Andy: Thanks... it's good to be back.
Sam: Good. OK, this should not take too long. Callahan has kept us up to date with the status of the operation so I have a handful of questions to ask and then you can go home.
Andy is giving Sam a curious look.
Sam: What?
Andy: Sorry, it's just weird. I am so use to seeing you in uniform. I go away for a few months and now you are a detective.
Sam: It was 6 months
Andy: I know, believe me, I know how long I have been away. Sam I...
Sam: Andy look, it's late. I am tired, and I am guessing you are too. The faster we get this debrief done the faster we go home.
Andy: Fine.
Sam: Good.
45 minutes later they are wrapping up the debrief
Sam: Where where you living while undercover?
Andy: An apartment at 25 Craven Road.
Sam: Ok and you lived there alone?
Andy: No, I was living with Nick.
Sam tried to hide his sudden discomfort from Andy.
Sam: Ok, what was the nature of your relationship with Nick Collins?
Andy looking skeptical: That is actually a question?
Sam: Yes.
Andy: You are not serious. Let me see.
Sam: McNally, the reason we are doing this is to get all the details from your time under cover. I am not giving it to you. Just answer the question so we can get out of here.
Andy: Fine. Nick and I were partners. We slept in separate rooms. Happy?
Sam: Uh Yeah, Headquarters will be very happy. We are done. Peck is probably not so patiently waiting for you out front. I will see you Monday, McNally.
Sam walks away leaving her standing there. It is an oddly familiar feeling, about 8 months ago he did the same thing. Somehow tonight, after all this time, it still stings to see him walk away.
Sam got into his truck, leaned back and exhaled. She was not involved with Collins. All he could feel was pure relief. He didn't know where to go from there but it was a start, he would deal with the rest on Monday.
Andy spent a few minutes chatting with Tracy before she and Nick headed out to the squad to face Peck. Tracy had to get home to Leo but she made plans to hang out with Andy the following night.
Andy and Nick arrive at Peck's car. Nick reached for the drivers side handle. Peck slams the locks.
Peck: You...Back Seat! She says pointing at Nick
Nick: Seriously?
Peck: Do I look like I am joking? Get in the back.
Nick gives Andy a look of terror. Maybe being home isn't going to be so easy after all.
Andy and Nick both get into the back seat. Peck sits in the front seat staring Andy down through the rearview mirror.
Peck: What is this...Driving Miss Daisy? Get in the front McNally!
Andy quickly moves to the front seat. They spend the remainder of the ride to Nick's apartment in silence. Peck drops Nick off leaving him standing in the dust.
Andy: A little harsh don't you think?
Peck: (laughing) Really? You are accusing me of being harsh?
Andy: What is that suppose to mean?
Peck: It means I was there Andy. You and Nick went running into the night while Swarek and I sat at the Penny waiting for you two like a couple of chumps.
Andy: Gail, I get that you are upset. But in his defense, he thought you were going to Europe.
Peck: Well I didn't, did I?
Andy: I am glad you got your job back.
Peck: Yeah, well I have taken Dov's place as low man on the totem pole, which is why I am here chauffeuring you and your friend tonight.
Andy: Well thank you for the ride.
Peck: Yeah, yeah. Hey Andy...It's good to have you back.
Andy smiles and walks into her building. She gets into her apartment and heads straight to bed. God, it has been a long day, a long 6 months...
The following day in the D's office
Sam: Nash, do you have the file for the Sawyer case?
Tracy: Here you go.
Sam: Thanks.
Tracy: Sooo...
Sam: Do you need something Nash?
Tracy: No, I was just wondering how it went with Andy last night.
Sam: Fine, I took her statement and passed it on to Frank. He will pass it on to Headquarters.
Tracy: Good, good. But that is not what I meant.
Sam: I know what you meant and I am ignoring it.
Tracy: Come on Sam, you miss her and you know it. You have not exactly been Mr. Sunshine lately.
