Andy was pretty sure she heard Frank say, "Just so you know, we're gonna have a long talk when you wake up, man," before he squeezed Sam's non-responsive hand and made his way to the door. She hadn't been able to move beyond the door, pretty sure whatever he had to say was private, until Frank left with the promise to see that Sarah was notified. It didn't even register that Sarah needed to be called until Frank mentioned it. The steady beep of the heart monitor drew Andy into the room and over to the bed. Pulling the chair next to the bed, Andy sat down. The emotional crash hit and exhaustion took the place of fear. She put her head on the bed next to his hip and fell asleep to the sound of Sam's heart still beating.

Andy woke the next morning to the feeling of being watched. Lifting her head off the bed, she ran a hand through her hair. The doctor gave her an apologetic smile. "Sorry to wake you, Officer McNally, just thought you'd want to know that Sergeant Best is here with Detective Swarek's sister."

The doctor noticed the way Andy's hand had found its way to Sam's.

"Thank you. Um ..." Andy wasn't sure how to put into words her need to stay. The doctor seemed to sense it and gave a gentle smile. "I'll go tell Sergeant Best and Detective Swarek's sister they can come in for a minute."

Andy smiled in relief. "Thank you. How ... how is he?" Andy couldn't keep the fear out of her voice.

"Why don't I answer that after I bring them in so you don't have to try and repeat it?" The doctor offered as he went to the door.

Andy stood up when the door re-opened and a tall dark haired woman followed by Frank then the doctor entered. The doctor gave them an update and reminded Frank and Sarah to keep their visits brief until Sam was awake and moved.

Sarah didn't say anything, just went to the other side of the bed and leaned over and gave her brother a feather light kiss on the forehead before she left.

Andy wasn't even sure that she knew she was there, and that was ok, Andy wanted Sam to make the introduction not have it made by their shared worry.

Frank made sure she was ok before leaving with orders that Andy was to keep him up to speed.

Andy couldn't help the smile. "Yes, Sir."

The doctor left with the promise to be back later and suggested Andy get more rest.

Before she fell asleep she whispered, "I need to see that smile sooner than later, Swarek ..."

It was another day before Andy felt that familiar feeling of being watched by Sam. Lifting her head off the bed, Sam's hand grabbed hers when it would have brushed the hair away. She gave him a tired smile. "Hey."

Sam swallowed a couple times before he managed to croak out, "Hey."

A steady beep caught Sam's attention, followed by pressure on his middle finger that caused the beep of the heart monitor and the feel of the IV lead in the back of his hand.

"How ... how long?"

"Couple of days."

"You're ..."

Andy smiled. "Fine."

Sam was groggy but not that groggy, he gave her that look and Andy couldn't help but laugh. "You're the one in the hospital bed ..."

Andy got him a glass of water when she saw him swallowing again. "Here."

Sam took a couple small sips of water before he asked, "Ollie?" The need to know that Oliver had been found and was ok flooded Sam's mind as the details of that night slowly found their way past the anesthetic that was beginning to wear off and pain meds that were undoubtedly in his drip.

"Ford?"

"Dead. Nick shot him after ..."

Sam squeezed her hand. Andy stood up and pressed the button for the nurse.

The doctor came in a few minutes later. "Everything ok ..." he trailed off seeing Sam awake. "Good afternoon, Detective."

"Doc."

"How ya feeling?"

Sam didn't dare give a smart assed remark, he was pretty sure the brunette next to his bed would not appreciate anything less than an honest answer. "Is anything I say under anesthetic gonna be held against me?" His voice sounded like a rusty hinge.

"He always like this, Officer McNally?"

Andy smiled. "Yeah. Your patient is one of the top ranking smart asses in the Division."

"Hey! I resemble that!" It came out more of a croak.

Andy rolled her eyes. "Ya think?!"

The doctor laughed at the back and forth between the couple. "Not that the nurses down here haven't enjoyed taking care of one of the TPS' finest but it sounds like we can move you upstairs."

"Nothin' personal, but when do I move out?"

"Sam, you just woke up ..." Sam recognized the I've had a long shift, don't screw with me tone.

The wheels on the bed weren't the only thing rolling as Sam was moved out of I.C.U and into a private room.

