AN: It's not long, but I needed to write it. Last night was absolutely amazing and I needed to get this out there. Let me know what you think- of the story or just the episode last night.

She had been up all night, sitting right next to him. She was looking for any sign that he would wake up and let her know he was all right. The doctors tried to convince her that he would be, that he just needed to rest, but she wouldn't believe it until she saw it with her own eyes. At one point, Traci came in with a pile of clothes for her to change into and took her uniform back to the station to be put in her locker. And then Andy went right back to waiting. She played with the ends of his fingers and watched his chest rise and fall with every breath. She listened to the uniformed officers outside his closed door, Gail and Chris, talking about nothing in particular. She wiped her eyes over and over, amazed that she could even produce that many tears. And she waited to see his eyes open or hear his voice. Early in the morning, though, she ended up asleep with her head resting near his stomach and her hand clutching his sheets.

When he woke up, he stared at his closed door, breathing deeply. He heard whoever was out there, it sounded like Diaz and maybe Peck, talking about Oliver. And his mind went into overdrive. Was he really okay? He couldn't make out exactly what they were saying, but he could hear the worry in their voice and his best friend's name over and over. His breathing became ragged and he tried to bring his right hand to wipe the sweat forming on his forehead, but it ended up hitting something. He turned and noticed, for the first time, Andy sleeping in the chair next to him and he let out a deep, even breath at the sight and rested his hand on the back of her head.

She sat up immediately, his hand falling, looking first toward the door and then quickly at him and she just started to cry. She was on her feet in a second, leaning over him, cradling his face between her hands. "You're awake," she smiled, resting her forehead against his. "Are you doing okay? I should get the doctor."

"In a minute," he croaked and she nodded furiously against him. "Oliver. Is Oliver okay?"

"He's okay, Sam," she told him, smiling at the sound of his voice. "He's got a concussion and some stitches, but he'll be out of here later today. He's okay."

"You're okay?" He breathed.

"Now I am," she said and he smiled. She stood up again, looking down at him, and ran her fingers across his hairline and down his jaw. "I'm going to let the others know you're awake, okay?"

"Andy," he sighed and she waited, tracing his face again as if to make sure it was really him. "You and me..."

"We'll talk about that later, okay?" She asked, laughing nervously. "I'm not leaving anytime soon. We've got time. I'm not going anywhere."

"Okay."

She smiled down at him once more and kissed him on the forehead, lingering for a second. She turned away with a pat on his hand and walked across the room for the door. As soon as it opened, Gail and Chris turned toward her expectantly. "He's awake," she said, smiling through another batch of tears. She wiped her eyes furiously and they smiled at her. "I've got to get his doctor."

Before she even found his doctor, she found Frank pacing at the end of the hall. "Sam's awake," she told him and he stopped, smiling immediately.

"I'm gonna..." he said, pointing toward his room and she nodded, smiling. She took a deep breath and continued to the nurses' station.

"Hi," she said to an older woman with kind eyes. "Sam Swarek in 1402 is awake. I just thought I should let someone know."

"Thank you," the nurse smiled. "I'll let his doctor know."

"Thanks," Andy smiled. She started back for Sam's room, but decided to change course and find Oliver. She'd seen him only briefly the night before while Sam was still in surgery and he was asleep. "Oliver?" She called, gently pushing aside the curtain. He looked up at her, looking for news and all she had to do was smile for him to let out a relieved sigh.

"How's he doing?" He asked finally.

"I just sent his doctor in, I'll let you know when I hear something," she promised. "I just needed to see you and make sure you're really okay. It was the first thing out of his mouth- wanting to know how you were."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. And you are, right?" She asked hopefully and he nodded.

"Celery just went to pick up a change of clothes," he told her. "I'll be out of here in a couple of hours."

"Oh, that's what I told him. That's good," she smiled. "He's in 1402 if you want to stop in on your way out."

"You gonna be around?" Oliver asked with a knowing smile and she chuckled.

"I'm not going anywhere," she promised. "I'll be in the same chair I slept in, right next to him."

"Good," he said, smiling again. "Then, I'll see you in a little while."

Andy nodded, turning to leave, and ran into Celery. "Oh, hey," she said. "How's Sam?"

"He's awake," she shrugged. "That's good news."

"That's really good news," Celery promised and Andy smiled gratefully. "We'll see you later."

"Bye," she said quietly, ducking out.

She practically ran back to Sam's room. She stood against the wall near the door, letting Frank, Chris and Gail have a moment. As soon as she was in the room, though, his eyes found hers and she smiled. It took him a second to look away, but eventually he had to answer a question from Frank. They all turned when the door opened and his doctor entered.

"Can I have a minute with him?" He asked, nodding at Sam. They all nodded and headed for the door. She was the last to reach it when Sam called out.

"McNally," he said, his voice still a little hoarse. Andy turned back, looking at him with wide eyes. "Stay."

She looked quickly from him to the doctor, who just shrugged, and then back at him. "You sure, Sam? I don't have to."

"You said you weren't going anywhere," he reminded her and she nodded, smiling. She walked over to the right side of the bed, away from his wound, and held his hand tightly. They both listened as the doctor told him about his injury, his surgery, and his treatment. With every new piece of information, she felt him squeeze her hand, and she nodded to herself over and over, taking it all in.

"You should be able to leave by the end of the week," he concluded. "But you'll be out of work a while. You'll probably be able to return to light duty in a month, but we'll track your progress and figure it out. When you do leave the hospital, you'll need to take it very easy, okay? No lifting, no reaching, nothing too strenuous. You shouldn't be alone."

"He won't be," Andy answered automatically, gaining her a surprise look from Sam. "Don't be stupid, Sam," she laughed. "He won't be alone."

"Okay," the doctor nodded with a smile. He took a look at Sam's chart, hung it back on the end of the bed, and crossed his arms. "I'll be back to check on you in a few hours. A nurse will be in with more medication soon."

"Thanks," Sam mumbled, turning to look at Andy. "You don't need to take care of me," he told her and she rolled her eyes.

She pulled her chair over so she was next to his head and ran her free hand through his hair. "I went to see Oliver. He's going to come see you when he's discharged," she told him, ignoring his earlier protest.

"Okay," he nodded, wetting his lips. They watched each other, a smile growing on her face. "Andy..."

"I meant it," she told him suddenly, cutting him off. "I did and I do. So, please don't fight me on it, okay? And... just... I don't know."

"You meant it?" He asked through a smile and she nodded slowly. "Which part?"

"All of it, Sam," she promised and he let out a relieved breath. "I won't let you be alone for a second, okay? I'm here and I'm pretty sure Frank will understand if I need to miss a shift or two."

"You can't stay here all week, McNally," he told her and she shrugged her shoulder. "You know you can't."

"I know," she said sadly. "But I'm staying today and probably tomorrow. I'll go back to work after that. I'll come back for lunches and as soon as my shift ends. Got it?"

"Yeah," he smiled. "I got it, McNally."

"I love you," she said quietly, leaning her forehead against his. "I do."

He closed his eyes, taking it all in, and tilted his head up to kiss her lightly. It was an innocent kiss, especially for them, but it was so loaded that it took the breath from both of them. It was the first time in a long time that Sam felt truly happy- even if he was holed up in the hospital with a bullet wound. He had her and she'd just told him she loved him.

"I love you, Andy," he whispered and her smile lit up her entire face.