CHAPTER 8

Sarah had gone home by the end of the day. Not that Sam had much knowledge of how she was, because the only text he got was at 22:30 saying she had gotten home safely. By that time he and Andy were ready to hit the pillows and sleep for a good month or two. Their evening full of 'the bachelorette' excitement had Sam ready to throw away his TV too.

Sam had replied with a simple 'I'm glad. If you need anything just call.' And he went to sleep not bothering waiting for her to answer.

His dreams usually filled with him and Andy lately were replaced by Jay and his childhood. That night wasn't the best since he woke up at four sweating and breathless. Looking down next to him Andy was still asleep. Her hair laid out all over the pillow and her mouth slightly open. She looked like a mess and she'd never forgive him if he ever took pictures as evidence, so he left her to her sleep and went towards the bathroom for a quick shower.

The shower didn't take much of his time so he just went to his kitchen so he'd start making them a decent breakfast, one that wasn't just coffee and bagels on the run like they usually had. So he took advantage of the time he had and went to grab them fresh and warm bread from the 24hr bakery in front of his apartment. He was such a regular that everyone knew his name. Being a cop sometimes the diference between breakfast and dinner didn't exist.

Getting back he saw that it was 6:15 so he had sometime before she woke up at 7:00. He set the table, laid out the bread, jelly, orange juice he had made as quietly as possible, some homemade cake he had and whatever else he could find. It looked good. Now all they needed was their coffee too. Strange as it was Andy liked to have orange juice and coffee right after.

"What is all of this?" Andy asked as she dragged her feet towards the messy kitchen.

"Breakfast." He said like it wasn't already obvious.

"I can see that, but it's not even seven and you got ready and went to the bakery. Did you not sleep?"

"Oh... I did, but I ended up waking up a little earlier, so I thought we could use a normal breakfast." He wasn't about to tell her his nightmare from last night. It was probably a one night thing.

Andy smiled at him and if it wasn't for the morning breath she would have kisses him.

They sat down in front of each other and started eating quietly. These moments of silence were rare when you were around Andy McNally most of the time and Sam just took his time enjoying it. Not that he disliked her constant need to fill the silence with anything she could, but sometimes silence is all that is needed.

"They let him out." Sam said when they were done eating.

"How are you doing?" She said sympathetically holding out her hand.

"I'm doing okay. He threatened me, but I'm hoping I got my message across when I told him to leave me, and everyone I know, alone. What still gets to me is how blind Sarah is to all of this,"

Andy smiled with the thought of him standing up for himself to his dad. He was usually someone who wouldn't take shit from no one, but when it comes to his dad she wasn't sure. Sam looked good. A little tired like he didn't have a good night of sleep, but she figured it would only be considered normal. It's the first time in years Jay walks as a free man for Sam.

"But he's on probation. If he tries anything he can kiss liberty goodbye." Sam explained as he started to do the dishes.

"You don't have to do this. Let me get ready and if I don't have time, I'll wash it when we get back." Andy said trying to stop him from cleaning up their breakfast dishes.

"It's okay. I got this covered, now go shower or we'll be late again and people will think we are doing it like rabbits." He said with a simple, yet honest smile. He wasn't hidding that he was okay. He was nervous about his dad, but that was just a feeling he was trying to push aside.

"We wouldn't want that." Andy leaned and kissed his cheek before running to get ready.

At the station Sam went straight to the D's office and Andy went to the women's locker room and found Traci and Gail by the mirror.

"Are we all going to karaoke night?" Traci asked when she was finally done with her make-up.

"Holly will meet me there after shift. I know Chloe and Dov will be there, because that's all they can talk about. It's disgusting." Gail made a face almost getting lipstick on her cheek.

"What about you and Sam?" Andy heard Traci asked once she had gotten her boot on.

"We had so many other things on our minds lately that I forgot to ask him. But I think we'll go, even if he doesn't sing."

Traci and Gail looked at each other with a quite puzzled look. What would it be like to see Detective Swarek singing to a karaoke song? He had the looks of someone that was capable of singing, but on the other hand, his personality said you'd only ever hear him sing when he was trading the ceiling for the floor drunk, and if you're lucky on the shower. Something Andy only heard a handful of times.

