A/N. Hey again, everyone! Thanks for the continued reviews and feedback – very much appreciated!
Just a few things re this chapter;
The tattoo reference here is a result of speculation over at Two Worlds Collide (that appears to have been confirmed by Missy herself - ie that she does now have a tattoo). I have no idea what her tattoo actually does say though - so what I've come up with is purely for the benefit of the storyline here. Some generous creative licence is taken throughout this entire thing on a number of matters, actually – so…bear with me on that!
This comes with bonus features /M rated scene! (I wanted to keep this fic as T, but I thought it was also important to explore what I thought might go on with these two as they got to...ahem...a certain place). To cut a long story short, that scene will appear under an M rating titled 'The Ink Is Here To Stay'. That scene happens pretty much at the end of this monster and it's a mere 1000 words or so. It was difficult to find a place to cut and re-start though - so if you are avoiding the M, the ending may seem a little off kilter in this chapter: sorry about that!
Finally, this chapter is the longest ever. Like, seriously! I don't even know what happened here – I kept writing and writing – I trust you'll stop reading if it bores you to death!
Disclaimer: I do not own Rookie Blue (or any Mia Dyson song).
Sam wakes up to a sunlight filled lounge room with some serious crick in his neck.
He has no idea how it happened, but he and McNally fell fast asleep on the couch - possibly mid-conversation….probably a few hours ago. A quick glance at his watch tells him this new day has already well and truly begun.
Sam inspects their tangled forms very, very carefully; he dares not to move.
Andy's still planted firmly in his lap, her head using his shoulder as a pillow. One of her arms is still wrapped around his neck, while the other has got a hand resting on his waist. She's absurdly warm against him; when Sam brushes his fingers at the base of her cheek, he feels like they might burn right off.
The position they're in makes Sam think that if he could manage to inch to the edge of the couch, he could easily hoist himself up; lift Andy's skinny weight and carry her down the hall - let her sleep properly….nestled in the comfort of a bed.
He considers the potential of that scenario for a while; tries not to interrupt her in his futile attempt to stretch out the pain that is growing in his neck.
…..
In this moment Sam feels a number of things churning away inside both his head and heart:
Mostly, he is absolutely bursting with what he thinks might be a pure form of happiness. Last night they seemingly came to the conclusion that they are going to give togetherness another shot.
Simultaneously, he is completely wrecked – like maybe his emotions have been run through the washer and hung out to dry. Also, he is a physical mess; the two or so sketchy hours of sleep that he supposedly did have in this position have done nothing to suggest that his body hasn't run a marathon…or worse.
Sam comes to the conclusion that he's getting too damn old, that's for sure.
He looks back at Andy's peaceful form again; her spiky eyelashes are casting tiny shadows on her sharp, pretty cheeks. He thinks about how young she looks – a look that is the exact opposite to whathe currently feels -
Sam's heart skips a beat.
…
He slides his way gently toward the desired position for an effective lift; he achieves it somehow – congratulates himself silently in the successful effort not to wake her.
He carries her with soft footsteps to his bedroom; giving Boo a quite shoo before he gently lays her on the bed.
McNally's already barefoot which is convenient, but Sam stands over her – contemplating whether it would be appropriate at this time to take anything else off.
After some extensive internal debate, he figures she's probably slept in far more uncomfortable clothes through the course of her life. So, he decides instead just to cover her with a simple, spare blanket to make sure she's kept warm.
He hovers over her for a moment, finally decides it's safe and reaches down to kiss her lightly on the forehead.
…..
Noticing the time again, Sam patters out to the kitchen to rustle together a quick breakfast for himself and Boo.
After scoffing down a piece of toast and half a cup of triple shot coffee, Sam rushes to the shower – he realizes it'll need to be a quick one, and that he'll have to skip the shave.
When he's out of the bathroom and preparing a travel mug, he puts a few words on paper for McNally. He tells her to help herself to whatever and to feel free to stay there for as long as she wants.
He scribbles messily at the end of the message an inky Love You and then rushes to the door promising Boo a walk in the afternoon.
…..
Sam is hurtling to the coffee stall at the station (figuring another one is worth a shot – anything that might help get him out of this daze) when he bumps into a Peck. She's looking paler than ever, dark sunglasses covering her eyes. She's leaning against the bench in a daydream of her own – seemingly giving it some extra effort by chewing at a stirring stick.
