A/N: Ready for another round? Thanks again for stopping by :)

Co-written with dcj

Disclaimer: We do not own Rookie Blue

'Take it on the chin'

"There are two main qualifications that make one skillful in boxing; the first is the ability to think in the ring, and the second is a boxer's sense of timing and distance. If a boxer has ring smarts and the ability to correctly gauge and judge distance then he has the potential to be a successful boxer. It is these attributes that allow him to use his physical assets and boxing style to be triumphant in the ring." – Monte Cox

The walk from the truck to the Penny is easier, more comfortable. It's like with every step they take, everything gets a little lighter. (The pain, the hurt, it all gets left further behind.) They're still clutching on to one another, her hand tucked inside his, their fingers interlocked.

Sam's got his grip tight around the handle of the door, the other hand even tighter around McNally's. "You ready for this?" He asks her before he makes any move to take this further.

Andy tilts her head to the side, grins back big. "Fake it 'til you make it."

Sam shakes his head soft, matches the look in his eyes. He really can't believe this girl, can't believe how lucky he is, how happy he is that they don't need to fake it… not anymore. "Think we need to get you a new saying," he decides out loud.

"Oh yeah?" She leans her body into his, pushes against him a little. "Maybe I'll get a new saying when you get a new joke book," she taunts, that errant eyebrow and her playful voice working in perfect tandem. She giggles as she covers the hand Sam has on the door with her own and pulls on it with him. "Here we go."

When they step into the entryway, Sam's mid-gripe, "if my jokes are that bad, how come they always end with you laughing like a hyena?" He doesn't get an answer though because his pout only serves to make Andy laugh a little louder.

And that's the sound that greets the patrons as the two finally make it through.

The long awaited couple immediately draws the eyes of Noelle and Oliver (who lifts his hand to wave them over but drops it just as quick). They're too busy staring at each other with those goofy grins they've had going for the last hour or so.

"It's about damn time you two got here," Noelle yells over before she turns to Oliver and holds out the palm of her hand, flips her fingers up and down a couple of times. "Pay up!" she orders.

Oliver pulls out a twenty and slides it into her palm before he turns back to the bemused couple. He slaps his hand on the stool beside him. "Come on, you might as well sit down, the damage is done."

Sam's eyes are making a good scan of the ceiling as he shakes his head; he chuckles a little when he gets a glimpse of the blush Andy's got going on her cheeks. He gives her hand a quick squeeze before he lets it go to pull out her chair.

With his hands free, he claps Oliver once hard on the shoulder. "I told you we were coming."

"Yeah, well, you also told me to tell Zoe the truth about the strippers," Oliver reminds him from way back when, "and we both know how well that one turned out; don't we? You're just lucky this one won't end up with me camping out on your sofa." Oliver has a feeling that extra spot on his couch isn't going to be available for the next little… or long while anyway.

Sam chuckles at his brother, grips hard on his shoulder. "Let me make it up to you. What are you drinking?"

Oliver tips his beer up with a grin, more than happy with the gesture. Sam nods and spins around to Andy who's talking quietly with Noelle; he places a light hand on her back to get her attention. "You ready for that drink?"

Andy opens her mouth to agree but Noelle steps in before she can answer, slides herself right in between the two of them. "Nope, you have all the time in the world to get her a drink." She looks down at her watch. "I only have half an hour before Frank and I gotta be home and I am treating this lady to a beverage."

Andy smiles, shakes her head a little; she appreciates the gesture, but she really just wants to get that drink from Sam. She knows it's silly, knows that it doesn't have to be tonight. But she just wants to accept the offer and make it official or something. "Noelle, you don't have to…"

Noelle's already waving Liam over as she waves Andy off. "Believe me, I owe you. Two full nights of babysitting is not cheap. This is my pleasure."

Andy's face scrunches a little in confusion; she guesses she had said she'd be willing to do it again but… She runs her hand through the still wet pony tail, feels a twinge in her side when she lifts her arm. "But I only babysat for you one night..."

