ROOKIE BLUE (isn't mine)

UNEXPECTED

I'm sorry it took me so long to update. Thanks for all the reviews and alerts etc. You're awesome!

-o-

Part 3

December 12.

He jolted awake at 5:30 am sharp. That's what twelve years on the force does to you, he thought, trying to find his bearings. He stretched out and immediately got up. The last thing he wanted was to fall back asleep on that damn couch. He scratched his head, put the kettle on and went to the bathroom. Not that he was a tea person, but he had a full Darjeeling teapot before he began to infuse caffeine into his body.

He tried not to fantasize about Andy McNally lying in his bed in the next room. Silently, he went through his morning routine and finally took off for a jog to the park next door. On his way back, he bought a basket of fresh croissants, some milk, the newspaper and a red rose. Maybe he should have gone for pink or else, but red kind of seemed right, even if he wasn't entitled to do so. A single red rose in full bloom says "I love you still", he knew that, but it stood for simplicity, and he liked simple. But it also symbolized beauty, innocence and a pure heart, and it was the essence of McNally.

McNally… He closed his eyes for a brief moment. That was so wrong. She was with Callaghan. Callaghan. He ran back to his place, hoping that her dashing boyfriend had not awakened her yet. He had totally forgotten to check if her phone was muted the evening before. Against all odds, Andy was still sleeping. He opened the door to his bedroom carefully, praying he would not wake her up. He would hate that she'd think he was sneaking up on her. She was fast asleep. He retrieved the phone from her jeans pocket, left the room silently and checked the log. No call, no messages. Nothing. He muted the cell and sat it on the coffee table. What kind of a man wouldn't want to check on his girl when she was clearly in such a bad shape? Luke Callaghan was probably a good detective but he was a lousy boyfriend.

He resisted the temptation to wake her up. As much as he wanted to see her, he was his friend, not his father. If she needed the sleep, he'll let her. It was not even eight, plenty of time to go to the station and back, see a doctor and still have a long day ahead of them. Not that he was making plans. Actually, he was pretty much making it up as he went along. That was apparently part of his current problem.

Last night, when he saw her falling apart at the Penny, he couldn't help but step in. He knew that he had been a bit harsh back there, but Nash would understand. After all, she was her friend too. It was clear that he had only intended to help Andy, not to boss her around. Once they were at his place, everything went down smoothly. She was so tired that she could barely talk, and every time she attempted to, she ended up crying anyway. They made her bed together, and to his surprise, it felt easy and familiar.

But right now, he had to make some pre-emptive damage control. He never doubted for a minute that Shaw and Noelle had seen him leave with his former rookie the night before and he had to tell Best. He grabbed the keys of his truck and rushed to the station. He'd rather talk to the staff sergeant in person than try to make his point over the phone. He'd known Frank since the Academy, and of all people, he would understand what Andy was going through right now. He went directly to the locker room, changed into his uniform and strolled casually to the parade room, taking his usual spot beside Shaw.

"Hey, Sammy, so you left with your rookie yesterday," his friend mused, going straight to the point.

"Yeah, she's not doing so well lately," Sam said in a guarded voice. Fortunately, he knew how to defuse Shaw's questions. He couldn't tell the same with Noelle. She'd read him like an open book if she had the chance. "And she's not my rookie. Not any more." He made a show of scanning the room. "She's not here?" he asked, furrowing his brows for good measure.

Shaw didn't seem fooled. "Hmm, whatever it is that you're doing with McNally, Sammy, be careful," he quipped.

Sam simply shrugged and watched Best who was entering the room. He did his best to ignore Noelle's insistent stare and Shaw's smug smile. Though he was unable to tune in to anything Best was saying, parade was over in a flash. As soon as they were released, he went directly to Best's office, fidgeting dramatically with his phone. Plastering a concerned look on his face, he knocked and came in.

"Frank, did you hear of McNally this morning? She didn't show up for parade and she's not answering her phone," he said bluntly. "I think that I'll check on her before my shift," he said.

Best nodded. "Since her evaluation, she seems to have a hard time adjusting. I'm wondering if this op with the Landrys was such a good idea."

"You know that she did great." Best nodded again. "Maybe there's something else. I gave her a ride home yesterday." At least, he had covered all the bases. "She seemed really depressed but she didn't tell me anything."

"Maybe Tommy is giving her a hard time, that wouldn't be a first. Look Sam, I don't want to know what's going on with you and McNally, but keep it quiet, okay?"

Sam shrugged. "Nothing is going on, Frank, you know me." Best's mouth twitched. "As far as I'm concerned, she's my partner, I'm simply looking out for her."

Best squinted. "Okay. You know what, take the day off. It's a slow day anyway and you have enough vacation credits piled up to go away on a cruise for a year and a half."

"Are you offering to sponsor me?" Sam chuckled.

"Check on her and keep me apprised," Frank replied with a stern face.

"What about Nash?"

"What about her? Should you have paid attention during parade, you'd know that she's back on desk duty today."

"Yeah, right. Sorry man, I'm worried. It's not like McNally to disappear without explanation."

He was so busy avoiding Callaghan that he almost bumped into Jerry on his way back to the locker room. "Hey, Sammy, what's going on with McNally?"

Excellent. He had overdone himself last night. "Good morning to you too," Sam grumbled. So much for being discreet. They really seemed to be the talk of town lately.

"Don't deflect buddy. Callaghan was really pissed. He got wind of your little stunt with McNally yesterday."

"And? I took her home. She was depressed."

"Is that what she was?" Barber cocked his head. "Listen Sammy, I'm on your side. She just didn't show for parade, that's all I'm saying."

"And?"

"And, nothing, just be careful, Callaghan's got a temper."

"Yeah, I'm shaking in my boots right now. See you buddy," he spat.

"Sam, wait. I know her kind."

Sam turned around slowly. "Really? And what kind are you talking about exactly?"

"You know, the kind with daddy issues. I don't want to be overdramatic, but you know I'm right. She wouldn't want to harm you intentionally, but she'll come to you when she's drunk or depressed. She doesn't give a damn that you care. She'll use you, and you'll fall for her eventually, only to find her hooking up with some younger guy behind your back."

"Are you finished?"

"You know I'm right, man."

"Barber, watch your mouth," Sam growled.

"Jerry, what are you doing?" Traci piped in. Both men turned to her. Barber had the decency to look embarrassed but Sam shot daggers at her.

"Keep your boyfriend in check Nash."

"He's not my boyfriend. How's Andy?"

"For god's sake! Stop asking me that! How would I know?" With that, Sam briskly walked away.

"What's going on Jerry? You know that Andy is my friend."

"Maybe, you two shouldn't be friends," said the Detective averting his eyes.

"Really? Maybe, I shouldn't be friend with you either, then."