This story takes places at the end of season 2. About a month has gone by, there are still a few weeks left until Christmas. Sam and Andy are together and going strong. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Rookie Blue

Andy scurried her way into the back of the parade room right as Sergeant Frank Best began his opening announcements. She slid into a seat at a desk near the back of the room that Sam had waiting for her. As soon as she was settled, his arm made his way around the back of her chair and gently squeezed her shoulder before removing it.

Frank called everyone to order. "Good morning, everybody. We're going to be having some unusual assignments today. The partnerships are going to be a little mixed up. There's a situation at the mall and we are going to need 3 coppers to do some undercover work," he paused, and looked around the room.

Andy could feel Sam's gaze on her. She turned her head slightly towards him and smiled, but found that he was staring straight ahead, completely focused on what Frank was saying. Or so she thought. She could feel Sam slowly slide his hand under the desk towards her leg. He started at her knee and she could feel his warmth through her standard issue police blue cotton pants. Her breath hitched as he began to make his way upward. She licker her lip and shot him a look that said "Stop it, now!". He kept right on going, not looking at her and pretending to listen to what Frank was saying.

"Apparently employees working at Santa Village at the mall reported overhearing employees of an electronic store across the hall talking about robbing the store this weekend. Mall security has asked us to step in and do some undercover work." Most of the coppers groaned. Just what they needed, to spend time at the mall around Christmas was just crazy, but dealing with the rent-a-cop security team at the mall was even worse. Frank coughed before he continued. "I'm going to be meeting with Officers Shaw, Nash, McNally and Detective Barber after parade to discuss details."

Andy's heart stopped the moment her name was mentioned. She was being chosen for the undercover assignment? Holy Crap!, she thought. Sam sensed her nervousness because he pulled his hand off of her leg and centered it on the small of her back. He rubbed slow, calming circles and shot her a comforting look. Frank continued handing out partner assignments and then parade was over.

"Sam," Andy took a deep breath. "Sam, don't worry, I can do this."

"You don't even know what the assignment is yet, Andy. You can turn it down if you feel that you need to," Sam replied. "Let's head to that meeting with Frank."

"But Sam!" Andy tried to say. He silenced her with a look.

"Andy, I am not letting you go into an undercover assignment without finding out what's going on first. I love you too much, and I'm not trying to be overprotective, I just want to see what's happening," he said.

Sam and Andy followed Oliver, Traci and Jerry into Frank's office. Frank started to ask Sam to leave when Sam piped up. "Frank, I need to know what's going on. Don't even think about it."

Frank sighed, resigned. He knew better than anyone not to get between them, especially when Sam's feelings concerned Andy. After Sam's most recent undercover assignment, who could blame him?

Frank took a seat at his desk. "Here's what's going on," he began. "Jerry's going to be running this operation. We need you three," he nodded at them, "to go undercover at Santa's Village at the mall and listen for plans to rob the Wired Up tech store. Your main objective will be to just gather intel and to become friendly with the Wired Up employees."

Oliver finally spoke up. "Sounds great, Frank, but who will we be going undercover as, Santa?" He joked. Everyone in the room chuckled.

Frank smiled. "I was hoping you would ask. Oliver, you will be in fact be going in as Santa and McNally and Nash are going in as your assistants." He paused, a twinkle in his eye at the humor of the situation. "As elves," he finished.

Oliver and Jerry laughed, but Andy and Traci were too shocked. Sam just breathed a sigh of relief.

"Elves, sir?" Andy asked.

"Yes, McNally. You two were the smallest officers we could find that fit into the elf costumes."

"But… but what about Officer Peck, sir?" Traci sputtered. "She's small, why isn't she doing this-"

"Nash, can you really see Peck working and playing nice with a bunch of kids?" Frank interrupted.

"Well, I guess not, good point sir," Traci conceded.

"Now, Shaw, McNally, and Nash, go change our of your uniforms back into your civilian clothes and get ready to head to the mall. You're to meet with the head of security with Jerry at nine hundred hours. Please report back here after your shift," Frank said.

Oliver, Traci and Jerry got up and filed out of Frank's office but Andy wanted to have a private word with Frank. "Go ahead, Sam, I'll be right out," she said. Sam stared at her for a long moment before coming to the conclusion that she'd be fine. He nodded his head slightly and made his way out the door.

"What can I do for you, McNally?" Frank asked.

Andy swallowed the lump in her throat. "Sir, I just wanted to make sure that you trusted me with this assignment. I mean, I know you assigned it to me, but after my last undercover assignment," she gulped, "Well, I guess I'm trying to say 'thank you', sir." Andy stopped rambling as Frank held up his hand.

"McNally, your last assignment had some special circumstances, and I'd like to think you both learned your lesson and we've all moved past it. You'll be just fine."

Andy smiled at him gratefully. She stood up and headed towards the door. "Thanks again, sir," she said. She left the office and ran right into Sam. He reached his hand out to steady her as he made his way back into Frank's office.

"Go get changed," Sam reassured her. I'll see you in a few minutes." Andy nodded and headed for the women's locker room.

Sam knocked on the door to Frank's office and entered when he heard Frank's reply. "Come in."

"Frank, I need to be there with her, backing her up," Sam said. Frank chuckled, "I already knew you were going to say that, Sam. I cleared it with Jerry, you can help him run surveillance in the van at the mall. But no interfering, McNally's a good cop. You're there as back up, only," Frank warned.

Sam smiled, showing his dimples. "Taught her everything she knows, Frank."

Thanks for reading, let me know what you think so far! I'll try to update soon!