Noelle narrows her eyes at Sam when he crowds at her space as she turns to answer.

Sam glares back at her before he takes a step back. He keeps his eye on Andy though, checks for any other signs that she might be in any kind of pain. He still really wants to get close and take that inventory, find out where it hurts.

Noelle just shakes her head, can't for the life of her figure out how he made it that long without McNally in arm's reach. She huffs out a breath and turns her attention back to Andy. "Let's just say that your victory this evening may have made this a very cheap night for me…" She nods her head once slow in emphasis, "very cheap."

Andy's eyebrows skyrocket to the top of her head before she grins big. It probably shouldn't surprise her; Noelle always seems to have that sixth sense about everything and everyone. Still she wonders just how much Noelle might have anticipated… and won. She shrugs her shoulders once in indecision. "Beer?"

"Coming right up," Noelle agrees before turning to the man still practically glued to the brunette's side. "Sammy, what'll you have?"

"Heyyy," Oliver moans, sticking his head out from the other side of Sam. "What about me?"

Noelle tips her chin at the drink in front of him. "You have one and Sammy's getting your next one," she recants, "he just said so."

Oliver frowns; he's a little put out that he couldn't get one from her too, especially since he knows just how accurate her bet was. "But you're getting his," Oliver whines, "and I just gave you another twenty bucks."

Noelle just shrugs. "Life's a bitch," she reasons before she turns back to the couple of the hour, "Sammy?"

Sam smiles big, really does like his friends… family a whole lot. "Beer for me too."

Noelle calls Liam over and in no time drinks are set in front of them… all four of them.

"Awww," Oliver coos. "You do love me."

"I just couldn't stand to hear your whining for the rest of the night," Noelle insists but she's hiding a grin behind the bottle as she takes a drink. "So…" she starts, holding out her beer in preparation to make a toast, until she's interrupted by the arrival of the rest of the rookies.

"Hey Killer," Traci greets, pulling Andy out of her seat for a huge hug. "Sorry," she offers quickly when she hears a small groan and feels Andy stiffen up in her arms a little.

Neither woman notices when Sam's head snaps over to them, eyes full of concern. Noelle does though, has an even bigger grin going behind her drink this time.

"Oh…I was going to buy you a drink," Dov bemoans when he sees Andy pick up her bottle.

He's not upset for long though because then he remembers why he was going to do just that. "I can't believe you kicked her ass," he almost giggles. "If I would have known you were going to do that I would have bet more. You definitely had me fooled with all that 'it's for charity crap." His eyes get real wide. "I heard that one person actually bet on the knockout; can you believe it?"

Andy takes a furtive peek at Noelle whose eyes are shifting around, looking anywhere but at her and Dov, her dimples are bookending the bottle as she takes a drink though. So Andy waits for a few seconds till the woman's eyes finally land back on her. Andy tips her glass in congratulations and gets a quick nod in return.

It takes Andy a second but then she realizes that Dov's been talking the whole time… "fifty bucks off Andrews' pool and another fifty from the rec centre." He grins big at her. "Next one's on me."

Oliver slaps him hard on the back. "Thanks buddy," he crows before he elbows Sam in the side. "Yeah thanks Epstein," Sam echoes.

Dov frowns, swallows down a gulp of his own beer. So much for his winnings.

"Better buckle in McNally," Gail butts in and warns, "you're in for a looong night."

Andy tries to force the smile onto her face but then she gets a glimpse of the look on Sam's and sees the same disappointment she's trying to mask. She offers him a tight grin and a shrug but before she can suggest that they maybe duck out, Gail's sliding in between them cutting off her view.

She studies the smirk on Gail's face, tries to decide just how purposeful the blonde's actions are. The wink Gail throws Andy lets her know her friend knows exactly what she's doing. "Soooo," Gail announces loudly, "who here put their money on McNally?"

