Welcome back! Once again, thanks for your awesome reviews, and your follows and favourites. The amount of support you guys have shown so far is absolutely incredible and it's greatly appreciated! I hope you'll continue to let me know what you think.

Recap: Andy wakes up in the hospital after having been shot in the back of the head – she soon discovers that she's suffering from severe memory loss and can only remember the events from the day of the accident. Despite essentially being kicked out of her room, Sam waits in the hallway, not wanting to leave her alone. They end up talking things over, but when Andy sees a dog on TV, a discussion ensues over whether or not she looks like a poodle. Luke makes an appearance and doesn't exactly give Andy a good "first" impression, and Traci has some rather revealing conversations with Andy, and Sam, which ultimately leads her to coming up with "the plan".

"You can't stop thinking about her can you?" Traci said, nudging Sam's arm. She'd been watching him at the crime scene for several minutes and he definitely wasn't focused the way he usually was.

"Don't know what you're talking about Nash," Sam lied, pulling himself out of his thoughts.

"Uh huh," Traci said, smirking. "Back at work without your rookie, working with Epstein. Yeah, I'm sure your thoughts haven't been anywhere near a certain brunette lying in a hospital bed."

Sam glanced over at her, but said nothing at first. When she didn't leave, he sighed. "What do you want?"

Traci crossed her arms. "Have you seen her yet today?"

He shook his head. "You?"

"I was planning on going to see her for lunch, but with this," Traci gestured to the scene. "I don't know when that will be."

Sam nodded, his eyes narrowing when they fell on Luke. Of course Callaghan would be here, it was a homicide and he was the leading homicide detective at the moment. Sam unconsciously ground his teeth together.

Traci followed his gaze and couldn't help but laugh, earning a glare from Sam. "I didn't think it was possible, but I think you've got it worse now that she's lost her memory."

"Let it go," Sam growled. Ever since Andy had walked in with the USB and saved both Emily and him on their first shift together, she'd somehow managed to find a place in his life… and even in his heart. He'd rapidly become protective of her, and really hadn't even tried to deny it. He couldn't have anyway. Every time she'd found herself in danger, he'd lost control and on numerous occasions he'd found himself stepping into her personal space and nearly kissing her the second he saw she was okay. One way or another, however, he'd always managed to regain control in time, but seeing her in the hospital bed and knowing how close she'd come to dying was making things increasingly difficult. That didn't mean he was prepared to hash it out with Traci though.

"Uh, earth to Swarek, did you not listen to a word I said yesterday?" Traci said, the unintentional rise in her voice attracting the attention of several nearby officers. "Fight for her."

"Get back to work Nash," Sam said, schooling his features.

She gaped at him. "I can't believe you're doing this. After everything, you're just going to let this go… let her go."

Sam turned and started walking away.

"Yeah, that's right Swarek, walk away like you always do... No wonder she chose Luke." She knew she was baiting him, but he just didn't seem to get it.

He turned back to face her, unmistakable rage written in every line on his face.

Traci stepped back, eyes wide. She'd seen Sam Swarek angry before, but never like this. "I… uh…"

"Sir?"

Sam closed his eyes and took a deep breath before turning to face Dov Epstein. "What?" he snapped.

"Callaghan wants us to do another sweep of the area," Dov said, his eyes flicking from Sam to Traci. "Is everything okay?" he asked a little more hesitantly.

"We're walking," Sam said, ignoring the junior officer's question. There was no way he was going to willingly confine himself to the small quarters of a car with this kid. Walking around with him was already going to test every last bit of his patience, but at least this way he could try to put some extra distance between them.

"Uh, yup, okay," Dov said, turning around in a hurry and walking to the right, eager to get away from his partner.

"Epstein," Sam said, his temper flaring again. When the kid turned back to look at him, Sam gestured to the left.

"Yup, got it," Dov said, changing direction and quickening his pace so he could get a few steps ahead of Sam.

The next hour was largely spent sweeping the area, looking for anything that seemed off, and talking to anyone in the nearby shops. It was dull work, but necessary.

Feeling the beads of sweat forming on his skin from the intense heat of the sun, Sam looked over at Dov. "Why don't you go across the street and get us something cold to drink?"

Dov nodded, bounding across the street and vanishing inside one of the shops. Sighing, Sam ran a hand through his hair, wishing the day was over. As he waited for his partner, his eyes traveled down the street, a toy store catching his attention. Glancing over at the café where Dov was, he hesitated, then headed for the toy store.

"Can I help you?" the man behind the counter asked as Sam stepped inside.

Sam shook his head, his eyes scanning the shelves. He wasn't even sure if they had what he was looking for, but he wasn't about to ask. Still, he hunted, grinning for the first time that day as he picked up an item and headed back to the counter.

The man quirked an eyebrow as he looked down at Sam's selection. "Gift for your son or daughter?"

"Nope," Sam replied, not bothering to elaborate. "Can I get a bag for that?" he asked, after swiping his credit card.

Within minutes he was leaving the store, spotting Dov further down the street, his head swinging left to right, no doubt wondering where his partner had gone. "Epstein," Sam called out. "Let's head back."

Dov's head swiveled in his direction, giving a sharp nod, and only waiting long enough to hand Sam his drink before heading back to the scene at a faster than usual pace. Sam followed a little ways behind. Seeing Traci getting into one of the squad cars, however, he sped up and called out her name.

