
She immediately felt the loss before relishing in the feeling of his warm, rough hands on hers.
"Does that feel good, McNally? Feel like they are in the right position?"
Sam's cologne was bombarding her senses. "Hmm, yes. I think so," she managed to squeak out before having to clear her throat.
"Now, bring your right arm back like this," he explained by taking the lead. "Keep it straight and now push it forward."
Andy followed the direction, and despite the distraction known as Sam Swarek, she managed to hit one of the balls in a pocket.
"Good job," Sam encouraged.
Andy turned around and practically slammed into him. The rest of the people in the room didn't seem to matter as they stood there, his body pinning her to the table. She noticed both of their chests, rising and falling with every breath. As their eyes remain locked on one another, she can't ever remember a time where she felt this much electricity with another person.
"Get a room," someone yelled. This broke them out of their trance and they both lightly chuckled.
"Come on…let me buy you a drink," Sam offered.
"I would like that," Andy agreed.
Just like a week ago, Sam reached out and placed his hand on the small of her back, and this time he didn't take it away. Walking past the guy in the grey shirt, Andy was oblivious to his scowl and Sam's smirk in his direction. When they reached an empty table, he held out a chair for her.
Sam noticed this caught her a little off guard. "What? We may be in a bar, but I can still act like a gentleman."
Andy accepted the gesture, and sat down. "Thanks," she smiled in return.
Sam motioned for two drinks. After a couple of minutes of small talk, two beers were brought to them.
"So," Andy said while taking a sip of her drink. "Can I ask you something?"
"Go," Sam answered without hesitation.
"Last week, at the house…" she started to hesitate.
"What is it, McNally? Just ask."
"You said being away undercover makes things easier. What did you mean by that?"
"Hitting me with the hard questions so soon," Sam teased.
"I'm sorry, you don't have to answer."
"I'm kidding…sort of. I didn't have the easiest childhood growing up. Trusting people is not my strong suit. Being away undercover keeps me from forming too many attachments to people."
"Oh."
Sam noticed that Andy looked disappointed by his answer. "I live my life one day at a time. I haven't been able to promise anyone in my life more than that since becoming a cop."
"I understand."
"And I'm tired. I'm starting to think having someone to come home too isn't so bad."
"Oh," Andy's face lit up at his last statement.
"What about you, McNally? What's your story?" Sam inquired while leaning forward in his chair.
"My story?"
"Yeah, where are your parents? Any brothers or sisters? How is it possible you're single?"
Andy chuckled at the last question. "Well, I've dated a lot over the years, but never found the right person."
"Fools."
Not for the first time tonight, Sam put a smile on Andy's face. "To answer your other questions, I'm an only child and my parents are dead."
"Sorry to hear that," Sam said, caught off guard by her answers.
"Thank you," Andy responded looking down at her drink.
"Can I ask what happened?" Sam asked gently.
"Well, like I told you at breakfast, I went into social work to follow in my mom's footsteps. What I didn't tell you, was she died when she responded to a report. She walked in on a domestic disturbance, and the perp shot her."
"Damn," Sam sympathized. "How old were you?"
"I was 15. The following year my dad drove his car into a tree after an all night binge. He could never recover from my mom's death. As a cop, he felt like he failed her."
"I would imagine that feeling came more from being her husband than a cop."
"Maybe," Andy sadly replied.
"I'm sorry Andy. That's rough."
"Well, I had to learn how to stand on my own two feet. Lucky I had the insurance money, or I would have had to move away from all my friends and the only home I had ever known."
"You sure had to grow up fast. Much like the children I'm sure you come in contact with on the job."
"True."
They both sat in silence for a little bit before Sam spoke next. "So what's going to happen to that family from last week?"
"I visited the parent's separately in jail and the family is facilitating a private guardianship so I won't have to be involved much longer."
"That's great, because even with the plea deal the D.A. is going to offer, they will go away for a long time."
"It's amazing the decisions people make, knowing what it could cost them."
"Yeah," Sam responds, suddenly feeling the need to get him and Andy out of there. "Come with me?" Sam asks, tossing some cash on the table before standing up and extending his hand out to her.
"Where are we going?"
"Trust me?"
Pausing for a few seconds, she can't help but think how crazy this is when she barely knows this guy before her. Despite this fact, she feels there is only one choice for her to make. "Yes." She then places her hand in Sam's, and he helps her up.
