Andy laughed. "The day we met?"

"Extenuating circumstances, McNally," Sam laughed.

They were just sitting there, Sam's arms around Andy as she leaned against him when the light came on and Sarah stepped onto the porch.

"Sorry to interrupt."

Sam looked over at his sister and smiled. "Everything ok?"

Sarah smiled. "Yeah." She held out a couple of beer.

Andy made to get up. Sarah motioned for her to stay where she was comfortable.

"Did I hear your rookie call you out for bein' a hard ass, little brother?" Sarah laughed sitting on the opposite rail after handing them the beers.

"I was never a hard ass, sis."

"The other rookies would disagree, Babe," Andy laughed.

"The other rookies weren't my rookie, McNally."

"So you gave your girlfriend special treatment, little brother?"

Andy laughed. Sarah looked at her, confused.

"Our first shift together, as we got into the cruiser I was told he would not be holdin' my hand."

"You didn't need me to," Sam reasoned.

Sarah looked at them and asked, "So exactly how long before you were holding her hand, Sammy?"

Sam flashed his sister a grin. "I can't tell ya that, sis."

"Wait a minute, you said you've only been together 2 months ..."

"No, I said she was cut loose 2 months ago, I didn't say we got together 2 months ago."

"Are you tellin' me you were together before ..."

"I'm not tellin' you anything," Sam said with a grin.

Sarah laughed. "How long have you 2 been together, Sammy?"

"5."

Sarah shook her head. "So much for not holdin' your rookie's hand, little brother."

Sam just grinned at his sister.

"Ok, you 2, I'm off to bed," Sarah pushed herself off the rail. "I'll see ya in the a.m."

"Night, Sarah."

"Sleep well, sis."

Once they were alone, Sam said, "Where were we?"

"You don't ..."

"I'm not tellin' you because I have to, baby, I'm tellin' you because I want you to know."

Andy curled into him as they sat there and talked. When he felt her falling asleep he kissed her cheek and said, "Alright Sleeping Beauty, let's get you to bed."

They crawled into bed and fell asleep with her head on his chest, arms around each other.

The next morning Sam woke to a small knock on the door. He smiled knowing it was Callie. He watched as the door opened and she stuck her head in. Sam motioned for her to be quiet as she came in. She usually woke up early when he was there for a visit and crawled in bed with him for a couple of hours.

Andy woke to the sound of Callie's voice. "Uncle Sammy go 'way again?"

Sam sighed and kissed her forehead. "No, I'm not goin' away again."

"Good. Don't like you go 'way."

Sam hugged her. "Neither do I, brat. Can you go tell mommy that Uncle Sammy and Aunt Andy will be down soon and that I'll cook breakfast?"

"K." She climbed out of the bed and raced for the door.

The moment Callie was gone Sam turned to the woman next to him and gathered her in his arms and kissed her. "Mornin'."

Andy kissed him. "Mornin'."

"You wanna shower before or after breakfast?"

"You just promised your niece we'd be down so you could cook her breakfast."

Sam cursed making Andy laugh.

They got out of bed and went downstairs.

They exchanged good mornings with Sarah while Sam fixed their coffees.

Andy watched while Sam sat Callie on the counter so she could "help".

After breakfast Sarah offered to clean up so they could go get dressed.

Sam nodded at Callie and Sarah smiled as she nodded.

Sam locked their bedroom door, just in case.

Wrapping his arms around her, Sam pulled Andy against him. "How'd ya sleep?"

"Great."

When Sam looked at her, Andy smiled and kissed him. "You were here."

They undressed and had their shower. After they got dressed Sam unlocked the door. They were sitting on the bed, Sam brushing her hair when the door opened and Callie stuck her head in.

"Hey brat."

"Mommy wants know you wanna do today?"

"Tell Mommy we're just gonna sit on the porch and visit."

"K."

They spent the rest of the weekend talking and laughing as Andy got to know Sam's family.

They walked into Parade Monday morning to Oliver grabbing their left hands.

Both Sam and Andy laughed.

"What's so funny?" Jerry asked joining them.

"Just makin' sure the lovebirds aren't sportin' some new jewelry, buddy."

Jerry stared open mouthed. "Sammy, buddy ..."

