This is an alternate universe story with Andy following in the footsteps of her mother working for Child Welfare while Sam is still a cop for Guns and Gangs. In this story he is stationed out of 15 division as he is not always undercover. I have been a child protective service social worker for almost 7 years now in the United States so I am aware that some of the protocols discussed in this story may not fit everywhere including state to state, so please don't become offended if you think I am wrong. I thought a lot of what Claire McNally did was wrong but then I had to remember different country, different protocol. I am writing this story with the protocol I am familiar with. I hope you enjoy as this is my first story in a 3rd person narrative. All my other stories are narrated in 1st person so if I accidentally go into this narrative form sometimes, it is just out of habit. I really appreciate all the follows and favs, but please don't forget to leave a review; they are what keep me writing.

Prologue

Andy slowly pulled her assigned government car to a stop on the side of the curb outside another typical run down house. Wood boards in place of windows, sheets hung where curtains should be displayed. The brown paint on the front of the house screaming to be redone, and of course the broken children's toys strewn about the dead grass, wraps up the package of this meth house in a nice neat bow. Even at two o'clock in the morning she can tell the scene before her is one that she has encountered a hundred times since she became a social worker for Child Welfare four years ago. I might be in a new area, but the circumstances never change she thought.

Andy opened the door and climbed out of the car slinging her go-out bag across her shoulders so her hands are free to take notes on the situation. "Why do I sign up to be on call after work hours? Oh yeah, because I need the money," Andy said to no one in particular.

The scene before her is nothing new with seven or so different police cars surrounding the residence with lights flashing, helping to cast a light on a moonless night. In her bag are the necessary forms that might need to be provided to the parents, an IPAD, and of course her leather binder with lined paper to write on.

Walking up the cracked driveway, careful to avoid any debris, she pulls out her ID badge ready to show the officers waiting outside of the house. Having just transferred to this side of the Toronto, she is not familiar with law enforcement in this area yet. In her old stomping grounds some of her closest friends were police and probation officers. It's easy to become trauma bonded when working together on a daily basis in this line of work.

Reaching two men in uniforms standing on the front porch Andy shows them her identification.

"Hi, I'm Andy McNally with Child Protective Services. I received a call from Officer Shaw asking that I respond to this residence for assistance with possible child neglect."

"Yes, he said you would be here soon," the first officer said. "I'm Dov Epstein. You aren't one of the regular workers we usually get out here this late at night."

"No, I just transferred offices. First week," Andy explained.

"Well welcome," the other officer said. "I'm Chris Diaz. Thanks for coming down so fast. The two children are freaking out."

Before Andy can respond she hears "Hey Diaz, Epstein, is that CPS?"

"Yeah, we'll send her in," Dov yelled back.

"No, I'll come out," the officer said.

The man the voice belonged to stepped out onto the porch making the already small space seem cramped. With the porch light illuminating the man before her, Andy notices the faint freckles on his face and the bald spot on his head starting to form.

"Hey I'm Oliver Shaw. I talked with you on the phone."

"Hello, what do we have here?" I ask.

Officer Shaw guides Andy down the porch steps and onto what's left of the front lawn. Andy pulls out her leather binder and grabs her pen ready to take notes as the officer explains the reason for the middle of the night call.

"Several undercover Guns and Gangs cops have been infiltrating a meth ring here in the city for the last two months. Tonight we had enough evidence to move in on five different houses throughout Toronto. Joe Lakes and Mary Ford are getting arrested tonight for manufacturing and delivery of ten pounds of methamphetamines. Sam Swarek is who you are going to want to talk with about the details since he is the undercover that has worked his way into their lives over the last couple of months."

"Is he inside?"

"Yes. He's wrapping up his investigation taking pictures right now of the lab."

"How are the kids doing?" The welfare of the children always Andy's number one concern.

"They are understandably upset. This has been their life for so long they don't see what's wrong."

"How old?"

"Seven and nine. Both girls".

"Parents getting arrested tonight?"

"Oh yeah, they are facing years of prison."

"Hope there is safe family for these kids. Okay I'll head inside and talk to the parents. See if we can get a relative out here to take the girls for now."

Oliver guides Andy inside. Walking into the living room it takes a few seconds for her eyes to adjust to the lighting, and when they do, the scene before her is heartbreaking. Joe and Mary are sitting on the couch with their hands cuffed behind their backs. Both heads are down, looking at their children sitting by their feet, trying to offer them words of comfort. Three other officers are standing close by. The parents look up at Andy with tears streaked down their faces.

"Please ma'am, don't take our kids," Mary begs.

Andy walks to them and sits down on a nearby chair. These calls are always tough, even the coldest of hearts would melt at those words.

Speaking in a soft voice Andy responds. "First of all, please call me Andy. I can't imagine how hard this is for all of you right now. Is there anyone in your family that could pass a background check and care for the kids while I continue my assessment? I have a lot of information to gather and it will take longer than just tonight."

"Yes, my brother Gabe and his wife Suzie," Joe quickly responds.

Looking down at the two children and Andy asks, "if you can't stay with your parents for now, would you like to stay with your aunt and uncle?" Having these conversations with kids never becomes any easier.

