A/N: I know it has been FOREVER and I am so sorry for that. This was a somewhat arduous chapter to write. Not really sure why. This is the final chapter to the story. Thank you so much for following along. I have had so much fun writing this, I really appreciate you feed back.

I Think You Might Be Superman

Chapter 8-Birthday Surprises

Sam and Andy had spent most of the next week getting reacquainted with each other. Their friends had almost resorted to begging to get them to come to the Penny but they insisted that they were still making up for their three lost weeks.

It was the day of Leo's birthday party and would be their first time with their friends as an official couple. Andy was excited and anxious at the same time. She had gone straight to Jerry's after work on Friday to help Traci set up for the kid party. Traci couldn't be more excited. She had always made a big deal but because of the limited space at her mom's she couldn't get too crazy. Jerry had encouraged her to pull out all the stops. Traci had taken off on Saturday to have the kid party and then they would host their friends and family over for dinner that evening. It would be a special night for Leo and their first occasion to have everyone over since their cohabitation.

Flashback to Friday

They had just walked through the den slider onto the patio when Traci nudged Andy's hip. "Glad you could break away from your sexfest for a few hours to come help me." Traci chided as she dumped a bag of assorted decorations onto the picnic table.

"Traci!" she laughed and craned her neck in the direction of the den where Jerry and Leo were playing Xbox.

"Oh, don't worry, they didn't hear me. They have selective hearing. Like if I was talking about food, then they would definitely hear us."

"It's not like that you know." Andy admitted as she draped a plastic Sponge Bob tablecloth over a table on the patio."

"Not like what?" Traci asked.

"It's not about the sex." She couldn't help the grin that was taking over her face. "Don't get me wrong, it's amazing and I can't get enough of him…." She grinned. "….but we just have fun together, we laugh all the time and we just somehow….we fit. It feels like what I always thought a normal relationship would be and God knows he and I don't do anything normal. Does that make any sense?"

"Sure, sure, I get it, he's your person. I'm just amazed that you're actually allowing this for yourself. Allowing yourself to be happy and to go for what you want, what you REALLY want. I'm glad for you."

"Me too."

End flashback

She had been pooped when she had gotten home from Traci's around ten with every intention of going straight to sleep. She took a quick shower and threw herself on the bed. She must have flipped from her front to her back a dozen times. When she couldn't stand it anymore she grabbed her cellphone off the nightstand and dialed the familiar number.

She could almost see him smiling as he answered and immediately asked, "You missed me didn't you?"

"No" she lied, a grin on her face.

"That's ok. I missed you too." He admitted.

They talked for a few minutes about nothing in particular and before hanging up decided that Sam would pick Andy up before shift and Andy would make them breakfast.. The conversation had been short but was all she needed to finally succumb to sleep.


Andy had just finished drying her hair when she heard a knock at her door. She opened the door and had barely gotten a hello out before Sam's lips were on hers. Her arms were quickly wrapped around his neck. When they finally broke apart, Andy grinned and said, "Morning. You're early."

"Morning McNally." He said it in that low gravelly voice. The one that sent a shiver down her spine. This time it wasn't so much the voice as much as the look he was giving her that was causing butterflies to stir in her stomach. His eyes were taking her in as if he'd never seen her before. She was slightly unnerved and not sure what he was thinking. "I couldn't go back to sleep so I came over early. Unless that's a problem." He smiled.

"It's definitely not a problem, ...it's just,... I'm running a little behind, …..I didn't start cooking…"

"Andy" he nudged her in the direction of her bedroom. "Finish dressing and I 'll start in here."


A few minutes later, Andy walked into the kitchen unnoticed by Sam. He was busy cracking eggs into a bowl and of all things, whistling. Andy came up behind him and put her arms around his waist and her chin on his shoulder. He put one hand over hers, enjoying the simple but intimate gesture. She reluctantly broke away and poured him his usual cup of black coffee and then took over the cooking. He came to rest against the counter next to the stove where she stood.

"You didn't need cook, we could have stopped on the way in."

"I know but I wanted to." She smiled.

"So, tonight is Leo's birthday gig?"

"Yep. Traci said six o'clock sharp."

