Sorry for the delay; I'm usually much better at keeping my stories updated. It seems this story comes out when it wants to though.

Last chapter there was no Andy and it seems like she was just lying in wait. I thought we would be done the bust at the end of this one, but like I said…it has a mind of its own. Bust will have to wait one more chapter.

Andy crawled into bed just before midnight on Saturday; thankful she would be switching to the night shift tomorrow for two reasons. One: she couldn't remember the last time she had a full night's sleep and two: she would be part of the takedown of Sam's gang. She sighed though as she remembered what she had promised Sam. Yes she might be part of the takedown, but it was more like a spectator sport and it wasn't going to be easy to sit idly by if Sam appeared to be in danger.

She may have been exhausted, but she still couldn't turn her mind off and it wasn't just from today's events. No, she was still hung up on everything that happened on Friday and on wondering how and where Sam was right this minute.

She'd hardly slept at all on Friday. Boyd had dropped her off about one o'clock in the morning and she should have been worn out; she knew she looked it. She could feel both Boyd and Gail eying her up the entire ride home. She knew she wasn't doing a good job hiding her feelings but at that point she was too tired to care. So she just let her mind wander and worry and before she knew it they were pulled up outside her apartment and she had no idea how they got there.

Gail actually had to physically shake her to bring her out of her own mind. And she was taken aback when Boyd commended them on a job well done; of course it lost a little sincerity when he choked trying to get her name out.

She just shook her head…typical Boyd...and jumped out of the SUV assuring them she would be fine.

She had been so tired more mentally than physically but still she thought she would fall asleep the minute her head hit the pillow; unfortunately after an hour or so her eyes were still wide open. She decided to have a hot shower to relax, and it worked…at least a little. She could feel her muscles loosening up after about fifteen minutes so she got out dried off and put her hair in a quick braid before settling back under the covers.

She snuggled down and pulled them up under her chin but as soon as her eyes closed she could see Sam's face and the nights events started on a loop through her head. When her alarm had finally rang this morning it felt like her head had just hit the pillow. One glance in the mirror told her that whatever sleep she had managed to steal wasn't nearly enough.

At least she had made it to parade on time, but when there was no further word on Sam or the takedown she knew she was in for a long day.

And she was right; it was a long and arduous day. The only thing she was thankful for was that she wasn't on desk. She didn't think she could have made it through a day with nothing to do but answer phone calls and complete paperwork; she would have more than likely bit someone's head off. At least on patrol, there was a chance for something to keep her mind of the chain of events that she couldn't shake loose from her mind.

She was glad she was on patrol with Chris. He knew all about her and Gail and their little adventure the night before so she didn't have to give him the play-by-play like she would have if Dov was her partner. Though by now she had relived it so many times she was sure she could recite it by heart without even a second thought.

Lunch couldn't have come quick enough for Andy and when Chris suggested they stop at a little diner so they could get out of the squad, she was more than happy to comply. She knew the perfect place and was just about to give him directions when a call came in for a domestic a few blocks from their location. She flipped on the lights as Chris made a quick U-turn. Maybe tomorrow.

The incident didn't take nearly long enough for Andy and as their day came to a close, she realized that it didn't matter where she was or what she was doing, until Sam was back safe and sound everything she did was going to be a trial. Every time the radio broke in or her phone went off, she jumped. But it was always the same thing, a routine call and nothing to do with Sam or the bust.

When they got back to the barn at the end of the day, Chris asked Andy if she was heading to the Penny. When she didn't answer, Chris followed her line of sight to the war room. Boyd was at the board with his team all around him and they were deep into strategy. They both knew what this implied; they had gotten what they needed from Sam and were finalizing the plans for Sunday night.

Andy really wanted to go in there and find out what was going down. She knew she shouldn't; she knew the backup team would be getting their information tomorrow night but her feet didn't get the message. She didn't even realize that she was approaching the room until she felt Chris tugging on her arm. The movement must have caught Boyd's eye through the glass because her gaze met his before she had a chance to turn to Chris.

The look on Boyd's face was a cross between understanding and frustration. He was busy; she knew that and the last thing she wanted to do was stop him from doing whatever it would take to get Sam out of there alive. But they both knew that she needed some reassurance. That wasn't his area of expertise though and he had no idea how to handle her needs. He gave her a nod of acknowledgment but neither one of them really knew what he was trying to convey. When he turned back to his group though, the message was clear – not now.