"McNally, I can lay in my own bed ..." Sam grumbled, his voice finally sounding like it should.

"You'll be layin' in it alone unless you do as the doctor says."

Sam looked at her for sign that it was nothing but an empty threat but didn't see any.

"This bed's barely big enough for me, two of us are gonna be a tight fit, McNally."

Andy looked at the doctor and blushed. "You did not just say that in front of your doctor, Sam!"

"What? I have serious doubts he's gonna be surprised when he finds you in it with me."

"I'm gonna let you get some rest, Detective," he checked Sam's IV and looked at Andy, "I'll let Sergeant Best know he's out of I.C.U."

"Thank you."

"I was out for 2 days ..."

"Don't make me have the doctor put you out for another 2 ..."

The doctor was laughing as he left.

It didn't take long after the doctor left and Sam starting fighting sleep to figure out he'd put a sedative in Sam's drip.

He wouldn't stop fighting it until Andy was curled up next to him, his arm draped over her waist.

Andy didn't expect to fall asleep but she did, waking up a couple hours later to the feeling of someone else being in the room. The minute she tried to move Sam was awake.

"You never were one for doin' what you were told," a female voice laughed.

Sam looked over Andy's head and said, "What're you doin' here?" His voice was thick with sleep.

"It's nice to see you too, little brother ..."

"Under any other circumstances, sis, I'd say it's good to see you too."

Sarah sobered. "How ya feelin'?"

"Choose your words carefully," Andy warned as she got up to sit on the edge of the bed.

Sarah couldn't help the smirk at Andy's warning.

Sam laughed without thought and grunted at the pain it caused. "Pretty sure there's somethin' in there," he looked at the IV, "that's keepin' me from feelin' too much ... unless I do somethin' stupid."

Sarah gasped in mock horror. "You? Do somethin' stupid?"

Sam rolled his eyes. "Remind me again why I wanted my girlfriend to meet you?"

"As soon as you tell me why she'd get involved with you ..."

Sam laughed and paid the price with pain. "Dammit sis, don't make me laugh."

Sarah was immediately contrite. "Sorry Sammy."

Sam put his hand on Andy's thigh. "Not quite how or where I wanted to do this, but ... Sis, I'd like you to meet Andy McNally; McNally, this is my sister, Sarah."

The women smiled at each other as they shook hands before Sarah shocked both Andy and Sam by giving Andy a hug. "It's nice to know there's a girl out there my brother'll finally let me meet."

Sam groaned. "Really sis?"

"What?" Sarah tried to play innocent but Sam didn't buy it.

"Nice try, sis."

Sarah flashed a grin at her brother.

Sarah stayed a few more minutes before leaving.

Andy wasn't surprised when Traci showed up after shift.

"Sweetie, I brought you a change of clothes," Traci said as she put a hand on Andy's shoulder.

Andy smiled. "Thanks Trac."

Traci smiled before she looked at Sam. "Wasn't enough to have Dov man-crushing on you since we were rookies, you needed the entire Division to come down with a BAD case of hero worship, Swarek?" she teased.

"Hey Nash."

"How ya feelin' partner?"

"Pretty sure I'd feel a helluva lot worse without whatever's in there," he pointed to his IV.

Traci laughed. "Don't take it personally, but I'm pretty sure you'd scare the nurses without it."

He found out with Sarah's visit laughing wasn't worth the pain so Sam smiled instead.

"Couldn't've said it better, Nash," Frank said as he and Noelle walked in. Noelle smacked him in the shoulder.

Frank rubbed his shoulder. "Like you wouldn't've said the same thing?"

"I would've waited til he was back on his feet." She gave Sam one of her famous smiles.

"Sorry, laughin' isn't worth the pain, not even for you."

Noelle sobered. "How ya feelin', Sammy?"

Sam glanced at Andy before he said, "Like I took a bullet to the chest without Kevlar ..."

"Excuse me," Andy said softly before slipping off the bed.

"Damn, Swarek, if you wanted her to move I'm sure you coulda just asked, you didn't have to chase her away," Traci admonished.

Sam looked at their friends. "I didn't mean to chase her away, Nash, and you know that. Now, before they knock me out again, somebody wanna fill me in ..."

