A/N: This is a longer chapter than you are used to... but it just kept going!

It took hours.

Andy walked the scene with Oliver then again with Jerry. They had so many questions, so many queries about what happened. Her head was spinning. It felt like days had passed not hours. Traci had called the hospital and confirmed that Sam made it okay and was rushed into surgery.

The OPP agent and the stranger who had yet to speak were brought into the division for questioning. The young girl was brought to the hospital and Dov was assigned to stay by her side until her family could be located.

"Okay Andy…one more time… please!" Jerry asked.

"We were over there, by the brush, scouting the park. We heard a gunshot and ducked to the ground. Sam had been shot. We didn't have cell reception and we were trying to get back to the car. When we heard the screams…"

"The young girl was awake then."

"We came to the clearing and saw the car parked on the promenade. Sam waited by the tree and I went to check it out."

They were both in the back of the car?"

"Yeah, the perp and the girl. She stopped screaming, I went to apprehend him, he hit me with a bat, we struggled, Sam helped and I cuffed him. Then the OPP agent arrived."

"Agent Healy. Any sign of Agent Doyle?"

"No. I didn't see him." Andy looked around at the scene. A CSU team was sweeping the car for prints and other pieces of evidence. Another team was working on the clearing and scouring the ground for more. "When I had the suspect subdued I went over to Sam to see if he was ok, that's when the OPP agent…Agent Healy arrived. He freed the perp who went back to the car."

"That's when you guys tackled him again?"

"Yeah, I took the perp down, Sam tackled Agent Doyle." She covered her face with her hands. "That's when you arrived."

"Okay…so he never spoke the whole time?"

"No, he didn't speak the whole time."

Jerry looked her over. Her eyes were wide and bloodshot. Her frown was creasing her brow and she had her arms crossed over her body as she tried to rub some warmth into her arms. "Okay Andy, thank you. You should get to the hospital now."

"Thank you!"

She raced over to Traci who was sitting in a patrol car waiting for her. She jumped in an Traci immediately took off.

Oliver walked over to Jerry who was watching the car drive away.

"Back to the barn?" he asked.

"Yeah, time to question them."

"I got a relay arranged, so follow me."

As soon as Andy walked through the hospital doors the dread that she had been holding at bay exploded in her chest. She went immediately to the desk and was directed to the 3rd floor surgery ward. The elevator music seemed sublime. Soft tinkling music combined with the blood pumping in her ears was scaring her even more and she didn't think that was possible.

On the surgery floor she found the nurses' station empty. She called out for attention but no one responded. She slammed her hand down on the counter and called out. Traci came out of the elevator having let her out at the door while she parked the car.

"Andy!"

"I can't find anyone to tell me what's going on!" She was pacing the small hallway from the elevator doors to the secured double doors to the surgery theatres.

"Okay, honey, lets calm down." She grabbed her arms and tried to squeeze some strength into her. She hugged her for a moment then walked with her over to the desk. A nurse was just coming out of the secure doors. "Excuse me, we're here about the police office that was brought in with a fun shot wound. Officer Sam Swarek."

"I'm afraid he is still in surgery."

"Is there a doctor or someone who can talk to us? Tell us what's happening?"

"Are you family?"

"We're colleagues…this is his partner Andy McNally."

The nurse looked them over. They were dishelved from the park and Andy had smears of blood on her top and her hands.

"Let me see who I can find for you…" she stepped behind the desk and rummaged through some drawers. "Meanwhile, why don't you step into these."

She handed Andy a clean pair of scrubs and only then did Andy notice the blood. She looked down at herself in horror and stepped back from the counter. Traci took the clothes and said thanks to the nurse.

"The wash room is just down there." She pointed down the hallway as she picked up the phone.

Traci guided Andy down the hall to the washroom and helped her change. Andy stared at the blood on her trembling hands as she slipped her top off. The scrub top was scratchy against her skin but it was better than her top that was soaked with Sam's blood. She balled up her tee and put it into the plastic bag the nurse gave them then went out to the hallway. The nurse was just getting off the phone when they got back to the desk.

"Surgical nurse will be out to talk to you in a minute."