"Ya know, I was thinking that I would shower after work and I could swing by and drive you if you want. I figure you wouldn't want to walk after a full shift or ...you know if you didn't want anyone to think….…."

Andy listened to him ramble, an almost shy look on his face. She put the spatula down and turned to face him, her fingers hooking through his belt loops. "Sam,…. I want us to go together. I'm not hiding this." She motioned between them.

"I just thought, well…..we haven't been out …together and I thought maybe…."

"Don't overthink it Sam, I wasn't hiding our relationship, …..I just wanted you all to myself." She grinned.

"I can definitely live with that."


Since they had been reinstated Andy had mostly been paired with Noelle but today she was partnered with Oliver. She never minded riding with him. She found him funny and she was always entertained by the stories of his children. Andy pulled out her cell phone and showed Oliver the background screen. It was the picture of Sam snuggled up with the Shaw girls. Oliver smiled.

"Thought you might like that."

"I do. I would love to meet your girls one day. Between you and Sam, I have heard some pretty hilarious stories about those kids."

"Well McNally, today is your lucky day. We'll be at Jerry and Traci's tonight."

"That's great, I can't wait to meet them. This should be fun."

"And how about you… and Sam?"

"Yep, we'll be there too."

"You're right McNally, this will be fun." He chided.


After what seemed like a never ending shift, Andy made her way to the locker room. She threw her stuff into her bag and quickly made her way home. She showered and dressed and was fixing the last of her makeup when Sam knocked at the door. He was freshly showered and shaved and looked …..heavenly. Judging by the look on his face he was feeling the same way about her. It was definitely going to be a long night.

Andy pulled on her boots and opened the front hall closet to pull out a wrapped package. It was thin but heavy and had a handle attached to it. Sam picked it up to put it by the door.

"What did ya get Leo?" he asked.

"It's a pop up tent. I thought it was time he had his own. When he and Traci would stay over and it was cold out, Leo and I would pitch the tent in the living room and sleep in it. Traci and I promised him that we would take him camping this summer."

"I know. He invited me to come with you guys." Sam mentioned

Andy couldn't help but grin. "Sam Swarek camping? You don't even like the outdoors."

"You and me snuggled in a tent? I could think of worse things."

"Me too." She giggled. "So what did Leo's favorite superhero get him?"

He rolled his eyes. "It's a tool set just for kids. It comes with pre-cut pieces of wood and you nail them together. There's instructions to build projects. I thought he would have fun with it."

"That does sound fun. If I didn't know any better, I would think that you had gotten kind of attached to the little man."

"At first I was just glad to hear him tell your stories but it didn't take long before I was looking for him to be around. Plus, he is a much better helper than Jerry and we even have our own handshake." He grinned.

"I bet you do." Andy laughed. "Ready to go?"

"I'll bring this stuff out to the truck." He threw on his jacket and grabbed his keys off the counter.

Andy grabbed her purse and her jacket and locked up. Here goes nothing.


There were plenty of cars lining the street when they pulled up at the house. Sam hopped out and ran around to the passenger side. He grabbed the wrapped gifts from her hands and she jumped down from the cab of his truck. Andy tried to hide her anxiety and was planning for as subtle an entrance as possible. She walked ahead of Sam and bounded up the front steps. She went to knock but stopped her hand in mid-air and turned around to face him.

"Andy, what's wrong?" he tilted his head in question.

She took one step forward and wrapped her arms around his neck. She gently pulled him toward her for a soft kiss. Sam leaned into her and almost dropped the packages, but the kiss was over as quickly as it started. Andy stepped back with a grin.

"Feel better?" he asked with a smile.

"Much. Let's do this."

She knocked on the door and within a few seconds Traci opened the door, the sound of laughter and music filtering out to the porch.

"Hey you two! Glad you could make it. Leo has been asking about you guys all day."

They walked through the foyer into the living room and immediately Oliver announced their arrival.

"Well if it isn't our old friends Sam and Andy. Hmm….Sandy? No. Swandy? No. Swardy? Definitely no. McNarek? Uh uh, I got it. McSwarek. Yep, that one is a keeper."

