Chapter 3

Andy squinted, letting out a loud groan and put a hand over her eyes as the sun brightly invaded the hospital room. Sam chuckled softly and pulled her tight against him for a moment, "Still not a fan of the sun, I see."

"I just don't understand why it has to be so bright so early!" Andy said, "I mean, it's just rude to wake people up like that."

"I'm sure the sun is very sorry for waking you up." Sam said sarcastically

"Shut up." Andy grumbled turning her face inward to burrow in the crook of his neck.

Sam couldn't help but laugh at her antics. "The nurse stopped in a few minutes ago, they're going to move me soon."

"That's great." She mumbled into his neck, "Everyone will be happy they get to see you."

"I want you to go home for a little bit and get some rest." Sam told her, "I know you didn't sleep that well here."

"I knew you were going to say that. I already asked Oliver to come and sit with you while I go home for a little bit." Andy sat up and grinned down at him somewhat triumphantly

"I don't need a babysitter." Sam argued, he sent her what he hoped to be a seductive look and brought his hand up under her shirt to caress her side down to her hip and back up.

"It's either that or I don't go home. You choose." Andy said in a very no nonsense tone glancing pointedly at where his hand disappeared under her shirt.

"Fine." Sam said exasperatedly letting his hand fall back to the bed.

"Thank you."

"We should probably call you a cab soon. You know it'll take forever for one to show up." Sam said

Andy looked away sheepishly, "No, um, that's ok. I'm good."

Sam looked at her confused and then taking a closer look at her guilty expression, "You took my truck!"

"Well, what was I supposed to do? Traci called and said you had been shot and I couldn't wait for a cab. I promise the truck is fine. I didn't hit anything, I swear!" Andy exclaimed, "Maybe just a couple of pot holes, but that's it!"

"Sorry to interrupt what's bound to be a very entertaining marital spat, but Officer Shaw here reporting for patient watch duty." Oliver sauntered in with a grin.

Andy hopped quickly off the bed, "Thanks for coming Oliver. Make sure he doesn't give the nurses a hard time." She pulled her coat on quickly, "Love you." She kissed Sam's cheek, "Be back soon."

"This is not over. My truck better not have a single scratch or dent on it." Sam warned.

She just smiled at him, "Maybe just for your lack of trust I'll 'accidentally' back into the garbage cans."

"Low blow McNally." Oliver said with a laugh, "You should never play with a man's emotions about his vehicle."

"Yeah, yeah." She walked quickly out of the room, "You boys behave."

"Sammy, Sammy, Sammy…" Oliver started walking over to take a seat next to the bed, "You certainly were busy before you went undercover."

Sam rolled his eyes, "How'd you get in here anyway? Andy said they were only allowing family back here."

"Flash of the badge, a little pleading eyes and 'He's my brother ma'm' and those nurses were putty in my hand." Oliver winked.

"Right." Sam scoffed, "Well, it's good to see you man."

"You too; gave us all quite a scare yesterday." Oliver said, "And, if you don't mind not getting injured again Traci and I would both appreciate it."

"That bad, huh?" Sam asked, knowing Oliver was referring to Andy.

"Her reaction makes a little more sense now that we know you married her, but yeah it wasn't pretty. She nearly kicked Boyd's ass." Oliver explained, "I barely got my arm around her in time when she lunged at him."

"Oh jeez Ollie. I thought you're were exaggerating." Sam's eyes closed briefly in regret.

"I wish I was. Any other situation I would have been highly amused, I'm not exactly a big fan of Boyd. Remind me also to not get on your wife's bad side. She's a little scary." Oliver said seriously.

"I think it's the Irish in her." Sam grinned.

"Still can't believe you got her to marry you. How'd that happen anyway?" Oliver asked

"It's a long story and I think Andy wants us to just tell everyone at once."

"Is it really sappy and romantic? Should I bring pepto bismal?"

"Shut up."

Oliver and Sam laughed together.

Oliver sobered up first, "Seriously though. I'm really happy for you. You've been waiting a long time for this, for her."

It wasn't long before Sam was transferred to a regular room. He and Oliver spent the rest of the morning watching highlights from last night's hockey game and Oliver filled him in on the happenings from the 15.

