A/N: This is my first fanfic, by the way, so I apologize for my writing skills- they need work xD thanks for the support, and I love reviews. Especially constructive criticism =] p.s. I know I have a problem with short chapters. Sorry, I'll try to work on that.
Chapter 3
As Sam approached her table, he was relieved when he saw Nash leaving. He didn't exactly want an audience. He dropped into the seat across from her, letting out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. "McNally." He stated the obvious. When she didn't respond, he went on. "Why… why did you come to me?"
"Come to you?"
"On the night of the blackout. You could have gone to Callaghan, or Nash- hell even Epstein or Diaz to talk, but you ended up on my doorstep."
After a heartbeat, she nodded slowly. "You're the only person I trusted to not hurt me. Which is ironic, I guess, because you're the only person that has the power to do that." She stared down at the glass in her hands. "I do, you know. Trust you. With my life, and every thing else." Andy met his smoldering gaze as she went on. "If you're asking why not Callaghan, the answer is because things were over between us. It wasn't official until the next morning, but both of us knew it." Sam's eyes widened- he couldn't believe he had wasted two weeks avoiding her because of an unnecessary problem. She had broke it off with the detective without him knowing about it. "Mostly, I went to you because I knew you would always have my back," she finished. He blinked, him mind reeling with incomprehensible thoughts. He hesitated, then slowly put his hand over hers on the table. Before he could say anything, though, an offensive voice reached their ears.
"I cannot believe you broke up with me to be with him." Callaghan's words were slurred with the weight of alcohol. Sam glowered up at him, silently warning him to back off. If the detective noticed, he didn't show it.
"He doesn't love you, Andy. You're just a pretty sight to him." Sam involuntarily clenched his hands into fists at the statement. He needed to stop this before it got out of hand. Already, heads were turning their direction because of Callaghan's increased volume.
"I think it's time for you to leave. You can talk with Andy when you're sober," Sam said as he rose out of his seat, putting slight pressure on Callaghan's chest with his hand.
"Don't tell me what to do, Swarek. I don't take orders from you." He raised his voice even more, and now had half the bar's attention. "She didn't come running to you because she has feelings for you, she came because she's pathetically unstable; a sorry excuse for a-" His words were abruptly cut off as the air fled his lungs. Sam had rammed into his with his whole body, throwing him against a table and delivering swift strikes to the ribs. Callaghan retaliated, pushing Sam away and putting all the energy he could muster into a single punch to the jaw. Same staggered for a second, then regained his balance and flew at the detective again, only to be stopped by Shaw stepping in between them.
"Sam!" He stopped struggling at the sound of her voice and glanced around, realizing for the first time how many people were watching. Same took a final look at Callaghan and turned toward the parking lot, stopping beside Andy for a brief second. He couldn't bear to see the confusion and shock in her eyes, and left without a word.