A/N: Huge thanks again for continuing to follow the story and leave your thoughts. You guys deserve some kind of championship title yourselves!

Co-written with dcj

Disclaimer: We don't own Rookie Blue

'Let your guard down'

I'm scared every time I go into the ring, but it's how you handle it. What you have to do is plant your feet, bite down on your mouthpiece and say, 'Let's go.' Mike Tyson

Nick, Gail and Traci are clustered in the main gym area waiting - for what, they aren't exactly sure. Traci and Nick are taking it in turns looking back towards the change room nervously while Gail busies herself with a little Temple Run on her phone, curse words slipping periodically from under her breath.

The final fight of the night is just finishing up, when Dov and Chris emerge from the crowd grinning and shoving at each other. "There you guys are," Dov greets them.

"You guys just disappeared, we thought you left," Chris adds with one last shot to Dov's shoulder.

"We went to check on Andy," Traci explains, taking another furtive peek back at the locker room hallway.

Dov's practically bouncing on his feet. "Is she excited about the win? Is she showering? We should get over to the Penny to make sure we get a seat."

Gail finally drags her eyes away from her phone. "If she's showering in there, she won't be coming out anytime soon," she drawls.

"Gail!" Nick and Traci echo in reprimand.

"What? She might want some help scrubbing her back," she answers innocently. "He's not going to turn her down, not after that display."

Chris' head is flipping from one face to the other, but he really has no idea who or what they are talking about. "Who's not going to turn her down?"

"Swarek's in there with her," Traci explains like it should be obvious.

Dov's eyes grow to about the size of saucers. "In the shower?!" He screams, his voice a weird combination of both disbelief and awe.

Gail is practically cackling, totally ignores the glare Traci sends her way. "No, not in the shower," Traci clarifies. "They're in the change room… talking."

"They could be in the shower," Gail practically sing-songs. "We've been out here for a while and her dad left what, five, ten minutes ago."

Nick's eyebrows creep up; apparently she has been paying attention.

"I'm just saying," Gail continues, "it has been a while and the man clearly wants her back. What says making up better than shower sex?" She looks over at Nick and blinks a few times as the syrupy sweet words drip from her mouth. "Right, honey?"

Nick just shakes his head while Traci laughs deep and loud. Dov shoots a grin over to Chris but he's looking the other way… anywhere but at Gail and Nick.

"What's so funny?" Oliver quips as he sidles up beside Traci.

"You do not want to know," she answers breathlessly. "Trust me."

"Fine," he huffs. "But don't expect me to let you make it up to me later."

Traci's jaw drops open for a few seconds before she belts out another full out belly laugh. "I wouldn't dream of it," she manages to squeak when she finally catches her breath.

Oliver frowns over at her and all the rest of them as they try to recover from their bout of the giggles; he really hates being on the outside of an inside joke. "Where's McNally?" He growls. "She owes me a drink."

Traci can't help but grin. Everyone else is there waiting to buy her a drink of congratulations, and he... She shakes her head at the senior officer, only Oliver. "She isn't out yet. We were just trying to decide if we should head over to the Penny or wait a little longer."

Oliver's eyes narrow as he studies the looks on each of their faces. Why wouldn't they just go in and ask her? He wonders… until the light bulb goes on inside his head. "Is Sammy in there with her?"

"Yeah," Nick confirms, "they've been in there about…" He looks down at his watch, "ten minutes now."

Before Oliver can decide what he thinks the best course of action is, Noelle sweeps in with a huge grin on her face. "Let's go; we only have the babysitter for another hour and I've got some winnings to spend."

She looks around at the rest of the group, takes inventory. "Where's McNally? It doesn't take that long to shower."

Dov starts to open his mouth but the elbow he receives in his stomach from Traci stops any words from coming out.

"I think we're just going to head over there," Traci suggests, "I'm sure she'll be over in a bit." She didn't even sound convincing to herself though.

"No way," Noelle insists. "I owe that woman a drink and time is money. I'll go check on her and you guys go get a table."

She's on a mission and half a dozen steps away when Oliver lets her in on the quandary. "Sammy's in there."

Noelle stops dead in her tracks and spins around on her heel. "Damn it!"

Oliver plasters on an indulgent smile; clearly they would have already checked on her if…"Our sentiments exactly," he agrees, waving his hands haphazardly at the waiting entourage.

