Author's Note: Sorry this one is a little late! I went out of town for Labor Day and have been away from the computer. I hope it's worth the wait! Just to avoid any possible confusion... this is NOT the last chapter. Thank you to everyone who has given feedback. I love hearing from you all!

Oh! In case you're wondering, in my head Andy is listening to Adele. When they dance (later in the chapter) the song is "Make You Feel My Love."

Disclaimer: I do not own Rookie Blue or Adele.

Andy slowly turned to look at him, a lazy grin spreading across her face.

She placed the cup she had been drying on the counter but stayed where she was. "Did you at least kind of not hate it?" She asked, wringing the towel between her hands.

Sam's mouth curved into a smile. "I didn't hate it," he told her, pocketing his hands in the dress pants he still wore. His suit jacket and tie had long ago been discarded.

"Would you go so far as to say you had fun?" She asked hopefully.

"I would." Sam agreed, nodding.

Andy breathed out a heavy sigh. "Good," she replied, smiling. "I'm glad."

Sam chuckled at her obvious relief. "Were you worried?" he asked.

"A little," Andy admitted, shrugging her shoulders. "I know you usually hate this kind of thing. And you did tell me no parties."

"You're right," Sam said, nodding. "I did say that." Andy's smile fell so he added quickly, "But I think we both know I say stupid things sometimes."

"Yes," Andy said, the smile returning to her face, "You do."

They stood staring at one another, smiling widely. Sam was on one side of the kitchen propped against the doorway and Andy on the other side, leaning on the counter.

All of a sudden the tension in the kitchen ratcheted up and the air between them crackled with expectation. Their eyes met and with a shared look they confirmed what the other was thinking; they both knew where the evening was headed but there was little rush to get there. The slowly building burn of anticipation was exciting and they were going to enjoy it.

The song switched over to something slow and pretty. Sam tilted his head to listen to it and then pushed himself upright, taking a couple of steps towards Andy. She looked at him and he could read the question in her eyes.

Sam stopped just in front of Andy took the towel from her hands, tossing it onto the counter. He held out his hand. "Would you like to dance with me, Andy?" He asked, his voice deep and rough.

Shivers of excitement ran up her spine and Andy grinned at him. "You dance?" She asked, surprised. She took his extended hand and placed her other over his shoulder, splaying it across the muscle there, rubbing it gently.

His fingers skimmed over the warm, bare skin of her back before he settled his hand securely around her waist, pulling her firmly against him. "Only on special occasions," he told her, slowly beginning to move them back and forth.

"Oh, and this is a special occasion?" Andy asked, lifting her head to meet his dark brown eyes with her own.

"Well," he reminded her gently, winking, "It is my birthday."

"It is," she agreed, resting her head against his solid chest. They swayed together, moving slowly to the music, holding one another.

"So how did you pull it off?" Sam asked. "The party, I mean?"

"Forget it," she replied easily. "I'm not giving away my secrets. Or my accomplices."

Sam just laughed. "Okay," he agreed without argument, his eyes twinkling as he smiled down at her. "You ready?"

She swallowed hard. "For what?"

"For this," Sam answered as he wrapped his arm around her back and grabbed her hand. He twirled her away from his body and she laughed as she swept her arm out to finish the move before curling back into him.

"That was very smooth, Officer Swarek," Andy gently teased him, bringing both of her arms around his neck. She played with the short hairs at his nape, gazing up at him.

"I've got skills, McNally," he informed her, dipping her dramatically and kissing her as she was arched in his arms.

She laughed happily as he pulled her back into his arms. Light-headed, she steadied herself before grinning up at him. "Very impressive."

"Thank you," he said, spreading his fingers over her back as she curled her hand behind his neck again.

They danced together slowly until Andy stopped abruptly, her eyes wide. "Oh my gosh."

"What's wrong?" Sam asked, taking in her expression as he searched her face for an answer.

