Hey guys! I ask for massive amounts of forgiveness for not updating sooner...not only was this morning after chapter incredibly difficult to write, but life just kept getting in the way. I sincerely hope this long lapse in time between last update and this one hasn't diminished anyone's interest in this story, as all your wonderful and lovely reviews continue to make my day!

Anyways, here's the next chapter, a bit of an awkward one, but the next couple chapters have taken a definite shape in my mind, so hopefully they'll be better than this one.

Please, please review! Let me know what you think, it's what makes me a better writer and motivates me. Hope you all enjoy!


"Andy," a voice breathed in her ear, tickling her skin with their breath. She moaned and wiggled back against the warm body that was currently encircling her.

"Andy," the voice whispered again, "get up."

"No," she murmured defiantly.

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes," the voice said again, holding a trace of amusement. She felt the solid arms that were wrapped around her tighten, the fingers tracing intricate patterns on her bare arms. The wonderful feelings that the person's fingers were making her feel left her with a lazy smile, and she slowly turned over so that she was facing the person she was sharing the bed with. Opening her eyes, she blinked several times, ridding her lashes of their sleepy heaviness.

"You're obviously not a morning person, are you McNally?" Sam smirked, his face inches away from hers. She wrinkled her nose at his condescending tone, but couldn't find the energy to whip up a snappy retort.

"No."

"Well, then, good morning to you," he said, his eyes soft as he smiled lopsidedly, taking in her sleepy features. How was it that she still beautiful even after she just woke up?

"Good morning to you too," she replied, then closing her eyes again, sighing contentedly as she threaded her legs between his, laying her head on his chest, still too groggy to realize what she was doing.

Her warm breath on his neck set his skin on fire, and he gulped as her closeness made his mind wander down sinful paths of thought.

"McNally, don't go back to sleep," he warned.

"Yes."

"No."

"Don't be so anal, Sam," she said grumpily, her features twisting into a frown, her intended expression of annoyance making Sam laugh.

"That's not very nice, McNally," he teased. "Now, get up, or I'm going to have to dump cold water over you."

"You wouldn't dare."

"You're wearing a white shirt, Andy. Of course I'd dare."

"Idiot," she muttered, opening her eyes for a second time, taking in the very beautiful face of Sam Swarek.

"Oh shit," she breathed, her eyes widening. "What time is it?"

Her partner's eyes widened along with her as he understood the meaning behind her question. He rolled over, pulling the sheets away from Andy, making her groan from the lack of warmth.

"It's ten fifteen," he said, his body relaxing from the sudden onslaught of worry. "And if I know anything about women and getting ready, it'll take you at the very least forty minutes to do...what you do," he said, gesturing his hands in an animated manner in an attempt to mimic a hair dryer.

"Are you saying that's how long it will take for me to look decent?" Andy retorted, sitting up amid the now rumpled sheets.

"And you're touchy in the morning as well. Remind me to always supply you with coffee before you even get out of bed," he teased, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Yeah, yeah," she grouched, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. She stood up right as Sam was tugging his shirt over his head. "Honestly, Sammy, couldn't you have waited to strip until I was out of the room?"

"How many times have I asked you not to call me Sammy?" he grumbled, his scowl slipping to one of slackness as she raised her arms over her head casually and stretched, the motion revealing an extremely tantalizing strip of bare skin. He forced his eyes away from his rookie's stomach and back to her eyes, which were currently fluttering at a very rapid pace as she took in the sight of him shirtless.

"See something you like?" he smirked.

"Shut up, Sammy." It was her turn to scowl. "I'm taking a shower." She opened the door that adjoined their rooms and walked through it.

"You do that," he called after her.


Exactly forty minutes later, Claudia and Alan waited for the elevator that was traveling downwards to the lobby.

"Is this decent enough for you, Alan?" Andy asked with a smile as the doors slid open smoothly.

"Decent enough," he said nonchalantly, entering the elevator. Truth be told, she looked sexy as hell in her little black skirt and red heels, but he sure as hell wouldn't tell anyone, let alone her, that. When he didn't hear the clicking of stilettos behind him, he turned around to see her standing with an unreadable expression.

"You coming, Claudia?" he asked with a raise of his eyebrows, extending his hand out.

"Alan would have never said such a thing like that," she said, her expression still unreadable, making Sam question whether she was being serious or not.

"McNally, I can't do this with you right now. What are you, PMSing or something? Get in the damn elevator!" The words came out sharper than he had intended, and he instantly regretted them as her eyes crinkled at the edges. She inhaled deeply before entering the elevator right as the doors began to close, the sliding mechanism tripping her. She fell into the enclosed space, reaching out for the first thing she could find to break her fall...which just so happened to be Sam.

Her fingers wrapped around his biceps, her body against his in such an intimate manner that she felt a rush of embarrassment. But then she looked up into his eyes and watched them grow dark, fluttering between her own eyes and her lips, which were inches away from his.

This time it was him who initiated the kiss, pulling her body against his own until they were flush against each other. She moaned at the contact, shivering as he ran his hands down her back and over her butt, lifting her right leg to wrap around his waist. She ran her fingers through his hair, smiling slightly as he whispered her name, his tongue asking permission to deepen the kiss. She felt powerful yet completely powerless, feminine and wanted. It was a completely wonderful feeling.

Sam didn't know why he was kissing her, but he never wanted to stop. He tugged her closer to him, all thoughts of protocol escaping him as he claimed her lips as his, her name escaping from him quietly, their heavy breaths and quiet murmurings mingling with the soft music playing above.

They didn't hear the quiet ding of the elevator opening when it reached the lobby, too lost in the sensations the other was provoking in them. But what they did hear was a voice.

"Andy?"

She broke off the kiss, her lips swollen, her gaze focusing on the red-headed man on the opposite side of the elevator, standing in the lobby.

"Jake?"