"Well, someone has to go in there," Noelle gripes, "it's hardly a celebration if the winning boxer isn't even there." Her last few words fade off when Oliver's waves start to become more purposeful until they finally land on his head in a makeshift ruffle of his hair… or head.

She takes a quick check of the group and every eye is a little wider and focused on something or someone over her right shoulder. She twists her body to the side a little to get a better look, comes face to face with a freshly showered and coiffed Cruz and a couple of guys she vaguely recognizes from some function or other Frank might have dragged her too.

"Hey, Cruz," she greets calmly, "tough bout huh? You doing okay?" Her voice is the picture of composed. Drama comes and goes but they all work together, that's not going to change. So she has no intention of making this harder on the woman than it has to be.

Marlo smiles warmly at Noelle, focusing on her face, the one she knows is friendly. This is something she was hoping to avoid… at least for tonight anyway. She took her time in changing for that very reason; she was hoping that everyone would have already left and she could pick herself up and dust herself off without any prying or critical eyes. She's not proud of her little indiscretion, really has no idea how much they might have surmised from the display, but there's no getting away from it now so she swallows down some of her pride. It's probably a good thing anyway… to get it over with… keep it from seeping over into work. The last thing she wants is for it to affect how she does her job. She's worked hard to get where she is…

She takes a deep breath tries to spread the smile around a little, extend the branch if it's needed. "McNally packs quite a punch," she concedes, "but I'll be fine. I've been through worse."

She's not sure why she adds the next bit; it's pretty obvious what she walked in on. But she can't help herself. "You all headed to the Penny?"

It's not like she's trying to fish, not really. She doesn't even want to go. But… it would be nice to know just how welcome she might be, if there's still going to be a bridge there come morning.

"Yeah, I heard that the community centre did really well tonight," Noelle reports, figures she'll keep the few bucks she put in her own pocket her little secret. "Well that… and we have the babysitter for another hour," she adds with a tip of her head and some extra dimple thrown in. "Figured we should probably take the opportunity to celebrate."

Noelle casts her eye back at the rag tag bunch behind her. She adds a little extra point to the look she throws at Peck who seems to be having a real battle with holding her tongue, if the grip Army Boy has on her hand means anything.

"Will you be joining us?" She asks when she turns back to Cruz.

Marlo scans the group before she even thinks about saying anything. Needs to assess just how communal the sentiment might be.

Oliver speaks up before she has a chance to respond. He actually likes Cruz… just not for Sam. She's easy to get along with, has a pretty good sense of humour and she doesn't have an aversion to paying – an ideal companion in his books. "You could probably use a drink," he declares as his way of extending the welcome.

"Oliver," Traci admonishes stepping up beside him.

"What?" His head and his voice both snap back. "I just meant that the fight probably took a lot out of her."

Traci closes her eyes and shakes her head, huffs out a disbelieving breath before she looks up at Cruz sincerely. "What he means to say is Fifteen did good tonight. You're part of Fifteen and you should come." She ignores the mumbling she can hear from under Gail's breath as she sidesteps in front of her and smiles genuinely at Cruz.

Marlo chuckles a little, appreciates the efforts of the younger officer. She knows it must be hard for Nash being right smack dab in the middle of it all what with being Sam's partner and McNally's best friend. But she's always treated her with professional respect and she admires her for it.

Marlo takes another check of the group, besides being unable to see Peck who's being hidden from her view by Collins, it looks like everyone else is fine with the invitation.

She can feel a few of the knots release from her stomach as she smiles and assures them she'll think about it. That's the best she can do right now because as much as the rest seem okay with her coming, there is someone conspicuously absent who may not be quite as happy to see her there. And she figures maybe she might owe both him and McNally a little time and space.

"You know where we'll be," Noelle reminds her as she watches her walk off with who she now remembers as two SWAT commanders.

With Marlo on her way, Nick finally relinquishes the tight leash he had on Gail. She wastes no time in stepping up between Oliver and Traci, slinging one arm up and over each of their shoulders as she urges them forward. "Let's go you two, front and centre."

Traci and Oliver look first at each other and then at the looming hallway as Peck inches them closer to the locker room. "Why us?" Traci squeaks out.

"Yeah, it was Noelle's idea," Oliver moans.

