A/N: Thank you so much for the support! Please keep reading and reviewing! This is the first small break I've had so instead of homework I took the time to update the next chapter! Enjoy!
Sam awoke to someone lying beside him. He knew before he even opened his eyes that it was Andy. She had really stayed. Bits and pieces of their conversation in the ambulance were coming back to him. She was telling him a story about when she knew she loved him. He'd only said those three little words to her the one time and then she had left. But that was in the past and that's where he intended to leave it. He knew they would have to talk soon but for now he wanted to just enjoy time with her.
He leaned over and kissed her forehead. He had no idea how long they had slept, but it felt like it'd been forever. He just wanted to see her Bambi eyes. "I love you Andy McNally. Always have, always will." He pushed some hair out her face and kissed her again. He knew she was exhausted so he decided to just let her sleep. He closed his eyes once more. He couldn't believe they were actually getting this second chance. He was going to keep his promises this time, and he was going to prove to her how much he really did love her. He wasn't screwing up this time around. He would show her every day how much he really loved her and eventually he'd find a way to make her a Swarek.
His thoughts were interrupted when the doctor entered. "How are you feeling Sam?" "Better. Still sore but it's manageable." "That's good to hear. I'm going to remove the oxygen from your nose and then my visits will become less frequent since you are improving. But don't hesitate to ask for medicine or anything else you will need." Sam nodded. "Oh and before I forget, all of your friends would like to see you. However, I would like to get you moved out of ICU first." Sam nods. "I'll be back in about 5 minutes and we'll get you moved. I'll let your friends know we are moving you to your own room and they can visit you then." Sam thanked the doctor and he left.
Sam knows he is going to have to wake Andy, but she just looks so peaceful. He sighs. "Andy. Baby. Time to wake up." She grunts and tries to turn the other way, but he keeps a firm arm around her. "Come on sleepy head. Let me see those beautiful Bambi eyes." Andy slowly opens her eyes. "Sam?" she questions. "Hey! Time to wake up. The doctor is wanting to move me to a private room and our friends would like to see us." "Sam, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to fall asleep." "It's ok; you needed it. The doctor took the oxygen away and said since I was improving I could be moved out of ICU." Andy nods and starts to get up. Sam immediately feels her absences.
"Andy, I know you don't want to leave, but you need to go home. Get a good night's sleep and a shower." "Sam. I told you I wasn't leaving and I'm not. I'll go home for clothes and a shower but I'll be back to sleep. This isn't up for discussion so no arguing. Even if it were you would lose." Sam didn't really want to win so he just smiled at her. Andy started gathering up the stuff from the bag Gail had brought her.
They got Sam settled in his room and their friends all came to see them. Sam mentioned that Andy needed to go home and Traci agreed. Frank and Noelle said they would stay until she returned and she agreed to leave. She kissed him on the forehead. "I'll be back. Don't worry." "Take your time Bambi. I'll still be here." She just smiled.
Andy and Traci left. At her house, Andy dumped the bag in the laundry room and took off for the shower. "I won't be long Trace, promise." "Andy, seriously take your time. Sam will be fine." "I know. But I just need to be there." Traci knew there wasn't a point in arguing with her so she let the conversation drop. Traci went to the kitchen while Andy was in the shower. She knew her best friend wouldn't take the time to stop and eat, so she made her a sandwich. Andy was in and out of the shower by the time Traci finished her sandwich. "Trace! I need my bag" Andy yelled from her room. Traci smiled. She was glad her best friend and her partner were getting a second chance to make a go of things, but geeze! McNally needed to chill out! Andy started throwing clothes in the bag as soon as Traci handed it to her. "Andy, you're going to have to eat before we leave." Andy shook her head "no." "I need to run by Sam's and grab a few things before we go back." "Fine. But you will eat this sandwich I made in the car. Sam will kill me if I don't make you eat." Andy knew Traci was right so she just nodded.
Once at Sam's, Andy found him some sweats and tee shirts. She knew he would be more comfortable in them. She also grabbed his phone charger because she figured his battery would be dead soon if it wasn't already. She grabbed some of his truck magazines as well as a deck of cards. She didn't plan to leave him alone for very long, but she thought she better grab them just in case. She slowed down long enough to look around. Nothing had really changed since the last time she had been there, right before they broke up. Her eye caught a shirt hanging out of one of his drawers. It was the drawer she had used. She knew it would be Marlo's, but it just looked familiar. She walked over and picked the shirt up. She realized it was her shirt! He kept my shirt! All these thoughts started racing through her mind. Why did he keep? Where was Marlo's stuff? In the midst of all these thoughts, it hits her! He never really moved on! It was all an act!
She went to the bathroom and opened the cabinet under his sink. Sure enough there was her bath soap and shampoo. He really did mean it when he said he loved him. He had to try and move on because I left and he thought I didn't love him back. I have to get back to the hospital. I have to tell him how much I still love him and that nothing ever happened with Nick! Traci hadn't heard Andy moving around much, which was odd considering just 5 minutes before she had been running around. "Andy? Did you get lost? Everything ok?" Andy walked back to the living room. She looked like she had seen a ghost. "Andy? Honey, what's wrong?" "Trace, he kept my shirt, and my shampoo, and my bath soap." Traci was not as shocked as Andy because she had seen how Sam had mopped around the station when he realized she had left. Traci could see that Andy was just realizing how serious Sam had been. "Come on. Let's get you back to the hospital so you can have a nice long talk with the Detective." "We can't have that kind of conversation now. It would just seem like we were saying it because he got shot. No, Trace, we just can't."
"Andy, listen to me. Jerry and I told each other every day how much we loved the other. But I would give anything, I mean anything, to just tell him I love him one more time. You can't keep living in the past. Each day is not promised, so please, whatever you do, DO NOT pass up this second chance." Andy knew she was right. "You're right. Let's go." The smile once again returned to Andy's face. The whole way back, Andy was thinking about what she was going to say to him. When they got back she still had not come up with anything good. Traci helped her carry in the bags. Right outside Sam's room Traci stopped her. "Andy, please, think about what I said. We all know you two love each other so don't give up on him. We all make mistakes, but obviously he still loves you. I mean the man kept your shampoo!" Andy giggled. They pushed the door open and walked in.
Frank and Noelle were still talking with Sam, but when she walked in he only had eyes for her. "Sam. Yahoo. Sammy?" "Oh yeah. Sorry. What was that boss?" "I said we'll catch you later." "Oh right. Thanks for staying and keeping me company." Frank and Noelle just smiled. They might not even be in the room for all Sam cared. He only had eyes for her. He could see something was different when she walked in, and he hoped she would tell him because whatever it was looked good on her. The smile finally reached her eyes.
After everybody left Andy sat down on the bed beside him. "Sam, I…" A nurse walked in. "Just checking to see how you are feeling Detective." "Just fine thanks!" "Well just let us know if you need anything." "Will do." The nurse leaves. "What were you saying, babe?" "It can wait." Sam shook his head. He knew she would tell him when she wanted him to know, but it was going to kill him to wait.
A/N: This ended up being longer than I had originally intended, so sorry for that, but once I started writing I couldn't quit. Next chapter will hopefully be up this weekend, but I'm not making too many promises. Up next: will Andy tell him she still loves him?...