Sam entered the Penny and immediately a round of applause broke out. He grinned and nodded.

He knew he was too early for Andy, she would still be changing-that was intentional. He had some things to take care of before she got here.

He glanced around and his eye snagged Nick was had finished a drink and was heading for the door.

"Collins!"

Nick froze before turning to look at him. His expression was unreadable…

"Detective Swarek."

Sam motioned for the door and Nick followed him outside.

Nick turned to face him.

"You should have let me take the bullet. I had a vest on."

Sam didn't lecture him that most people would just say thank you. He understood.

"I couldn't."

Nick nodded. He understood too.

"I was leaving-"

"-I know. Andy told me."

Nick stared at him a long moment.

"I want her to be happy…no matter what else happens."

Sam nodded.

"So do I."

Nick stared off for a long moment and looked like he was struggling to speak.

"I love her."

Sam nodded.

"Me too."

Nick sighed.

"A couple spots are opening up in Guns and Gangs…I'm trying to get it."

Sam stared at him.

"Andy doesn't know?"

Nick shook his head.

"She would think I'm running away…I'm not."

Sam nodded. He understood that too.

"Take care of her Swarek."

Sam nodded and slowly extended a hand.

Nick looked at his and then shook it firmly.

With that he was gone.

Sam went back into the Penny and resumed his original reason for being there early.

He pulled out a stool.

"Detective Nash."

Traci looked at him. Sam talked to her at the Penny.

"Detective Swarek…you need something?"

Sam smiled and slid an envelope to her. She looked at him questioningly.

"I need an opinion."

Traci opened it and laughed.

"Wow…"

Andy walked into the Penny and looked for Sam.

He turned and his eyebrows shot up. Andy smiled. She hadn't tried this hard on appearances since the night she went undercover with Sam-which was pretty much what she was wearing.

She sensed Luke staring at her but she ignored him and sat by Sam who was smiling at her.

"McNally…"

Andy raised an eyebrow as she sat next to him quickly he ordered a drink for her and then gazed at her again.

"How's Boo Radley?"

Sam smiled.

"He's asleep on my bed."

Andy nodded.

"You know he's going to make a mess on it right?"

"Why? You wanna help me clean it up?"

Sam quipped.

Andy nodded.

"So…did you like me right away or did it take awhile?"

He chuckled at the familiar words.

"Really, you want to know that?"

"Yes."

"Fine; no I did not like you right away."

Andy nodded.

"But by the end of the second day…"

Sam shrugged,

A few seats down Luke rolled his eyes and ordered another drink.

"You?"

Andy smiled.

"Oh it took me awhile."

Sam raised his eyebrows.

"You tried to kiss me when you tackled me."

"I did not."

"You watched me change."

Luke choked and tried not to start coughing.

Andy shook her head and laughed.

"You were a jerk."

Sam was in a teasing mood.

"So why did you try to kiss me the second day?"

Andy started to object but realized she really couldn't deny that one.

"I can't believe we've never had this conversation before."

Sam took a sip of his drink.

He stared at it for a long moment before continuing more softly.

"Why did you come to me Andy?"

He didn't have to explain, Andy knew exactly what he meant. She looked down.

"He took the case…he didn't have to…and I was at home and I just couldn't take it…I knew…well I thought…I thought you would make me feel better."

Sam studied her remembering that night.

"I thought I was dreaming. Andy McNally was at my door…"

He lightly ran a finger across her lips.

"…Andy McNally was pushing me against a wall kissing me like she had never been kissed before."

Luke slammed his drink down.

I knew it! All this time it was Andy…Andy went to Swarek.

He shook his head disbelievingly.

They both glanced at Luke and Andy suppressed a giggle. She leaned close.

"So what were you thinking?"

Sam shook his head.

"I wasn't. I was reacting. You?"

Andy blushed.

"Maybe we should talk about something else."

Sam grinned dimples in full view.

"That bad huh?"

Andy shook her head.

"We work with Marlo next week."

His smile vanished.

"I know."

Andy glanced down at her drink.

"Andy"

Andy looked at him.

"It's over."

She nodded.

Sam studied her for a long moment.

"You worked with Collins today?"

She nodded.

"He wanted to know if I was ever really over you…and if things fell through if I would go back to him…and he make me breakfast."

Sam studied his bottle for a long moment.

"I told him-"

Sam raised a hand.

"Andy! You don't need to tell me. I know. I know you, I know what you would say and I know what you would do. Collins is a good man. I don't want you to forget him."

Andy smiled slowly. She swallowed hard.

"Sam…I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left…I wish I hadn't…like I really wish it."

Sam smiled.

"No, I'm glad you did."

Andy stared at him.

"I needed it."

She smiled and sighed.

"I need to go…morning shift."

Sam nodded.

"I can give you a ride."

Andy shrugged.

"I can walk."

Sam glared at her.

"You know you aren't walking McNally."

Andy laughed.

"I just had to check."

Sam opened the door to his truck and lifted Andy to the seat. They stared at each other for a long minute. Sam stepped back and shut the door before climbing in the passenger seat. They were both silent on the drive back.

A few minutes later Sam pulled up to her building.

Andy stared at him.

"Same time tomorrow?"

Sam shook his head slowly.

"I'm leaving…for a couple weeks. There's some things I need to take care off."

Andy's face fell.

"Andy…I will be back and I will come and find you the instant I'm back."

She looked crestfallen.

"Where are you going?"

Sam shook his head.

"I can't tell you yet Andy. Trust me?"

Andy nodded slowly and opened the door and jumped out.

"Andy!"

Sam opened the door and moved to stand in front of her.

He leaned forward and quickly kissed her cheek before going back to his truck.

"Sam!"

He turned.

Andy smiled at him.

"I'll be here for you when you get back."

Sam grinned and nodded.

"You better be."