Boo was jumping all around and playing with the fallen leafs from the trees. He ran back to Andy, Dov and Chris, jumped a little, barked with excitement and then turned around to sprint away again. He loved Andy as his owner, she took care of him in the best way she could but Boo was still so young and needed his space to play. Her apartment and the parks near her place were nothing compared to the amount of space at Oliver's cabin.

'Boo! Don't go too far ahead!' Andy shouted after him, but he was gone. She giggled. He wouldn't go too far and be gone too long, she knew that. Bu still she liked to have him by her side.
She sighed and wished she could give him a better home than her apartment but her 'plans' of settling down with Sam and start a real family were off the ground.

'So.. Andy..' Dov started slowly. 'What's going on?' he continued. He and Chris stood still and waited for Andy to begin. They knew something was bothering her. A lot. They didn't want to push her but it seemed like she wouldn't start herself.

'Well..' Andy shrugged her shoulders, took a deep breath and looked around once more to see if Boo was coming back yet, before looking at Dov and Chris. 'I can't be here anymore.. I need to go.'

Dov looked questionably and Chris didn't say anything either. They just waited. She would spit it out soon enough. And they didn't have to wait long before she went on.

'I screwed up. In so many ways I can't possibly make up for them. I used to love my job but I just don't anymore… Like I don't belong. Every day, the minute I walk in the station before shift..' she hesitated for a brief second and looked down. 'I don't want to face people. I get the feeling everybody hates me.'

'We don't hate you!' Dov immediately spoke up.

'No, we don't! In fact, I've known you for years now, since high school, you're my best friend. You're like a sister to me and you're always there for people no matter what! Even if you put yourself in danger.' Chris added.

'Yeah, you always put others before yourself. You really have a lion's heart, like Swarek said.' Dov continued and walked closer to Andy and put his right arm around her and pulled her close. 'You're still a rockstar Andy. Everybody makes mistakes sometimes.'

'What could be so bad that you want to leave?' Chris also stepped closer and looked Andy straight in the eyes.

'I.. I..- ' she still looked down and couldn't get herself to look at them. 'Nick won't talk to me anymore and neither does Gail. Traci and I are still friends but she's so busy as a detective and with her kid.' She finally looked up again and they could see that her eyes were starting to tear up. 'I want to hang out with her, but… honestly.' She swallowed before she continued. 'I'm jealous of her. Leo is such a great kid. I know that she lost Jerry last year but she and Peck seem to get along pretty well, she even said she started to have feeling for him. When I look at those two, I just know they'll get together and he's also amazing with Leo. And I.. I..' the first tear fell from her cheek but she quickly stroke it away with her hand. 'When I got back from undercover I kinda hoped Sam had waited for me and we'd get back together. I'm 29 now, he's 35.. I was just hoping to start a family of my own but he's with Marlo now. He moved on and I can't blame him for it but I can't imagine to be with somebody else.. I.. I even used Nick's feelings for me to get over Sam but I lied to myself. It didn't work.'

Chris stepped closer, Dov let Andy go so Chris could take her in his arms for a big comforting hug. Tears were streaming down her face and she was lost for words. Chris and Dov just stayed silent for a while. Chris thought about Andy and children. He knew how great she was with Leo. And also with Christian. She loved kids and would be an amazing mother someday. He could understand she wanted to have kids of her own.

After a couple of minutes he spoke up. 'Andy.. ' he took a step back and let her go out of his embrace but still his hands were holding her and he made her look up to him. 'Nick always knew it was Sam for you. That he developed feelings for you.. it's not your fault.'

'But I slept with him! How could I do that to him? Giving him hope like that and then take off..' Andy spoke. While saying the words she hated herself even more for what she did. It was wrong and cruel in every way.

'You made a mistake. It happens. Yes, he got hurt but damn it Andy look at me..' Chris's voice sounded real serious now. 'He knew from the start you weren't over him. Everyone knows you're STILL not over him. He could've said no, stay away from you. Give him some time and I'm sure you can be friends like before.'

'And about Gail…' Dov said. 'Andy.. it's Gail. All big talk but deep inside..' he shrugged his shoulders and sighed. 'She'll come around. She knows you didn't want to hurt her, that it was a mistake and that you don't have feelings for Nick. She'll really get over it. I mean like, come on! When we were rookies, after a few weeks she already saw that you and Swarek had feelings for each other, even before you guys knew it yourself.' He smiled brightly. Gail saw through people.

'And that idiot, DETECTIVE Sam Swarek..' Chris spoke up. 'Doesn't know what he's missing.'

'But he seems happy with Marlo. And I like her too. She isn't that bad. Speaks her mind and is very good at doing the job. But it still hurts to seem them together. I can't stand it… WHY did I leave for an undercover job? WHY couldn't I just.. stay..' she sniffed but tried to wipe away her tears again and get herself back together. 'And besides that.. After 15 years I finally got my mother back. Thought she'd stick around this time. But I was wrong.. again.. She's gone. For good now.' Andy sounded no longer sad, more like angry.

'I should have listened when people said I had to be careful with her. Not to trust her too much..' Andy thought about how Sam told her that. He warned her for it. But she wouldn't listen. And now he turned out to be right. 'She left a note, didn't say goodbye or anything. No, of course not. I should have known!' she shouted and made a fist which she clinched so hard it turned white. 'Somehow it hurts more this time.. I just need to get away from here.'

'Where do you wanna go to?' Dov asked, his arms folded around against his chest and his head a little sideways, curious.

'I.. I asked Luke if there was another undercover job. ' she answered.