"Morning?" Sam greets her croakily, wondering if she's hiding her own relationship rebuilding efforts from late last night.
Peck looks him up and down from behind her disguise and keeps the rest of her face straight. She doesn't bother to take the stick out of her mouth to advise him; "Take it from me, next time wear shades."
Nash is right beside them by then, obviously noticing how rough both her colleagues look. It appears she's going to say something, other than the thing she actually mumbles out: "Couldn't find your razor this morning, Sam?" She twists her mouth as she says it, stares ahead at the drip of the coffee machine.
"Hm, I think scruff suits him," comes the perky voice from behind; Cruz leans across Sam to reach for some sugar - looks straight into his eyes. "Yep. Looks pretty hot," she confirms cheekily, giving him a wink.
Sam opens his mouth to answer, but nothing comes out. Truthfully, he thinks he might be in shock.
Cruz is gone within seconds anyway; the sugar stick gripped tightly in her hand as she waves the three of them off.
Sam looks back at Nash and Peck with what he's pretty sure is a comical look on his face.
He notices the girls faces are just as gobsmacked. Peck has her glasses pulled up to rest on top of her head - burning holes with her eyes into Cruz. Nash is open mouthed; her own eyes flicking between the retreating figure of Cruz and the stunned mullet that is now Sam.
He wracks his brain trying to think of what Cruz does and does not – or might not know about him…about Andy….about him and Andy….or anything to do with him as a matter of fact.
Finally, Sam decides she probably doesn't know too much. For sure, gossip is big at the station, but both Sam and Andy have been fortunate; despite their romantic misadventures, they get a lot of respect.
"I think there might be yet another woman in this world that thinks you're cute," offers Peck drolly, chewing again on her stick.
Sam puts his hands up in a pointless surrender for whatever it was that he did or didn't do. "Um, I…" he stutters out – still completely perplexed. He thinks it's probably fair enough that Cruz doesn't know about the 'situation'. It's not like he's ever discussed anything with Cruz outside of work. In fact, away from the odd chat about caseloads, he's barely spoken to her at all –
Sam might needs some advice here, is what he thinks.
He doesn't know whether to go chasing after Cruz or not. He plays out the scenario in his head; "Yeah, listen Cruz, ah Marlo. I'm flattered and all. But, you know …I'm head over heels with Andy McNally – so, um…get your eyes off…"
Yeah, no –
Sam thinks not.
He wonders if he's over-reacting anyway. Maybe it was a mere compliment; like if she told Peck or Nash she thought they looked good in jeans.
Sam does a double take at that thought too though, gets himself even more confused.
Peck and Nash obviously pick up on this turmoil that's going through his brain - Traci ever so deliberately building up her smartass, lopsided grin.
Gail surveys Sam speculatively – ultimately letting out a long and loud snort. "I'll go," she drones, rolling her eyes like what she's about to do is going to be the most challenging and painful task ever to have been performed in the world.
"But you owe me one, Swarek," Peck calls out walking away without looking back.
Sam looks across to Nash with an eyebrow quirked. He really has no idea what the hell just happened – wants to get on with his day.
Traci raises her eyebrows in return and grins bigger than before. "I think Gail is giving you a helping hand…" she says brightly; "making sure Cruz is put in her place."
…..
Nash and Sam spend their morning debating the top case in their file: a family man who they suspect has been murdered by his wife - her drip-feeding him arsenic laced lunches over the course of six or so weeks.
The confirmed tox reports are yet to come in, but Sam is a little toey just wanting something to be moving along again.
They agree to go have a casual chat to the man's workmates after they get some hotdogs for themselves.
…
Nash is rubbing the tip of her index finger along a frankfurter to spread the mustard love when she pops the question: "Last night went well?"
Sam smiles small at her as he manages to chew down some bun; "A lot of talking and listening went down."
Traci smiles one of her warmest ones back to him, chancing a peep at his face before she turns her attention again to what she's about to eat. "Good," is all she says – but it's clear, and concise.
It's as Nash squirts some sauce that Sam hears his phone go off. He puts it to his ear just in time to hear McNally chomping at the bit.
"I may have eaten you out of house and home," she says through a mouthful of what Sam thinks could be bread.
"Excellent." Sam smirks; "That means we'll be eating out tonight." And –
He has no idea where that came from, other than the fact he's been thinking of her throughout the course of today…a lot.
Sam hears Andy choke on whatever it was that she had shoved down her throat, pulls the phone away from his ear as she washes it down with a liquid slurp.
