When she got to the office door she took a deep breath to prepare herself, tipping it in she stuck her head out "Trac!" she yelled and ran to her-jumping when the door slammed behind her.
She turned to face a smirking Martin "it's you," she said "I knew it was you," she added and stood in front of Traci.
Martin chuckled "took you a while to figure that one out…sit," he ordered nodding to a chair beside Traci.
"I'm fine where I am," she replied.
"Andy," Traci mumbled "go," she groaned "you need to go."
"I said sit!" he yelled and pulled a gun on her.
Instead of pulling her own gun she sat down and slid her hand into Traci's "what's this?" she asked "revenge?"
Martin shrugged "fun…I wanted to get your attention-I wanted you," he snarled.
"You have me let her go," Andy said.
Martin chucked "then where's the fun?" he asked and walked to them "remember this room?" he asked looking around. "You know thanks to you and those bitches I'm not allowed in here-not ever, I can never teach again."
"Your own fault," Andy shrugged.
Martin's eyes went dark and he leaned over her "I was getting away with it, they all wanted it-you did too," he said and stroked her cheek "you all wanted me."
"You're sick!" Andy spat "you hurt all those girls-they were innocent!"
Martin lashed out and slapped her across the face "I am not sick!" he yelled "they all wanted me I could see it in class, all those short skirts, the smiling, the tight tops…they were trying to impress me."
"We were young and dressed to impress the boys," Andy scoffed "no one wanted you!"
"Andy," Traci whispered "please stop riling him up."
"I'd listen to your friend there," Martin said and pulled out a rope.
"What's that for?" Andy asked.
"Well I've had my fun with her," he chuckled "now she gets to watch you die," he said and walked to her. "You know I thought about you every night-what I'd do to you given the change…and now the chance is here," he chuckled "dreams do come true."
"You won't get away with it," Andy said.
"Really?" he asked "why not?" he chuckled "no one knows you're here."
Andy chuckled "do you really think I'm that stupid?"
Martin chuckled again "do you think I'm that stupid?" he asked "they'd have come in already."
"They're waiting for my go ahead," Andy replied and slowly reached around for her gun.
"If that's the case why didn't you call out the second you saw her?" he asked.
Andy stood up "because Martin, I'm not afraid of you or what you think you're gonna do to me, I'm here for my best friend and we will walk out that door."
Martin chuckled "you really think that's gonna happen?" he started to laugh "there's no way out and you know it…time to finish what I started," he said and ran at her.
…..
Sam woke up when someone nudged him "Sam," Leo said and shook him "hey Sam."
"What?" he groaned.
"I need a drink and I can't find Andy," Leo replied.
Sam sat up on his elbows and turned to where Andy should have been, "is she in the bathroom?" he asked and sat up.
Leo shook his head "she could be downstairs I didn't check…it's too dark," he added.
Sam sighed "throw me those bottoms there and I'll get you a drink."
Leo threw him the bottoms "I'll be in my room," he said and walked out the door.
Sam yawned and walked down the stairs, going to unarm the alarm he frowned when it didn't beep "unarmed?" he said looking at the box "I set it a few hours ago," he said. Looking down he saw a note and turned on the light, he picked up the picture and his eyes went wide, grabbing the note under it he sighed "Andy," he said shaking his head.
Seeing another note he picked it up 'I'm sorry, this arrived the same time as Jerry I had to go she needs me. I'm sorry please don't hate me…no matter what happens Leo is to go on that trip-bus leaves at nine. If I don't make it back I just want you to know that I have never been so happy and that's all down to you, I know this is pretty crappy timing and I shouldn't be telling you this way but…I think I'm falling in love with you Sam, hopefully I'll get to tell you myself but you never know, Andy xxx He shook his head and slammed it down and walked to his landline "Jerry," he said quickly "you need to get to my house and watch Leo."
"What's wrong?" Jerry asked sleepily.
Sam sighed again "Andy got another note saying there was a time change and she snuck out, I need you to watch Leo so I can find her and kill her for being so stupid."
"On my way….calm down Sammy," Jerry said and hung up.
Sam shook his head and slammed the phone down "Andy you idiot," he said and picked up the phone again, calling her he punched the counter when it rang out "what the hell are you playing at you call me back right away!" he hissed and hung up.
"Sam?" Leo called "did you find Andy?"
"She's asleep on the sofa!" Sam called back "I'll bring you your drink in a sec!"
