AN: Honestly, someone needs to take my computer away from me. Remember when I wasn't inspired enough to write this story for a few days? HAHA what the hell happened? This thing just spewed out of me. I have a sickness and it's called McSwarek.

Love suited Sam, Andy thought. When the two of them got the chance to spend time together, he was almost always happy. He just seemed lighter. Even with school and assisting Boyko's classes, he was relaxed and comfortable. She wasn't taking credit for it; whatever it was that made him that way was all on him. She was just happy to reap the benefits. And reap she did.

"Sam," she laughed, situating herself underneath him as he dragged his lips over her collarbone. She flattened her feet against his mattress and he settled deeper between her legs. "I have to go to class," she reminded him as her leg curled around his to pull him even closer.

"You're awfully accommodating for someone who's trying to get out of bed," he teased, grinding against her and she threw her head back against the pillows as his mouth trailed open mouth kisses up the column of her neck.

"Well, you're getting harder and harder to resist," she laughed and he shook his head with an amused smile before kissing her quiet. She accepted it willingly until a loud knock sounded on his front door—so loud that Boo came running from the living room to scratch the outside of his bedroom door.

"Who the hell is that?" He asked, pulling away from her just enough to detach their lips. She whined at the sudden departure and he smirked down at her before rolling off of her completely. Just as he was pulling on his clothes another knock came and she bit her lip and got dressed herself. Whoever was on the other side of the door was not giving up until someone opened it.

Sam pulled open his bedroom door and they both watched as Boo ran around excitedly at the prospect of someone new to play with. It made Andy smile until she heard a woman's voice on the other side of the door.

"Sam Swarek, I know you're in there," it called and he squeezed his eyes shut before looking at Andy with an apologetic smile. She stood pin straight and narrowed her eyes at him.

"Well, Sam Swarek, you better open the door," she said and he reached for her. She backed away and sat on the coffee table, focusing on calming down Boo.

"It's not what you think," he promised before walking to the door. Andy kept a hand on Boo, keeping him settled between her knees, and she looked over her shoulder to watch Sam open the door slowly.

"It's early, Sarah," he said and Andy immediately calmed at the sound of his sister's name leaving his mouth. He wasn't angry or even annoyed, he was just stating a fact before wrapping her in a one armed hug. "Come in."

Andy stood and Boo ran into Sam's bedroom. "Who is this?" Sarah asked, smiling at Andy from across the room. "Is this that girl you were pining over on Christmas?"

"I don't pine," he said to Sarah and Andy smiled when he looked at her. "I don't pine," he repeated to her and she nodded. "Sarah, this is Andy. Andy, my sister Sarah."

"Hi," Andy said, walking around his living room furniture to offer her hand. "It's really nice to meet you."

"Yeah," Sarah said, shaking her hand but looking up at her brother. "Nice to meet you, too."

"Well, I have to head to class," Andy said. "Are you going to be around later?" She asked Sarah and she shrugged.

"Maybe," she answered and Sam reached for Andy's hand.

"I'll be right back," he said to his sister. He and Andy walked out to his hallway together and he made sure the door was shut behind them. "Sorry about that."

"No," she insisted, putting her hands on his chest. "I'm sorry I have class. I wanted to hang out with her, get to know her."

"She's here for… Something," he said quietly as one of his hands curled around hers on his chest. "I'm not sure what, but the last time she visited, she dropped Boo off. So, I guess we'll see. It's better you have to go. There will be a better time. I promise."

"Okay," she said and he smiled tightly at her. "I'll see you at lunch?"

"Probably," he said, smiling more naturally. She stood tall and pressed her lips against his. "Have a good class. Tell Oliver I said hi."

"I always do."

Sam shut the door when he got inside and Sarah looked up from her spot at his dining room. He stayed where he was and the two of them kind of just watched each other. "What are you doing here, Square?" He asked finally, pushing himself off the door and sitting across from her.

"I wanted to visit," she shrugged, looking around his small apartment. He didn't like the scrutiny in her stare. "I wanted to see you."

"I have three classes today," he said before checking his watch. "The first one starts in an hour. You should have called."

"Why are you being an ass?" Sarah asked, leaning the whole top of her body on his table and he sighed. "Can't your big sister surprise you? Is that such a terrible thing?"

"I just don't think you're telling the truth," he admitted. "The last time we talked—a month ago—you asked me to talk to mom and I refused. You hung up on me. Why would you want to 'surprise' me now?"

"I found a place," she admitted and Sam nodded for her to continue. "I've got a roommate. It's a cute little house, it'll be good for me."

"Good, I'm glad," he told her honestly.

"And it's a house that isn't mom's," she said and he nodded again with narrowed eyes. Whatever brought her here was about to come tumbling out of her mouth, but he had no idea what it was. "So, I can take Boo back."

