They found out a few weeks later at the Alpine.

Because they were staying later, 'J.D.' took 'Candace' out before meeting the guys for drinks. They walked in and the guys made room for Candace, they didn't bother offering J.D. a place to sit down, he stood behind her with his arms around his wife.

A couple of beers later, some of the guys decided to rack 'em up at a recently opened pool table. Sam laughed when one of the guys couldn't keep the balls on the velvet. When the game ended and they came back to the table for drinks, they asked if J.D. could play, when he nodded they begged him to put a cue in his hand. Sam looked at Andy, who nodded. Sam kissed her cheek and followed the boys to the table.

Andy was sitting alone at the table when the barmaid brought over a beer. When Andy said she hadn't asked for it, she pointed to a guy at the bar. Andy asked her to take the bottle back, the barmaid nodded and went back to the bar, the beer still on the tray. A few minutes later a stranger sat on one of the empty stools.

"Wrong brand of beer?"

"No."

"What's a pretty thing like you doin' here alone?"

"I'm not."

He looked around. "Looks like it to me."

One of the guys came back to the table for a drink. "Looks like you need to look harder ... you alright, Candace?"

Andy smiled. "Fine, Tim, go back to the game."

No one seemed to notice the stranger at the table until Tim returned. It was when Sam looked up that he saw the stranger. Looking at Andy, Sam didn't like her body language and put the cue on the table. He was a few steps from the table when he heard,

"Candi, huh? Name suits you, because you look good enough to eat."

Andy felt Sam's approach and hoped the guy had good enough sense to go back to the bar. She couldn't believe the guy's pick line. She closed her eyes and stifled a groan as she shook her head. Seriously?

Sam walked up behind her and Andy leaned back against him, resting her head on his chest.

What was it Boyd asked Callaghan? If he was a special kind of stupid? That definitely applied to the stranger who gave Sam a sideways glance before inviting him to leave so that they could continue their conversation.

"You think I'm gonna leave my wife alone so some guy with a cheesy pick up line can put the make on her? Tell me somethin', do I look stupid to you?! Because I assure you, I'm not."

Andy put her hands on the ones on her shoulders and squeezed. "Babe, don't, he's not worth it."

"Problems?" They guys asked coming back to the table.

"Depends whether he's lookin' for any ..."

"Wow! Communal, huh? How do I get in on her?"

Andy was too busy keeping Sam's hands on her shoulders and off the stranger's throat to notice or care that the other guys had physically removed it from not just their table but the bar in general. Andy was still trying to get Sam to calm down when the guys came back, each dusting their hands off.

"You two alright?"

Sam was still too pissed to speak.

Andy nodded, not really sure if they were or not.

When the guys suggested 'J.D.' take 'Candace' home Sam wasted no time getting out of there.

The drive to the loft was quiet, neither knowing what to say.

Once in the loft, Sam let Andy change into her pajamas before he said anything. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her flush against him. When she put her head on his shoulder he dropped a kiss on her temple and asked, "Are you ok?"

The last Andy wanted was to think of anyone or anything other than Sam when they were like this.

"Don't want to talk about it."

"Andy ..."

Andy pulled away from him and grabbed his hand, tugging him toward the bed.

"Not tonight. Right now the only thing I want is to feel your arms around me ..."

Sam let out a deep breath. The things he let her away with! They needed to talk about what happened. Kissing her temple, he grabbed his pajama pants and went to change. He came out of the bathroom to find her sitting in the middle of the bed, looking down at her hand. Sitting on the edge of the bed he tipped her chin up to look at him. The last thing he expected was a tear stained face.

"Baby, what is it? What's wrong?"

"I was an idiot," she said softly.

"I'd call you a lot of things, that is not one of 'em ... what's wrong?" he asked again as he stretched out on the bed and pulled her into his arms.

"I shoulda known he wouldn't take the hint and leave ..."

Sam barely understood her for the yawn, he kissed her temple. "Go to sleep."

It took the guys a couple of days before they talked J.D. into going back to the Alpine.

The first few nights he adamantly refused to move from behind her.

A week had passed before their pleading finally got him to let go of her long enough to play a game. When 'J.D.' won the first game the guys challenged best 2 out of 3. Sam kept a close eye on the table.

He was leaning against his cue waiting his turn when he saw the barmaid take a single beer to the table. Glancing at the bar, he saw the same guy, turning back he watched and waited as the barmaid pointed. "That stupid son of a ..."

"J.D.? Everything alright, man?" the guys asked before they saw a familiar figure at the bar.

