A/N: Sorry for the delay guys...I won't lie to you, this isn't exactly how I first imagined the story turning out, so now I'm just trying to make it work. I don't think it will be much longer, another chapter or 2 maybe and then an epilogue. Not much McSwarek in here, but a little filler to get you through. I'll try and post more soon! As always, reviews/suggestions are appreciated!

Chapter 20

The group that walked back into the Penny had mixed emotions. Some of them were angry at the man leading the group. The others felt for him. "Come on Sammy. Go after her." Oliver urged. Of the group he was the only one who had a longstanding and happy marriage.

"You think I don't want to?" Sam asked furiously. "Do you think I like knowing that I'm breaking her heart after all she went through this year? This isn't easy for me. I need the time to think about what I'm going to say so that the next time I see her, I know without a doubt that this is it and I can promise that we'll be together forever."

No one had anything to say to that. The stony faced group sat in silence each lost in their own thoughts.

Traci had wanted to go after her, but knew her friend well enough to know that she would want a little time alone to gather her thoughts. She and Gail had decided that they would give her an hour and then they were going.

It seemed like much longer had passed, although it was probably only a few minutes when the door to the Penny opened and another office from the 15 walked in. "Hey guys, how's it going."

"Just fine Smith. How's the street tonight?" Oliver asked not wanting to be rude.

"Pretty quiet. Just grabbing some food for me and Jones." He grabbed the pizza box from the bartender and passed him some bills. The static from his radio broke through the quiet bar, "Possible domestic assault, Lakeview Terrace Apartments. Apartment 3B."

Frank's voice came over the radio next, "Any available units respond. The apartment belongs to Officer McNally, who we have been unable to reach; it is possible that a member of Damien's organization that we haven't caught yet has discovered her location. Proceed with caution."

Several other cars responded the affirmative that they were on the way.

"1512 on our way." Smith said and he ran out of the bar.

Sam stood shaking; he awkwardly threw some bills on the bar to cover his drinks and turned to Oliver. "We've got to go there now."

For a moment it looked like he might argue, but nodded his head. "Lets roll."

The group ran back to the barn and having already changed into their civilian clothes after their shifts they immediately split and jumped into Jerry and Gail's car and tore after the emergency units already on their way to the scene.

000000000000000

Andy groaned as she felt a cool cloth being run over her face and her eyes opened in shock as she heard a familiar voice through the haze.

"Jeez. Annie you scared the hell outta me."

She sat up and looked at the man sitting on her coffee table, "Maybe you shouldn't break into people's apartments and sneak up on them." Andy laughed a little and ran a hand through her hair, "Johnny? What are you doing here?"

"I just needed to see for myself that you were OK. That I got you out." Johnny said

"I'm fine." Andy said then paused, "Wait, what do you mean got me out?"

"I knew that you were an undercover. So I got as much extra information as I could and passed it on to a cop I know over at the 27th.

"What?"

Johnny sighed, "Look, I loved Sarah. We were high school sweethearts and it's my fault that she got dragged into this life. When she died a part of me went crazy and I wasn't thinking clearly. I never dreamed that it was Damien that killed her. But when you came to town and said you were her sister. I knew that wasn't true. I had a feeling that you might be her daughter and no matter what I wasn't going to fail Sarah again. "

"Johnny, I had no idea. I mean, I don't know what to say." Andy said, feeling terrible for the broken man sitting before her.

"You don't have to say anything, I just needed to come here and tell you in person that I'm sorry. Because she loved me, I ruined her life and ultimately got her killed." Johnny said sadly.

Andy shook her head, "Listen to me Johnny, my mother was a grown woman who was perfectly capable of making her own choices. She left your life, met my father, had me and then 10 years later vanished out of my life. I don't know the reasons and honestly I don't care to. You can't blame yourself for her choices."

"I don't." Johnny said, "I blame her for leaving you and for making you this person who can't trust anyone enough to let them in."

Andy stood up suddenly and paced the room, "You don't even know me."

