Hey guys! I come bearing gifts - another quick one-shot, set post 2x13, when Sam and Andy return after their suspension. Hope you enjoy, and as always, please review, it really makes my day! Thanks x

Chapter 1

Sam walked into the precinct, the cold blast of air blowing out from the air conditioner above his head making him shiver. He looked around, feeling comforted in the fact that everything still looked the same; the rookies were running around, busying themselves with paperwork or fetching coffee for their superiors, and Jerry and Oliver were engaged in a heated discussion about last night's hockey game. Heck, the place even smelt the same; like sweat and stale coffee. It had been three weeks since Sam's ordeal with Jamie Brennan, and his wounds were still healing; his broken hand was still braced, the scar from the deep gash on his head was still red raw, and his ribs still ached whenever he took a deep breath. However, the emotional wounds were worse; vivid nightmares still plagued his sleep and the guilt of almost ruining his and Andy's careers still niggled at the back of his mind. He could feel that guilt bubbling up to the surface as he thought about why he was in the Barn that day. When Oliver spotted Sam, he quickly wrapped up his conversation with Jerry and headed over.

"Sammy-boy!" Oliver bumped his fist with Sam's, grasping hold and pulling him into a tight man-hug. "I thought you weren't coming back 'til Monday?"

"I'm not. Frank called me, told me to come in. He said he needed to talk to me and McNally."

"Ah, to decide your fate, huh?"

"Something like that, yeah." Sam shifted his weight from one foot to the other, a dance he only performed when his anxiety was getting the best of him. Oliver was familiar with the movement, and wondered what had got Sam so riled up.

"Don't worry, brother, I'm sure it's just standard protocol. I mean, why wouldn't Frank let you come back?" Sam rubbed the back of his neck, looking around nervously. "Is there a reason he wouldn't?" Oliver pressed.

"Of course not," Sam said, too quickly. He quickly averted his eyes from Oliver's suspicious glare. Sam spotted Andy across the room talking to Traci, and gave her a soft smile when he caught her eye. She returned his smile, before turning back to listen to Traci, as she chattered away about Leo and Jerry's latest escapades. Sam and Andy had been together since that night at the warehouse, even though Best had explicitly forbade them from seeing each other for the duration of their suspension. Oliver observed the look shared between the couple, and the last pieces of the puzzle clicked into place. He grabbed Sam's arm and dragged him into the nearby locker room, which was, thankfully, virtually empty as everyone was already in their uniforms, gathering their stuff, before heading out on patrol. There were a few stragglers, who soon cleared out upon seeing Oliver's stern face.

~XxXxXxXxX~

Satisfied they were alone, Oliver let go of Sam's arm. "What the hell, man?" Sam questioned as he rubbed the spot where Oliver's hand had been; the grip had been hard enough to redden the skin.

"You're an idiot," Oliver said, his gaze a mixture of disbelief, anger and disappointment.

"What?"

"You're seeing Andy, aren't you?"

"What?" Sam spluttered, trying to stop the flush climbing up his neck. "I don't know what you're talking about." If his suspicions weren't enough, Sam's reaction sealed it.

"Come on, man, you're a worse liar than she is when it comes to things like this." Sam looked at the floor sheepishly. "What the hell, bro?" Oliver shouted, repeating Sam's earlier words. "Are you trying to get yourself kicked off the force?"

"I can't help it, man," Sam said as he sank down onto a nearby bench, his elbows resting on his knees, his hands cradling his head. "She's like a drug - once you get a taste, you can't stay away." Oliver made a disgusted noise, and Sam looked up. He saw the look on Oliver's face, and chuckled, giving him a playful slap on the arm. "Get your head outta the gutter man, you know what I mean." Sam sighed. "She's not like any other woman I've been with - she's beautiful, smart, funny..."

"I get it," Oliver said, stopping Sam before he went into a full on rant about all the good qualities of his former rookie. "I'm happy for you, man. It's about time you two stopped denying what we've all known for years, but your timing really sucks."

"Tell me about it. But, what am I supposed to do? Just ignore my feelings, tell her that my career is more important to me than her? All Callahan ever did was put the job before his girlfriend, and I saw how much that hurt her. I'm not going to do that to her, she deserves better than that, hell, she deserves better than me..."

"Don't sell yourself so short, Sammy."

"It's true, but for some reason she cares about me, and I like her too, and I'm not gonna let her go. If that means I lose my job, so be it."

"But, it's not just your career on the line, Sammy!" Oliver said, moving to stand in front of Sam. "If Best finds out about this... you may be ready to pack it all in, but Andy's just a kid, she doesn't deserve to have a mark like this on her record. Her career could be over before it even starts."

"I'd never let that happen." Sam said, adamantly, jumping to his feet, staring straight into Oliver's eyes. "Best can do whatever he likes to me, I honestly don't care anymore, but, you're right, Andy doesn't deserve to pay for my mistakes, and she never will. I'll make sure she comes out of this, Ollie." His last sentence was said calmer, as he stood back, allowing them both some breathing room.

"And how are you gonna do that?"

"I don't know," Sam said, running his hands over his face, scrubbing the tiredness of out his eyes. He had been up most of the night, worrying about what he was going to tell his boss and coming up with nothing. "But I'll think of something."

"So, you'd be willing to throw yourself under a bus, to leave the force, for her?"

"Absolutely." The conviction in his voice surprised even him. A year ago, his job, being a cop, meant everything to him. But, a lot had changed since then, and he realized there are more important things than his job - he'd finally found someone who he could see spending the rest of his life with, having kids with, growing old with... he wanted all that with Andy, and more.

"Why?" Oliver asked, already knowing the answer, but needing to hear it.

"Because I love her," Sam said, simply, surprised at the ease at which he could admit his feelings. But it was true, he loved Andy McNally, and he wasn't going to hide it anymore, not from her, not from Oliver, not from anyone.

"Wow." Ollie was shocked; not that Sam loved Andy - that had been obvious for years - but that he would admit it so freely, he thought he would've had to push harder to hear that answer. Sam had always kept his feelings close to his vest, pushing many potential lovers away - the fact that he could say those words with such ease was a good sign, and he hoped Sam didn't screw this up.

"Yeah." There was a short bout of silence as both men let the implications of those three little words sink in.

"You are so screwed," Oliver said with a chuckle.

"Yeah." Sam laughed with him, as he followed Oliver out of the locker room. At that moment, Best stepped out of the office, his voice booming out over the hushed bullpen.

"Swarek, McNally, in my office, now."

"Good luck, brother." Oliver said, slapping his friend on the back. "You're gonna need it." Oliver shook his head as he watched his friend scurry off, before heading out to find his partner for the day, Diaz.

"Well, here goes nothing," Sam muttered under his breath as he followed Andy up onto the platform towards Best's office, his heart hammering in his chest as he realized, this could be the last time he did this.

May continue this, with the conversation between Sam, Andy and Frank, depending on responses, and inspiration. So, please lemme know what you think, and if I should continue. Thanks x