Gail gets up on her tip toes, squeezes her head between the two of them and pats them each on the chest with one of her hands. "You're the best friends. If anyone's seen them naked before, it's you two."

Traci rubs a soft hand on Oliver's back as he starts to choke on Peck's words.

"Besides," she adds with a giggle, "Nick's not allowed, Chris would be too embarrassed and Dov…" she takes a quick check over her shoulder, drops her voice down a little, "yeah, I'm not sure he'd want us to know which one he's most excited to see au naturel. So suck it up, coppers," she orders with a little more volume. "We're goin' in."

"Fine," Oliver moans, "but if I'm scarred by this…"

"Yeah, yeah," Gail drawls, "we can go to group therapy together."

Sam can feel the smile slipping further from his face as he checks out the state of the lockers, the paint on the wall… 'Friends?' He did say that's what he had resolved but… if Sam is being completely honest with himself, he's wanted more for as long as he's known her...he just hasn't believed in himself, hasn't known what to do – or at least how to do it well. 'More' has terrified him...but what is more terrifying than having 'more' with her? Not having 'more'. He has no idea what the hell he's going to do if that's all that she wants to be -

Andy is studying his every movement – each breath, that hint of a grin she sees every night in her sleep. But then his face shifts at the word friend and he looks away… and she's more than certain that she's reading the signs right. "I want more than the bracelet," she blurts out trying to get his attention again.

It works. Sam looks back at her, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What?"

Andy takes a deep breath urges herself to take the leap. "I know we both said we were ready to be friends and I meant it; I did. I just… is that where we are?"

Sam's pulse is racing. He's pretty sure they're on the same page but it almost sounds like she's trying to talk herself out of anything more; his words come out hard and fast and… nervous. "Is that what you want?"

He really hopes she says no. Because that is most definitely not what he wants. He wants to be right in the middle of it all – fighting with her… fighting for her… for them…ring around them both.

Andy turns her hand in his, tries to do a little soothing of her own. "Yes… and no… I mean...I want to be your friend but…" She meets his eye, swallows hard at the worry she sees there, hurries out the rest to take that fear away. "I also want more… I just… You said you weren't ready before to be my partner on and off the job."

The muscles in Sam's body contract; he can almost feel the ridges in the wall it feels like his back is against. And he knows it's probably not the right one, but his first instinct is almost always self-preservation. "And you said you weren't ready to take a chance on me, that's why you left."

It's one thing to want it, and she really does, but it's a whole other thing to be really ready to do it. Andy blows out a long slow breath. "So does that mean that's all we're ready for? Friendship?"

Sam takes a deep breath himself, wills his body to relax, knows that they both need to get better at this, better at talking without feeling the need to defend. "I don't know, Andy. I told you this is all new to me, but I do know that friendship… it's not all that I want."

Andy smiles up at Sam, appreciates the effort she knows it took for him to admit that. "It's not all I want either…" she's certain of that but… "but how do you know that you're ready now – to be both?"

Sam shrugs. He really does not know the answer, wonders if she might have an idea. "How do you know that you're ready to trust me not to leave again?" There's no malice in his voice when he asks; he's just hoping that maybe she has more insight into her feelings than he does.

"Will you?" She wonders aloud. She doesn't believe he will but wants his take on it.

"Will you?" Sam looks at her intently, wills her to see that some of their fears are the same.

Andy frowns a little at that, but knows that one of them has to give in here… and really he just said… "I'm not going anywhere Sam."

"Neither am I," he assures her. "All I know is that not having you in my life… it's not an option anymore. I lived that way for six months, almost eight now. I don't know if I'm ready, but I know that I'm ready to try."

Andy gets that, she does, is it enough though? "But as a friend I'm in your life and you're in mine," she reasons. "How do we know we aren't meant to be just friends?"

Sam shakes his head. If this is going to work, they both have to be all in. "What do you want Andy? You need to decide. Maybe we're meant to be friends I don't know, but I hope that's not it. We'll never know until we try."

The memory of the last time they tried something new together overwhelms Andy and manifests itself as a full body blush. It was so worth it then… she's sure it will be now too.

Sam chuckles lightly. He doesn't mean to bring up old memories, it isn't purposeful but it is… He just really likes Andy's reaction, likes that she still feels those things… so vividly. Really misses being the one to make her feel them.