"Thank you!" Leo called and went back to his room.
Sam walked to the sink and got him a glass of water, walking to the stairs he looked at the note again and sighed he was trying to remain calm but it was slipping away fast. Taking the stairs he walked into Leo's room and handed him the glass "make sure you go back to sleep okay, you've a big day tomorrow."
"Just needed a drink," Leo said and placed the glass on the locker "night Sam," he said and lay back down.
"Night buddy," he smiled and walked out of the room.
Andy panted and jumped up from the floor "can you walk Trac?" she asked.
"Barely," she mumbled "you okay?"
Andy wiped the blood from her nose "I'm fine," she said walking to her "up you get," she said and wrapped her arm around her.
"You sure? he hit you pretty hard," Traci said.
"Metal skull me," Andy replied and moved her towards the door.
"What about him?" Traci asked looking down at Martin who was too busy struggling with his cuffs to notice them move.
"I'll take care of him," came Frank's voice "good to see you Nash, McNally thanks for the call…there's an ambulance outside, you're both to get checked out."
"Sounds good," Andy said and helped Traci outside.
"I'll be seeing you at the hospital McNally we'll talk then!" Frank called after them.
"Can't wait," she muttered.
"You bitch! I'll get you! You bitch!" Martin yelled after her.
"Not in this life time buddy!" Andy called back "we got you for life!"
"Dude," Traci chuckled as Andy lowered her onto the back of the ambulance "we have to move."
Andy chuckled and slid her hand into hers "we do….glad to have you back," she sniffed.
"My hero," Traci said and lay her head on Andy's shoulder "I love you," she added.
"Love you too Trac," she smiled and wrapped her arm around her "so much that I broke every rule there was and I'm in so much trouble-and Sam is gonna kill me," she giggled "but it was all worth it to get you back."
"Dude you rock," Traci giggled "but thank you Andy I owe you my life."
"No you owe me thirty bucks," Andy giggled.
"Ready to move girls…making this a habit McNally?" Connie asked.
"Just like seeing you is all," Andy giggled and stood up "and yes we're ready," she said and helped Traci inside.
When they arrived at the hospital Traci was looked over and settled in a room. Andy had been looked over and released, she walked to Traci's room and sat in the chair by the bed "so?" she asked.
"Not bad just dehydrated and have a few bruises you?" Traci asked.
"Good yeah, no broken nose but my uncle did deafen me yelling when I told him what happened," Andy chuckled.
Traci giggled and held out her hand "have you called anyone?"
Andy slid her hand into hers and nodded "your mom is on the way, Jerry said Sam had found my note and was going mad so he's there with Leo now…I'll go in a bit so he can come in."
Traci yawned and nodded "he's probably as tired as you and me…I just wanna sleep."
"So sleep," Andy giggled "you're safe now Trac I'm here nothing will happen."
"I know," she yawned and closed her eyes "you're always," there she mumbled.
Andy yawned too and rested her head on the bed still holding her hand "I'm here no matter what," she said and closed her eyes.
….
Sam arrived at the hospital and flashed his badge to get through, when he arrived at Kempton he saw Frank loading a guy into a cruiser and he had filled him in and sent him to the hospital.
He asked what room Traci was in and walked on with the intention to start yelling at Andy the second he saw her-but stopped when he saw them. He sighed looking at the two of them asleep holding hands, walking to where Andy was he rubbed her back "Andy," he whispered "Andy wake up."
"Mh?" Andy mumbled and sat up sleepily "what time is it?"
"Three am," Sam replied "let me take you home Jerry is dying to get in here."
"I can't leave her alone," Andy replied and looked at Traci "she can't be alone."
"She's not alone dear," came Gloria's voice and she walked to the bed "Andy you're exhausted go home and get some sleep…you kept your promise," she smiled and looked at Traci "you got her back."
Andy stood up and leaned over Traci "see you in the morning Trac," she whispered and dropped a kiss on her forehead "I love ya, I'm so glad you're okay…don't know what I'd do without you." She turned to Gloria and hugged her "you get some sleep too…bye," she smiled and let Sam lead her outside.
Sam held her hand as they walked out of the hospital he still hadn't said anything to her. He stopped and sighed when she called him and tugged on his arm, looking over at her he sighed again.
"I'm sorry," she said "I know you were worried but I had to."