"She hasn't?"

"All I know is, she's ok, Ollie was found, Ford is dead and I'm in here."

"She gave you the highlights, the low was when you flatlined in front of her."

"I flatlined?!"

"After they brought ya in. She was with you in the ambulance,"

"I remember."

"She tried to stay with you after you got here but they wouldn't let her, sent her out to the waiting room.

When the doctor came out and said it was bad, I asked if somebody could see you and Nick made sure it was Andy ... they let her stay until you flatlined. Nick caught her when her legs went out from under her.

Pretty sure that bathroom is the farthest that girl has moved since they let her in."

Sam looked at Frank. "Do somethin' for me?"

"Name it."

"She needs to go home, she won't go if I ask, I need you to pull rank man, and tell her to go."

"Ok, hospital bed or not, you hurt that girl, Sammy, I will hurt you ..." Noelle warned.

Sam gave Noelle a look he usually only gave the rookies when they did something stupid before he addressed Frank. "She needs to get some sleep, Frank, where she isn't afraid to move or hurt me ... it's not like I'm goin' anywhere."

Frank didn't say anything as the door opened and Andy walked out. Sam held out his right hand. Andy sat on the edge of the bed.

Sam looked at Frank who gave a single nod.

"Alright, enough fawning over Swarek, McNally, how ya holdin' up?"

Andy shrugged.

"You been home to get some sleep? A shower? Somethin' to eat?"

They all noticed the way Andy reached for Sam's hand as she shook her head.

"Andy ..."

Andy turned tear-filled eyes to Sam. "You don't want me here,"

Noelle nodded to the door and both Frank and Traci headed for it.

"You know that's not true. Babe, you need to get some sleep where you actually get some rest."

"I'm ..."

"Andy ..."

Andy couldn't help the laugh.

"It's not like I'm goin' anywhere before you get back."

Just then the doctor came in.

"Hey Doc, you got enough in there to give this one a shot?"

The doctor looked confused.

"Doc, I'm a detective but ya don't need to be, to figure out that every time you check that IV you put somethin' in it to knock me out."

The doctor gave a slightly sheepish smile. "Sorry."

Sam shrugged slightly and winced at the pain it caused.

The doctor looked at Andy as he asked, "There a reason you think Officer McNally needs a sedative?"

"Because he's tryin' to get rid of me," Sam growled and the doctor looked at him as Andy finished, "but he knows I don't sleep well without him."

"I am not tryin' to get rid of you. I'm tryin' to keep you from ending up in here from exhaustion because you're not resting properly."

The doctor scored points with Sam, not so much with Andy when he said, "He's right."

"Don't tell him that!" she said with a laugh.

Sam laughed then cursed. "Dammit! That hurts!"

Seeing Sam in pain all traces of a smile disappeared. "Sam, visiting hours ..."

"You have clearance, Officer McNally to come and go, no matter what the time."

Andy smiled at the doctor as she softly said, "I'm not on duty, it's Andy or Ms. McNally."

The doctor smiled as he nodded. He just asked if there was someone to take her home when the door opened and Steve stuck his head in. "So the rumors are true."

"What rumor's that? That you're chasin' after my partner?"

Steve smiled. "Think you could tell her to slow down so she'd be easier to catch?"

Sam smirked as he waved him in.

Steve nodded as he said, "Hey Andy, how ya doin'?"

Andy looked at Sam before she shrugged.

"Andy? Sam, you alright?"

"I'm fine. She's not happy I want her to go home and get some sleep."

"The sedative should kick in fairly quickly ..."

Steve didn't hesitate or ask questions, just said, "I'll take her home."

"Thanks," was Andy's mumbled response while Sam smiled his gratitude.

He knew she didn't want to go, but the doctor assured her that Sam'd be doing the same thing she was - sleeping - so she finally relented and agreed to the sedative ... it would be given at Steve's car.

Steve shook Sam's hand and promised to bring Andy back whenever she woke up before he left telling Andy he'd go get the car.

Andy leaned over and kissed Sam. "No flirtin' with the nurses when I'm not here," she teased.

"Nope, I'll be dreamin' about a cute brunette."

"Didn't know you felt that way, Sam," Nick teased from the door.

