A/N: Sorry I did not update sooner! I appreciate you guys so much, and I really have been trying to write as often as I can. We are in the process of about a thousand life events all at once, so it may be a week or more between each update. I promise I will try to update as soon as possible!

Thank you SO much for your wonderful reviews. I know not everyone is a McCollins fan, but I love sharing the story of these two that seem much more mature and suited for a positive relationship together. Enjoy, and please let me know what you think! Your reviews keep me inspired to continue writing. I am so grateful to have such great supporters on my very first fanfic!

*I do not own the rights to Rookie Blue.

Sam tried to clear his mind and return his focus to his job before returning to Nick's hospital room. He had let his emotions get the best of him, and it was time to take control. He just needed to get a statement from Nick about what happened today and get back to the station.

Taking in a deep breath, he knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Sam closed the door behind him, thinking through what he was going to say. Apologizing definitely wasn't one of his strengths. He tried to sound as casual as possible. Looking down, he placed his left hand in his pocket, clearing his throat before he spoke. "I'm uh, I'm sorry for how I came off just now. I just need you to tell me about what happened at the scene today, and I'll be on my way."

Nick simply nodded in response.

Sam grabbed his notepad and pen and began his questioning, jotting down the officer's answers as quickly as possible. Nick gave a very detailed account of his actions that day, along with those of Oliver and the shooter. Sam noted that his story matched up exactly with Oliver's statement, which definitely made his job easier.

Sam thanked Nick, starting to leave.

There was just one more question that had been nagging him. He paused, knowing it wasn't professional to ask and also knowing that he may not like the answer. He just couldn't stop himself from asking it.

"When you woke up from surgery… I was in the waiting room. The nurse called for McNally. Wouldn't Peck, your girlfriend, be the first person you would want to see?"

Nick felt anger slowly creep into his veins. "Sir, with all due respect, I'm not sure that's any of your business."

Nick's less than informative response annoyed Sam. His jaw clenched, and he fired back. "You're right, Officer Collins. If you want to cheat on your girlfriend with McNally, that's none of my concern."

"First of all, Detective, maybe you should have all the facts before throwing out accusations. Again, it's not any of your business, but Gail and I broke up."

Sam laughed sarcastically, raising his eyebrows. "Well it sure didn't take you long to get over that, did it? How long ago did you break up? A day ago? Two? And now McNally's your rebound, huh?" Sam's temper had completely taken over. "Oh wait- or was it that you and Andy were hooking up while you were undercover and you finally decided you should probably break up with your girlfriend so you and Andy could take your little relationship public? Which is it?"

Nick was furious. He fought the urge to punch this man in the face. His hands were balled into fists, and he was shaking. He tried to steady his voice, but was rather unsuccessful.

"I have no idea what Andy could have ever possibly seen in you, I really don't. But I'm done pretending to be okay with you. First of all, you have a girlfriend right now. So why are you even asking me about Andy? How would your girlfriend feel if she knew you were asking me all of these questions about her? I bet it would upset her, but then again, you never care who you hurt, do you?

"I was there for Andy after you broke her heart the first time- when you told her you would never give her up without a fight, and then you dumped her in a parking lot the very second things got tough. I watched her hurting day after day because of you. Then I watched her get stronger and start to move past it- start to smile again. You couldn't stand it, could you? You couldn't stand that maybe she could be happy without you, so you made some grand gesture, saying that you loved her, begging for her to take you back."

Suddenly feeling discomfort from his wounds, Nick's body stiffened.

"She made a decision for herself and put her career first. She spent the whole first half of her time undercover missing you, worrying about you. It was all she talked about. Then she finally started to be in the moment, smiling and laughing and enjoying herself again. Then we get back, and you had jumped into bed with someone else- after you made this big deal about how you would wait for her. So I watched her heart get ripped out of her chest once again, and once again, I helped to pick up the pieces."

"I don't know what game it is that you think you are playing, but I'm not going to stand by and watch you keep hurting her over and over. You are toxic, and you are destroying her. If you ever actually cared about her, you would leave her alone, and actually let her move on."

Nick lowered his voice, but made sure Sam was looking him directly in the eyes before he continued. "I don't know what it is she and I have yet, but I know one thing for sure. I will never treat her the way you have, and I could never hurt her as much as you have. That I know for sure."