"I forgot to get you a present," she told him, shaking her head in disappointment. "I completely forgot. I can't believe it, it's like the most basic…" Sam bent his head and captured her lips with his own, effectively silencing her ramblings. He pulled back and she looked up at him, slightly dazed. "I'm so sorry," she whispered.

He just laughed mildly and tightened his hold on her. "It's okay."

"I was so worried about meeting Sarah and then the party that I just didn't even think about it," she said, irritated with herself.

"Andy," Sam interrupted again. "It's fine. I wasn't expecting…" he shook his head, surprised by the unexpected emotion that he felt, and then cleared his throat. "I wasn't expecting any of this," he told her honestly. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," she replied softly, touched by the sincerity in his voice.

"You know," he continued, holding her hand in his against his chest, "That I'm not expecting anything, right?" He narrowed his eyes, hoping she understood what he was trying to say.

"I know," she responded quietly. She peered up at him, studying him intently, before her eyes dropped to the hand he held against him. Releasing his hand, she trailed her fingers over to the buttons of his shirt, slowly working the top one through its hole. She moved down to the second one and undid it as well before looking back up at him.

Sam gazed down at her, smiling softly as he pushed a strand of hair from her face. He wrapped his hand around into her hair and pulled back gently, angling her face up to his as he leaned down to kiss her.

The mood in the room quickly changed as his lips brushed against hers, slow but needy, growing in urgency as she responded readily to him. Moaning softly, she tilted her head and parted her lips, inviting, urging, him to deepen the kiss. He pulled her against him, reveling in the feeling of her soft curves pressed against his body.

She skimmed her hands down to his waist to untuck his shirt before moving them back up to work on the buttons again. When she had undone all of them she ran her hands across his chest and over his shoulders, sliding the shirt off of him. She bunched the fabric of his undershirt in her hands and then tore her lips away from his for the briefest of moments to pull it over his head, letting it drop to the floor. Her hands eagerly explored the bare skin revealed to her, gliding her short nails down the muscles of his torso before sliding around to his back.

His lips were back on hers again within seconds, groaning into the kiss. Her fingers were warm against his skin and her touch ignited the nerve endings beneath. His hand skimmed up her back, finding the zipper to her dress. He lifted his head, breaking the kiss, and looked down at her, searching her eyes.

"I seem to remember something about black lace," he whispered, his voice ragged.

She panted slightly and nodded, unable to form the words but wanting to encourage him to keep going. She leaned forward in his arms, pressing a kiss against the corded muscle above his collarbone and another one where his shoulder met his neck.

When she realized his hands remained still on her back, she looked up at him, dark brown eyes meeting one another. The permission he found in her eyes was all he needed as he lowered the zipper, slowly. When he reached her bottom his skimmed his fingers back up her arms, leaving goosebumps in his wake.

He rested his hands on her shoulders, his fingers slipping beneath the thin straps of her dress, and he bent his head down to kiss her again, softly brushing his lips against her own. Andy allowed herself to melt into the kiss, the intensity of the moment overwhelming.

"Your hands are shaking," she whispered, her voice trembling as her own hands dug into his back.

Sam let out a strangled chuckle, pulling back slightly and dropping his hands to her waist. "Yeah, I guess they are."

Andy looked up at him and her stare was penetrating. She was so used to him being the one in control, being the one to confidently guide them. She had watched him take down countless criminals with his ever present smirk, never shaken, never rattled.

Except when it came to her.

It was empowering, knowing the affect she had on him. Empowering and incredibly humbling.

After a moment she took a step back, out of his reach. His eyes widened with fear but she smiled reassuringly as she raised her own fingers to the straps of her dress. Slowly, she pushed the material off of her, letting it pool at her feet.

She stood before him in a black lace teddy and matching panties. She watched as his eyes slowly moved over her body, drinking her in.

Andy smiled shyly, suddenly nervous. "Does it live up to the fantasy?" She asked quietly.

Sam swallowed hard and nodded, letting out a deep breath he didn't know he was holding. "You're beautiful," he muttered, almost to himself. Reaching out for her, he stroked his hand down her hair, repeating, "So beautiful."

