I apologize so much for the delay in updating. I had never planned on a nearly 5month hiatus. I've had some intense personal issues pop up that have taken away my creativity and thrown me through a loop. Long story short, the only thing I needed to accomplish to finish my wedding planning was to decide what flavors would make up my three tiered wedding cake and I've now had to call and postpone my wedding due to sucky circumstances and geography issues. I wish I had a better excuse to offer, but I don't.

Thank you especially to bebesmom , ariel133, and Lucianobsessed for giving a kick in the butt to get moving again.

I hope this next chapter doesn't suck too much!

Nikka

O o O o O o O

Silence.

Windshield wipers groaning across the glass, metallic dings of rain hitting the hood of his truck, sloshes of water as Sam drove through the streets, and the whirring of the blower hitting the windshield, and, silence.

Still seething with anger at her, at Boyd, at himself, and, hell he was just angry in general at the situation, Sam let his eyes slide over to look at his partner whose uncharacteristic silence was astounding him. From the corner of his eye, Sam could see that she was shivering and trying desperately to stop her teeth from chattering, but she wasn't talking. Sam slid his eyes forward again concentrating on the road and he narrowed his eyes.

Out of nowhere, he let out a belting laugh. He couldn't help it and the laughter bubbled forth in waves as he saw he startled expression.

This whole god damned situation was sickenly ironic. He had been dodging Boyd for months about going undercover. The tugging feeling in his chest had been his first indication that he didn't want to go, didn't want to leave her. And then, she got herself shot, and he just knew. Undercover isn't for him anymore. He has too much to lose. He'd miss too much, miss to many things with her.

Here he was trying to be patient, give her time and space. Sure he knew that Andy did neither of these things well as a pathological over thinker, but he was trying to give her what she needed. If he knew anything it was that she was hurting and despite what she said, Andy McNally needed time to decompress.

Unfortunately for Sam, his tried and true practice of providing time and space like the bona fide savant that she had labeled him as had blown up in his face. Somehow, his partner, who he was desperately trying to conceal that he'd fallen in love with, had left her fiancé, moved in with her best friend, and then moved out and into her other friend's place and had settled into a relationship-like routine.

That right there was the stink of it all. Was the thing going on between Andy and Diaz simply relationship-like or a relationship?

And then, out of nowhere, when Sam though that she couldn't beguile and confuse him anymore, she pulls a stunt like agreeing to work with Boyd!

All of that led to this moment with him laughing at her.

He sensed her shift in the seat next to him. Instinctively, he already knew what expression she wore on her face as she twisted in the seat to face him. It was incredulous and bewildered, and there wasn't a doubt in mind that there was some anger there too.

"What is so funny Sam," she asked with an obvious edge to her voice. He was trying to stop laughing, he honestly was, but the sternness to her voice just set him off again.

When he finally looked up at her again, the laughter died on his lips. Her arms were crossed over her check and she had narrowed eyes and an arrogantly disapproving look on her face. Oh, she's pissed!

Sam straightened up in his seat, and warred with conflicted emotions as he looked at her. He'd been on the receiving end of her temper a few times, he supposed it was only fair since his had been riled and aimed at her quite a few times in the past, but while he would have taken a small measure of enjoyment in to tease her about later, he was worried.

"You don't think this is funny," Sam asked her disbelievingly.

"What's funny?"

Had he not heard the edge to her voice tinted with a bit of concern, he may have shrunk back at bit from pushing this issue with her.

"You," he said flatly, looking at her. "Boyd. Working together. Covering for each other."

Andy's eyes widened and shot down to her wrist. The bruise really wasn't that bad, and it's not like Boyd had intended to hurt her. He had been worried about Brennan popping up around her so frequently, even if it was a good thing for the op. It came down to intention for her. He hadn't meant it and he'd apologized, something she never thought Donovan Boyd capable of, when he saw the light bruising. Andy honestly wasn't even sure what clued Sam in on it. She knew he was observant, but that was ridiculous. Chris told him.

"Sam," the tiredness in her voice was evident. It had been such a long day.

He snorted at her and felt the anger build again. If she thought she could brush this situation off and not talk about it, when she pushed, poked, and weaseled her way into talking about everything else, she had another thing coming. Unfortunately, common sense got the better of Sam when he realized that in less than 48 hours she would be living with one of the cruelest enforcers that he had ever come across. This guy was internationally known and his partner, however competent and fearless, was going to confront this man on a daily basis with no backup. The thought sent chills down his spine and terrified him at all the different ways that this could go wrong. There would be no recovery for him if it did.