"Thank you so much!" Traci said as she guided Andy to the row of plastic chairs that were against the wall.

Jerry stood in the interview room and looked through the one way window at Agent Doyle who was sitting at the desk with a calm serene look on his face. Frank who was standing beside him frowned and turned to Jerry.

"He hasn't spoken since we took him in."

"We can't seem to locate his partner."

"Has he made a call yet?"

"No."

"What about the other guy?"

"Nothing. Ran his prints and came up empty." Jerry scrunched his eyes closed and pushed his thumb and finger into them as he puffed air out of his mouth.

"Anything on the girl?"

"She hasn't woken up yet. But Epstien called and said that the tox screen came back and she was drugged with the same barbiturate as the other girls."

"Seconal. Any info on that drug? It's a controlled substance."

"Yeah we're still tracing all deliveries in the area but nothing so far. It's controlled in so far as people need to apply for access but it's widely given and used for so many application."

"So…you're going to question an agent of the OPP?"

"No." Jerry shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm not going to try…he's a brick wall. I've already called the SIU."

"Good. And the other guy?"

"Him…I'm going to take a run at."

Frank nodded his approval and walked with him to the entrance of the other interview room. As Jerry stepped in he walked to the side door and watched through the mirror. Jerry spoke evenly and without pausing and the stranger just sat in his seat and stared forward, his face clear of any expression. Frank turned as the side door opened and nodded at Oliver who stepped in.

"Sir…there is a call for you."

"I'm busy."

"No sir, not too busy for this one."

Frank looked at the cordless phone Oliver was holding out to him and with only a slight hesitation took the handset. "Hello?"

Oliver stepped back and looked through the mirror at Jerry who was speaking louder now, with more animated gestures but the suspect in the chair continued to stare blankly ahead.

"Yes sir," Frank said. "Right away." The he killed the call and slipped the hand set into his pocket. Oliver turned to see the anger on his face and frowned.

"What is it?"

"Get Barabr out of there. Now. Tell him to come to my office."

"What?"

"Now, Shaw. Now."

Frank stormed out of the room leaving Oliver confused but he sprung immediately into action. He knocked on the window then walked around to the door. He opened it a crack and called Jerry out of the room then closed the door behind him.

"What the hell Shaw!" Jerry paced the hallway.

"Hey don't kill the messenger. Frank needs to see you now!"

"I'm in the middle of an interrogation."

"I know, he knows. He said now."

"Jesus…" Jerry muttered as he walked of and hurried across the bullpen to Franks office. He was standing at the back wall of glass, watching Jerry's progression an was prepared for the expletive as he entered the room.

"What the hell is going on?" Jerry demanded.

"You can't interrogate that man."

"What!?"

"Or Agent Healy. He needs to be released."

"Are you out of your fucking mind?" Jerry shouted gaining the attention of a few officers who were in the bullpen below.

"Jerry…he's OPP."

"I know."

"No…the other one. They are both OPP. He was undercover."

"Under fucking cover? He was in the back seat of a car on the promenade with a half-dressed young girl."

Frank shook his head and closed his eyes. "I spoke to the director of the OPP who confirmed that this investigation is international. This crime ring crossed the border a couple of months ago and now the FBI are involved."

"Oh for Christ sake…This…THIS is NOT ok!"

"I know. But this case is bigger than what we've seen."

"I can only fight what I see, I can only solve what's in front of me frank and I know what I saw!"

"Jerry…it's over. Release them both. Now."

Jerry stood his ground for a few seconds then with another round of expletives he left the room.

Andy couldn't sit in the chair. Her legs were bouncing her hand were trembling and the blood rushed through her head, pounding in all the right pressure points to give her a killer headache. Traci watched her pace the small hallway and wished there was something she could do for her. But before she could reach out to comfort her friend a nurse in surgical scrubs came out to greet them.

"Hi, I'm Aoife Kennedy, head surgical nurse. Andy McNally?"

"That's me, how is he?"

"He was brought in with a gunshot wound to the left shoulder. The bullet came in a downward angle and nicked the top of his lung."

"Oh god…"

"He lost a lot of blood and is in surgery right now to repair his lung as well as his shoulder."