Sam shook his head "we're not doing this now, you've been through enough today we're both tried and angry and whatever, if we talk about this now I don't know what I'll say," he said and started to walk again.
Andy just walked beside him in silence 'too soon' she said to herself and climbed into the truck.
When they arrived back at Sam's Jerry was out the door before they made it up the stairs "Andy McNally you are my saviour," he said and lifted her off the ground "I could kill you for going alone," he said dropping her to her feet. "How was she when you found her? Was she hurt bad?"
"She's a little weak and dehydrated and a few bruises but she's fine…and I didn't go alone either," she said and walked up the steps "Frank was with me, you better get going, night Jerry!" she called and went inside.
"Did you know Frank was there?" he asked Sam.
Sam sighed and shook his head "no I didn't know that…go on, I bet you're dying to see her."
"Oh I am…bye Sammy!" he yelled happily and ran to his car.
Sam chuckled and watched him go walking inside he closed the door and caught the back of Andy at the top of the stairs, locking the door he reset the alarm and followed her.
When Sam got to the room he lay back on the bed, he looked over at the bathroom when the door opened and watched Andy walk out sniffing and wiping her eyes "you were crying again," he stated.
Andy stopped at his voice "I thought you were still downstairs," she said and walked to the bed "emotional day," she said and lay down.
Sam said nothing for a moment he was still angry, but this wasn't about him he rolled on his side and put his hand on her side "do you wanna talk about it?"
"No," she whimpered.
"Andy," he said softly "this is about you too…what happened tonight?"
"I got Traci back that's all that matters," Andy sniffed and scooted away from him "night," she whispered.
Sam sighed and pulled his hand back beside him "night," he said and rolled facing away from her he thought it best to leave her be for now…until she started crying again.
Rolling back to the other side he pulled her back against him "I got you," he said and kissed her shoulder "and I'm never gonna let you go."
Andy let out a shaky breath and wiped her face "that was the scariest thing I've ever had to do," she sniffed "I didn't know what to expect when I walked to that door." She sat up and looked down at her hands "as I walked inside I kept thinking okay she's dead this all for me, he's gonna jump out now, I'm gonna die now too…when I saw her sitting there alive nothing else mattered, what happened to me didn't matter."
Sam sat up beside her "what happened when you did go inside?"
"The door shut behind me when I turned around he was standing there," Andy replied.
"Did he say anything?"
Andy thought back "I said I knew it was him and he said something like it took me long enough to figure it out."
"When did you call Frank?" he asked.
"As soon as I left," Andy replied "I told him I was on my way to follow and give me five minutes."
Sam nodded and sighed "anything could have happened in five minutes, why didn't you wake me?" he asked.
"Because I knew you'd talk me out of it and I couldn't leave her…and I needed you to stay here with Leo."
Sam shook his head "he could have killed you Andy," he said and brushed her hair behind her shoulder "how did you get those?" he asked pointing to the marks on her neck.
Andy covered them with her hand "he got the better of me for a minute….tried to choke me," she added
"Andy," Sam sighed and closed his eyes.
Andy looked over at him she felt so guilty she knew she shouldn't have gone at all-but look now, if she hadn't Traci would still be missing and possibly in a worse state. She sighed and dropped her hands to her sides "I know what I did was stupid and I know I'm in a lot of trouble, I know everyone is mad at me…you the most," she said and looked over at him "she's my best friend Sam, she has been for twenty-six years, I don't think I could live without her I'm so used to her being here…what was I supposed to do?"
Sam looked over at her but didn't say anything for a few minutes "what about the note you left?" he asked.
"That," Andy said and looked down at her hands "sorry, I thought if you saw the picture and I left the note you'd know where and why I was gone."
"Not that part," he said and sat up properly "were you told me you were falling in love with me and you were only saying it now just in case you didn't make it back."
Andy nodded and looked down at her hands again "I meant it-I wanted you to know how much I cared about you."
"But it's not just caring now is it?" he asked.
Andy looked over at him "I'm not expecting you to say the same just because I did."
"I'm not saying it just because you said it," Sam replied.
Andy looked over at him again "well technically you haven't said it at all."
Sam nodded "I have…just not to you."
Andy nodded fighting the grin that was slowly sliding onto her face "you have?" she asked.
"Yeah," he said and scooted closer to her "Monica asked me what was so special about you and I said a bunch of stuff and ended with I think I'm falling in love with you."