"Damn, he's dumb," one of them said softly.

Sam wasted no time getting back to the table, the guys not far behind. A few feet away he heard, "Candi, lookin' as edible as the last time I saw you."

The guys behind him rolled their eyes. Did this yutz really think Candace was buyin' what he was sellin'?

"Fancy meetin' you here ... at our table," one of the guys said from behind J.D.

Looking up, the stranger saw Sam and the others.

"Nasty habit you got, leavin' such a pretty lady alone. This is the second time in a week I've had to come keep her company while you were off ..."

Sam's growl stopped him mid-sentence.

Sam wanted nothing more than to wipe the smirk off his face.

"Since you got so much to say, what d'ya say you and me continue this conversation outside?"

A chorus of agreement sounded from the guys.

The guy's bravado faltered.

"Not so smooth when the woman's husband's around are ya ..." one of the guys commented.

"My friend here's got a point. Since I'm pretty sure I saw my wife turn down your drink, I know she's not buyin' your line, so what d'ya say? Since you're so deprived for conversation, why don't you and I have one ... outside?"

Andy was trying not to panic, she'd never forgive herself if something happened to Sam. "Babe?"

Sam heard the fear in her voice. Andy turned on her barstool so her back was to the table. Sam put both hands on the table and rested his forehead against her. She put her hands on his sides. "Promise me," she whispered.

Sam dropped a soft kiss on her lips. "Hey, don't do that. I'll be back. I love you."

Andy pulled him closer as she lifted her face for his kiss. "I love you."

Sam pushed away from her and gave a not so gentle tap on the shoulder. "Get your ass off that stool and out the door, Romeo."

The boys held the door. Their new 'friend' went first. As soon as J.D. stepped through, the back door closed and a wall of muscle stood against it.

Sam motioned for him to have a seat.

"Look around."

"Why?"

"You'll notice my wife isn't here to save your sorry ass. You're dumber than you look if you think you're the first chump that's tried to put the make on her. I've watched guys like you fall all over yourself since I met her."

"We wouldn't have to shower her with attention if you didn't leave her alone."

"You really wanna go there?" one of the guys asked shocked by the other man's stupidity.

Sam shook his head.

"I'll take her anywhere she wants."

"Oh yeah?"

"Wouldn't you? Or maybe you've already had her somewhere ..."

He was lifted onto his feet by a couple of the guys.

"You're playin' with fire," one of the guys whispered in his ear.

The guy licked his lips. "I wouldn't mind playin' with her ..."

The sudden splintering pain in his jaw made him see stars. He was pretty sure he heard bones break. The force of the hit knocked his head back and his teeth hit together. He shook his head to clear his vision only to come face to face with eyes so dark with anger they looked blacker than the ace of spades. He was pretty sure if he looked close enough, he could see hell in them.

Sam shook his hand, he'd connected pretty good with that first hit. He knew he'd probably get in shit back at the loft but he'd had more than enough of this guy's remarks. Grabbing him, Sam made sure he could see the fire in his eyes as he growled, "Still wanna play?"

With more nerve than he felt, the guy said, "You're not my type, but that hot little brunette in there is another ..."

Whatever he was saying was cut off as Sam landed another punch, this one producing blood as the result of a split lip and busted nose.

As he fell to the ground Sam leaned over him and whispered, "I don't ever wanna see you near my wife again," before he turned to the other guys and said, "I'm gonna go back to my wife, if you guys wanna take out the trash, up t'you."

When Sam walked back inside Andy was sitting at the table with another guy. His first thought was here we go again!, until he saw her body language, she was at ease with whoever was with her.

Andy knew the minute he was inside again. She turned toward where the feeling was coming from and smiled when she saw him. Turning to the guy at the table she said something that made him smile. Nodding he got up just as Sam walked up behind her.

Sam smiled when she leaned back against him. He leaned over and whispered, "What'm I gonna do with you?"

Andy giggled.

"Can't leave you alone, can I?"

Andy smiled as she shook her head.

"You gonna introduce me to your friend?"

Andy giggled as she turned to the man standing next to them. "Dale, this is my husband, J.D."

The man smiled, "I figured that," he extended his hand to Sam. "No worries, J.D., I'm not after your wife, I just figured she could use some company while she was waiting for you to deal with ..."

Sam eyed the man warily. Andy reached behind her, she knew Sam wouldn't just take Dale's explanation at face value. Sam let her find his good hand and squeezed. "Really, babe, Dale kept the strange drinks and the stranger guys away."

