The Swim

Summary: Sam was pulling extra shifts, he was showing fatigue. Ed could see he needed some rest but didn't want to order him to take the day off because an argument would result if he did. An opportunity arises that allows him to force Sam to rest and relax a bit. But at what cost?

I do not own Flashpoint nor any of the characters from that series. I do own my original characters (OC).

Ed's Plan

SRU HQ – Training Area

"Hey Samo, that's a first. What's up? You doin okay?" Ed asked keeping his voice neutral, free of emotion. But he was concerned that Sam came in last on the team run; that just didn't happen.

Sam hadn't had a day off in almost three weeks. Often working sixteen hour shifts. So many SRU officers had been hit with the flu recently and Sam had offered to cover many shifts on other teams when they were shorthanded. He looked like he could really use a day off.

Ed thought maybe he should force Sam to take today off, make him go home and rest. He wasn't sure he wanted to do that. Sam would take personal affront and think Ed questioned his ability to perform his duties. Sam had been really touchy on that subject since his return to the team over a year ago after taking a bullet to the chest. It had only escalated when Sam returned to duty after that fateful skip trip Sam and Spike had taken.

If he outright ordered him to take a break, Ed knew they would surely argue. They had argued a lot those first few months Sam was back after his lungs. And what happened in the locker room when Sam returned to duty after the ski trip never should have happened. But it did and it left an underlying tension between him and Sam. And to be truthful with the entire team.

Ed really didn't want that today. The whole team was finally back and healthy with Lou's return today from being out with the flu. So he decided he would just watch.

Sam wasn't about to let Ed know he wasn't quite one hundred percent so replied flippantly "Gotta be a team player and let the other's win sometimes. Ya know, better for morale if Spike doesn't always come in last."

His head was pounding something fierce. Running had made the constant headache worse. The damned thing just wouldn't go away for the past two days. Sam grabbed his water bottle from his bag on the ground and tilted his head back and took a long drink.

Spike piped up in a mock hurt voice "Way to burst my bubble. Here I was happy that all my extra time on the treadmill finally made a difference." He looked sideways at Sam and thought, he's not quite all there today; maybe he finally caught the flu.

Ed realized Sam hadn't actually answered his question so responded with "Ptfft, team player my ass. Not gonna lend you out to other teams if ya gonna come back so soft as to let Spike beat you."

He was probing for a reaction to get insight what might be up. He got no reaction from Sam other than a shrug and a cock of his head before he drank more water.

"I don't know guys ... maybe Sam's late nights with the ladies are starting to catch up to him? New one every night right Sam? Even Superman has his kryptonite" Lou said suggestively trying to lighten the mood. He could see a possible impending argument between Ed and Sam and he wanted to avoid that if possible.

Ed, Wordy, Spike and Lou laughed. Jules bristled but covered it up by drinking from her water bottle.

Sam just closed his eyes shook his head as if to say 'can't believe you just said that Lou'. To himself Sam thought, sometimes Lou gave him the best outs when he didn't want to discuss something. He didn't know if it was on purpose or not.

"So who was it last night, a blonde, brunette or redhead?" Spike said latching onto Lou's comment because Samtastic was rarely ever sick, so it had to be this.

"Ya know I'm not the kiss and tell type Spike" Sam responded with an air of innuendo to let the others think this was why he was off today. Better that then telling them he had a monstrous headache for the past two days. The mother hen coddling would start if he did that.

Sam knew that the team did that with everyone but especially him, Jules and Spike. Probably because they almost lost each of them to bullets. It was nice but could be so annoying too when they went overboard. Like Ed was prone to do. So it was better to keep quiet about a headache and let them believe something else.

Jules wanted to strangle Spike and Lou at the moment. She had no desire to hear about Sam's love life. He had a right to move forward but she just didn't want to hear about it.

So she grabbed her bag and asked "Ed, target practice next right?"

Ed nodded yes.

"Meet you guys at the gun range, be prepared to lose today" Jules stated as she quickly headed for the range.

Greg was approaching the group having had to take a call and not joined the team on the run. "Hey Ed, the call was from the organizers of the First Responders Education Group. They need a rep from our team today for their event. Seems the rep they had lined up from Team Four cannot do it today because the team is already is down two men who are out with the flu."

