I don't generally like to start two multi-chapter stories at the same time, but this was another one I wanted to get out before the new season started.

This is just a series of quick little scenes from Sam and Andy's first day back after suspension; they will be short and sweet as each person gets a turn in the spotlight. I just thought it would be cute to see how they are welcomed back into the fold by their friends/family as their first day progresses. (If you're as old as I am, you'll get the play on the title.)

As always, I own nothing Rookie Blue.

Can I Be Frank?

Andy was up before the alarm; she actually surprised herself. After three weeks of sleeping in with nowhere to go and little to do, you would have thought that her bad habit of running late would have gotten worse. But she was too excited. It was her first day back, their first day back… together.

Andy took a leisurely shower, dried her hair and styled it into an intricate French braid, and still had time to make a decent breakfast before she finally picked up her bag and headed to the door. She briefly wondered why it wasn't like this every day. She could get used to this.

She walked out of her new building with a smile on her face that only grew when she saw what was greeting her. Oh yeah, she could get used to this.

Front and center, leaning against the railing at the bottom of the stairs was none other than Sam Swarek sipping on a coffee with a second cup in his other hand. The calmness he was trying to exude was belied by the twinkle in his eyes and the dimples that would not be held back.

Andy's smile grew even wider as she descended towards him, her eyes brightening with every step. She tilted her head to the side. "Is that for me?"

Well the coffee was for her, the rest… because of her.

He finally gave up the pretense and grinned. "It is," he confirmed as he handed it over and watched her take a drink.

As she lowered the cup, he moved his hand to the small of her back and guided her towards his truck, "your chariot."

Andy couldn't help the giggle that escaped her lips. She wasn't normally the girly, girl type but there was something about Sam that just made her giddy. And this moment, well she had been waiting three weeks for this moment and she was… relieved, happy, nervous, excited, so many things.

Sam opened Andy's door for her before moving around to climb into the driver's side and start it up; he turned to face her. "Ready?" He asked and she was pretty sure he wasn't just talking about the job.

"Can't wait," she confirmed, smiling at his quick nod and almost shy grin.

"Me either." He agreed, merging quickly into traffic and heading for the station, after one quick peek her way.

Silly smiles were firmly implanted on their faces by the time they reached the station. Sam was trying to convince Andy that they should go straight to his place after work, maybe even see if they could cut out early.

"You know they're going to want us to go to the Penny after work. It's been three weeks since…"

Sam dropped his chin to look at her from under his eyebrows. Did she really think she had to remind him?

Andy shook her head. "Okay, fine. I know you know how long it's been; I'm just saying that they're going to want to us to go for a drink, welcome us back."

"Oh, I can make you feel welcome," Sam promised with a smirk.

Andy's cheeks reddened and her eyes widened. "But they'll all know," she stuttered under her breath.

Sam grasped her hand and pulled her towards him, leaning close enough for her to feel his lips against her ear. "They'll all know what, McNally?"

"You know," she scolded, looking around to make sure no one could overhear, "what we're doing."

Sam chuckled and his voice dropped another octave. "What are we going to be doing McNally?" He asked feigning innocence.

Andy shook her head trying to keep the grin off her face, "shut up."

"I thought we decided you weren't shy." He continued to tease.

She pushed him towards the door. "Please. I can just hear Oliver now: 'you and Sammy play a little undercover last night McNally? You know that's what got you into trouble in the first place right?'

Her imitation was almost perfect.

"I was actually thinking more along the lines of cops and robbers," he chuckled. "You know; you chase me down, tackle me, try to…"

"Don't say it," Andy warned, but she gave up trying not to smile.

"You know you did," Sam taunted as he pulled open the door to the station and steered her through ahead of him.

Andy just shook her head once again. That was a battle she was never going to win.

He leaned over her shoulder and whispered into her ear. "They're still going to know when we leave the Penny together."

She turned her head to meet his gaze. "Yeah, but at least we'll look like we have a little self-control."

"Speak for yourself," Sam teased.

When they entered the bullpen, Andy was still laughing and Sam's dimples were getting a long awaited work out.

Their amusement was cut short by a growl that echoed from the top of the stairs. "Swarek! McNally! My office! Now!"

Shit! They couldn't be in trouble already they just got there. Andy looked at Sam and he shrugged his shoulders; he had no idea what was wrong either. But if the Boss was upset, they were not going to make him wait. Sam placed his hand on the small of Andy's back to guide her forward and with one touch, the smiles were back. They couldn't help it; this is what had been missing for the last three weeks.

They reached the door quickly but their smiles dropped the second they noted the scowl on the Sarge's face. "Sit down." He ordered and they immediately complied.

Wasting no time, Frank launched into his tirade the second they hit the chairs. "I thought you both realized that no contact meant NO contact."

"We didn't…" Andy started, her brow furrowing as she looked between Sam and Frank. "I mean, I haven't… we haven't"

"What do you call this?" Frank threw his hands up and motioned between them. "I saw you walk in together; the whole station saw it."

"No. It's not what you think." Sam argued. "I just picked her up for work this morning; the suspensions were supposed to be done today."

"Has your shift started?" Frank prompted.

"Well, no, but…"

"Do you have your badges back?" He inquired.

"No, but we… I mean I just thought…"

"That's the problem Sam you haven't been thinking."

Sam and Andy exchanged a worried look before turning back to their boss. "It was my fault," they blurted at the same time.

Frank couldn't keep up the pretense any longer and stood as he started to laugh. He turned his back to the confused pair and reached into his filing cabinet. "It's good to have you back! That was a long three weeks," he offered handing them their badges. "You were missed." He stated not able to forget all the shuffling of shifts and procuring of extra coverage from other divisions.

"You're telling me!" Sam agreed heartily, but he wasn't looking at Frank when he said it and Andy blushed for what felt like the hundredth time that day.

The implication was not lost on Frank and he got serious. "You do understand that I can't pair you two together anymore right?"

"Yeah, we got it," Sam agreed though not happily.

Andy simply nodded; she had been expecting it too.

"And as much as I need two of my best officers on the street, I have to warn you that I can't just let this slide. It's not going to be fun for awhile; you're going to have to pay your dues."

Andy found herself nodding again, accepting that they deserved everything coming to them.

"Now, go get dressed; parade's in ten." Frank ordered, shaking their hands before watching them walk away.

They reached the women's locker room first and Sam lingered, his hand still resting on the small of Andy's back. He looked around to see if anyone was watching, but before he could decide what he wanted to do, Frank's voice bellowed out once again. "Swarek!"

Sam flinched a little but didn't look back. "Yeah, Boss?"

"Men's locker room is that way!"

Rookie's Choice Awards starting soon! Check out 'The Parade' section of the Forum for more information.