She makes a point of dramatically counting all the hands in the air, pointing to each person and calling the numbers out loudly. In the end, she's noted Nick, herself, Dov, Traci, Noelle and Oliver. "Looks like you've got five more drinks coming your way, honey, and that's just this crowd. Looks like someone's going to have to make sure you get home safely," she surmises her eyes directed right at Sam.

Not that Andy was averse to Sam taking her home; she was counting on it actually. She just did not want to be a blithering idiot when he did it. "You know we don't have to get through it all tonight."

"You got somewhere to be McNally?" Gail calls her out. "Big plans maybe…"

"I… uh…" Andy's cheeks have gone a deep shade of red and she's apparently lost the power of speech.

"McNally's in hurry everybody," Gail yells out. "You know what that means…" she pauses dramatically before squealing "Shots!"

"Tequila!" Dov seconds.

"Hold on, hold on," Noelle directs, ever the voice of reason. "We are not doing shots…" she looks over at Peck whose got a pretty mean pout going on, "…yet."

She chuckles softly at the smirk she gets back from the blonde. "Whatever you do when I leave is up to you, but right now I'm going to make a toast."

Frank slides up behind Andy having just said goodbye to a couple of bigwigs who were on their way out the door. "Here, here," he agrees tipping up his drink and earning a big grin from Andy.

"To McNally," Noelle begins clearing her throat, "it was a hard fought battle but sometimes it's that fight… that struggle that make us stronger. And with the right people in your corner…" Noelle looks around at the family in front of her nodding at them all in turn. "Backing you up, picking you up when you fall, reminding you what you're fighting for, there's no way you can lose. I knew from the start there was a force here to be reckoned with. And that's why even when you were down; I knew you were never out. What you want… have, is worth it, worth fighting for. And I could see it in your eyes - sometimes… you just know."

It's taken Sam practically all of Noelle's toast and then some to get back to within an arm's length of McNally again. Despite all the heads that popped up in front of him, he managed to keep an eye on her for the better part of the speech –

Clenched his jaw every time her face twitched when someone patted her hard on the shoulder or put their arms around her. Of course, she's smiled through the whole lot, albeit a little teary when Noelle was still talking, but Sam can tell she's definitely incurred some bruises at least.

He's almost close enough to lean in and ask her if she's alright when he hears "Swarek" said from behind. When he turns around, Collins is standing there, a neutral expression on his face and two beers in his hands.

Army-boy smiles at him; hands over one of the ale's. "I, uh, did buy this for Andy, but it looks like she might be covered for the rest of the night."

Sam grips the cool glass and looks up at Collins. Eventually he nods. He does some deep breathing while he collects his thoughts, figures out what should…what needs to be said…

"No doubt she owes you a few too, so…" Sam starts, then clears his throat. "I probably need to man up for a couple myself."

Nick tilts his head as he looks back at Swarek, a little confused as to why the detective thinks that's the case. He wonders how much Andy has been able to tell him about what happened UC –

"I know you've got her back…I know you were a good partner…I know you were there when…" Sam continues, eyes inspecting Collins' face. Sam doubts he'll be able to finish any sentence he starts at this rate. "I know you're a good friend to her." The words feel kind of strange coming out of Sam's mouth…but they also feel right.

It actually lifts a weight off his shoulders, him labelling what Collins and McNally are. And it's not that Sam ever wants Andy to confide in any of her other 'friends' more than she does him, but he realizes that this past eight months…longer…he wasn't able to let her do that. Nor her for him. He hopes that's one thing that changes…he's pretty sure they're on the right track.

Nick's not really sure if everything is patched up between these two, but…from everything he's seen so far tonight, it's well on its way. He's happy for them both, even more so if it's what they've decided they want…together. Nick nods. "I guess the timing was right for a friendship to form. I think it really helped us both to have someone there who understood, knew exactly what (or who) we were missing from home… Andy's… she's a great friend to have."

