Okay, longest chapter yet, but one of my most fun to write. I love Boyd, well actually just the chaos that he causes, but I guess that's the same thing. As promised a bit more of what Andy is doing on her UC and how the others are handling it, with a little added drama. I started this last week prior to my birthday, but after needing two days to recover and then finalizing work before my mini vacation, it got a little crazy. I hope you enjoy! I love your feedback!
Nikka
O o O o O o O
Andy had officially been Candace O'Farrell, living in the home of Jamie Brennan, one the mob's most infamous and feared enforcers, and being a nanny two his squirming two year old Gracie for a month and a half. The little girl was if anything, precocious, and always into something, but absolutely adorable little Gracie.
Andy was having a difficult time trying to reconcile the overprotective father and family man that was her current boss and mark with the man who had done some of the most unspeakable murders that Toronto had ever seen. It was like there were two very different Jamie Brennans in the world, and try as hard as she might, Andy just couldn't get the feeling that her boss could have done those things.
She shook her head to clear it of such thoughts. As much as she hated Boyd, he was clearly worried about Brennan's behavior and his tendency to show up everywhere that Andy was. They knew she was being tailed, but couldn't figure out who it was yet, or if Brennan knew. Andy was absent mindedly picking at her food while she waited for Gracie to finish playing with her father outside.
O o O o O o O
Boyd had called her cell and asked to meet her. They had to maintain the pretense that her working for the Brennans had caused a rift. After a brief battle of wills of which Candace allowed herself to be sweet talked into meeting Donny at their coffee shop, Andy huffed and turned to go talk to the Brennans.
Initially, Maggie had been supportive of Candace meeting Donny and trying to work it out, while her husband remained silent. He did offer to drive her to the coffee shop, and when she refused, he insisted saying that it was too far for her to think about a cab and the family was going to have a little outing that day and they could collect her when she was done. It seemed decided that the meeting would be brief and that the Brennans weren't prepared for reconciliation between Candace and Donny. They definitely held a grudge for her sullenness when she first came to stay with them. If only they knew that Boyd wasn't the real reason she was depressed.
They dropped her off half a block from the coffee shop, and Maggie forced Candace to promise that she would call if she was uncomfortable or anything. Andy couldn't help but smile at her and then pinching Gracie's cheeks before she crawled out of the car. She had studiously avoid Jamie Brennan's gaze in the review mirror, but she could feel his eyes burning into her as she made her way to the coffee shop. He was assessing her, trying to figure it out. Andy only prayed as she entered the store that he hadn't figured out that she was a cop yet.
Boyd set a cup of coffee in front of her as he made his way to the seat. Her eyes narrowed at him as he took the seat across from her and then told herself to relax a bit as he smirked at her.
"Did you poison that," she asked with obvious snark in her voice as she eyed the cup of coffee suspiciously.
"Nope," he smirked at her. "Thought about some ipecac syrup, but I figured Sammy would get pissed, Diaz would fight me for my honor, and then you'd figure out that the only way to get back at me would be to screw up my op."
"Ass," she muttered under her breath. She watched at smile broadened and she decided that she'd hide her scowl by taking a sip of her coffee. It tasted awful and she almost spit it out before forcing herself to swallow it as she scrunched up her face and then glared at a laughing Boyd.
"Looks like I gave you mine instead," he was enjoying laughing at her and the pissed expression on her face. Secretly, he was starting to understand what Sammy and Diaz saw in her, but he'd never admit it. He pushed his cup towards her and reached for the one she had drunk from. "Sugar, heavy cream. I'm an ass, but not that much of an ass."
Andy felt her eyebrow shoot up as she tentatively sipped her coffee. Perfect, she thought to herself. "Did Swarek tell you to butter me up with the right coffee?"
"Nah," Boyd shook his head at her and smirked at her. "I pay attention, just like any groveling boyfriend would who was trying to beg you into coming to your senses and coming back to this prize of a man."
If it wasn't Boyd, Andy swore she would have laughed. Could it be that Boyd could actually be funny? She shook her head and leaned forward, causing Boyd to do the same.
"Dream on Donny," she purred and leaned back watching as his eyes lit up with a humorous glint. He was actually enjoying this. A black sedan parking on the street caught her attention.
"It's back," she whispered trying not to look in the direction of the car. "Have you guys been able to figure out who's been tailing me? I'm freaking out a bit, I do have Gracie with me quite a bit."
Boyd shook his head and his face showed some concern. "We don't think its Brennan."