"No, we didn't ..."

"What didn't you do, Sammy?"

"Run off and get married on us," Oliver answered.

"He damn well better not. McNally deserves better."

Sam laughed as he wrapped his arm around Andy and pulled her against him as Frank walked in.

They listened as Frank gave out assignments and pairings. Chris had the pleasure of being paired with army boy.

They brought a guy in on suspicion of money laundering.

Sam and Andy shared a look when they got called back to the barn.

Once at the barn Sam disappeared.

"Andy, he's with Frank."

"What? Why?"

"Boyd's here."

"Oh God! No! He ..."

"He has a job t'do, Andy, let the man do it," Nick said walking out of the guys locker room.

"Go to hell, Nick," Andy said as she walked toward the Bullpen.

Sam saw her as soon as she entered and turned back to Frank. "Not doin' it, Frank."

"Sammy, c'mon man, I need you," Boyd pleaded.

Sam turned and looked at his former handler. "I told you I was done. Find somebody else. I'm out."

Boyd saw Andy in the Bullpen below. "You're not seriously walkin' away for her?"

"My reasons are none of your business."

Sam left Frank's office in search of a brunette.

Boyd looked at Frank. "Did that just happen?"

Frank laughed. "It did."

"Well hell, now what'm I supposed t'do?"

"Find somebody else."

Sam found her in the locker room sitting on the floor. Sitting next to her Sam wrapped both arms around her. "Whatever you're thinkin', don't. I don't even know what the job is, I just know I'm not the one doin' it."

"You didn't even hear him out?"

"Tryin' to get rid of me, woman?"

"You know I'm not, but I don't need to give Boyd more reason to hate me."

"It's not Boyd's call. C'mon, there's a briefing in the Parade Room I'm guessin' we're to sit in on."

Sam had his hand on Andy's back when they walked into the room. Boyd shook his head when he saw them.

"Ok, listen up people. Diaz and Collins unknowingly brought in a player in a Guns and Gangs op. The op is still in play because the big fish have never laid eyes on the guy we've got in the tank. Swarek has declined to be involved so we need someone else that shares his description."

"Sam, there's no reason for you not to do it," Andy whispered.

"You sure?"

"Yes."

"We need to move on this yesterday, kids." Boyd said

"What d'ya know, Boyd?"

Boyd looked at him. "You in?"

Sam looked at Andy who nodded. "Tell me what you know and I'll think about it."

"Gabe Lessing, here from Montreal to do a deal. Not sure what the hell he's doin' here early."

"We picked him up for harassing his ex," Chris piped up.

"I thought he was brought in under suspicion of money laundering?"

"Yes Sir, but we got called to the house for harassment." Nick offered.

"That's because you run your ops in the dark, Boyd."

Boyd shot Sam a dirty look but continued.

When Boyd was finished, Sam and Andy shared a look before he said, "I'm in,"

"Alright, let's get this done!"

Sam made the call and set up a meeting for that night at the Mermaid Lounge.

They were in Jerry's office going over details.

"We can't risk a wire," Jerry said.

"They'll find it." Sam shot the idea down.

"I don't want Sammy goin' in there alone. He needs backup."

"They're only expecting one guy right? Gabe."

Boyd and Jerry shared a look when Andy offered, "What about Edie? I mean Gabe said he was here to see his girlfriend, so maybe he brings her with him to the buy."

When Boyd questioned finding someone Andy volunteered. Both Boyd and Jerry shot her down claiming inexperience.

"What do I have t'do? Be his girlfriend? I think I can be my boyfriend's girlfriend. Unless you guys got a better idea ..."

Both Boyd and Jerry looked at Sam doubtful until Sam piped up, "She's in or I'm out."

Boyd gave him a dirty look before relenting. "You're doin' it."

He roughly brushed passed her. "Good luck, you're gonna need it."

"Actually, no, I won't," she looked at Sam, "I've got him."

Sam smiled.

They left Jerry's office and headed for the lockers to change.

They were on their way to the club when Sam said, "Ya ok?"

"Mmhmm."

They pulled up to the Mermaid Lounge and Sam killed the borrowed SUV's engine and turning to Andy said, "I wanna hear you say it."

"Say what?"