"Fine," his tone leveled and gravely as he looked out the windshield as he pulled the truck up to the curb outside of the house she shared with Diaz. "We're not done talking about all of this. There's a story here and you're going to tell me all of it."

Her lips quirked up in a little smirk. Despite being cold and tired, and frustrated with the world, Sam Swarek has somehow given her some little bit humor in this ridiculous situation and she loved him for it. Not that she could fully handle the weight of that admission, but she knew it was there in that moment, but now just wasn't the time for revelations.

"Wouldn't dream of holding out on you partner," she quipped.

On any other day, the glare that he sent her would have had her giggling uncontrollably and struggling for control which would undoubtedly piss him off, but today, today, she just looked straight ahead. She was nervous and scared, but this banter, it was reliable and allowed her to quiet some of the nerves that were knotting her stomach.

Sam parked the truck outside of Chris's house and turned to look at her. "McNally-"

"What do I tell him Sam," she asked cutting him off.

Sam saw the look of terror in her eyes, as well as the doubt. It killed him to see the doubt that lingered there because he knew she was good cop, a smart one. And just like he knew his name was Sam Swarek, he knew that Andy McNally was going to do this assignment and do it well. The realization that he had to help her leave for an indeterminate amount of time, and without him being able to tell her how he felt, was like a knife in the gut. This was going to hurt like hell and he was going to have to twist the knife to help her. Her words haunted him, "If you love something you should let it go."

He exhaled loudly and looked out the windshield before turning to face her. Reaching out, Sam felt his fingers close around her forearm as he ducked his head and gave a slight tug to get her to look at him. When her eyes met his, Sam spoke with a shaky breath.

"Tell him that you're going. No specifics. Tell him that you'll be out of contact but that, uh-" Sam stumbled over his words and looked at her. "Tell him you'll be safe, but you can't be associated with any cops right. Tell him you're coming home."

Sam watched as Andy processed his words and tried to swallow thickly. "Sam, I-" She stopped when she felt him squeeze her arm.

"Don't show any fear when you tell him or you'll blow this to hell."

Sam relaxed a bit when he heard her let out a shaky chuckle. "I'm a terrible liar. Always have been."

"You're coming home McNally, and you'll be safe there. Safer than any of the ops I've been on," he offered sincerely. "You're not lying, just not telling him everything. You do it with me often enough."

Andy looked pointedly at him before reaching for the door handle and sliding out to the truck. He watched her make a mad dash to the door in the pouring rain and sent a silent prayer that everything he told her was the truth. But he knew that with Andy McNally, a sure bet could south in a heartbeat. He just had to hope that she came out on top.

O o O o O o O

The last month has nearly sent her into a tailspin. Andy McNally had said her upsetting goodbye to Chris Diaz and left very vague letters to each of her friends that would be given to them by Sam. She had only told the truth to her Dad because she just couldn't leave without telling him. Oddly, he hadn't asked her if she was sure, just asked that she be careful and trust Sam.

For two weeks, her cover had been maintained at the daycare that Gracie Brennan attended as she gave her notice and began to prepare to be immersed in the Brennan's home as Candace O'Farrell. Sam and Boyd had been merciless in preparing her at night in the cover apartment. They had spent hours preparing her to assume her role, giving her specialized training and pointers.

The only thing that scared her was the fact that Boyd hadn't lost his temper or snarked at her once during those two weeks. He was focused and edgy, but he wasn't discouraging. That unsettled her more than Sam's constant presence or his heavy gaze always being on her. Probing her. Assessing her. Waiting.

Here she was, pushing Gracie Brennan on the swings, smiling as she squealed in delight and all she could think of was the last time she talked to Sam.

Andy had been agitated all day and was pacing the apartment that she and Boyd were supposed to have shared as Gabby and Donny. At the rate she was going, Andy was pretty sure that she would wear a whole in the floor. Across the room, she felt Sam's eyes on her. He hadn't said a word, merely followed her with his eyes. She didn't have to look at him to know that he was propped against the wall, hunched over and hand poised to allow him to alternate between chewing on his thumb nail and rubbing his chin.