"You asking me out on a date," comes out of her like a statement not a question, making Sam smirk some more.
He rolls his tongue around his lips before responding.
"McNally. Andy… Would you do the honour of dining out with me tonight?" And, he's trying not to crack up as he says it, he really…really is, but he can't get her face out of his mind – the way that right in this moment it's likely to have gone monkey cheek wide.
Nash has got a similar expression to what he thinks might be Andy's too – she's standing right by his side straining her ear to his phone.
He pulls away from her, walks a couple of paces and murmurs quietly - just for Andy; "wear somethin' nice?"
Sam figures she's blushing like gangbusters because the phone goes dead silent for at least 30 seconds. Eventually, after Sam's heart has started pumping clear through his chest bone she gives him a giggly "okay."
Sam's is feeling his own face on fire by now; he waves Nash off with his hand as she laughs and shouts out a gushy "swoooooon".
"Is that Traci?" Andy enquires abruptly.
Sam rolls his eyes, wondering who the hell else she thinks it could be. "Uh-huh," Sam confirms, thinking it doesn't warrant much more than that.
"Tell her I need to see her when she gets home this afternoon," McNally demands all loud and bossy like she would with a perp.
Sam rolls his eyes again, feeling like a third grader at recess. He thinks about arguing; what, you can't tell her yourself? But, he censors it ….just a fraction…mainly to ensure he keeps hers - and his -self-respect. "I'll put her on for you," he mumbles – trying hard to ensure it's with his sweetest voice.
"H'okay…" Andy snorts out. "Ooh, but before you hand me over….um…..I just wanted to say….. Boo is the best."
Sam grins stupidly over the thought of what her and the dog may have been doing to keep one another company this morning – is already thinking of adventures the three of them might have in the future -
"Um, pick me up at 7 from mine?" Andy breaks into his thoughts. "I'm heading back there now – decided unless I want the power cut off, I got to start sorting through bills."
Sam bites his lip in a giddy rush, jumping ahead of himself and thinking about where he might take her tonight. "Sure, sweetheart," he says in a low, low voice; "7 is great".
…..
When Nash finally hangs up from her own dealings with Andy she's got a truly ridiculous smirk on her face.
He had no earthly idea what the two of them were talking about; Nash's side of the conversation sounding for all Sam knows, like some obscure foreign code.
Sam yanks the phone from her hand and eyes her carefully. He wants to pry – but decides better of it, wants to put her to a more productive use. "Aside Andy's usual favourite haunts," he starts on instead, stretching out all the u's; "where's somewhere….different….she might like to go for dinner?"
(It's not like they didn't eat out before – they did all the time; it's just –
Well, generally those times were in a different context to now).
Nash gets her thinking face on, cocks her head there and abouts.
She lets out a cluck eventually, speculating; "She probably hasn't had seafood in a while?"
Nash takes the keys out of his hands after that, gives him her cheesiest smile.
…
Sam leaves work early; figures he actually needs to pull an hour or so of sleep before embarking on tonight. He's so damn tired, he's pretty sure the only way he's operated today is with the knowledge that he's got the next two shifts off.
He sets himself an alarm to ensure any urgent chores, dog-walking, and getting ready, is done in easy time after he wakes – before he goes to pick up Andy.
….
By the time he is on his way to McNally's, he's actually feeling not so bad; somewhere in the vicinity that doesn't make him think he's still running off not enough sleep…..
…
He knocks on her door 5 before 7.
After about 30 seconds of waiting he hears her footsteps get heavier on the other side.
When she swings the door open –
Sam loses every single ounce of his breath.
(And. Okay. She's done herself up to be beyond her usual pretty and beautiful for him before, but seriously –
Six months and change and looking at her now - highlights just how much he might have missed all of that).
Sam opens his mouth to speak, and closes it again.
"You look pretty too," she laughs out responding to his nonverbal reaction. "And that," she half squeals, pointing to the potted orchid in his hand; "is beautiful!" She makes a grab for the pot and starts to pull –
But Sam's frozen to his spot, gripping the plant for everyone's safety (it serves it's purpose in keeping his hands offeverything else that he wants to touch) – his eyes taking in every inch of her.
"I take it that IS for me?" she pouts at him demanding teasingly with her finger pointed at the plant, her tone eventually breaking through his stupor.
Sam shakes – and then nods – his head, finally managing a smile at her. "Uh-huh."