"He was shot in the arm too."

"That wound was superficial and they took care of it in the ER. Our main concern is the blood loss. He is bleeding out quicker than we can pump it into him."

"Will he be ok?"

"It's hard to know at this stage. I'm going back into surgery right now. The next few hours are crucial."

The nurse smiled some reassurance towards them then turned and left.

"Oh god Traci!" She turned into her friends arms and cried.

Jerry watched Agent Doyle and the suspect walk out the front door. His anger was pulsating through his body and he held it in place with his hands clenched into tight fists by his side. Oliver came up beside him and held out a phone.

"Jerry, its Epstien. He's at the hospital with the girl. She just woke up."

Jerry snatched the phone and held it up to his ear. "Epstien, what's goin on?"

"The girl…her name is Elizabeth Morley and she knows her phone number."

"Give it to me!" He pulled a pad and pen from the desk beside him and wrote down the number Dov called out. "How is she?"

"She is kind of groggy but she is ok. The doc says…that, eh, that nothing happened. Physically she is fine."

"Does she know what happened?"

"I don't think so sir. Like I said she is still groggy, she mentioned that she was at a bus stop waiting for her sister to pick her up. But that's all she remembers."

"Ok, great work Epstien."

"Any word about officer Swarek?" Dov asked

"nothing yet. We'll call you if we hear anything."

Jerry finished the call and started to dial the number Dov had given him. It was answered immediately.

"Elizabeth?"

"Hello?"

"Who is this?" the voice was panicked and tearful.

"This is Detective Jerry Barbar at division 15 in Toronto."

"Oh Jesus, oh my baby!" The phone on the other side was dropped. Jerry heard a scuffle and then a man's voice came on the phone.

"Hello?"

"This is detective Jerry Barbar at Division 15."

"You found our daughter?"

"What's her name?"

"Elizabeth Morley, she is 13 years old, she was wearing a school uniform, navy skirt, white shirt, white knee high socks and a purple jacket."

"We found her. She is ok."

"Oh Jesus thank god." He heard him pull the phone away and tell the people in the room that Elizabeth was ok.

"I'm going to send a squad car around to you to pick you up and bring you to her."

"Okay, we're ready, thank you, thank you so much."

Jerry finished the call and leaned back against the desk.

"A happier phone call." Oliver said.

"How do I tell these people that their daughter was assaulted by an OPP agent…that we let walk out our front door."

Oliver shook his head. "That is not a question I have a clue how to answer." They stood in silence for a moment then Oliver fished his keys out of his pocket. "I'll go collect them."

"Thanks brother. I'll meet you at the hospital."

Traci was on her way back from the canteen with two cups of coffee when Jerry caught up with her in the hallway. They hugged tightly and silently for a minute before he released her and she led him to the bank of elevators.

"Any news?"

"Severe blood loss. He is still in surgery. The bullet hit his shoulder and nicked his lung. They fixed that but…he lost so much blood…"

"He's going to be ok. I just know it."

They stepped into the elevator and she pressed the button for the 3rd floor. ""What happened back at the division?"

"It's a mess." Jerry shook his head and rubbed his face with both hands. "They are working UC with the OPP in a joint task force with the FBI."

"What?!" She turned to face him fully as if to make sure he wasn't joking.

"Frank got a call, we had to let them go."

"Are you kidding me? Andy said one of them was in the back seat with the girl!?"

"I know. But my hands are tied. We had to let them go."

"That is unbelievable. What about the girl? How is she?"

"She is fine. She woke up, Epstien got her name and she knew her home number I contacted her parents and Shaw went to pick them up. They should be here soon, I'll go down to meet them then."

"And what are you going to tell them?" she asked as the elevator arrived at the 3rd floor but she put a hand out to stop him from exiting.

"I really don't know. Frank says we can discuss the case."

"That's not fair…" Traci shook her head with dismay. "It's not right to leave them in the dark like that. They deserve to know."

"I know."

"Don't…don't tell Andy." She shook her head and then stepped out of the elevator and found her sitting in the plastic chairs. Traci hurried to her side and handed her a coffee but Andy didn't seem to notice the drink in her hands.