"How can you be sure," Andy was carefully controlling her facial features. "It's been showing up everywhere I go. I'm freaking paranoid that I'm gonna get grabbed and I can't let that happen when I have Gracie with me."
"Don't get attached McNally," Boyd warned her gruffly. He knew she got angry with her when she leaned back in her chair and took a breath sending a glare at him. Damn, she was even cute angry he thought.
"She's barely three years old Boyd," she growled out at him. "Don't tell me not to get attached. I don't want her to get hurt. I don't want to get kidnapped. Dammit!"
"Calm down," he growled right back at her while his eyes darting around the coffee shop.
Andy huffed at him and sat back in her chair crossing her arms at him. "Please find out, I don't want a kid to get hurt because the nanny is an easy target."
"Fine," he pushed away from the table and got up to head to the bathrooms. "I'll make a call."
Andy sat at the table and sipped her coffee while trying to keep the sedan in her sights. Something was off. The hair on the back of her neck prickled and she just couldn't place the feeling in her gut that told her something was off about this entire situation.
When the door opened and she heard familiar voices, Andy looked up at the newest patrons of the shop only to meet the gazes of Chris and Oliver. She felt herself flush slightly as her heart began to beat rapidly. She silently prayed that Oliver would have tight enough reign over Chris to keep him away. She could feel Chris's stare on her as she tried to avoid looking his way.
When she felt a presence at her right she looked up startled to see Chris standing before her with a smile on his face. Just as she was about to panic, he reached out his hand to shake hers. She looked at him with a raised eyebrow and baffled look as he spoke.
"Hi, I'm Chris Diaz," he said with a smile on his face. "Can I ask your name?"
Bless his heart he remembered to pretend that he didn't know her. She let her hand slip into his for a friendly handshake as she smiled at him. "Candace. Nice to meet you officer."
"Enjoying the day Candace," he asked curiously clearly fishing for information.
"Enjoying the afternoon off, waiting for my boyfriend actually to get back from the bathroom actually."
His face clouded at her words and Andy could tell that Chris was upset. She knew that he had a million thoughts going on in his head and none of them would be any good. Andy wished there was a way that she could let him know the boyfriend was Boyd, but she had to get him out of there fast. Cops were not people she could associate with right now.
"Pity about the boyfriend," Chris drawled clearly perturbed. "I was just going to ask for your number."
"Don't you think that's a little inappropriate officer," she fired back at him with a smile.
"Hey, I saw a pretty girl," he smiled at her, ignoring Oliver clearing his throat. "Decided I couldn't pass up a shot at saying hello."
She was about to speak just when she saw his take out his card and write something on it before handing it to her. "In case the boyfriend thing doesn't work out."
She watched as Chris smiled and turned to leave with Oliver who sent a worried glance her way. He practically shoved Chris out the door and then promptly smacked him in the back of the head. Andy laughed a bit and then looked down at the card. It had a number and short message.
It's safe to call. I promise.
Andy wanted to smack him and hug him at the same time. The number on the card wasn't his cell. He must have gotten a burner phone to call her. She looked up at the ceiling wondering when he had had the time to do it or if Sam had told him to do it and be ready. She let out a breath just as Boyd was coming back with a thunderous expression on her face.
"What the hell was that," Boyd spat using her arm to pull her to face him and they left the coffee shop.
"He said he saw a pretty girl and wanted to say hello," she answered him defiantly narrowing her eyes.
"I don't like it. He needs to back off!"
"You don't need to like it," Andy retorted, feeling her anger rise.
Boyd's face suddenly changed as she caught a movement out of the corner of her eye. Before she could turn to look at the movement he backed her up against the wall and kissed her soundly, holding her head in his warm hands. He was demanding and if Andy had to guessed, worried as he kissed her. Just as she was about to protest, a screeching two year old's voice caught her attention.
"Caaan-dee" Gracie Brennan shouted to her as she hurried towards her.
Andy broke the kiss and looked in Boyd's eyes in shock before pushing him away and turning towards Gracie's voice. Andy bent down with her arms open to catch the little girl and spied her parents behind her as she scooped her up into her arms.
Boyd's face soured at the scene and couldn't avoid how endearing seeing her with the child was. He scowled at the scene and backed off trying to maintain the role as neglected lover. He avoided the dangerous look on Jamie Brennan's face as he eyed him up and down.
"Everything okay Candace," Maggie asked her curiously.
"Fine," Andy said in a cheery voice. She looked over at Boyd and make hasty introductions to her employers. No really seemed happy about the situation.