Andy carefully pulled Sam's truck into the garage. She walked up the two steps leading from the garage into the back of the house, closing the garage door as she entered. Kicking off her shoes in the laundry room and quickly hanging up her coat on the rack, she rolled her head and stretched out her neck, feeling the effects of sleeping on a small hospital bed.

She walked stiffly back to the master bedroom, shedding clothes as she walked. Andy reached into the shower and turned the water hot, letting it warm up she pulled fresh towels from the linen closet at the other end of the bathroom. Sam had clearly renovated his house with a future in mind. The bathroom was large with his and her sinks, a heated towel rack, large whirlpool jacuzzi tub and a glass enclosed shower; stepping in to it, her eyes closed gratefully as the hot water cascaded over her body. She took longer in the shower than normal, taking the time to condition her hair and shave her legs. Finally, rinsing off completely she stepped from the shower and wrapped herself in the now warm towel. After drying off she lathered her body in lotion, then she pulled Sam's robe off the back of the door and put it on. Andy put some product in her hair and brushed it out.

Andy walked through the quite house out to the kitchen and started making coffee. She didn't think she would be able to sleep much but would lie down on the couch for a while and try to relax. Sam would give her hell if she came back looking as bad as she felt. Pulling an afghan from the basket next to the entertainment center, Andy curled up on the couch and turned on the TV, not paying that much attention to what was on. She stared somewhat unseeingly at the TV and her eyes slowly drifted shut as Andy felt herself fall into a light sleep. She jolted up a while later and looking at the clock saw that she had been asleep for nearly an hour and surprisingly she felt much better. She walked back into the kitchen and poured a cup of coffee. She took it with her into their bedroom and started to get ready; she pulled on jeans and a sweater and started to blow dry her hair. She dusted a light layer of make up on and brushed her teeth.

After pulling a bag out of the closet, Andy began packing a few things for Sam. Clothes, toiletries, books, some mail from the past couple months and his cell phone. She also put a few things for herself in there, knowing that she wouldn't be able to come back home without him. Andy put her boots and coat back on and went back out to the truck throwing the bag and her purse in the passenger seat. She needed to stop and the station first and try and work out some leave with Frank.

Still keep her promise to Sam to be nice to his truck, she drove carefully and followed all posted speed limits to the 15 division. She parked in front of the building, walking in she avoided the gazes of several co-workers who stopped their conversations to stare when she entered. Ignoring them she walked up to Best's office and knocked on the door.

"Come in."

"Sir, do you have a minute?" She asked stepping in to the office.

"Of course Officer McNally, or should I say Officer Swarek?" He sent her a look that clearly said he would be expecting an explanation sometime in the near future.

"Um, McNally is fine." She didn't really know how to respond to his question. Was he being serious or joking with her? "Sir, I wanted to talk to you about taking some time off."

"To be home with Sam?" He asked.

"Yes, sir. I have a feeling he's not going to be a very good patient if he's left to his own devices." Andy answered truthfully. "I made Oliver come stay with him this morning."

"Probably a good idea." Frank laughed, "Sammy's great at taking care of people, not so good at being taken care of."

Andy smiled at him, "That sounds about right. He's always taken good care of me, even before..." She trailed off not quite meeting Frank's eye.

"Before you secretly got married?" Frank laughed more when she sheepishly nodded, "I don't see any problem with taking some time off. Why don't you start with 10 days and if for some reason you need more we'll talk about it then."

"Thank you. I really appreciate it." Andy said, "Once he's back home and settled we'll have everyone over for dinner and answer everyone's questions. I know its driving Traci and Oliver crazy and I imagine we're the talk of the station right now."

Frank nodded, "It was definitely a surprise. Noelle and I will absolutely be there, whenever you decide to have the party."

Andy said her good byes and walked back out through the maze of desks. She didn't think she or Sam needed anything from their lockers. She paused when she saw Traci and Chris manning the desk, "How's it going today?"

"Andy, hey!" Chris said, "Its pretty slow today which is nice since we were all up pretty late."

"What are you doing here?" Traci asked, "I thought you would still be at the hospital."

"I stayed there last night but as predicted Sam made me leave this morning and go home for a little bit. Oliver's with him now." Andy explained.

"And, home is where?" Chris asked, "Sam's house?"

"Yeah."

"I knew it!" Chris explained, "Dov owes me 50 bucks! Are you driving his truck too?"