She stands back from him baffled and puts a hand on her hip; gives him one of her pistachio icecream, what the hell, Sam? looks for good measure, before she starts tapping her foot.
He hands it over finally – the plant that is. "Florist said you could grow it inside," Sam splutters out; "I tried to get something that might last."
Andy peers at him for a good few seconds about that line, but then she nods excitedly. She takes the orchid from him and trots over to put it on the dining table, assuring him "I'll read up on 'em later -make sure it survives."
He notices the zip on her dress is only half up, it's the only thing that prompts his feet to start moving – like a moth to the flame, that sort of thing.
Sam follows her across the room, breathing out eventually "you…ah…want some help with your dress?"
"Oh, yeah," Andy says like she's only just remembered she couldn't get it all the way up. She reverses herself back up to him so he can get at the zip.
Sam watches her shoulders goosebump as his fingertips brush her back. Taking some level of pleasure in the effect he's having on her, Sam takes his time in holding the dress in to get at the zip. The dress is black and silky and short and sleeveless – and it hugs at most of her curves –
He has to hold her hair away with one hand as he heads the zip up in the general direction toward where it needs to go. As he does, the fresh spicy scent of her perfume, and the vanilla from what he remembers as her shampoo mingle and waft in front of his nose.
Sam can't help but lean in and inhale it - then lean in closer still to put his mouth light onto the soft of her neck.
Andy shivers again, this time all over; she lets out the tiniest sigh he thinks she might've been trying hard to hold in.
Sam takes that as a dare and moves his body closer to get his mouth at her ear. "You are," he whispers quietly "….without a doubt - the most beautiful woman that I've ever known." The rest of the murmur was breathless, unquestionably a result of the way she gets under his skin. He plants another three delicate kisses on the back of her neck, and a fourth to the edge of her cheek.
Andy sucks in a breath and turns on her heel suddenly - her mouth all pouty and looking like it might say something smart.
But - then she doesn't. She must recognise the expression on Sam's face as genuine not schmoozy, her glossy lips finally turning their way up into a smile.
A blush crosses her cheeks that Sam finds even more endearing; it makes him want to kiss her again. He stops in his tracks though when she croaks out a wobbly full smile and a watery "thankyou, Sam."
They stand looking at one another a minute longer to let the moment sink in.
"Ready?" he asks with his eyebrows up high.
Andy points in about twenty directions out of nowhere all of a sudden, flustered and nervous; "I'll just get my shoes."
She teeters back to him in her clicky heels finally, gets herself standing in front of him and around the same height.
Then, like she wants to take advantage of it – leans in and plants an easy kiss on his lips.
"Let's go," she sighs, grinning big.
….
On the drive to the restaurant Andy talks his ear off about her morning with Boo –
No wonder the dog was tired on his walk; Sam's pretty sure she had him on a continuous roster demanding to be shown all of his tricks.
"But he's so clever and cute, Sam…" Andy informs him, like it's something that he doesn't already know.
Sam smiles at the busy road in front of him the rest of the drive there.
….
It's Joso's they go to – on the recommendation of Nash.
Andy seems to be happy with the choice - gaping her mouth wide at him as he manages to find a park that won't make her walk too much.
She claps her hands as they enter the restaurant, nestling in to his side to push a kiss at his cheek.
Sam just finds himself being delirious about how that energy that is uniquely hers is rolling off again in waves.
….
It's during a few of the minutes of comfortable silence deliberating which of the Risottos to share, that Sam hears a squeak out of the blue that could only come from McNally: "I got a tattoo."
Sam's brain switches gears –
Strike that.
Sam's brain goes mind-numbingly blank.
When he chances a glance up from the menu about a hundred minutes later, she's peering back at him suspiciously – her mouth open and chest heaving as though she's just run a race.
Sam swallows - then chews - the insides of his cheeks.
….
He can only see her top half from here, but he thinks back over these past few days; wracks his brain as to whether any inch of her body has displayed the slightest hint of some ink.
Nope, no – it hasn't.
It's not like the barest glimpse wouldn't have sent him on a manhunt for further knowledge...
Sam squints at her now; bores his eyes through whatever part of her that is within view.
"It's not…" Andy stutters nervously and with an expression that's in the general vicinity of fear. "It's kind of around my ribs," she finishes machine-gun rapid –
A statement that hits Sam square in the heart.
….