Andy swats at his arm. But he grabs her hand and holds it against his chest as he looks straight into her eyes. "What do you want Andy?"

She can feel his heart beating against her hand, and she knows the answer without a doubt. "I want you... I want us...as more than friends."

"Good," he agrees gently. "Then that's what we work towards."

"Okay," Andy nods softly, smiles a little, "so how do we start?" She chuckles a bit to herself as another memory hits her, wonders if this time maybe they'll be able to find the right answer.

"I don't know," Sam concedes, shaking his head. "All I know is that there's no one else I want to do this with, that I've ever wanted to do this with. No one."

Andy huffs out a soft breath. "God, we really are a mess. How can we not know how to date? Do we even know how to be normal? And what if my normal isn't the same as yours?"

Her hand is still against his chest; he pulls it away and cradles it between both of his. "We talk, that's how we start, and we don't have to figure it all out tonight. We just have to decide what we want and agree to go for it… together."

Her eyes drop down to her feet watching them scuff a little against the floor. "I'm scared," she whispers, "of being hurt again, of not being able to make you happy, you looked really happy..."

Sam pulls at her hand, waits for her to look up at him. "Trust me, Andy, I was happier when I was with you. I was only fooling myself thinking…" He shakes his head. "I want to be the one to make you happy, make you laugh. I'm scared too, scared that I won't be able to give you what you need either. What if I don't talk?"

Andy shrugs, "what if I talk too much?" She focuses on a spot on the wall over Sam's shoulder, whispers out the next little bit so quiet he almost doesn't catch it. "We really are different."

"So we'll deal with it," he urges. "There's nothing wrong with different. I happen to like different; I like that even though you like your plans, I never know what you're going to do or say. I like that you love people, that you believe in them, that you're optimistic. I see in you, things that I wish I could be… things that maybe you can help me be."

Andy smiles softly at him. "And you can help me understand time and space. Think before I just jump in." She quirks an eyebrow up at him. "Appreciate the quiet."

Sam drops his chin, huffs out a soft chuckle. "I'm not a miracle worker McNally."

Andy laughs, pushes at his chest a little with their hands. "Guess it's a good thing we'll be doing it together then huh?"

"Make changes. Move forward," he pledges, making sure both their hands are still hovering somewhere in the vicinity of his heart.

"You forgot amends," Andy reminds him, "and I am sorry, Sam… for everything. For not knowing what you needed…" She drops her eyes down but only for a second because he deserves to see how much she really means what she's about to say. "…for walking away."

"I'm sorry too, Andy." He purses his lips, chuckles a little self-deprecatingly. "For not knowing what I needed either. I should have been able to tell you without…" He shakes his head. "I'm sorry for just walking away too."

"So change…?" She's hoping he gets it; that the amends are done and it's time to move forward… to start. "What do you want? Tell me one thing you need me to do so we can start this off right."

"Poker night is non-negotiable," Sam replies deadpan, grins a little when he gets the reaction he is looking for.

"Sam," she groans. She's serious here. Really wants to do whatever it takes.

"I'm serious," he retorts, seemingly reading her mind.

She didn't need to know that they hadn't had one since… well since. But he figures maybe that is another step in the right direction too. Especially now that the memories can come and they don't stop him in his tracks anymore.

"You'll have to be patient," he states, finally complying. "I may need time and space, but I promise - I won't walk away. It just might take me a while to… let things sink in, figure things out. I'm used to tucking things away and… you said it yourself, I compartmentalize. I've done it that way for a long time and it's not always easy for me to let people in. It doesn't mean that I don't want to; it just means that I may not know how. I may need some time to figure out how."

"You're not the only one, Sam. I need to get better at that too. I didn't always let you in either." Flashes of the night of her housewarming run through her head and she's not really proud of her actions.

Sam can see it on her face, the embarrassment… the regret, but that's not what they're supposed to be doing here. "No beating ourselves up remember – we're going forward."

She really does love how he always looks out for her, always worries about her feelings. "I promise to try and be patient and wait for you," she vows, "but I do need you to talk to me. I want to go through the hard stuff with you; I'll try not to pressure you but… if I forget, remind me okay?"

"Only if you remind me too," Sam grants, "and I promise I'll try not to get upset."

"We'll probably fight," she concedes.

