A/N: So I had another vague idea for a multi chapter. It's an AU and takes place a few years before season 1. I don't have a storyline worked out for this one, so I'm going to see if inspiration hits me and if people like the story.

XX

Sam took a sip of his drink as he took a look around the Black Penny. Most of his colleagues had left already and Sam decided that his current drink would be his last as well. He sighed when he looked at the other side of the bar.

Tommy McNally definitely had more than a few drinks and it was showing. The older detective had a lot of trouble with keeping measure. Sam watched him as he had a discussion with the bartender. Sam felt bad for the guy, so he stood up and walked towards the two.

''Tommy,'' he said. ''I think it's time to go home. Let me give you a ride, okay?''

''I can drive myself,'' Tommy argued. ''You watch your step rook.'' Tommy shook off the hand that Sam had on his shoulder and gave him a warning glare.

Sam shook his head and held up his hands.

''Already called someone to come pick him up,'' the bartender told Sam. ''She said she would be here within ten minutes.''

Sam nodded and took a seat next to Tommy. Even if someone was coming to pick him up, Sam didn't want to leave him behind in the state he was in.

He had transferred to 15th five years before after going through rookie training in another division. The transfer had been easier than he would've thought and he made friends pretty easily. 15th was like a big family and Sam fitted in perfectly.

''Sammy,'' Tommy said out of the blue. ''You're a good guy. Don't let the job get to you son.''

Of course Sam had heard rumors around the station, but he wasn't sure what drove Tommy towards the bottle. Some people said that there were too many unsolved cases. Others talked about an ex-wife that took everything Tommy owned.

Either way, Sam wasn't one to judge. He knew all about tough family situations and how they could mess people up. He knew that Tommy was a good guy and a solid detective. A bad habit didn't change that, no matter how bad it was.

''Dad,'' a female voice interrupted them. ''Come on. I'll take you home.''

''Sweetheart,'' Tommy slurred. ''I'm fine. You should go back to school.''

''Dad, it's two AM.'' The young female wrapped her arm around Tommy and helped him stand up. Out of nothing Tommy laid down his head on the girl's shoulder and became non-responsive.

Sam watched the two and saw how she struggled to hold him up. He quickly got off his bar stool and put his arm under Tommy's.

''I can do it,'' the girl protested.

''I know you can,'' Sam agreed. ''I've got him though.''

The girl seemed to hesitate for a moment, but then let him help her. ''If you can just put him on the bench outside. I've got it from there.''

''I'll help you get him into your car. It's fine.'' Sam felt bad for the girl. By the way she helped Tommy out of the bar he guessed this wasn't the first time she had to pick him up.

''I don't have a car and the cab driver refused to wait because he got another call. I let him call me another cab so I'll just wait for that. Thanks for your help.''

They reached the parking lot and Sam looked back to his truck and nodded towards it. ''Let's take him to my truck. I'll drive you two home.''

''No offence, but I don't know who you are. I'm not going to just let you drive us home. I appreciate the help, but I'm good.''

With ease Sam helped the girl manoeuvre Tommy towards the bench on the side of the parking lot. When Tommy was seated Sam held out his hand. The girl eyed it for a second before she reached out and shook his hand.

''Sam Swarek,'' Sam introduced himself. ''I work with Tommy, who I assume is your dad, at 15th.''

''Andy,'' the girl said after a moment of hesitation. ''Andy McNally. And I'm sure you're just being a nice guy here, but we're not your responsibility and like I said: I can handle it.''

''I'm sure you can, but sometimes you've got to let others help you. It's no trouble and it will save you a few bucks.''

Andy thought about it for a second and then decided that waiting for a cab would probably take a while too. She hated the cold and Tommy was quite heavy with the way he was leaning against her. ''Okay,'' she said. ''Thanks.''

Together they helped up Tommy again and got him to Sam's truck. Sam handed her the keys and nodded towards the door. ''If you open the door I'll carry him in.''

''He's too heavy for you to carry alone,'' Andy argued. ''I'll take his legs.''

''Just open the door McNally, he's not getting lighter here.'' Sam kept his tone light and watched as Andy opened the door and bend down to take Tommy's legs. Annoyed by her stubbiness, but impressed by her strength, Sam helped Tommy into the truck.

After Tommy was in the back of the truck, Sam opened the passenger seat and helped Andy in. He rounded the truck and got in the driver's seat. ''Where to?'' he asked.

Besides Andy's directions towards the McNally household, not much was said. Sam could see that Andy was nervous. She was fidgeting with her hands and biting her bottom lip constantly. He wanted to tell her to relax, but he thought that that might make things worse.

''He wasn't always like this, you know?'' Andy said after a long silence.

''You don't have to explain. I'm not judging,'' Sam responded. ''People sometimes lose their way.''

''Of course you're judging.'' Andy looked outside the window and shook her head. ''People always judge.'' She paused for a moment and took a deep breath. ''He was a good dad. Still is.''

