Disclaimer: Still don't own it.

Chapter 4

Frank Best sat in his office contemplating tomorrow. It was about time that headquarters sent him some much needed personnel. Two extra officers was better than nothing. He stared at the two folders on his desk. Jake Matthews and Alexandra Healy. Matthews was known to be a good cop, had good instincts, a little chatty, but didn't seem to mind the fact that he would end up training a rookie for a few months. Alex on the other hand was the Derek Jeter of the Yankees. Multiple citations, a real leader, patient and compassionate, somehow always knowing the right thing to say or do. He knew this from had graduated the academy together and he was grateful to call her his friend. She was a great cop, terrific undercover. The rookies would love working with her and learning from her. Frank was just wishing that he knew exactly how to tell Sam, that their "friend" was back. When he had talked to Alex a few months ago about her eventually coming back, Sam was still undercover with the drug squad. When Sam went back into uniform, Frank never even mentioned Alex's anticipated eventual return. Sam's name never even came up today. He was great friends with both of them but Alex wanted her return to be a surprise. I think everyone was going to get a surprise tomorrow.

(December 7th)

Alex woke up before her alarm. She was not a morning person, so she was quite surprised as she sat waiting for the alarm to actually sound. She would definitely admit, she was a little bit nervous. Everything had gone great yesterday. She was excited to see Frank. Her medical clearance was no problemen, recertification at the range was a piece of cake and it looked like all the pieces were falling into place. She heard from the movers yesterday, they would be here by the 14th. Now she just had to find a place to live. Thank God Nicole, her dingbat sister, was able to give her a ride to pick up Nate's car. Of course, she whined the whole time that Nate would never let her drive his car, oh well.

She jumped out of bed and ran for the shower. After she was dressed and fully caffeinated she grabbed her bag and made her way to Nate's "baby". The ride to division was almost traffic free as she drove in silence. She pulled into the lot and was grateful that it was still early and she would have some time to chill out before going to parade. She strode through the doors and went right to the locker room. She started to get dressed when she heard the door open. Three young women came in giggling. Alex could smell the rookie on them right away. She laughed as she thought back to her first day at 15 Division seven years ago.

Flashback...

She had thrown up once before she got to work and twice before parade. Sam had grabbed her before they had gone into the squad room. "You ok?"

"Oh sure, must have eaten something last night that didn't agree with me. I feel much better now."

He nodded, totally not believing her, but smiling at the fact that she always felt she had to put her brave face on.

"You know Allie, they don't expect us to know everything today? That is why they put us with a training officer, because we are still ...training? They expect us to make mistakes, we just have to try not to make such big ones." said Sam smiling

She loved that he called her Allie. Only he and her dad had that privilege. She smiled up and him and nodded, she was so lucky to have him in her life. He gave her hand a quick squeeze then they had walked into parade.

End Flashback...

"Hey,hello... good morning." said the blonde

Alex pulled herself out of her reminiscing to focus on the three women standing near her. "Oh sorry, good morning, my first shift back, just thinking."

"Were you out or did you just get transferred? asked Traci

"I took a personal leave of absence for about 10 months and I have been reassigned here."

Just then Noelle walked into the locker room. "Look what the cat dragged in? Oh my gosh girl, you look amazing."

"Hey Noelle, not too bad yourself." Alex replied before the two women embraced

The three rookies, quickly shut their lockers and exited the locker room with a quick "See you" in Alex and Noelle's direction.

"Noelle, are they scared of you? That was a quick exit."

"Nah, they scare me, the dumb situations they find themselves in." she laughed

"Oh yeah, we never did any of that..." both women started to crack up

"Well, Officer Healy, let's get you to parade and then you can tell me what the hell you've been doing without us."

"Ya know, that might take a while, maybe we could catch up later, at the Penny, after shift?"

"As long as your buying." she smiled as both women made their way to the squad room.

She noticed the three women from the locker room in the front row alongside two young guys. Five shiny new pennies, this was going to be fun. She already felt the nervousness start to subside. She grabbed a seat on the far wall behind a couple of detectives and the cop she met yesterday in Frank's office, Matthews, he gave her a quick wink.

All got quiet when Sgt. Best strolled in the room. Wow, a sergeant, "Good for him", Alex thought to herself. Frank was always on the fast track, she would be surprised if he didn't end up a Captain one day.

Alex saw Jerry Barber standing on the opposite side near Oliver Shaw. She would wait until after parade to run up and hug them.

Frank went through the morning announcements, then gave a glance in Alex and Matthews direction. Jake stepped forward a little,

"Hey, Jake Matthews, just assigned from the 12, looking forward to meeting and working with everyone."

Now Frank looked right at Alex, she stepped forward.

"Some of you know me, my name is Alexandra Healy, but you can call me Alex." she swore that she heard a gasp for breath and some whispering but continued "I was assigned to the 15 right out of the academy. I spent six years here. The last 10 months I have been on leave. I took a job at a security firm in the states. I am thrilled to be back and looking forward to working with everyone."

"Ok Coppers, assignments are on the board", said Frank,"I just need two minutes with my rookies and training officers. The rest of you, Serve, protect and be safe."

Alex started to make her way over to Oliver and Jerry for what turned out to be a group hug. She smiled and then realized that there was someone sitting behind them... Sam. Alex felt her body go numb as she opened her mouth to speak but was unable to find words. Sam got up his eyes never leaving hers..

"Hey Al...Alex" he said, feeling awkward never calling her that before. He extended his hand to her. God, she was beautiful.

"Hi, Sam, uh, I didn't know, I mean, you were undercover I thought..." as she stumbled to get out a coherent sentence and reached to shake his hand, God, he was handsome.

They immediately felt the electricity as if they had both been plugged into an outlet, they just stood staring at each other not knowing what to say. They heard Frank clear his throat. Still with hands joined they turned to face the rest of the group who seemed much more fascinated with the drama about to unfold in front of them, than anything Frank had to say.

Uncomfortable and both blushing, they sat down to listen to Best. "Now that I have five training officers, I would like to mix it up a little bit. Jake and Alex, this week I would like you each to take a shift with each rookie. McNally will be with Swarek, Nash you are with Officer Shaw, Epstein you will be with Williams, Peck will ride with Officer Matthews today and Officer Healy will be paired with Diaz.

Alex snapped out of her stupor and went to shake Chris Diaz hand. "Nice to meet you Diaz." she said

"You too ma'am."

"Alex" she corrected him as they all filed out of the squad room

"Oh, right, Alex, hey, you know, you look like a model? "

"A model what?" said Shaw and they all laughed

Noelle yelled over her shoulder, "Alex, don't forget! The Penny, later, you too guys. Pointing to Sam and Shaw. "I mentioned something to Frank, Make sure you tell Jerry. Gotta have a welcome home for our girl."

"McNally, grab the bag, I'm driving." said Sam

"Yes, sir." she smiled and was grateful that he seemed like his old self again. The whole scene in the squad room gave her plenty of food for thought. "Hmmmm", she thought to herself, "I wonder how many details I can get in a 10 hour shift?"