Author's Note: Who is hoping season 4 is better in its McSwarek than season 3? But moving on. I would just like to express my amazement at the people who update weekly or more regularly. How do you do it? I'm trying to update quicker by using a google doc I can take anywhere (and not lose it unlike I do with removable devices), but only time will tell if this will work and what impact those nasty google docs will have on spelling and punctuation. Two things to note, I have deliberately left out their 3rd date as I bring that in next chapter. And I'm thinking I might make the next chapter my last chapter of this particular McSwarek episode. Finally, Rookie Blue clearly doesn't belong to me, otherwise things would be quite different and can people just ignore the Sam/Andy break up on fanfiction please, I'm almost scared to read half the fics currently. I like to deny the existence of things I don't like. Pathetic I know, but it makes life more pleasant.
Freedom-In-Fantasy
Only days later, Sam found himself driving back to Toronto, looking forward to rejoining his old life and maybe adding a new addition. He flicked a text to his Oliver and Jerry saying he'd catch up with them at the Penny that night. Then after considering how to phrase it, he sent a second text to Andy asking her if she was available for a date the following night.
Andy gave a soft smile when she read Sam's text. "Your lover boy?" Traci asked teasingly when she saw the look on Andy's face.
Andy grinned sheepishly. "Maybe."
"Cheers to men then." Traci clicked her glass with Andy's. "You've smiled more since you met him again." Traci observed.
"Really?" Andy was shocked.
"Yeah. I can't wait to finally meet the man behind my girl's smile." Traci replied.
"You know, you might meet him sooner than you think." Andy said a little later.
"What?" Traci was confused.
"Look behind you. The man talking to the T.O.'s, that's him." Andy said.
"Ohmigosh." Traci shrieked. "He's a hottie."
"Talking to your hottie." Andy added cheekily.
Sam looked over to see Andy and Traci looking at him. He gave then a wink then turned back to his friends.
Traci chuckled.
The next morning Andy was late as usual. Running into the room, she flashed Sam a smile and fell into the seat next to Traci, still tying her hair, just as Frank started speaking. "Alright everyone, lets welcome back one of 15th's finest, Sam Swarek." A round of applause ensured. Sam nodded and grinned at his fellow officers. "Now for today's assignments." Frank continued once the applause had died down. "Williams/Nash, Shaw/Epstein, Swarek/McNally and Peck/Diaz on desk. Shaw I'm permanently relieving you of a rookie and and Swarek, you will be McNally's new T.O. Sam internally groaned. This was not good.
"So how was your sister's?" Andy asked Sam as they got into his squad car.
"Alright, except for her bugging me about you." Sam responded. "That reminds me, McNally, did you know that T.O.'s aren't allowed to be in a relationship with their rookies."
"That's a shame." Andy acknowledged.
"So we can continue whatever it is we have, but we can't tell anyone." Sam hinted.
Andy nodded. "I've heard you didn't play by the rules."
"But what about you?" Sam asked tersely.
"It looks like I don't follow the rules either." Andy smirked.
Sam leaned over and quickly kissed her. "If we get serious, I can request a new rookie though." Sam added.
"Ok." Andy agreed.
With that sorted out, they spent the rest of their shift joking and getting to know each other.
As they pulled back into the station Sam said, "meet you around the corner?"
Andy nodded. "Then you can cook me that home made dinner you promised."
Sam poured the red wine and sat down, across the table from Andy. "You know, you didn't have to do all this." She said, gesturing to the lit candles and the roast in front of them.
Sam shrugged. "Wanted to show you what kinda guy I normal am." Andy raised her eyebrow skeptically. "Well prove I could be the nice romantic guy and I felt you deserved it after how I treated you."
Andy waved her hand dismissively. "All forgiven."
"Well then don't get to used to this then." Sam said cheekily.
Andy rolled her eyes. "It's a good thing I like pizza and beer so much then."
"I'm not that bad." Sam argued.
"But I am." Andy said, with a mischievous glint in her eye. "And I'm going to make it a weekly dinner by hosting that meal at my place next week."
"Well it's a good thing I like pizza and beer so much." Sam repeated teasingly. Andy lightly kicked him under the table.
They were having their weekly dinner, consisting of pizza, beer and the sports channel. The liquor was flowing and Sam was kissing that spot on the back of Andy's neck. "Stay the night?" He whispered huskily in her ear.
Andy winced away almost guiltily. "I can't. I have an appointment."
"At night?" Sam asked incredulously.
"Late night." Andy answered.
"What exactly are you doing there McNally?" Sam asked, suspicious of Andy's behavior.
Andy blushed and stammered for a moment. "Promise you won't laugh?" She implored. Sam agreed. "I'm getting a tattoo of our Toronto PD emblem like my Dad. I know it's silly, but I've just always liked the idea."
"No I think its a great idea." Sam looked slightly insecure. "In fact, would you mind if I stole your idea?"
Andy grinned. "Not at all. In fact you can come with me if you like."
"If you come home with me I'll call it a deal." Sam bargained.
"Looks like you got yourself a deal." Andy said after pretending to think about it seriously. then they mockingly shook hands before heading to Sam's truck.
They got to the tattoo parlour after what felt to Andy like an unusually short amount of time. "Hello, hello." They were ironically greeted by the most blatantly gay man even of them had ever encounter with the tattoos of a stereotypical tough guy. The contrast was arresting. "Hello." Andy smiled at him, her eyes taking him in, fascinated. Sam mumbled something beside her. "Oh, aren't you gorgeous." Their tattoo artist said. Though neither Sam nor Andy were sure which one of them he was directing his comment at. "You look so beautiful together." He continued slightly wistfully, then he perked up. 'Oh darling, you just have to let me try my new couples tattoos package on you. Free of charge of course." Andy looked at Sam and shrugged. "What if this doesn't work out?" Andy asked aloud." They don't have to be romantic or significant" their tattooist piped up, "just chosen by the other person and I try to get them to match. Look at it as getting a free tattoo and helping a make with an enterprising idea at the same time. surely no one can object to that?"
"What do you think Sam?" Andy asked amused.
Sam shrugged.
Excellent, you'll do it then." Their tattooist clapped his hands and steered them towards some seats. "Right, lets talk tattoos. "
"Alright." Andy agreed. "Here's what we're planning on." Andy passed the tattooist the image of the PD emblem.
"Cops?" He asked. They nodded and got a slightly nervous laugh in response. "So, are you guys like partners."
"We worked together." Sam said vaguely. The tattooist nodded. "So what about your badge number to go with the emblem?"
"That would be cool." Andy said enthusiastically. Sam nodded his consent, his eyes looking around the room, trying to see if there was anything suspicious.
"So who's first?" The tattooist asked.
"Me." Sam said firmly. Andy looked at him slightly surprised, but disregarded it.
"Alright, lets get started."