"And now?" Andy asked slowly.
"I wanna strangle you for being so stupid, I wanna yell at you for putting yourself in danger, I wanna not talk to you for making me worry. I wanna kick you out right now and not speak to you for weeks but," he said when her eyes went wide "I am so beyond relieved that you're okay and you're sitting here next to me, so," he said leaning closer to her "I love you Andy-don't care how soon it is," he whispered and kissed her.
Andy slid her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss, pulling back after a minute she smiled at him "I love you too Sam-doesn't matter how soon it is as long as we both feel the same," she said and kissed him again.
Sam rolled her under him "so this is serious?" he asked.
Andy giggled and locked her arms around his neck "looks like-you're stuck with me."
Sam chuckled "as long as you promise never to do anything like that again no matter what the situation may be."
Andy nodded "I can safely say it won't be happening…just don't get yourself into any situations."
Sam chuckled "noted," he said and kissed her.
The next morning Andy arrived at the hospital and made her way to Traci's room, when she got to the door she went to push it in but stopped at them talking inside.
"Andy will never know how much I owe her," Jerry said.
"Yeah, me too," Traci agreed "I just wish she didn't come at all."
"Then we wouldn't have you back," Jerry said.
"I know," Traci replied "but she could have been hurt-killed even, the whole time he had me all he talked about was the look on her face when she saw him."
Jerry sighed "don't be mad at her Trac you know she did everything she could to find you, and she was looking after Leo and making sure your mom was okay."
"I'm not mad at her-far from it," Traci said "I am grateful and I always will be, I was scared Jerry-scared for her, the things he said he was going to do to her…I couldn't have sat there and watched that," she sighed. "Will she be in trouble now?"
Jerry sighed "no matter what you do on this job there's always consequences…yeah, she'll be called before the board to explain her actions."
"Will she be fired?" Traci asked worried.
"I don't know," Jerry said "I can't see that happening she did good they should be giving her a medal."
Andy decided she'd heard enough and knocked on the door sticking her head in she smiled "hey, am I interrupting something?" she asked.
"No no come in-did Leo get off okay today?" Traci asked.
"Yeah, he was excited ran all the way from the car to the bus," Andy giggled.
"How's my hero?" Jerry asked and hugged her.
"Good-got more sleep last night than I have the last few days, and stop calling me that," she replied and walked to Traci "any news on getting out?" she asked.
"The doctor came around he said my levels are still a little low so looks like I'm here for another night…what is it?" she asked when Andy looked down at her phone.
Andy sighed and looked over at her "Frank wants to see me at ten am," she replied.
Jerry looked at his watch "it's half nine now."
Andy sighed again and stood up "guess I better go then, I'll stop back later, call me if you need anything…wish me luck," she said and walked to the door "bye guys," she said and pulled it open.
"Hey Andy," Jerry said stopping her "now matter what happens in there we're all gonna be here for you, you did the right thing and a lot of people are very thankful-just remember we're here no matter what," he said and hugged her.
"Thanks Jerry," Andy said and pulled away "I better go," she said and walked out the door.
"Good luck!" Traci called after her.
Andy got into her car and pulled out her phone calling Sam she pulled her belt on as it rang "hey," she said when he answered "are you at the station?" she asked.
"Yeah," Sam replied "doing some paperwork…what's up?"
"Frank's called me to his office and it doesn't sound good."
Sam sighed "what did he say?"
"To meet him in his office at ten," she replied.
"Alright, I'll be here when you get here, don't worry it'll be okay," he said.
"I hope you're right," Andy mumbled "see ya when I get there," she said and hung up.
…..
When Andy arrived she found Sam, Oliver, Noelle, Gail, Nick, Chloe, Chris and Dov sitting not far from Frank's office "what's all this?" she asked.
"Moral support," Oliver said and hugged her "you'll be just fine Frank knows what you did."
"Yeah Andy, you can't get into trouble for what you did," Gail said and hugged her.
Sam pulled her into him "you'll be fine babe, we'll be right here when you come out," he said and kissed her "I love ya," he whispered in her ear.
"Love you too," she muttered and hugged him, letting out a deep sigh she pulled away "better get this out of the way…thanks for being here guys."
"Good luck Andy," Chloe said and hugged her
"Kick ass dude," Dov said and hugged her quickly.