When he's calmed the heck down just enough to form a sentence, he considers coming out with a joke: hearts and mothers, that sort of thing. Only, he doesn't; is fully aware this is serious stuff.
("What does this mean?" Andy asked him one morning back in the beginning - all breathy and post coital as she traced the outline of his.
"Initials of my first TO…" Sam replied cautiously; "he got killed on the job."
Sam didn't stick around to give her the details back then, was up and into his jeans before she could ask any more -)
Sam decides here and now to tell Andy more about his own ink some time very soon.
…
"You want to tell me what it is?" he probes her gently, back to looking her straight in the eye.
It's Andy's turn to swallow then, but she finally bites her lip and replies. "It's…um…you might think it's a little cliché," she says pretty miserably – rolling her eyes. She looks about 12 years old as she says it, possibly worried over the prospect that Sam will either laugh or yell.
"It's obviously important to you," he smiles small at her - reassuring with every ounce of authenticity he can muster up. And, he does mean it, is the thing. He would never dismiss something as personal as that. "So, it's important to me."
Andy grins back at him imperceptibly, he sees her shoulders drop just a touch – a release of a breath and an enforced relax.
"Candor dat viribus alas," she says in only a volume audible to Sam.
The Latin quote is actually kind of familiar to him. He can't place where he may have heard it, or a translation as such, but he's pretty sure it refers to…
"Sincerity gives wings to strength," Andy confirms, interrupting his search through memory banks.
Sam nods slowly, gets some images of her and that lion heart out in unfamiliar terrain; empathises with how difficult it is at times to remember who you are…. and how and why you're there.
"I guess, I needed a reminder to keep close to the truth," Andy says by way of explanation, raising an eyebrow at Sam –
He absolutely doesn't need an explanation though…he truly understands.
In this moment, McNally doesn't appear so young to Sam anymore. He sees a lot of emotions flash across her beautiful face – if he had to hazard a guess here - her eyes are telling his that the truth is (always) what she wants.
Sam reaches his hand across the table and slides it under one of hers, wrapping his fingers so they brush her knuckles. "It's perfect," he tells her with a husky voice. "It's you."
Andy casts her eyes down quick, and then straight back to his. She searches him again a while, and then whispers "thanks."
….
They share the Pescatora quietly, Andy relaying cautiously some more tales from life back in UC.
Sam feels his heart pang for her more than once…..thinking of all the nights he wasn't there to support her when she might've felt afraid.
…..
"Nick was great, though…" Andy assures him. "Reliable and trustworthy," she defines, popping some shellfish in her mouth.
Sam sits back in his chair, wipes his mouth with a serviette and considers how to flesh that topic out –
"Did, um…" and then he feels sick. He takes a swish of water and looks at her perplexed face. "Did anything ever happen…between you and Nick?" And it's not that he doesn't trust her, okay. God – is it ever not that. It's just that Sam knows what things can be like under…..knows what it's like when you're in danger ….and for all purposes…..alone. He has to ask though. He just wants to know –
Andy doesn't take it so well; a storm crosses her face as she throws down her fork.
And, this reaction – ladies and gentlemen – is why he struggles with talk.
"Sam…." Andy huffs out angrily, looking for all the world -pretty upset.
"Andy, Andy wait-" Sam pleads with her. "I just….I just had to ask." He looks down at the plate in front of him, not feeling hungry anymore. "I know you said you waited for me, okay….I trust you on that," and he doesn't know how to do this, but he wants to make it so she understands -
For as much as it would essentially kill him, he would….understand….
So, Sam tries to explain as best he can: "But, something, even a little thing, can happen in the types of situations you found yourselves in."
She calms down just a smidgen then, makes him look her in the eye. She tells him very firmly: "God…just no, Sam - " and then goes back to snorting "it was always brother and sister ….in every respect."
"Okay," Sam says gently, shrugging – now desperately wanting to drop the whole thing. "I'm sorry if the question made you feel…." Sam motions his hands around, doesn't know which emotion might sum it up best. He decides to wrap it up with a more concerned-for-her voice: "Anyway, I'm glad you had him there for support."
Andy chastises him a little more though, not letting him off the hook; "I am a professional you know."
Sam cocks his head and sighs. "Jesus, Andy. Sweetheart," he appeals to her – putting his hand back out. "I know that. You're one of the best." But, because he feels just the tiniest bit annoyed with her for not getting his point. "Things happen, okay – on the job or not."
