nolongerarookie | (no subject)

Terry was busy helping secure everyone that had been in an interview room or out in the bull pen when a patrol officer came looking for him. The last thing he expected was that Andy had been near the blast. He looked to another detective in homicide, leaving the uniformed officer in his place to help police the bodies around. "Where is she?" he asked then darted out once given an answer. He quickly worked through the sea of people collected outside and finally found the ambulance she was at. "Andy!" he called hurriedly while closing in.

"Terry, I'm over here!" Andy called back, giving him a little wave so he saw her. She was glad to see him. Of course he had been the first person she had thought of once Sam had gotten her taken care of. He'd see she was generally okay, just dirtied up obviously and a little out of sorts. But not out of it enough not to smile at him when he reached her. "I guess we're not going out to dinner, huh?" she joked.

His worry almost transitioned into anger. He was mad at the lunatic responsible for the bomb. Furious that people were hurt. Mostly pissed that Andy was among those needing medical attention. Terry usually returned her smiles but he couldn't this time. They had seen each other for a few months without advertising their relationship. However, it was pretty obvious with his concern and how he closed in that something more than a professional bond happening between the two. He didn't run up to kiss her but looked ready to with how close he stood, hand immediately cupping her cheek when in reach.

She leaned against his hand, taking comfort in his touch. It was only after the paramedic had finished with her and moved on to help others, and they were as alone as they'd get, that she leaned in for a soft kiss. "Are you okay?" she asked, just to be sure.

His stress and concern gave Terry an agitated appearance but he relaxed the moment Andy kissed him. The tension wasn't completely gone but noticeably less. He lowered his hand and took hers lightly in his. "Fine," he answered immediately where it was almost curt/abrupt with anger. His eyes watched her a second longer in a silent apology for his brashness then looked away to the crowd around. "I'm alright," he corrected in a calmer tone.

"This is jacked up. I didn't know--think you would be anywhere by..." His voice trailed off. Andy hopefully understood that he meant the explosion. His hand squeezed hers affectionately before letting go. "This is really fucked up."

"I know." Andy nodded a little, glancing around to take in the totality of the situation - the lights, the sirens, the ambulances, the large hole in the building. "They say I can go home whenever I want. I got lucky and all I've got are a few scrapes and bruises."

There were bigger questions. Sam had told her that Ted McDonald, the man who planted the bombs, had been found dead in the interview room of an apparent suicide. But no one knew how he'd gotten the razor blade he'd done it with, and so they all suspected it was staged. Staged by people way over her head or Terry's head.

But those questions wouldn't be answered tonight.

"This is so lame," she said, "but can you come over tonight? I really don't want to be alone after, you know, almost being blown up."

His ears were still ringing a bit. Terry was wound too tight at the moment to think of getting checked out. He was still vertical which put him in better shape than most the other detectives. "Yeah." The answer didn't quite fit in what Andy had said. Not fully. His eyes were still panning among the chaos then came back intently on her.

"Let's see if we can get our rides out. I'm probably going to get called back in soon," he said as they made their way to the parking garage. "You can come stay at my place, if you want."

It was the first he had offered Andy to come over. Mainly, her place was easier most times. Her schedule was more predictable than his. Terry also would be one car among many around her apartment building where she would be obviously parked in his driveway. If he couldn't be with her the whole night, maybe she would feel a little more at ease in his surroundings.

At least that was his thinking.

"I'd like that. I'd have to find some clothes, though." Because unless she goes back to her place first all she has is what's left in her locker. And she certainly isn't going to stay in her now-ruined uniform all night.

Andy pushes out of the ambulance after getting the official all clear from the paramedics and glances up at Terry, reminded in that moment how much taller he is than her.

"I'm going to see if I can find my car. You just want me to head over or wait for you?"

Terry took his keys out of his pocket then slid an entry key off the ring and handed it to Andy. "Go ahead. I've gotta go back in and see if I'm clear to go. I'll text you the code to disarm the alarm. Save whatever change of clothes you have here for tomorrow. You can shower and use a shirt of mine for tonight. I've got a washer and dryer if you need it. Shouldn't be long."

The end was 'he shoudn't be long before he'd join her'. She probably knew the way he spoke by now. It was a number of firsts on her staying at his place. Terry offered a key, his clothes and for her to make herself at home. Then again, cheating death could put things into perspective.