A/N: I am republishing this story. There have been edits made. The text that has been italicized is a flashback, and the text that has been bolded is from the show. I am merely borrowing characters besides though that are not recognized.


"What do I do?" Sam says as he and Kathleen stroll through Hillside Garden.

"What do you want to do?" Kathleen asks as she pushes the stroller. "I mean, it's obvious that you like this girl, and I mean truly like her."

Sam gives her a look.

"Plus, when have you ever played by the rules?" Kathleen adds in. "You would keep it on the down-low till the probation period is over. You can't live your life on the sidelines."

"But," Sam starts.

"But what?" Kathleen says as they turn onto an alternative path. "It's not fair to any of you. You're miserable when she is with some other guy. Everyone else can tell how you feel. You have to tell her."

"It's not that simple," Sam says as they stroll over a bridge.

"Why not?" Kathleen says as she looks at him. "Could it be because you are still waiting for a new undercover assignment?"

"It could," Sam says as he looks at her. "It wouldn't be fair to her."

"That is a choice she should make," Kathleen says as she gives him a look. "You've already learned twice what happens when you attempt to take control."

"Yes, you don't need to remind me," Sam says as they turn down another path. "I simply don't want to disappoint anyone."

"Nobody is perfect," Kathleen says as they start towards the Grenadier Cafe. "Someone tends to be disappointed or upset, but what matters is you. Are you genuinely going to let this girl go when you are unmistakably so perfect for each other?"

"How so?"

"The lion-heart and the cynic. Do I need to say more?"

"No, please don't," Sam says as he notices Tracy, Andy, and Leo up at the cafe. "Please, please behave."

Kathleen only grins as they approach the cafe.

"Swarek," Andy says as she notices them approaching.

"Swarek," Tracy greets as she notices Leo's attention. "Leo, this is Officer Sam Swarek. He works with Andy and me."

"Nice to meet you, Leo," Sam says as he offers his hand to the little boy. "Andy McNally, this is Kathleen Callaghan and her daughter Fay."

"Nice to meet you," Kathleen says as the two shake hands. "Nice to see you again, Tracy."

"You as well," Tracy says as she looks into the stroller and peeks at Faylinn. "Look how big she has gotten since the last time I saw her."

"It feels like a blink," Kathleen says as she pulls Faylinn out of the stroller and into her arms. "Can't believe she is already six months old."

"Tell me about it," Tracy says as she looks down at Leo. "It feels like I come back from work and he's grown at least another couple of centimetres each time."

"It feels like forever to me," Andy says as she watches the interactions.

"I would disagree," Sam says as he takes Faylinn, who reaches for him. "It feels like a blink since you arrested me."

"You arrested him?" Leo asks, plainly surprised.

"Well, um," Andy says as she looks at Tracy and Kathleen, all while Sam grins.

"Andy didn't know that Sammy was playing pretend," Kathleen says, taking pity on her. "See, he was taking part in a play, where he had to pretend to be a bad guy, but only a few people knew he was a good guy."

"Ah," Leo says as he smiles.

"Order 18," the cashier calls.

"That's us," Leo says as he wanders to the pickup window with Tracy following.

"Grabbing lunch before hitting the Zoo," Andy explains. She and Sam have an awkward tension around them. "You guys?"

"We are wandering around on the day off," Sam says.

"I'm going to place our order," Kathleen says as she grabs her purse. "Same as always?"

"Sure," Sam says before she disappears. "How are you doing this morning?"

"I'm good," Andy says as she looks at him. "Leg and throat were sore this morning other than that, I'm fine. Thought it would be better to get out of the house."

"Guess we had a similar idea," Sam says as he shifts his hold on Faylinn. "Wanted to see the world through the eyes of innocents."

"Exactly," An. "I didn't know you and Callaghan were buddies."

"It's Kathleen I'm buddies with," Sam says as he watches her. "I've known her for almost ten years. I arrested her and Peck at a party when they were fifteen. She's the reason I ever had a chance with guns and gangs. Who knew arresting a detective's kid would be good for your career?"

"That's where I know her from," Andy replies as the light goes off behind her eyes. "She's Donovan Boyd's daughter. I think my dad did a couple of cases with her mom. Wait, you arrested Peck."

"Jerry and I did," Sam says as he grins. "I don't think she's forgiven me yet."

"Oh man," Andy says before laughing. "No wonder she never wants you as a T.O."

"She puked all over my shoes," Sam defends.

"Uh oh," Tracy says as she, Leo, and Kathleen reach them. "Do I want to know?"

"Swarek arrested Peck," Andy says between laughs.

Tracy shakes her head and grins before saying, "are you serious?"

"We were fifteen," Kathleen defends, "and now she is going to kill you. Great, that means I will have to find a new set of godparents. You suck Sammy."

"Wait, what?" Tracy and Andy ask.

"Reason number two is why we don't get paired together," Sam says as he glares at Kathleen.

"I guess Jerry was there when this happened," Andy mentions.

"I'll get the full story from him," Tracy says as she grins at Andy.

"If I had to choose, I would go with Jerry's version of events," Kathleen says.

"Are we going to the zoo?" Leo asks as he looks up at the adults.

"Yes, we are," Andy says as she takes his hand and leads him off.

"Next shift is going to be interesting," Sam says as he watches them leave.

"I can't wait to hear all about it," Kathleen says.