AN: I hit a bit of a writer's block with this chapter but hopefully it turned out okay, sorry its shorter than usual :( definitely let know in a review. Hope you enjoy!
Andy and Jay were sitting in the car for no longer than 5 minutes when they saw Nick and Gail pull up to the empty parking spot next to them. Nick got out first and opened the door for Gail in typical Nick Collins fashion, then walked over to Jay's car and knocked on the window signaling to walk in together.
"Do you have any words of advice?" Nick asked Jay before opening the door into the station, knowing Jay has been in their position many times over.
"You two were gone for 6 months, time did not stop, and people did not stop living their lives. You two were the ones that left, so don't expect things to stay the same," Jay replied with a tone of seriousness that neither Nick nor Andy had expected.
With that, the 4 of them made their way through the familiar doors of 15th division. They had got there 5 minutes before parade was scheduled to start, so they had no time to spare but as soon as they entered the building, all eyes were on them and the entire division started a round of applause. The success of the case was still yet to be determined but the coppers were like family to each other and they were just glad to have Andy and Nick back home safe. Andy and Nick made their rounds hugging and sharing a few tears with their colleagues but Andy couldn't get over the feeling that something was missing.
Frank suddenly appeared from his office, "alright, alright, Blackstone my office, McNally, Collins get into uniform, the rest of you to parade."
The coppers dispersed and followed the orders of their sergeant and made their way to parade and quickly found their seats. Andy and Nick had joined them shortly after, and took their usual between Dov and Traci, and started chatting with their friends. Another 5 minutes later Frank entered the room with Jay following closely. Frank made his way to the podium while Jay stood in front of the door. No one was quite sure what Jay's plans were since rumors started spreading that Superintendent Peck had enough of Jay Blackstone after what happened with Sam.
Andy quickly scanned the room, someone is missing, she thought as she took a second look at the back of the room. Oliver, Noelle, and that's presumably Cruz but no Sam.
"Where's Sam?" Andy asked Traci.
"He's a detective now, remember? He doesn't have to come to these anymore," Traci replied casually, trying to decide where Andy and Sam stood.
"Oh, right..." Andy said hesitantly just as Frank was ready to start the parade.
"First, a round of applause for Officer McNally, and Officer Collins for returning in tact from an undercover assignment with drug squad, you were both greatly missed," with that the room turned into a concert of hoots and hollers. It was always a good day when a copper returned home.
"Alright, let's settle down now. Second some of you may know Jacob Blackstone from the same assignment but he will be staying with us for some time. Superintendent Peck has requested that he is to be at the top of the chain of command at 15," immediately the whispers started among the coppers as they all turned their heads to the back of the room.
With all eyes on him, Jay stood in perfect posture and said "Listen, I'm not trying to undermine Frank or anyone else here. Just think of me as an observer and continue on as you normally would," everyone just stared at him knowing there was no way they could just continue on when someone from head office was watching them, waiting for them to fuck up so Jacob Blackstone could throw them under a bus.
Frank when on with the parade after Jay's little speech which Nick and Andy both knew was bullshit, if there was 1 thing they learned in those 6 months, it was that Jay always had to be in charge. Nick was assigned to traffic which basically meant writing tickets and getting yelled at by people who couldn't follow rules, while Andy was stuck manning the desk. Halfway through her shift Traci came to say hello out of pity, when Andy saw Gail laughing hysterically with Marlo Cruz.
"So is that a thing?" Andy asked waving a pen in their direction.
"Yeah, kinda, I don't know" Traci replied with sincerity to her tone. "But forget about them! We, the rookies, planned a camping trip this weekend but Oliver found out so he invite himself and a bunch of the T.O's, but it should be fun. You in?" she asked, changing the subject in an instant.
"A bunch of T.O's?" Andy asked in return suspiciously?
"Yeah, I'm mean Noelle can't make it because of the baby but it's okay, there will be alcohol and Nick's already in"
"So that leaves Oliver and Sam"
"And Marlo but I already wrote you down as attending, so just pitch your $15 to Chris and I'll see you after work at the Penny!" Traci said hastily and ran off before Andy could say anything.