A/N: Hey everyone… Thank you so very much for every review and for those who read and reviewed my Valentine's one-shot. Okay so this is technically the last chapter (&the longest). It picks up from the end of episode 12 where the rookies actually get cut loose, but we'll say that it was around two weeks since the last chapter ;).
The next & last chapter will be an 'M' rated chapter, and for those of you who are uncomfortable with that then I recommend you finish with this chapter as it will essentially finish the story. I'd also like to point out that I'm from the UK and have no idea what any place looks like in Canada, and so any information here has been gained from the ever-unreliable internet haa.
Would love to know what to think :)
Chapter 12 – Holidate (Part 1).
She made her a way through the reception area, acknowledging the passing officers. She pulled her scarf that laced her neck slightly tighter, relishing the woollen heat as she opened the door to the icy weather. The evening had already begun to draw in and she used the small offering of the remaining daylight to plan her route across the icy pavements. She began to walk across the glistening pavements as the sharp wind hit her cheeks. She noticed a car pull up at her side and turned slightly to acknowledge the driver.
"Hey"
She smiled at his greeting, "Hey" she replied, walking over to the open window.
"So cut loose, huh?" he smirked.
"Yup" she popped the 'p', "Won't have to deal with my overly friendly T.O much more now, was about to talk to Best about a sexual harassment charge" she smirked, meeting his gaze.
"Yeah, I heard Oliver could never really follow the rules" he smiled, glancing at the road in front of him.
A few seconds passed in silence before Sam turned to face her, "You wanna try being normal together?" he asked with a smug smile.
"How are we gonna do that? She smiled softly.
He shrugged his shoulders slightly before glancing back to the road in front of him "I don't know..." he began, turning to meet her gaze "I have no idea" he explained.
She smiled at him, her eyes warm, before nodding.
"Jump in then, McNally…We don't have all day" he signalled to the passenger door, effectively ruining the moment.
She obliged but not before a small mutter of a remark about how he was no longer he T.O. She slid into the passenger's seat pulling her seatbelt around her as Sam pulled away from the pavement. She settled into the comfortable silence they often found themselves in during their usual drive to the penny. He glanced over to see her staring out of the window, simply watching the familiar scenery. He smiled softly to himself before returning his attention to road ahead of him.
It took a few extra minutes than Sam had thought but eventually she spoke up "Haven't we passed the penny?" she asked turning to look at the road trailing behind them.
"Yeah" he nodded.
"So we're not going to the penny?" she asked, turning to look at him.
"Nope" he replied, leaning more comfortably in the seat, one hand residing on the wheel.
"Your place?" she asked, frustrated at his vagueness.
"Nope"
"My place?"
He simply shook his head 'no' in reply.
"So where are we going?" she asked, her gaze still fixed on him.
"It's a surprise" he stated, a small smirk sitting on his lips.
"Oh right I get it, you're just going to say it's a surprise and hope I shut up huh? Not gonna happen…"
"Allergic to surprises?" he asked, slightly amused.
"Nope just silence" she replied smiling.
"I'm still not telling you" he stated.
"Saaaam" she whined with a pout, instantly reminding him of her pleading with him to abide by her 'rules'.
"Not this time McNally"
"Fine" she sighed, waiting a few seconds before placing her hand across his thigh, gently rubbing the pad of her thumb back and forth.
"Not gonna happen, McNally"
"Damn it" she muttered, removing her hand to place it back in her own lap.
"Did you really think that would work?" he asked, smirking slightly.
"Not really, but it was worth a shot" she stuck out her tongue.
"You're maturity never fails to amaze me" he smiled.
"Thanks"
They fell back into silence as Sam continued steer them away from the penny and both their homes. Her gaze travelled to the window attempting to recognize any signs indicating to where he was taking them.
"I know…." she began.
"Why do I have a feeling I'm not gonna like this" he muttered, shaking his head with a small smile.
She slapped his non-driving arm playfully, "we can play twenty questions" she stated.
"That again McNally, the first time I played that was the last time I'm ever gonna play it"
"C'mon Sam, I can ask you question about where we're going and see if I can guess it" she explained.
