Author's Note: As always, thanks for the reviews! You guys are awesome and so encouraging. Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Rookie Blue.

"So, McNally," Oliver started as she and Sam walked into the parade room. Sam took the seat next to Oliver and Andy sat in front of them, next to Chris. "What's Sammy here like as a roommate?"

Andy shot a nervous glance at Sam, to which he responded with an imperceptible eye roll and shake of the head. Oliver caught the exchange. "Oh, my bad, is it still supposed to be a secret?" he asked unapologetically.

"No, it was never a secret," Sam told him, glancing around as other officers entered the room.

"Good. Then 'fess up, McNally," Oliver said, turning back to the rookie. "I've always suspected he's into something weird… animal sacrifices, poetry readings, midget porn, Harry Potter fandom maybe."

"You find poetry and midget porn equally concerning?" Andy asked skeptically.

Oliver shrugged, "I'm thinking that the poetry is about midgets."

"Oh, yeah," Andy said, nodding in agreement. "That would be concerning."

"It's the actually the least concerning thing I've considered," Oliver told her.

"You spend way too much time thinking about my personal life," Sam interjected into the rapid-fire banter between Oliver and his partner.

"That's cause you're just so darn mysterious, brother," Oliver mocked, clapping Sam on the shoulder. He looked expectantly at Andy. "Well?"

Andy laughed. "No, nothing too out of the ordinary," she assured Oliver.

Best called their attention to start parade and, with a small smile at Sam, Andy turned around in her seat.

"So," Oliver whispered to Sam, "You're still on for Jerry's tonight, right?"

"What's at Jerry's?" Sam asked.

Oliver looked at him in disbelief. "Me taking all your money, that's what's at Jerry's. Poker night."

Sam groaned. "I forgot."

"Oh, yeah, I can see how that could happen," Oliver said, giving the back of Andy's head a significant look. "You've had other things on your mind."

Sam ignored him. "I'll be there," he said.

"Good," Oliver said, "I could use some cash. My daughter needs to get braces put on this month."

"I hope you have another plan to pay for that," Sam shot back. Oliver guffawed, feigning insult.

Best cleared his throat, his unsubtle way of telling the two men to stop interrupting him. Oliver held his hands up and stage whispered, "Sorry."

Assignments were handed out and Andy found herself paired with Chris for the day, manning a speed trap near one of the city's new construction zones.

If there was any part of the job that Andy disliked, it was running speed traps, especially in the frigid November air. She and Chris took turns holding the radar gun, switching off when they could no longer move their faces or feel their hands.

"So, who's that girl I saw Dov with?" Andy asked Chris during one of their breaks. They sat in their car, both drinking hot chocolate in an attempt to warm up.

"You mean Sue?" Chris asked.

"I guess," Andy replied. She had no idea what the girl's name was.

"That's Dov's girlfriend," Chris told her with a wide grin.

Andy's eyes widened, "No way, Dov has a girlfriend?"

"Yeah, she's awesome," Chris said, obviously happy for his friend. "She's the bomb tech from meth house."

"Oh right!" Andy said, remembering who she was. "I thought she looked familiar. Wow, how'd I miss that one?"

"Well, you have been kind of out of it lately," Chris told her, honestly but not unkindly.

"I know," Andy admitted, taking a sip of the hot chocolate that she held. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay, I understand," Chris shrugged. "When I broke up with Denise I didn't want to talk about it either."

"Thanks," Andy said. She was reminded yet again of what a good friend Chris was.

"Hey, Sue's gonna join us at the Penny tonight," Chris told her. "Come with us and meet her for real, it'll be fun."

"I don't know Chris…" Andy said, hesitating.

Chris gave her his best puppy-dog eyes. "Please."

Andy looked over at him and he stuck out his bottom lip, pouting. There was no way she could say no to that. "Fine!" She agreed, laughing at his tactics. "You're right, it'll be fun."

Chris grinned. "Awesome!"

Aside from a brief pursuit, the driver had been on his cellphone and didn't want to end the conversation to get a ticket, the day had gone by smoothly.