She looks at him then, considering. "Anyone else ever happen to you while you were UC?" and like she's starting to get his drift: "Besides me?"
After giving himself a few seconds of silence, Sam jumps from the ledge and answers: "Not quite." Then, because he wants to continue to show her how human he is…(that's half the fucking problem last time around he thinks, how she went into it with him on a pedestal – an ideal that he was only too happy to support):
"Almost…with a targets girlfriend. On my second UC." He clears his throat and figures what the heck. "I blurred some lines when it came to wanting to protect a victim. Luckily I confessed to my handler that I thought there were some reciprocal feelings going on…..he helped get me straight."
It's one of the biggest confessions Sam's ever given her – or anyone else, and he feels vulnerable that it's out there – but at the same time he feels a weight off his shoulders; relieved that it's done.
Andy's expression changes for about the fourteenth time. It goes softer than Sam's seen in the last few minutes – like now she might be coming around.
She nods eventually, says simply "things are pretty tough, huh?" She bites at her lower lip and concedes, "I'm sorry, Sam." Andy face and voice go softer and softer; "I know you must've been out of your mind sometimes wondering what the hell was happening to me while I was away."
Andy lets him take her hand again then, finally gives him the edge of an empathetic smile. "Nothing happened between Nick and I….or anyone else."
Sam taps at the top of her wrists, considers that while he's on a roll – and things couldn't possibly get any worse than that last bit -
"Um, okay…" he eyes her cautiously.
Andy eyes him back.
"There's nothing for you to worry about….but while we're on this general topic…" Sam says fumbling with the serviette in the hand that's not holding hers. "Um, I think I got flirted with today." It comes out of him almost like a question; like Andy will be the one who knows -what on god's earth actually happened today.
Andy sits bolt upright, sticking her fingernails into his hand. And, if he thought she looked stormy before –
Well.
At least the saving grace is that this time it doesn't appear to be directed his way…
….
Over the remainder of their meal, Sam tells her frankly about the coffee station incident with Cruz. Andy huffing and puffing to interrupt him, ensuring she extracts every single detail of what went down.
She also goes after him like a bloodhound, probing the gap in general of Sam's past six months – and for godssake, the months when he first broke it off.
("The one you were playing pool with?" Andy scowled at him. "Hmm? Anything happen with that?"
He had to think long and hard for a good few minutes, Andy drilling it down to exact date and time…before he realized she was referring to Becca's play on Oliver over the course of a week).
It's during this conversation that Sam confesses everything he can think; figuring better now than ever again. He surfaces Kate Preece's interest - and even that stupid drunken kiss from Peck.
He doesn't mean to blab about the Peck one actually, but obviously Andy is getting better and better when it comes to her interrogation skills -
Sam assures her that Nash was there too, and in no conceivable way was the minor indiscretion anything more than Gail actually wanting to punish everyone – including herself.
"I'm gonna kill her," Andy snarls jokingly –
Bu not with any trace of humour when she reports to Sam: "And I'm gonna kill Cruz." It's only a butter knife that she's got in her hand as she says it.
Still –
The way she knocks it against the table makes him jump.
….
The walk back to the truck is only slightly less eventful, Andy deciding to take her heels off so Sam ends up having to practically piggy back her part of the way.
"I could get used to this," she giggles delightedly as he plants her down gently in front of an icecreamery deciding this will do the trick for dessert.
She's standing there fiddling with his belt loops and giggling something inane into his ear, when out of nowhere her mouth and eyes open wide…. proceeding to tuck herself further under Sam's arm.
"Don't look behind you," she demands at him through gritted teeth.
Sam takes that as an open invitation to do just that.
She whacks Sam hard on the stomach as he notices who he thinks she might be talking about – well, after all – the man and woman behind them are the only other people in the shop.
"Chocolate and pistachio," Andy instructs brassily to the girl behind the counter, as Sam turns slowly back.
"Andy?!" comes the voice from the tall, athletic, blonde dude that is now at their side.
Sam and McNally both look over to the man and the petite brunette that's tucked under his arm….who reminds him a little of….Andy….
Andy puts on the most ridiculous Suzie home-maker face that Sam's ever seen; a big, fake, and surprised nice to see you smile that Sam can't recall ever having seen out of her before. "Aaron!" she says loud and faux friendly, "Um. Hi…!"
Sam looks between them, decides he's annoyed - there's definitely some history there.
