TWO FUCKING WEEKS?

Sam slammed his fist into his locker, which was still looking a bit worse for wear after their last run in – the day McNally busted him, blowing his cover…as well as his piece of mind, ever since she barrelled head-first into his life.

TWO WEEKS! She and Callaghan had broken up two weeks ago, and she neglected to share that little tidbit with him? Sam was so furious that he couldn't see past the anger to the hurt behind it. Plus, he had to find out by overhearing her, Nash and Peck talking about it in the women's locker room. Even they knew about it.

Sure, he'd been eavesdropping; hoping to hear McNally say something about how she felt about him, but he'd started with good intentions. He'd only stopped at the door of the locker room to ask McNally if she wanted a ride to the Penny…or home…or wherever; it didn't matter as long as she was with him.

Two weeks.

Sam thought back to how his day started, with McNally in his arms, and in his bed…

When his alarm went off at 6:30 that morning, Sam woke up disoriented; stunned that he was even able to sleep, with McNally's body so warm and soft beside him. During the night, her shirt had ridden up over her hips so that all that separated them were two very thin pieces of material, not that an extra layer would have been a major barrier had he felt compelled to continue what they'd started in the hallway. As it was, neither of them had moved much during the night, content as they were in each other's arms.

It wasn't the alarm clock that had woken his rookie; it was when the weight of Sam's arm had disappeared from around Andy's waist that she had started to stir, stretching languidly, and then reaching behind her to run her hand over his hip to rest on his thigh.

"Too early…" was all that she said, in a voice that practically screamed contentment. She wasn't in any hurry to leave the comfort of Sam's arms.

"Coffee's ready, McNally," Sam whispered in her ear, the one sure-fire way to get her cute butt out of bed. He knew that he had to get away from her soon, the urge to flip her body underneath him and make love to her until they were very late for work was so powerful.

"You don't play fair, Officer Swarek." Maybe this time he'd be the one to get her coffee.

Sam threw back the covers and smacked Andy's butt as he got out of bed, walking to the bathroom clad in only his boxer briefs. God, he was beautiful, was Andy's thought when she was coherent enough to have one, with his hair all rumpled and the shadow of stubble on his chin. He had such a powerful grace about him when he moved. Andy smiled. He'd love that description, she thought sarcastically.

Maybe it was because they hadn't made love last night that they were able to tease each other – that there was still a level of comfort to their relationship, not having undergone the drastic transformation that sex can cause.

"We have to be at the station in 45 minutes, McNally. You'd better get your ass in gear, because I'm not waiting for you out in the truck." Sam teased.

Looked like she'd have to get her own coffee, Andy sighed, getting out of bed. Thankful for the extra tank top in her bag so she wouldn't be dressed in the same clothes as yesterday, she jumped in Sam's shower…alone…and proceeded to soap the scent of the man she was falling in love with off of her skin.

She'd tell him today.

They arrived at the station with minutes to spare – just enough time to put on their uniforms and muster for parade. Taking care not to sit together, they still felt the connection even from across the room.

Trying not to feel deflated when he was paired with Nash, Sam reassured himself that he'd see McNally that night, after shift. It would have to do.

Paperwork filed after the longest ten hour shift on record, Andy headed to the women's locker room to get ready to head over to the Penny.

Everyone would be there, but there was really only one person that she wanted to see…correction – needed to see. She had to pull Sam aside tonight and tell him that she and Callaghan had broken up. He deserved the truth. And she needed to come clean to the fact that she should have told him two weeks ago. That was going to go over well. Oh well. she'd made her bed…

Still in his uniform, Sam was ready for a shower before he made his way over to the Penny for a drink…one drink. After that, he was taking McNally home – her place or his, it didn't matter. Just as long as she was beside him when he went to sleep tonight.

He had missed her today.

Maybe he'd ask McNally if she needed a ride. No harm in that. He was just one cop giving another cop a ride to the bar. Nobody would think any differently.

He changed direction and headed toward the women's locker room, a smile on his face. Lifting his hand to knock on the door, he paused, hearing voices other than McNally's.

"Hey, are you heading over to the Penny tonight?" Traci asked.

"Yeah," Andy replied, towel-drying her hair. "It's been a hellishly long day."

"Tell me about it. I was stuck with Swarek all day. He had a bug up his ass for some reason. Probably because he wasn't paired with his rookie," Traci teased Andy, watching for a reaction.

"Yeah, right," Andy replied lamely, being careful to look away so Nash wouldn't see the blush rising in her cheeks.

"I guess you'll be gracing our table with your presence tonight, since you won't be having any more private parties with Detective Callaghan? How has it been working with him since you two broke up a couple weeks ago? Awkward?" Peck asked snidely, walking through from the showers.

"It hasn't been too bad," Andy hedged, uncomfortable sharing too much with Peck who had proven herself an opportunist. She started to dry her hair, the whine of the hair dryer ending any further conversation.

All Andy wanted to do was to get changed and find Sam. Now that she'd decided to tell him, she was anxious to get it done. She had a bad feeling about waiting any longer.

What was it his mother used to say? Nothing good ever came from eavesdropping.