The rest hugged her and gave her their well wishes before she walked down to office and knocked, her heart rate sped up when she noticed Frank wasn't alone. As he waved her in she blew out a deep breath and pulled the door open.
"Andy have a seat," Frank said and sat down "this is chairman of the board Mr Russ and vice chair woman Mrs Holland, we've decided it would be better to have this meeting here than a formal one in the board room."
"Okay," Andy nodded and sat down trying to keep the nerves at bay.
"Okay, we'll get right to it," Mrs Holland said and looked down at her file "I've read Sergeant Bests report and reports from other officers that were on scene," she said and looked over at Andy "officer McNally please tell me what you were thinking?" she asked.
"My best friends life was in danger I had no choice," Andy replied already not liking this woman.
"So you solve it by putting your own life in danger and possibly getting Officer Nash into further trouble or to receive much serious injuries?"
"No," Andy said and shook her head "I wanted to get her to safety and that's what I did."
Mr Russ spoke before Mrs Holland could open her mouth "you showed great bravery and loyalty to a fellow officer McNally, but you must understand our concerns here."
Andy nodded "I do sir, I know what I did was stupid and I shouldn't have gone in alone-or at all…but officer Nash is more than just a fellow officer to me," she said and looked over at him. "We've been friends since we were two years old, we went through the academy together, we were rookies together and now we're detectives together….we've lived together since we were eighteen."
Mr Russ nodded "I understand that and you were worried about her but you must face the consequences of your actions-what if you'd been hurt of killed?"
"Then I would have died saving my best friend and doing a job I love more than anything else," Andy replied.
Mrs Holland sighed "it doesn't matter why you did it officer McNally, you were reckless, you endangered yourself and officer Nash, your head wasn't in the right place you were irresponsible and made this department look bad."
"I wouldn't go that far," Frank said and raised an eyebrow "I am proud of all my officer but no one has showed the bravery courage and loyalty McNally has and in no way was this department put to shame, she captured a killer of seven innocent girls all by herself."
Mrs Holland sighed in a bored tone "go wait outside while we talk this over."
Andy nodded and stood up "thank you," she said looking over at Frank before slipping out the door.
Fifteen minutes later Andy sat on the plastic chairs with Sam beside her holding her hand and her friends watching her in awkward silence…until Chloe spoke of course.
"She really said you made the department look bad?"
Andy nodded "yeah," she sighed "I don't like her," she added.
"McNally!" Frank called and waved for her to come back in
"Well this is it," Andy said and stood up.
Sam walked her to the door and tugged her back to him "don't let this get you down babe she wasn't there, she's not in your head only you know what was right at the time," he said and stroked her cheek "I'll be here," he said and stepped back.
"Thanks," Andy said "I better get in," she said and walked into the office.
"Inhouse relationship?" Mrs Holland asked.
"So?" Andy asked getting tired of this woman's snippy comments-she'd heard her call her a moron as she left.
"Isn't that another distraction?" she asked "would you go looking for him if he went missing?" she asked.
Andy had had enough "yes I would and my personal life is none of your business! I did what I did and I'd do it again for someone I love. I know it was stupid and thoughtless but I'd do it a hundred times over so please just tell me what you have to say so I can leave!" she snapped.
"Anger an issue on the job too?" she asked.
Andy opened her mouth to give a smart reply but stopped at the look Frank gave her "what's been decided?" she asked and sat down.
Mr Russ sat looking at her "well although I will admit you showed great courage and things did turn out well-this time," he added. "What you did was still very dangerous and not protocol at all, so we've decided," he said and stood up "two weeks paid suspension effective immediately and six months back on uniform rota."
"You will ride with a fellow officer for six months and when those six months are up you'll be viewed to see if your fit for you detectives status back," Mrs Holland said.
Andy just nodded she couldn't believe this "thank you," she said and stood up.
"Don't thank me, if it were up to me you'd be suspended for six months no pay and made permanent on the uniform payroll," Mrs Holland said and stood up "I hope you've learned a lesson here officer McNally," she said and pulled the door open.
"Yeah, you're a bitch," Andy muttered.
"I heard that," Mrs Holland said.
"You were supposed to," Andy said looking right at her.
Mr Russ chuckled and walked to her "you're got guts I give you that," he said and held out his hand "just the person we need to have on the force, good luck officer McNally and hopefully the next time you find yourself in a situation like this you'll think before you act."
Andy shook his hand "I will, and thank you…I'm sorry for letting the department down."
