Chapter 2

As Sam made his way across town to Nash's apartment, a myriad of thoughts wove through his mind. He was angry, mostly with himself, although he had to admit that he was pissed that she would once again put herself in harm's way without giving it a second thought. Granted, it was part of what made her the excellent copper she was fast becoming, but Sam was pretty sure her incessant need to run head first into danger would lead to premature grays or baldness on his part. She really had no clue what it did to him. He also felt guilt. A lot of guilt, actually. He knew better. As her superior officer, he knew he messed up when he left her the way he did. He knew he should not have let his own jealousy issues get the better of him, and cloud his judgement the way it had. He knew that even if he couldn't keep his emotions in check, he still had to find a way to do his job and have his partner's back. Wasn't that the fundamental rule he had taught her in the last year and change? She had his back more times than he could count in the relatively short time they had worked together and today he was the one to let her down. The thought made his stomach churn. Sam was sure he would never be able to forgive himself.

When he was only a few minutes from Traci's, he pulled out his phone and dialed.

"Sam?"

"Hey Traci, I will be at your place in about two minutes. Jerry gave me the address. I just wanted to give you a head's up so I don't wake anyone else when I come up."

"Thanks Sam. I will be at the door waiting."

"How is she, Traci? Has she woken yet?" Sam was worried. He honestly had no idea what he would say or do. He knew he ultimately wanted to get her in his truck, in his house, where he could be assured she was safe without making an ass out of himself in front of Nash. Traci was cool, and Sam was sure she wouldn't judge, but he needed to talk to Andy and didn't want to do it with an audience.

"She's not fully awake, but she's been stirring for the past ten minutes or so. She's been moaning a lot and her head is moving back and forth like she's trying to stay away from someone. I thought about waking her, but I don't want her to panic like she did last time."

"No, Traci, it's okay. Just hang tight and I will handle her. I just parked, be up in a second."

Sam hung up the phone and entered the building, taking the steps two at a time, true to his word he was in front of Traci less than a minute later. Traci nodded silently at Sam, taking in his sad eyes and downturned shoulders. This was the opposite of the usual overconfident man she had come to know. It was unnerving to say the least. She opened the door so he could walk inside, gesturing with her head towards the darkened living room where Andy still sat, half lying, half sitting on the corner of the couch.

Traci wasn't joking. Andy was indeed moaning and moving her head, although now it looked like her head was thrashing back and forth. Sam also noticed her hands gripping the blanket. Andy was in the throngs of a nightmare. Sam was across the room in a split second.

"Traci," he said, his voice soft, barely above a whisper. "Can you please get a glass of water? She's going to need it."

Traci nodded and silently went to the kitchen. She had heard bits and pieces of Sam's childhood from both Jerry and Andy and figured Sam may have some experience with these situations. She was grateful he was there, and only hoped when Andy woke she would be honest with herself and allow Sam to take care of her. When things calmed down Traci fully intended to tell Andy how very wrong she had been when she told her friend to put Sam Swarek on ice. Traci didn't want Andy to get hurt, and she knew that Andy's feelings for her T.O. were deeper than any feelings Andy had for any other guy, Luke included. She also knew that with Andy's family history, this scared her friend more than anything. That coupled with everything Traci heard about Sam is what led her to believe Luke was the safer choice, even though deep down Traci knew Andy would never have that passionate, all-consuming love with the detective.

Now, as she stood in the quiet shadows of the dark kitchen, water in hand, Traci could see that Sam Swarek might be the bad ass cop that intimidated the rookies, but he was also caring, protective, and fiercely loyal. She watched as the man her friend had come to love crouched down in front of Andy. Slowly and ever so carefully, she watched him reach up and touch Andy's cheek, grabbing her attention. Andy's eyes were wild, seeing but not really seeing what was in front of her. Her hands began to shake, but Sam was ready. He held her face ever so gently in both hands, running his fingers soothingly from her forehead to her chin. The caresses, coupled with his soft voice were slowly but surely bringing Andy from her nightmare to the present. As Andy began to gain a bit more clarity, Traci decided she better give Sam the water he asked for. She quickly made her way to the couple, and silently placed the water next to Sam. She backed away to a chair on the other side of the room. She didn't want to spook Andy, whose focus at the moment was entirely on Sam.