Sam grins, takes another peek at McNally who's just been released from a hug by Noelle. She shakes Frank's hand and barely gets them waved out the door before Nash is in her ear. He thinks about how great it might be…all this friendship stuff an added bonus to…everything else that they're figuring out. He chuckles a little, thinking of other friendship-related conversations of the past hour. "She, uh. She ever give you a friendship bracelet?"

Nick chokes out a laugh, his mind running wild with what this pair might've discussed after the knockout. He shakes his head, thinks back to self-help books in the cruiser and lonely nights on Dakota. "I think that one might've been reserved especially for you, Swarek…although she did make me watch a couple of crappy chic-flicks one time…drank a bottle or two of red with her that night too." Nick purses his lips. "Had to draw the line at the toenails though, camouflage or not, there's no way she was getting her polish anywhere near me."

Sam laughs, nodding. He can picture just how annoying Andy might've been in the six months UC. Hell, he has had his fair share of movie commentary McNally style, feet up on his coffee table, bottles and Kleenex and who knows what scattered about…which might be something he secretly won't mind in the future… at all.

"And don't get me started on her taste in ice cream," Nick frets, "no one… no one wants green ice cream."

Sam's laughter stalls out a little at that, remembers a few nights of his own when he may have found himself looking down at some Rocky Road instead of his standard fare.

"Sam…" Nick says, just above the din. He tips his glass to Swarek's, offering up their own private toast. "I know you have her heart…but I'll always have her back." He briefly considers giving the detective some heavy; don't mess it up this time, or something stronger than that. But, all indicators suggest that Swarek is in a different place now. He's ready to fight this time around.

Andy bites into her lip softly as she catches Sam and Nick talking. They're less than a metre away from her, but it might as well be a kilometre because she can't hear a single word that's being said.

She's doing her best to pay attention to Gail and Traci, but she would really love to hear the Sam and Nick conversation as well.

Traci catches her on the elbow, tugs a little. "You can get the dirt from Sam later, Andy…check in on just how protective Nick is of you…"

The words sting Gail just a little…it's not…it's not that she doesn't trust Nick and Andy, but every once in a while she feels taken aback at just how close they are. Still. Of all the people that could've been partnered up with him, she is glad it was Andy. She knows her friend is loyal and would take a bullet for any one of her rookie colleagues.

Andy feels Gail stiffen beside her, knows things between her two friends are still delicate. Knows how it feels to think there's a possibility the man you love cares more for somebody else –

"Gail…" Andy croaks. They've been through this before; Gail knows nothing has ever happened between Andy and Nick beyond friendship.

Gail nods, brushing Andy off with a couple of hand waves. "I know…I know…I get it, I just…" she clears her throat. "God. Can't we just talk about how you kicked Cruz' ass instead?"

Traci blows out a breath; this tangled web of feelings between all of her friends is…complicated to say the least. She doesn't mean to keep putting her foot in her mouth, but it's like walking on eggshells sometimes. As far as she's concerned, the sooner everyone's exactly where they need to be…with who they need to be, and confident about that, the better.

"Forget Cruz," Traci sighs, wanting to get to the crux of the matter. "You and Swarek…I take it all the hand-holding and laughing that was happening when you walked in here means a make-up is well under way?"

A warm tingle runs from Andy's fingertips to her shoulder, and then through to her chest; the thought of being able to hold Sam's hand once again getting the better of her. She smiles small, glances back over his way. She notices Nick is mid animated conversation Chris and Dov, and Oliver is now at Sam's side.

There's a lot to fill her friends in on, but right now it feels like there are still more questions than answers, and she just wants to…

Keep some things private for now. She wants to ask and answer important questions with and for Sam first. Still. She knows how much her friends care about her, that they want her to be happy. She keeps looking in the direction of Sam, willing him to look her way, maybe somehow help her with what she should say –

He does look at her; a slight turn of his face and his warm eyes on her. He smiles a little, cocks his head in the direction of Oliver and then rolls his eyes.