"I know you better than you think." Johnny gave her a small smile, "You are so much like her sometimes it was a little scary. But where she was weak you're strong. You found someone who loves you." He smiled at her surprised glance, "I've been doing some research on you. Look, you became a cop and made something of yourself and I would hate to see you lose everything you worked so hard for because you can't move past her failures."

"I have moved on." Andy argued, "This whole year was about me moving on. Ending the cycle, so I wouldn't be doomed to repeat her mistakes. It's not me who can't move on now. It's Sam. He can't forgive me for leaving."

"Time and space." Johnny said after a moment, "It's a lot to process, even the most forgiving man in the world would need a little time to adjust."

"I know that." Andy said, "I'm just tired. I know what I did was wrong and I know how much I hurt him. I guess I just hoped that what I did wouldn't matter. That he would just be so happy to see me that he would wrap me in his arms and never let me go."

"You guys will get there Annie. I know it." Johnny smiled, "He wasn't faking that much when you brought him to the warehouse. If there was ever a man more in love I've never seen it."

"How did you know that was him?" She asked

"I've worn that look a few times myself." He shrugged

"Thanks Johnny." Andy smiled, "You know, I don't think we've been properly introduced." She stood up and extended her hand, "I'm Andy McNally."

Johnny laughed but stood to shake her hand nonetheless, "You're always going to be Annie to me."

"Do you want something to drink?" She asked him.

"No, thanks. I've got to get going. I just needed to see you. Make sure you were OK." Johnny smiled.

"I'm getting there, thanks Johnny. For everything." She pulled him into a hug.

000000000000000000

The neighbor who called 911 waited for them outside, around the corner like dispatch told her. When no less than 10 cars pulled up, she was surprised. Walking quickly to keep up with the officers surrounding the building she whispered what she heard to the one who looked like he was in charge. "I heard some weird sounds coming from the apartment but I didn't think much of it until I heard the girl scream." The neighbor explained, "I called 911, but it's been quiet ever since. What if she's dead?"

"Thank you for calling ma'am. We'll take it from here." Frank Best calmly directed his officers to move in trying not to give in to the panic that clutched at his heart.

Sam jumped out of the car before it came to a complete stop and ran full out towards Andy's building. Frank saw him running and jumped in front of him. "Slow down Sam."

"I've got to get in there. She could be hurt or worse." Sam shouted angrily

Frank thought about arguing, pulling rank and making him stay outside but guilt had him shaking his head and letting Sam pass, "Just let the guys with guns go first."

Sam ran, following his coworkers up the stairs into her building. When they burst into her apartment and he heard her shout of surprise he released a breath he didn't even know he had been holding.

"What is going on?" Andy shouted

"We got a domestic disturbance call from one of your neighbors. They heard some weird noises and a scream." Frank explained joining the group. "I thought maybe one of Damien's crew found out where you were."

Unwillingly, Andy's eyes briefly flicked over to the french doors leading to her balcony. She looked back at Frank, "I had a little trouble with my door and then I thought I saw a mouse. It freaked me out a little. Guess I'm still a little jumpy from the UC." She coughed then a looked around as more of her friends and fellow officers came into her apartment. "Why didn't you guys just call me instead of bringing the cavalry and breaking down my door."

"You haven't turned it back on yet." Traci reminded her as she moved to the front of the group. "And, your cell went right to voicemail."

Andy finally looked over at Sam, who was standing off to the side, with his hands shoved in his pockets. "What are you doing here?"

"I heard the call come in. We followed." Sam moved to stand in front of her, "I was afraid something happened to you." He watched her closely; it was not lost on him the way her eyes kept darting to the doors at the bar of her apartment.

Oliver clapped his hands together, "OK, well now that we know McNally is alright and just afraid of invisible mice why don't we all clear out of here." He walked over to Sam as everyone was clearing out, "Talk to her Sammy." He whispered before slapping Sam on the back and giving Andy a quick hug and he pushed the remaining rookies out the door.