Copper

Officer-to-be Andy McNally, headed straight for the closest bar she could find after her first day at the Academy. It had been brutal; physically, mentally and emotionally. Leaving Andy wondering just how her father had survived the police force if this training was a reflection of the real thing. Tommy had taught his little girl many tricks of the trade such as how to shoot a gun, and self defence. Yet today she felt dumb and inexperienced, a true rookie. Serve and protect was fast changing from dream to nightmare.

'JD' aka Sam Swarek, looked up as he heard the bar door opening, checking that no one he wanted to avoid had found him or perhaps looking as if he were waiting for someone in his morbid loneliness. He watched as a young pretty brunette marched straight up to the bar and ordered a drink. His eyes narrowed slightly as he noticed every male eye in the room was upon her. This girl was worth playing for.

"What will it be gorgeous?" An attractive bartender asked as soon as Andy approached the bar.
Andy smiled wanly, "whatever's strongest."
The bartender nodded knowingly. "Bad day?"
"Something like that." Andy acknowledged.
"An idiot break up with you?" He asked sympathetically.
"No. Hard day at... work." Andy answered, not sure whether mentioning her training was a good idea.
The bartender shrugged. "If you say so. I'm just a bartender. It don't matter to me what you do as long as you don't cause any problems here." Then to lighten the mood he added, "But any guy would be crazy to break up with hot stuff like you."
Andy blushed. "Thanks."
"My name is Rick by the way." He announced, leaning over the counter as he held out a hand.

'JD' watched the bartender flirting with the brunette and decided it was time to make his move. Chugging down the rest of his drink, he got up swiftly from his hard wooden bar stool and moved to the one 5 seats down, slamming his empty glass down to catch the bartender and the brunettes attention as he demanded a "refill."

Andy jumped as she heard a slam and a demand for a refill, but her shock over the man's rudeness gave way to relief as the overly friendly bartender reluctantly left her to do his job. She turned as a hand was shoved under her nose. "JD." Ashe heard the man say as she turned to see a handsome man with the most damaging dimples smirking at her. "Andy." She replied faintly, shaking his hand whilst feeling surprisingly weak kneed. They were interrupted by Rick grumpily giving 'JD' his drink. He then tried to resume his conversation with Andy, but she was caught under the dimples spell.

Sam smirked inwardly as he watched Andy unintentionally ignore the bartender who stormed away as Andy threw back her head and laughed at 'JD's' corny line. Sam couldn't help but notice how Andy long tanned legs went on for miles and how she revealed only a tasteful amount of cleavage. There was no doubt in Sam's mind that this girl was desirable and this undercover op had left Sam without a decent piece of woman. But tonight he was determined to change that, so it was a good thing the Swarek charm worked every time.

"So Andy, what do you do for a living?" JD asked her, trying to make conversation and Andy faltered. Like with Rick, she wasn't sure if telling this guy she was training to be a copper was the best idea. Rick's comment about not caring what she did only cemented this thought. She wondered what types this bar attracted. What she did know was advertising links to the cops wouldn't do her any favours, and telling them she wasn't respected was just asking for trouble, it was like announcing she was defenceless at the top of her lungs. Though Andy was sure her self defence skills would get her through. Carefully Andy answered. "I'm still studying."
JD persisted, "What are you studying?"
Andy paused. "Criminal Law." She answered. Then before JD could ask another question, she turned the question back on him. Sam could tell she was lying, but then so was he, so he didn't have a leg to stand on. "I'm deciding on a new career path." He told her. Andy nodded, not brave enough to ask what he had been doing, not sure she wanted to know. However Sam saw her expression and quickly reassured her, "Don't worry, what I was doing wasn't bad, I just didn't want to be doing paperwork the rest of my days." Andy could see the sincerity in his eyes so she relaxed; this was just an office guy. Sam noticed her visibly relax, but decided to buy her a drink or 2 before pushing her any further. He could help but start to feel there was some similarity between her and his real self.

Sam and Andy spent the rest of the night laughing and flirting as the alcohol flowed. As the bar reached closing time Sam decided to try his luck and with his most disappointed face told a very drunk Andy "this is normally when I'd ask if you'd like continue this conversation at my apartment, but unfortunately my apartment is going rather hazardous renovations and I don't want you to accidently hurt or something. So I guess I'll just have to ask for your number instead." Andy laughed and scribbled her number on a napkin, but asked in confusion "why can't we talk here?"
Sam smiled at her patently "because they're closing."
"Oh." Andy though for a minute. "We can talk at my apartment."
Sam grinned internally and went in for the kill, "I'd love to, but are sure it won't be any bother."
Andy waved him off "I do have to get up early tomorrow morning though." She warned him.
"I'll be outta you hair." Sam promised.

As Sam entered Andy's apartment, she looked him directly in the eyes, her own seeming less the foggy than only a minute before as she told him, "I know you want more than conversation and I invited you knowing that. Sam gave a genuine smile relieved she hadn't misunderstood him, but he felt he had to something that didn't make him seemed like a guy that only focused on one thing. "The conversation was good too, but please feel free to lead the way," he offered. Andy giggled and grabbed his hand, leading him towards her bedroom.

Just before Andy pushed Sam onto her bed, Sam caught a glimpse of a photo on Andy's beside table of her and an older man. It was only later as Sam tried to sleep with Andy curled around him that he realized the face looked very familiar. In fact he could've sworn it was a detective that used to be at 15, Tommy McNally. But what was Andy's link to Tommy. He must be important for Andy to have a photo of him so close to her physically. With these thoughts whirling around in his head, Sam drifted off to sleep.