"That you're scared, that you don't think you can do it, whatever it is, c'mon, get it out. Now."

Andy looked around before looking at Sam. "I'm not scared to go in there because you'll be there,"

"But?"

"But I'm scared of what's in there."

Sam smiled. "That's what makes it fun."

Andy couldn't help but laugh.

It didn't take long once inside to figure out that things were not going according to plan.

When it looked like the deal was going to crash and burn Andy offered a solution that would see her taken to the drugs. It was shot down in favor of 'Gabe' going instead.

Sam left her with a kiss.

They hadn't been gone long before Andy realized Sam was in trouble. Turning her back on the gun she ran out of the building screaming that they needed to get to Sam.

When it came over the radio that shots were fired and that there was a victim DOS all the blood drained from Andy's face. All she could think was please don't let it be him.

She got out of the SUV and walked on shaky legs to see Boyd lift the police issued emergency wrap up to I.D the body. Her knees went weak with relief when she saw it wasn't Sam.

He was there to catch her before her legs went out from under her. The sudden feel of his arms around her brought tears of relief. She turned in his arms and cupped his face as she whispered, "You're ok."

Sam smiled. "Yeah, baby, I'm ok ... are you?"

Andy kissed him and whispered, "I'm fine."

Soon as he heard 'fine' Sam knew she wasn't.

"Talk to me, woman. If he hurt you ..."

Andy shook her head.

"Sammy, if you've been checked out we need your statement, man."

Andy looked at Sam with fear filled eyes, he shook his head.

"McNally, why don't you let somebody take you back to the station while Sammy gives his statement."

Sam's arms tightened. "Not a chance."

It was almost 4:30 before they finally got home. Andy fell asleep in the truck on the way home. Sam carried her into the house.

A few weeks after the Landry deal Sam got called into Frank's office. As soon as he saw Boyd all he said was, "No," before turning in the door and walking out.

Sam found her at the coffee station. Andy knew the moment she saw him something was wrong.

"What's wrong?"

"Boyd was in Frank's office."

"He wants you to go under," she whispered.

"Probably."

"You don't know?"

"Soon as I saw Boyd I left. C'mon, we gotta get to Parade."

Sam was a little surprised to see Boyd still hanging around.

"Sammy, we need to talk."

"About?"

Boyd looked at Andy. "Alone."

"You wanna talk to me about somethin' that's gonna affect her without her?! No dice, man. You wanna talk we'll talk ... but she's part of it."

Boyd gave Andy a dirty look before relenting. "Never thought you'd let a skirt make your decisions for ya, Sammy."

Sam raised his eyebrows in shock at the man's guts to say it in front of Andy, then laughed when Andy said, "We need to get your eyes checked Boyd."

"Why's that rookie?"

"Because you can't tell the difference between a uniform and a skirt."

Other uniforms hearing Andy's comment couldn't help but laugh. Boyd glared at them.

Sam smirked and looked at the detective. "Anything else you'd like to say about my partner's wardrobe? Which, by the way, is TPS issued."

Boyd walked to the D's office.

"What?"

Boyd waited until the door was closed. He looked at Andy. "Can you keep your mouth shut?"

"Boyd! Quit insultin' my partner and say whatever it is you think I need to hear so you can get your ass outta here and we can do our job."

Boyd scowled before filling them in on the reason he was there.

"How long?"

"Since when has that ever made a difference?"

"Since I promised a 3 year old little girl I wasn't goin' away anymore."

"You know how these things work. Could be weeks, could be months, maybe longer."

Andy could see Sam weighing his deSire to do his job against keeping his promise to Callie.

"We'll make sure she understands if you wanna go," Andy said softly.

"If I wanna go? Did you miss the part where I said you're part of this?"

He looked at Boyd. "Either we both go or you find somebody else."

"Does that mean you're in?"

"It means we talk about it and let you know. Now, unless you got more to tell us, we got a 10 hour shift to put in."

Sam motioned for Andy to go ahead of him.

They waited to discuss it until they were in the car.

As soon as they pulled out of the lot Andy said, "If you wanna do this ..."

"If I wanna do this?"

"Sam, you know this isn't about me. Boyd wants you ..."

"You don't wanna do it, we don't do it."

Andy smiled. "Sam, you know I'll go with you ..."

