Oliver collapsed on the couch, barely bothering to take his shoes off. He looked absolutely defeated and Sam felt a twinge of guilt followed closely by a snap of anger. Really, what was Oliver thinking asking Sam of all people for relationship advice. Really, anyone at fifteen division could have been more helpful. Hell, even Epstein, for all he was an over-eager puppy, probably had at least one long term relationship under his belt.

"Beer?" He offered. What Sam lacked in relationship savvy he made up for in avoidance techniques. The four pints Oliver downed at the Penny were sure to be wearing off by now. The best thing to do was keep that mellow drunken haze going as long as possible.

Oliver mumbled something that Sam interpreted as 'yes' and a minute later, Sam pressed a cold can of lager into Oliver's hand. "Zoe'll come around."

Oliver laughed bitterly, "Yeah. Because honesty's the best policy, right?"

It was a leading question, and Sam took a swig of beer before answering cautiously, "Sure."

"So I guess that means you finally told her."

"I haven't talked to Zoe in weeks."

"Not Zoe, Andy McNally."

"What about McNally?"

Oliver rolled his eyes. Sam was a bright guy, but he'd elevated playing dumb to an art form. Sometimes it made Oliver want to strangle him."Since you're so big on honesty these days, I guess you finally had that talk."

Sam raised both eyebrows in a look Oliver was familiar with. It was defensiveness in confusion's clothing. Usually Oliver let him get away with it, but not tonight. Tonight he was too drunk and too pissed for pretense.

"Sammy, the only people who don't seem to know you're in love with McNally are you and McNally."

Sam started to say something but Oliver cut him off. "Not tonight, Sammy. Look, you're bad at relationships. No one is more aware of that than me."

Sam snorted but he didn't argue.

"But despite everything, you and McNally… you work. And besides, what have you got to lose?"

"My pride?"

"Trust me Brother, pride is overrated."

Hours later, as Sam tossed and turned, unable to find sleep, he replayed the conversation and wondered if Oliver might have a point after all. Andy McNally was not the kind of girl who would stay single forever. Now might be Sam's only chance. The only question that remain was: did he really want to take it?

o o o

Andy slipped into the steaming hot tub with a happy sigh. She'd finally found a home for the rest of her things, and now she was going to soak in a much deserved bubble bat until her saddle-sore muscles stopped aching.

Horse camp was almost over. Next week she would be back at fifteen. For the first time in weeks the thought didn't fill her stomach with butterflies. She'd missed it. Traci, Sam, Peckstein, Oliver… all of the people who made even the worst shifts bearable. Somehow they'd become her family and she missed them. At least Chris had been at the camp so she wasn't completely cut off.

Andy could barely believe how much progress she'd made in just three short days. She didn't know that she would ever have the love of the mounted unit that Bernie Lucas did, but the camp had been exactly what she needed. Away from fifteen, except for morning meetings, she'd been able to breathe and focus on something more than avoiding Luke and appearing fine. She even thought she was getting pretty good, even if Lucas said he'd faked her time so she'd go out with him. The memory made her grin. She wasn't interested, not in him, not really in dating anyone, but it was nice to know she hadn't lost the it that inspired men to ask.

There was a time, not too many days ago, when she thought she had lost it. When the anger and shame had weighed so heavily she thought they might crush her. Weeks ago she'd been certain she would never be the same again, but tonight, at the end of a long, successful day, she felt like herself. As she rested her head against the back of the tub and closed her eyes, she wondered if Sam would notice.

o o o

A/N: Sorry this one is so short, but it was a choice between short of not at all this week so I went for short. Next week is officially moving week and I don't yet have internet in my new place, so if I disappear off the map I swear I will be back as soon as they can get me wired for internet again.