Sam was completely stunned. He hadn't really heard Collins raise his voice before, so this caught him totally off guard. He was still trying to process all of the things that had been said when his thoughts were cut short.

Nick spoke firmly and with finality. "We are done here. Get out."

Andy was so exhausted after her exchange with Sam in the hallway that she had to get some coffee. Maybe some caffeine would give her the boost she needed to get through the rest of the day. She was slowly walking back, warm cup in hand, when she heard what sounded like a man yelling. Intrigued, she followed the sound to Nick's room, recognizing his voice the second she got close enough.

Peeking through the window, Andy could see the darkness in Nick's eyes and the tightness in his jaw. She watched as he continued to carry on what appeared to be a fierce, rather one-sided argument. She had never seen Nick so angry before. All she could see of Sam were his crossed arms and defensive stance.

She pressed her ear against the door, trying desperately to make out the muffled words, but almost as if he knew she was listening, Nick had lowered his voice. When Andy no longer heard anything coming from the room, she moved back from the door, afraid she would be discovered.

Seconds later, Sam entered the hallway.

He met Andy's eyes almost immediately, trying desperately to convey some sort of silent message. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. He looked almost apologetic, maintaining eye contact for several moments. She searched his eyes for some meaning or explanation, but came up short. He pursed his lips together and let out a short sigh before he turned and walked away, never saying a word.

Flustered from yet another perplexing interaction with her ex, Andy closed her eyes and exhaled weakly. Every encounter with this man left her with more questions than answers. She wanted to know what he was thinking behind his facade of dark, mysterious silence and sarcasm. She wondered if he still had any feelings for her, and if he had the same pang in his chest that she felt when he walked away.

A nurse rushed past Andy, the door slamming behind her. Andy's stomach dropped. Nick. Although he was awake, he wasn't completely out of the woods yet. He was in danger of several complications as a result of his injury and subsequent surgery. Andy tried to peek through the window once again, but the nurse had closed the curtain.

Andy wasn't sure how much more she could take. The day had been a constant, unending roller coaster of emotions. Her insides felt completely raw and her body so heavy that she barely had the energy to hold herself up.

She leaned her back against the wall and slid to the floor, pulling her knees to her chest. She silently pleaded for the nurse to leave soon and for Nick to be okay. She needed him to be okay.

When the young nurse finally reappeared in the hallway, Andy was so deep in her thoughts she didn't even notice.

"Miss?"

Andy looked up. "Yes?"

"You can visit with him for a few minutes, but visiting hours will be over soon. His pulse and blood pressure are way too high. I'm not sure what happened with his last visitor, but please try to keep him calm. He is still recovering from a very serious surgery. He cannot get that upset again, or I'll have to restrict visitors. I hope you understand."

Andy nodded politely, thanking her. She pushed through the door, anxious to see Nick again. Relief replaced her nervousness about the kiss they had shared earlier. His face was still flushed, but she much preferred that over the pallid skin she fearfully observed on the gurney earlier that day.

Nick greeted Andy with a full and genuine smile. He was a bit apprehensive, curious to know how she felt about him, but more than anything, he just wanted her beside him. Her presence comforted him, making him feel safe and complete.

Nick began to speak. "Andy…"

Andy was so tired of talking. There were so many separate emotions coursing through her, she couldn't make sense of anything. All she knew for sure was that she was happy to be here with him, whatever that meant. She didn't want to "over think it," as she had been accused of so many times before. She decided this time to stop thinking and go with what she felt.

"Shh…" she whispered, gently placing her index finger to his lips.

She carefully crawled into the small open space in bed beside him, softly molding her body to his. She was painstakingly cautious, afraid that one wrong move could hurt him. She rested her head against his chest, and he enveloped her in his arms, pulling her close. He inhaled the ambrosial scent of her hair, letting the heavenly aroma fill his lungs. Calmness and deep gratification washed over him, melting away all of the fear, anger, and most of all, his pain.

Nick kissed the top of Andy's head, so incredibly grateful for her in that moment. He slowly stroked her hair, relishing the feeling of the soft strands as they slipped through his fingers. Nick savored the warmth and contentment surrounding him.

Their eyes closed as the two held each other close. For the first time that day, they both felt at peace. Their breathing slowed, and they gradually succumbed to the sleep their bodies so desperately craved.