She smiles big back at him, angles her own face in the direction of Traci and Gail. Rolls hers too.

They don't take their eyes off one another for a little while. Long enough for Andy to feel like it's just the two of them here in this room.

"Oh God," she hears Gail's voice interrupt. "Trace, I can't hear Andy's answer. I mean she's still here right? You see her too don't you? Unless… you don't think her body's been taken over by…"

Andy jumps to attention, blinking her eyes and refocusing on Traci and Gail. She smiles big. "Under way…yep. Tonight…is a definite start."

Traci's grin is easy. She knows Andy will tell her in her own time everything that needs to be told. She's just glad that her friend looks so…happy and relaxed. It's been a while since she's seen her like this. Still…because it's such fun to tease, she can't help but vocalize a new mantra of hers: "Well… the best way to get 'things' under way is to get under…or on top…or…"

"Trace!" Andy practically shrieks, giggling and blushing, and almost spilling her drink. It's really not fair that these images keep getting burned into her brain. She flaps her free hand around, snatching a serviette off the table behind them to try and soak up some of what she spilled. "We only just…we're not…he was…and I…"

Traci and Gail cackle loudly, both women not even trying to contain themselves at Andy's flustered and futile attempts to deny that she wants Sam Swarek back between her sheets tonight.

"Well…" Traci sighs, another slow smirk crossing her face. "Something tells me guards are not the only thing going down tonight. There gonna be some 'heavenly' escapades that'll have you both out for the count?"

Andy can't contain the shriek she lets out; peels of laughter coming freely as she shakes her head at her best friend's incessant… jabs.

Oliver nudges at Sam's elbow; Andy's bright laughter ringing loud across every other noise in the room. It looks as though something either Peck or Nash have said has got her a little flustered as well. Oliver can't help but smile at her…and the look on Sam's face as he watches McNally mopping some beer that she spilled.

His good buddy looks…content…happy…

Oliver peers into the near empty glass in Sam's hand. Figures it might be time to celebrate with something better than beer. "Sammy," Oliver quirks an eyebrow, clicks his fingers in front of Sam's eyes to get his attention again. "How about I buy you another drink?"

Sam's eyebrows climb all the way to his hairline, his eyes going wide. "You're actually going to pay?"

Oliver pats at Sam's shoulder. "Special occasion. Once only treat."

Sam looks back in the direction of McNally; he notices she's still got at least half of her beer left, calculates in his head that at least another two rounds will be headed her way before it's his turn to buy her a drink.

"Sounds good," Sam replies, turning around to find that Oliver's already picking drinks up from the bar. He whistles when Shaw hands over the tumbler, already has his nostrils enticed by the bouquet of his favourite Scotch.

Ollie holds up his glass in a 'cheers'; both men are silent as they take their first sip. It might have something to do with the beer that Sam just downed, but the Scotch tastes a little different this time.

He licks his lips, takes another slow sip. Closes his eyes and lets the flavours fill the whole of his mouth before the liquid warms the rest of his throat and then chest. It goes down easy, better than ever before. It's the same, but it's different –

Better somehow.

"What's this?" Sam squints his eyes, curious. Maybe it's the same label, but something older…a little more matured perhaps?

"The one you generally reserve for poker nights…and other celebratory events." Oliver sips at his, grinning around the edge of the glass. "What? You're not enjoying it?" Oliver knows that's really not the case. His good buddy appears to be savouring each sip like it's his last. In fact, he'd go as far as to say that Sammy is actually tasting every flavour at last, he's worked out that the trick to making the most of it (beyond the experimentation) is to just be with it, let it work it's magic from the moment it touches his lips.

