Wow I can't believe the response I have had for this story. I'm so glad you all love it & don't hate me for killing someone off! As always thanks to the awesome Jelly Bean Jenna.
How will Andy response to the news that Boyd gave her. The day of the funeral arrives, will Andy make it on time? And just what will Sam's thoughts or response be to see Andy for the very first time.
Note - Sorry for the delay with the story. We've been away on holiday and also been dealing with some personal stuff but I'm back now!
Disclaimer - I don't own Rookie Blue.
Chapter 3
Standing in the pouring rain Andy finally spotted Boyd's car coming towards her. She had been standing in the darkness for nearly ten minutes thinking over every possible scenario as to why Boyd would be calling to meet at such a late hour but nothing that came to mind jumped out at her. As the car pulled up next to the curb Andy wasted no time in getting in and starting her own interrogation;
"What the hell Boyd! You call at a stupid time to meet and what, don't even bother to say on the phone. I know something is wrong. What? Is it the case? Have I done..."
"Andy! Just shut up and listen" Boyd yelled over Andy's talking. Boyd had never really yelled at her for anything, even when she first joined Guns and Gangs. Shouting at her now felt weird but it was the only way he knew how to get her to stop talking "Look what I'm about to tell you, I have to say in person...Traci...Traci got shot...I'm so sorry Andy she didn't make it" Boyd swallowed the lump in his throat, he never thought he'd have to share anything like this with a fellow officer.
Boyd's voice seemed to fade into the background and Andy found herself in silence. She knew what she heard but she couldn't believe it. She wouldn't believe it. But something deep down was screaming that Boyd was telling the truth. Everything was a blur but Andy knew her life had just came crashing down around her.
"Andy! Andy! Are you still with me?" Boyd's voice came booming through the silent place where Andy had found herself after the bombshell that had just been dropped on her. Taking a deep breath she looked at Boyd with tears in her eyes threatening to fall;
"I need to get back home" came the silent but no nonsense tone from McNally as she waited for Boyd to respond;
"I know that's why we're leaving now. Your cover has already been sorted so your free for a couple of weeks but you can't come near this area" Boyd said as he started up the car as Andy just nodded that she understood. Her whole body felt numb with hurt, sadness and pain. She couldn't help the images running through her head of her best friend being shot and then her life just slipping away. Finally letting the tears slip free, Andy had one more question for Boyd;
"When's her funeral?" she asked looking down at her hands and nowhere else. Sighing Boyd indicated right before pulling out into the main street heading back to the city of Toronto;
"Tomorrow" and that was the final word that was shared between them as the rest of the journey would be done in silence. Andy finally lifted her head as she watched street lights pass by. She had no idea how she was going to get through this without her best friend but her main priority now was Leo and she would be there for that little boy no matter what.
Rain still battered down around the streets of Toronto making the day seem already unbearable but the rain wasn't the only damper on the day. Today was the day that 15th Division, friends and family said goodbye too someone they loved and cared about deeply; Detective Traci Nash.
As the officers of 15th lined up outside the church doors, all dressed in blue; they didn't care that they were getting wet. Standing with heavy hearts they watched as Traci's family made their way into the church, some cuddled into each other, others just with blank faces and the rest could be seen with tears running freely down their cheeks. Just behind the arriving family, the hearse which carried Traci's coffin pulled up in front of the officers. It would be Jerry, Sam, Frank, Oliver, Chris and Dov carrying the coffin draped in the Toronto PD flag with the rest of their friend's following behind.
As the service began all that could be heard around them was the whispering crying and sniffles. The priest got underway with talking about they were here today to honour and remember a mother, daughter, friend, partner and fellow officer. He spoke about her life, how she would never be forgotten and how she will always be remembered for risking her own life to save someone else's. As the priest continued to talk Sam looked over at his best friend; Jerry was sitting holding Leo's hand but seemed to be in a world of his own which he couldn't blame him for. He wondered if his friend would ever be able to move on and how he would cope with a child on his own. Even though Jerry and Traci weren't married Traci had made it clear that Leo was to stay in the care of Jerry and also her best friend Andy McNally when Jerry couldn't have him. Sam wondered who this McNally was since he had yet to hear anyone mention that she was here. The priest mentioning Jerry's name brought Sam out of his thinking and made him look at his friend once again. Jerry was determined to speak at the funeral. He told them all yesterday that he had let her down with not being her when she needed him the most so he wasn't about to let her down on her day.
