Annie, this one is for you…you'll know what I mean when you get there.
SairsJ, thanks for the second set of eyes.
I hope you enjoy it!
"Swarek! Boyd! My office…now!" Best bellowed as he exited the war room followed by Boyko and Jennings engaged in their own conversation. Frank went straight to his office, while the other two headed off in another direction.
Sam started forward with Boyd hot on his heels and continuing to spew threats. "Don't mess with me Sammy; I'll be calling Peck the second we get out of there. She handpicked me for her task force you know and a recommendation from me can make or break you."
The rookies were shaking their heads and looking at Gail. They knew she and her mother didn't always see eye to eye, but someone had to talk to her before Boyd started feeding her his load of bull. Gail rolled her eyes. "I know. I know."
She called loudly so that Boyd could hear. "Simmons, could you get my mother on the phone please."
Boyd's head snapped back. What the hell?
Sam turned and smirked at the rookies thankful that Andy's friends had her back too. He knew that Boyd was already in trouble, but he wouldn't put it past him to try and pull one over on Superintendent Peck either. It was better to nip it in the bud before he even got a chance.
They stepped into the office just as Best started dropping the blinds to give them complete privacy. Sam wasn't sure if that was a good sign or a bad one.
Frank cleared his throat taking his seat behind the desk. "Congratulations, Sammy. Another successful UC I hear."
Boyd scoffed and Frank turned to look at him. "You don't consider this a success?"
"Could have been better." Boyd responded and it was Sam's turn to scoff.
Boyd pretended not to hear him. "I mean Swarek lost his phone what…twice wasn't it Sammy. Couldn't call in and contact us for how long? And it took a lot longer than we thought."
Sam pinched the bridge of his nose before he took a deep breath and expelled it. "I'm also the guy that went in at moment's notice because your guy needed out. And now I'm beginning to wonder why because his quick exit was the main reason why they took all my stuff." He fixed his glare on Boyd. "Where is he anyway? I think it's time we had a chat."
"He had his reasons." Boyd insisted, "Which are none of your business."
Sam was starting to doubt just about everything Boyd did these days and was thinking very seriously about contacting Kenton personally.
Frank could see that this had the potential to go sideways really fast if he wasn't careful; both Swarek and Boyd were known for their tempers. He needed to take control.
He had heard a few things from Jennings and they had a pretty good idea about what was going on but Boyd seemed to have an answer for just about everything.
First things first. "Is McNally okay?" Frank asked.
Boyd huffed out a loud breath and rolled his eyes.
"She's going to be fine, no thanks to Boyd."
"What the hell did I do?"
"What the hell did you do? Are you kidding me? Your CI kidnapped a police officer."
"Did you talk to McNally?" Boyd asked, trying to keep any sign of guilt from his voice.
"Yes."
"About the case I mean…about work." Boyd replied snidely. "You know keep it professional…since you were on duty and all."
"Are you trying to imply something here?"
"I know you snuck away from your UC to see her. She told us both." He stated, looking at Frank for support.
"She got shot." Sam defended.
"And I told you she was fine."
"And I know how to lose a tail. It didn't affect the case."
"Not the point. No contact with anyone outside the team means no contact."
"You sent her in to see me that made her part of the team."
"That was after you met with her."
"And they knew I knew her from the club; there was no risk."
"Enough!" Best broke in; they were getting nowhere fast.
"Well, if you had talked to her…professionally I mean…she would have told you that I asked her to make sure he got out of there. I needed him for another job and he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"You keep telling yourself that." Sam mumbled under his breath.
"What was that Sammy?" Boyd taunted.
Sam took a deep breath forcing himself to ignore Boyd's accusations and bullying tactics. "Do you know where she was when we got to her?"
Boyd shook his head and rolled his eyes, not caring in the least.
"So you didn't ask your guy to hold her at gunpoint? To cuff her to the steering column? Leave her there when the building was on fire?"