"Not happening McNally"
She sighed defeated, crossing her arms across her chest she returned her gaze to the window, fully intent on ignoring him until the end of the drive. He let her stew for a few seconds before glancing over at her, she was annoyed, clearly annoyed he thought. He really didn't want to upset her tonight, this was meant to be fun, make her happy.
"Ten questions and you can't ask me where we're going" he stated. His eyes remained fixed on the road, but a small smirk graced his lips once he noticed the smile she had plastered to her face from the corner of his eye.
"How long will it take us to get there?" she asked not even attempting to acknowledge the fact he gave in so easily.
"2 hours…give or take" he replied quickly.
"Do we know anyone there?" she continued, her eyes fixed on the side of his face.
"Technically I do, you don't" he explained.
She bobbed her head, contemplating her next question, "Why are you taking me?"
"To celebrate" he replied.
"Celebrate what?" she asked.
"Is that you're next question?" he smirked, his eyes flickering over to meet hers for a second.
She shrugged, "Sure"
He sighed, "You got cut loose, and we should celebrate." He explained.
She instantly knew he was hiding something, this wasn't all they were celebrating, she knew it. "And….?"
"And what?"
"We could have celebrated at the penny, why are you taking me wherever we're going?" she asked softly.
He tightened the hold his hand had on the wheel slightly, "I...uh…I just thought we could celebrate it alone, together…y'know celebrate us" he took a deep breath "but you know if you wanna go back to the penny, I can just turn back" he explained quickly.
"No!" she exclaimed, reaching for his free hand she laced her fingers through his, "This sounds perfect" she smiled.
He nodded sharply, squeezing her hand in return before lowering their intertwined hands to rest on his thigh. "No more questions?" he asked.
She shook her head, "Nah, I like surprises" she smirked.
He turned his head slightly to smile before returning his gaze to the road in front of them as they fell back into the comfortable silence.
He pulled to a stop in the parking lot, the engine silencing as he removed the keys. He glanced over to the sleeping body in the passenger's seat; she had tucked herself up into the seat allowing her head to rest against the cool glass of the window. He reached over to grasp her small hand in his, rubbing the pad of his thumb against the soft skin "McNally" he called out quietly, her body remained still, he shook her hand slightly, "McNally?" he called a little louder. She stirred slightly, straightening her neck away from the window to lean against the headrest of the chair, attempting to remain in her slumber. He chuckled to himself quietly before stepping out of his door, silently shutting it behind him. He made his way over to her door, opening it quietly. "McNally" he shook her shoulder gently with one hand, whilst the other gently stroked the skin of her jawline. She gently pried her eyes open to be met with his dimply smile, "Hey" she spoke sleepily.
"Hey yourself" he replied, his fingers still dragging across her jawline.
"We here?" she asked, shifting herself more comfortably in the chair.
He removed his hand, nodding "Yeah"
Undoing her seatbelt she turned to him, her legs dangling outside of the car "So where's here?" she asked with a smile.
He remained silent and beckoned for her hand; she obliged and stepped out of the car, her hand held tightly in his. He opened the back door to pull out two bags, hoisting them up on his shoulder. She raised a questioning eyebrow; he smirked before using her hand to tug her into him. She smiled settling into his side as he dropped her hand to lace his arm around her shoulder. Walking alongside him out of the parking lot her eyes scanned the area for clues, ten minutes of silent strolling found them walking on a pavement near an iced beach. "Jones beach" he stated out loud.
She lifted her head to look at him, "St. Catherines?"
He nodded before removing his arm to reach for her hand, picking up the pace as the evening had now taken its turn into nightfall, "C'mon, we're almost there."
She smiled as she struggled to keep up with his pace. Following as he guided her through the numerous trees at the end of the small beach, her eyes flickered over the beauty of the place. A little amount of glistening white graced the bare branches of the trees, as though it had attempted to snow but failed, leaving only frost in its wake. She continued to follow him as he led her up a small incline, although clear of trees it still mirrored the beauty, the small ice covered cobblestones beneath her feet crunching under her weight. She fell behind as he made his way up the incline quickly, his hand still gripping at hers tightly.