"Shh sweetheart, I'm here. It's me. You're safe now, okay? You're safe. I won't let anything happen to you, I promise, just look at me, okay? Andy? It's time to wake-up." Sam's voice was low and calm. Even though her eyes were open, he knew from experience that she was not fully awake and he needed to gently prod her out of the terror that filled her thoughts.

Another moment of whispering softly and caressing her face and Andy's eyes finally gained focus. She blinked a few times and choked out, "Sam?" her eyes instantly filling with unshed tears.

"It's me, sweetheart. Here, drink this, it will help your throat." Sam opened the bottle of water and handed it to Andy, covering her shaking hands with his own strong, confident ones. He helped her take a drink and lovingly smoothed her hair out of her face. Setting the water back down, he took both Andy's hands in his own.

"Traci called me. You are at her house, remember? She was worried about you. You had a nightmare. I know you're going to tell me you're fine, but you're not fine Andy. I'm here now. I'm sorry I wasn't there earlier and you ended up in this mess, but I'm here now and I promise I'm not going anywhere."

Andy didn't know what to say so she just nodded, trying to process everything Sam was telling her. Truthfully, she was eternally grateful to Traci for calling Sam. As much as she was still angry with him for earlier, she wanted him, no, she NEEDED him tonight. Sam was always the one to make her feel better, the one to calm her nerves and make her feel safe and secure. More than anything she wanted that safety tonight. Before she could even say a word, Sam opened his mouth again.

"Why don't we let Traci get some rest and you come back to mine tonight? I know you're going to tell me you are going to be okay now, but I won't be, alright? I need to know you are safe tonight. So please, Andy, come with me, please? Sam knew she would resist, but he also knew if he made it about him and not her, she was more likely to go along with it. That lion's heart of hers never quit, regardless of how she was feeling.

Andy nodded. She was too tired to argue. "Okay, Sam."

Sam smiled and stood up, gripping Andy's hands in his own, he pulled her into a standing position and put his arm securely around her, pulling her close. Traci walked over to the couple, handing Andy's bag over to Sam. She pulled Andy into a hug, Sam never letting go of her other side. "Call me in the morning, okay?" Andy nodded as Sam gently guided her to the door.

As they went to walk through it, Sam turned back, "Thanks for taking care of her Nash. You are a good friend, now get some rest, I've got it from here." Traci smiled and nodded, "Good night, Sam. Andy." She closed the door, satisfied that her friend was in the best hands and would really be okay.

Sam drove silently through the streets of Toronto, his hand never leaving Andy's. She had fallen back to sleep almost as soon as Sam started the truck, only this time she looked slightly more relaxed than when he found her at Traci's. Sam was grateful. Hopefully he could get her to have a nightmare free rest of the night.

He pulled into his driveway and cut off the engine. Not wanting to disturb Andy, he gently closed his door, but not before grabbing her bag and slinging it over his shoulder along with his own. He walked to Andy's side, and gently opened her door. He debated waking her up for a moment, but decided against it. Instead, he unbuckled her seatbelt, slid one arm under her legs and the other around her back and easily and gently lifted her out of the seat. She settled into his chest, her head leaning on his shoulder. Instinctively, her arm reached up and gripped Sam's shirt. He couldn't help but smile as he quickly walked her to his front door. Settling her a bit more securely on his chest, he was able to take out his keys and get the door open. Dropping their bags in the front hallway, he kicked the door shut and walked to the living room, where he ever so gently deposited Andy on the couch. She whimpered slightly at their loss of contact, and he smiled. He watched her for a minute, until he was satisfied that she was okay for the time being. After covering her with a blanket, he went to the hallway to grab their bags.

After another quick glance at Andy, still sound asleep on his couch, Sam decided he had time for a quick shower and set off towards his bedroom, where the master bath adjoined. After a shower, he dressed for bed. Deciding Andy might want to change, he took out one of his shirts and a pair of pajama pants. He grabbed some towels and placed them in the bathroom for her. Then he went back to the living room to wake her.

"Andy, McNally, wake up. We're home now, you're safe." Sam gently shook her shoulders as Andy blinked a few times before sitting up and looking around.

