AN: just taking a little break from my other RB story because I needed to write something after seeing that wonderful episode on ThursdayI was so thrilled I was jumping up and down and clappingshe just walked out and in a sense dropped him like a sack of potatoes! So this is a little one shot! Enjoy!

After Effects

She was standing in the middle of the bullpen just looking around at all the different activities going on—Traci and Jerry were talking to Leo, Oliver and Dov were talking to different people and others were showing people what they do; it was the open house night—she just stood there looking like she was about to break down and the one person that she didn't see, the one person that she needed wasn't there and that was Sam. She kept looking around the room for him walking to different parts of the station trying to find him but he wasn't there. She needed, wanted him and she thought she was going to break down right there in the bullpen if she didn't find him. All she wanted was for him to wrap his strong, muscular arms around her to protect her from herself, from Luke and the whole damn situation. She wanted for him to tell that it was going to be alright that she would be alright because he would be there; she remembered what he said a few weeks ago, "I'll always be here." Those 4 simple little words somehow made her feel better but not better enough if he had his arms around her. She went up to Traci and she knew that she wanted to talk. "Hey Jerry, could watch Leo for a few minutes? I think Andy wants to talk."

"Yeah sure babe"

Andy grabbed her arm and headed for the locker rooms; Traci having to run a little to keep up with her. When they got there, there were other rookies in there so Andy yelled out, "Get out rookies, we need some privacy." Was all she simply stated and they scattered out of the room.

"Andy ok what's up? You nearly took my arm off then you went all Swarek on the rooks?"

She just looked at her through tear filled eyes, "Traci…Luke…he cheated on me!"

"Damn, where he is? I am going to kick his ass for hurting you! Then I'll get Sam and he'll do some more damage possibly even put him back in the hospital. I knew it, I just knew he was too good to be true; you know there was always something about him I just didn't like but I went along because I thought you were happy even thought I knew you were faking it."

Traci started pacing and Andy grabbed her arm, "No Trac, I…wait you knew I was faking it?"

"Yes, I am your best friend. I can tell these things but really when I said 'fake it till you make it' I was not talking about your personal life."

"Well why didn't you come to me sooner? I could've avoided all this' waving her hands up and down, 'all this heartache and not have my heart broken again."

"I don't know, you were so happy that I actually thought you weren't faking it but you're a better actor than I thought."

"Yeah well…thanks"

She hugged her and began crying and Traci just held her tighter then said, "You as much as I love comforting you, wouldn't Sam's arms feel better?" she grinned

"Haha, yes actually they would but he's no where to be found in the station; believe me I've looked everywhere. Do you know where he is?"

"I think he's at the Penny. Earlier he said it's the same thing with these open houses and he really didn't want to be here. Girl if I were you I'd go after that man and tell him the truth and Andy you better stop denying your feelings for him. You should've seen the way he was acting when you were trapped in that building; I mean if it weren't for Oliver, he would've gone busting in there alone but the look on his face broke my heart."

"What look was that?"

"Helplessness and worried and being so damn in love with you that he can't stand it. You know that's why he hasn't been paired with you; it's because it hurts him to much for you to sit there and talk about Luke but now that's over with maybe you two can put your heads on straight and just freaking go for it. Trust me on this, I know from experience, if you don't realize what's right in front you then you could lose it and I just want to you to know that."

Andy reached over and hugged her tight, "Thanks Traci, I don't know if I didn't have you hear to tell me the truth."

She laughed, "You'd probably loose your head."

They both broke out laughing which Andy really need and it felt good; they said their goodbyes and Andy headed to the Penny. Once she got there she stood outside looking at him through the window; really looking at him, looking at his body language and everything else. His shoulders were more down than usual, he was just staring down at his drink barely even taking a drink at, looked like he was in deep thought, his body looked broke down and beaten like he'd lost a fight and she realized that in a way he thought he was going to loose her and it killed him. Finally after taking a few deep breaths she went in and sat down beside him. She motioned for the bar tender to come over and she order a scotch and he turned and looked at her surprised. "What?" was all she said. He smiled but she noticed that it wasn't one of his melting smiles and it didn't reach up to his eyes, "Hard day?"

"That is not even close to describing how the hell my day was…" she replied as the bar tender handed her drink and she gulped half it down.

"Whoa, slow down there, what happened?" he could tell something was wrong and he wanted to find out so he could protect her.

She looked at him through tear filled brimmed eyes, "When we were…no that's not right…Luke…he cheated on me with Jo last week when they were at the hotel doing some drug bust or whatever. I just found out today when Jo and I had to protect that witness before she changed her mind but anyway Jo kept trying to avoid it and she must've thought I was stupid or something because I figured it out. Well after that when I went home, I packed a suitcase and just as I was getting ready to leave he comes home. Then he starts saying all this shit saying that it was a mistake and oh it would never happen again but I was not going to fall for that. I told him that I put the ring back in the gun compartment where I found it and told him that it was over. He tried to make some half assed plea but I didn't buy it, I could tell on face that he didn't mean it so I walked out on him. So much for going for the safe choice, yeah freaking right; just got my heart crushed again."

After she spilled her heart out, she had tears streaming down her face and he looked like he could kill someone but he pushed it aside and got up and wrapped her in a tight hug where she just collapsed against his chest and sobbed. He could kill Callahan for hurting her like this; he made up his mind right then and there that if he hurt her in any way again he would kick his ass to kingdom come and make him wish he was never born. After he calmed himself, he asked, "Where would like for me to take you?"

"Just take me back to your place. I need you to hold me tonight." he nodded and they left together heading for his place.

Once they got there they both changed and climbed into bed. She turned so she was facing him and he was facing her with his arms around her. She smiled because she felt safe, secure and surprisingly cherished. She felt like nothing bad could happen as long as she was in his arms. She slowly felt sleep claim her as she slowly closed her looking at him and he nodded as if to say it's alright I'll be here to protect you.

AN: That's it for now…I hope ya'll like it but don't worry I'll get back to my other RB story. Please reviewI always love your thoughts and ideas.