A few minutes later, she collided with something warm and hard, looking up to see Sam's back "We're here" he declared. She stepped to the side of him, allowing herself clear view. A smile crept on to her lips as she took into the small cabin that nested amongst the trees. It oozed peacefulness, too small to be a home but perfect for getting away she decided. The shimmering white had found its way up here too, resting on the low roof and thin outskirts of the window; white crusted pebbles lay scattered around the porch as a dim light escaped the window to the right.
"It's beautiful" she whispered falling into his side as he wrapped an arm protectively around her shoulder.
"Yeah, I thought you'd like it – you're a sucker for nature" he replied with a light laugh. She pinched at his ribs playfully, "C'mon McNally, let's get in there before we freeze to death out here"
He opened the door as she continued to gaze around the tiny porch, she heard the gentle click of the lock unclasping and turned to see him motioning for her to enter, she obliged and he followed her. Placing the bags down and removing his coat, he watched as she absorbed her surroundings. Her gaze flickered over the basic kitchen area in the right corner and the small dining room with a wooden table and chairs sitting in the centre before her gaze fell onto the room in which she stood. A seemingly comfortable couch rested on top of a worn rug in the centre of the room, opposite an unlit fire place. She ran her gaze over the small coffee table, and the numerous ornaments and photos that lay scattered around the room and upon the mantle of the fire. She had never been to a cabin that had been made so homely, so personal.
"The…uh… bedroom's through that door and then the bathroom is right next to it" he explained from behind her.
She nodded in understanding before following him as he made his way over to the kitchen area. She settled onto one of the two wooden bar stools as he looked through the fridge and cupboards, seemingly happy with what he found he turned to stand in front of her nestling his way to stand between her knees. "Hey" he greeted out of the blue.
She smiled, "Hey" she returned.
He leaned in to place his lips to hers delicately, noting the coldness of her lips as they touched. He pulled away to place another quick kiss to the corner of her mouth, "You hungry?" he mumbled as he drew away.
She shook her head as her arms laced around his waist pressing her face into the warmth of his t-shirt.
He placed a kiss to her hair, inhaling her blissful scent he had come to recognize "That's a shame, 'cause I asked Sarah to get some cookie dough ice cream in…" She slowly lifted her head away from his chest, peering up to meet his gaze "and I'm pretty sure there's tub of it sitting in the freezer…" he finished nonchalantly.
Her lips quickly formed into a bright smile "I suppose I could eat a little of that" she sighed dramatically.
He quickly brushed his warming lips to her forehead before making his way over to the freezer, "Jump on the couch, I'll bring it over" he called over her shoulder.
"God you spoil me!" she exclaimed, causing him to roll his eyes.
She settled herself into the couch as he entered the living room, placing two bottles of beer to stand on the small coffee table whilst handing her the tub of ice cream and a desert spoon. She smiled appreciatively before digging into the tub, oblivious to his movement until the fire burst into life releasing a fresh wave of light into the room. She peered up over the tub of ice cream to raise an eyebrow.
"What? I know how to light a fire" he exclaimed, upon seeing the look of disbelief on her face he confessed "Fine, Sarah taught me."
She smiled at him as he took his seat beside her.
"Congratulations copper" he applauded handing her a beer bottle before tapping his against hers.
"Thanks" she smiled sweetly, settling into his side.
He watched as she continued to burrow into the tub of ice cream the lay in her lap "Good?" he asked.
She looked up sheepishly, before nodding.
"Good." He nodded sharply, leaning forward to place his beer on the coffee table, "So how does it feel to be cut loose?" he asked.
"Kinda the same as being a rookie" she answered quickly.
He chuckled softly, "That's because you're still a rookie" he pointed out, earning himself a quick pinch to ribs.
"So…." She began before licking the remnants of ice cream off of her spoon; "if I'm still a rookie… then I probably shouldn't be here…" she trailed off as she attempted to rise from the couch.
