The next time I opened my eyes, I found a pair of sparkling brown eyes looking directly at me. I would know those eyes anywhere. I smiled, "Sam."

He smiled back but the concerned look never left his eyes. He reached up and lightly ran his fingers over the top of my head then along the side of my face. "Andy, what happened? I came back and you were crumpled on the floor bleeding."

The encounter with Luke flashed through my mind. I couldn't tell Sam. He would kill Luke. "I tried to get up and fell. I guess the doctor was right about the weakness."

I smiled slightly trying to make it convincing. Sam didn't buy it. "McNally, you're a terrible liar. I saw the bruises on your arm. You didn't get them from falling. So stop lying and tell me the damn truth."

I looked down at my wrist which was currently wrapped with and ace bandage. I could make out a tiny portion of the bruise he was speaking of.

I sighed then looked down at my hands, "Luke came by; I broke up with him; he didn't take it too well. He gripped my arm then started saying some really horrible stuff. So…"

Sam interrupted and his voice was ice cold, "What did he say?"

I sighed, I really didn't want to tell him but he would know I was lying so there really wasn't any point trying. "He called me a whore, and said my dad was a dead-beat father."

He was breathing through his nose now, and his nostrils were flared in anger. "Is that it?"

I shook my head not being able to look at him for some reason, "He said I whored around because I was insecure. He said that I was whoring myself to you, and that he really didn't know why he had 'kept' me around, because I was horrible in bed."

I felt the blood rush to my cheeks, and tears welled up from the anger, sadness, and embarrassment.

"I'm going to kill him." Sam turned to leave. I started to panic; I didn't want Sam to do anything that could get him in trouble. I needed him. My heart monitor started beeping faster as my heart rate increased rapidly. Sam turned back and saw the panicked expression on my face. His angry face melted to concern.

I grabbed his closest hand, "Sam, please don't go. I don't want you to leave."

I watched as he had an internal war about whether or not to stay. I guess staying won over.

"I'm not going anywhere." He squeezed my hand lightly, and then said, "Tell me what happened after that."

I gave a small smile, "I punched him in the face as hard as I could."

I looked up to see Sam smirking, and then I continued, "He had a tight grip on my arm, so when I punched him and he started falling backward, he pulled me with him. It's not a big deal, just let it go."

I really needed to stop saying that; especially to Sam. it just makes him mad.

When I finally looked to Sam, my point was proven because he now wore a look of both disbelief and anger. "Let it go; not a big deal. Andy, you ripped most of your stitches. Not to mention the fact that he just left you there without saying a word to anyone. You could have died."

My lip trembled; my voice was down to a whisper. "You think I don't know that? I'm not condoning his actions, and I will never forget what he did and said, but I know you, and I don't want you to get in trouble for doing something stupid. So promise me you will just let it go, at least for now."

He was pissed, his white knuckles indicating as much, but after some deep breathes he answered, "Okay, I promise, but Andy, we have to tell Best, he can make sure Callaghan is out of the division before we get back." I was about to protest but he stopped me, "If Callaghan isn't gone by the time we are back, and I see him, I won't be able to keep my promise."

I looked at him, and his face was filled with warmth and concern. "Okay, thank you Sam." Something Sam said had just said got me confused, "Wait, Sam, what did you mean when you said, 'by the time we are back.'?"

His trade mark smirk appeared, but in his eyes I saw a bit of uncertainty, "The doctor said you need someone around for the next few weeks, and it just so happens I have vacation days that need using, so you are going to stay at my house until you are back on your feet."

My mouth was hanging open. I was completely speechless. After a few tries at speaking, my voice finally came back, "Sam, you don't have to do that."

He rolled his eyes, "McNally when have I ever done something I didn't want to do?"

I sighed, "Never. Okay, fine, I'll stay with you, but just say the word and I'm gone."

Sam's smirk grew into a genuine smile, "That will never happen McNally. Never."

I got butterflies in my stomach when he said that. Maybe something good could come of this day after all.

Sam slept in the hospital bed with me again. Before going to bed, I called Traci and told her the highlights of what happened. She was just as furious as Sam.

I also told her about my living arrangements for the next few weeks, and I could practically see her smile over the phone. "Do you want me to go over to your house and pack you some clothes? I can bring them by Sam's tomorrow once you get released."

I smiled. She was such a great friend. "That would be great, thanks Trace."

"No problem Andy. You just rest up and enjoy the company you'll have for the next few weeks." She laughed slightly.

I rolled my eyes, "Goodnight, Trace."

We hung up and I quickly fell asleep lying in Sam's arms.