Boyd excused himself muttering to her that he'd call her as she turned to go with the Brennans. She desperately tried to ignore the way that Jamie Brennan had hung back to watch Boyd as he left. Later that night, she had told Maggie about the "jealous incident" and the anger that led the scene she and her husband had witnessed. Maggie simply smiled at her and told her it would all work out.
O o O o O o O
That little scene was four days ago and it had still unsettled her. Boyd hadn't made contact and she was getting nervous. How hard could it be to track down that car? It wasn't like there weren't enough cops in the area that day. She sat absentmindedly spinning her cell on the counter and missed the entrance of Jamie Brennan.
"He'll call Candace." His voice had made her jump and look up at him startled. "And if he doesn't, then he's a fool to not see what he has."
Andy smiled softly at him, still not understanding the conundrum that was this man. "Thanks Mr. Brennan."
She watched him leave the kitchen and let out a breath. She silently wondered if Sam had ever been in such a confusing situation before in his own UC's.
O o O o O o O
Sam had hit a brick wall trying to figure out who was driving the car that Andy had said had been following her. It had a fake plate, which meant it couldn't be traced. The GnG team had suggested pulling it over and detecting the fake plate to bring the occupants in for questions, but Sam and Boyd had nixed the suggestion not wanting to spook whoever it was watching Andy and the Brennans. If it was Brennan watching Andy, any incident would be circumspect for him to suspect her and as much as Boyd hated Andy, he hadn't been willing to take that risk. Yet. Sam had to remind himself that it as "yet" moment. If it served his purposes, he'd throw Andy into the fire before Sam could veto the idea.
His frustration was magnified by the fact that Boyd hadn't kept his contact with Andy a secret. Sam knew that there had been six phone calls, twenty two text messages, and one encounter in the coffee shop. What he didn't know where the details of these meetings. Boyd was keeping incredibly tight lipped and it was driving him to distraction.
Sam knew that Boyd had met with Andy four days ago and that something had happened. Boyd seemed to smirk a bit more and enjoyed telling Sam that his girl was doing just fine. It wasn't that he didn't think she would do well, Sam knew she would do amazing, but he still worried. If he couldn't see her, Sam at least wanted to know the details about her job.
He flipped the file away from him in frustration and let out a heavy sigh. Rubbing his hands across his face, Sam felt the weariness that his body felt. It had been an incredibly long two months. Andy had been under almost four months in total and nearly two since he had seen her last before Brennan had picked her up and whisked her out of his reach. Boyd was her life line right now and that just didn't sit well with him right now.
"Sir," the voice broke into his thoughts and he looked towards the door seeing Diaz looking anxiously at him. Looking up at the ceiling again, Sam rubbed his face once more trying to figure out how his day could get any worse.
"Yeah," Sam replied gruffly looking at the man he was so curious about.
"Can I talk to you for a minute," Diaz asked suddenly looking unsure of himself as he looked over his shoulder. "About Andy."
Sam leaned forward, framing his nose with his hands as he looked at Diaz. Yep, his day was going to go to shit, for sure. He motioned for the younger officer to enter the room and tried to brace himself for this conversation. From the look on Diaz's face, he wanted to talk to Sam about as much as the senior officer wanted to listen to him.
"I saw Andy a few days ago," he stated simply. "I had to know if she was okay, I had to talk to her - "
"You did what," Sam demanded as he got up from his chair, ignoring the cringe on Diaz's face when it scraped the floor beneath him. "She's under, you knew that and you still talked to her! Don't you know how dangerous it is for her to talk to cops?"
Chris swallowed thickly unsure of how to make understand. He had to know that she was okay. She'd been gone for almost two months and under longer than that. Chris had missed and when he saw her in that coffee shop, he knew that he had to break protocol and speak to her. Talking to her, looking her in the eye was the only way that he was going to be able to tell if she was okay. Andy McNally had either improved at lying, or she really was fine.
"Shaw spent the rest of the shift freaking out on me," Chris offered. Sam's temper had certainly surpassed anything he had been expecting. Was talking to her really such a bad move? "He even slapped me upside the back of the head so hard my ears rang!"
"He should have hit you a bit harder," Sam ground out as a new figure entered the doorway.
"Is this your training mode Swarek, threaten the rookies," Boyd asked pushing his way into the small office and pulling out the chair opposite Sam.
Sam spun towards Boyd having a new target to direct his ire at. "Did you know that he," Sam gestured angrily towards Diaz, "spoke to McNally a few days ago? I mean he actually went up to her and talked to her, in uniform!"
"Yep," Boyd said taking a sip of his coffee and looking down at the file that Sam had pushed across the desk earlier. "I was there."