'ANDY! The only one open right now is that one in Mexico. Damn that one is far more dangerous than your last one. Most of the coppers come back in a body bag from it… Andy, please.. don't go there!' Chris let go of Andy and waved his hands angrily around in the air while his voice got louder too.

Dov stood there without words. He knew about that undercover job. And as badly as he wanted to go on one, he didn't apply to that one in Mexico. It was way too dangerous.

'But I need to get away from here..' Andy continued.

'There are others ways Andy. Take a break, go on vacation. And if you really want to go, maybe change from division? NOT that I want you to leave but if it helps talking you out of this stupid suicidal undercover job!' Dov started to speak up louder now too. Andy became a great friend to him throughout the academy and he didn't want to lose a friend.

'When are you leaving?' Chris asked.

'Uhm.. in a couple of days. I don't know for sure yet and even if I knew I can't tell you.. I wasn't even supposed to tell you this after all. But I just had to tell somebody.. I just don't know it anymore, okay?!' She turned around and took a few steps forward. She brought both her hands to her mouth and shouted for Boo 'cause he still wasn't back yet.

'Andy, can you just please promise us you'll think about it? Sleep over it a night, hopefully change your mind tomorrow and just.. don't go on that undercover job.. please?' Dov tried while he and Chris followed her again.

Boo came up running to them from the bushes and barked happily to Andy. She was happy to see him again, petted over his head and told him to come with him while she turned around to walk back to the cabin. She looked up at Dov and Chris and nodded. 'Okay, I'll think about it.. but I really can't stay around Sam anymore. It really hurts. I miss him.'

Chris and Dov relaxed a little bit. She'll think about it.. it was a start. But for Chris it wasn't enough. He knew if Luke called tonight to say she was leaving in the morning of even in the middle of the night, she would say yes and be gone. He needed her to REALLY think about it. Even if it was for just one night.

'Andy, Oliver has the master bedroom, Swarek stays on the couch and Dov and I have the bunk beds in the spare room. But I brought along an extra sleeping bag. We'll make sure Swarek takes it and sleeps in our room. You can get some extra blankets from Oliver and you'll stay on the couch tonight. Alright?' Chris looked at her with an expression that said 'no arguments. You're staying'.

'Yes, that's actually a pretty good idea.' Dov nodded. 'We'll play some card games, maybe watch a dvd.. have a little fun and then you're staying here to think about it. You can't be alone tonight. And if there's anything wrong, you just wake us up and we come talk to you.'

Andy just stared at them. Wanted to open her mouth, to argue but she kept her mouth shut. They were probably right. She was mess now. Not only emotional but her body was tired of it all. It wouldn't be a safe idea to get in her car and drive home all by herself right now.

'And don't worry, alright? I'm sure it's fine with Oliver. And Swarek too. They do care about you, you know.' Dov quickly added, before Andy started about that.

'You're like a grown-up daughter to Oliver.' Chris smiled. 'He really loves you, don't ever forget about that.' He continued. They were nearing Oliver's cabin but they stood still just before it.

'Okay then.. I'll stay.' She nodded. 'I'll grab my bag out my car. I still had some clothes at Traci's house when I was looking after him last week. I picked them up just before going here. It gets pretty cold out here at night.' She said and Chris and Dov nodded.

When she got her bag, which wasn't big 'cause she only stayed over one night to look after Leo, she walked with them to the door and took a deep breath just before entering again.

'Hey, there you are. You stayed away long.' Oliver looked up when they walked in. He looked closely at Andy. She had a sad smile on her face, looked pale and very tired.

Sam also looked and Andy and saw the same. He also saw that her eyes were a bit red and puffy. Had she been crying? What was going on?

'So, uhm.. Swarek. Chris has an extra sleeping bag with him. Would you mind sleeping with us in the spare room? So you know.. uhm..' he hesitated a moment but Chris finished the sentence for him.

'Andy stays here for tonight.' His eyes looking serious at both Sam and Oliver.

Oliver stood up, walked to Andy and embraced her in a tight hug. 'Anything you need girl, anything you need.' He said and walked to his room. 'I'll get some blankets for you right away.'

Sam just nodded, but stayed silent. He still was looking at Andy with a concern look on his face. Something was wrong. Very wrong. And he wanted to know what was going on. He immediately knew he wouldn't get much of sleeping tonight, knowing she was going to be near but still, sort of far away.

He stood up and packed his bag that was right next to the couch and brought it to the spare room. He stayed there a short moment before he returned to the living room where Andy already sat down on the couch with Boo sitting next to her.

Chris walked out of the kitchen and brought along some new beers and wanted to hand one over to Andy but she refused. 'I've had enough of these, I'll just grab some water in the kitchen later. But thanks anyway.' She said and smiled a little. Boo cuddled up close to her and then Oliver came walking back with two blankets.

'Here you go, it gets cold tonight.' He said while he handed them over to her. 'Wanna play poker?' he asked.

Andy smiled. 'Of course, I didn't bring it for nothing!' and she took the cards out of her bag.

'Poker it is!' Oliver cheered and sat down in his chair.

Andy shuffled the cards and then handed them out. It was time to forget her troubles and just have a little fun, she thought. Time enough to worry about her problems tomorrow.. now.. let's just play.

Coming up next: Andy can't sleep and goes sit down on the porch of the cabin with Boo, overthinking things while Sam also has trouble sleeping over the same thing. Chris couldn't hold it in anymore and tells Sam something he knows he shouldn't have, but he thinks he needs to know. When Sam decided to get up and to get a drink, he sees the couch is empty and he goes out to the porch.. they finally get their talk.. how will it go?