Author's Note – I was reminded by my dear fan Guest that "Canon Sarah Swarek had no husband or kids". Since I am not a writer for the show, I occasionally create non-canon situations or character traits. In my RB world (or one of them, because not all my stories fit into the same mould) Sarah has moved past the trauma of her early years and now, happily, has a family. I for one am glad for her.
The next morning before Parade Andy joined Dov, Chris and Gail at the coffee machine. Chris and Gail were talking about some kids they had been watching for the last few days.
"They aren't bad kids," Chris said, "but they have nothing to do, nothing to look forward to, and they are just a perfect target for some gangbanger who needs runners, or maybe some little sneak thieves. The stores are so busy because of Christmas that kids could be in and out before anyone noticed them."
"Oh, don't get me started about Christmas," Gail snapped. "There's so much holly-jollying going on that I could puke. Who came up with all this caring, and giving, and trying to get your name on the 'Nice' list?"
"And there she is, the Spirit of Christmas Dead," Dov said with a slightly malicious smirk. "What's the matter, Peck, are you afraid Santa won't bring you any presents because you've been so naughty?"
"Shut up, Epstein," Gail hissed. "If you think..."
"Parade!" came Oliver's bellow from the squad room. "Where is everybody? Why am I not seeing rows of eager morning faces waiting for my words of wisdom?"
The squad room filled quickly and Oliver called for everyone's attention. "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas," he sang, and there was a smattering of applause and a chorus of boos. "That was just to get you in the proper mood," he said with a big smile. "Every Christmas we try to do something special for the holidays. We collect toys and food for the Community Christmas Campaign, and last year we adopted a family to try to make a nice Christmas for them with all the fixings for dinner, toys and games, and new winter jackets for everyone. .."
"I delivered the food hamper," Gail interrupted. "The parents said we were their Christmas angels," she said dreamily. "I liked being an angel, but then the kids started fighting over the toys and the candy and they got really wild. I wanted to smack them but Dov wouldn't let me," she said, sticking her tongue out at him.
"Nice, Peck," Oliver said. "Way to demonstrate the spirit of giving. And speaking of giving, I thought we might try something a little different this year. I have a buddy in Winnipeg who told me about their Cop Shop project. About a hundred kids from the inner city get to go on a gift-shopping spree in a mall, with prepaid gift cards so they can buy presents for their parents and siblings. Police officers handle the transportation, and escort them around the mall (hence the name, "Cop Shop"), usually one officer for every two kids. Then they get a nice lunch in the food court before they go home. It takes place when the mall is closed to the public, or at least during their least busy hours. I'm thinking our division could do something similar with kids from the projects, especially in areas where gangs are beginning to recruit pre-teens. Give the kids the idea that we're not their enemies."
"Sounds like an awful lot of work," Gail grumbled, but she was drowned out by the enthusiastic babble that filled the squad room.
"I'll take that as a go-ahead to pursue the idea?" Oliver asked, and there was a chorus of voices in agreement.
Oliver gave some quick updates on ongoing cases, news about crimes that had occurred overnight, and car or desk assignments. "Alright then, let's get out there and patrol those mean streets," Oliver concluded and in less than ten minutes they headed in their different directions to get the shift underway.
Gail and Andy were riding together, and their day turned out to be filled with nuisance calls like too-loud music, a 10-year-old caught shoplifting some comic books, a teenager spotted tagging the side door of his high school. Not that they wanted any major crimes to happen during their shift, but maybe a high-speed car chase or something just to keep them awake.
They did discuss the Cop Shop idea, and Andy suggested that this would be a perfect way to reach the kids they had been talking about before Parade. "It would give them an alternative to gang activity. The gangbangers make them think that we are their enemies, and we need to show them that we really are here to help them, and we can be their friends. "
"I don't do 'friends' – you know that," Gail sneered.
"Wouldn't you like to get that whole "Christmas angel" feeling again?" Andy laughed. "I can just see you with your wings and a little tinsel halo."
"Shut up, McNally," Gail snapped and the rest of the shift passed in silence.
While Sam and Andy were having a light supper of sandwiches and homemade soup, she brought up the Cop Shop project. "You know, this is the first thing that has made me feel excited about the holidays in a long time," she burbled enthusiastically.
"You really like the idea of wrangling hostile kids through stores full of tempting items for them to try to sneak into their pockets, McNally?" Sam asked dubiously.
"Sam, maybe we could be for those kids the kind of influence that Charlie was for you! He turned you from a juvenile delinquent selling stolen car parts into the fine, upstanding detective you are today. Wouldn't you like to do that for some other kid? It would be paying it forward."
"That's one of the things I love about you, Andy – your optimism in the face of potential disaster," Sam said as he carried the dishes out to the kitchen. "I guess it might work," he called back over his shoulder as he loaded them into the dishwasher.
"I really think it would, and I'll try anything that makes us feel happier about the whole Christmas season," Andy continued.
"Okie-doke, we'll let Oliver know in the morning that he can count on us," Sam replied as he pressed the dishwasher's Start button. "Now the next important issue – do you want to take your lunch tomorrow or are you planning to pick something up while you're on the road?"
"Why?" Andy inquired. "Were you thinking we could meet for lunch somewhere?"
"No, I'm just making my own lunch, and it's just as easy to pack two," Sam responded as he headed for the fridge. Andy smiled to herself, anticipating his reaction as he opened the door to find two lunches already packed and ready for the morning.
"When did you have time to do this?" Sam queried, eyebrows raised.
"I whipped them up while you were in the shower," Andy answered. "I don't think it's fair that you end up with that job all the time."
"You know I don't mind – I actually enjoy puttering around out here – but this is great! It gives us a little extra time."
"Time for what?" Andy teased.
"I'll figure something out," Sam chuckled.