Chapter 6

Sam hurried back to the hospital. He missed Andy and he wanted to know how she was doing. He wanted to be with her. He wanted to tell her that he was wrong to be with Marlo. He had put her through hell by being with Marlo and he didn't know if she'd even take him back. He'd beg for her forgiveness if he had to. All he wanted was to hold her in his arms and tell her that everything would be okay.

He found Traci sitting outside Andy's room. Trace stood up when she saw him.

"She's been asleep, but the doctors say that she is healing nicely. She'll be allowed to go home tomorrow, and can return to work in two weeks. She'll be on desk duty for another two after that, but then she'll be good as new."

"Great Traci. Thanks for staying with her. I'll take it from here."

"Okay Sam." Traci gathered her stuff to leave. "Don't lose her again Sam."

Sam slowly walked into the room and sat on the edge of Andy's bed. His movement had woken her and she stirred. She smiled when she opened her eyes and saw Sam.

"I missed you," she said. "Where did you go?"

"I had some business to take care of."

And with that he leaned down and kissed her lips, showing her that he was free.

Andy gasped. "You broke up with her?"

"Of course I did. Andy, I never stopped caring about you, even when I was with Marlo. So today, when she put your life in danger by breaking protocol, I knew that I couldn't be with her. I've always loved you. I'm just sorry it took me so long to see that I couldn't live without you."

She smiled and Sam continued.

"When I saw you tied to that chair with your eyes glazed over and blood covering you, I thought I'd lose you. I thought that you would die and that you would die without me. I never want you to be that close to death ever again, and I'm going to see to it that you don't. Please, take me back? I know I haven't always been there for you-"

"Sam stop. You HAVE always been there for me, and I know that you always will be, regardless of whether we're together or not. I know that you would do anything to protect me, because that's what cops do. We protect each other because we're a family. I love you too. Yes, I'll take you back. I'm gonna need some help for a few days, and I guess you'll do."

"Hey!"

"I'm just kidding. You're the only person I want. The only person I will ever want again."

Sam leaned down and sealed their love with a kiss.