Mr Russ chuckled "don't tell anyone…I'd have done the same thing," he winked and walked out the door.
Andy turned to Frank "I have one request before I go," she said.
"And what would that be?" Frank asked.
"I want ten minutes to talk to Martin-you can sit in," she added when he shook his head.
Frank sighed "fine, it's the least I owe you."
"Thank you," Andy said and sighed "I'm sorry if I got you into trouble."
Frank chuckled "I wasn't in trouble she's just an old witch that has nothing better to do than put down all the good officers…she'll remember what you said so be prepared for traffic duty."
Andy groaned "it was worth it just to get her to shut up."
Frank chuckled again "give me an hour to set up your meeting…catch up on paperwork while you wait."
Andy frowned "I'm suspending starting now."
Frank smiled "I didn't hear that part, paperwork-go," he said pointing towards her office.
"Thanks Frank," Andy smiled and pulled the door open "and thank you for having my back today and last night."
Frank nodded "don't mention it…now please go see your friends before Epstein comes through the window," he chuckled.
Andy looked out and saw they'd all moved practically right outside the door "this should be fun…thanks again," Frank she smiled and pulled the door open.
"What?" they all yelled when Andy filled them in.
"Two weeks suspension and six months back in uniform," Andy said and sat on a desk.
"Could have been worse McNally," Oliver said and slapped her on the back "I'm gonna go request you be my partner for those six months…sorry Epstein!" he called as he hurried away.
"I don't believe this," Sam sighed "you should have been desked and that's all."
"Could have been worse," Andy said and stood up "got something to do before I'm kicked out," she said and walked on.
….
Sam found Andy at her desk and pulled his chair over "what are you doing babe?" he asked.
"Nothing really," she said and closed the file she was looking at "I'm waiting on Frank to come back."
"Why? didn't they say you could go home?" he asked.
Andy nodded "they did…he's bringing Burns in so I can talk to him."
"Are you crazy?" Sam asked "Andy what are you doing?" he asked.
"There's still a lot of unanswered questions that I'd like answers too and I'm sure Trac would too," Andy replied. "Don't worry, Frank will be with me and it's just for ten minutes…I have to do this to put it behind me Sam," she said looking over at him.
Sam sighed but nodded anyway "ten minutes," he said and stood up when he was called "don't go without seeing me," he said and dropped a kiss on her forehead.
"McNally!" Frank called from the other door.
When they got to the interview room Frank held out his hand to stop her "he might not give you the answers you want Andy."
Andy nodded "I know that…but I need to try," she added.
"Ten minutes," Frank said and pushed the door in.
"You're not coming in?" she asked.
"He's cuffed to the table I'll be on the other side," he replied.
Andy nodded and slipped into the room "Martin," she said and sat down
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" he asked.
"I have a few questions I'd like you to answer," Andy said.
"Shoot," he said and gestured for her to go on.
"The first note about us not digging, what was that about?" she asked trying to start from the beginning.
"I knew you'd be more determined," he replied.
"How did you know where we lived?"
"Followed you both home one night…you're doing well for yourselves," he said.
Andy was in no mood to entertain him "the guy in the bar, what was he supposed to do?"
"Freak you out and call me when you left," Martin replied.
"And the guy that broke in?" she asked "I'd never seen him before."
"Someone that owed me a favour…that was a cock up," he chuckled "he was supposed to get the year books and leave but of course you had to be all brave and stupid."
"Why the yearbooks?" Andy asked "what could you get from them?"
"Well after I'd sent you a few notes and freaked you out a little my plan was to draw on them-weird stuff, and leave them back on your beds waiting before you'd missed them."
"What about all the girls?" she asked "what did they do to you?"
"Nothing, they were to get your lots attention but not one of them came back to Canada when they heard."
"How do you know that? Or that they were all out of the country?" she asked.
"Have friends in airports and bus stations none of them passed through."
Andy nodded "well that's where you're wrong," she said "I was at six of those funerals and all six sisters were there…why Traci?" she asked moving along she really wanted to get out of there.
Martin chuckled "shame I could have had some fun with them too. She would bring you to me-which she did, I knew you'd never leave her to rot."
Andy sighed and stood up she'd got all she needed "one more question," she said "why rope your son into this?" she asked.
Martin shrugged "he figured out what I was doing after the third girl and asked me could he help…he was having problems with girls in college-two he killed," he added somewhat proudly.