Boyd seemed to be losing a little color and Sam wasn't about to let up on him. "Any of this sounding familiar? Because when I found her, her wrists were rubbed raw to the point of bleeding and she's at the hospital now for smoke inhalation. What part of your master plan was that 'cause I never got the memo."
"Listen, Swarek." Boyd shot back loudly. It was his standard MO to try and deflect the pressure; he put on a big show.
"No you listen. She did everything you asked of her and I will not stand by and let you use her to cover your own ass."
"Oh is that because she's too busy 'taking care of' your…ass?" Boyd retorted, the implication clear.
Sam was out of his chair and had Boyd against the wall of windows before anyone could even blink.
Out in the bullpen every eye had been drawn up to the Sarge's office as the room vibrated from the impact.
"Swarek's pissed." Traci observed.
"How do you know it's Swarek?"
"Oh, it's Swarek." Traci asserted with a grin thinking Dov would be sorry he missed it. Any time the Swarek show was in town he was fighting for front row seats.
Boyd was finding it hard to breathe with Sam's forearm pressing down on his windpipe and he kept shooting looks at Frank expecting him to intervene. Frank took his time though, hoping to send Boyd a not so subtle message before he finally stepped in.
Sam reluctantly let go before striding back and leaning against a shelf. "Did you talk to your guy tonight?"
"What do you mean?" Boyd croaked out.
"Foster. Your guy. You were trying to call him when I was with you; I was just wondering if you reached him."
"Yeah, I was uh…"
"Save it." Sam interrupted; he didn't have the patience to listen to whatever line of bull Boyd dreamed up next. "I know all about your call."
Sam looked up at Frank. "He talked to his guy; Jennings had it patched through so we could hear what was going on."
Boyd's eyes widened. "What the f…"
"I know." Frank admitted stopping the detective cold.
Boyd's head snapped over to him. "What the hell?"
"When you stormed out of the room earlier, you missed the best part. Jennings told us all about the phone call. I'm guessing his report is going to be a pretty interesting read. In fact, he was taking Boyko to the tech room…"
With one quick knock, the door opened and Boyko and Jennings walked in. Boyd jumped up fully ready to defend his actions.
"Save it." Boyko instructed. "I've heard more than enough. Detective Boyd, you have an appointment at headquarters, day after tomorrow at ten hundred hours. You can tell your side then."
"But I've got another bust going down…"
"It's covered. Jennings will be taking over for you until further notice, and you can take the rest of today and tomorrow off."
Sam tried to hide the smirk as Boyd stormed out of the room.
"You did good, Sammy." Frank commended.
Boyko extended his hand. "You did. Nice work, Officer Swarek. You got a lot of guns off the street tonight"
"Thank you, sirs." Sam responded before nodding to Frank and Jennings and walking out.
True to his word, Oliver had stuck by Andy. She appreciated him being there, especially when his uniform got them seen right away. But no matter what she did, he wouldn't leave. After she told him for the fourth time that he could wait outside, he made it perfectly clear that he would rather face her wrath than Sam's. She really couldn't blame him and finally let it rest.
In the end, they told her, well them, that she had minor smoke inhalation, which was treated with the oxygen administered in the field and at the hospital. Thankfully she had been far enough from the fire that her airways were not burned; an inhaler wasn't necessary but she was given a few painkillers just in case. As for the abrasions on her wrist, they were treated with a topical ointment and wrapped up. She was to change the dressings and reapply the ointment once per day, and keep them dry.
While Andy was hitting the hospital pharmacy, Oliver texted Sam, but there was no response. He must still be in his meeting, Oliver thought before he remembered that Sam didn't even have his own phone; he couldn't believe they had all forgotten. On to Plan B. Oliver rang up Dov and he was more than happy to run over and pick them up. He had already changed out of his uniform and was ready to head out anyways. The Guns and Gangs' guys had everything under control with the original take down and Jerry was still at Twenty-Seven taking care of the rest.
"We'll just drop McNally off at her apartment and then you can take me back to the station to get my car." Oliver stated as he made himself comfortable in the passenger seat of Dov's car.