Sam and Andy both rolled their eyes and shook their heads at him. Andy felt the blush start to warm her cheeks. Yeah, so much for subtle. Almost on cue, Leo came racing in from the kitchen and threw himself at them.

"Happy Birthday Little Man." Andy kissed his cheek as he wrapped his arms around her neck.

"Thanks Aunt Andy. Hi Sam!"

"Hey buddy, happy birthday." They proceeded to show Andy their special handshake.

"Thanks Sam. Are those presents BOTH for me?"

"Yep."

"Yes!" he jumped up and down then a pouty expression quickly took over his face …... Mom says I can't open any of my gifts till after dinner."

"That time will be here before you know it and just think of all of the surprises you have to look forward to later."

"I can't wait."

Jerry was finally able to get a word in and took Sam and Andy's jackets to hang up.

They quickly said hi to Dov and Chris and Noelle. Sam recognized Jerry's neighbor and his family and waved hello. They then made their way into the kitchen to get a drink, effectively avoiding any more outbursts from Oliver for as long as possible. Mrs. Nash and Zoe were helping Traci get some snacks out. Andy had briefly met Zoe once at the station.

"Good to see you again Mrs. Nash." Sam said.

"Hello doll. Good to see you." She leaned over to Andy and gave her a hug. "How are you doing? How's your new place?"

"Good Mrs. Nash, settling in. Thanks again for having me for so long."

"Not a problem honey. Unfortunately now I have an empty nest. You left and now Traci and Leo are living here with Jerry and its back to just me. While I thought I would be glad to have my house back to normal, I kinda miss the craziness." She smiled.

"Well anytime you want us to come over and camp out in your living room you just let me know."

The women laughed at that.

Sam meanwhile had leaned in to Zoe to kiss her cheek. He then stepped back and grabbed Andy by the hand. "Zoe, you remember Andy? Andy this is Oliver's much better half."

"Good to see you again Andy. Glad everything… worked out. You know." She winked, "I'm happy for you both." She said it quietly.

Andy nodded shyly but held onto Sam's hand. She could hear the sincerity in Zoe's voice. Andy was happy too, more than she could ever imagine. She talked a bit with Zoe while Jerry caught Sam's ear. Everything was fine until Andy heard Boyd's name mentioned.

"What about that idiot?" It came out a bit more forcefully than she planned. Sam leaned down to make eye contact and hopefully calm her down. Jerry now addressed them both.

"They completed the investigation into Boyd regarding the whole Brennan accident. Looks like he'll be released from the department effective immediately. Internal affairs was having a field day with him. Not just with the Brennan business but then him effectively putting another officer in harm's way." Sam felt Andy give his hand a squeeze. "They worked out a deal with him. If he confessed his part in the cover-up, the department would not press charges but he is out of a job so in his own self-made prison anyway."

"No kidding?" Sam asked.

"Nope." Jerry

Sam looked over to Andy who had unconsciously started rubbing his bad wrist.

"All's well that ends well, that's what I always say." Sam stated. Jerry knew that Sam was trying to make light of things so as not to stir up Andy's anxiety regarding her role in the story.

"Really Sam?... When do you say that?" she laughed.


People were spread out between the kitchen, the den and the deck. After saying hi to everyone, Sam led Andy outside to see the tree house they had built for Leo.

"Wow, Sam it's awesome. Leo must love it." Suddenly Leo and the Shaw girls came running out.

"Uncle Sam, Uncle Sam." The girls attacked him with hugs.

"Hello girls. Did ya miss me?"

A cheer of "Yes!" bellowed through the yard.

The two older girls and Leo climbed up into the tree fort. Little Maddie stayed put and grabbed Sam's hand. She looked up at him and then to Andy with a smile.

"Are you Uncle Sammy's girlfriend?" Andy considered it for about two seconds before Sam interjected.

"Um, oh ...well.…..Maddie this is Andy. Andy meet princess Madeline." He sputtered out. He was baffled that he could hold it together undercover with stone cold killers but an interrogation by a five year old practically brought him to his knees.