Boyd was doing his best to calm her, but his being nice to her only set her off. When his phone rang, Andy felt the nerves in her stomach constrict she almost thought she was going to throw up right there. Jamie Brennan was on his way up to get her. She had mere minutes. Her eyes darted to Sam in panic and the anger that she saw on his face rooted her to the spot.

She watched him push himself away from the wall and stalk towards her. When he was within inches of her, he stopped and glared down at him.

"Cut the crap McNally," he ground out. "You've got this. Don't fall apart on me now."

Her words ignited a fury in her. As if she would fail him. As if she wouldn't be able to do this! And how dare he think that –

Her internal monologue was cut off by Boyd speaking into his phone again while eyeing the pair of them. "Show time."

Andy pulled back and looked at Boyd. They had to make this fight look convincing if Brennan was to believe that she and "Donny" were not parting amicably. This would be her way out. She would have a way to slip out and meet with him while she was under. It would all be under the guise of trying to work it out or get stuff back.

The fight turned heated quickly, both shouting at each other before being interrupted by Brennan's knock at the door as Sam retreated down the hall way and she grabbed her bags to go.

In hindsight, Andy realized that Sam had been helping her snap out of the anxiety and get her head back in the game. While she wanted to be pissed at him for his method, Sam had known that the only way for her to make it authentic in that moment was to piss her off.

Gracie squealed again in delight and Andy was brought out of her thoughts and back to the child enjoying the swings. They had bonded in the short time Andy had been with the Brennan's, and Andy couldn't help but feeling that despite the fact that the Brennan's were good people, Mr. Brennan was still hiding something although, Andy couldn't put her finger on it or find anything to back it up. All she could do was trust her gut, and her gut told her something was wrong.

Noting the chill in the air, Andy collected Gracie and began to make her way home. As she made her way towards the car, Andy looked over her shoulder and felt a chill go down her spine. She couldn't explain it, but she was feeling watched. The entire drive home had been slightly nerve wracking,

O o O o O o O

Maggie Brennan met her at the door when Andy arrived home with Gracie. She had already begun preparing dinner and was happy to take a break to greet Andy and her daughter. Maggie gladly accepted Andy's offer to help with the salad and finishing dinner.

It was hard to ignore how easily a routine had formed. Somehow, an unspoken routine had formed that allowed Andy a relative amount of freedom while caring for Gracie. The Brennan's put her to bed most nights and got her up in the morning. Andy took over after breakfast when Jamie headed to work and Maggie went out on her errands or went to work with her husband. They often ate dinner together, with Andy only excusing herself to her guest house on the edge of the property when she sensed that they needed family time.

When she realized that Maggie had asked her a question, Andy looked up from the cucumber that she was attempting to peel and looked at Maggie. "Sorry?"

Maggie smiled at Andy (well Candace as she knew her) and then looked at Candace's phone on the counter. "He still hasn't called you yet?"

Candace looked down at her phone and then at Maggie. It was time for her to perform. She shrugged and said murmured a "No," before going back to working on the offending vegetable.

Maggie stopped setting the table and looked at the young woman at the island. "Jamie told me about the argument when he went to fetch you. Your beau didn't approve of you taking the job?"

Candace but down the vegetable and looked up at her boss. She shook her head and tried her best to look dejected, "No, he thinks I should have stayed at the day care center."

"why?"

Candace looked up at her and shrugged. "Practice. Security." At Maggie's confused look, Candace continued. "He wants kids someday and he thought the job was a great way to practice being a mom. Plus, it brought the security of a job with insurance and more money." She hesitated trying to choke herself up. "He wanted a secure income for me."

"Day care not really your thing," Maggie asked quietly.

Candace laughed shortly and tried to smile. "Kids terrify me sometimes. After my mom left, I just was terrified of the prospect of motherhood. So being all day in day care surrounded by groups of kids freaks me out. Plays on my insecurities."

"You're great with Gracie," Maggie offered, clearly not buying the rationale.

"One kid, I can handle one kid," Candace offered lamely. "Multiple children terrify me," she said shuddering with a small smile.

"So what profession wouldn't terrify you Candace," Jamie Brennan asked from the doorway to the kitchen startling both women.

As Candace watched Jamie kiss his wife and scoop up his squealing daughter, she smiled at her and laughed.

"Insurance."

O o O o O o O

I hope you don't hate it, or have lost interest. And I certainly hope it meets expectations. Thank you again for all the kicks in the butt! I needed it!