"Haha" he replied dryly, pulling her back to his side swiftly. Once she was settled he took this opportunity to lift himself from the couch consequently causing Andy to groan at the loss of warmth, "Bathroom" he explained quickly, making his way out of the room.
Her gaze followed him as he left the room, before it flickered back to fire-lit room. Her eyes wandered around the homeliness of the room as she hoisted herself from the couch. Making her way over to the fireplace, her gaze fell upon the photo frames that lay upon the mantle there.
The first wooden carved frame held an old photo, a young boy found himself stood near and older girl, her arm protectively laced around his shoulders. Their features radiated happiness and excitement at the beach that lay behind them; their feet prepared run the distance until they would find themselves at the oceanfront. She smiled at the carefreeness and happiness of the photo and she came to the conclusion that this must have been before Sarah's attack, silently wishing she could somehow hold on the innocence of the photo rather than knowing what was to come for such a happy child. Her fingers trailed across the mantle, stopping at the next frame. A small gold metal frame holding in place a seemingly recent photo, instantly recognizing the serious yet content features of Sam and she guessed that woman stood next to him to be Sarah. In contrast to the previous photo it was his turn to wind his arm protectively around her shoulders, pulling her into his side amongst the various people that wandered around the modern looking kitchen. She smiled at the change in both photos, Sam quickly taking on the protective and caring role she had grown accustomed to. Her fingers trailed along before resting in front of the third photo, an old-fashioned photo sat within an oak coloured wicker frame. A lady, seemingly in her twenties, bore the pure beauty of the era, the sixties or seventies she contemplated. Porcelain skin, deep brown orbs and a simple understated smile reflected back through the coffee coloured photo. He mind trailed through the possibilities of the woman's identity, settling on either Sam's mother on an aunt. She smiled back at the woman before passing her fingers over the small trinket box that sat next to it. A miniature box had been painted brown haphazardly, and a misshaped moulded clay sea shell sat glued to the removable lid. She gently lifted it away from its holding place, her fingertips running slowly around the aged edges and distorted shell. Turning the box over, carefully ensuring the lid remained fastened; she smiled at the childlike writing etched upon the painted surface. Her thumb skimmed along the faint 'Sam' that had been written along the bottom in bright blue crayon and she couldn't resist the smirk that grew to her lips as she thought of Sam as a child. Placing the trinket back onto the mantle she slowly turned to the fourth photo, sitting within an ornamental frame. A more recent photo presented the Sam she had grown to know, five or seven years ago maybe she thought. He sat huddled to next to an aging woman who wore a bright smile, laughter and enjoyment twinkling in her eyes. The woman from the second photo, Sarah, sat the other side of the lady. Both ladies wore bright green paper hats on their heads and Andy spotted Sam's own hat crumpled in the hand that lay in his lap, she chuckled slightly at the image typical Sam.
An exaggerated cough drew her from her thoughts and adventure. She turned to face him sheepishly; "How long have you been watching me?" she asked timidly, embarrassed.
"A while." He replied with a Sam Swarek smirk.
"Oh" she smiled somewhat ashamed, "I didn't mean to be nosey" she explained.
"I expected it" he began making his way over to her as she turned back to examine the photos, "It's in your nature, McNally" he spoke into her ear as his arms found their way to worm around her waist, pulling her back against his chest.
She laughed lightly at his comment, before reaching out to point at the first photo "When was that taken?"
"Uhhh…I think I was about seven or eight. Me and Sarah were on summer break and we begged our aunt to take us out to the beach. She gave in after ten minutes" he chuckled. Andy smiled at his memory, intuitively leaning into him more so.
"And that one?" she pointed to the second, enjoying this 'open' Sam.
"Two, maybe three years back. It was going under in two weeks so I drove up here to make sure I spent it with her. Thought it may sweeten her up a bit, wouldn't have to deal with the whole 'lecture' thing by the time I got back." He explained, his chin coming to rest on her shoulder.
"Did it work?" she asked, absentmindedly running her fingertips through the soft hair of the arm that rested at her waist.