He pulled her back to him and kissed her, gently, almost reverently. He pressed his lips to the skin of her neck, moving slowly down one side and then across her chest, tracing the top of her lingerie with his fingers, before sweeping back up to her lips, claiming them again with hot, desperate need. She responded immediately, her hands moving up into his hair as she tugged him down to her, kissing him hungrily.

He felt her hands move to his belt, her fingers grazing his skin as she slipped it off of him.

He broke away from the kiss, his chest heaving. Andy watched, mesmerized, as he rested his hand above her breast, feeling the shallow breaths the she took and the rapid beat of her heart. Slowly, his eyes locked with hers, he moved his hand down and cupped her over the lacy fabric, testing the weight of her breast in his palm.

She whimpered as he tightened his hand, squeezing her tenderly. She could hear blood pounding in her ears and heat pooled in her stomach as he moved his hands over her, exploring, gaining in confidence as her body responded to his ministrations.

Finally, overcome with his need for her, he pulled her firmly against him, lifting her off the ground. She wrapped one leg around his waist and his hands went to her rear, guiding her other leg around him as well. Sam kissed her feverishly, walking her back towards his bedroom.

He laid her on the bed and climbed on top of her, covering her body with his own. She moaned as he pressed her against the mattress with a searing kiss. Blindly, she worked the zipper of his pants, swallowing his groan with a kiss, and helped him push his pants down. He sat up to pull them off, taking a moment to look at her, stretched languidly across his bed.

His gaze landed back on hers and she shuddered, waiting expectantly for him to join her again. She reached her hand out to him, beckoning him. He moved back up her body and hovered above her, bracing himself on one elbow as his other hand skimmed down her side, coming to rest on her waist.

With soft touches and gentle caresses, they removed the rest of their clothing and came together. He moved above her, whispering into her ear, telling her how beautiful she was and how good she felt, as she raked her nails down his back and clung to him, squeezing her eyes shut and crying out in pleasure.

Afterwards they lay tangled together on their sides, smiling softly at one another, satisfied and satiated.

"I think I like this tradition better than birthday pancakes," Sam mused, rubbing small circles on her back.

Andy raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah?"

"Yeah," Sam said, nodding. "Of course," he grinned, "We could combine the two and I could cover you in whipped cream and sprinkles,"

Andy giggled and rolled on top of him. "Wouldn't that get sticky?" She intertwined their fingers and held his hands by his head, leaning down to brush her lips against his.

Sam shook his head and then nipped at the sensitive skin that covered her collarbone. "I would personally make sure it was all cleaned off of you."

"Well in that case," she agreed, sitting up fully to straddle his waist. Rolling her hips, she smiled down at him, "There's always next year."

The bright morning sun filtered in through the windows, waking Sam up. He fought it, hoping for a few more moments of sleep, but eventually he opened his eyes. Andy was still tucked against his body, his arm resting possessively over her waist, snoring softly in her sleep. He traced his fingers over the curve of her cheek, pushing away an errant strand of hair, before pressing a light kiss to her forehead. Careful not to wake her up, he pushed himself out of the bed and headed towards the bathroom.

He caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror and, with a smug smile, noted the scratch marks across his lower back. He was certain that if he examined her body, which he had every intention of doing, he would find evidence of the previous night's activity as well.

When he returned she was still sleeping, her chest rising and falling with every breath she took. She looked peaceful and content, so he fought the urge to wake her and instead pulled on a pair of boxers and made his way to the kitchen.

He walked back into his bedroom with two mugs of fresh coffee. He had quickly decided to forgo his former plan of letting her sleep, figuring she wouldn't mind if he woke her up. He waved the coffee under her nose, hoping the smell alone would wake up her. She stirred slightly, but didn't wake, so he set the coffee down and sat beside her, the bed sagging with his weight.

"Andy," he whispered, running his hand up her shoulder. She moaned softly and he did it again, gently rousing her. "Andy, wake up."