''Nobody said that he isn't,'' Sam reasoned. ''He's a solid detective. Always makes sure to look at things from every perspective. He never overlooks any detail. He's good at what he does.''

''He is,'' Andy agreed.

The rest of the ride was silent again. When they reached the house Andy immediately got out of the car. She opened Tommy's door and tried to help him out again. Before she knew it Sam was by her side helping her carry his weight.

''Where are we?'' Tommy asked when they got him on his feet.

''Home dad,'' Andy answered. ''Sam gave us a ride home.''

''Sammy?'' Tommy asked. ''What are you doing here?''

''Just making sure everybody's coming's home in one piece,'' Sam replied. ''Come on Tommy.''

Sam held up Tommy's weight while Andy opened the door. As soon as it was open she went back to Tommy. ''Want me to take him to bed?'' Sam wondered.

''Just put him on the couch,'' Andy said. ''It's impossible to get him up there when he's like this. I'll get him blankets and a pillow later.''

They laid him down on the couch and as soon as his head was on the throw pillow, Tommy nodded off again. He began to snore and Andy shook her head while looking at him. ''Thanks again,'' she told Sam. ''How much do I owe you for gas?''

''Nothing,'' Sam answered. ''It was basically on my way home. Don't worry about it. Do I need to drive you somewhere else or are you going to be okay here?''

''I should probably stay here,'' Andy reasoned. ''Make sure he's okay.'' She followed Sam to the door and held it open for him. When he was about to leave she called out his name. ''Sam, just.. You know, I would appreciate it if..''

''Nobody has to know,'' Sam filled in. ''There wasn't anybody from 15th at the bar anymore and I'm sure the bartender has a costumer – bartender confidentiality,'' he joked. ''Nobody will find out.''

Andy gave him a sad smile. ''Thank you,'' she said again.

''You should get inside, go to bed,'' Sam suggested. ''It's late. Good night McNally.''

''Goodnight Sam.''

XX

The next morning Andy woke up when she heard something break. She turned around and groaned into her pillow. She threw the covers off herself and slowly made her way downstairs. When she saw the mess on the floor she closed her eyes for a moment.

Tommy knocked over a vase and there was water and pieces of glass everywhere. ''Dad,'' Andy scolded at Tommy. ''Damn it, look at the mess.''

''I'm sorry sweetheart,'' Tommy said. ''I'll clean it later. I promise. I'm late now though. I've got to go to work. Just leave it for me when I got home.''

''Yeah sure,'' Andy replied. ''Like you'll be able to see straight when you come home.''

''I'll get better, I will,'' Tommy tried. ''Last night was just a tough night, but I promise that things will get better from now on. I'll be home early tonight, okay? I'll even make you something nice to eat.''

After everything she had gone through with Tommy, Andy couldn't find it in herself to believe him anymore. Every morning he would end up making the same worthless promises. Andy loved her father more than anything, but she couldn't take much more.

''You say that every time,'' Andy argued. ''I can't come and get you from a different bar every night. I've had enough dad.''

''I know. I told you that I'm working on it.''

''How?'' Andy wondered. ''How are you working on it? Do you even remember how you got home yesterday? Do you even care that I haven't slept more than five hours straight in over a week? I'm tired dad. Please just find some help. There are clinics or even just regular meetings. You have enough vacation time saved up. Please just do it for me.''

''We discussed this,'' Tommy told her. ''I don't have a problem. Things just got out of hand a few times in a row, but I'll be okay.'' Tommy leaned down to press a kiss against Andy's head. ''Don't worry too much.''

Andy closed her eyes to keep the tears at bay when Tommy pressed his lips against her head. The gesture seemed so normal between a father and a daughter, but she missed the person her father used to be. The person that got out of bed extra early to make sure she packed lunch for school. The person that came home from work early to make sure she wouldn't come home to a quiet house.

And of course she was a grown up now. She could stand on her own two feet. She didn't need her dad like she did when she was a little girl or a teenager. Still, she thought that it felt nice when someone would take care of you every now and then.

''I'm going to take a shower and leave,'' Tommy broke the silence. ''I'm already running late.''

Andy nodded and started to clean the glass. She wasn't paying attention and when she took another piece of glass from the floor she winced and saw blood drip down her hand. ''Great,'' she muttered. She went into the kitchen to grab a towel to stop the bleeding. After a few minutes she put a band aid on the cut and went back to the living room to finish cleaning.

Before Tommy left he came into the living room. ''You didn't have to clean everything. I would've done it.''

''Well, it's done already,'' Andy responded. ''Didn't want to leave it laying there for an entire day.''

''Thank you.'' Tommy grabbed a cookie from the jar. ''I'll see you later sweetheart.''

''Eat something healthy,'' Andy yelled after him, but she knew there was no point. It had been months since she saw him eat a piece of fruit and he only ate vegetables when she cooked them for him. ''Or not.''

With a sigh she turned around and looked at the clock. She had to get ready to if she didn't want to be late too.

XX

A/N: Let me know what you think! Does it have any potential or should I just end it here?