"So what do they need our rep to do this time?" Ed asked lifting one eyebrow and giving Greg his quizzical look.

Ed understood the need for public relations but it was a damned nuisance and took his men from the field where they were needed; especially with so many out lately.

Greg laughed lightly "Basically sit there and look pretty. Hand out stickers to and have their photo taken with little kids who are still in awe of policemen and firemen and answer a few questions from reporters covering the event."

"Lookin pretty. That would definitely be Sammy's department" Wordy snickered, wanting nothing to do with the event today. The kids were great but answering reporter questions was not his thing.

Sam scowled at Wordy.

Ed saw the scowl Sam gave Wordy. Clearly Sam wanted nothing to do with the event. He looked at each of the others; no one wanted to do it.

"So looks like no one is interested" Ed stated and saw slight nods of agreement from all.

Then a thought struck him, this is a blessing in disguise. A mischievous grin crossed Ed's face as he said "Well, Samo is all for being a team player today and he did come in last in the run. So Sam, you get to be our rep."

Ed was happy. This would give Sam the ability rest and relax a bit today without him having to force Sam to take a day off.

"Aw man, Wordy is the best with little kids. Assign him" Sam grumbled wholly not wanting to be around a bunch of screaming kids. That would be just wonderful for his headache. He saw the look in Ed's eyes that said 'not gonna change my mind'.

Relief flooded into the others and Spike gleefully said just before he bounded toward the gun range "So glad I didn't come in last today. Thanks Sam. Have fun."

"Taking one for the team. Way to go man" Lou beamed and patted Sam on the back. "Ya never know lots of single young moms at those things. Might find the next conquest." Lou grabbed his bag and followed after Spike before Sam could retort.

Picking up his bag, Wordy saw the tension on Sam's face. He grinned "Relax and enjoy buddy. It's not so bad. Just wow them with your pretty boy smile. And don't worry, the kids don't bite. Well, at least most don't."

Wordy was glad Sam was unarmed. If looks could kill, his funeral would have been tomorrow. He headed off to join the others.

Sam shook his head in defeat. There was no way he was getting out of this. He looked to Greg and said with a little dejection in his voice "When and where do I have to be Sarge?" as he rubbed his temple trying to get some relief from the pounding.

Greg glanced between Ed and Sam. Something was up. It wasn't like Ed to offer up his best tactician and sniper for an event such as this. He responded "The Darby Dock at ten am. The event runs until two pm."

Without realizing it Sam said aloud with a tinge of disgust "Great this just couldn't get any better."

"Samo, what'd ya mean by that?" Ed asked sharply not liking the tone of Sam's voice.

Sam realized his mistake and quickly responded "Just not a big fan of the marina, I uh, you know ... I ... uh just avoid it after you know …."

They all knew Sam sucked at swimming after the call where he had to swim out to the boat and attach the microphone.

Ed smirked and laughed "Well buddy, I promise, you don't have to go for a swim today. It's way too cold for that; water would be like ice. You'd freeze to death in no time. Like Wordy said, all ya gotta do is smile."

Greg took pity on Sam and said "It's just four hours, it will fly by quickly. We all have to do it every now and then, just part of the job. Why don't you head in and shower and get ready."

Sam nodded and picked up his bag and started to head in. He stopped and turned "Huh Sarge?"

"Yes Sam" Greg answered.

"No idea, do I go armed or unarmed to something like this?" Sam inquired.

Ed responded for Greg "You'll be in full uniform and tact gear including vest and side arm. No MP5 though. The organizers want the kids to see the first responders dressed as they would be in an emergency. They think it helps the kids get familiar with how we look and that they would be less frightened of us in a true emergency."

Greg added "When you're ready, I'll drop you off before returning to patrol."

"Got it. Meet you in the briefing room in twenty?" Sam questioned.

Greg nodded and Sam slowly walked toward the building.

Turning to Ed, Greg asked "So what's up? Sam was an unlikely choice for you."

Ed shared his concerns with Greg.

Nodding Greg agreed "Good plan, Sam is looking a bit run down. Four easy hours will be a nice break for him."