Sam sat back against his chair and laughed—not, in the least bit, amused. "You're not taking my dog," he said once his laughing subsided and she sighed and rolled her eyes.

"He's my dog, Sam," she told him and he just shook his head and stood up. He looked at her and shook his head again before he started pacing.

"He doesn't even know you, Sarah. He's been in my room since you got here," he told her, trying to keep his voice at a reasonable volume. "We have a routine, me and him. He's attached. Not just to me, but to Andy and Oliver and Jerry and everyone else here. Boo is not leaving with you."

"He's a dog," she reminded rolling her eyes and he stopped his pacing and put his hands on his hips. "He'll get over it and get used to something new—to me."

"Right," Sam laughed again. He ran both of his hands through his hair and laced his fingers at the back of his neck. "You. You that couldn't even take care of him when mom was the one really doing all the work."

"I bought him, I took care of him-"

"For two months!" He reminded her, sighing. "He's been with me for five months. He is mine. He knows me and my apartment and my girlfriend. Hell, he loves her. He runs to her not away from her."

"He doesn't know me," she argued and his hands fell to his side as he rolled his head back.

"That's kind of my point, Square," Sam said, throwing his hands out to his sides. "Boo knows us and he's comfortable with us. And he loves us. And it's, you know, kind of mutual. So, to sum up? You're not taking my dog. Because that's what he is: Mine."

"This is ridiculous," Sarah said, standing up now. Sam crossed his arms and waited for what she was going to do next. "Where is he?"

"In my bedroom," he reminded her. Then, he whistled and Boo trotted happily to his side. "He's grown quite a bit, huh?" He asked, looking down at him and he looked up at him with his tongue peeking out from his mouth. Sam squatted so he could put his arm around him and Boo rested his chin on his knee.

"You don't need him, Sam," she said and he looked up at her like she was crazy—which he was starting to think might be true if she honestly thought she was leaving with his dog. "You've got… what's her name? Amy?"

"Andy," he corrected, resting his back against the couch to stay by Boo's side comfortably. "And it's not about needing him. I want him. He needs me and he needs Andy. He needs to stay here with people who—I'm sorry, Sarah—but people that are capable of taking good care of him."

"I can take care of him."

"I don't believe you," he said, tossing his head back—frustrated. "And you have a roommate and you have Mom nearby. You don't need Boo either. What I need is to go to class, so you should go."

"This isn't over, Sam," she promised and he stood slowly as Boo walked around the couch and settled against its cushions.

"It is, Sarah. He's not going anywhere."

She bit the inside of her cheek and stormed toward his door. "You know, it's no wonder Dad doesn't want to listen to me talk about you. You're insufferable."

At that Sam pursed his lips and nodded. "It's no wonder you two get along so well," he countered and her face turned to stone. "You're both so blind to doing the right thing. As long as you win, right?"

"You're an ass," she spat and he shrugged.

"I am my father's son," he agreed and she stomped her foot. "But if you want to visit Boo or, hell, me, you can. I don't want this to be a thing, Square. I- I don't want this to be a fight. I don't want you and me to end up like me and dad."

"According to you, it seems kind of inevitable, doesn't it?"

With that, she was gone and Sam clenched his fists before shaking them out and going to the bathroom to get ready for the day.

Andy walked into the dining hall, looking around for Sam and found him at their regular table. She dropped her bag on the floor and slid into the seat across from him and he looked up from his books to acknowledge her presence.

"Are you okay?" She asked and he nodded before focusing on his book again. She watched him highlight three or four passages before reaching across the table to hold his hand steady. "What happened with your sister?"

He sighed and set down his highlighter. He told her about what happened after she left and she listened with an open mouth and narrow, angry eyes.

"No," she said taking her hand away from him and grabbed it again and rubbed his thumb over her knuckles.

"That's what I told her," he said and she relaxed. "She's not over it, but she's not taking him either."

"If she tries, I'll kill her," she promised and Sam tried to keep the smile off of his face. "I'm serious!"

"I know," he laughed, moving his chair around the table to sidle up next to her. "And I appreciate it, but I won't let it happen. Boo's staying with me. For good."

"God, if you were to just tell me that she successfully talked you into letting her take him, I might have broken up with you on the spot," she said and he tugged on her hand until her eyes fell on his.

"That hurts a little, McNally," Sam told her and she smiled before leaning over to kiss him—lingering with his bottom lip between both of hers.

"Good thing you didn't, then," she teased and he shook his head. "I'm just kidding, but I would have been heartbroken."

"I know," he smiled softly, curling a piece of hair behind her ear before letting his hand cup her cheek. "He's practically more yours than he is mine. I wouldn't have let that happen without talking to you."

