Sam is walking to the D's office and bumps into Nick.
Sam: So, back to Sudbury. Twice in 2 days, lucky you.
Nick: Look, I am sorry about yesterday, Andy really felt like she had to go and I...
Sam interrupts
Sam: Collins, you don't need to apologize. I was not exactly happy about it but I know she needed to go, if I couldn't be there I am glad she had a friend with her. So thanks, I guess.
Nick: Wow that is...well, a lot more understanding than I would have expected but I'll take it. Thank you.
Sam:Frank briefed you on everything?
Nick: Yeah, he said Anton Hill was an old case of yours but you were made before you could make the bust.
Sam: Yeah, look Sudbury is a long ride, see if you can get him to talk without bringing up Anton yourself, I'd rather he bring it up without being prompted. I don't want to spook him anymore than he already is.
Nick: Will do. To be honest, I am more worried about riding with Gail than I am about questioning Matty.
Sam: She still hasn't let you off the hook yet? Give her time.
Nick: I'm trying...
Sam: Look, a long time ago when things were not so great with Andy and I we had to do the Sudbury run. It was awful, things were awkward. prisoner escaped. It was a mess, but somehow by the time we got back to the station, we were in a better place.
Nick: So you are saying this ride might be a good thing.
Sam: I am saying that you might be able to at least make some peace.
Nick: You know this is the most you have ever spoken to me right?
Sam: Don't get use to it. You guys better get on the road. Where is Peck?
Gail is in the locker room getting ready to go when Andy walks in.
Gail: You have to go to Sudbury for me.
Andy: No, I do not.
Gail: Come on, you owe me.
Andy: For what?
Gail: Snatching my boyfriend in the middle of the night and taking him under cover with you for 6 months.
Andy: Really, Gail?
Gail: Ok, fine you were doing your job and all that. I get it. Could you just do it anyway?
Andy: Even if I wanted to I couldn't. You know, since he kidnapped and beat me...
Gail: Fine, you are right.
Andy: Don't you think you have held this over Nick for long enough? It is obvious that you still care about him, why don't you just tell him and move on?
Gail: Just like you and Swarek?
Andy: Well, yeah kind of, why not?
Gail: I guess I am not as forgiving as the two of you.
Andy: You have to forgive him sometime. He is a good guy, and he misses you. Give him a chance. Plus take it from me, it is a long ride. You might as well try to get along. Good luck!
The ride to Sudbury was pretty uneventful, Nick couldn't get Gail to talk about too much beside the weather, the case and her disdain for him. Slowly he was starting to give up. He knew he had not been back for long but he was growing tired of having to constantly chip the ice away before he got anywhere with her. He knew her well enough to know that eventually she would speak to him without giving her famous death stare, he just did not know how long it would take.
They arrive at the jail and pick Matty up for transfer.
Matty: What the hell are you doing here?
Nick: Well, Matt we are transferring you back to 15 division.
Matty: Why?
Gail: Because we have nothing better to do with our day then drive 5 hours out of our way. Now shut up and get in the car.
Nick: Nice. So Matty, looks like you have had a tough time since you have been in prison.
Matty: It was fine.
Nick: Really? It doesn't look fine, it looks like you got your ass kicked. I bet you thought they would keep you near your brother so he could protect you. I guess that didn't happen.
Matty: He is in a different prison but you knew that didn't you? You know, since he is there because of you and your friend, Andy.
Nick: He is there because he is a drug dealer.
Matty: Whatever.
Nick: When did you become such a tough guy, Matty? I thought you were going down a different path than your brother. Kidnapping and beating a cop?
Matty: Let me guess next you are going to say " That's not like you, Matty". Well let me tell you something, you don't know me, no one does.
Nick: Except for your brother right?
Matty: Especially my brother. He doesn't know me. He doesn't know what I do.
Nick: Really? Matty, you are a student. What is it that you do that is such a secret...late nights at the library?
Nick was trying to make him mad and it was starting to work
Matty: My brother thinks I am some innocent kid " Go to school Matty, be better then me" That is all he would ever say. he never gave me a chance to show him what I was capable of.
Gail: And what is that?
Matty: Why don't you ask Andy. That beating, I did that!
Nick: Something to be proud of.
Matty: I proved myself, that is all that matters.
Nick: To who?
Matty: Forget it. Who are you to question me anyway? You and Andy, you come to my brother for a job, and lie about everything. And you are questioning my motives?
Nick: It is a little different Matt, and if you cannot figure that out you are clearly you are not as smart as I thought.
Matty: Whatever, at least I have a life, unlike you who can disappear for what?,6 or 7 months? Clearly you had nothing in your life to just leave like that.
Gail lets out a laugh
Nick: Actually, I had a great life. I loved my job and was in a relationship with an amazing woman.
Matty: How is that working out for you now?
Nick: Not so great, she hates me for leaving.
Gail: Well, you did just leave her out to dry.
Nick looks at Gail: I thought she was going to travel the world for a few months. Had I known she wasn't...I would have stayed.
Gail breaks his gaze and quietly looks out the window.
The remainder of the ride is pretty quiet. Nick decided he did not want to push Matty any further. It was clear at this point that Matty was going to talk, you just needed to push the right buttons, and if he was going to start admitting to things, he wanted it to be in the interrogation room where any confessions would be recorded.