"Just going down even easier than usual, that's all," Sam replies, still curious. He backs off from the temptation to swill it, really wants to savour the taste. He makes a mental note to check his stocks at home –

He knows McNally likes Scotch on the odd occasion, he really has an overwhelming desire to share this one with her…maybe tell her about Jerry and his dad while he's at it…tell her what he likes about drinking Scotch…about how drinking it tonight has created another memory; one about her.

It's while he's facing Shaw, savouring another sip that he feels a gentle hand on his back; McNally's hand. Her touch matches the slow burn that the Scotch is working through him too.

He swivels on a heel carefully, his head a little giddy from the warmth of…everything. He smiles down at her, places his free hand around hers. He looks down at the empty glass she's carrying, wonders if it's his turn.

"Hey," he greets her with that soft gravelly voice that makes her want to just… stay… never let him let her go again.

"Hey," she breathes back, uses their intertwined hands to pull herself in a little closer.

Oliver takes that as his cue to slide off his seat and make a trip to the washroom, maybe join the rookies when he comes back, convince Epstein to get him that drink he promised earlier.

"How'd you manage that?" Sam nods down at her glass, a couple of drops and a ring of froth the only thing left of her beer. "The way I had it figured, they'd be lining 'em up for you."

Andy grins big back at him. "Oh they tried," she replies, eyes wide and head bobbing. "I begged off."

Sam lifts an eyebrow, thinks maybe he's not the only ready for this turn. "Begged?"

"Begged, pleaded… bargained," she lists with a shrug.

"Oh yeah," Sam chuckles, plucks the empty glass from her hand and places it on the top of the bar. He tips his chin up at her. "What'd it cost ya?"

"Girls' Night with Gail and Traci," Andy brags, purses her lips as she tilts her head, proud as punch twinkle in her eye.

"So basically nothing," Sam drawls, runs his free hand slowly down her arm just because he can.

Andy lifts her brow in challenge. "Well I do have to get a bottle of red before…"

Before…? "So like tomorrow or… when are you…" he stutters out. It's not that he doesn't want her to go out with her friends, it's just that eight months is a long time and he's kind of hoping that they can shut out the world for a little bit at least while they're not at work. Maybe get a good start at putting this all back together… moving forward the right way.

Andy smiles, knows exactly what he's getting at here… and she is definitely on the same page. "I told them we'd figure it out in a few days, make plans" she answers softly, catches his eye as she leans in a little closer, "but I had a few… things I needed to get a start on first."

Sam has no words, lets his dimples do the talking on this one. And from the looks of it, he likes this idea a whole lot; Andy can tell. Her eyes dip down to his cheeks and then to his mouth. She really just wants to…

She jumps a little at the sound of her bottle being pulled across the counter beside her. When Liam doesn't ask her if she wants another, she furrows her brow… wonders if someone has already… She curls her head around to look behind her. "I told the girls but I should probably catch Nick," she decides, "before he comes over with one."

After a few twists and turns, she spots him on the other side of the bar with the boys and a couple of rows of shots. They're deep in discussion about who knows what though so she figures she's safe for a bit.

"I got yours," Sam says when he finally finds his voice again.

"What?"

"Collins, he brought me one a bit ago," he explains, "said it was yours but he figured you were covered for the night. Guess he knew you were going to be a lightweight tonight." Sam tries to keep his voice light too, thinks he's getting at least a little better at accepting their friendship. Still he feels Andy giving his hand a small squeeze.

"He's a good friend," she says peering across the bar. Nick's just picking up a shot when he catches the two of them looking over at him. Sam watches on as he exchanges a few facial expressions with Andy, then a couple of raised eyebrows, until a giggle from her and a nod from him ends the 'conversation'.

Sam tries to take it all in stride. They're friends and they were partners and he knows what it's like to have to rely on someone in the field; your life could depend on how well you communicate without words… right now though, he needs to figure out how to get better with the words. "He is," Sam manages, it's not much but he finds that he really does mean it.

"Oh and Dov..." Andy squeaks out, realizing that she hadn't talked to him yet either and if anyone was apt to buy her a drink...