Sam's eyebrows bounce up once quick before he offers her a playful wink. "As long as we make up."

Andy shakes her head, tries to hide the blush that is once again taking over her body. Making up sounds really good right about now.

"Couples fight, Andy," Sam gets serious again. "Oliver told me the other night that it's hard and scary, but it's worth it; we're worth it. And if we have to compromise, that's what we do. That's what love is – give and take, seeing both sides, the good and the bad… and not keeping score."

"Maybe we could ask Oliver what to do," she suggests, with a wink of her own. "I mean he is my new best friend."

Sam laughs out loud at that, like they would even have to ask for his friend's input. "That's the first rule," he insists. "Shaw does not get a say in anything."

"There are rules?" Andy asks in faux disbelief, the twinkle still dancing in her eye. "You mean like 'I am not your boyfriend and I will not be holding your hand'."

Sam looks pointedly at their intertwined fingers before he smirks up at Andy. "I told you McNally. I don't have any rules."

"Oh yeah..." Her eyebrow tips up in challenge as she leans her body in closer. "So anything goes then?"

Sam opens his mouth, considers a whole host of options that might get McNally blushing some more. He's very close to answering her question with another question, but as he sticks his tongue in his cheek there's a voice at the door –

Well. A clearing of a throat or two, more like it.

When Sam turns to face that way, the sight before him induces a shake of the head. He smiles though, mainly because of the giggles it elicits from Andy when she sees what he's looking at.

Crammed in and around the doorway are several bodies…or faces at least.

Pushed through the doorway are Nash and Shaw. Like foot soldiers, they stand to attention ready for whatever mundane task that may have been delegated to them. The difference is however, they each have a pale hand firmly planted over their eyes –

It's Peck that stands slightly behind and between them, an arm over each shoulder and her hands covering their eyes. Sam cocks his head to try and catch a glimpse of the blonde's face; notices that she has her own eyes shut tight.

Behind the three stooges is a sea of faces, all with their eyes closed but each obviously desperate to see what's going on. Depstein are up on their toes, Collins has his chin on the head of Peck, and Williams' has one hand on the shoulder of Shaw.

"Guys." Nash starts up cautiously, evidently handed the task of speaking on behalf of the group. "Ah…sorry to interrupt…"

"Seriously?" Andy interjects, still giggling at the farce in front of her and Sam. "What do you think we're doing in here?"

"Shower sex!" Epstein hollers. As everyone gasps, he tries to clarify; "Well…that's what Gail said."

Andy's blush feels like it's become a permanent fixture. Partly her problem here is that Dov's words did evoke some images that have made her feel a little bit hot. She looks to Sam for some help, but he's none at all. Actually, the grin on his face is making things even worse. In fact, she has to look away from him quickly, focus her attention on something distinctly not related to…showers and Sam…

It's Noelle she focuses on; at least she can count on some maturity from the senior officer.

"We're goin' to The Penny, you two are coming, like it or not." Noelle says, no nonsense. "McNally, you're owed a few drinks."

Sam's eyebrows go up as he scans the expression of his colleagues. He's mindful of containing his smile. He could have guessed that they were all betting on McNally, but…something tells him the fight tonight was not the only thing they thought was a certainty. Sheer numbers of wagers suggest that Andy will be on the receiving end of a whole lot of rounds tonight. And he is happy for her…proud of her…wants her to have her moment in the sun…

But he can't help but be just a little disappointed…before they were interrupted, he was thinking of doing some bargaining…having her all to himself for the next 48 hours (years). Still. He reasons that some celebratory drinks with their friends are well deserved…

Andy looks at Sam, can't help but be disappointed that their talk has been interrupted. Still. They did agree not everything needed to be sorted out tonight. And it might be nice to celebrate…things…with their friends…not that Andy's getting ahead of herself. It's just…everyone has been so supportive. A drink or two with them is the least they deserve. She bites her lip. "You're coming too, right?"

Sam smiles softly. He can't help but think back to the night he asked for another chance; the night she didn't turn up. Six months later though…the timing feels right. He's pretty sure she'll let him get her that drink this time around. He makes sure she's looking right into his eyes when he gives her the answer, wills her to see that behind any residual pain of the memory…he is…happy…grateful that they've finally got to this point. "Yeah…I'll be at the Penny."