"Just take me back to the station too." Andy insisted. "I can walk from there."
"McNally you need to go home and rest. Actually you should probably eat too. Why don't we go for breakfast? You still owe me for that crack in the diner."
Andy blushed; she didn't need to be reminded of that. "Rain check?"
"McNally, I told Sammy I would take care of you; now the doctor said you should rest your voice and that will only happen if you're alone. Heaven knows you won't be able to keep your mouth shut at the station, especially if Nash is still there."
"She is." Dov confirmed, knowing she was waiting on Jerry.
Andy wasn't giving up. "My house keys are in my locker so I won't be able to get in."
"Well lucky for you I have my lock picks with me."
"Oliver, please, I just…"
"Is there some other reason you want to go to the station? Something you want to share with the class Miss McNally?"
Andy glared at Dov when he chuckled at Oliver's comment.
Both men were anxious for her to admit what they'd known for a long time; there was something between her and Sam. Oliver, especially, felt like he had seen enough and he just wished one or the other of them would admit it. They'd been dancing around it for so long, but her behavior while he was under and now his when she was in danger. Could they just finally admit that they had feelings for each other and do something about it already? Besides he had today in the pool.
He had made a guess early on hoping Sam's UC would go as quickly as predicted; when it hadn't he thought he was going to have to kiss that money goodbye. But as soon as he knew when the takedown was going to be he had put down another bet, and things were looking good.
Andy was wracking her brain for another excuse when Shaw's radio came on. Dispatch was looking for an update on Officer McNally. Guns and Gangs were hoping she could come in and give them her statement.
Andy smirked at Oliver as he rolled his eyes. "Sammy is not going to be a happy man. You know this can probably wait till tomorrow if we tell them you're not up for it."
"I'll take it easy I promise and I'll take full responsibility."
"You're damn right you will."
Andy just laughed. Sam might be upset, but she was used to it and the thought didn't bother her in the least. In fact, as aggravating as he could be, she liked knowing that he cared.
Dov dropped them off at the front doors with a wave and a promise to see them that night when they were all due back on the late shift again.
Andy's shoulders slumped at that; she just wanted to fall in bed and sleep for three days. "You better go, Oliver. I'm sure Zoe's worried and you need to get some sleep too."
"Yeah, yeah. I'm good. I just have to sign my gun in and get changed. At least the paperwork can wait until tomorrow…or I guess tonight."
As soon as they walked through the doors, Andy was greeted by one of the guys she remembered from the meeting last night. "Officer McNally."
He motioned for her to join him in one of the interview rooms and she fell into step behind him before hesitating. "You mind if I get a coffee?"
"We'll have one brought in for you." He insisted nodding over at someone.
The blinds were pulled in Frank's office so she had no idea that Sam was even in there.
"Lots of milk, no sugar and extra hot." She yelled, causing her voice to crack and bring on another round of coughs.
Oliver had been heading into the men's locker room and heard her loud and not so clear. He pointed at her and gave her a warning look before he disappeared behind the door.
She rolled her eyes and continued on to the familiar room to sit down. She waited for the detective to start the camera before he joined her and asked her to re-cap her night.
Sam came out of Frank's office with only one goal in mind – the locker room. He was going to change quickly, grab his keys and head to the hospital.
He ignored calls from Diaz, Peck and Nash wondering what had happened; he didn't want to keep Andy waiting. But he ran into Oliver just as he was going in. "What the hell are you doing here? You promised you'd stay with her."
"Hold on, buddy. I did stay with her."
Sam looked around in question.
"She's in giving her statement."
"Now?"
"Yeah, Guns and Gangs wanted to get it right away."
"Did the doctor sign off on that? Was she supposed to come back? Shouldn't she be resting? Did they do an x-ray?"
Oliver chuckled; his friend had it bad and maybe with a little prompting… "Doctor gave her some meds, told her to take it easy. She probably shouldn't be talking too much, but…"
Sam started to push his way towards interrogation.