She moves to drop Sam's hand but he holds fast, uses his hand and body to press her back against the bar. "Hey, hold on, Epstein was supposed to buy us all a round," he teases.

Andy drops her chin, wonders if he's thought this one all the way through. "You want me to get him," she offers tips her head across the bar as she tries to shift away again, "because I can," she sighs out long and loud, "… I mean if you really want that drink…"

"No, no, I'll be fine," he insists, "I was just worried about Shaw; you know how he gets when he has to buy his own."

Andy takes another peek behind her and sees Oliver has joined the boys, more shots lining the bar and Dov pulling out his wallet. She leans to the side a little so Sam can get a clear view. "I'm pretty sure Oliver can take care of himself."

"Oh yeah?" Sam wonders, doesn't look…doesn't care to look. He guides her body back over so she's right in front of him again, dips his head down a little so they're eye to eye. "And what about you… who gets to take care of you?" He quizzes as he leans in even closer; he just really wants to kiss her right now. Doesn't even care who's around.

Andy's losing the battle against the smile that's fighting to get on her face. "Well I was kind of hoping…"

Before she can finish her thought and propose that drink, they hear a throat clearing behind Sam. He leans around Andy a bit; most of their friends are still within his eye view though so...

When he starts to pivot to the side, he hears Andy suck in a loud breath when she sees who's behind him. His eyes go as wide as hers when he gets a look for himself.

She doesn't even know why she's there really, why she would take the time to rub it in her own face. Maybe she just wants to show him, them that she's… fine. That it's all going to be business as usual as far as she's concerned.

She was on her way home after a drink with her friends, found herself driving by the Penny and she just…

She can see the shock on both of their faces, hopes hers doesn't look the same. It shouldn't surprise her how close they are but it does. She knows the feelings are there, could see it the second McNally stepped foot in the barn. It's just that it feels… fast… to her anyway.

Fast or not though, she can see that it's… natural, relaxed… and that Sam is the one that is pinning her against the bar.

He's doing it. She hates that her mind thinks back to all the times they were together and he let her kiss him or touch him, but he never… When her eye drops down to their joined hands, she shakes her head, tells herself it doesn't matter anymore.

She looks back up quickly, doesn't want to dwell; she can see the tension in Sam's eyes, face… entire body. He is not happy to see her there.

McNally for her part is not even looking at Marlo. She's got her lip worried between her teeth and her eyes glued to Sam.

"I… uh," Marlo blows out a long, slow breath before she thrusts out her hand towards Andy. "You really came back there McNally. I underestimated…" boy if this was an apology she really wasn't doing well at it. She takes another breath and starts again. "Great fight, congratulations."

She's still got her hand extended out in front of her as she sneaks a peek over at Sam and his jaw… she knows he's holding back. She turns her attention to Andy again, waits.

Andy has to drop Sam's hand to shake Marlo's. She knows he's not happy about it; she actually has to work to get her hand free. She's not really happy about it either, thinks it might not be a bad idea to keep hold of him right now. But she knows if they're all going to work together, it's probably best to put it all behind them as soon as they can.

She holds Sam's eyes for a couple of seconds, only looks away when he nods in understanding. It's curt though. He gets it, but he doesn't have to like it.

Andy gives the other woman's hand a quick shake. But the second she lets go of Marlo, she's got her hand on Sam's back, rubbing up and down as discreetly as she can. She keeps an eye on the other woman though, can't figure what else she might want because she doesn't seem to be moving anytime soon.

Marlo tilts her head to the side, tries to catch Sam's eye, but his focus is trained to the side of Andy's head. She purses her lips, blows out another breath. "I was hoping you'd let me buy you a drink," she reveals after a couple of seconds.

Andy sucks in a quick breath as Sam's body almost spasms underneath her hand. She shakes her head almost immediately, knows that there is no way that he will go for that… at least not now. "Maybe not tonight," she suggests as cordially as she can. "We…I was just about to…"

When she rolls her head to the side to check in, there's a quick flash of teeth.