Sam was furious. The hand that was all prepared to knock on the change room door, balled tightly into a fist. It was everything he could do not to push through the door and confront McNally about her little game of string along the TO, but he didn't trust himself - too many witnesses. Instead, he turned and strode toward the men's change room.

McNally had been playing him this whole time. If it were anyone else but him, he would have been proud of her – she usually couldn't lie to save her life, even if it was a lie of omission. And this was one fucking huge lie of omission! He couldn't wrap his head around it and think it through rationally, he was that angry. All he could think about was that she had lied.

And he had been so concerned last night about protecting her - not making her a cheater, when she was already a liar. What a schmuck he was, having taken her at face value.

His poor locker couldn't take much more abuse.

Disappointed that Sam hadn't sought her out and offered a ride to the Penny, Andy caught a ride with Traci. The place was packed, but Dov and Chris had already snagged a table. Grabbing one of the empty glasses on the table, Andy poured herself a beer and looked around the bar.

Maybe he got caught up with some last minute paperwork.

Sam had been driving around aimlessly for the past hour or so, trying to sort out the jumble of accusations in his head. He had hoped that driving around and avoiding the Penny would help him work through his mad, but so far, it hadn't done any good. He had just added bitter to the mix of emotions churning in his gut.

Somehow, he ended up at the Black Penny, the one place he knew that McNally would be. They were going to have it out, once and for all – he deserved an explanation, not that he expected to feel better once she gave him one.

Taking a couple of deep breaths to try and calm himself down, Sam opened the door to the Penny with a bit more force than was necessary. He didn't give a shit if anyone noticed – he was past the point of caring about anything but cornering his rookie.

Sam looked around room, his eyes finally coming to rest on the long dark hair that shielded McNally's face from view.

"Uh oh…someone's in trouble," Peck sing-songed, calling the table's attention to the angry man striding across the bar. Nash, certain that it was her, having been partnered with Swarek that day, swore under her breath and steeled herself for what was certain to be a tirade.

"McNally…a word." It wasn't a question.

Andy slowly got out of her chair, a look of worry and confusion on her face. She had never met this man before; such was the look of controlled violence about him. She followed him to another area of the bar, away from the table of rookies. Privacy wasn't going to be possible, but at least her friends wouldn't have front row seats to the scene that was about to take place.

"Is everything okay, Sam?"

Not even acknowledging her question, Sam blurted out bitterly, "When were you going to tell me?"

Andy looked confused.

"Not ringing any bells? Let me spell it out for you. When were you going to tell me about you and Callaghan, McNally?"

Oh, God…he found out! Andy thought, mortified that he'd heard it from someone else, rather than her. Her eyes closed briefly against the accusation in Sam's eyes. She should have been the one to tell him – he deserved that. If she hadn't been such a god damned coward…

The remorseful look on McNally's face almost had Sam softening, but he steeled himself against the urge to reach out to her. She opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out.

"You have five minutes to say your good-byes and meet me in the parking lot."

"Sam, I–" He didn't let her finish.

"Five minutes, McNally." Sam turned abruptly and walked away.

Unable to move, Andy watched Sam leave. She turned to head back to the table, a shell-shocked expression on her face.

"What was that about?" asked Nash, concerned at the horrified look on Andy's face.

"Uh, I screwed up…and I need to fix it. I have to go," Andy replied. She grabbed her bag and rushed out the door, sincerely hoping that Traci wouldn't follow her to make sure that she was okay.

Andy wasn't sure that she would be okay ever again.

Sam was waiting beside his truck, desperately reaching for the control that skirted along his periphery. He'd need it before this was through.

He felt, rather than heard McNally's approach.

"Sam, I'm so sorry—"

"I don't want your apology, McNally. I want an explanation."

Andy's words came out in a rush…

"I didn't mean for it to go on this long. You have no idea how many times I've wanted to tell you the truth. Luke and I broke up the day that you and I – after what happened between us in the locker room. Obviously, I couldn't be with him after you made me feel…but the longer I waited, the harder it was to tell you the truth. Initially, I didn't tell you because I knew that you and I would just end up in bed together, and I needed to be sure…it's more than just sex for me, Sam. You are everything that terrifies me and comforts me, at the same time – I don't even know how that's possible. You probably won't believe me, but I was going to tell you today. After last night, I didn't want there to be any secrets between us. You –"

Andy broke off as Sam grabbed her arms, pushing her against his truck. Anxious that he was still angry, she tried to reason with him. "You'd better calm down, Sam."

"You'd better catch up, McNally." He crushed his mouth to hers and felt her apprehension.

"You got a problem with it?" he demanded, lifting his head and meeting her eyes.

"Sam–" That was all she managed to say before he took her mouth again.

"Yes or no."

"I don't…" His teeth scraped along her neck. "Oh God." She couldn't think.

"You want me to take my hands off of you?" They moved over her, rough and possessive. "Yes or no. Pick now."

"No. Damn it." She fisted his hands in his hair and pulled his mouth down to hers.

All she knew was that she wanted this powerful, aggressive man every bit as much as she'd wanted the gentle, patient one that she woke up with this morning.

"Get in the truck, McNally."