Chris asked her again if she was coming to the Penny but she begged off with an excuse that she was too tired. They both knew it was the truth, but Chris still hoped she could come and at least try to relax instead of wallowing alone at home. He offered to come over, maybe grab the rest of the gang and some pizza. They were all on nights tomorrow so they could stay up and watch movies like they did in the academy.

Andy thanked him profusely and assured him she was fine but definitely wanted a rain check. He gave her a small smile before heading to his own locker room. At least he had tried.

And so now here it was, midnight, and Andy's eyes were drooping as she lay in bed with additional minutes added to the constant loop in her brain. Now she also saw Boyd and his team deep into strategy and obviously excited about what was to come.

Though she had no word about Sam she placated herself with the fact that Boyd seemed to have what he needed and that could have only come from one person. And the thought of him at least being safe was what finally allowed her to succumb to sleep.

Sammy woke up late on Sunday feeling almost relieved. The day had finally come and in less than 24 hours he would be out of this sorry excuse for a life and back into his own, the one where he got to see Andy every day – a now single Andy. That thought had him smiling as he made his way to the shower.

He took a quick glance around the apartment his eyes stalling for a second on the burly man who appeared to be asleep on the couch. Apparently he wasn't, at least not totally. "What do you want?"

"Nothing…just headed into the shower."

"Good…go!" He snapped before closing his eyes again.

Apparently the conversation was over, which was fine with Sammy. He had something he needed to accomplish and this might be his only chance. He pulled the curtain before reaching his arm in and turning on the water, straight to cold. It wasn't that he needed a cold shower that he only wished. No, he just needed some cover noise and if he still had time for a shower when he was done, he didn't want to run out of hot water.

As the noise of the spray flooded the room, Sammy pulled the cell phone out of his sock and punched in the familiar numbers. He held it up to his ear, using his free hand to plug the other ear. Hopefully they'd still be able to hear each other over the din of the water.

"Yeah?"

"It's me."

"Where are you?" Boyd wondered as the background noise was terrible.

"Taking a shower." Sam said in his best bedroom voice.

"Please tell me that's just your cover because I really don't need to…"

Sam chuckled quietly. "So you don't want to know what I'm wearing right now?"

"I can do without the visual thank you very much. Save it for McNally."

When Sam's snicker was abruptly choked off, Boyd had to laugh; that was one thing Swarek was not good at covering up. Touche!

"You ready?"

"As I'll ever be…you?"

"Yep, plans are all in place; we'll be briefing the backup as soon as the night shift comes on. They've pulled in some extra bodies to help patrol so we're all covered. How much time you got?"

Sam listened at the door for a second and there appeared to be no movement in the living room so he jumped back on the line. "Not long so we need to hurry."

They reviewed the plans as quickly as they could with Sam making sure that Boyd was well aware of his safety zones and possible escape routes. They had worked together enough that Sam's choices were completely in sync with what Boyd had in mind. After agreeing on his first choice, they then confirmed his contingency order should any zone be compromised.

"Any word on Vicero?" Sam inquired.

"Looks like a non-issue; they haven't made any moves. We'll still keep tabs on him tonight, but I'm pretty sure we're good."

"What about the plan to pull him in."

"No go. White shirts shot that one down pretty fast; we don't have enough on him. If he showed up, the best we could do would be maybe a couple of firearms charges depending on if they used them. If and when we do get him, they want to make sure it sticks…and for a long time."

Sam was relieved. It wasn't that he wasn't prepared in the event it happened; it was just one less thing to worry about.

When Sam didn't respond right away, Boyd started to wonder if everything was okay. "Sammy?"

"Yeah?"

"You should go…before they start to wonder…"

"Yeah." Sam agreed and was about to end the call when he remembered what else he wanted to talk to Boyd about. "Wait." He said, a little too loudly before repeating it a little quieter. "Wait."

"What?"

"Is McNally in on the takedown?"

"Do you really have to ask me that?"

Sam chuckled pretty sure that Andy wasn't the only one chomping at the bit to be involved, but she was the one he was concerned about. "Make sure she's in the can!"

"Why?"

"Just do it!"

"How the hell am I supposed to do that? I know it's been a while but you have worked with the woman. It's pretty hard to tell her anything."

Sam started to laugh a little louder but caught himself before he got carried away, covering it up quickly with a fake cough. "You're in charge; she'll understand."