Sam's voice is almost like all those nights ago…almost. But, not quite. Replaced with the desperation is a confidence that wasn't there six months ago. The sadness and confusion of that time is obviously still something that jumps to the front of both of their minds, but now…there is also anticipation and a real sense of hope. Andy is ready for Sam to buy her that drink. And she wants to shout Sam one too. She smiles back at him, nods slowly, definitively. This time she's not backing out.

Gail has her eyes open wide now, recognizes the significance of this moment and what it means to these two. Remembers a time way back at the start when McNally wanted to buy Swarek a drink, remembers another time not so long ago when Swarek was left waiting at the bar...he and Gail side by side, but essentially drinking alone. She sucks in a quiet breath, holds back a smile. She's pretty sure that neither Swarek nor McNally will be refusing drinks from the other tonight. "So. Come on then, slow pokes. Despite popular belief, the Penny won't stay open all night."

Sam rolls his eyes, but eventually winks at Andy. And then he stands up, offers a hand to help pull her up too. He scratches at the back of his neck with his free hand, glances back over his shoulder at their audience. He's debating with himself about modes of transport to the Penny; it's only a short walk…it's just…

Well. He'd prefer the truck to be in the parking lot of the Penny. There for when they're ready to go home –

There's a silence amongst the group, everyone wondering and hazarding guesses on what might happen next. Everyone is holding their breath; one that is released en masse when Sam clears his throat;

"You want a ride to the Penny?"

Andy smiles small. She kind of assumed they'd all be walking the short distance over. Not that she really liked the idea of carting her gear bag around.

The thought of another couple of minutes alone in a bubble with Sam is appealing, a few more moments where they can talk about…

Things.

And what makes it even better… is that they'll be doing it in his truck. She loves Sam's truck, everything about it reminds her of him – strong, dependable… she chuckles a little to herself, on the exterior it looks hard, tough, but on the inside…

It's where she first told him she loved him. 'Start the truck, McNally'… yeah, she loves his truck.

"Sure…" Andy pauses, purses her lips before she grins big, "If I drive."

His eyebrows jump up a little before he scrubs a hand over his mouth, tries to hide the smirk he's got going at the collective intake of breath he hears beside him.

He reaches into his pocket, pauses. Thing is, he knows he's going to say yes… whatever it takes to get her there, get her that drink, he's going to do. And if she wants to drive… well he really doesn't hate the idea of having his keys in her hands again.

When he finally slides the set out, he twirls it around his finger a couple of times, just to tease… like he actually has to think about handing them over. But then he does, reminding her; "be gentle."

Andy's gaze trawls between his eyes and the keys. The key-ring is hooked around a single digit, the keys draped in his palm. She bites her lip as she reaches across, tucks her fingers into the mix.

He wraps his fingers around hers for a few seconds before releasing to let her pull the ring off with her thumb. Her heart is racing even faster now, the weight of the objects bringing back yet another set of memories.

When she looks back up into his eyes, his gaze is fixed on her face. He smiles small, moves one step closer toward her, enough to make Andy think she might be about to be kissed -

Only then her thoughts are interrupted by the clearing of a few throats.

"Okay then." It's Oliver that joins the conversation next. "I guess we've established how you two are getting there…that's great. Now can we go? There's a beer McNally promised me that's got my name written all over it. I don't want it to go warm." He raises his eyebrows, hitches a thumb over his shoulder. He also gives the rest of the crowd a few hand gestures to get them moving along.

As the mob makes their way out, Oliver turns on his heel, looks back at the joined hands of McNally and Sam. He grins at them both; has no more words of wisdom for now though. He's pretty sure they can take things from here. No hard stuff, there won't be any of that tonight.

Andy has no intention of letting go of Sam so she reaches down with her free hand to pick up her bag.

As soon as Sam realizes what she's going for, he reaches out to take it from her but she keeps a firm grip on the handle. "I've got it," she assures him with a grin.

Sam smirks back, slides his hand right down next to hers as he shrugs, "I know, just… I wanna do it."

Andy can feel the heat in her cheeks again; she's blushed more times tonight than she has in… in a long time. She looks down at the bag before she looks back up at Sam and releases the weight to him. "Okay," she breathes out.

