Author's Note: Hello everyone! Once again thank you for read, reviewing, following, accidentally clicking on this, you are all great! I am loving all the reviews! They are so nice and thoughtful.
This chapter might be a little different than the other two so please keep an open mind. Thanks again!
Disclaimer: I do not own Rookie Blue.I do own a three legged dog though.
"Sam. Can I get a ride…to The Penny?"
At the sound on Andy's voice, Sam's body instantly reacts. His heart rate picks up and his eyebrows automatically rise to a higher position on his forehead. He whips around to face her while she continues her sentence. At the words 'get a ride', Sam's face breaks into one of the best smiles that Andy has ever seen; and unlike his other smiles that vanish within seconds, it seems as though it may be plastered there for at least a couple weeks.
Watching Sam's expression change to an adorably ecstatic state, Andy can't help the laugh that escapes her lips. She thought she knew a lot about Sam before, but the Sam that had marched through her day was a completely different man than she she knew. This new side struck something within her; she couldn't help but mirror his loving smile.
Both smiling like idiots, Andy started to saunter over to Sam, who seemed to be unable to move from his current stance. Still keeping enough space between them when she came to a stop in front of him, Andy has to pull him out of the trance she put him in.
"Sam? I was pretty sure that you heard me considering the new look on your face, but then again you haven't answered so I guess I am not sure. Do I need to ask again?" Andy looks at him, wondering if he is actually hearing anything she is saying.
Sam is finally able to compose himself enough to stutter out, "Oh…uh no. I mean yes, I would love to give you a ride. No you don't need to ask again. Sorry you just surprised me a little."
He is staring intently at her. Possibly making sure that she means what she is saying and it isn't just some cruel joke. "Oh…I was under the impression that you wanted to have a drink and possibly talk…about us. I mean…but, if that wasn't what you were insinuating I'll just be on my way." Andy manages to ramble out the sentences in a questioning tone. Her smile starting to slip away as she turns away from Sam.
Sam reaches out to stop her, tentatively placing his hand ever so lightly around her bicep. He doesn't do it to turn her around, just to keep her there long enough to hear him out. "Andy, no I want to, I guess I'm just surprised that you are giving me a chance. I know I messed up, like really badly, and I want to fix it I guess I just wasn't sure if that's what you wanted. I just…can I still take you to The Penny?" Sam still has his hand lightly holding onto her arm as she turns back to face him with a small smile on her lips. She begins to nod, and Sam suddenly feels as though he has overstepped and lets his hand drop back down to his side. "Okay. Let's go." He releases a breath, letting the anxiety of the conversation disappear as they walk out, side by side.
As they make it to the truck, Sam accompanies Andy to the passenger door, pulling it open and offering his hand to help her in. The smile that was on his face earlier has now been replaced with a hesitant, shy little smile. Andy can tell that he is clearly very nervous. She looks at him and smiles as she places her hand in his and climbs onto the seat. Sam gently closes the door and rounds the front of the car, climbing up into his own seat and starting the engine. Before pulling out he takes one more glance at Andy who is staring at her hands, which are fiddling in her lap.
The drive to The Penny goes quickly, though it is filled with an awkward silence. The truck is quickly pulled into a parking space and shifted into park. As soon as he puts it into park Sam is out the door and jogging to Andy's side. He opens the door, once again offering his hand, which she gladly takes. Once safely on the ground, Sam releases her hand to close the door. Sam starts to make his way to the entrance only to be accompanied by an empty space. He turns to see Andy still standing there staring at him with an amused smile on her face, "You gonna turn off the car? I mean you don't want some weirdo to come and steal it while we're in there." She couldn't stifle the little giggle that accompanied the sentence. She can definitely tell he's nervous; he didn't even take the keys out of the ignition before he got out. She didn't know she could have this much of an effect on Sam until now. It's adorable how concerned he is about doing everything right.
His face flushes with embarrassment as he realizes what she's talking about. He slaps a hand on his face as he shakes his head and runs back to the truck. Luckily, he didn't remember to lock the doors either. He hurriedly shuts off the car, locks the doors, and pockets the keys, before making his way towards Andy who has slowly started making her way to the entrance. He holds the door for her as she makes her way in. He had always opened and held doors for her before, but it meant so much more now. He was actually thinking about doing it. It held meaning now.
With Andy now in front of him, Sam leans in to ask her if she wants to find a place for them to sit while he gets them some drinks. Without looking back she nods her head and starts heading for a vacant and secluded table. Sam hurries toward the bar, not acknowledging anyone there besides the bartender. He orders the drinks, hands over the money, and turns to find out where Andy went. While making his way over, he hears Oliver greet him with a, "Hey brother." accompanied with a signature back clap. Sam doesn't turn to look at him, his eyes too busily locked on a lonesome brunette, he coolly gives a head nod and continues on his way. He's on a mission and nobody is going to interfere with his plans.