"Nah…" he chuckled into her ear, "The minute I got back I called her and she invited me up for dinner. I thought I'd got away with it but I ended up sitting through a two hour long dinner complete with the whole 'your two old for this', 'you need to settle down', 'you could get hurt'" he mimicked.
"She just worries about you"
"I know… she loves me" he stated casually consequently rewarding himself with a pinch at his arm.
Ignoring his comment she indicated to the third woman, "Is that your mom?" she asked timidly, knowing how much he really cared for her.
"Yeah… I think she's twenty-one there" he explained shortly.
"She was beautiful" Andy admired.
"That's where I get my devilishly good looks from" he said, lightening the mood slightly.
She shook her head, her hair gently brushing against his face. She leant out to pick up the trinket box once again, "For someone who doesn't like nature, this sure looks a lot like a sea shell at least I think that's what it's supposed to be" she pointed out.
"Hey that's a masterpiece that is" he retorted, "And… it was gift for my mom" he explained quietly.
"Awww, likkle Sam was a sweetheart" she cooed.
"Hey I was Six give me a break! And I'm still a sweetheart"
"I'll believe it when I see it" she remarked.
"Hey" he exclaimed, roughly kissing her soft neck causing her to squeal.
Pulling herself back upright she attempted to bring some order back to the room, enjoying such a precious and rare moment. She brought her hand to rest on those that rested on her waist, intertwining their fingers, "What about the next one, what's the story?"
"It was Christmas…" he began.
"I kinda guessed that with the hats, although some grumpy Grinch wouldn't wear his"
"Shut up" he muttered laughingly, "Anyways, It was our last Christmas with my mom" he explained softly.
"I'm sorry" she spoke quickly, feeling terrible for asking him.
"It's fine McNally. It was actually one of the best Christmases we had. Sarah had just told us she was pregnant and she was excited about becoming a grandmother so she went into Christmas overdrive. A million presents, too many Christmas cookies, enough Brussels sprouts to feed an army…" he trailed off with a small smile painted on his face.
"She sounds amazing, I wish I could have met her" she explained, instantly regretting her words. Breathing in she waited for the change in his mood.
"She would have liked you" he confessed.
She smiled softly, his grip tightening around his waist "Really?"
"Yeah, she was just as stubborn and demanding as you" he whispered softly.
She laughed, "I'll take that as a compliment 'cause I know you loved her"
"Yeah I did, still do" he replied seriously.
She didn't miss the change in his tone, the turn in the room's atmosphere. Her mind quickly spun to a whirlwind, wondering whether there was second meaning to his words. Wanting to distract herself she pointed to the last photo, the one she hadn't reached. "Who's that?"
She felt his body tense as his eyes landed on the last photo, "I told Sarah to take it down" he grumbled lowly.
"Sam?" she pushed softly, running the pad of her thumb across the back of her hand.
"It's my dad, from years back" he explained.
She analysed the man that stood in the photo, seemingly in his thirties he stood strong. Strong yet kind features that reminded her so much of the man that stood behind her, "You look like him" she pointed out softly.
"Yeah, Sarah says that all the time. I don't know why she insists on keeping it up…" he trailed off.
"Sometimes it's just nice to remember where you come from." She explained, her thoughts leading to the small number of old families photos with her mom she hid beneath her bed.
"I know where I came from, I know who made the way I am today and it had nothing to do with him."
She could feel the anger that laced his words, turning in his arms she reached out to run her fingertip along his jaw "You're right, y'know? Just cause you look like him doesn't mean you are him, you don't give; you don't run away from things. You stand by people who need you, people you love"
Suddenly his lips were on hers, violent yet tender, needy yet thankful. She sighed in contentment as his body began to relax into hers, his grip still tight around her waist. Pulling back he placed a kiss to her forehead, before resting his chin against it "You think if I give Sarah that speech she'll let me take it down?" he asked with a smirk.
She quickly pinched at his ribs and he instinctively loosened his grip on her, grabbing his hand she pulled him to the couch. Resting against his side with their hands still clasped together, "Is this Sarah's place then?"