Both children just nodded, to afraid to speak.

"Okay let me get their information including their birthdates so I can run them in our system," Andy says turning back to the parents. As Joe provides Andy with the necessary contact info she becomes acutely aware of another presence entering the room. Looking behind her she is taken aback by the hard looking man in a black t-shirt and jeans wearing his badge on a chain around his neck. He is beautiful. Andy realizes she is staring and makes herself look away but not before the chocolate eyes staring back at her causes her to catch her breath. Quickly composing herself she turns back to the family.

"Okay, I'm going to step outside and call them. I'll see what I can do," Andy reassures the frightened family.

Standing up and without thought she turns her head and looks again at the brooding cop standing in the hallway watching them. He nods at her and she instinctively knows he is going to follow her outside.

Reaching the desolate front yard, Andy turns and comes face to face with the most beautiful dark eyes she has ever seen.

"Hey, I'm Sam. Are you with CPS? I haven't seen you before."

"Yeah, I just transferred to this area from NE Toronto but I've been a caseworker just over four years now."

"Tough work. I don't know how you do it."

"Well at least I get to go home at night. I hear you've been undercover for two months."

"I like it that way. Keeps life simple."

Andy wasn't sure what to make of his words. How could being undercover all the time be simple?

"Well, I'm sure you're eager to get home and see your family. I'll try to make this fast so you can get the parents on their way."

"Hmm, I got all the time in the world. Do what you need to do."

Taking one last look at Sam and not understanding what it was about him that seemed so intriguing, Andy pulls out her IPAD, logs onto the internet, and runs the aunt and uncle through the Child Welfare system to make sure they are clear of criminal and child abuse allegations. Noting that nothing of concern appears on the couple, Andy puts her IPAD away, pulls out her work cell and dials the relatives.

Sam Swarek has never needed anyone in his life. Some would say he is emotionally challenged, but living life on his own terms helps to protect the one thing he never allows anyone to see…his heart. Despite how buried he keeps his emotions, seeing those two frightened children in the living room, and knowing what their future holds, is enough to bring him to his knees. Yet, through all of it, a raven haired woman just walked into the thick of it all tonight and cast a light in this bleak situation. With her hair pulled up, dressed in jeans that hug her tight little ass, and a form fitting top displaying her perfect breasts, she is sexy as hell.

Pushing the thoughts of what she looks like aside, he focused on the way Andy talked with the parents, treating them like human beings when others have already written them off, was a sight to behold. Sam can't believe that after four years on the job she hasn't become jaded. It's the middle of the night and she's attempting to make the best plan for the children instead of taking the easy route of foster care.

"Okay great, thanks Gabe. I'm sorry your family is going through this right now…You're welcome…Yes; I can drive the kids over to you…Okay see you soon."

Andy hanging up the phone pulls Sam out of his thoughts and back to the present.

"So what did they say," Sam inquires.

"It's a go."

"What happens from here?"

"It will really depend on the criminal charges. If the parents are going to prison for a few years then the best plan would be for them to sign over guardianship to these relatives if their willing. If that happens then Child Welfare can back out."

"Okay, let's go give them the news." Sam turns to allow Andy past him. Gently placing his hand at the small of her back the gesture doesn't go unnoticed by both of them. Sam quickly removes his hand wondering what the hell that was all about.

Back in the house Sam leans against the wall as Andy explains she will drive the children over to their relatives. The parents have lots of questions and Andy promised to visit them in jail over this next week with the answers.

While Joe and Mary say goodbye to their kids, Andy walks around the house taking notes of the condition the children were living in. Sam follows not wanting to leave her alone for some reason. He tries to tell himself it's just because he doesn't want her messing up any of the evidence.

"I know not to touch anything. I just need to be able to describe the residence when I write up my report," Andy states as if reading Sam's mind.

"I know." Sam wanted to say more but didn't.

Having already documented the garbage overflow in the kitchen to the living room, Andy looked at two of the bedrooms, taking note of the bare mattresses, clothes and toys lying all over the floor. She then makes her way down the hall. Tripping over a box, Sam grabs her arm to steady her. A jolt of electricity momentarily delays Sam letting Andy go and by the look on Andy's face it would seem she was affected just as much by his touch.

"I'm okay," Andy states steadying herself back on her feet.

Sam clears his throat after letting go of Andy. "I have pictures of all this I can email to you on Monday."

"That would be great. I'll give you my card before I go. Can you also include your police report? I'll read through it and email back with any questions I might have about your investigation."

"Sure," Sam responded. A little annoyed at the hope he felt about talking to her again at a later date.

Andy looks down at the box that was the catalyst for Sam reaching out to her and she noticed the light bulb, scale, spoons, and baggies occupying the space inside.

Walking into the last room she notices the packaged methamphetamines stacked up by the closet. Rounding the corner into the bathroom, the chemical bottles and proverbial red ring around the bathtub comes into view.

Andy lets out a breath that does not go unnoticed by Sam.

"They're in deep aren't they?" Andy asks continuing to stare in the bathroom.

Rubbing his hand over his two day old stubble Sam responds, "yeah they are".