"Unbelievable!" Sam's exasperation at the situation was mounting. "How did you let that happen," he demanded from Boyd.
Boyd snorted and looked up at him impassively. "I was calling you about the car that McNally keeps seeing, that's how that happened. I didn't know that her boyfriend was going to be dumb enough to actually waltz up to her and talk to her in uniform."
Chris felt growing dismay watching the two senior officers. His eyes had been volleying between the two. They were currently engaged in an epic staring contest completely forgetting that he was even in the room.
"I approached her and introduced myself," Chris offered. He stuttered over his next words as the heated glares of the other two men landed on. "I pretended to hit on her, gave her my card. That's all."
Sam merely narrowed his eyes at the younger officer, clearly relieved that he at least pretended that he didn't know Andy, but he refused to show it. Boyd scratched the scruff that passed for his beard and tilted his head from side to side before standing up to look Diaz in the eye.
"That reminds me," he told Chris. "If you ever approach another of my UC officers again and then give that officer a number of a burner cell, I'll make sure you work desk for a year. Minimum."
Sam's eyes widened at the stupidity of it all, and the audacity. Secretly, he was wondering why he hadn't thought of the same thing. He could see that Diaz really was desperate for contact with her. The realization was like a ton of bricks hitting his chest. He watched as Diaz's throat worked to swallow down the threat that Boyd had just issued. The words he mumbled had been lost on Sam as the younger officer made his way to leave.
Sam was still processing the entire encounter and trying to from some kind of appropriate response when Boyd began talking again.
He flipped absent mindedly through the file and laughed to himself before saying out loud, "At least I finally get why Diaz is so hell bent on seeing or talking to her again."
Sam snorted and rolled his head on his shoulders. "Oh yeah," he half laughed, "why is that?"
"Because when I kissed her," he bragged. "She was full of fire and passion. I wouldn't let that go either."
Sam knew that his jaw had gone slack for just a moment before his eyes narrowed with a dangerous glint. He pinched the bridge of his nose wondering how his day could get any worse. "Let me get this straight," he asked tiredly. "McNally actually let you get close enough to kiss her and she didn't punch you? Because you're face looks pretty undamaged?"
Boyd laughed at Sam and looked up from the file. "She had to pretend she liked it. Brennan was walking down the side walk."
After an hour of harassing Boyd to tell him what happened at his meet with Andy, he found himself in the locker room beating a few more dents into his locker.
"Hey bud-dy," Oliver drawled out coming to stand near him. "Boyd that much fun huh?"
Sam stopped his temper tantrum just long enough to look at his best friend and mutter, "He kissed McNally the day you and Diaz saw her."
Oliver's eyes widened substantially and on any other day, Sam would have laughed his ass off at his friend. Today he was too distracted. Oliver was grateful for the distracted state since that meant he was technically off the hook for not spilling the beans about seeing McNally with Diaz.
"His face didn't look messed up," Oliver said reaching up to scratch the back of his head while clearly pondering the state of Boyd's face. "Did she hit him somewhere that he could hide the bruises? She's smart like that you know."
Sam snorted at him again before kicking his locker soundly one last time for good measure. "Nope," he added extra emphasis on the "p". "She had to pretend that she actually liked it since her mark was around."
"Uh," Oliver looked at him again with a bit of concern. "Poor kid, bet she loved that."
Sam merely grunted and stormed out of the locker room. The last thing he really needed to do was have a witness to his frustration about his partner's UC op that he could barely be any help with. This whole standing on the sidelines thing was getting old. He was getting itchy to dive in and get to work.
O o O o O o O
Despite the anxiety of the night before, the last few days really, and Boyd's failure to call her, Andy decided to keep Gracie's routine as normal as possible. They drove to the park and Andy laughed as she pushed the toddler on the swings and listened to her squeal with delight. She was so absorbed in the child that she ignored the feeling in her gut that something wasn't right. Andy never saw the black sedan pull up to the corner of the park, or the fact that Jimmy O'Rourke and two of his men crossed the grass towards her and Gracie until he spoke her.
"What a beautiful day it is Ms. O'Farrell, wouldn't you say," he asked her clearly enjoying that he had spooked her.
Andy grabbed the swing chains tightly pulling Gracie towards her as she looked up at the three men. She noticed for the first time that despite the public setting, she and Gracie were relatively secluded from the other park goers and at the mercy of the three men in front of her. She swallowed thickly pulling Gracie out of the swing seat and clutched the child to her.
Hope it was worth the wait! Love hearing what you think. Can't wait, only two more days!