Sam found Andy after shift in the locker room. "Hey," he said, leaning on the locker next to her's. "How was your day?"

"Cold," Andy grumbled as she pulled a sweater over the camisole she was wearing. "I was outside writing tickets for eight hours. I think my fingers have finally started to defrost though, so that's a plus. You?"

"Fine," Sam said dismissively, not really there to discuss his day. "Listen, I forgot about the poker game at Jerry's tonight. I usually just crash at his place afterwards."

"Oh," Andy said, "Okay, I told Chris I'd meet them at the Penny anyway. I think I've been avoiding it long enough. I'll just get a ride from someone or take the bus home."

"That's okay, I'll catch a cab with Oliver over there and get a ride from Jerry in the morning," Sam told her. He held up his keys, "You think you'll be okay to drive the truck home?"

Andy knew he was really asking how much she was planning on drinking that night. "I'll be fine," she said, taking the keys from him. "I'll probably stay for one drink and then head home and take a nice, hot bath."

"Whoa, slow down there, party animal," Sam warned sarcastically. "You sure you can handle all that in one night?"

Andy smirked at him. "Your senior citizen ways must be rubbing off on me."

"Ouch," Sam deadpanned. He watched as Andy stuffed some of her belongings into her workbag. "You going to be okay by yourself?"

"I'm a big girl Sam," Andy said, zipping her bag closed. "I'll be fine."

"I know," Sam said. "Just don't forget to lock the door and set the alarm."

"I won't forget," Andy said earnestly, "I promise."

She knew she should probably find his overprotectiveness smothering and overbearing, but she didn't. After he told her what happened to his sister, she understood that his concern came from a very real, very hurt, place and she'd long ago decided just to accept it as part of who he was.

Sam Swarek may not be scared of many things, but he was absolutely terrified of something happening to someone he loved.

Not that he loved her, Andy reminded herself quickly, interrupting her own thoughts. He cared about her and didn't want anything to happen to her. He didn't love her. And even if he did love her it wasn't love love, he loved her like a good friend, like a partner.

It was complicated.

Andy groaned inwardly just listening to her internal monologue. She shook her head to clear the distracting thoughts and forced herself to focus on what Sam was saying.

"And don't go rifling through my stuff," he finished gruffly.

Andy crossed her arms and leaned her shoulder against a closed locker. "Afraid I'll find your midget porn collection?" She joked.

Sam grinned, remembering their conversation with Oliver from earlier that day. "Nope, just my poetry."

"Well that actually might be worth searching for," Andy countered, laughing softly.

"I promise, it's not," Sam said, chuckling.

There was a brief moment where they both stood there, facing one another, smiling, not saying a word. It should have been awkward, but it wasn't.

The moment was broken when Sam coughed and pushed himself off the locker to stand up straight. "Alright, well, I'll see you tomorrow then."

Andy nodded. "Goodnight, Sam. Have fun."

He winked and then turned to walk away, calling back, "'Night McNally."

Andy waited until Sam left the room before turning back to her locker. As she did, she caught the expression on Gail's face. "What?" Andy asked sharply.

Gail, who had been watching the entire exchange, snorted, "You two need to just do it and get it over with."

"You don't know what you're talking about," Andy replied easily, picking up her bag.

"Oh please, two more seconds and he would have been dry humping you against the lockers," Gail predicted. Andy noticed that behind Gail, Traci was trying very unsuccessfully to hide her laughter. "I thought we were going to have to break out the fire extinguisher."

Rattled by the icy blonde's bluntness, Andy narrowed her eyes. "Gail… just…" She groaned, flustered, frustrated with herself for not being able to come up with an intelligent comeback. "Whatever."

"Nice one," Gail retorted. Hoisting her bag over her shoulder, she glanced between the other two women, "See you guys at the Penny."

"See ya Gail," Traci called out.

Andy glared at her friend.

Traci noticed the glare and turned to Andy. "What?" she asked, grinning. "You know she's right."