Her eyes flicked open and she blinked to focus them, taking in his presence beside her. She stretched out like a cat, waking her muscles, before snuggling into her pillow. She yawned and then smiled sleepily at him. "Good morning."

"Good morning to you," Sam said quietly, watching her. He picked up the coffee mug from the nightstand and held it out to her enticingly. "I brought you some coffee."

"Mmmm," Andy sighed happily, sitting up and reaching for the cup. She let the sheet fall to her waist, allowing Sam to take in a very appreciated eyeful, before quickly pulling it up over her naked chest.

She took a sip and then cut her eyes over to him, her lips tugging into a sly smile. "So did you, uh… sleep well last night?" She asked innocently.

Sam looked over at her, smirking. "Oh yeah," he agreed, nodding, "Best night of sleep I've had in a while."

Andy smiled widely, pleased. "Good," she said.

"And you?"

"Eh." Her brow furrowed and she shrugged.

His smirk fell and he narrowed his eyes. "Eh?" he repeated incredulously.

She nodded and then grinned. "I think I'm probably going to have to get a lot more sleep before I can make my final decision. You know, just to give an accurate…" she was cut off by her own burst laughter, giggling he swiftly took her coffee from her and set it aside. Grabbing her waist, he pulled her back down on to the bed, her head landing on the pillow as he climbed over her, tickling her ribcage and grazing his fingers over the sides of her breasts.

"Sam!" She cried out, laughing and out of breath, pushing his hands away from her. He relented his assault and settled himself above her, kissing her fully on the mouth. She cupped her hands around his face, brushing her thumb over his jawline, and grinned happily into his kisses.

He broke away from her and trailed his lips over her face, suckling the lobe of her ear into his mouth, eliciting a soft moan.

"I've got to say," he muttered against her skin, kissing his way down her breastbone and swirling his tongue around her belly button. "This was excellent planning McNally."

"What do you mean?" she asked distractedly as she hooked her fingers in the waistband of his boxers, pushing them as far down as she could before using her toes to pull them the rest of the way off.

"Seducing me on my birthday," Sam accused, running his hand down to her thigh, feeling the muscle quiver beneath his fingers. "Scheduling us to have today off of work."

She scoffed, acting offended at the insinuation. "I didn't plan anything," she tried to tell him, giggling as his stubbly cheek tickled her stomach.

"So you always wear lingerie like that under your clothes?" he asked, looking up at her and raising a dubious eyebrow. "Damn, now that I know what's hiding beneath your uniform..."

"Okay, okay," Andy interrupted as she grinned and thread her fingers through his hair, tugging gently to pull him back up to her. She kissed him and then smiled sheepishly "I may have planned it a little bit."

Sam grinned down at her. "I never would have guessed," he teased kindly.

"I didn't hear you complaining," Andy grumbled good-naturedly, circling his nipple with her finger before flicking her nail over it, watching as it hardened beneath her touch.

"You'll never hear me complain about anything that involves you getting naked," he said gruffly, rubbing his thumb over her hipbone before squeezing her flesh and causing her to arch against him. "Did you have any plans in mind for today?"

Andy bit her lower lip and nodded. "I was thinking," she said, trailing her fingers down his chest, stopping when she saw his eyes darken with desire, "That I need to do laundry and clean up from the party and at some point we really need to go to the grocery store..." she started to untangle herself from him, pretending she was going to get up from the bed.

He caught her by her waist and hauled her back down, pinning her to the mattress with her arms clasped in one of his hands above her head. She laughed as he kissed his way down the column of her neck. "I don't think so," he told her. His free hand trailed down to her thigh and he pulled it up, encouraging her to wrap it around his waist. She did, breathing a sharp intake of air as his hips nestled between her legs.

"You have other plans?" Andy asked naively, breathing hard as she scraped her nails between his shoulder blades.

"Oh, I have many, many plans," he assured her, grinning wickedly before disappearing under the covers.