"Andy…hi." Jerry crouched down in front of her and took her hands between his. "How are you?" Her lips were tight and her eyes were full of unshed tears. "He's going to be ok. This is Sam, he's an ox. He'll be ok."

Andy offered him a watery smile but she didn't trust herself to speak. Jerry squeezed her hands and stood up then exchanged glances with Traci. It wasn't long before Oliver arrived and called Jerry to say that he and the parents were on their way up to the 5th floor to see the girl. He and Traci walked back to the elevators.

"What are you going to say to them?"

"I dunno Trace." They held hands as they waited for the elevator to arrive. "Call me if there any news on Sam." Traci nodded and they shared a soft kiss before Jerry left.

Traci hurried back to Andy's side but it was as if she didn't notice. She was slightly bent over her hands connected between her knees and her eyes unfocused but staring at a spot on the floor. She didn't notice when Traci rubbed her back and the soothing words she offered fell on deaf ears. Soon the hallway was packed with other officers and detectives.

Oliver took the other seat beside Andy and offered her the same comforts. Dov and Chris leaned against the wall opposite them. Gail paced near the elevators, her arms crossed over her chest. Noelle had arrived back from the canteen with coffees and pastries but most of them had remained untouched. The nurse had tried to get them to disperse but they stayed, no one willing to leave without some news, some hope at least.

Finally when the surgeon walked through the secure doors Traci nudged Andy and they both stood up. The surgeon was wearing his scrubs, and had a surgical mask pulled down from his face. There were some blood smears on his clothing and it was all Andy could focus on. Frank stepped through the crowd and stood directly behind Andy as the Surgeon started to speak.

She caught so many words. "Blood loss", "Difficult Surgery", "Complications", each of them more terrifying. She blinked the tears away and tried to focus.

"He will be sedated for a while and the next 24 hours will be crucial. It's a waiting game now, there is nothing else we can do but I'm confident he will pull through."

"Can I see him?" Andy asked.

"He is heavily sedated, he is in the ICU and visitors would not be-"

"Please…"

"Okay…a short visit." He moved his head towards the double doors then turned to walk away with Andy in tow.

At the entrance to the ICU a nurse helped her put on a coverall and a surgical hat. She was shown through a large room with four beds. Each one occupied and surrounded by a bank of machines that beeped and recorded the occupant's stats. When she got to the bed in the far right corner she almost lost control of the emotions that were bubbling in her chest.

He was lying on the bed his arms by his side his legs raised by the curved mattress. He had an IV in his left arm and surgical padding on his shoulder. His hair was matted to his head and he was paler than she had ever seen him. A soft slow beeping came from the heart monitor above his head, and each beep gave her a little more courage. She stood at his bedside and watched his chest rise and fall and wondered if it was okay to touch him.

"That's okay honey, you can touch him, he won't break!" the nurse came up behind her and adjusted some of the machines that were monitoring him.

She reached out and put a hand on his chest and revelled in the warmth there. Braver now she took his hand in hers and squeezed it, but he didn't squeeze back. She rubbed his arm, offering him all her warmth and strength and wished he would turn to her and smile. But he didn't stir.

"Hey Sam…" she whispered as she leaned on the bed and put her head on the pillow next to his. "I'm here." She touched her forehead to his head and closed her eyes. She held her breath and listened to him breathing. Slow deep breaths that offered her little comfort. She didn't know how long she had been there but soon a nurse came over and rested a hand on her back.

"I'm sorry honey but you need to leave."

"Oh…ok…" Andy turned back to Sam and kissed him on the cheek. She rubbed her nose on the tip of his then kissed his lips. "See you soon Sam," she whispered against his mouth then squeezed his hand once more before leaving the room.

Back in the hall most of the crowd had dispersed but Traci and Frank had stayed. As soon as Andy came back Traci rushed over and hugged her.

"How is he?" Frank asked.

"He's hooked up to all these machines…he's so pale…"

"He's so strong." Frank said. He rested a heavy hand on her shoulder. "He'll pull through."

"Yes, sir."

"C'mon Andy, let me take you home." Traci spoke and tried to guide Andy back towards the elevators but Andy brushed her hands away.

