So glad everyone liked the story! I actually had the idea of Gail and Oliver conspiring to get Andy and Sam together a while ago, because it seems like they were both in tune to them liking each other. Anyway, here's the last little bit!

Backup

Epilogue

It was a year later, and Andy stood in the same spot in the locker room where she had made her resolution. She was in a different kind of dress this year – a simple, classy dress that was also a little more conservative. She took a survey of herself, and felt happy with the results. She was Andy McNally. Woman. Cop. Friend. She had found herself when she and Sam had fallen in love – like a final puzzle piece being fitted into the whole to make it all make sense.

She spun around at the sudden noise behind her; laughed when she saw it was Sam.

"You know, I thought we'd gotten over the whole locker room thing," she teased.

He came up behind her, pulled her close, then ran his hands up her long legs and wrapped them around her waist. "Couldn't resist. I kept thinking about you in here, putting on that dress. It did things to me." He raised his eyebrows at her in suggestion, and she laughed and rolled her eyes as she pulled away to pack up her bag.

"Yeah, so not going to happen right now."

"Bet?" The way he moved towards her reminded her of a lion stalking its prey.

"I don't think so, pal." She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear as she leaned over, and her necklace swung out from its place under her dress.

Sam nodded towards it. "I'm glad you wear it."

Andy looked down at the long chain, and at the diamond ring that winked up from the end of it. "Of course I wear it. Even though we're not announcing it yet, I want my engagement ring to be on me at all times!"

Sam stepped up to her, sweetness replacing the raw desire in his eyes. He leaned in for a kiss, and she felt the warmth fill her. He gently took the necklace and fingered the ring he had so painstakingly picked out for her.

"Maybe tonight's the night you should take it off the chain." He looked up to meet her surprised gaze. "Well, you know. The gala. Kind of poetic, right?"

"I think that's a great idea." She let him draw the chain over her head and slide the ring off of it. He took her hand, and then stopped, causing her to let out a short, impatient curse. He just laughed, and looked her in the eye.

"You're sure you want this, right? Cause you know, I can still take it back." Now he was just torturing her. She nodded.

"I finally figured it out. You're exactly what I want."

"Cause it's a lot of responsibility, you know. We'll fight. We'll disagree…"

"We'll make up, we'll make it through." She finished for him. "Sam. I'm not expecting it to be easy. The last year has shown me it's not going to be that. But you make me the happiest I've ever been. And that's why I'm going to marry you."

He grinned, and his dimples winked. "Yeah, I'm awesome, aren't I?" he teased. "Still, if you don't want the ring…"

"Sam. If you don't put that ring on my finger, so help me…."

They were both laughing as he slid the ring onto her hand.

The end.

:-)