"Like father like son," Andy said and pressed for the door to be opened "both where you belong," she said and slipped out.
Frank left her to her thoughts for a few minutes before following her to her office "did that settle your mind?" he asked.
Andy looked up from the stuff she was packing up "yeah," she nodded "I think I can put this behind me now," she said and grabbed her box "I'm gonna miss this place," she said and looked around.
"You'll be back in that seat before you know it-don't worry, you know Swarek Nash and Barber are gonna take you on every case anyway…look after yourself Andy," he said and clapped her on the back "it'll be good to have you back on the streets," he said and walked off.
Yeah," Andy sighed and walked to the door "but I'd rather be here," she took another look around and sighed again before walking down the stairs.
"Andy!" she heard Dean call "hey!" he called and caught up to her "I heard Traci was found…have you been fired?" he yelled looking in her box.
Andy looked around at the few people watching them "no…suspended and put back in uniform," she replied.
"What! Why?" he asked wide eyed.
Andy rolled her eyes "who do you think found Traci?"
Dean waved his hand "I knew you would but what I don't get is why you were suspended."
Andy sighed he was gonna snap "because I got a note to meet him and I snuck off on my own and did just that I didn't think I just went."
She frowned when he didn't say anything-frowning deeper when he was smiling back at her "what's with the dopey grin?" she asked "aren't you mad?"
"I am," he said and slung his arm around her shoulder "but I'm proud too-you should be too, you got her back safe and sound that's all that matters…drink?" he asked and led her out the door.
Andy chuckled and wrapped her arm around his waist "oh, wait," she said and stopped "I have to see Sam before I go."
"Gimme the box, your car keys and hurry up," he chuckled.
"Won't be long," she giggled and hurried off.
…..
A few hours later they had been joined by all their friends, Sam moved closer to her as she played with her drink "you wanna bail?" he asked.
"No," she giggled "they all came here for me," she added.
"Well look more alive then," Sam chuckled and kissed her quickly.
"Hey!" Gail yelled "none of that, I've had to look at Traci and Jerry day after day don't you two start!"
Andy giggled "sorry Gail we'll keep the pda to a minimum."
Sam chuckled "I'm glad you think so."
"Alright no pda from anyone!" Dean yelled and held up his glass "to my magnificent sister Andy, Traci is home safe and well because of her and her crazy antics."
"Andy!" They all whistle and cheered.
"And!" Dean yelled "I cannot wait to see her back in uniform," he chuckled.
Andy shook her head but held up her glass anyway.
A while later everyone was distracted with someone or something, Sam leaned over Andy again "how about we take off for the weekend in the morning?"
"We can't afford a last minute trip," she replied.
"My sister owns a cabin and I've the spare key, all we need is gas money and some food what do you say?" he asked "me you no one else for three days."
"Let's go," Andy giggled and pulled him off his stool "bye guys!" she yelled back as she pulled him towards the door.
They decided to walk home and were now on Andy's street she slowed her pace when the house came into view she hadn't been back since Traci had been taken-Gail and Chloe had been nice enough to give her clothes and whatever else she needed.
Sam squeezed her hand when he spotted what she was looking at "we can go the other way or I can run back for my truck," he offered.
"No," Andy said and started to walk, when she reached her drive she stopped "this doesn't feel like home anymore," she said and looked over at him "we're moving," she added.
"Seriously?" Sam asked "you love this house."
Andy looked at the house again "a house doesn't make a home," she said and slid her hand into his "time for us to start a new adventure-Leo will be so excited coming house hunting with us," she said and walked on.
Sam agreed Jerry had already told him Traci didn't want to go back to the house and Andy wouldn't either "so what are you gonna do until then?" he asked as he walked with her.
Andy shrugged "I'll think of something…I was kinda hoping you'd be willing to share your bed with me for a while hint hint," she giggled.
Sam chuckled and wrapped his arm around her "you're more than welcome-Traci and Leo if they want too," he said.
Andy chuckled "I wouldn't offer that just yet, Leo is not always the angel he was last night, and I'm pretty sure Trac would rather stay at Jerry's."
Sam nodded "alright then Traci and Leo off the table-let's get home roomie," he said and pulled her closer.
Andy giggled and leaned into him-now she could look to the future.
A/N End this story here or write them facing fears and going back to the house and moving…and a lot more Andy and Sam?