When her mind caught up with her eyes and she remembered where she was, her eyes settled on Sam. "Sam? What, what time is it?" she let out a deep breath she didn't know she had been holding.

"It's late. Almost one in the morning. I wasn't going to wake you but I didn't know if you showered at the station and I thought maybe it would help you…" he trailed off.

"Oh. Yeah, actually I think that would be great. I could use a shower." Andy agreed. Now that he mentioned it, she hadn't showered at the station and she really wanted to wash Nixon off her. She shuddered at the thought of him on her, his fingers pressing into her neck and her own fingers reflexively shot up to her bruised neck.

Sam gently caught her hand in his own. "It's okay. It doesn't look as bad as I'm sure it feels. It will probably be worse in the morning, but you are going to be okay, Andy. You will be okay." He caught her eye and they stared at each other for a long moment.

Sam finally cleared his throat. "I cannot tell you again how sorry I am about what happened today. When the call came over the radio, I swear to you, my heart stopped. All I could think about was getting to you before it was too late."

"You shouldn't have left me. And I'm not going to pretend I'm not angry, but I'm also grateful you came for me tonight. I—I don't know if I can get through this without you." Andy admitted as she looked down at her hands sitting still in her lap.

"I know, and I deserve to have you angry with me, for however long you want to be angry for. I'm just glad you're here. I needed to be able to see for myself that you were safe tonight. And I swear to you, I will never leave you like that again. Ever. I broke my own rule which is to always have your partners' back. You have always had my back. Always. Today I failed you and for that I am sure it will be a long time before I forgive myself."

The unshed tears that had been sitting in Andy's eyes since Sam woke her at Traci's finally spilled over. The day's events once again catching up to her, along with Sam's admissions of guilt it was too much to bear. As her body wracked with sobs, Sam gently pulled her to him, her head buried itself in the crook of his neck as he rubbed her back soothingly. They sat like that for what seemed like eternity, but Sam didn't care. He would hold her forever if he had to. He never ever wanted to let her go again.

Finally, Andy's tears began to subside. She pulled back and looked at Sam. "I'm so exhausted Sam. It's been a long day. Between what happened with us, Nixon, Luke I'm just… tired. I'm just tired Sam."

"I know you are, sweetheart, I know. I'm sorry about Luke. I'll kick his ass for you, just say the word. He didn't deserve you, Andy. You are worth more than that, than what he and Jo did."

"The ring wasn't even mine. How could I have been so blind? So stupid? Luke never looked at me the way he looked at her in the hospital when he was shot. I should have just ended it then. I honestly don't know why I didn't. I don't even know why I said yes, really." Andy trailed off. She knew things with her and Luke would never have worked out. If she was being honest she was more angry with herself for letting things get this far in the first place.

"Andy, it's not your fault. Luke and Jo did this, not you. It doesn't matter what you saw in the hospital, he left it still with you. This is on him, not you. If he had feelings for her, he should have said something before acting on them like he did." Sam was angry that the detective had the nerve to not only cheat, but try to cover it up.

"How about that shower before you fall asleep again?" Sam asked, changing the subject. He knew she would sit and berate herself all night if he let her. He also knew she was tired and she needed to get some sleep.

"Yeah, that would be good," Andy said, standing and looking around not quite knowing what to do next.

"I didn't know if you had other clothes with you so I already put something you can wear in the bathroom, and I grabbed some towels for you as well. There is a new toothbrush in the top right drawer. I keep some on hand because Sarah sometimes visits and doesn't always want to pack a big bag. The shower in my bathroom has the best pressure." Sam pointed towards his bedroom door and Andy nodded, as she made her way towards the room.

As Andy showered, Sam went to the kitchen. He made them each a sandwich and got out some pills and some water for Andy. He took everything into the living room, then went to his linen closet and grabbed the first aid kit that sat there. He had some cream for her neck. It would help with the bruising. He patiently waited for her to finish the shower.

A few minutes later, Andy emerged from the bedroom wearing Sam's clothes. A towel wrapped around her hair. She smiled when she saw what awaited her.