Sam shoots her a quick wink before he shifts towards the door to lead them out. Andy's trailing along behind him when her eye catches movement from the side; she turns her head and gets a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She sucks in a loud breath and stops cold. She has no idea how this man can make her forget anything and everything.

Sam's brow is already furrowed when he checks back over his own shoulder.

"Sam I can't…"

He doesn't register anything after she says the word can't. All he can hear is the air rushing into his lungs as the blood rushes away from his head and engulfs his heart. He really can't…

He feels Andy tugging on his hand. "Sam… Sam…"

"Huh?"

"Look at me," she orders, waving her free hand up and down her body. "I can't go like this."

Sam releases the breath he's been holding, lets the doubts rush out with it. He runs his eyes slowly down her body, swallows audibly when he hits the smooth line of her thighs. Yeah, she's still wearing the boxing gear but the rest of the look, it's one that he really likes on her – when she's a little flushed, a little sweaty, a little… salty. He clears his throat, swallows down the memories of the familiar taste, lifts a hand to run it over his face but his hands are… full. He chuckles a little at himself; probably not the best place for his mind to be wandering right now.

Andy blushes a deeper shade of red under Sam's watchful eye, can't stop her mind from wandering to a few sweaty sessions of her own. She shakes her head, decides that she is not going anywhere without a shower even if it's quick… and cold.

When Sam finally meets her eye, she shrugs at him a little sheepishly. "Ten minutes?" She pleads, "Just to rinse off and get changed?"

Sam's arm flinches; he really needs to get a hand on… He sucks in a deep breath; he has to stop thinking about her sweaty, or in the shower… or... "Sure, sure," he agrees, "I'll just…" he flips his hand over his shoulder to where their friends just left.

"I'll be right there," she promises softly.

He passes her stuff back over to her, smiles when he feels the familiar tingle as his hand brushes against hers. "I'll be waiting," he pledges in that same soft tone, before he nods his head and strolls out the door.

Sam barely makes it out of the change room before he runs headlong into Oliver.

His buddy wrinkles his brow in confusion, leans first to one side to look around Sam and then the other. "Aren't you missing something there Brother?"

Sam grins. Not any more, he thinks but answers with, "she's just getting changed."

Oliver nods. "Well then, I guess we'll see you there." He raises a questioning eyebrow. "We will see you there right?"

Sam chuckles at his friend, pushes him towards the exit. "We'll be there."

The wait is a little longer than the ten minutes she promised; it's more like fifteen. And forget that three months and six months she wasn't around…this is the longest wait of Sam's life.

With the building empty and quiet, he is left to his own devices and thoughts. He leans against the doorjamb, one foot perched on the frame and his head tilted back. The only noise he can hear is the water that's running for McNally's shower…and it's driving Sam completely insane.

He'd really like to just get in there, offer to scrub her back. Other parts too. Check out any bruises she might have incurred in the fight, get his eyes on any other changes since the last time he -

To distract himself, Sam plucks his phone out of his pocket, absentmindedly scrolling through old messages and smiling at ones that are still there from almost a year ago; a bunch of random texts from Andy, filled with emoticons, several of which were sent just after the first time she said 'I love you'.

He blows out a breath as he hears the taps turn off, wonders if it might be more appropriate to go all the way back out of the room –

Andy can't help but hum a little as she finishes with the hot water. She feels refreshed and clean - invigorated almost. She's not even really feeling the few bruises that have started to form. No doubt she may have a few aches tomorrow, but right now…she feels almost on top of the world.

She's glad she brought her best jeans to change into, a new floaty top too. Although she didn't expect to be accompanying Sam to the Penny tonight, she did want to look nice…

She takes a quick look at the time on her phone, realizes she's already gone past the time she said it would take. She dips into her bag and grabs the essentials; moisturiser, deodorant, perfume, brush…and the basics where make-up's concerned.

Her heart picks up some pace as she goes about the routine of getting scrubbed up. She almost makes a mess with the eyeliner, distracted by thoughts of maybe…maybe…Sam giving her a ride home later…walking her to her door…

She averts the dramatic look at the last minute though, dropping her eyeliner to pick up lip-gloss instead. When she's done, she stacks everything in her bag, zips the thing up, and proceeds to practically run back out to where the lockers and benches are –

When she sees him standing in the doorframe she falters, almost bumping into the bench right in front. It's seriously like first date nerves all over again.