"You're a lot better at this dating thing than you think you are," she told him and he raised his eyebrows in question. Her sigh turned into a laugh and she kissed him again. "I'm just saying, that you're a really good boyfriend and a really good dog owner. Remember that."

"Okay," he smiled and she made a face at him to lighten the mood and he laughed before moving back to the other side of the table. "You hungry?"

"Starving," she laughed, standing up and he joined her. "You didn't feed me this morning."

"I'm so sorry," he said sarcastically and she nudged him with her hip as they fell into line. He left a kiss on her temple and she smiled to herself.

Sam was making her feel more and more comfortable in her own skin and, especially, in their relationship. When she was with Tanner, she was always second guessing herself and their feelings, but things were different with Sam. Yes, things got complicated for a second when she first told him how she felt, but the further they got past that, the easier it was for her to keep looking forward in their relationship. She was only nineteen, but when he kept his hand on the small of her back as they walked the line she could picture them falling into step together for the rest of their lives. And he didn't seem so scared of that himself, either.

Even the thing with Boo made her… mad, yes, but he knew how much the dog meant to her. He knew not to let anything happen to him because not only did he love Boo, but he loved Andy. She wasn't lying to him when she told him he was a good boyfriend. Not that the fact was a new realization to her. He was a good boyfriend—friend—before he was even hers. He was a good man. And, if she was right, he was starting to see that for himself and that made her so happy. He deserved to know what kind of person he was—to her and in general.

They got through the line and ate their lunch together. They discussed possible weekend plans even though it was still four days away. They wouldn't see each other much before then and his midterms were the next week. He offered her a real, sit down dinner and she smiled and nodded enthusiastically. She promised him two whole nights together at his place and he stood up and leaned over the table to kiss her a few times to show his gratitude.

"So, I guess I'll see you around?" She said when they stood up to go in opposite directions to their classes.

"You always make that sound like I'm never going to see you again," he laughed, pulling on his coat. She shrugged one shoulder and stood directly in front of him. He looked down and slowly zipped up her coat until her scarf got in the way, then used the zipper pull to tug her closer. "I will see you around," he promised.

"Okay," she smiled and he skimmed his thumb over her jaw. She licked her lips and kissed him. "Tell Boo I love him and I'm glad he's not going anywhere."

She knew that would make him laugh and she joined him when he started. "I will," he nodded, running his hand down her back.

"Love you," she whispered, her lips nearly against his. "I'm glad you're not going anywhere."

"Not without you," he said quietly before tangling his hand in her hair and kissing her. "I gotta go," he said sadly and she stepped away from him.

"Bye," she said and then bit her lip as he walked away from her. She threw her head back, feeling the loss of him deep in her stomach. "Get it together, McNally," she said to herself before picking up her bag and tossing it onto her back. You'd think he was going off to war instead of class.

Sam sat on his couch with his computer in his lap and his dog by his side. He had a sinking feeling that Sarah would have worked her way back into his apartment and taken him just out of spite. He was more than relieved to see it wasn't true when Boo greeted him at the door just like he did every other day.

His sister wasn't a bad person, she just didn't think things through. He didn't want to put Boo through any more unnecessary shuffling if it meant he'd just end up back with Sam. Plus, he just couldn't give him up. They were a kind of unit, like a family. Him, Boo, and… Andy. He smiled to himself at the thought and then quickly shook himself out of that line of thought.

Sam was only twenty-four. Andy was only nineteen. They weren't a family. They were… Sam and Andy. And Boo. The last thing he wanted to do was start thinking about the two of them as some predetermined married couple. Not that he couldn't envision that, but he knew he shouldn't. A lot—a whole hell of a lot—could happen between their five months together and a lifetime. He didn't want to get his hopes up or hers. Living in the moment—together—was working for them. And if it happened to go on that way for… well, forever, he'd be okay with that.

He'd changed, he could feel it every day, every time he looked at her. He'd gone soft and he'd never been soft. Sam couldn't remember the last time he was truly happy in a relationship or for a great deal of his life. Andy made him happy. She made him think about the future—one where he wouldn't be alone.

Sam had separated himself from his family after his dad went back to prison for good. He still visited his mom and sister, but he kept his life separate from theirs. It was a conscious decision on his part. His family life was far from ideal, it was far from happy. And in an effort to try and be his own person who could, one day, be a happy, well grounded person, he went to college and he stayed there. Then, he graduated and moved to the city before deciding to head back to grad school.

If he really wanted to be that happy, well grounded person he'd set out to be, more school—his friends—were the way to do it. And it ultimately brought Andy into his life. He was never expecting that. He was being honest when he told Jerry that he planned on getting in and out of school without anymore attachment. That would come later if necessary. But, damn, Andy bounded into his first class late and loud and she'd left an immediate impression. His whole vision of grad school began to change the second he called her name.