After parade was over Andy didn't have time to look for Sam so she just left with Chris by her side. They spent their morning with part of 15that an open festival trying to keep everything calm. The specific situation reminded Andy of the first time she was shot. When Kate, who was standing next to her, was murdered. That was easily one of the scariest moments of her life. Even with a vest, being shot was an awfully painful experience.

"I heard you can't stop talking about karaoke night. So what will you be singing?" Andy asked Dov when they were on their lunch break together.

"I have no idea, but Chloe has a whole portfolio filled with songs and even personality quizzes to match you to a song. Remember that if you can't find a song to sing when your time comes." He said taking a bite off his sandwich.

"I spent the whole morning just thinking about that, but I think I made my decision on what song I'll be singing. I'll have to drink before I sing, 'cause I suck at it, but I promised Traci I'd do at least one song."

"Is Swarek singing?"

"Why is everyone so hooked on the idea of hearing him sing?" she laughed when she acknowledged that most of her friends might just be going to witness Sam singing.

Dov smiled just looked at her like it was the most obvious thing. "Because he does everything. You already told me he can cook and that he helped you clean the apartment and helped you move. That guy can do anything and if he can sing as well, then screw it. I totally want to be him when I grow up."

Andy busted out in laughter after that statement. She couldn't remember if she had ever said things like that. Dov had a major man crush on Sam and at times she forgot about it. She missed spending more time with Dov, he was such a good friend.

"Yeah, if me and Sam don't work out in the end, I give you my blessing." She said standing up to go back to their shift at the festival.

It was almost midnight when they got to The Penny and the karaoke was still going strong. Holly came running to greet Gail and her friends. They sat next to each other and even if their friends were still getting used to the new company, she was a fun person to be around. Plus, she made Gail happy, something she deserved.

To start off the 15th division karaoke night Chloe stepped up to the small stage and announced her song. A happy, cheerful corny song just like her and since it was an easy one her voice sounded nice. Traci went after and did a really nice job singing I put a spell on you. It was all fun for everyone and as the time passed and her friends all sang Andy hoped they had forgotten about her.

"You're not singing?" Sam asked as he got her another beer.

"Damn it. You just jinxed it." She said laughing nervously and then drinking half of her beer at once.

Gail was next and she sat in one of the high chairs. Looking around Gail didn't feel nervous at all. It wasn't a secret she was enjoying this spotlight. Soon enough she was singing 'You and I' from Lady Gaga and she made it sound just as good or maybe even better than the original.

Holly was screaming and clapping loudly once Gail had ended. A little after that they left and weren't seen again.

"Your turn, missy." Traci said poking at Andy.

"Okay, okay." Andy raised her hands in surrender. "I just need a shot of tequila before I do go up there."

It didn't take long for her to be on top of that stage and where she stood she had the best view of Sam she could have. He smiled at her supporting her and raising his beer. Taking deep breaths she got ready as the song 'BTSK' from MS MR began. She didn't feel ready but what did she have to lose? Half of the bar was already drunk.

Half way through the song she knew it wasn't as great as Gail. No one could sing as good as her in this place, but Andy thought she wasn't doing a bad job at it. Opening her eyes she saw Sam looking at her. His face didn't say much, but looking into his eyes she knew he understood everything she was saying with the song. That was it. They were an item forever. Nothing would break them. She wouldn't let it.

By the end of the song he stood up and waited for her to reach him. She didn't even notice the small group of people clapping and cheering her. They hugged when she got to him by the bar.

"It's my turn." He whispered and Andy pushed back eyes wide.

"You're singing?"

"Oliver made me promise, but it's a song you know, so you can sing along." He smiled at her and headed to the stage.

He sat down on the same high chair Gail was seated and without wasting any time he put Snow Patrol's 'You're all I have' to play.

Andy was amazed at how good he sounded. He didn't seem nervous or out of place like she was. He didn't keep his eyes closed, but instead they were fixated on her. There was a feeling inside her like she wanted to jump up and down with joy, to cry out for him, cry because this was so meaningful. It just seemed like he opened up even more to her now. She was his family like he was hers.

It wasn't even a big moment. The room didn't quiet down, people didn't stop screaming and time didn't stop, but for them. Time and space had ceased to exist. Everything was just perfect for them.

When the song came to an end he quietly stepped off the stage and went towards her. He put his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. From the side Andy looked over at Traci who was almost crying and giggling with Steve. For the first time it seemed like all her friends were finding the happiness they deserved.