"So, how was your day off with Sam? Did you apologize? Is everything alright between you two?" Traci asked while waiting for Andy to finish changing clothes

For a few seconds, she thought about everything that had happened "Surprisingly, he forgave me, I thought it was going to be harder, but he was so sweet to me, and then I met his sister, who is very nice by the way, she is the complete opposite of Sam, we talked a lot, I slept there, but don't give me that look, nothing happened, I swear, Sam slept on the couch… unfortunately" she couldn't help but say what was on her mind, but before she could continue, her phone rang, it was Sam, she answered with a smile on her face

Andy: Hey! How are you?

Sam: Hi, I'm good, what about you? Feeling better?

Andy: Oh, sure, one hundred percent, and your wound?

Sam: It's healing, can't wait to go back to work

Andy: Hmmm, miss me?

Sam: Me? Missing you? Do you know who are you talking with?

Andy: Shut up, I know you miss riding with me, I miss you too jerk

Sam: Good, good to know, but McNally, as much as I would love to stay here arguing with you, I hm… I actually called to see if you wanted to meet me at The Penny tonight

Andy: Uhhhgh, I'm sorry, I can't, I already told Traci I would stay with Leo tonight, I'm really sorry, rain check?

Sam: Oh, don't worry, it's fine, I just wanted to apologize for my bad mood yesterday, I know I wasn't a good company, and it was your day off, and you got stuck with a grumpy me instead of having fun

Andy: Sam, come on, it wasn't your fault, you've got nothing to be sorry for, I am the one that should be apologizing, you were having a bad time and instead of helping you, I got stuck on your bathroom, throwing up all morning while you held my hair, so I think we are even, how's that for you?

Sam: Yeah, I think yesterday wasn't a good day for us hun?

Andy: Oh, but hey, at least I had the chance to meet your sister, she is funny, I like her

Sam: Well, it's obvious that she likes you too, sometimes she is just too much, she drives me crazy, but I'm glad you two got along

Andy: I'm glad too. Sam, if I ask you something, do you promise to say the truth?

Sam: Hum…yes?

Andy: Okay, how are you? Really?

Sam: Hmm I'm…I don't know, still digesting everything I guess, it's hard, but I'll get through it, just like I did so many times in my life. So, was I honest enough?

Andy: Good to know, just remember I am here ok?

Sam: I know, thanks, I will let you go now, talk to you tomorrow McNally, bye

Andy: Ok, bye Sam, we'll talk later

As Andy shut the phone, she felt a little relieved, she knew Sam was being honest, and she was glad to know he was strong enough to not break down, he must have got through a lot of adversities in his life, and now she was happy to know he trusted her enough to tell her when he was fine or not.

Andy finished what she was doing and headed to Traci's home, she helped her friend get ready for her date with Jeremy. After saying goodbye, Leo picked a movie to watch while Andy made popcorn. The kid fell asleep after one hour and Andy waited for Traci to come back, when she finally did, Andy gathered her stuff, called a cab and went home.

At the next morning, Andy woke up with someone knocking at her door, she looked to her clock, it was 6:30 and she didn't have to wake up until 7:00, she thought about getting back to sleep, but decided against it since it could be something important. Slowly, she got out of bed, picked a sweatshirt, fixed her hair and stumbled to the door. She was surprised to say the least, it was Sam, but what was he doing there? Suddenly, she wasn't mad at the annoying person knocking on her door anymore. She was even happy, if that's possible at 6:30

"Do you know it is 6:30 right?" She asked, while rubbing her eyes, trying to focus

If Sam was being honest with himself, he had never seen such an adorable thing, she looked so innocent, so pure, he smile at her sleepy face "I'm sorry, but I know your shift starts at 8:00, so I decided to bring you breakfast so we could talk, if that's ok with you, but if it's not, and you are too tired, I can go home"

Andy looked down at his hands, he was holding two brown bags, how could she say no to that? To him? That was perfect, so she opened the door and motioned for him to follow her "Okay, give me 30 minutes to get ready, you can watch TV if you want"

"Hmm, no TV, but thanks, I'll just wait here" he placed the bags on the kitchen counter and sat on the couch to wait for Andy

40 minutes later she was back, showered and feeling renewed, she went to the living room and Sam wasn't there, she looked at the kitchen and saw him setting the table, he didn't acknowledge her, so she took advantage and stared at his beautiful body, he was already starting to gain some weight, he finally cut his hair and was shaved, she could even smell his unique scent spreading all over her house. After a few moments, he turned around and saw her standing there, staring him "I'm sorry, I couldn't stay put for too long, so I searched for everything we need, like forks, plates, cups, things like that"

Oh God, he was being so sweet to her, it wasn't normal "Don't worry, so, what do we have here?"

"Oh, this is a true and healthy breakfast, orange juice, sliced bread with white cheese, lettuce and carrot, granola with yogurt, strawberry jam and fruit salad" as Sam was saying everything he brought, he saw the funny face Andy was doing, probably because she wanted something more…yummy "and, because I know you are not a fan of healthy food, I brought a muffin too, but I will only give it to you after you try everything that's on the table. Deal?"