She shook Andy's hand and turned back to Sam. "So? Is she…. your girlfriend? Cause Daddy says that you are so happy now that the curse is lifted and you can live happily ever after. You know, like Sleeping Beauty."

Andy stood smiling in front of them, an eyebrow raised in question.

"You know what Maddie, Andy can be ANYTHING she wants to be." With that he leaned over and kissed Andy softly on the lips.

"Ew gross, Uncle Sam." Her theory satisfied, she ran over to join the other kids.

"So, girlfriend huh?" Andy kidded.

"Listen Andy, we don't need to put a label on anything, we can just….."

"Girlfriend sounds just fine to me."

They shared a smile before lazily walking back inside the house.


Before long dinner was ready. The food was set up buffet style in the dining room but first Jerry and Traci got everyone together in the den.

"We just want to thank you guys for coming to celebrate Leo's 8th birthday. Traci and I are glad to be able to host this party tonight as a family. We are thankful that everyone was able to be here... Leo, did you want to say anything?"

Leo smiled and pulled up a chair to stand on. Obviously fearless speaking to a group. "Thanks everybody for being at my birthday party. I want to thank my mom and Jerry for this great day and thanks to everyone for all the presents which I can't wait to open. Thanks to my Grandma for making my favorite cake. I want to specially thank my friend Sam who taught me how to be a prentice and helped build me the greatest tree house in the history of the whole wide world and thank you to Aunt Andy for being the bestest Aunt ever."

He glanced to the group and saw Andy snake her arm around Sam's waist. Sam leaned down to place a kiss on the top of her head. They exchanged a smile and then looked back to Leo who suddenly was grinning from ear to ear. His eyes got wide as he looked back and forth from Andy to Sam. "I knew it, I knew it!"

"What is it Leo?" asked Traci

He pointed directly at Sam and blurted out, "I think YOU might be Superman." Oh boy.

When everyone looked at Sam, Leo realized that he had just given up the secret that he told Sam and Andy he wouldn't. In a panic, he jumped down from the chair and ran up the stairs toward his bedroom.

Traci and Jerry were puzzled and started to head up stairs. Sam stopped them in their tracks. "You guys go eat, Andy and I will talk to him."

"You're sure?" Traci asked.

"Trace, I'll explain it later but this is sort of my fault." Andy admitted.

"It's OUR fault, but don't worry, it'll be fine." Added Sam.

They walked upstairs and knocked on Leo's door. "Come in." said a small voice.

Leo assumed it would be his mom but was surprised to see the couple before him.

He sat on his bed elbows on his knees, his head in his hands. "You probably hate me now."

"How could we ever hate you?" asked Andy as she sat next to him on his bed and slunk an arm around his small shoulders.

He sniffled, "You told me your superhero stories and told me not to say anything and I just spilled all your beans."

They tried not to laugh. "Leo, I should have never told you not to say anything. I just was excited to tell you about my awesome partner but I didn't want anyone to know how much I really cared about him."

Sam glanced over at Andy who gave him a shy smile.

Sam crouched down in front of Leo. "It's my fault too Leo." I loved hearing those stories from you. It made me really happy that Andy talked about me but I didn't say anything to you because I didn't want anyone to know how much I really cared about her."

Leo looked between the two of them and then wiped his eyes on his shirt sleeve. "Grownups are so weird."

Sam and Andy both nodded in agreement.

"So, you guys aren't mad?"

"Absolutely not. Actually, I think we're both really impressed that you figured it all out on your own." Said Sam.

"I told you guys, I'm gonna be a police when I grow up."

"Well you can be my partner any day buddy." Said Andy

Leo seemed to consider it for a second before replying. "Well actually Aunt Andy, I saw Sam kiss you and kissing is disgusting so I dont think I want to have a partner." He laughed.

Before long the three were laughing as Leo explained how he had in fact figured out that Sam was Andy's superhero. As he was nearing the end of his story he let out a big sigh.

"So when Sam told me the story about his partner getting shot, I membered Aunt Andy getting shot so I thought maybe you were talking about her. I saw big bruises on her tummy and her side when that happened."

"So why didn't you say something to me that day?" asked Sam.

"I wasn't a million percent positive yet. I still had to check for the goofy face."