He carefully places a glass in front of Andy, and takes a seat directly across from her. She smiles and thanks him before taking a sip. He is struggling to pull himself together and settles for another head nod. After sitting there, staring at each other, Andy decides to try and pry him open, "So you were serious when you said 'just a drink'. Maybe I jumped to conclusions, but I was expecting a conversation to accompany this drink, but I guess not." Sam's gaze still doesn't break as an amused smile spreads over his features, "Oh no, there is definitely a conversation to be had. I just didn't know how to start, but if you want to jump right in let's do it."
Andy takes a small sip from her glass to hide the intrigued smile that is threatening to take over her calm features. "Let's do it. Where did you want to start?" Sam takes a significant gulp from his glass, sets it down, carefully placing it exactly in the center of his coaster before he looks up. Their eyes lock again, as his face returns to the serious Sam features that everyone has become accustomed to.
"I'm sorry. Andy I'm sorry for everything. I was so lucky to have you in my life and I was stupid for ever thinking that I could be fine without you. I wish that I would have let you in and let you help after Jerry's death, but I didn't know how. Maybe I didn't want to either, but I didn't understand how much I would lose by pushing you out of my life. I am so sorry for leaving you that night. I know you were hurting and I just added to that pain. I'm sorry that it hurt you, but I deserved the hurt that came from that night. I wish so badly that I would have answered my phone the first time you called after that night or any of the other time that you called in the past six weeks. I just…I'm sorry."
Finally his gaze breaks and he stares down at his glass, hanging his head, disappointed in himself. Emotion leaking through every word that he spoke, every movement, every single expression. Andy's eyes have filled with unshed tears at his sincere apology. Thankful that he is looking down, she quickly rubs away the excess moisture.
"Sam…" He doesn't move, causing Andy to reach for his hand. With her hand gripping his, she gives it a little squeeze and tries again, "Sam." He glances up with a devastated expression on his face. Andy's eyebrows crease together accompanying the sad expression on her face. "If we are going to try this again…we need to talk, not just talk, but communicate. Take the time to understand what the other person is saying...thinking." Slowly Sam has started to nod in agreement at Andy's request.
"So…are you saying you're willing to try this again?" Sam asks, waving his hand at the space between them. Andy's lips part into a small smile as she pulls her hand away from his to play with her coaster. She peeks back at Sam and gives a small nod. As Sam's face breaks into the ecstatic smile that adorned his face back at the station, he states, "Good. But, this time we are actually starting from the beginning. Starting over and taking it slow."
"That sounds perfect." Andy has no problems with the conditions that Sam has set. This will give them an opportunity to experience the things that they skipped over the first time.
"May I take you home?" Sam's whole demeanor has morphed into something hopeful and happy. "Yes you may." Sam stands, pulls on his jacket, and for a third time that night holds out his hand to help her up. She places her hand in his with a little giggle and a huge smile. Sam shyly helps her into her own coat, timidly places his hand on the small of her back, and signals with the other hand for her to lead the way, both wearing ridiculous smiles as they make their way out to Sam's truck.
The trip is made in the same fashion. Sam opens the door and helps her in, the trip goes quickly, filled with an optimistic, comfortable silence. Sam successfully turns off the engine and removes the keys before making his way to Andy's side to help her out; each time their hands meet at the truck door is complemented with a giggle from Andy. Sam happily walks her to her apartment door. "Thanks for the ride Sam." Andy expresses while looking for the key to her door.
"You're very welcome. Uh…Andy?" She glances up knowing that she is going to be met with the nervous expression that his face displayed earlier that evening, she can hear the hesitation in his voice. She waits patiently, an encouraging smile on her face.
"Can I take you out on a date this Saturday?"
Author's Note: I hope you liked this chapter. I tried to make it more of a third person's view instead of just Andy's view. I didn't really have a part of the show to accompany this chapter so it is a little different than the other two. Also I wanted to write this before, but I kept forgetting. I really did like the end of the season because it shows that Andy is strong enough to make her own decisions. I don't want to protray her as "that girl" that they reference in the show, but I just want to explore the idea of Sam manning up. I don't want you to think that Andy should be some weak girl that only cares about the feelings of one guy. Sorry for rambling, but I think that is an important part of who Andy is, she's independent and strong. Thanks for reading. Feel free to leave a review, or an idea, or whatever. THANKS!