Sam shook his head at her descriptions before taking the offered hand. Gave a slight smile as he said, "Thanks for lookin' out for my beautiful bride."

"Was happy to, I can only hope that someone would do the same for mine."

Sam noticed for the first time the ring on his finger.

"Can I buy you a drink?"

"No, thanks. I'm gonna head home to my beautiful bride. You guys have a good night. Was nice to meet you both."

Sam and Andy both thanked him and bid him good night.

When he was gone Sam wrapped his arms around her and kissed her temple. Andy grabbed his hand.

"Are you ok?" she whispered, almost afraid of the answer.

"I'm fine."

"That's my line," she giggled softly.

He could feel the doubt so he turned her to face him. Bracing both arms against the table he brushed his lips against hers as he whispered, "Why don't we get outta here and you can see for yourself ..."

Andy smiled as she nodded and slid off the bar stool.

By the time they got back to the loft Sam's knuckles were starting to swell which upset Andy.

Sam knew something was bothering her, had a pretty good idea what it was, but after being together all day, every day for almost a year and a half he knew she'd come to him when she was ready. He'd put money on when she did it would be to bitch him out: 1, for scaring her and 2, for getting hurt even though it wasn't serious.

Andy grabbed her pajamas and went to change without a word. She came back out and walked to the bed and grabbing his pajama pants, threw them at him. She was sitting on the bed when Sam emerged a few minutes later. This wasn't a conversation he wanted recorded for posterity, so he went and turned the cameras and the mics off.

Sam sat on the edge of the bed and she immediately reached for his hand. A dimly lit barroom and street lights didn't prepare her for the puffiness and discoloration.

"You idiot," she whispered as she examined his hand.

Sam used her holding his hand to pull her into his lap.

Andy straddled his thighs but never took her eyes off his hand. Sam pulled his hand out of hers and tipped her chin up to look at him.

"What's goin' on in that pretty head?"

"You really need to ask?" she looked away.

"Andy ... look at me."

Andy shook her head.

Sam cupped her face forcing her to look at him. There were tears in her eyes.

"Come on, baby, don't do that."

"But it's my fault ..."

"Why? Because you were sittin' in a bar?"

Andy wasn't sure how to make Sam understand.

"You got hurt defending me, how is that not my fault, Sam?!"

"Bruised knuckles, baby, that's all."

Andy reached for his hand. "We need to get some ice on this ..."

"What I need is to see a smile on your pretty face," Sam whispered as he ran his hand up and down her back.

Andy blushed as she stopped chewing her lip long enough to smile.

"Much better," he whispered as he leaned in and kissed her gently. "The blush was an added bonus," he grinned when he pulled back.

Andy shook her head and got up.

"Just where're you goin'?"

"You need to get some ice on that hand ..."

"All I need is you ... now get back here!"

He tried to reach for her. Andy giggled as she stepped outta the way, coming back a few minutes later with a tea towel filled with ice cubes.

She climbed on the bed and grabbing his hand, placed it in her lap while she held the ice on it.

"Sam! Put your hand back here!"

"You really want cold hands on you?"

"Your hands aren't on me ..."

His eyes danced playfully as he said, "They will be," and reached for her.

Andy shrieked and jumped off the bed out of Sam's reach.

Sam laughed and followed her. He wrapped his left arm around her waist and pulled her against him.

Andy was giggling as she reached for his right hand to keep him from putting it in contact with her skin until it warmed up.

Andy looked at his hand. Sam kissed her temple. "Stop worrying, Andy, I'm fine."

"Do I wanna know how he is?" she asked dryly.

Sam laughed. "Split lip, busted nose, jaw and ..."

"And?"

She felt Sam shrug. "Don't know what the guys did to him, I only hit him twice."

"Are you sure that was a good idea?"

"Protecting you or only hittin' him twice?"

"Sam! That's not funny!"

"If it's not funny, McNally, why are you laughin'?"

Andy couldn't help the laugh. Sam had just turned her back to the bed when there was a knock at the door. They looked at each other. The unspoken Who? was answered when they heard Brennan's voice.

Andy grabbed a pair of Sam's pajama pants and T-shirt and ran for the bathroom as Sam went to turn everything back on before answering the door.

Andy was coming out of the bathroom as they rounded the corner. She walked straight to Sam.

"Guys told me what happened. Wanted to come make sure you were both ok."

"We're fine."

Brennan quirked a brow and nodded to his hand.

"It's fine. Bruised knuckles, nothin' serious."