"Let's go," he simply states as he leads her out of the bar. Passing by their friends, he stops long enough to inform Traci he would be taking Andy home tonight. He ignores the looks of accomplishment on the two men who he has come to call his brothers.
Out in the parking lot Sam opens his truck door for Andy and helps her inside. He can't believe how the night is going, never in his wildest dreams did he picture ending the night with the woman beside him. Driving in silence he reached out and grabbed Andy's hand, lacing their fingers together.
Sam was glad she didn't question where he was taking her and instead let him take the lead. As they drove down the highway to their destination, the CN Tower came into view.
"I love it when it's all lit up at night. So beautiful."
Sam briefly glanced at Andy who was mesmerized by the glowing structure in the city skyline.
"We'll go there together someday…I promise."
Andy turned to Sam. She squeezed his hand and smiled in response.
They drove for another fifteen minutes when the ocean came into view. Sam found the nearest parking space at the beach and turned off his truck. "We're here."
"I love the beach," Andy proclaimed. "Perfect spot."
"Good…let's go."
After exiting the vehicle, Sam took Andy's hand in his again. They walked over to a couple of empty chairs by the water front. Sam sat down in one and gently tugged Andy onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around her waist, and she leaned her head back on his shoulder. Listening to the waves lapping on the sand, they sat there in silence, Andy's hands on top of Sam's.
"This is crazy," Andy declared after a while.
"What is?"
"These feelings I have for you. We just barely met."
Sam lightly chuckled. "I know what you mean, McNally. I feel them too."
"You do?" Andy asked turning her head to look at Sam.
"This isn't me. I don't do this," he said pointing to the two of them. "I don't act in a way that will form attachments…but there is something about you that makes me want something more."
"I'm glad, because I don't think this thing between us would go away so easy. I've been thinking about you all week."
"Me too. I've been kicking myself that I didn't ask for your number."
"Good," Andy joked.
"Hey," Sam played as if his feelings were hurt.
"You have the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen," she declared.
"Isn't that supposed to be my line?"
"Sorry, but I've been wanting to tell you that since I first saw you standing in the hallway at the house."
"That's funny, because ever since I saw you, the last thing I wanted to do was talk." As if to prove his point, Sam closed the distance between them with his lips.
The kiss was exquisite and gentle. They each took their time exploring one another, knowing they don't have to rush anything tonight because their future was wide open. Sam reached down and ran his fingers through her hair, pulling her closer to him in the process and a soft moan escaped from Andy's lips.
The memory of their first kiss starts to fade from Andy's consious as she is brought back to reality. She and Traci are still in the house with the teenage girl and the men holding them captive. It's been over 24 hours since this nightmare began, and she knows from overhearing the phone conversations between the gunmen and ETF, that negotiations are at a standstill. Fearing an ambush, one of the men takes her upstairs, despite Traci's protests.
"Get out on the roof," he demands while pushing up the window in an empty room.
Knowing she has no choice, she climbs out onto the roof. She can hear the chaos below her with this sudden move. She looks for Sam, hoping he would be there as her one guiding light to get her through this time, but fearing she damaged their relationship so badly that he would no longer care for her safety and would have gone home by now. She didn't have to look far, as she sees him being held back by ETF.
"ANDY," Sam is yelling.
She notices him struggling to break free. "I'M OKAY," she yells back.
This causes him to momentarily stop fighting.
"NOW LISTEN UP," the gunman announces hiding behind Andy. "IF OUR DEMANDS ARE NOT MET, OR IF ANYONE ATTEMPTS TO ENTER THIS HOME, I WILL UNLOAD THIS GUN ON HER UNTIL SHE FALLS."
Andy fights the tears from falling, knowing her strength is what's going to keep Sam calm right now.
Bailey, seriously…call your guys off me," Sam pleaded.
"You've got to calm down; you are not doing her any good."
"Alright, alright."
Sam shook off the ETF officers holding him back. He looked up at Andy standing on the roof, trying to maintain her balance. They locked eyes and without further thought he mouthed the words I love you. He saw the weak smile form across her face before it was replaced with a sob. He knew, without a shadow of a doubt, if she came out of this alive, he was going to tell her everything and then never let her go.
I hope you all like this chapter. Please leave a review. They bring big smiles to my face!