They arrive back and 15 and Epstein and Diaz meet them at the squad and take him to his cell. First thing tomorrow he will be interrogated, but tonight, Nick needs a drink.
Nick: Hey, I was thinking about going to the Penny, you feel like grabbing a drink?
Gail: I am headed there myself. Maybe I will see you.
Nick: You want a ride?
Gail: No.
Both head to the locker rooms to get showered and changed. Noelle, Andy and Traci walk into the women's locker room as Gail is getting ready.
Andy: Hey! How did it go today?
Gail: Fine.
Traci: Ooook. We are going to the Penny, you coming?
Gail: Um, yeah sure. I could use a drink. Noelle, you coming too?
Noelle: Hell yes, we got a baby sitter for the night...I don't remember the last time we went out for drinks... or the last time I wasn't covered in spit up for that matter.
Traci: Alright, this train is leaving in 5 minutes. Who needs a ride?
Andy: I do, Sam has a couple things to finish up.
Noelle: Same here.
Gail: Me too.
Traci. Ok, I will be outside see you in 5.
15 Minutes later they are walking into the Penny and all sit at the bar. Liam automatically brings them all shots of tequila and a beer.
Noelle: So before the boys get here I have to ask...McNally, what in the hell did you do to Swarek?
Andy laughs: What does that mean?
Noelle: It means that I have known him for a long time. I have never seen him so happy...ever. It is actually starting to scare me.
Andy blushes and before she can say anything she feels Sam's arms wrap around her.
Sam: What are we talking about?
Andy: Oh just about how good I am for you.
Sam: I won't deny that.
Oliver: Are we going to talk or are we going to drink?
Everyone: Drink!
Traci: Andy...heads up Traci points to the door. Sam hears her as well and he and Andy look at the door. Luke and walking in and Sam makes a grunting noise. Oliver calls out to Luke and he heads over to the group. Andy looks at Sam.
Andy: Would you relax?
Sam: What? I'm fine.
Andy: Every time he comes around you get tense.
Sam: I do not.
Andy: Yes you do. Sam, I am with YOU, I love YOU.
Sam: I know, I know.
Andy: So what's the problem?
Sam: Aggghh...I don't know. I just hate that you guys have a history. I mean you were engaged to the guy.
Andy: The key word there is history, you know that right? Sam, do you remember after the black out, when I came back to work and Luke and I went to his cabin for the night?
Sam: WHY exactly are you reminding me about this?
Andy: Because that night when Luke went to sleep I sat up all night thinking... about you. That was not the 1st night that happened and definitely not the last. Luke may have cheated on me, but what I did was even worse.
Sam: How is that?
Andy: My heart was always with you, you know that. But if you need me to, I am happy to remind you as often as you like.
Sam: Well, I feel like I need reminding right about now? Any maybe when we get home...
Andy interrupts him by giving him a passionate kiss.
Andy: That help?
Sam: It's a start. They are so caught up in eachother they don't notice Luke standing there until he clears his throat
Andy: Hey! Hows it going?
Luke: Good, I was called in to question Matt Shea tomorrow.
Sam: Really? They called you in for that?
Luke: Well, you can't be doing it. And to be honest I probably should not be doing it either. I heard what he did to you, I am so sorry.
Andy: Thanks, I am ok. Sam has been taking good care of me.
Luke: I'll bet. Listen, Swarek can I talk to you for a second?
Andy gives them both a weary look, and Sam gives her a nod. She walks toward Traci to give them a minute.
Luke: Look, I know you are not my biggest fan, and I am certainly not yours.
Sam: There's an understatement.
Luke: We are both detectives now, we will bump into each other and maybe even have to work together from time to time. I propose we call a truce.
Sam: A truce?
Luke: Look, I have moved on. I get it, she and I are long over. I don't like you, Sam but you are a good cop, and you have always had her back, you always protected her. That means something.
Sam: I don't like you either. But you are right, we work together and we both care about Andy. I can keep it professional if you can.
Luke: Good. So, Anton Hill eh?
Sam: Looks like it, though you will have to crack Matty Shea first. Should not be too hard but you should talk to McNally and Collins before you interrogate him tomorrow.
Luke: Will do. Ok, I am going to go kick Shaw's ass at pool. See ya.
Luke walks away and Andy walks back over to Sam
Andy: What the hell was that about?
Sam: We made a truce.
Andy: Seriously?
Sam: Yeah well, we will have to work together on occasion. Plus we both think you are hot, so we do have something in common.
Andy: Sam!
Sam: You know, I like our friends and all but I would much rather get out of here, spend some quality time with you.
Andy: Your place or mine?
Sam: Yours...I have a leak in my roof.
Andy: Again?!
Sam: Let's go McNally.
On the way out they spot Nick and Gail looking kind of cozy in the corner.
Sam: Well, well looks like Sudbury worked it's magic...again.
Andy: Please, you did not get that lucky after our trip.
Sam: You are right...How are my chances looking for tonight?
Andy: Very promising...let's go.
Note: Next chapter I promise to get into Anton Hill more. I have just been enjoying writing the Sam/Andy story, I have not wanted to completely rush everything with them. That said, if you feel like it is getting long winded just say so. I won't be offended :-) Thanks to all who have been reading and giving feedback...it is always appreciated.