Andy just shook her head and walked out of the locker room without a word. She could still hear Traci's soft laughter as the door swung close.

As she had promised, Andy stayed for one drink at the Penny before heading home. It was actually really good to hang out with her friends again outside of work and to meet Dov's new girlfriend, but once Traci left Andy felt like the fifth wheel. She finished up her game of darts with Gail and Chris and then said her goodbyes.

She had just climbed into bed when she heard someone pounding on the front door. Alarmed, she hurried down the stairs to see what was going on. As she got closer she could hear a familiar voice call out, "McNally!"

"What the…?" Andy threw open the door to find Sam standing there, his fist poised to knock again. His eyes were glazed over and he had a ridiculous grin on his face.

"Hi," Sam greeted her, drawing the word out. He was clearly drunk. "I don't have my keys," he explained unnecessarily.

"Oh geez," Andy said, leaning against the doorframe. "I thought you were staying at Jerry's tonight."

"Well, I was," Sam explained slowly, gesturing towards himself, "But then Oliver wanted to take a cab home, " he pointed back towards the taxi, "So I joined him."

"Hi Andy," Oliver called. He hung out the back window, waving. "I brought Sammy home for you."

Andy just laughed and waved back. "Okay, thank you!" She signaled to the cab driver that she had Sam, and the taxi took off.

When she turned back to Sam he was still grinning at her. Apparently they were still in the "fun drunk" stage of the evening. Andy laughed, "You look like you're feeling pretty good right now."

"Oh, I am," Sam said, nodding. The movement made him dizzy so he stopped. "Can I come in?"

Andy smiled and stepped out of the way. "It is your house," she reminded him.

"That's right," he said as if he was just remembering, "It is." He stumbled over the doorstep and had to steady himself against the wall. He looked back to see what he had tripped over, "Where'd that come from?"

"It's been there for a while." Andy shook her head, chuckling at the sight in front of her.

"Oh. I'm going to get it removed. It's hazar… hazard…" He paused and licked his lips. "Well, it shouldn't be there."

"Okay," Andy indulged him while closing the front door. "You can take care of it later though."

Sam looked back and wrinkled his nose. "Yeah. Later." He started to walk towards his room again, leaning against the wall for support.

Andy took pity on him and his off-centered balance and wrapped one of his arms over her shoulder. "Come on," she said, "Let's get you to bed."

"That's a good idea," Sam said, leaning the majority of his weight onto Andy. She faltered slightly, the added weight throwing her off-balance, but quickly regained her footing. "Are you going to join me?"

Andy choked out a surprised laugh, "Ha, no Romeo, not tonight. I'm going to let you sleep this one off all on your own."

"You sure?" He whispered close to Andy's ear. He nuzzled his nose into her hair and his hand that had been around her shoulder began to migrate south.

"Sam!" She exclaimed, slapping his hand away. "Cut it out."

Sam grunted in displeasure, but didn't say anything else in response.

The trip had been slow but they finally made it to Sam's room. "Here you go," Andy said, standing him in front of his bed. She helped him get his jacket off and then instructed, "Arms up." He did as she asked and she pulled his long-sleeved t-shirt over his head, leaving him in an undershirt. She quickly undid his belt, her hands fumbling slightly, and slipped it free of his pants. "Sit down." Again, he did as she instructed and she knelt down to untie his shoes.

While she was working on getting his shoes off, Sam reached behind his back to yank his undershirt off. He balled in up and tossed it towards his laundry hamper.

Andy watched as it landed perfectly. She looked up at him and narrowed her eyes. "You're not really drunk are you?" She asked suspiciously.

"I was, actually, very drunk," Sam assured her. "But freezing my ass off outside waiting for you to open the door sobered me up a little bit."

Andy stood and put her hands on her hips. "Are you trying to take advantage of me?" She asked, trying to sound more upset than she actually was.

Sam just grinned and held his hands up in innocence. "You're the one that started undressing me," he pointed out.

"You didn't stop me," Andy accused.

Sam scoffed. "Why would I stop a beautiful woman from taking my clothes off?"