Sam's head swivels the second he hears McNally's re-entry, it's an impressive one as always. A little late, rushed, and noisy –

And the kind that takes Sam's breath away.

He grins over at her, starts shaking his head. He wouldn't mind teasing her about the grand entrance, wouldn't mind pointing out how long he's been waiting…

"Sorry. I know I took a while…" she puffs, hands flailing.

Sam's grin grows even bigger as his eyes trawl from her eyes to her feet and back up again. "Worth the wait." Sam didn't mean for his voice to crack as he said it, but it did, probably because there is not a single ounce of moisture left in his throat.

She's just...gorgeous. Fresh and clean and so –

He's not great with expressing himself, he knows that. Compliments are hard for Sam…to give (and to take). More often than not, it's just easier to conceal them behind some corny joke. But. Because he really wants to show her that he's going to try…

Try to let her inside his head…

"You look…you look pretty, Andy. Beautiful, actually. Beautiful."

Andy bites into her lip, and then releases a broad smile. The expression alone is enough to dissipate any nerves Sam had lingering there.

It's not that Sam has never complimented her before, but there's definitely a difference to this. More often than not when he commented before on her being 'pretty', 'cute', 'beautiful', or any variation thereof, it was a little more…indirect.

She knows that words don't come easy for him. But there is always a whole lot of thought. She generally has been able to catch on by reading his actions, and the look on his face. Now, she stands here listening as well as seeing those thoughts of his…and it is…

A lot.

She opens her mouth, closes it, opens it again, and finally forces the sound out. "Thank you…" And then gives him another smile. It's about all she can manage really, probably best to leave it at that because she'd hate to spoil it.

They continue to grin at one another for a minute or so, a couple of teenagers waiting for a note to be passed. Eventually, it's Sam that breaks the silence, holding his hand out again. "Let's go."

They're definitely a little tentative with one another. For starters, the walk to the truck is quiet except for the sound of the gravel under their feet.

Oddly enough, it's Sam who keeps breaking the silence, some quiet words about the fight, and a question about where she managed to improve her left hook.

It's not until he opens the driver side door for her, not until she's up on the seat and strapping herself in that things get extra awkward though – Andy disclosing how she picked up tips from Collins while they were under…

She senses the stiffness in Sam as she talks about how their boxing sessions got started, realizes it probably hurts him to hear that Nick took his place in the ring…as innocent as that actually was.

He doesn't say a word as he turns to walk around to the passenger side; remains quiet and averting her gaze as he puts his seatbelt on.

"Sam," Andy says gently, looking over at him as she starts the engine up. "You do know Nick and I…we're good friends…we had a job to do…that's all we were…all we are…right?"

Sam chews into his cheek, turns in his seat to face her. He puts one hand on the back of her headrest, watches her face as she checks the mirrors despite the vacant lot. "Yeah…" his chest is tight even thinking about the whole 'good friends' thing. Knows he doesn't have a leg to stand on in terms of calling her out on whose company she's kept. "I know…I just…"

He turns and settles his eyes on the road when they finally get moving, the reality setting in that it actually will take more than a night for them to sort all of this out. "I'm sorry…I'm glad he had your back…I just..." He blows out a long breath. "I just wish it had been me…wish I hadn't…" Sam is struggling with even thinking this out, let alone saying it –

McNally's hand on his arm helps as the Penny finally comes into sight. "I know. I wish it was you too…"

The sentiment makes it a little easier on Sam, but he's still frustrated at how hard this whole forgiving yourself and making amends thing really is. He nods slowly.

"You weren't there then…but you are now, right? And I'm here with you." Andy glances at Sam's face even as she brings the truck to a stop in the parking lot of the Penny. This is all stupidly hard, but she'll be damned if she's not going to keep trying. She cuts the engine, and turns to face him again.

He smiles small; her words are just what he needed…bringing it back to now. What they need to keep doing now. It's now that counts. Now…and what happens next. "You're good at this making amends thing."

She smiles back at him softly. "I think we're getting a lot of practice…we just need to be one another's making-amends buddy, keeping one another in check."

Sam laughs a little. "Making-amends buddies? Is there a bracelet for that too?" He tilts his head. "C'mon, McNally. Lemme buy you that drink."

Up next: Fight ain't over yet, gotta watch out for the ole one two ;)