(Actually, he knows there is. He's pretty sure he's now looking at the long-term College boyfriend that she told him all about when she was trying to extract the romantic history of Sam).
Andy looks from Sam to Aaron to Aaron's …lady friend… obviously unsure of where to take things from here. "Aaron, this is um.." she stutters finally… "my…um…this is Sam," Andy nods her head quickly, talking to herself. "Sam, Aaron, Aaron, Sam." She's swinging a hand between them, occasionally poking at Sam's chest.
Aaron reaches out for a hand to shake - his toothpaste commercial face smiling down at Sam. When he's finished being polite, Aaron rubs his hand on the arm of the woman next to him – tells Sam and Andy; "This is my girlfriend, Renee."
The two of them are cute and preppy, and by the way they're dressed Sam reasons definitely well off.
There is an awkward few moments while the icecream is served, Aaron asking Andy how she has been.
"Good. Um. Great," is about all she comes up with as her fingers twitch nervously on Sam.
Sam stands there looking at her, running a hand up and down her back. He decides to step up to the plate after a short while of her blubbering; "Andy's awesome at her job." He grins at Aaron real friendly, informing him "Got handpicked for a high profile taskforce 6 months ago – was responsible for bringing some of the city's major criminals down."
Sam keeps his hand on Andy as she starts to settle - and he'd be lying if he said he didn't like the way she just grabbed at his ass.
Finally, finally, finally Andy's icecream gets served. She clutches it in one sweaty hand as she keeps the other on Sam, nudging him toward the door. "Nice seeing you," Andy says over her shoulder to the other couple as she makes a bolt to get out.
….
The ride home is quiet.
Sam's feeling a little queasy from trying to prevent images of Andy and a series of good looking blonde men from entering his head -
He thinks about asking Andy what's going in her own, but in all honesty – he's feeling a bit q & a'd out right now. He knows they still have a lot to get through, but this has already been a hell of a date –
Besides that, he wants to do some deeper thinking to himself about more productive things – the tattoo and the way she fumbled over how to introduce him being top of Sam's priorities here….
…
It's when he walks Andy to her door that she finally blurts out what has obviously been the thing on her mind the whole way here:
"Are you my boyfriend again?" she asks irritably – obstructing Sam from getting a foot through her door.
Sam can't help but grin at her, bites a tease that's right on the edge of his lips.
"Yeah," he replies slowly, stretching the word out and testing her quietly. "Assuming, of course…" Sam steps about two inches closer - getting right in her space. "You want me to be?" he's off and grinning again at her - dimples full and out.
Andy has an absurdly adorable look about her - another blush crossing her face. She stands her ground at him though, flicks some hair back over her shoulder before she finally loses a battle with her own smile. "Yes, I want you to be," she says haughtily, rolling her eyes.
Sam takes a final step in then, chancing his luck. He gets his lips to hers and gives her the lightest of pecks. "Good," Sam declares sternly, then takes a step back.
She opens her eyes, scowling at him as she notices the space.
And Sam might be anxious to see that tattoo, okay – might be wanting like anything to get her all laid out, but he is not going to let her get any whiff of his desperation here; will not let her get the upper hand in this fun, little game. He might be in a bit of trouble though –
"You wanna come in?" Andy asks coyly from under her eyelashes, letting loose at least part of yet another smile.
Sam cocks his head at her, raises an eyebrow and keeps a dimple on one cheek. "You want me to come in?"
McNally glares at him like she might get dismissive, but then bites at her lip. She musters up some more bravado though, sends him a pout. "I asked first."
Sam lets out a loud single laugh, throws back his head. He bites his own lip a few times while he stares at the ceiling, then at long last concedes. He doesn't let her all the way off the hook though, gets a heated look happening and gazes straight in her eyes. He takes a step toward her again that ends toe to toe. "Yeah," he breathes out on her lips. "I wanna come in," he says finishing with a bump at her nose.
Andy's felt the heat for sure, Sam noticing the way her chest heaves in and out. After a good few minutes of them in that position she coughs nervously and backs away toward the kitchen, knocking into some furniture as she goes.
Sam follows her in slowly, tries his best not to look like a predator – despite feeling the part. He watches as she reaches for a couple of glasses – and a bottle of scotch.
He leans himself up against the bench – still watching – Andy putting her head and hands in the freezer on a desperate search apparently for ice trays.
Her movements go roadrunner fast but a little shaky as she pours them both a drink. She swills hers down in one long gulp, the burn bringing a scrunch to her face.
