I felt weighed down by something. I couldn't move. I kept trying to open my eyes but it was as if there were weights placed on them. After countless tries at opening my eyes, they finally budged. At first everything was blurry, but as I continued to blink, my eyes adjusted, and I was able to make out ceiling tiles.

I still felt this pressure on my stomach. When I looked down, I saw the hospital gown. I was in the hospital? Why?

That's when I remembered the undercover op with Sam. Where was Sam?

It was as if he had heard my thoughts, because moments later, Sam walked in. As soon as he saw me, he froze where he stood. After a few seconds, elation spread across his face, as he continued toward the side of my bed.

He grabbed my hand in his, "Andy, you're awake. Are you in any pain? I'll send for the doctor," he reached for the call button and pressed it.

"Sam, you're okay." my voice sounded so raspy, and it felt even worse.

He smiled slightly but they looked guilty. "Yeah, I'm okay, but you aren't. I should have never left you there. I'm sorry."

I was about to speak when the doctor walked in. "Welcome back, Ms. McNally. You gave us all quite a scare. How are you feeling? We can give you something for the pain if it gets too bad."

As soon as he mentioned the pain, I began to feel the throbbing from both the back and front of my lower abdomen. "I'm fine."

The doctor looked skeptical but accepted my answer, and I felt Sam's hand tighten in response to my answer. He always hated when I said that to him.

"How long have I been out?" I looked at Sam for the answer but he didn't respond so I then looked toward the doctor.

"Two days." I really didn't know what to say to that so I just waited for him to continue speaking.

The doctor continued, "You were very lucky. The bullet went through and through without hitting any major organs. However, you did sustain severe blood loss from going without medical help for so long. We gave you a transfusion, but you will still be weak and very sore for a few days. The stitches will dissolve within two weeks. You can start with desk duties once they have dissolved, but no heavy lifting until they do. You don't want to risk ripping them open. You can probably be discharged tomorrow as long as you have someone you can stay with to help you get around."

I really didn't know who I was going to stay with. My father was at an Alcohol Anonymous retreat for two weeks. Luke. Where was Luke? I saw him at the warehouse, so he must know what has happened to me.

I realised the doctor was waiting for a response. "Thank you doctor." He told me he would check on me later, and then left.

Sam had taken a seat in a chair next to me while the doctor was there, so now we were just sitting in silence. That's when I remembered what Sam had said before the doctor walked in. "Sam, it wasn't your fault."

He looked up with a sad and guilty expression, "How could it not be? I left you alone, and you got shot." He paused and his expression changed to one of confusion, "Andy, how did you get shot? The doctor told me and the others you were shot in the back. We caught Rick trying to leave the lounge on foot. He wont talk though. What happened in there?"

It was my turn to look guilty, even though I knew that if put in the same position I would do it again. "I turned my back and walked away from Rick even though he had a gun pointed at me. "

Sam's eyes went wide, "You did what? What the hell were you thinking Andy? You never turn your back on someone with a gun on you."

I immediately got defensive, "I know Sam, but you were about to be made, I had to make sure you were safe. I didn't think he would shoot."

He gave a frustrated sigh as he tried to control his anger. He seems to always have to do that with me. "Let's just forget about it. You are going to be okay; we are going to be okay, so let's not think about the could haves or what ifs."

We sat in comfortable silence, holding hands. Why didn't I wish that Luke was here instead of Sam? I was about to ask Sam if Luke had been here at all, when Traci, Dov, Chris, Gail, Oliver, Jerry and Noelle came in. Sam and I quickly released each other's hands.

I was surprised that they didn't stop in shock like Sam had, when he realised I was awake. When I looked to Sam his face was calm with a slight smirk at my confussion, and that's when i knew. He had somehow texted everyone or at least someone while the doctor was here, to tell them I was awake.

The question was where the hell was Luke?

I smiled at the others. Traci walked over to the other side of the bed and gave me a light hug. The others just remained across from me all wearing happy expressions, all asking me how I was doing at the same time. I laughed but quickly grimaced from the pain.

Their expressions dimmed to ones of concern. "I'm fine guys." They were as skeptical as the doctor, so I decided to add, "Okay, so it hurts like hell, but only when I move, breath, talk or laugh."

They laughed at that. They all hung out, telling me what I had missed while unconscious. While they were here, I also gave my statement on the Op. I was probably going to get into trouble for turning my back on someone with a gun, but I really didn't care. After about an hour, they all left, well except for Sam of course. Even though I enjoyed their company, I was exhausted.

Sam gripped my hand once again. I looked at him, like really looked at him, and saw how truly exhausted he looked. "Sam, when was the last time you slept." Before he tried it, I added, "and I mean for more than an hour or two." He didn't answer. "Go home and get some rest. I'll be here in the morning."

He looked at me with an expression of disbelief, "I think I'll stay. My bed isn't nearly as comfortable as this here chair."

I rolled my eyes, and then improvised. I slowly scooted over in the bed, and then patted the empty part next to me. He looked at me in confusion. "Since you won't go home to your own bed, you are going to sleep in this one. There is plenty of room on the bed for both of us."

Before I even finished speaking he had started shaking his head no. "I can't, in case you have forgotten, you were just shot."

I rolled my eyes, a common occurrence when talking to Sam. "Sam, this isn't up for discussion. You won't hurt me, I promise. Now get in, I'm tired."

He still looked hesitant, but complied. He slowly got into bed, staying as far away from me as he could. Once he seemed to get comfortable, I felt some of the tension in his shoulders diminish. I slowly moved closer to him, which caused him to tense again.

I laid on his arm, then grabbed his other hand and held it in mine. Sam was out cold in seconds. I quickly followed, letting exhaustion roll over me, pulling me towards the darkness once more.