Sam sighed. "What'm I gonna tell Callie?"

"Maybe we'll get home before she needs to know ..."

"You sure you wanna do this? This isn't exactly Edie ..."

Andy laughed. "Doesn't matter as long as I'm with you."

Andy could tell something was bothering him. "What?"

Sam sighed. There were times being able to read each other like a book was a good thing, times like this, not so much. "As much as I want you with me, the idea of puttin' you in arms reach of danger is not somethin' I'm lookin' forward to."

Andy looked at him. "Sam, danger and risk are part of the job."

"I know, but on shift you have this," he tugged on his vest. "Under, you got nothin'."

Andy reached for his hand. "Not true ... I'll have you."

Sam smiled.

After shift they went to speak to Frank. Three weeks later they disappeared without so much as a 'goodbye'.

Two weeks into their new lives as J.D and Candace the mark showed up at their loft.

A week later Andy was waiting for Sam to come home. She tried calling him but it went straight to voice mail. They were in constant contact. As the hours ticked by without so much as a call or text all day she began to freak out. Saying that their mark had a history of violence was an understatement, their files were filled with victims he'd tortured.

Six hours after he should have been home Andy couldn't take it anymore. Grabbing her cell and keys she left the loft. Catching a bus she made her way to the division. Everyone was surprised to see her. Seeing her alone and the wild look in her eye they knew something had happened.

"Hey! What're you doin' here?" Traci asked.

"Sam didn't come home tonight."

"Did you guys ..."

"No, we didn't fight. Not even for show. He left this mornin' everything was normal. Said he'd call me later ..."

"Did he?"

"No."

"McNally, what're you doin' here?" Frank asked.

"Sam's missing, Sir."

"What? What d'you mean missing?"

"I mean I haven't heard from him all day and he didn't come home ... to the cover apar ..." she faded off.

That was all Frank needed to hear to know something had gone sideways. He ordered everyone into the Parade room.

"Have you called Boyd?"

Andy shook her head. She hadn't even thought about him. Pulling her phone out she made the call.

Boyd listened to her then laughed. "How d'you know he's missing? Maybe he went out with the guys?"

"Because he hasn't checked in once today, asshole!" Andy's temper got the better of her.

"Watch your tone, rookie."

"Listen to me you son of a bitch, I know my partner and this isn't like him. I called because you're our handler but if you wanna sit on your ass, that's fine, I can find him without you," Andy disconnected the call and joined the others.

It seemed like hours but the briefing only lasted minutes. Frank ordered her to stay out of it. She defied him and changed into uniform.

They got a possible lead and everybody that was available loaded up and headed out. The lead took them to an abandoned farmhouse on the outskirts of the city.

When Andy got out of the cruiser Oliver shocked her by saying, "You're not coming."

"Like hell I'm not."

"Andy, we don't know what we'll find ..."

"I'm going."

Oliver cursed and got on the radio to organize the next step.

The outbuildings were cleared by other units leaving the house to Chris, Dov, Noelle, Traci, Oliver ... and Andy.

They cleared the upper levels of the house and were working their way downstairs when they heard the first scream. Andy took off at a run.

Oliver and Chris entered from different doors at the same time. The only thing that registered was Sam on the floor, being choked. His body had taken a beating and from the way his clothes were clinging to his body it looked like he had been subjected to water boarding.

When they pulled the guy off Sam, his eyes were closed and his breathing was shallow.

They tried to keep Andy out but she broke through the barrier and ran to Sam.

Oliver radio'd for a bus.

"Sam! Babe, can you hear me?"

His only response was a groan of pain.

Andy couldn't fight the tears anymore. She was sitting on the floor, his head in her lap when the paramedics arrived with the stretcher. By the time they loaded him into the ambulance he was out cold.

At the hospital, they were told he had a broken wrist and his knee was pretty banged up but the doctors were more concerned about his lungs. The good thing was despite the blood at his temple there were no signs of head injury. At least for the night he was on a ventilator and would be re-evaluated in the morning.

Most of the division converged on the hospital when Sam was brought in but left once they heard the update. All that remained in the waiting room were Jerry and Traci, Oliver, Frank and Noelle.

Andy was given permission to stay with Sam.