For what it's worth, Sam just stands there - still watching. He's still smiling too – doesn't bother to try tamp down his stupid grin. He takes a few sips politely at his own drink as she pours and swigs another of her own.
Sam decides to put her out of her misery eventually - he reaches a hand across and takes hold of her glass.
He takes both her hands in his and goes serious and quiet. "We don't have to rush this," he whispers to her softly and honestly – keeps a watch on her face.
"I know," Andy responds real quiet, a small smile on her face.
He pulls her over to him gently, gets himself squeezed between her and the bench. When she's all the way steady, he puts his arms around her and hugs her in tight.
It's McNally that makes the next move, pulling back from Sam just a fraction to give him a kiss. It's delicate and soft, but it's searching…and builds in intensity as she starts to move her whole self into it; long, hot licks into Sam.
Sam sees stars after a while, his whole body electric as she puts her hands on either side of his face.
They both gasp for air when her mouth comes off his –
Sam is well and truly done for when he sees Andy's pupils have completely blown….
He turns them around and gets his hands under her backside – lifts her to the bench. He gets his body between her legs - makes sure he can get right up close; then leans all the way back in -
Andy hums soft into his mouth as he kisses her again. Sam's pretty sure she felt the way it made him vibrate as she gets her fingers in his hair.
His hands are on auto, like they've got a mind of their own; they go from her hair to her face and neck and start running all the way down.
Andy's hands go to Sam's shoulders when he gets hold of her hips – it's like it's all she can do to hold on…between that and her legs.
She's murmuring some nonsense between the kisses, mainly just sighing out and telling Sam how good it all feels.
"I want…" Andy chokes out in a sob, his hand sliding up her leg. "Sam…I want…" like she can't finish, letting out a sharp gasp and then biting into his neck.
Sam takes a step back – just for some air, but then he looks at her again – her eyes closed and cheeks flushed, her legs swinging out to pull him back in.
He catches her by the ankles this time - slows her down by gripping at her feet. Her spiky heels cut into his palms as she pushes at him demandingly, her eyes opening bright with some fire.
Sam drops his eyes just long enough to work out how to get her heels off; drops the shoes gently on the floor beside him as he pulls her body further toward the bench's edge.
There's a whole lot of Sam that wants her right here, wants badly just to show her how much he's missed this.
But –
The way she's watching him now – open and honest and vulnerable – makes him want something else. It makes him want to show her everything, for her to feel like he really does deserve her trust again.
He steps into her and lifts her, Andy's dress riding up just enough to let her get her legs around his hips – and hold onto him like that.
Sam walks them slowly to her bedroom, Andy's arms draped heavy over his shoulders and her face in his neck.
He puts her on the bed carefully, gives them both some space to figure this out; his knees stay right on the end –
Andy crawls up to be face to face with him after a moment, reaches out her hands. She rakes at him slowly with her fingertips – from his shoulders to his chest to his waist…
As she starts to unbutton him, he worries he might fall down on top and hurt her – so he strains his calves hard to keep his balance, watches on fascinated as she gets him undressed.
When she finally has him all the way naked before her, she reaches out gently and puts her hands in his. She moves Sam's arms so they're around her, pulls his shoulders in her direction to motion him further on the bed – like they're two bookends, no book between.
It's when Sam is on there – safe and secure – that he dips his hand under her hair and latches on to the top of her zip.
He pulls at the zip slow and careful, keeps his mouth on her ear. He tells her softly; "I want you too" as the zip goes all the way down.
They still, silent, for the longest of moments – Andy with the palms of her hands flat on Sam's chest. She leans forward to kiss him and bump at his nose.
Sam cannot think of anything but how he loves her, how he wants…. this – everything – to work –
So….he puts his hands on her face as though it's momentum, and tells her just that...finally goes about slowly, slowly, slowly inching her dress up and over her head.
She rolls him hard onto his back after – keeps a leg tangled over his and a hand around his waist.
She laughs into his shoulder finally, kisses it to cover her smirk.
Sam turns his head to get a look at her face as she says it, but it's well and truly hidden under her hair.
"Probably it's not good to wait 9 months for next time," she mutters against him sleepily.
Sam closes his eyes and smiles. "Probably you're right."
Sam's pretty sure right now that they shouldn't wait a day.
A/N: For the censored scene go to 'The Ink Is Here To Stay' (rated M)