Oliver gripped his arm before he could get too far. "She promised she'd take it easy."
Sam chuckled humorlessly. "And you believed her? This is McNally we're talking about here. She doesn't generally think about what she's doing to herself; she…"
"She'll be fine." Oliver interrupted. "I'm sure she's just about done anyway. Just get changed; I'll wait here in case she comes out."
And then Oliver took a chance; he didn't do a lot of undercover because of his family but that didn't mean he didn't have some skills. So he wasn't about to let that pool slip through his hands when he was so close. He acted a little nervous, pretending like he wanted to say something but was holding back and sure enough Sam bit.
"What?"
"Nothing. I just need to go talk to Nash first. Doctor said someone should probably stay with McNally just in case so I want to make sure…"
"That won't be necessary."
Oliver tried to hide his glee. "Are you sure? Oh, did you already call her dad? I guess she's probably going to stay there right? Or is he coming to her place? I'm sure he can look after her fine."
Sam was shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot. His plan was to bring Andy home with him, but he wasn't really keen on letting his friend in on that. He and Andy had decided there was something there but they had not really discussed it since that night in the bathroom and he didn't want anyone else knowing anything before they had a chance to talk.
"She'll be looked after." Sam stated, staring at Oliver and silently willing him to give it a rest.
"Oh, I'm sure she will." Oliver smirked before Sam held up his hand.
He was about to tell Oliver to mind his own business when the door to interview one opened up. Andy stepped out followed by one of the detectives from Guns and Gangs.
Oliver watched the small smile and look of relief on Sam's face and he couldn't help but mirror it. Not because of the pool but just because he was happy for his friend; Sam Swarek, the terminal bachelor had finally met his match.
Oliver panicked a little when he saw the smile slip off Sam's face replaced immediately by rage. It didn't take him long to figure out why though when he noticed Boyd had also appeared in the hallway. And Sam was already stalking towards McNally with a look of determination. This was not good.
Oliver hurried to catch up; he didn't really care about Boyd's wellbeing but he didn't want his friend in trouble. He was pretty sure Boyd was already in deep enough on his own so anything Sam did now would probably just look bad on him and not the detective.
"Looks like you screwed me over again Rookie!" Boyd yelled getting right up in Andy's face.
Andy was completely taken aback. She always knew Boyd had a dislike for her, but seriously she was the one held at gunpoint and cuffed in the van inside a burning building so why the hell would he be mad at her. They got the bust; every last one of them and then some.
"What the hell are you talking about?" She croaked out loudly, hand flying up to her neck at the pain that shot through her throat.
"Thanks to you everything went to shit…again!"
"What?' I…we…" Andy was speechless. The detective she had just spoken to had confirmed that everyone had been arrested and that the takedown went flawlessly with the exception of Foster, but since they got him too she figured all the loose ends had been tied up.
"Don't play dumb; oh wait…it's not an act is it?"
At this point, it wasn't; she had no idea what was going on. But Boyd's accusation went much deeper than the present conversation, and she wasn't going to stand by and let him imply that she wasn't good at her job.
"If something's screwed up Boyd, that's not on me." She retorted. "In case you forgot, I was cuffed in a burning building thanks to your informant. Which reminds me; he didn't have time to tell me how you were going to keep him out of jail after he kidnapped a cop."
She turned to Sam and Oliver hoping for a clue as to what was going on and they realized that no one had told her about Boyd's end of the conversation she overheard when she was still in the van.
They didn't have time to fill her in before Boyd was off again, if possible even louder than before, the tell tale sign that his favorite strategy, pretty much his only strategy, had come into play once again: the best defense is a good offense.
"What I do with my informants is none of your damn business, Bambi. And you can just keep your nose out of it. Everything you touch turns to shit! You're a joke, just like your old man!"
Andy could not believe he went there and she was momentarily stunned. The shock wearing off only when she caught sight of Sam coming up beside her with his fist rising. Thankfully, Oliver was on the ball and got to him just in time.