"No, no I want to stay."

"Andy he is sedated, he won't wake up, let me take you home, get showered and changed and then we'll come right back."

Andy looked behind her at the surgical doors as if by sheer will she could make him walk through them. "Okay…but let's hurry."

Andy got out of the shower and wrapped up in a towel. She could hear Traci in the kitchen making sandwiches as she walked through the hall to her room. With the adrenaline dwindling in her system a heavy tiredness washed over her. She sat on the bed then lay down and rested her head on the soft pillows, then closed her eyes for a second. When Traci came in and shook her awake she was startled and confused for a moment.

"Andy, I just got a call from the hospital…"

"Oh god!" her hands flew up to her face as she sat up. "What is it?"

"Sam…he's awake."

"Oh thank god." Her whole body slumped and her tears fell but she was smiling. Only then did she notice the room and how dark it was. "How long was I asleep?"

"Just a few hours. Now get dressed and we'll go to the hospital."

Andy jumped off the bed and raced to her wardrobe. She tossed her towel aside and slipped into a pair of jeans and a tee-shirt. Traci had returned to the kitchen an put the sandwiches she had made into a lunch bag. Andy carried her shoes as she raced through her apartment to collect her wallet, phone and keys.

"Let's go!" They both hurried to the car and Traci drove. She passed Andy the sandwiches and instructed her to eat.

"It's been hours Andy, you need to eat!"

Andy tied her shoes and ate the food as quick as she could, all the time wishing the car would go faster. Eventually they pulled up outside the hospital and Traci let her out at the door while she went to look for parking.

Knowing exactly where to go, Andy raced directly to the surgical ward and announced herself to the nurse on duty. It took excruciatingly long for the nurse to find out the right information. She checked her watch, made a few calls and Andy watched and waited from the other side of the counter, all the while she fidgeted with anticipation of seeing him.

"Okay, he is awake, but he is really groggy. But I'm afraid he won't be able for visitors."

"Oh please! You have to let me in to see him, I won't stay long…please!"

"I'm sorry but whomever called you should have explained it was an update call not a summons."

"Please, he's my partner!" Andy implored. "Five minutes, please just five minutes!"

"One minute," the nurse bargains with her. "Okay, follow me, he is out of the ICU and was put into a private room." She followed the nurse through the secured double doors, passed the ICU and into a small room with only one bed. "One minute." The nurse repeated as she left the room and closed the door behind her.

Sam was still surrounded by machinery and the IV in his arm was still dripping steadily, controlling his pain medicine. She walked across the room and reached out to take his arm and as soon as her hands curled around his warm skin she felt relief wash through her. His face was turned away from her and his eyes were closed but when she touched him his lips moved into a small smile.

"I hope that's you McNally." His voice was low and hoarse.

"Yeah…it's me!" she couldn't help the tears that fell but she was too happy to care.

He rolled his head towards her but his eyes were still closed. Then slowly they fluttered open and it took a moment for him to focus.

"Hey…" he whispered.

"Hey…" she replied then unable to stop herself she leaned down and kissed him. Her hand curled around his face and she never wanted to tear her lips from his. "Oh Sam…" Her tears fell onto his cheeks and when she pulled back she wiped them away with her thumb.

"Are you ok?" he asked.

"Me? Am I ok?" she was laughing through her tears. "I'm fine Sam."

"Good." She leaned in and kissed him again.

"How are you feeling?"

"Mellow," he said after a moment's pause.

"I bet. You had me worried there for a while."

"Worried?"

"I thought…" the grip she had on his arm tightened. "I was scared."

"I'm fine Andy. It will take more than one bullet to get me."

"Don't joke Sam…" She leaned in and kissed him again then rested her head on the pillow beside his. He kissed her cheek and pressed his head to hers.

"I'm ok Andy, I'm ok."

They were still lying like that when the nurse came into the room. "I'm sorry but you need to leave."

"Okay…" Andy stood up and kissed him again, then slowly walked away from the bed, her hands dragged along his arm for as long as she could reach. He watched her leave and offered her a smile when she turned back at the door for one last look.

A/N: Okay...one more chapter after this one, an epilogue if you will!