"Candace?"

"I'm fine."

"Does J.D. buy it when you say that?"

Sam laughed. "She doesn't try and sell me that anymore."

Andy elbowed him in the ribs as she looked at Brennan and said, "Just worried about him."

"Lemme see the hand, man."

Sam sighed and showed him his hand.

Brennan whistled when he saw it. "Looks like you're gonna have to put up with him all day tomorrow, Candace."

Sam looked at him.

"Sorry, can't let you work with that hand."

"Boss, it's fine."

Brennan waved him off. "No dice, man. Let the wife spoil you tomorrow."

Andy grinned. "It's ok if he doesn't wanna stay home with me, Jamie ..."

Andy squeaked when Sam squeezed her waist making Brennan chuckle.

"Don't think he agrees, Candace."

Andy shrugged and grinned.

Brennan shook his head. "I'll leave you two alone. J.D., let your wife take care of you. I'll see ya both at the Alpine ..."

Andy went to turn everything back off as Sam walked him to the door.

He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. He kissed her neck and slipped his hands under his shirt, smiling when he came in contact with bare skin.

Andy giggled when Sam whispered, "This may require a day of bed rest."

He steered her back to the bed. She had to hold back the giggle because he didn't take his hands out from under the shirt. Beside the bed she tried to turn around, he held her tight against him.

Andy giggled as she wiggled herself loose enough that she could turn to face him. She leaned up and kissed him, whispering "Guess I should help you get undressed ..." as she reached for the hem of his shirt.

"I was thinkin' I need to help you get undressed ..."

"You heard Brennan, I'm supposed to take care of you ... I am legally obligated to, y'know?"

"Oh, so you wouldn't take care of me otherwise?" he teased.

"If we were home I'd probably ask Oliver or Jerry to help," she said tongue in cheek.

"You'd be in the guest room, woman ..."

"No couch?" she teased.

"No couch without me."

Andy whispered, "I'll hold you to that," before she kissed him.

"Actually, couch time has my arms around you," he whispered against her neck making her giggle.

"Sorry, it's been so long I forgot ..."

She could feel Sam's laugh. "Guess I'm just gonna have to tell Frank we can't return to duty until I refresh your memory."

"And what if that takes awhile?"

Sam shook his head as he smiled. "As long as it takes."

Andy giggled as she turned in his arms leaned up and whispered, "Where were we?"

Sam kissed her. "I'm pretty sure I was tryin' to get my hands on you!"

"Umm, in case you hadn't noticed, you do ..."

"That I do ..." he whispered as he ran his hands up her back under his shirt. "Now, if I remember right, you weren't wearin' my clothes when I was tryin' to get my hands on you before ..."

Andy smiled as she shook her head.

"And I thought you had too many clothes on then ..."

"Yeah, well, I didn't think you wanted Jamie Brennan to see me in my pajamas ..."

"Yeah, well, he's not here anymore and you're still in my clothes ..."

Andy kissed the side of his neck and whispered, "What're you gonna do about it, Swarek?"

She found out when Sam's hands started exploring under his shirt.

Since turnabout was fair play Andy did some exploring of her own.

When Sam had all he could take he made quick work of both of their clothes. Andy giggled as Sam picked her up and placed her on the bed. She tried to pull Sam down with her but he had his own ideas.

Sam trailing kisses over her body wasn't something she wasn't used to nor was his feather soft touch.

Sam kissed her eyes closed and when she would have opened them he whispered, "Don't see it, feel it."

And feel it she did. Every feathery soft touch as he trailed his fingers first down her body then up again before following that same trail with feathery soft kisses. His tongue in certain places had her blindly reaching for him. His chuckle against her skin vibrated through her.

Sam laughed when she accused him of torture ... he wasn't laughing when she returned the favor. They were both questioning whether they were in heaven or hell when Sam finally joined their bodies. They fell asleep with their arms around each other and her head pillowed on his chest.

They didn't get much rest the next day even though they never got out of bed.

Sam was less than enthusiastic when the guys called asking if they were meeting them for drinks.

"We have to."

"Dammit, Andy, no. Not after what happened last night."

"I have no complaints about last night," she whispered kissing his neck.

Sam groaned knowing she was talking about what happened after they got home, not the Alpine.

"I will fight the world for you if I have to, woman, but I'd rather you didn't see me do it two nights in a row!"

Andy kissed him. "It's not like you're gonna let me outta reach ..."

And that was how Sam found himself back at the Alpine, his arms firmly around the brunette in front of him.