"Yeah that's it! Wanna hit me, Sammy? Will that make you feel better? Wanna look tough in front of your rookie? Show her what you got? Or have you done that already? Is that why she follows you around like a love sick puppy dog?"
The fight was draining out of Andy; first he attacked her father and then her relationship with Sam. Nothing appeared to be off limits with him. She was trying to put on a brave face but she had no idea what to say because even though there was only a tiny grain of truth in what he was saying, it was still there.
"You like that don't you Sammy. You like that she worships your every move, follows your 'orders'. But what happens when that gets old huh? What are you gonna a do when you get tired of her? When it's not enough? I know you Sammy. It's fun now, but you need the thrills and adrenaline; the kinda rush you only get from being undercover."
Andy's facade completely fell after that; it was her worse nightmare come true.
Sam shook his head and even chuckled a little at Boyd's assumption. "You really have no idea do you?" Sam exchanged a knowing grin with Oliver as if they shared a secret, and they did. They both knew that love was a thrill ride in and of itself and with the right person it was more than enough. "I've already got all the excitement I need." Sam stated, and he knew without a doubt that it was true.
He turned to Andy whose face now sported a thousand watt smile and a look of promise; he was all she needed too. Sam responded with a full on dimpled grin that even Boyd's ranting could not erase.
"Your rookie? You think that's enough? All you did was feel her up in the club bathroom. She may be hot but that's hardly worth throwing away a career." Boyd shook his head as he continued. "Once you get her out of your system, you'll be back. You and I both know you can find a piece of ass like that on any str…"
The fist flew out of nowhere and Boyd didn't even see it coming. Sam and Andy were still grinning at each other like little school girls and Oliver was looking on like a proud parent. Every one of them looked up in surprise to see Traci shaking her fist in pain.
"You are a lonely, pathetic excuse for a human being; you know that. You really have no idea what it means to lo…" She broke off and just shook her head; it wasn't worth it…well that and Andy looked like she was about to pass out. Traci's tone softened a little. "I actually feel sorry for you."
"Nash!" Shit; it was Best.
"Yes, Sir!" Traci responded without meeting his eye.
"Are you okay?"
"Sir?" She turned then.
"I saw you from my office; it looked like you slipped and fell. You should probably be thanking Detective Boyd there for breaking your fall."
"Yes sir!" She agreed with a grin.
"And get some ice on that!" He barked, trying to hold back his smile. "The report for that would…just get some ice on it!"
Boyd spun on his heel. Stupid uniforms always had each other's backs. That's what held them back; they didn't care enough about the big picture. Now Superintendent Peck, she saw the big picture; she was always happy with his results and he would make sure she knew all about what good had come from this bust and all of Foster's intel.
With his hand on the door, he turned one last time. "I'm not going down alone Swarek. You won't work Guns and Gangs again…guaranteed."
"Oh you're breaking my heart here." Sam groaned in mock hurt; his heart was in fine form thanks to Andy who had wandered over to look at Traci's hand.
The girls jumped quickly apart and hid Traci's hand though when Jennings and Boyko joined them. "I don't think you have to worry about that." Boyko told Sam before walking over to Boyd.
"I'm not sure that will be your decision." Boyko speculated as he made his way past the detective and out the door.
Jennings turned to shake hands with Sam. "I'd put you back under any time you want to go."
Sam saw the panic in Andy's eyes and was quick to reassure. "I'm not going anywhere."
"Not even if you can pick your partner?" Jennings tempted, knowing after only one night that these two came only as a team now.
Sam and Andy looked at each other. "We'll have to think about it." Sam answered and Andy beamed; she loved the idea that they were in this together.
"Just let me know." Jennings requested.
"You'll regret it." Boyd warned, never knowing when to leave the party. "I guarantee it. You let McNally anywhere near your op and it'll be nothing but bad news."
Jennings looked Andy in the eye and reached out to shake her hand this time. "I'm willing to take my chances."