Sam bit his lip and shook his head with a grin. "What goofy face?" asked Andy.

"Apparently, it's the face a boy makes when he likes a girl." Said Sam matter of factly.

"Oh…. I see. Did Sam make that face when he talked about me?" she asked very confidently.

"Yes, he did! And today you BOTH were making those faces. That's how I knew!" Leo seemed so proud of himself. Sam and Andy just smiled.

Just then Jerry and Traci walked in. "Is everything okay in here?"

"We're fine mom. I'm starving can I go eat?" Leo asked

"Yep, hustle down there, the Shaw girls are waiting for you."

"OK. Thanks Aunt Andy, thanks Sam." Leo started to run out the door when he came to an abrupt stop and spun around to face the four adults.

"Hey Sam, I was just thinking,…..next time we go to a hockey game…..can you give me a ride on the Zamboni?" Sam's mouth dropped open, Jerry and the ladies looked at Sam slightly confused.

"Yah,...I'll see what I can do buddy."

They waited till they heard his food steps descend the stairs. Jerry and Traci stood in front of Sam and Andy.

"So, …..Leo thinks you might be ...Superman?" Traci asked with a smile.

"It's kind of a long story Trace." Said Andy

"Why don't ya give us the abridged version, eh buddy?" asked Jerry with a smirk.

After making them swear themselves to secrecy, especially from Oliver, Andy explained how she had started telling bedtime stories to Leo and how they starred Sam as the superhero. Sam explained how Leo had shared some of the stories with him and how he had told some stories projecting Andy in the same light. They explained that Leo was fascinated and determined to figure out who the superheroes were. They had planned on talking to Leo that night but he made his announcement before they got the chance.

"Jer, I swear if you say a word to Shaw I will never fix anything in this house ever again."

"Sammy, brother, I promise." he said slightly amused.

"Trace, …Oliver will be relentless, you know he will."

"Fine, fine. We won't say a word." She said as she walked toward the hallway. "Now let's go eat….. Wonder twins." She couldn't help but giggle.

"We'll be right down smartasses." Sam called after them.

Andy had her lips pressed tightly together to keep herself from smiling.

"I'm sorry Sam, this is all my fault. If I would have just…"

Sam kissed her before she could continue. He meant it to just stifle any apology but she snuggled up close to him and deepened the kiss and there was no chance he was stopping her.

Finally they pulled away from each other, just their foreheads touching.

"I don't really care. I liked hearing the stories. They're what got me through those three weeks. If I couldn't see you, couldn't talk to you…couldn't touch you….." (the last part she could swear his voice got deeper) "…Then hearing you talk about me, about us,…that was the next best thing."

"I liked the stories too. Made me feel close to you. Then of course, there was your t-shirt, which by the way you are not getting back then there was the picture."

"What picture?" he questioned

Andy took her cellphone out of her back pocket and pressed a button to show her screensaver of him and the Shaw girls.

Sam sighed and smiled. "Oliver."

"Oliver." She smiled


Leo had a ball opening his gifts. The excitement in his voice seemed to raise an octave with each gift he opened. Before long he started to run out of steam. It had been a long day. Everyone said their goodbyes and started to make their way toward the street. Sam and Andy walked with the Shaw's to their car. They kissed the girls and Zoe good bye as they jumped in the minivan. Oliver kissed Andy on the cheek and grabbed Sam for a man hug. He stood back and smiled at the couple as he made his way to the driver's side. He stared for another minute before Sam finally said gruffly, "What Shaw?"

"I was just thinking Sammy, …..Superman, Really? The Incredible Hulk maybe but Superman? No way."

"Night Shaw." Sam grabbed Andy's hand as they walked toward his truck.

"So my place or yours?"

"Mine." She said immediately. "It's closer."

Sam smiled and drove as fast as the law would allow. They were just seconds inside Andy's door when she threw her keys and purse to the floor and pushed him against the wall. She pulled his jacket off and left it in a heap on the floor then started to kiss his neck and slowly unbutton his shirt.

"Uh, Andy, what do you think you're doing?" he said coyly

"Just checking."

"Checking for what?"

"An S on your chest." She grinned.