Jerry was lost from the moment he stepped foot into the church. He was listening to the priest speaking but wasn't taking anything in. He held onto Leo for dear life and making sure he never let go. He felt Sam watching him and was grateful that his best friend hadn't pushed him into talking about anything, Sam knew he would talk when he was ready. The priest mentioning his name was what brought him back to the world that he now lived in, a world without Traci. As he took a deep breath, he pushed himself up of the seat and made his way to the front of the church. He took a moment to look around at everyone, he never knew there was so many people. The sea of blue is what stood out too him though and that it's self gave him some strength;
"I probably won't be able to say much before I break down again...but...I need to say something. Traci was the love of my life, I will never ever forget her. Traci had already made up a will the day she took this job, it had been changed slightly since I came on the scene but not much. She was such an inspiration to all the single mum's, she loved her son Leo and would to anything for him no matter what. And I know that her final thoughts would have been of him. Her legacy as a Detective will carry on through myself and the force. She will be one Officer that will never be forgotten" Jerry took a moment to compose himself. The words were just flying out of his mouth that he wasn't even sure if it was him saying them. He was shaking so much that he really needed to sit back down; "I'm sorry. In the will Traci's best friend Andy McNally was the one who was to make a speech but unfortunately she couldn't...
Before Jerry could finish what he was saying the church door opened to reveal someone else dressed in a police uniform. Everyone turned in the woman's direction and Sam caught a few small smiles from a couple of people in Traci's family but had no clue as to who this woman was. As she made her way towards Jerry she threw a quick wink in Leo's direction and Sam watched as the boy's face lit up brighter than it had been since the day he was told about his mother dying;
"I'm here..." the woman spoke as everyone looked at her but she only had eyes for Jerry "I'm Andy McNally" she said as a couple of gasps from other officers fluttered around.
Jerry looked completely shocked at the fact that the person he was just talking about was now standing in front of him. As he made his way back to Leo, he stopped just next to Andy and whispered a "Thank You" to which she just nodded.
Now it was Andy's turn to face everyone and talk, Sam watched on and for some reason she seemed more composed than Jerry. As he continued to look the only indication that she was upset was the redness around her eyes, proving that she had been crying;
"When I got the message that my best friend didn't make it...I...thought I was in a dream and couldn't get out of it. When Traci and I were growing up we done everything together, she was like the sister I never had. All through, school, collage and the police academy. We done it all together. We even decided to become Detective's together, even though we work from different divisions we still done it together. Over the few years my career as a Detective went a different way and I haven't been around as much but when I was, it was like we were never apart" Andy stopped talking at this point and closed her eyes, willing the tears to stay away.
Sam was floored by the fact that she was a Detective but wondered what part she worked in considering she mentions about being away and then coming back. Sam knew he shouldn't but he just couldn't stop watching her. Looking at her now with her eyes closed he could see the pain evident over her face;
"Traci and I made a pact that in this line of work you took nothing for granted. We agreed that if either one of us went first that this song would be played at the funeral. I can't believe that I wasn't here for my best friend at the end but I can give her what she wanted and now say goodbye" and with that Andy quickly made her way to a seat next to Gail, Chris and Dov. Soft music filled everyone ears before lyrics could be heard. Sam was only one person away from Andy and he could see from the corner of his eye that she had her head down;
No, no, no, no
No, no, no, no
Listen little child.
There will come a day,
When you will be able,
Able to say.
Never mind the pain,
Or the aggravation.
You knows there's a better way,
For you and me to be.
Look for the rainbow in every storm.
Fly like an angel,
Heaven sent to me.
Goodbye my friend (I know you're gone, you said you're gone, but I can still feel you here)
It's not the end (You gotta keep it strong before the pain turns into fear)
So glad we made it,
Time will never change it,
No, no, no
No, no, no, no
Just a little girl,
Big imagination,
Never letting no one take it away.
Went into the world, (into the world)
What a revelation.
She found there's a better way for you and me to be.
Look for the rainbow in every storm,
Find out for certain,
Love's gonna be there for you,
You'll always be someone's baby.
Goodbye my friend (I know you're gone, you said you're gone, but I can still feel you here)
It's not the end (You gotta keep it strong before the pain turns into fear)
So glad we made it,
Time will never change it,
No, no, no
No, no, no, no
You know it's time to say goodbye
The times when we would play about,
The way we use to scream and shout.
We never dreamt you'd go your own sweet way.
Look for the rainbow in every storm,
Find out for certain,
Love's gonna be there for you,
You'll always be someone's baby.
Goodbye my friend (I know you're gone, you said you're gone, but I can still feel you here)
It's not the end (You gotta keep it strong before the pain turns into fear)
So glad we made it,
Time will never change it,
No, no, no
No, no, no, no
No no no no you know it's time to say goodbye
No no no no - and don'tForget you can rely
No no no no - you know it's time to say goodbye
No no no no - and don't forget on me you can rely
No no no no - I will help,help you on your way
No no no no - I will be with you every day
Goodbye my friend (I know you're gone, you said you're gone, but I can still feel you here)
It's not the end (You gotta keep it strong before the pain turns into fear)
As the song faded away into the background, there probably wasn't a dry eye in the church. As Sam sat and listened he risked another look towards the woman who he had been wondering about since her name had been mentioned. The moment she walked into the church and started talking, she stood as hard as she could. But now, now the external shield was gone, Andy McNally finally let a tear run freely down her cheek.
So there you have it. Andy is finally back and there was some Sam thoughts thrown in. Once again I am sorry for the delay but now everything is back to normal so there is more coming!