A/N: I want to extend my sincerest apologies for not having this updated much sooner, as I intended. Between working full time and school I'm getting my butt handed to me like some jobber.

I am happy to say now that Chapter 6 is up! Please, please review as it keeps me motivated to pull my head out of the books and whatnot. And a special thank you to those who sent me alerts to let me know there was still interest in the story. I appreciate it greatly. :)

Disclaimer: Still don't own anyone except my original characters. Sadly.

Chapter 6

Andie awoke with a start, sitting up quickly in her bed, a soft groan escaping her lips as her ribs protested the movement. Her breathing was rapid and there was a thin sheen of sweat on her body. It took her a minute to realize that she was in her bedroom. She closed her eyes to regulate her breathing, taking slow, deep breaths. She glanced at the time on the alarm clock next to her bed. The glowing numbers told her it was after 8am. Once she had calmed down from her nightmare, she wondered how she had gotten to her bed. The last thing she had remembered was watching a movie with Shane in the living room. She felt her heart rate begin to pick up again as she wondered if she had been left alone. Was Shane still there? Slowly she uncovered her legs, sitting up and raising up off of her bed. She quietly crept to the door, opening it quietly. It was at that point that she paused. When had she become so scared in her own home? Its not like she had ever had a break-in. That incident in the park had shaken her far more than she would ever admit to anyone. Once Andie had come to the realization that she was perfectly safe, she walked out into the main part of her condo. A soft smile graced her lips as she spotted Shane.

Shane was fast asleep on her couch, his long frame stretched out and covered by a blanket. Andie was relieved to see that he was resting comfortably and that he had stayed the whole night, as promised. A part of her had wondered if he would be there in the morning or if she had dreamt the whole evening prior. After a quick check to ensure the door was still securely locked and the alarm was set, she returned to her bedroom so she could take a shower and change.

Andie took a half-hour long shower, letting the almost hot water relax her body as much as possible, to wash away the remnants of the nightmare that had roused her in the first place. Once she felt ready to face the day she stepped from the shower, drying off carefully and slowly dressing in a pair of black sweats, black fuzzy socks and a navy and yellow University of Michigan sweatshirt she had inherited from her older brother. She always pulled out the sweatshirt when she was sick or hurt; it made her feel safer.

Andie returned to the open living room and saw Shane hadn't moved a muscle. Rather than to bother him, Andie proceeded into the kitchen to make some coffee and breakfast. She hummed along with the radio she had turned on softly in the background, tuned to some Top 40 station while she whipped up some scrambled eggs, bacon and toast. A deep, sleepy voice made her turn from loading up the plates. "You're up early. Sleep well?"

Andie smiled and turned around to face Shane. "Yeah, I guess. As well as can be expected anyway. What about you? Did you sleep okay? Are you hungry? I made breakfast..." She gestured towards the two plates on the counter.

"I slept great. I can't believe how comfortable your couch is." Shane approached Andie, his fingers reaching out to her face again, a small frown forming at how the bruising looked worse than it did the night prior. His fingertips lightly traced around the bruising. "You should put some ice on this."

Andie nodded her agreement to his words, " Yeah I will. After we eat though… I'm starving!"

Shane chuckled and walked to sit at the breakfast bar after picking up the plates that Andie had made for the two of them, leaving her to bring the coffee and her glass of orange juice. She sat down next to him after ensuring he had sugar and creamer, in case he wanted either. After Shane took a couple of bites, nodding his approval at the food, he said, "Andie, you know you didn't have to get up and make this big feast. I'm sure you'll tire of hearing me say it but you need to rest up."

Andie smiled at his concern. "Shane, I promise I won't overdo it. I just figured since you spent the night on a couch and all that I could at least make breakfast. I owed you one anyway."

"I can hardly argue with that."

All was quiet as they ate in comfortable silence, both of them devouring their food in record time. Shane glanced at the clock on the wall and sighed. "Andie, can I use your phone? My cell died and I have to call my sister." Stephanie had been more than willing to keep Declan overnight for Shane and he wanted to see how his little boy was doing this morning.

Andie nodded and got up, walking to retrieve her cell from the charger. She brought it back to Shane, carefully taking her seat again, wincing. Perhaps Shane was right and she was trying too much too soon. Shane thankfully didn't call her out on it right then. Instead he dialed his sister's number, glad he knew it by memory. He got a short report from Stephanie during which she assured him that Declan was just fine and having fun helping out with his baby cousin. Shane ended the brief call after saying he would come by and pick Declan up that evening, handing the phone back to Andie.

Andie set the phone aside on the counter, not really having a use for it at the moment. She stood carefully and asked, "You need more coffee? I can get you some…" Shane gently touched Andie's arm as she turned away from him. "No, you need to go sit down on the couch. I can get my own coffee, Andie. C'mon…" Shane stood and led Andie to the couch where he had slept the night before, carefully guiding her to a seat. Andie smiled up at Shane, saluting him dutifully. "Yes sir."

Shane chuckled and walked back to the kitchen to refill his coffee mug and then joined Andie on the couch. Once they were both comfortable, Shane asked, "So I was wondering if you had some time off coming to you. I mean, aside from this sick leave."

"Yeah I actually do. I don't tend to take my vacation leave or anything so I have a couple of weeks to spare. I think my sergeant would have a heart attack if I actually took time off." Andie laughed softly.

"Well maybe you should have EMT's on standby if you accept my invitation." Shane paused, watching Andie's eyebrows raise. "I have to go to Boston next month for work and I'll be out of town for a week towards the end of August. Think you can make the time and come with me? It'll be a great way to introduce you to what I do for a living and maybe, if you're comfortable with the idea, you can meet my family."

Andie considered this invitation carefully. On one hand, she would love to take time off but on the other… meet Shane's family? Take a vacation with him? She wasn't sure if they should do this so soon. Andie bit her bottom lip as she mulled over the idea.

Shane added, "It's okay if you say no. I know it's sudden and with everything being so new I would understand. I just figured it would be a great way for you to take a little break and everything."

Andie nodded, "It would be a nice break from the everyday stresses. Can I think about it for a while and get back to you?"

Shane smiled and nodded. "Absolutely. Just let me know in advance so I can make sure you have a hotel room and everything."

Andie shook her head, "Shane, I couldn't let you pay for that…"

Shane held up a hand, "I insist. It will be on the company's dime anyway." He smiled that beautiful, winning smile and Andie suddenly didn't know why she was resisting or why she needed to think about it.

"Okay, Shane." Andie grinned, deciding to take a chance for once in her life. "I'm in."