Chapter 13 (whew)

OK I'm still thinking maybe an epilogue :)

I hope you like it! This one goes out to Mamaverd, dcj, SMchick, Couchjumper, KAL22076, Etobay07, tanyaleefr, XoXoMiss and anonymous, only you know who you are ;) please excuse me if I forgot someone, it was not intentional.

I have to thank you from the bottom of my heart, all of you, for your reviews, alerts, fav stories? OMG it is completely overwhelming! I start the story and with your reviews... you finish it! My mind will be headed into one direction and suddenly something is mentioned in the review and I think, yeah? Yeah, I like that. Then I steal it! LOL

Take care one and all and please read and review! Cheers! tina

Marc looked over her head at Andy. "I think maybe George and I should leave for a while and go talk somewhere."

For the first time Sam spoke up. "No you two go on ahead upstairs. Andy and I need to talk too."

Andy turned to look at Sam. He stood there, arms crossed, looking back at her. Daring her to say otherwise. "Yes go on upstairs. George I left the door unlocked just in case we missed you. Go talk to Marc. I'll be up in a little bit."

"No." Sam said to all of them. "We are leaving." He turned to Andy and said. "Get in the truck, Andy."

"Sam, I…" she stuttered. Looking around for support to defy Sam. George and Marc had already turned towards the entrance.

She heard George call out quietly 'Go with him Andy' before they disappeared into the apartment building. Andy's shoulders slightly drooped as she looked over at Sam.

"Well?" he said. "You want to hash out everything right here in the street for the neighbors to hear? Trust me, I think they are going to hear this."

Andy pushed past him on the way to the truck, slightly throwing Sam off balance. He smiled before turning around and heading for the truck himself. In his heart, he knew that meant something at least.

By the time Sam was able to reach the driver's door and open it, Andy was already inside and closing her door with a little more force then necessary.

"Geesh, save the pieces would you?" he called out.

Andy rolled her eyes; "I didn't close it that hard, it is after all a truck. If you're so concerned I'm going to harm your vehicle maybe you should just go, I'll stay here." She stated as he started the truck.

He then turned to her, saying everything with a single glance. He was not going to let her out, not now.

"Where are we going anyway?" she asked.

He pulled away from the curb before responding, "My house." He said.

"Oh." She became quiet after that, her mind and heart racing. "I thought maybe we'd just drive around for a few minutes, let George and Marc talk and then take me back home."

She heard Sam snort and then say. "After what you laid on me today do you think I'm honestly just going to let that go? We are going to talk about this and at least at my place I don't have to concentrate on driving and you can scream at me as loud as you like." The smile he gave her for the moment he took his eyes off the road spoke volumes. In pleasure or in pain.

Andy felt the color rise to her face. This is what you wanted right? Him? Take the bad with the good, you know what he's like…you know how to get around him. Work it! She heard George's voice in her head.

"Okay, I guess it's better to get this over with." She said saying her thoughts aloud but looking at Sam too.

"Get this over with?" He shook his head. "Andy we just started there is nothing to get over with."

"Just shut up until we get there, all right?" She spat out. "I haven't exactly had the best day you know?"

Ahhh, he thought. Luke. Sam had forgotten about him. "I almost forgot, George and I didn't go to Luigi's we went to the Penny and you'll never guess who we saw there?"

Luke. Now I'm completely mortified. I bet anything he knows Luke broke up with me. Damn it!

"I don't know, who?" She tried to ask nonchalantly.

"Luke."

Now she did want to die. She searched her mind trying to think of what would be the correct question to ask right now and still seem like she didn't care. "Oh? Guess you were thrilled, huh?"

"Not at first no but after he told us he broke up with you I was thrilled as hell, rushed right to your apartment."

Andy couldn't hold back, she started to laugh. "Sam! You are awful."

Sam pulled the truck into his driveway. "Yep I know…because you keep reminding me. Ready to go in?"

Her heart was in her throat, this was the moment she pictured inside her head a million times and never once did she dream it would be like this. She let out the breath she had been holding and said. "Yes."

Sam was already standing waiting to close his door. He quickly walked around the truck and opened the door for her. He closed the truck door this time; she gave him a look to let him know that she knew he did that so she wouldn't slam it again. He just smiled and walked past her leading her to his front door.

His calm was finally betrayed him as Andy watched his hand shake as he tried to put the key in the lock. He missed twice but didn't say anything. She didn't either.

