This one is separate from my Two Halves universe. :)

Title: LifeBlood
Author: Cindy Ryan
Spoilers: Everything
Timeline: Set while Sam's undercover

Traci Nash found the person she was looking for on the front porch of her new home. Traci still couldn't believe that she and Jerry had bought a house. That Leo had his own room and a yard to play in. A little fast maybe but the deal had been too good to pass up.
They'd only moved in last week so Traci was still pinching herself. Still looking at the keys like they were gold.

"Hey, you know the party's inside."Nash commented to the porch's sole occupant as she drew her blue sweater closer around herself.

Andy McNally flashed her friend an apologetic smile. "Sorry, just not in a people mood."

Traci nodded in understanding as she came to stand next to Andy. "I'm glad you came."

"Wouldn't have missed it. I'm happy for you and Jerry, really."Andy replied as she hugged her friend. "Think I'm going to head for home though."

"See you tomorrow."Traci stated as she watched Andy descend the steps.

"You mean today."Andy replied with a smile as she motioned to her watch.

Traci grinned as she looked at her own watch realizing it was after midnight. "Good night."

"Good night."Andy acknowledged as she reached the sidewalk.

Traci stepped back into her new home and was met by Jerry.

"She okay?"Barber asked with concern.

"I don't know."Nash replied as she shook her head. "I think Sam's undercover op is getting to her."

Jerry wrapped an arm around Traci's shoulders pulling her close. "She'll be okay once he's home."

"When will that be?"Traci asked tiredly. "Sam's been under for almost a month."

Barber sighed as he rested his chin on top of Traci's head. "Unfortunately that's the problem and appeal of undercover work. You have no timeline. Come on last I saw Chris and Dov were seeing who could stack beer bottles the highest."

Traci shook her head with a laugh. "They know they're out of college, right?"

Oliver Shaw yawned as he entered the parade room at eight that Thursday morning. He'd picked up a day shift the day before after pulling two night shifts. Flipping shifts was something for the young. He definitely couldn't do it any more. Not even for the pay differential and overtime.
It was just too damn hard on his body clock.
There were only a handful of officers seated awaiting the days briefing. Oliver was surprised to see one was Andy McNally. Andy had a tendency to be right on time or a minute or two late.

Shaw slid into the seat next to Andy taking a long sip of coffee. "Morning."

"Morning."Andy replied not quite looking at him.

"You look as bad as I feel."Oliver commented.

"Didn't sleep much."

Oliver nodded knowingly. "Nash's housewarming party was last night, wasn't it?"

"Yeah, but I left early."

A snide comment died on Oliver's tongue as Best moved to the podium to start the daily briefing.

"Good morning."Frank began as everyone quieted. "In case you've been under a rock the major story of the day is going to be the weather. Snow should start falling around noon and isn't expected to stop before midnight tomorrow."

Groans filled the room.

"That's right folks our first blizzard of the season and looks to be a bad one with the combination of the lake affect. So use extra caution since we know motorists aren't used to driving in this stuff yet. Going to be lots of accident calls and probably some looting calls once it gets bad. You have your assignments….be safe."

Oliver glanced down at the piece of paper he'd been handed during the briefing and grinned. At least some part of this day was salvageable.

"Looks like you and me, McNally."

Andy returned his smile as they stood. "Hopefully history won't repeat itself."

"We've had good days too, come on. Last one to the squad buys coffee."

Around noon Andy stifled a yawn but Oliver saw it anyway. She ignored the sideways glare he shot her from the passenger seat. Andy had long ago broken their no yawning rule. So far the only exciting thing had been watching the weather change from rain to sleet and now snow mixed with sleet.

"Think we're really going to get a blizzard?"McNally asked as she drove through the now slushy streets.

"Probably but then it's always a crap shoot with the lake affect."

"Maybe we'll get to go home early."Andy suggested as she reached for her coffee.

"Now you're dreaming."Oliver scoffed.

Oliver studied Andy out of the corner of his eye. He'd been worried about her lately. Sam's absence seemed to be taking its toll. Andy had been through a rough year already
To add Sam's abrupt departure on top of that.

"You know you can talk to me about anything, right?"Shaw offered after a few minutes of companionable silence.

Andy glanced at him. "Yeah, thanks."

Oliver cleared his throat. "You know Sam didn't have time to talk to anybody before he left. Not me not Jerry."

"He could've made time."Andy replied quietly.

"1504 requesting assistance with a domestic disturbance call."

Andy practically ripped the radio mike from its handle in her haste to respond. "1503 responding."

"Acknowledged 1503 address is 2501 Young Street."

Oliver picked up the radio that time. "Copy. 2501 Young."

Andy and Oliver arrived on scene of the four story apartment building to see Dov and Gail in the front yard. Gail was speaking to a college age man with black hair. Dov was trying unsuccessfully to calm down a woman of the same age with long blonde hair.

Oliver was out of the squad in time to hear "You men are all alike!"

Shaw cringed inwardly that was never a good sign. His instincts were right as the woman took a swing at Dov.

"That's enough!"Oliver shouted as he walked towards Epstein.

Dov managed to duck the first swing but the second caught the young man in the chin stunning him.

Oliver quickly snagged the young woman's arms binding them behind her. "Dov, you okay?"

Epstein nodded then winced. "Yeah she just surprised me."

"You can add assaulting a police officer to whatever charges you've already built up today. Let's go."Shaw stated as he cuffed the college co-ed

"Wait, you can't arrest her. This is my fault."The boyfriend exclaimed stepping forward only to be stopped by Gail.

"I'm sure it is your fault but she made the choice to hit my partner."Gail replied briskly. "If I were you I'd go back inside before I arrest you for disorderly conduct."

Gail watched the young man reluctantly go back inside before she turned her attention to Dov who was applying snow to his injured chin.

"You're going to have a manly bruise there."Peck stated with a smirk.

Dov rolled his eyes. "Great, another thing to add to the list of idiot moves."

"Come on, I'll drive."Gail offered as they headed back to the squad car.

"Just remember you have to slow down in snow."

"Funny."