As Chapter 35 ended the partners were in the truck, having completed their reconnaissance mission in the biker bar, the Broken spoke…. "That band plays there five days a week and they're using at least one pick-up guitarist. I'll guarantee you those musicians are not club members." She could hear the pride in his voice. He knew how to get an undercover in and he knew who that undercover cop would be and Andy was sick to her stomach.

"Oh," was all she could say, and she thought it sounded normal but apparently it didn't. Sam snapped his head around and was greeted with a look of horror, and disbelief and betrayal.

Time to Grow Up, or not
Chapter 36

"Stop the truck!"

"Andy, Sweetheart!"

"Stop the truck, unless you want me to throw up…in it!" Andy's seat belt was unsnapped, her hand was on the door handle, she was visibly distressed. Her door was open before he could come to a complete stop at the side of the road. The first retch happened as she was stepping to the ground. Dinner from last night had long since left her stomach leaving it with only this morning's coffee and bile. The coffee was soon expelled, followed by dry heaves. Sam was busy getting fast food paper napkins from the glove compartment as soon as he had turned the truck off. Napkins in hand and the bottle of water from the cup holder, he got out of the truck, sprinted to Andy, and slipped the napkins into one hand and the bottle in the other. He stood while she wiped, gargled and spit. Only then did he speak.

"What did you get into to upset your stomach?" The concern was evident in his voice.

She straightened and took a short menacing step toward him. "I got into you, damn it! I got into you." her voice dropped as she lowered her head.

"What?"

She was catching her breath and her nausea had passed. Her head snapped up again and she blasted him. "Dam you, Sam Swarek! I was good admiring you from a distance. I had that little yearning well under control. I was doing fine. I knew getting involved with you would bring me nothing but heart ache. I kept my distance for a reason."

"Andy, I…"

"I don't want your excuses or apologies. I want you…. all of you…not the left overs. I don't want you undercover and me trying to figure out how I can sneak a little of your time without blowing your cover, but I'll do that if I have too." Her admissions and her sincerity rendered his speechless. Not that she paused long enough for him to speak. "You're breaking my heart here, but I can't just walk away. This last month's been heaven. I was so convinced you felt the same way. That shows how poor a judge of character I am."

"Andy, I…"

"I'll be able to see you when you're undercover, won't I? If you think you're going to just walk out on me…you underestimate me. I'm not letting go that easy." She had been nauseated when he first suggested going undercover, and then she was mad, but now she was just frustrated. She loved him so much and they were so good together. He treated her with care, always. He acted like he was in love with her. No one had ever treated her so well. She couldn't understand how he would be willing to throw all of that away. "Don't you have anything to say? How can you treat me this way?"

Sam reached out, put his fingers across her mouth, and raised him eyebrows is a warning. She had said enough, it was his turn. He was aware of an occasional passing vehicle and the big rigs with their cargo rumbling by, he turned his head and noticed the warehouses on either side of the road. Great planning, Sam, could I have picked a less romantic place or a less romantic set of circumstances. Maybe we were destined to be non-traditional. This was a momentous occasion. He needed to make note of the surroundings and situation because he planned to never make this first admission of love to another woman.

"Andy, I love you. I'm in love with you."

"I thought you were, but if you really are, how could you just leave me behind? Are you sure you're not just saying that because I'm so upset?" The significance of his admission was lost on her. She was convinced he was leaving her behind. She had been the victim of love words and betrayal in the past. She knew what that was like.

"Andy, I'm admitting to you that I'm in love with you because I've finally admitted it to myself."

"I love you too, Sam. That's why I can't understand how you could be thinking about going undercover. I would never leave you willingly."

"Believe me, Andy McNally, I'm not going anywhere without you. Now, if you would please get in the truck, we have all shift to talk about this, and if you'll let me, I can explain everything. Promise." He had thought he was happy before he met her. He knew he had been miserable, without understanding why, when she'd been with Callahan. But since she had come to spend the night and never gone home, he'd been on cloud nine all the time, even when he was in trouble with her, but she still drove him crazy sometimes. He'd have to accept that as part of her charm, because he knew, for a certainty, he was not going to let her go.

Rather than getting in the truck as he had requested she stepped forward, put her arms around him, and said, "I do love you so. I couldn't bear it if you left me." His response to her kiss was immediate and unmistakable but they both knew this was neither the time nor the place. Desire was burning in his eyes when he pulled back from her. Her heavy breathing, coupled with the look of regret on her face was a clear indication; they both knew they would not be satisfying their needs any time soon.

He reached around her, shut the truck door, took her by the hand and walked, with her, to his door. She got in and moved over just far enough for him to sit tight against his door. As soon as he had the truck on the road he put his arm around her shoulder and tucked her into his chest. He felt like whistling but restrained himself. He was in love with her and she was in love with him. Life was perfect. He saw himself as being entirely too manly to feel giddy, but he was feeling things he had never felt before, and loving it.

Andy knew she wanted an explanation, but she was satisfied he wasn't thinking about leaving her or leaving her behind. The explanation would come in good time. Now, it just seemed right to be riding though the night with him at her side.