Sam: Mr. Sunshine? When have you ever known me to be that guy?
Tracy: Ok, point taken but still. It is clear that you miss her, and I am sure she missed you too.
Sam: Oh really? Did she tell you that? No? I didn't think so. Let's drop it.
Tracy: Sam, look. I know that you are hurt. I also know that she was hurt, very badly by you. You both made mistakes but that doesn't mean you can't work it out. Tomorrow is not promised Sam, and no one knows that more than you and I. So before you make any decisions, before you decide to really walk away, you better think long and hard about what you want. I personally think you belong together. That is what I want. I know that is what Jerry would want.
Sam: Really? You are going to bring Jerry into it?
Tracy: You know I am right.
Sam: Look at the time. Gotta go Nash. Meeting up with Oliver. Have a good day off tomorrow. See you Monday.
Tracy: ALWAYS RUNNING! she yells to Sam who is now at the end of the hallway.
Andy's Apartment
Knock at the door
Andy: Hey!
Tracy: Ahh I can't believe you are really here!
Andy: I know, it has been so long. Trace, I am so sorry I didn't say goodbye. It was just...
Tracy: Andy, you do not need to explain. I get it. If not for Leo, I would have done the same thing. I am the last person you need to explain anything to. I am just so happy you are home!
Andy: Me too. I mean, it is a little weird. Truthfully I feel a little out of the loop. Chris is gone, Sam is a detective. YOU are a detective. No more rotation. I have not even congratulated you! I am so proud of youTrace, you deserve it. How have you been. I mean how have you really been?
Tracy: I'm good. I have my good days, and my bad days but I am starting to have more good than bad. Thank God I have Leo, he really has helped to get me through everything, he doesn't know that but he has.
Andy: He is one lucky kid.
Tracy: Thanks, but I am the lucky one. I can't wait for you to see him, he is so grown up now. I mean, I know you saw him before you left but he has really changed. Seems like just yesterday he drew that picture of you and Luke moving into your house together. That was a long time ago!
Andy: Tell me about it.
Tracy: So I talked to Sam today. Andy, I really think you guys need to talk.
Andy: Trace...
Tracy: Andy, you know you still love him and I can tell he loves you.
Andy: I don't know, he did not seem to happy to see me last night. I think it is time to move on.
knock at the door
Tracy: Are you expecting some one?
Andy: Not that I know of.
Andy opens the door to find Gail
Gail: Alright ladies, it is Saturday night. We are young, hot and single. Staying in is not an option so put your party pants on. We are going to the Penny!
Andy: Can't we just hang in tonight?
Gail: No we cannot just hang in. We are going out.
Andy: And why the Penny? You are hoping to bump into Nick aren't you?
Gail: Please, Nick who? Plus I talked to Dov, Chris is in town to get the last of his things so it will be like a welcome home party for you and a going away one for him. Come on!
Tracy: Ok, Gail is right. Come on, we are going out.
Andy: Fine, give me 15 minutes.
The Black Penny
Oliver: I need to get home to my wife.
Sam: No, you need to stay here and drink with me.
Dov: Hey guys
Oliver: Epstein! Diaz! Well well, this is it buddy.. One last night and you are leaving 15. How do you feel?
Chris: Good. I think, I mean I am a dad now right? So I have to do what is best for my family.
Oliver: Right, right. Well here is to you mean, cheers!
Collins: He guys, what's going on?
Swarek hangs his head
Dov: Hey, man. Good to see you.
Nick: Thanks, it's good to be seen. It was just me and Andy for 6 months so it's nice to be out among friends again.
Sam is looking annoyed. He knows they were not together, Andy is good at her job, she can lie for her job but she cannot lie to him. But still, the idea of them living together makes him tense up. He wanted a night to forget about all of it before he has to face her again on Monday.
The front door opens and in walks Tracy, Gail and Andy
Oliver: I am going to call Zoe and let her know I am going to be late...this night just got interesting...