"It used to be my mom's; she practically lived here before she passed. It was left to both of us in the will, so we share it."
"Do you come up here a lot?" she continued, the fingers of her free hand trailing up and down his chest.
"Not really, Sarah uses it more than me. I normally just spend a day or two up here after I've been under."
"So I'm special?" she asked with a smirk, sliding up and into him more.
Catching her trailing hand, he reached down to pull her up to him their eyes locked on one another, "Yeah McNally, you're pretty special" he confirmed, and she did not miss the meaning behind the words.
She smiles softly before he leans in to brush his lips softly against hers. Delicate at first, almost hesitant, lips gliding over one another's in a blissful movement. Hands wandering up one another's body before finding their home. Her hands in his hair and his on her jaw, pulling her deeper into the kiss. She moaned at the change in the kiss, each swipe across her lips desperate and wanting. Her hands now scraping against his head, his lips rough yet tenderly pushing against hers. She shifts her weight, almost straddling him and now he's laughing into the kiss.
"Uhh, McNally?" he mumbled against her lips.
"Hmm?" she replied, still attempting to find access into his mouth.
"Aren't we forgetting something?"
She pulls back at his question, suddenly embarrassed for now reason she raises an eyebrow.
He smirks before reaching into his pocket to pull his wallet out, she watches as he carefully peels out a crumpled and folded piece of paper and a look of confusion paints itself to her face.
"I'm offended you don't remember McNally" Sam exclaimed slyly, chucking the wallet to the side of couch and pulling her to straddle his waist completely.
She took this shift in position as permission to continue in the early events and so she begins to trail small kisses across his jaw, before leading into his mouth. He responds quickly before pulling away, chuckling at the moan of complaint emanating from Andy.
"I'm pretty sure these rules here say we can't do this" he stated, waving the paper in front of her.
She grasped for them quickly, finally claiming them as her own she looked down at him "You kept them?" she asked quietly.
"Yeah" he replied.
"You kept them" she stated, more to herself.
"What's wrong with that?" he asked, his thumbs rubbing small circles into her hips.
"No…Nothing" she replied hesitantly, taken over by emotions she couldn't explain. Happiness and surprise hidden along there somewhere, "You're pretty special as well y'know" she stated, hoping he would grasp her double meaning too.
And he does, but lets the moment pass without making a scene of it, "So what shall we do with them?" he asked, his motioning to the paper in her hands.
"Well you know I did get cut loose today…" she moved in closer.
"Uh-huh" he agreed, mirroring her actions.
"And I did say these were only until I got cut loose…" she continued
"Uh-huh" he moved in slightly, almost tasting her lips.
"So….we could burn them" she exclaimed, rising from his lap and heading to the fire quickly leaving an unsatisfied Sam in her wake.
"What?" he lifted himself from the couch to stand by the side of her.
"We could burn them" she stated again.
"Why?" he asked, his tone filled with confusion and his usual annoyance.
"It's just something us girls do" she half-explained.
"What..? I…uh… never mind, let's just burn them McNally." He replied, defeated.
She leans into the fire and places the paper amongst the flames. He curls behind her and they both watched as flames engulf the defenceless paper, it's meaning evaporating around them.
"I'm gonna miss our rules" she stated, running her fingers through his arm hair.
"I'm not" he whispered between small kisses and nibbles beneath her ear.
She smiles at his actions before slyly stating, "It was pretty fun sneaking around"
"We can still sneak around McNally, especially in Investigation room 2" he pointed out with a smile. "You know, they were pretty stupid rules…" he stated, pulling her around to face him.
"Hey!" she exclaimed, tapping his arm with a flick of her hand. "Don't disrespect the rules" she ordered softly, leaning into his embrace.
"And what if I do…" he trailed off huskily, his lips caressing the smooth skin of her neck.
"I may just have to write a new list of them" she warned.
He lifts his head in horror before noting the small smirk settled on her lips, "Shut up" he ordered quietly with a chuckle, bringing her lips to his.