Andy blushed at the compliment but she shook her head and tried to look stern. It didn't work very well, Sam was still grinning that ridiculous grin at her and she couldn't help but smile back. "Okay, well," she said, turning to walk away. "I think you've got it from here."

"Wait." Sam stood up and grabbed her wrist.

Andy stopped. "What is it?"

Sam tugged on her arm, pulling her into his personal space. She stood mere inches away from him, close enough to feel the heat radiating off of his body and smell the alcohol that still lingered on his breath. It smelled sweet and when mixed with the cologne he wore, the effect was…

Intoxicating.

Andy reminded herself to breathe as Sam slipped an arm around her waist. His hand was warm against the sliver of skin exposed between where her camisole ended and her pajama pants began.

Her very thin camisole, Andy remembered as she felt her body unwittingly responding to him.

Sam's voice was low and gravelly when he spoke. "Andy, do you think…" He paused for a spilt second and she looked up at him, finding his dark brown eyes boring into hers. His thumb traced a lazy, unknown pattern on her bare skin.

She licked her lips. "Yes?" She wasn't sure if she was asking or answering.

"Do you think you could get me some water?" He asked, grinning down at her as he stepped away, putting some much needed distance between them.

The haze Andy had been in lifted and she reached out and slapped his arm. "Jerk," she swore.

"Owww," Sam complained, rubbing where she slapped him. "No, but really, will you get me some water?"

"Yes," Andy said, turning to stomp out of his room. "I'll get you your stupid water."

"And some Advil," he called. As an afterthought he added, "Thank you."

When Andy returned with a glass of water and two pills Sam was in bed, the covers pulled up to his chest. He patted the space beside him and Andy sat down, the bed dipping ever so slightly as she did.

"Here you go," She said, holding the pills and water out to him. "Sit up so you don't choke."

Sam smirked and pushed himself up, "Your concern is touching."

Andy watched as his swallowed the pills with a sip of water. She took the glass from him and set it on the nightstand and then asked, "So how'd it go tonight?"

"Eh…" Sam said, lying back down. "I was off my game."

"You didn't lose too much money, did you?"

"Enough to pay for at least one month of braces," he told her. Andy's brow wrinkled in confusion. "For Oliver's kid," he clarified.

Andy still didn't understand what he was talking about, but she let it go. "You're home kind of earlier than I would have expected from a boys' night."

"Maybe I just wanted to come home to you McNally," Sam said, brushing his fingers down her arm. Andy narrowed her eyes at him, knowing he wasn't drunk enough to actually admit to something like that. "Nash showed up and Jerry kicked us out," he admitted, dropping his hand. It landed on her hip and he left it there, curling his fingers around her.

"The real story always comes out eventually," Andy said, smiling softly. She didn't acknowledge the hand on her hip but she didn't object either.

Sam just shrugged. "How was the Penny?"

"It was good," Andy told him. "Dov has a girlfriend."

"Yeah," Sam said, yawning, "The bomb squad lady."

"How'd you know that?" Andy asked, genuinely surprised that he knew, especially since she hadn't.

"I know things McNally," he declared indignantly.

"I just didn't think you cared, that's all."

"Knowing and caring are two very different things," Sam informed her.

She raised an eyebrow and asked, "Did Oliver tell you?"

"Maybe," Sam confessed. His eyes were getting heavy but he fought to keep them open. "Did you get your bath?"

Andy grinned. "Yes I did," she replied, "And it was everything I hoped it would be."

"Good," Sam said with a sharp nod. He yawned again and Andy took it as her cue to leave.

"Well," she said, "If you're all set here I'm going to go back to bed."

"I'm good," he said, patting her leg. "Go to bed."

"Goodnight, Sam." On instinct she leaned forward and kissed his forehead. She didn't really think about the action until she had actually done it. She pulled back slowly, unsure of what his reaction would be.

A small smile tugged at his lips. "Goodnight, Andy."

"Goodnight," she repeated softly before standing. She padded out of his room, flicking off the light as she left.