"Okay these poor kids have been through enough, I need to get them to a safe place. After I get them settled then I can drop off the government car and head back home, but I doubt I'll be able to sleep the rest of the night."

"Alright, let's get you out of here."

Sam walks in front of Andy, hoping to squash the urge of wanting to touch her again. After helping the children gather some of their belongings, Sam helps Andy situate the girls in the car. Sam notices how much care she takes in making sure the frightened sisters feel as comfortable as possible having to leave with a stranger. It also doesn't go unnoticed by Sam the look Oliver gives him while watching him watch Andy. Sam just stares back telling him it's no big deal that he's talking so much with the CPS worker.

Sam and Andy say their goodbyes and he watches her drive off, wondering what it is about this dark haired beauty with a lion's heart.

The clock in the car reads 4:25 AM when Andy finally pulls into the Child Welfare parking lot after dropping off the children. She is dead on her feet and ready to go back home and enjoy the beginning of her Sunday. Andy was tempted to take the government car home so she wouldn't have to come back to the dark empty office, but she decided she might as well get it done.

As she steps out of her car a pair of headlights turn on in the back parking lot. A searing fear instantly enters her body as she wonders who followed her back to the office. She doesn't typically worry about her safety this late at night unless she left an unusually hostile situation, which was not the case tonight.

All of a sudden the car door opens and she hears "McNally, its Sam". Relief washes over Andy as she watches Sam walk towards her.

"Hey what are you doing here?" Andy asks.

"Well I know you said you were new to this office, and if you haven't noticed yet it isn't exactly in the safest of neighborhoods?"

Andy was taken aback by Sam's concern for her safety. She just met this man tonight. "Yeah I've noticed. So you are just looking out for my welfare? Aren't you officially off duty now?"

"I'm never really off duty. Hazards of being a cop."

"I know what you mean. Unless I go out in public with tunnel vision I'm always unconsciously always assessing child safety."

They both lightly chuckled at the realization that they have something in common. After a few seconds silence befalls them and Andy looks away.

Keeping his eyes fixated on the woman before him Sam gathers up enough courage to ask Andy if she wants to hang out for a little while.

"So I know a little diner just a couple miles away. You interested in getting some breakfast? I can't remember when I last had a decent meal. Unless of course you have someone waiting for you at home."

Looking up at Sam, Andy appeared blindsided by the invitation. "Yes, I'd like that Sam, and no, no one waiting for me at home." Andy responded biting her lower lip and driving Sam crazy with that gesture.

Clearing his throat, "okay hop in McNally, I'll drive."

"Do you call everyone by their last names?" Andy asked with amusement.

"Nah, just you. It seems fitting for some reason."

"Hmm not sure what to make of that but let me drop off the keys in the locked box inside of my office. I will be right out."

"Okay, I'll pull my truck up to the side door."

Their coffee cups are being refilled as the empty plates are removed from in front of them. For the last hour Sam and Andy engaged in small talk, mostly about their jobs and how they fell into their line of work.

After a third cup of coffee they noticed the sun starting to rise outside. Andy tried to stifle a yawn; clearly displaying that not even caffeine can help keep her awake much longer. Sam suggested he take Andy back to her car before it became dangerous for her to drive home.

Arriving back in the parking lot of Andy's office, Sam turned off the ignition to his truck after coming to a stop next to her car.

"Well here you are McNally," Sam stated, all of a sudden starting to feel anxious for some reason.

"Yup, here I am," Andy responds back, rubbing her hands up and down the tops of her legs in a nervous gesture.

"Do I make your nervous McNally?" Sam couldn't help but tease.

"No, why would you make me nervous? I'm not nervous. Please, I have to communicate with some of Toronto's most dangerous people too you know, on a daily basis even, so why would you make me nervous? I'm not nervous" Andy realized she was rambling and wasn't surprised to see Sam leaning back against his truck door staring at her with a big smirk on his face. "You sure know how to work those dimples you know," Andy teased.

"You sure know how to work that bottom lip with the way you are tugging on it right now," Sam said all of a sudden becoming very serious.

"Thank you..I mean what?" Andy shook her head as if trying to form a clear thought. This lightened the mood and Sam couldn't help but laugh.

Trying to find the humor in this situation instead of feeling embarrassed, Andy covers her face with her hands and shakes her head. "I think I should be going now," she says looking up at Sam with a quirky smile on her face.

"Okay McNally. Go home and get some sleep," Sam says in resignation that their time together is over. For now.

"Thanks for breakfast Sam. A nice ending to a sad night."

"Anytime."

A few more seconds go by and Andy still hasn't made an effort to leave.

" McNaaaally," Sam said liking the sound rolling off his tongue.

"Okay, bye Sam." Andy quickly exits the truck trying to hide the blush no doubt creeping into her cheeks right now. Before shutting the door she turns and smiles one last time at the tall; lean man before her.

Sam watches Andy enter her vehicle and waits until it starts. He follows her out of the parking lot where they each turn in opposite directions. Sam isn't sure what he is starting to feel for the tall slender social worker, but he does know for certain that he has not seen the last of Andy McNally.