"It's usually volunteers or short straw."

"I don't think she'll argue." At least he hoped she wouldn't; she did promise him.

"What does that even mean? Sam is there something I should know about." He knew Swarek had it bad for his rookie and based on her reactions when he disappeared, the feeling was at least a little mutual, but as far as he knew attraction was as far as it had gone.

"I've told you everything you need to know; I have it all under control." And as long as Andy stayed out of harm's way tonight, it would stay under control…at least that's what he kept telling himself.

"Just keep her in the can, and maybe put some eyes on her or send someone to pick her up tonight." He added quickly. "I'm pretty sure they're out looking for her."

Before Boyd had a chance to again ask why, Sam had hung up.

When Sammy arrived at the warehouse just after supper to go over the plans one last time with all the guys, Ray was noticeably absent and no one seemed to know where he was. Sammy's gut wouldn't stop screaming at him and he only hoped that Boyd had listened to him when he said to make sure Andy wasn't out alone.

When Andy woke on Sunday the sun was high in the afternoon sky. Though she had obviously slept, it had been a restless night. Her covers were strewn all over and one pillow was on the floor. She couldn't remember what she dreamed about but at least she had slept through it.

Unfortunately, it was still hours before she had to be in for the night shift and she was going to need something to take her mind off of what was to come.

As long as everything went according to plan, she would be talking to Sam again in less than 24 hours. It was going to end tonight; he was coming back to her tonight. Her heart started to race in her chest, but it was a good feeling, a welcome rush of adrenaline…until her mind made an about face and started considering all the ways that things could go wrong.

These next few hours were going to be torture if she didn't find something to do until it was time to go in. Once she was at work; she knew she would be fine. She would be doing something. They would have a briefing and then everyone would start prepping and before she knew it they would be on scene.

She wondered what everyone would think when she volunteered to go in the can. Normally they had to do Rock-Paper-Scissors or draw straws because no one wanted in the can. But she had made a promise and she knew she had to keep it.

Truth be told, she'd rather be out in the action, but she would never be able to forgive herself if she made that choice and it caused Sam any harm. She told herself that there would always be another time. She owed him that much.

She decided to busy herself with housework, and then since she and Chris didn't get there yesterday, she would walk to the diner to eat, maybe even swing by Sam's and clean things up a bit for him too before heading into work. Problem was she didn't have a key to his house. She smiled a small smile; she did have her lock picks though.

When there was nothing left to do at her house, Andy glanced at the clock and was surprised to see that she had successfully distracted herself. So well in fact that she would only have time to stop at the diner and head straight to work. Unless she got her food to go…then she could at least dust things off for Sam a little.

She headed to the bathroom for a quick cleanup before grabbing her phone, keys and backpack and heading out the door.

As she was walking towards the diner, her phone went off in her hand. She clicked onto the text message.

'Where are you?'

'Going to the diner for supper.'

'A little early isn't it?'

'I have been early before.'

'I must have been off that day.'

'Very funny. I was thinking I might swing by Sam's too…maybe clean it up a little for him.'

Andy was still waiting for her friends no doubt smart ass reply when her phone suddenly rang in her hand. She didn't even get the 'hi' out before she heard Traci's cautionary voice. "An-dy!"

"I was looking for something to do and I just thought he'd appreciate coming home to a clean house."

"You've got it bad sister."

"I was just going to help a friend. I'd do the same for you."

"Yeah…you just keep telling yourself that."

Andy decided it was time to change the subject. "Did you need something?"

"I'm actually at your place. I thought we could have supper together and then head to the station. I figured maybe you might want some company to help pass the time."

"I'm just about at the diner. Why don't you meet me there?"

"The one between your house and Swarek's?"

"Yeah."

"I'm on my way."

"I'll go in and get us a table."

Andy was so busy talking to Traci that she didn't realize that she was being watched.

The door had just closed behind her when Traci responded. "No, don't go in. I told Chris, Dov and Gail we'd meet them at the Penny and eat there."

"Oh, I'll be out front then." Andy turned on her heel but before she had a chance to push the door open, she felt it move out from under her. She stumbled right into the person who was trying to enter.

"I'm sorry." She offered before lifting her head up to meet his eyes. She gave a startled. "Oh."

As Andy hadn't yet ended the call, Traci heard the exclamation and couldn't help but wonder what would have provoked it. For some reason, she felt the need to speed up.