She was happy Sam's house wasn't too far away from hers. She loved running, but it probably wasn't the smartest idea after she had been shot at. She had a horrible pain in her left side and her breathing was shallow as she made her way up his walkway.

She raised her hand to knock and then paused, suddenly regretting coming here. It wasn't like she even called and showing up at someone's house in the middle of the night was not normal.

She had almost turned around and headed back home, but she wasn't ready to face Luke again. So, she faced the door and found the courage to knock.

It was a few moments later that Sam opened the door. He didn't look tired in the slightest, but he was confused. "McNally? What are you doing here? Are you alright?" He seemed caught between making sure she was okay and getting ready to boot her from his house.

"If I have to hear that question one more time, I'm going to scream," she sighed. "Can I come in?"

He shook his head, but stepped aside to let her in. He shut the door behind them and gestured for her to follow him into the living room.

She collapsed on his couch, feeing right at home. She stretched out her torso, trying to relieve it, and she hoped he didn't notice.

"So, do you need to talk?" Sam asked, still trying to figure out how she ended up here.

Suddenly, she realized she did want to talk and she found herself spilling everything that had just occurred with Luke. She had no clue why she was telling him this, but she always felt so comfortable talking to him, and though he seemed like he minded, she always thought it was an act.

Sam just stared at her when she was done, but finally said, "Yeah, I thought something was going on between them."

Most of the time she appreciated his blunt honesty, but she was still irked. "Why didn't you say anything?" she snapped.

He looked at her, eyebrows raised at her tone, and she immediately felt bad. "It wasn't my place," he said in answer to her question.

He got up from the chair he was sitting in. "You want anything to drink?"

"No, I'm good." She attempted to get off the couch to follow him, but she felt a horrible pain shoot up her side and she yelped, choking back tears.

"McNally, you alright?" He was instantly by her side. "Andy, are you okay?"

"Fine," she panted, though she only half believed it herself.

"Andy, your shirt," he said, crouching down. Through the thin cotton of her t-shirt, he could see the blood coming through.

The sight made her sick, but not because she was bleeding or because of the pain. It made her think of Kate and how she had been talking to her seconds before she was shot. She could still feel the blood spatter on her face.

Sam, unaware of what was going on in her head, said, "Wait here, I'll go get something to clean it out."

Before Andy could tell him not to worry, he was gone, leaving her alone during a time when she didn't want to be.

Once she started thinking about Kate, she couldn't stop. She realized this was the real reason she had come over to his place; he was the only one who would understand what she was going through.

Sam came back again in no time, carrying a mixture of different things. He placed them all on the table in front of the couch and resumed crouching in front of her.

"Lift up your shirt," he told her.

"What?" she said alarmed.

He gestured towards the medical supplies. "Your wound?"

"Oh, right," she said, her cheeks flaming.

Before he started dressing her wound, she stopped him. "I keep seeing her face, her blood splattering over my face. I was talking to her just a few seconds before. She was so sweet, she didn't deserve to die. And it's my fault. If I hadn't of let her in, she might still be alive right now."

Sam met Andy's eyes which were filling up with tears. He would do anything to relieve that pain, but he knew she had to work this out by herself.

He lifted up her shirt, and it stuck lightly to her skin after her run. She tried not to wince as he dabbed on peroxide. She focused on what he was saying to take her mind off of it.

"Andy, it's not your fault. You couldn't have known that was going to happen. You're right, she didn't deserve to die; no one that young does. But you have to look at the bright side."

She looked at him dubiously.

"At least we nailed that bastard that did it," Sam said.

For some reason, this did make her feel better and she smiled at him. Suddenly she was aware of his hands on her stomach, reminding her of his touch earlier, the look in eyes so concerned and she had a chill go up her spine, having nothing to do with the fact that she was cooling off from her run.

Sam finished dabbing with the peroxide and taped some gauze on her stomach. It had stopped bleeding.

Sam remained there for a minute, but then tugged her shirt back into place. "I think you'll live," he teased, capping the peroxide.

He went to go stand up, but her hand on his arm stopped him. Her gaze was fixed intently on his face, her eyes searching his.

It triggered something warm inside him and he knew he should look away, but he wasn't one to back down, and he searched her eyes right back, not sure what she was hiding there.

"Thank you," she said. "For…everything."

"It's nothing, Andy, really," he told her, honestly.

She had just realized that he was calling her by her first name instead of by McNally.

She had time to stop it before it happened, but with him that close, she didn't want to push him away. She was sad, she was hurt, and she didn't know what to do. She could smell him, he was so close and it made her want him even more.

She thought she could see the same want in his eyes, but knew he was too good to start something since she was still with Luke.

So, she leaned forward, pressing her lips softly to his, trying to gauge his reaction.

He was shocked at first. He had seen it coming, but he didn't really think Andy would go through with it. He responded though, just like he had during the blackout.

With that thought, he pulled back, not wanting another replay. He didn't think he could take it again.

"What?" she asked.

"I can't have another blackout situation, McNally," Sam said, standing up and turning away to hide his hurt.

She stood up with him, making him look at her. She kissed him again. "No going to happen, Swarek," she whispered and she could feel him smiling under her lips.

He tugged her closer to him and she fell easily against his muscular chest. She knew there was no turning back now, and the scary thing was she didn't want to.

She jumped up, wrapping her legs around his hips and he supported her easily as he carried her into the bedroom, laying her down on top of his bed, and hovering over her.

He leaned on one arm, looking down at her and stroking the side of her face with his finger, giving her the comfort she needed.

He kissed his way up her neck and along her jaw line as she slipped off his shirt, running her hands over his rippling muscles.

He slipped off her shirt in turn, being very conscious not to hurt her gunshot wound anymore. They quickly tore off the rest of their clothes.

Andy reached up, pulling Sam down closer to her. It was like she couldn't get enough of him. She paused kissing him just enough to say, "I love you, Sam."

He looked at her in surprise for the second time that night. But this time he had his adorable smirk on his face. "I love you, too. Always have."

They made love and it was the best night of her life. It was completely different from sleeping with Luke; this actually felt special. It felt right.

She lay curled up in Sam's arms as he slept, his breath tickling her ear since he was curled up in the crook of her neck. She absentmindedly stroked his arm, loving the touch of his skin on hers.

She looked at him and he looked so sweet and vulnerable as he slept. She stared out the window at the twinkling stars.

Thought it was the best night of her life, she knew she would be gone by morning.

So, should I leave it here? I'm not sure; I think I have a couple more chapters in me at least. Let me know what you think!