Sam always kissed her before they left the truck to go into work. They had been a couple long enough now, the crew at Fifteen expected them to arrive and leave together and the people watchers expected the kiss. Occasionally some observer would smile. Sam had been with the department forever and was well liked. Even though Andy was relatively new she was developing a reputation as a smart, determined street cop, and respected for that. They were the division's lovers and even the non romantics could appreciate their devotion to each other. Considering the events of this evening, one might have expected quite a show before the couple left the truck but that did not happen. The kiss was brief, almost perfunctory. Not because they didn't care about each other, but rather because they did so acutely. The ride into the station, tucked tightly together, in the seat designed for the truck's driver alone, had been warm and cozy, caring and satisfying, just what they needed after the emotion charged scene on the side of the road. Both knew if their kiss was anything past chaste they would blow off work, go home and get naked. A tempting prospect, but they took their job seriously, and they had all of the foreseeable future for together time.

Riding grave yard shift is usually deadly dull during the week, but on the weekends it is often heart breaking. By 4 AM, the music and merriment of Friday night is past and the street cop is left with the tragedies resulting from people making bad decisions, while trying to fit in and have a good time.

The unmarked police car cruised business districts and alleys. Their original task had been resolved days ago. Now their assignment was general surveillance, and as such they disturbed the sleep of the homeless and the stupors of drunks. Occasionally they came across someone who was past all hope and tragically they found those unfortunate ones, for whom, they were the last hope. If a tap on the siren was sufficient to alert the alley's occupant to move along, Sam continued rolling but when they spotted a human form that did not move he kept the spotlight trained on the person as he and Andy approached. If it appeared to be a man, Sam went first and Andy followed with her gun drawn, but if it was a woman, Andy could not hold back. Sam realized she empathized with women victims; he had no problem with her taking the lead.

When the spotlight caught the reflection of the sequined belt, there was no question the motionless body was that of a female. Sam did not get the car stopped completely before Andy was out the door, pulling on her latex gloves, and walking briskly toward the woman. She was turned toward the building, mostly on her side. Her long raven hair covered her face. "Ma'am, I'm with the police. Can you hear me?" Andy feared she would get no response and was relieved to hear a moan coming from the near lifeless form. She knelt by the woman and pulled the hair back from her young face. Sam was by her side now and was not shocked when Andy spoke. "She's just a girl. There's no way she can be out of her teens." The moans continued but the girl did not open her eyes or speak.

Sam got on his radio and requested an ambulance, before speaking to his partner. "Can you see any wounds? Was she attacked? "

"There are some scrapes on her face, arms, and legs, but they probably happened when she fell here or was thrown out here. Her clothes seem to be in place. Would you see if there's a blanket in the trunk? Her skin's cold. She's not dressed for tonight's temperature."

By the time Andy had the blanket from the trunk covering the victim, the EMS unit was pulling into the alley. She stepped aside as the medics began checking the girl's vital signs. Sam stood beside her but said nothing. He could see the resemblance the victim had to her, the concern showing on her face was understandable. He had scoured the area while Andy was covering her. There was no purse that he could see. No way to notify parents or loved ones. A human being disposed of like trash. This job had a very dark side.

As the gurney was being loaded, Andy finally spoke. "How is she?" She had an idea from watching and listening but she longed for some good news from professionals.

"Alive," the medic approached, leaned in to read Andy's name and continued, "Officer McNally…, that's the good news. The bad news is… all of her vitals are very weak. If I had to venture a guess, I'd say our young partier swallowed pills not designed for her in a quantity or combination far exceeding what her body can tolerate."

"Is she going to pull through?"

"Can't say…, but if she does, it will be directed related to you and your partner finding her when you did. Got to roll." The medic turned and jogged back to the ambulance.

"Thanks." Andy spoke to his back. She knew they had found no ID on her clothes or near the body. "Let's search the whole alley. Her purse might have been thrown out after she was dumped or dropped if she staggered to where we found her." In Sam's opinion, the likely hood of finding a purse was slim, but he knew Andy would not be satisfied until they looked. With flashlights on high, the partners headed in opposite directions down the alley, searching one side on their way to the end and the other on their return. Sam was on his return, walking the opposite side of the alley from when the girl was found when a glitter caught his eye. The bag was small with a thin strap. He knew Andy had at least one this size. When he opened it, the ID was tucked into the little bag, along with a lipstick and three dollar bills. The girl in the photo was smiling and healthy not unconscious and half dead, but it was the same girl.

"Andy, I found it!"

Sam notified dispatch of the identity of the girl, requesting they notify the hospital and reported their unit's destination. The parents had to be notified. The partners where quiet during the ride, the impact of this evening's events occupied their thoughts, they needed time to sort them out. They were in love, but still not being 100% sure of each other's intentions had created another misunderstanding. If they cared enough they would work through them. The heartbreaking events in the alley filtered into their thoughts as well.

After the parents had been notified, that was tough, they continued patrol. Finally Andy spoke. "Every time I get myself convinced I want kids someday, something like tonight happens. Sam, how do parents cope with a tragedy of this magnitude? If she survives and isn't a vegetable, what agony will they go through every time she leaves the house? I don't know if I'm strong enough to handle something like that."

"Andy, we just saw a couple get about the worst possible news they could get, but we also saw them draw strength from each other. They love each other, they aren't two individuals facing the world alone, they're a couple facing the world together. You know the strength of partners. You see it every time we're on shift. We can do things as partners, we could never do alone.

"It's not the same. On shift we never have problems. I mean us problems, but when we're not on shift…sometimes we have problems."

"They've had a lot more time to build trust. We'll get there, Andy. You'll see."

"You think so?"

"I'm not going anywhere and you aren't either if I have anything to say about it."

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