* This is an alternate ending to Hot and Bothered. I didn't buy that Sam would be buying Andy coffee and look so happy given how that night ended. Something didn't quite mesh for me. This was written mainly because I noticed (what I interpret to be) a desperate look in Andy's eyes and the slight crack of her voice when she said the "everything's back to normal" line. (Missy amazingly managed to convey a multitude of emotions in such a short span of time) This is my take on what would have happened had Sam picked up on the cues.

I ran through multiple possibilities of what made sense for the characters, including them getting into a fight (what with Andy being prone to flight and refusing to let anyone in) and consequently making up (as friends). But I finally settled on this, figuring it wasn't such a huge stretch given Andy's current state of mind and Sam's perceptiveness. Also, I've noticed that when it matters, Sam does have good and varied dialog so I tried to stay away from using only his best known lines and hope I did him justice. If you think you would want to read about the other alternative (fighting and making up), let me know and I'll try to work on it.

Usual disclaimers: I don't own any rights in the Rookie Blue TV series.

Running from Normal

The initial 'click' which accompanied a single flicker of the lights barely registered in Andy's subconscious. Then with a sudden whirring, whining sound, the house sprung to life and the moving shadows cast by the candlelight dematerialized. Andy's eyes flew open as Sam leaned in for another kiss. He stopped short, brushing his nose against hers instead and their rocking motions grinded to a gentle halt.

"Damn". That was his first thought. With her fingers still sending electricity along his lower ribs, he continued to stare at her, searching for signs of regret, betrayal or, hopefully, longing. "Power's back on", said Sam with a quick follow-up grin and a show of dimples. He looked around, letting his eyes adjust to the light and ascertaining all sources of the unwelcome disruption. Andy's sigh and loud breathing didn't go unnoticed.

Her reply came in the form of a rough whisper, recapturing his attention. "I guess this means everything's back to normal", her voice cracking almost imperceptibly on a couple words. His dark eyes paused to consider her but the gentle rubbing of her hand along his chest had his nerve receptors clocking overtime. Silently cursing the television, he hurriedly said "I should just turn a few things off", giving her another dimpled grin while she nodded in response.

Just as Sam was getting up from the bed, something, his gut perhaps, caused him to stop. She had given him all the right signals - staying in his arms, nodding, and the palm of her hand still lightly pressed against his chest. Yet he knew he was missing something. Briefly contemplating her strong beautiful jaw line, he worked to untangle his thoughts.

When the realization hit, it hit him like a ton of bricks. He recalled her beseeching, almost lost, look from a moment ago. Add her cracking voice into picture, and it sounded like a plea to keep "normal" away. While there wasn't any doubt she had meant it differently, Sam couldn't ignore that the single sentence carried so much more weight.

His heart immediately went out to her. The interminable lust slowly dissipated and was replaced by a fierce need to protect and care for the woman who had come to mean more than just his rookie. The din from the TV and the lights forgotten, he lifted his eyes to meet her glassy stare and softly crooned her name, "Andy…".

Andy squeezed her eyes shut for a long second and returned her gaze to the ceiling, willing herself not to look directly at him. Her initial reaction was anger. Anger at his hesitation, anger at the lights returning, anger at herself for being here. But with the sudden change of pace, the emotions she had been running from came flooding back all at once. She glanced around searching for something, anything, to take her mind off it but couldn't focus on anything else, couldn't even hold on to her anger. It didn't help that Sam had used her first name, just as he had earlier that evening during his pep-talk in the women's locker room. Both times, the tenderness in his voice was evident. So instead, she chose to lie there still as stone, clamping down on her thoughts. In the faint recesses of her mind, she faintly registered that he was calling her again.

"Andy, look at me". Sam lightly cupped the side of her face and tried to direct her gaze to him. Try as she might to keep her hold on what tentative control she had left, her eyes found his like a fish to a lure. Gazing into his dark eyes her emotions swelled up once more as she recognized the concern behind them. Desperately, she tried to school her features to exhibit defiance hoping to throw him off. But it was too late, and Andy felt her bottom lip begin to quiver.

"Oh, hey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…. ", he started to say. But his words drifted off when he realized he wasn't getting through to her. It was obvious to him that she hadn't changed her mind about not wanting to talk. In fact, she looked like she was going to run. Knowing he shouldn't, couldn't let her leave, not in this state, his hand instinctively rose to stroke her hair. Pressing his forehead against hers, he let out a small sigh. "You can't keep running Andy. At some point, you're going to have to let it out," whispered Sam and he leaned down to give her a light kiss on the lips, rubbing noses once again.