It takes him a few seconds before he can meet her eye; tone down the anger, at least a little. He really can't believe Cruz is there. I mean yeah it's a bar they all go to but tonight…really? And to try and… she had to know… especially after what she did… said.

Andy's still got a hand rubbing on his back; he appreciates the gesture but right now he just… he's doing everything he can not to lash out and tell Cruz just what he thinks of her.

He can see the concern in Andy's eyes, and he knows she can see the struggle in his. She's worried about what he might do… say… feel. He tries his best to muster up something reassuring – a grin, a wink… but he's really got nothing but anger right now.

Andy purses her lips, corners turned up just a tiny bit. She blinks once slow before she spares a quick glance for Cruz. It's Sam she's looking at when she speaks though, and it's soft, assuring, "now's not the time."

Sam huffs out a breath, feels some tension leave his body right along with it. If it had been just him, he would have walked out on Marlo the second she showed up, but he wasn't about to leave Andy there alone and she was too nice to…

But she gets it… gets him… knows that now is one of those times they talked about… bona fide savant in training.

Sam slides his hand behind his back, seeks out the one she's got rubbing, squeezes it once quick before he announces, "I need some air," and pushes his way past Marlo and heads out the door.

"Well, that went well," Marlo mutters under her breath.

It doesn't really register on Andy though; she's got her eyes on the door, the look in them somewhere between sad, mad and disappointed. They are supposed to have that drink and now… she just really wants to curse the universe and its mean magic. She's pretty sure he'll still be out there but… she's still learning about his need for time and space so she can't help it if she feels a little bit worried.

"Maybe in a couple days (or weeks)," Andy proposes eyes bouncing between the exit and the woman in front of her. "I think I've had enough for tonight," she states, trying to keep the malice from entering her voice.

Marlo scratches a little at the back of her head, looks down at the rail at the bottom of the bar before she glances back up. "I owe you an apology," she blurts. "It wasn't fair of me to say that… use that to…"

"No, it wasn't," Andy agrees brusquely, refusing to make it too easy for her. "You really have no idea what I..."

"You're right I don't," Marlo concedes nodding, even though in reality she's pretty sure she does. It's just nowhere near what she implied in the fight, but it's written all over her face… his too. "Can you tell Sam I'm sorry too?" she presses.

"For?"

For the only thing that would make him that angry… hurting you, she thinks, but all she says is "just tell him I'm sorry."

And then Marlo's gone, headed to the far side of the bar and sliding into a solitary stool.

Andy continues to watch on as she tips her hand at the bartender and he slides a tumbler over to her. No ice, straight up… Andy watches her grimace as she swallows the first sip. She doesn't know what the drink of choice is, just knows it's something strong.

Her attention is pulled away when Oliver sidles up to her not so gracefully, Nick hot on his heels. She has to wonder if maybe the boys talked Oliver into partaking in a few shots himself. He smiles small at her, jingles his keys out in front. "You gonna need a ride?"

Nick's hand is trying to reach over the older man's shoulders; there's no way he's driving tonight. Andy shakes her head, smiles small at her friend before she blinks once slow. She's got this covered. He nods in agreement and heads back to see if he can talk Gail and Traci into heading home too, following the sound of the squeals over by the dartboard.

"I'm not sure," she tells Oliver and she's not, not really. She knows that she basically told him to go, take some time… and space, but she's still not one hundred per cent sure what that means yet. How much time and how much space he might need… they're still working that bit out. "Maybe I should go find out."

"I'll go with you," he offers, slips a little when he waves his hand out front for her to go.

Andy takes the opportunity to swipe the keys from his grip. "You won't be needing these."

"I know, I know," Oliver concedes, "I just thought you might drop me home… if, you know."

Andy grins; it's her turn to have his back. "Sure Oliver, let's go."

Up Next: The final bell!