Andy nodded and couldn't help but laugh at his expression, "I'm being careful. Do you think I want to face his wrath if I hurt his precious truck?"

"Did you get any sleep when you went home?" Traci asked

"I showered and fell asleep on the couch for about an hour, I guess. Then I just packed up a bag for Sam and came here to talk to Frank and getting some leave." Andy replied

"That's good." Traci said and then lowered her voice slightly, "I'm assuming also that soon you'll be explaining what the hell happened."

Andy laughed, "Yes, I promise."

She chatted with her friends s little bit longer and the stopped at the Penny to pick up some lunch for her, Sam and Oliver (because she knew she would never hear the end of it if she didn't) and headed back to the hospital.

After speaking to the nurse at the desk, Andy took the elevator and walked to Sam's new room. She rolled her eyes when she walked in to find Jerry, Oliver and Sam playing a make shift game of poker on his hospital. "Really Oliver? He's supposed to be resting."

"I'm fine McNally. The shot was a through and through, doesn't even hurt that bad." Sam said and could immediately tell that it was the wrong thing to say. "I'm sorry. I-..." He broke off when Andy held up a hand to silence him.

"Here Oliver." She handed him a bag with his food in it, "Sorry Jerry. I didn't know you were here."

"That's OK. I ate before I came." Jerry stood and dragged Oliver with him, "Well see you later Sammy. Take care."

"Thanks for lunch." Oliver said with his mouth full and he let Jerry pull him out of the room.

Sam watched her as she dropped the duffle bag on the floor next to the bed. She sat down in a chair next to his bed and handed him another bag, "Food. I know you won't eat what the hospital gives you."

He took the bag, but despite the delicious smell coming from it, he still felt the need to reassure her first. "I didn't mean to say it like that. The bullet didn't puncture anything major but it took a long time before I was able to get to the hospital so I lost quite a bit of blood. I'm OK, really. I promise."

"I know that Sam." She sighed, "It just makes me very nervous, you being here, in the hospital. Plus, it's not exactly how I pictured our reunion."

"Oh yeah?" He raised an eyebrow at her and smirked, flashing him dimples. "What exactly did you picture?"

Andy shook her head and laughed despite herself, "Well, while it did involve a bed...it did not involve you in a dress."

He narrowed his eyes but chose to ignore that part, "A bed, huh. Might it also have involved you in something red, revealing and lacy?"

"Like you read my mind." She leaned in to kiss him quickly, "Now eat your lunch."

"I can think of something else I'd rather be eating." He pulled her back to him and kissed her again.

"Mmm, such a sweet talker." Andy sat back in her chair, "Eat."

He complied but only because his stomach was starting to growl. "Did you get any sleep at home?"

She pulled out her own lunch, "Napped for an hour on the couch. Then I went and talked to Frank about getting some leave."

"What for?" He asked

"Just in case you need anything, I'd rather be home with you than at work." She explained.

"I'll say it again, I don't need a baby sitter."

"I'm aware of that Sam. But is it so wrong that I want to be with my husband, who might I remind you I haven't seen in two months?" She asked, giving him what she hoped were her best bambi eyes.

He knew she was playing him, but he still felt guilty at her words. "No, it's not wrong. You're right, it will be nice to spend some time alone together."

"Great, now that's settled, lets talk about your party."

"What party?"

"You're welcome home, lets tell everyone how we got married because if I get one more text from Dov asking I'm going to freak out party." Andy took a deep breath of air.

"Ollie and Jerry were asking earlier too." Sam put the trash from his lunch back in the bag and set it on the table next to his bed. "They tell you when I'm getting out of here yet?"

"Tomorrow, probably. They want you to do a PT session today and then they'll make the decision." Andy replied. She leaned down and unzipped the duffle. She passed Sam the unopened mail. "I opened the bills and stuff, but I wasn't sure if the rest of this was trash or not. Brought you a few books too if you're tired of the TV."

"Great, thanks." Sam started flipping through the mail. He was halfway through the pile when he noticed Andy stifle a yawn. He set the mail aside, "I'm getting a little tired, why don't you come on up here and we'll watch some TV and take a nap before my PT."

For once, Andy didn't even argue. Setting her magazine down on the chair, she climbed in next to Sam and settled against him. He flipped through the channels until he found some movie. Once he heard her breathing even out, he closed his own eyes and let himself drift off.