"Glad to see you're ok, Collins."

"Thanks to you."

Sam nodded as he looked at Andy. "Go."

"Fine! See ya in a few hours," she pushed off the bed rail.

Nick looked between them. "Everything ok?"

"Nothin' a few hours sleep won't fix."

It was anything but a look of love and adoration Andy shot Sam before she turned and headed for the door.

"Listen Sam, I just came to say thanks ... and I'm sorry. You savin' my life almost cost you yours."

"But it didn't,"

The doctor clearing his throat cut off anything else Sam would have said.

"Sorry to cut this visit short, Officer, but Detective Swarek needs his rest."

"It's ok, I've said what I came to say," he looked at Sam, "Get better."

Sam nodded, minutes later he was asleep.

10 minutes after she left the hospital, Andy was out like a light.

It was more than a few hours before Steve dropped Andy back at the hospital. Sam was asleep when she walked in so she pulled her shoes off and curled up next to him. His arm wrapped around her as he pulled her close. She was asleep in minutes.

Sarah dropped by the next morning to say goodbye. When asked why she smiled and said she didn't need to stay, she was leaving her brother in good hands but she expected a visit so she could get to know Andy better.

It was another couple days before the doctor gave the green light for Andy to take Sam home.

Andy had just got him settled on the couch when the knock came at the door. Sam groaned as Andy went to answer it. "McNally, did you forget to tell Frank we don't have a revolving door?"

"It's good to see you too, brother," Oliver called walking through the door. He hugged Andy before going into the living room.

Andy smiled when she saw Celery. The two women hugged and snuck into the kitchen to give the guys a chance to catch up and compare stories.

Sam was a little surprised Andy didn't join them, but grateful when he heard Celery's laugh from the kitchen. "Just get outta the hospital, and I don't get so much as a 'hi' ... nice to see you too, Celery."

"Careful Sam, next potion I make might find its way into your coffee," she said with a grin as the girls walked in with cups for the guys.

Sam looked at his cup suspiciously making the girls laugh as they went back into the kitchen.

"How are you?" Sam asked.

"I'm the one that should be askin' you, man ... how ya feelin'?"

"Lucky?"

Oliver looked in the direction of the kitchen. "That we are. Did Andy tell you about Cruz?"

"Oliver, the only time I've left him was when he made me. What about her?" Andy asked from the doorway.

Sam wasn't surprised she was listening. They'd barely gotten into the kitchen.

"HQ took her badge. She cleared out her locker the morning after ..."

Andy gave a sad smile before disappearing back into the kitchen.

"Considering she almost got us both killed, I don't think that's a bad thing."

"Nope."

"How's Celery?"

"Glad Cruz is gone."

Sam laughed then tried to stifle the groan of pain so Andy wouldn't hear but she did and the girls came out to check on them.

"Stop fussin' over him, Andy," Oliver teased.

"Dumbo, you get enough attention from your girls ..."

"Darlin', didn't anybody tell you Andy is one of my girls?"

Sam almost choked. "Since when did you leave me for Shaw?"

Andy blushed. "Um, I meant to tell you ..." her eyes danced with laughter until she saw Sam's smile, and she quickly said, "Don't," as she sat on the arm of the couch. Sam wrapped his arm around her waist.

Sam looked at Oliver, a devilish gleam in his eye as he asked, "Did your girl just call you 'Dumbo', brother?"

"Don't make me forget you just got outta the hospital, wise ass," Oliver said smiling.

"Speaking of ..." Andy said softly, she hated the idea of kicking Oliver and Celery out, but Sam needed his rest.

Celery got up. "C'mon Dumbo, you can visit again later."

Sam couldn't help the smile. Oliver was finally happy again, something he hadn't been in way too long. Sam couldn't resist when he said, "It's a good look for you, brother."

Oliver looked at him. "What's that?"

"Bein' happy."

Oliver smiled. "It's one we both wear well, brother. McNally, I'll come babysit tomorrow if ..."

Sam was smiling as he said, "Get out."

Over the next few days the revolving door was non-stop as the Division came by to wish him a speedy recovery. Andy made sure no visit was too long to wear him out.

During the parade of visitors, Sam couldn't remember who, made a comment that made him stop and think ...