I finally finished this one up. I had a hard time finishing it but I am finally happy with it.

This chapter is Rated T

I do not own Rookie Blue, but if I did…..

It had been quite a year. Sam and Andy's relationship continued to grow but it had its speed bumps. Sam at first had a hard time with Nick and Andy's friendship. Not only were they partnered together but also when Andy had nightmares she sometimes screamed for Nick. Even times when he wanted her to talk, she would talk to Nick first.

It was not until Sam and Andy had a huge blow out that Nick showed up on his doorstep one day.

"We need to talk."

Sam opened the door wider to let him in, "I take it she called you."

"No! She showed up at Gail's and my door crying. Once she calmed down I left her with Gail."

Sam shook his head and raised his voice, "I hate that you know all about her time away and I am shut out of it. You realize she screams for you at times when she has nightmares."

Nick nodded his head, "Yes she told me but has she told you what the nightmares are?"

Sam motioned for Nick to sit down. Nick sat in the love seat while SAM stood, "Collins do you want a drink?"

"Yeah, beer if you have it. I am going to need it once I tell you this."

"Ok." Sam walked into the kitchen grabbed two beers, walked back into the living room, handed one to Nick and sat down on the sofa.

Sam took a swig of his beer and looked at Nick, "Ok, enlighten me."

"Don't give me this smug attitude Swarek. I don't have to tell you shit and could make Andy tell you it all. Or just leave you hanging out to dry like you are now. I am on your side, you just don't want to see it." Nick just glared at Sam, put his beer down and got up.

"Wait Nick, just sit down and talk to me."

Nick sat back down, rubbed his face and then took a deep breath.

"We had been under for about two months when we had a problem with one of the buyers. He really, really liked Andy. I did what I could to keep him at bay but two months later, we got separated from each other."

Sam started to open his mouth.

Nick put his hand up to stop him, "The target had put me in another position and Andy wasn't near me when the buyer came in. Things went so south on the buy, people were shot and many were killed. The buyer and his goons took Andy hostage. He put a gun to her head and got really, really close to her. Our target, his goons and I tried to talk him down but he just kept groping Andy in front of us. I had had enough and took the shot. I got him right between the eyes. Missed Andy by like inches. Sam, I couldn't stand there and watch him rape her because that is what he said he was going to do."

Sam took a swig off his beer and took a deep breath again.

Nick continued, "After I shot him, it was full out warfare. One of the guys that worked close with us was killed. Before I could get to Andy, I took one in the shoulder and she had taken on in the leg. We were treated off the books at St. Mikes and went back under. It screwed her up. So, do you know what the twist is in her nightmare?"

Sam took a deep breath, "No."

"The guy that worked close with us is not Joe in her nightmare. It's you. She is screaming for me to save you."

Sam sat up and rubbed his face. "Shit."

"I am telling you this because she is madly and deeply in love with you. She talks to me as a sounding board, just like she talks to Traci. The only difference is I have balls. I will always have my partners back. Always! When we first got back she was so worried what she was walking into. But you proved you could and would fight for her. But I will always have my partners back, with or without you."

"Nick I can't help it. She tells you things she would never tell me. I hate being second at times."

"Sam, if she tells me something I think you should I know, I would tell you. Hence me sitting here in your living room telling you what is going on. Mind you, I should have come to you sooner but I really had hoped you would get over this whole she and I partners thing. When she talks to me most of the time she is just looking for a sounding board from someone who is not biased and sleeping with her. Do you understand Sam?"

Sam put his beer down and sat with his elbows on his knees and his hand in his face. "Nick I don't hate you, I like you being her partner. I just, I just want her to be happy and include me."

"She does, it takes both of you talking and when one of you is angry, the other shuts down. It is not a really relationship if you don't hate each other at some point in the day."

Sam chuckled at that one. "I see your point."

"Now, I am going to go home, eat the steaks I wanted to eat tonight. Gail and I are going to share some wine with Andy. I will then call you to join us for desert and you can take her home."

"Ok. Does Andy know you're here?"

"Yes, I told her I was going to knock some sense into you. " Nick chuckled.

Sam chuckled. Nick left and as promised called Sam two hours later. Sam joined them for desert and brought Andy home. They talked for two hours once they got home. It was a turning point in their relationship. Sam knew Nick would always have Andy's back and do everything in his power to bring her back to him. He also knew that if something happened or something went down that Nick felt Sam should know, he would tell him. He agreed with Nick to do the same if something at home would affect work.

It was not long before Andy and Sam were attending Nick and Gail's wedding. Sam smiled at Andy as they all watched Nick and Gail say their vows.

Sam squeezed Andy's hand. Andy squeezed back.

Life is good Sam thought.