Boyd scoffed and rolled his eyes. You couldn't help some people. "Idiots," he grumbled before pushing on the door to make his way out. He was halfway through when Gail called to him. "Make sure you say hi to my Mom for me. I told her to expect your call."
The smirk dropped off his face. His bravado was gone…and now so was he. He turned and left without another word.
Jennings chuckled to himself before turning to Sam. "That reminds me, Superintendent Peck wants this cleaned up as soon as possible."
Sam's head, shoulders and smile dropped in quick succession. He was done; it had been a really, really long day…in fact it had been a really long week and he just did not want to stay and give his statement now. He simply wanted to go home, take Andy with him, and forget about everything until sometime the following day…maybe even the next.
"So make sure you're back in here tomorrow morning at oh-nine-hundred sharp for debrief."
Sam grinned and Jennings took off with a smile and a wave. "You can thank me later!" He called back.
"Oh…and Andy." He turned when he reached the door. "Sergeant Best said you should take the night off, get some rest and pick back up on your shift tomorrow night." The man certainly knew how to rack up the brownie points.
Sam slid over to Andy with a smirk, but before he had a chance to extend an invitation, she beat him to the punch. "You wanna come see my new place?"
Sam was shocked; they had been hiding their feelings for so long or at least he had. He hadn't expected her to be so bold, but he was more than happy that she wasn't trying to hold back.
"You know, Andy, I've been away almost three months; I really just want to go home to my own bed tonight."
The others, who had been pleasantly surprised when Andy actually made a move, were downright flabbergasted when Swarek turned her down. Andy, though, was just saddened; she thought they were on the same page especially now that they were finally both free to do as they pleased. "Oh…okay, then…you get some sleep; I guess I'll just…see you tomorrow?"
Now it was Sam's turn to be shocked as she pulled her hand from his and started to turn away. What the hell? This was not part of the plan. "What? No! Andy, I want to go home to my own place, but I want you to come with me."
He then leaned in closer to whisper in her ear; the others had already heard more than enough. "Besides, I said I wanted to go home to my own bed: I didn't say anything about going alone."
Andy blushed and the others were pretty sure they knew the gist of what Sam had to say anyway and they were more than happy, especially Oliver. He was already counting the money in his head.
"Okay." Andy agreed before grinning cheekily. "So now I kept my promise." She smirked at all the looks of confusion and shrugged her shoulders. "I stayed in the van." She explained to the delight and laughter of everyone including Sam.
But her next smile was just for him, "And I believe you made me a promise, Officer Swarek," she reminded, her voice taking on a whole new tone. "If I remember correctly, I seem to recall you saying we could finish what we started."
Sam used her hand to pull her in close, and he couldn't help it. It felt like forever, so he kissed her, just once, quick but full of promise.
And she wasn't the only one that felt it. It was enough to have everyone turning away to give them a private moment…well almost everyone. Oliver was gaping at them with his mouth wide open.
Finish?
"Finish? What do you mean finish? When did you start?" His head was flipping around like the answer would come out of nowhere; he could feel the money slipping through his fingers.
"Was it that night she and Peck were sent in? That's it isn't it? What day was that again?"
Sam and Andy just laughed; the truth was they couldn't really put a finger on when exactly it had started so they just turned and headed for the door, Sam's arm draped happily over her shoulder.
"Sammy? McNally? Wait…get back here. I need dates, times! Do you realize how much I have riding on this? Are those files going to be sealed?"
Everyone could hear Sam's chuckle echo throughout the garage before the door closed behind them. The gang started to disperse and Oliver was on his own.
He quickly whirled on his heel, running to catch up to Gail. "Peck, you were there that night right? Did they get together? Did they…you know?"
She just laughed and shook her head without breaking stride, leaving Oliver in her wake.
His voice echoed down the now empty hall. "What the hell happened in that bathroom?"
This is actually where I planned on finishing the story. But I came up with an idea that I thought was going to be a new story, but I think it would work as a good epilogue for this one. So one more chapter…