Traci turned to look at him, tensing until she saw the expression on his face had changed. Still, she hesitated before approaching him.

"Are you going to see her now?"

Traci nodded.

Sam shoved the bag into her hands. "Can you give this to her?"

She looked down into the bag, struggling not to laugh. "Uh, Swarek, what is this?"

Sam crossed his arms. "Just give it to her and don't mention it to anyone."

Traci frowned. "Ooookay."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. "And stop by the diner. I'll place an order for both of you; I just need you to pick it up and take it to her." He put some money in her hand.

A grin spread across Traci's face.

"Don't start," Sam said, pinching the bridge of his nose.

Traci slapped Sam's arm in a congratulatory manner. "You know, I'm not sure about this," she said, gesturing to the bag, "But this new way of thinking is good. I mean, I think she'd prefer seeing you, but this is a good start." She paused. "Can I tell her you'll stop by later?"

Sam nodded. As Traci left, he pulled out his phone and placed an order at the diner.

"Hey," Andy said, turning off the TV as Traci stepped into the room.

Traci smiled. "How are you feeling?"

"Sore," Andy replied, "But I'm okay I guess."

"Well, Sam had me pick up some food for you… well, us," Traci said. "So maybe that will make you feel better."

Andy smiled, happily accepting the food from Traci. The hospital food was disgusting. "How's work?"

"Uh, it's busy," Traci replied. "I wasn't so sure I'd ever make it back here, but it's just one of those days. We've all been caught up at a big scene… Sam, Dov, Luke, a bunch of us." She laughed. "Sam and Dov are partnered together today… I'm actually really surprised Dov's still alive right now."

Andy frowned. "Why, what happened?"

Traci shook her head, forcing a smile. "Just had a little disagreement with Swarek this morning, and well, I didn't exactly set Dov up for a smooth day, but it's good now. Things are fine."

They made small talk while eating. When Andy finally put her fork down and pushed the takeout container away, Traci remembered the other bag. "Oh, umm, Sam also wanted me to give you this," she said as she passed the bag over. "I guess it's supposed to help make you feel better… somehow."

Andy took the bag, frowning as she opened it to reveal something white and furry. She shot Traci a questioning look before pulling the item out of the bag, her eyes widening and a grin appearing on her face before she broke out into an uncontrollable fit of laughter. The only thing that stopped it was the sharp pain that shot through her head as her entire body shook from laughing. Taking a few deep breaths to regain her composure, Andy moved her eyes from the stuffed animal poodle to her friend who looked bewildered to say the least. She quickly explained the whole poodle situation from the other day.

Traci grinned. "Now I get it. I seriously thought he'd lost it, but clearly I didn't give him enough credit." She glanced at her watch, groaning. "I have to get back out there, but uh, Sam said he'd stop by later to see you."

Andy smiled. "Thanks for coming," she said. "And be careful out there."

"See you tomorrow Andy."

She looked back down at the poodle, laughing softly before shifting her pillows, reaching for her phone, and laying her head down on the stuffed animal.

Jerk ;) she typed.

Sam finished making some notes in his notepad before reaching for his buzzing phone. He chuckled. Thought you could use some company, he replied.

Thank you J

He smiled.

For the food too, Andy typed. Traci said you're stopping by later?

If you're feeling up for some more company?

I don't know... I have this poodle now and he doesn't give me attitude or tell me I look ugly. She bit her lip as she waited for a response.

Sam smirked, glancing around to make sure nobody was watching before responding. Sounds boring. He hit send, then added, And for the record, I never called you ugly. I've never thought that.

Andy stared at the screen, struggling to hold back a grin despite nobody else being in the room. She hesitated. I miss you… got used to you being here every time I woke up.

Sam sucked in a lungful of air, trying not to read too much into her comment.

"You okay?"

His head snapped up, spotting Traci walking towards him. "Yeah," he replied.

"You're talking to her now, aren't you?" Traci said, grinning. He had that look on his face, the one that seemed to be reserved for Andy.

Sam nodded and because he wasn't sure how to respond to Andy's text, he passed his phone to Traci, cringing when she started squealing. "Quiet," he hissed.

"Oh my god," Traci said, practically bouncing with excitement. "You're a genius. You should have seen her face when she saw that poodle. I thought you were so clueless, but she loved it."

Sam hesitated. "But how do I respond to her text?"

Traci shook her head, handing the phone back. "Just be honest, but whatever you say, hurry up because you're leaving her hanging and she's going to start getting confused, worried, whatever… So the longer you wait, the more you risk backtracking on the progress you made today."

Sam nodded, waiting until Traci left before turning his attention back to his phone. He quickly checked the time. Get some rest McNally. The next time you wake up, I'll be there.

Promise?

Sam took another look at the scene in front of him. Things were slowly starting to wrap up, but it could still be a few more hours before he could get away, and he had enough experience on the job to know that things could always come up last minute. I promise.

Thanks for reading! This particular chapter wasn't exactly planned, but I felt like I needed to add something in before the next one, so this sort of just had a mind of its own. Hope you enjoyed it though.

…So what do you guys think so far? And do you think Sam will be able to keep his promise to Andy?