"I know it's late and you need to rest, but I also know you haven't eaten. I know you might not be hungry, but you need to eat, Andy. I also have some pills here. They will help you sleep and will help with the pain. I have some cream for your neck too. It will help with the bruising." Andy just nodded. She was too tired to argue with Sam and she knew he had to feel like he was taking care of her. She reached for the sandwich and they both ate quietly. When they finished, Sam went to the kitchen to put their dishes in the sink while Andy took the pills. When he returned, he opened the container that sat on the table.

"Can I?" he asked. He didn't want to do anything she wasn't comfortable with.

"Yes" Andy's voice was barely above a whisper.

Sam put some of the cream on his fingers, rubbing them together to warm it. Andy tilted her neck up so Sam could get a good view. The places where Nixon's fingers pressed into her throat were beginning to yellow. Sam knew by morning there would be deep purple bruising if he didn't put the cream on now. Soft as can be, he began rubbing the cream into the bruise, taking care not to hurt the sensitive area.

"This will help keep the bruising from getting so dark, and will shorten the length of time it's bruised. It's prescription strength stuff." Sam told her as he worked.

When he was finished, he stood up to wash his hands and put the cream away. Andy hadn't said a word as he cleaned up and padded back to her spot in the living room.

"You need to rest, Andy. I have a spare room with a bed already made up for you. Or, you can sleep out here if you are more comfortable. My bed is comfortable too if you want to take that and I can sleep here…" he trailed off. He just wanted her to rest.

"Umm, the spare room, is it upstairs?" Andy asked. She knew Sam's room was on the first floor, but she hadn't seen a door for a spare and figured that was what was housed at the top of the steps.

"Yep, next to the office and second bathroom." Sam told her. He wondered where she was going with this.

"Actually, umm, I think I will stay on the couch, if that's okay with you. You're going to be in your room, right?" she asked. Truthfully, she was scared. As much as she knew Sam's house was safe, and she knew he would absolutely protect her, she didn't want to be on a different floor tonight.

"Yeah, or I can sleep in the recliner," Sam pointed to the chair in the corner of the room, across from the sofa. "Whatever you want, Andy. You tell me. I just need you to get some rest, okay sweetheart? You need it."

Andy took a deep breath. "Can you sleep on the recliner? Even if you just stay until I fall asleep? I—I don't want to have another nightmare, but if I do…" Andy's voice trailed off.

"Those pills I gave you should kick in soon and help you sleep pretty soundly. But if they don't, I will be here, I promise. I'm not going anywhere." Sam assured her, reaching out to smooth her wet hair behind her ear.

Andy gave him a small smile and he got up as she began to make herself comfortable on the couch. When she was in a good position, Sam reached for the blanket and gently covered her. He could see her eyelids drooping already, the pills having taken effect.

"Goodnight, McNally. I will be right here. I'm not going anywhere ever again," Sam whispered as he kissed her forehead. He went to the kitchen to grab himself a water before settling in for the rest of the night. On his way back to the living room he glanced at the three month calendar hanging on his wall, the week highlighted in red caught his eye. In a couple of months they would be leaving for their group vacation. As Sam settled into his recliner, pulling a blanket around himself, he couldn't help but smile. The time between now and their vacation would hopefully be enough for them to get beyond what happened today and for her to move on from her failed relationship. Maybe, just maybe this was the beginning of a new chapter for them. Sam let himself relax into sleep, thinking about the good that was hopefully in store for him and his McNally.

The next morning, Andy woke. She blinked a few times, taking in her surroundings before remembering the events of the night before. She glanced across the room and spied Sam still fast asleep in his recliner. She smiled to herself. She didn't know what time it was, but judging by the lightness of the sky through the window, it was still early morning. Andy yawned, shocked that she was able to get through the night without another nightmare. Sam wasn't lying about those pills. She was even more shocked that she had been able to sleep with a broken heart. Glancing back towards Sam she knew if she had stayed at Traci's sleep would not have come so easily for her. She knew she would not have had the restful night she needed. Andy knew in the coming days she and Sam would need to repair the hurts that happened. She would need to begin looking for a new place and move on with her life. As she settled back into the couch, allowing her eyelids to close once more, she knew things would be okay. She had gotten through the night, with Sam by her side, and she knew she would be able to get through the coming days as well. All wasn't right with her life, but she knew it would be and the thought calmed her as she fell back to sleep.