She wasn't going to win, and she knew it, so she agreed "Ugh, I can't believe this, but ok, deal, now let's eat"

After some moment of comfortable silence, Andy spoke up "As much as I'm flattered to have you knocking at my door, I must ask you, what's going on? Something wrong?"

Sam hesitated, he wanted to ask her something, but he was shaking inside, what if she said no? He wouldn't be able to hide his disappointment "I…I hun…there's something I really wanted to ask, but I don't know if I should…"

"Sam, stop, stop, just ask me, whatever it is, I'm sure it's something harmless, so shoot" she demanded, grabbing another slice of bread with cheese and stuffing everything on her mouth charming!

He cleared his throat, trying to sound confident "Ok, so, as you already know, Christmas is in six days, and Oliver, Zoe and the girls are going to New York, Zoe's hometown, so I was wondering if you would like to spend the holyday with me, I could cook you dinner, or we could go somewhere else to eat, I don't know, but hey, if you have other plans, that's ok too, I'll just stay at home" he finished, shaking his hand to release some of the tension

Andy couldn't believe he was asking her out on a date, it would be their first real date, and she loved Christmas, spending it with him would only make things more magical, she was smiling like crazy, but her smile faded qickly as she remembered something "Damn it, I'm sorry, but I can't, not that I don't want to" she assured him, placing her hand on top of his and looking straight into his eyes "I will be working, Best knows I'm the only one who didn't have anything planned, so I told him I could stay on the night shift. But what about your sister? I don't want you spending Christmas alone Sam, it's sad"

"Well, she will stay with her husband's family, I think she though I wouldn't be back from my job on time, or she just thought I wouldn't be back at all, so she said to Brian that they could stay with his family, but don't worry, I'll be fine by myself. And your dad? Is he going to be alone too?" Sam asked, a little disappointed that they wouldn't be together, this was something he really wanted, it was like the universe wasn't helping him

"Oh, you know, he preferred to stay on rehab, he thinks there will be too many temptations, I understand him, that's why I'm not sad, actually, I'm happy for him, he is trying so hard, it's making me proud"

"You guys deserve it, after everything, you have the right to be happy. So, what did you think about the breakfast? Was it that bad?" he changed subjects, trying to lighten the mood and trying to forget that she had kind of declined his offer, but it wan't her fault and he knew it

Andy laughed and thought for a moment, trying to remember the taste of everything "Naaah, it was wonderful, I must say that we might have to do this again soon, I'm starting to feel spoiled by you" she half joked, half stated

"I think I can arrange that, but hey, are you sure you are willing to wake up a little early? I know you hate when you have to get out of bed before 7:00"

"Me? When we rode together, you were the one who was always moody by the mornings, but yes, I'm willing to do it"

"Moody? Me? I don't know what are you talking about, really, and besides, it has been what? Nine months since we last rode together? Things might have changed" he gave her a suspicoius look and raised his eyebrow

Thinking about it, they weren't paired together for nine months, she missed him, riding with him, they were a great team "You know, even though you are grumpy and moody, I miss my partner, when will you be back?"

"I don't know, I'm going to the doctor today, he is going to remove my stitches and then he will tell me when I can come back, hope it doesn't take too long, I can't wait to beride with you again"

"Ok, when you get out of his office you give me a call to tell me what he said" she gave him a pointed look, daring him to disobey her orders

He liked when she was bossy, it was funny and charming "Yes Officer. Now I think we should get going, I don't want you to be late again, so I'll give you a ride, ok?"

When they were together she didn't even see the time passing, it was wonderful how they could bond and talk about everything, it was a relief to have someone so nice by her side "Sure, just let me grab my bag"

Andy came from her room with her bag hanging by her shoulder, Sam quickly picked it up and opened the door for her, she smiled and followed him. After ten minutes driving, they got to the barn, before she could exit his truck he grabbed her hand and kissed the palm of it "thanks for everything Andy, talk to you later"

She felt the warmth of his hand and loved every sensation of it, there were butterflies on her stomach and she felt like a teenager, the kiss on the palm of her hand just urged her to do what she wanted since she saw him on her kitchen, she placed one hand on his neck and the other one caressed his jaw, she leaned in and softly touched his lips with hers, at first he was still still, but after one second she could feel him responding to her, his hand came to her waist and he pulled her even closer, he was having difficulty to breath, and she loved to know she was the one doing this to him. When they finally broke apart, Sam grinned at her, showing his dimples, Andy flushed and was about to apologize for kissing him when he pulled her to another breath taking kiss, that's all she needed, she wasn't sorry and apparently neither was he. After a moment, they stopped to breath.

"Ok, now I really don't want to go, but duty calls, and don't forget to call me"

He winked and gave her another peck on the lips"Wouldn't dream of it"