He walked into the house and turned on the hallway light that led into his living room and the rooms beyond. Once he reached the living room he bent to turn on one of the table lamps before turning to motion her to sit.

She looked around; she had been here a few times before. His house had always been comfortable, she always felt at home here. His couch was sturdy but soft; he had a brown leather recliner that she was sure he spent most of his sports watching events in. It was still in good shape but it was definitely broken in. Wide screen TV, wooden and glass coffee and side tables, soft lighting. It was just an inviting home.

His house wasn't spotless, it could use a good dusting, but it was by far the exact opposite of Luke's apartment and now his house. Luke liked to live in a sterile environment; Sam did not.

She sat on his coffee colored couch still looking around.

"What?" He asked sitting on the couch a cushion away. "Has it passed inspection? I wasn't exactly expecting company, you know?"

"Don't be so defensive, I was admiring the place. Gees."

"I'm sure it's not anything like Luke's house right? Please tell me it's not anything like his house."

Andy laughed again. "No…this is definitely nothing like Luke's house."

"You want a beer? Or coffee? I can make some coffee?"

"A beer sounds good." She answered. She was pumped up enough; coffee would send her through the ceiling right now.

Sam walked into the kitchen and stopped at the refrigerator door, he really just wanted to get away for a minute to think. She's here now all you have to do is think of a way to keep her here, forever.

He reached in and grabbed the beers from the refrigerator. Turning he noticed her standing in the doorway. He wondered if she noticed his hesitation before grabbing the bottles. She had to know that he was just as scared and nervous as she was.

He twisted the tops off of the beer bottles and handed her one.

She took a drink of the beer and started to look around the kitchen. Feeling that they were not going to be returning to the living room any time soon Sam stood back and leaned against the counter, idling drinking his beer as he watched her.

"So Luke told you he broke up with me, huh?" she asked.

"Yeah…look Andy, I know what I said before but I am sorry. I didn't want to see you get hurt."

Andy's head snapped up. "Hurt? You know nothing about hurt Sam Swarek, you never put yourself out there to be hurt." She was still smarting from the lack of response to her admission earlier.

"What?" he asked incredulously. "You've got to kidding me. What the hell do you think I've been doing this past year?"

"Running." She said plainly.

"Running!" He shouted. "I'm the one that has been running? You got one hell of a nerve lady. I've been the one…"

"Yeah I know," she interrupted, "Sam's just been trying to be the friend right? Poor Sam, you know I don't ever remember seeing your heart on your sleeve. As a matter of fact you've been the one pushing me at him! Every time I had any doubt about Luke you always just stepped in and assure me… 'he's your colleague with benefits' remember that one?"

"Don't throw that asshole in my face, McNally." He warned.

"Why? Did you maybe think of a way that you could get us back together again? And then maybe I could just play around with you on the side and you won't have to involve yourself, you could be my partner with benefits right?"

He moved towards her, she stood her ground, hoping and praying what was going to happen next. It did, he grabbed her and kissed her. "Shut up." He said against her mouth. "Damn it just shut up." He mumbled as pulled back for a second to get closer to her. She kissed him back without reserve.

She finally pushed him away, gasping for air. "So when are you going to stop faking, huh Sam? How could you do that to me today? Don't you know what it took for me to say that to you?"

"I…I…damn I just didn't expect you to say that." He watched as she turned her head. He could tell by the angle she was fighting to keep from crying. That's when he knew it was time.

He approached her again, gently taking her face in his hands and pulling her to face him. He put his forehead against hers and said. "I love you. I can't remember a time when I didn't. I have been scared and I have run in the past but I swear to you now, I'm not going anywhere. I want you here with me, always."

There was a single tear that escaped her eyes; he reached for it. Catching it with his index finger and then putting it to his mouth. She just stood and watched him transfixed.

"I love you too, Sam." She spoke quietly her heart in her eyes.

He moaned and pulled her to him, he just held her in her arms, stroking her back. He couldn't believe the time had finally come; Andy McNally was in love with him. She felt his body shake as he pulled her closer. Questioningly she looked up from his chest at him.

"I'm just so happy you're here." He said honestly.

Teasingly she asked. "Well now that you have me here, just what will you do with me?"

"Oh I plan on showing you at least five or six times."

"Five or six? Only? Tired, huh?"

She laughed as he pulled her hand and began dragging her towards his bedroom. "Let me show you just how tired I am." He said as he slammed his bedroom door closed.