Tightly clenching her jaw, Andy felt like a dam inside of her had burst as hot tears started streaming uncontrollably down her face. The only response she could muster was a slight shake of her head and a single escaped sob. All she could feel and think about was the built up pain from hours ago. Her mind shut down and she allowed herself to be pulled into a close embrace. Burying her face into the crook of his neck, Andy allowed Sam in. Just like that, she gave him a glimpse of her at her most vulnerable, It was a part she had hidden from the world for thirteen years after her mother left and her father started drinking. Not even Traci had been privy to this side of her.

Just then, her cell phone began to ring and after a few uncomfortable moments, Andy leaned in to reach into her back pocket. Before she could tug it out, Sam's hand found hers, and he guided it to the bedside table where he gently removed the phone from her grasp and set it down. "Let it go", he said kindly. The double entendre was not lost on her.

Over the next hour, her silent tears kept coming but neither shifted nor said a word. Her now balled-up fist still lay on his chest, and his hand gripped around hers in a protective hold. Occasionally he would bring his thumb around to wipe the streaks off her cheek. When the tears finally stopped, his fingers began to trace the outlines of her face and he broke the silence between them.

"Look, you may feel that you just faced the worst part of the job. But it shouldn't make you forget the best part of doing what we do. You returned an innocent girl to her mother today. Thanks to you, she'll soon be… I don't know… putting on too much eye makeup and making out with the wrong guys. You served and you protected, and you did it well. It doesn't get any easier but you have to hold on to that."

She nodded her thanks, painfully aware of the puddle her tears had made on his shoulder and neck. Letting out a deep breath, Andy found her voice. "What do you know about putting on too much eye makeup anyhow?". Taken aback, Sam gazed down to find her staring at him, her brown eyes still glistening from the tears, but with traces of the slightest twinkle. Amazing, he thought. Even now she still finds it within her to crack a joke. "Well, what do you know about making out with the wrong guys?" he quickly retorted, keeping his voice light but with one eyebrow raised.

Abashed, she looked away toward the living room unable to come up with anything witty in response.

"We should maybe turn those few things off now," Andy said, breaking the lull.

He gave her a puzzled look. "Do you want me to take you home now, McNally?". His voice was low and steady, bearing no traces of resentment.

"No," she whispered, shaking her head but still looking unsure of herself. His gaze softened, seeing that she wasn't ready to face reality just yet. Patiently, he questioned her, "Andy, what do you want?".

"I don't know. I just don't want to be alone."

He brought his thumb to rest on her lower lip, marveling at its softness. Breaking eye contact, Sam leaned in and planted a light kiss on her forehead.

"You know I'm always here for you McNally." Sam sighed and pulled her into another embrace which she willingly leaned into this time.

From the street, two tabby cats were the only spectators as the lights inside Sam's house went off one by one until finally, the light from the last candle was blown out, plunging the neighborhood into quiet darkness.

Dawn came a little too quickly for Sam. After the alarm rang, it really did seem like everything between them was back to normal. She didn't hide the fact that she felt slightly uncomfortable after letting herself go like that last night, and he, in response to her discomfort, returned to being his aloof self around her. He insisted on driving her home before heading in to work and they sat in silence as Andy looked out the window completely lost in her thoughts. Walking her up to the door, Sam gave her an examining look.

"You sure you're going to be alright?".

"Uh huh" Andy replied, nodding a little to quickly. "Like you said, hold on to the best part of the job right?". She didn't sound completely convinced.

"Yeah." He let it go at that, understanding that she needed time to work the rest out on her own. With one last look, he turned to walk away. "Call if you need anything", he called over his shoulder.

"Uh, Sam? Sir?" Sam looked back to see her nervously chewing her bottom lip. Their eyes met and he raised his eyebrows, waiting.

"Thank you..., for everything".

Sam's lips worked itself into a lopsided smile. "Anytime…, McNally". And with that, she turned and quickly shut the door behind her, but not before giving him a shy smile in return.

Pausing to stare at the empty doorway for a moment, Sam shook his head and gave an audible grunt, silently wondering if he'd ever understand women. Then he continued down the stairs back towards his truck. Somehow, the day seemed just a little brighter than it had a few seconds ago.

* A first fiction of any kind for me. Hence this story endured multiple rewrites. I tried throwing in a bit of his and her perspectives to change things up, but I don't know how effective it is. Constructive criticism and suggestions for improvement are much appreciated. Flame if you must.