So, actually, this story was supposed to be a one-shot, but most everyone who reviewed (thank you!) asked me to continue with the meeting between Sarah and Andy, which got my writing muse kicking me to comply with their requests. And who am I to ignore my muse? =) This will be the last chapter, though.

Thanks for all your wonderful feedback and story favorites!

Hope you all enjoy! xx

The rain fell steadily on the ground, the flowers greedily absorbing the much needed water. The pattern of the raindrops on both the pavement and rooftops paired with the rushing of the wind as it wove its way through the trees created an odd lyrical symphony. The dark skies were filled with fat rainclouds bursting with water. Somewhere in the distance, a clap of thunder could be heard.

Rainstorms are a source of fright for many, and reason enough to stay inside, dry and warm, with the curtain pulled tightly shut, but on the off chance somebody looked out their window, they would have seen a figure standing outside, arms flung out, head tilted back, an odd expression of peace and utter delight across her face.

The falling rain washed away the guilt and grime of crimes past, leaving both her skin and soul clean, and even though it was a temporary reprieve from the tortures of her mind, it was enough. For during storms, she could forget everything that had happened and just feel the pattering of rain on her flesh, the cool water physically and emotionally ravishing her.

The storm brought her solace, but it brought him fear.

One hundred and ten kilometers away, Sam threw his phone down in disgust, running his hands through his dark hair in frustration.

Susan Leonard was not picking up her phone. Somewhere, in the back of his mind, he remembered his aunt was away for a press conference of some sort.

Which meant Sarah was all alone.

That last thought brought an uneasiness to him that was compounded by the steady pattern of rain all around him. As soon as the rain had started to fall, he had known where his sister was. And she couldn't afford to stand out in the rain, to catch a cold...not with her illness.

"Change of plans, McNally," he said gruffly. "We're going to St. Catherines."

"Is your sister all right?" she asked, a worried expression crossing her face as she took in Sam's tense features. He looked at her for a long moment before throwing the car into gear.

"No."

They drove fast, Sam using the lights and sirens to full advantage, making the usual two hour journey in a little over an hour. As they neared her street, Sam turned off all flashing lights and sirens, knowing full well what unexpected noise did to his sister. They turned onto her street, and Andy looked on in disbelief.

"Is that Sarah?" she asked, the fear in her voice mirroring the fear on his face. He haphazardly pulled in front of her house, scrambling out of the car, his rookie close behind him.

"Sarah!" he shouted, flinging open the white gate. Her eyes opened for the first time in an hour, taking in the blurry image of her brother and another woman in front of her.

"Sam?" she asked, her voice unsteady. Her skin was ashen and colorless, her lips tinged with blue. She blinked several times, her sunken eyes fluttering to stay open.

"Oh good God, Sarah," Sam whispered. He was met with no resistance as he gathered her frail form in his arms and carried her to the front steps.

"McNally, open the door," he ordered. She quickly obeyed, and Sam was relieved that his sister had forgotten to lock the door in her haste to get outside.

Years of both watching his parents care for Sarah on days like these had prepared him for exactly what do to.

Half an hour later, all three of them sat near the fireplace, Sarah wrapped in a thick plaid blanket with a mug of hot coffee in both hands, and both Sam and Andy sitting uncomfortably close to each other, fingers inches apart but not touching.

A silence had settled over the room, with Sam watching his sister with a wary look on his face, Sarah watching Andy with an open, curious expression, and Andy flicking her gaze from brother to sister, trying to reconcile the two of them in her mind.

"You brought your rookie here after all, Sammy," Sarah said quietly, her steady gaze making Andy fidget in her chair.

"Sarah, now is not the time," Sam warned, his eyes quickly turning to his rookie, who had a confused expression on her face.

"I've heard so much about you, so I told Sammy to bring you over next time he came. He always keeps his promises," Sarah said demurely, smiling sweetly at her. There was a certain gentleness in Sam's sister that made Andy feel peculiarly at ease.

"Well, knowing Sam, I'm sure it was all about my screw-ups and mishaps," she replied, throwing a sideways glance to her partner.

"Actually it was about how beautiful you are."

The room fell deathly quiet, with Sam pinching the bridge of his nose in embarrassment, Andy's cheeks filling with color, and Sarah seemingly oblivious to what she had just said.

The silence was awkward, the air filled with tension all all kinds. Sam sneaked a look at his rookie, but she refused to acknowledge his gaze. He had to do something.

"Okay, Sarah, you want to talk? How about we talk about how foolish you were, going outside like that? How many times have we talked about this, huh?" He knew he was getting more upset than was probably warranted, but his sister had crossed a major confidentiality line, and they both knew it.

"I needed to be clean," she said simply. Sam's face fell at her statement. He closed his eyes for a moment. No matter how hard he tried to be a good brother, no matter how hard he tried to help her forget and move on, he fell short. He failed, every single time.

He took a deep breath, trying to compose his anguished features. A whimper made him open his eyes again. Andy had leaned forward and taken Sarah's hand in hers. And slowly, hesitantly, Sarah covered their intertwined fingers with her own.

They stayed for a little over an hour, with Sarah and Andy carrying most of the conversation. Sam just watched in perpetual amazement at the ease that they talked with each other. Odd, random topics were covered, as well as deep, personal ones. Sarah's gang rape. Andy's abandonment. The perils of police work, including the horrors that followed shooting and killing someone.

His rookie. His sister. Andy. Sarah.

Watching them, he was struck by a sudden thought - the two most important women in his life were together, in the same room. It was a turning point for him, recognizing that particular notion. Not that Sarah was the most important person to him, since he had always known that, but that Andy McNally was just as equally important, albeit in a different way.

As they said their goodbyes, Sarah took Andy's hand and squeezed it gently, the simple motion holding so much for her brother as he looked on. She then turned to him.

"Thank you, Sammy. She's truly magnificent," Sarah whispered as he embraced her. He kissed the top of her head and smiled down at her.

"I know," he murmured, their exchange too quiet for the other woman to hear.

Sam and Andy walked out towards the cruiser, the rain long over, replaced by fresh smell of wet earth. She turned to him, a smile playing on her lips. "Your sister is incredible, Sam. She reminds me of you," she said softly. Unconsciously, he took a step towards her, and gently brushed a fallen lock of hair behind her ear.

"She's right, you know. I do think you're beautiful," he said quietly, the confession slipping out before he had a chance to think it through. Her mouth opened slightly, as if to say something.

She leaned forward instead, and kissed him on the cheek. His eyes widened at the feeling of her lips against his skin. It wasn't a seductive, passionate kiss, it was a gentle, sweet kiss, conveying more meaning than words could.

And from the window, Sarah smiled.