The chapters from here on out will include moments from last three episodes of the season. Hope everyone enjoys my version of the undercover op. Leave a review and let me know what you think. :) Thanks for reading!

Disclaimer: I do not own Rookie Blue.

Chapter 10

Three days after Boyd pulled Sam out of his normal life, he was having drinks with Jamie Brennan after work. Brennan hadn't hesitated to hire him, saying he always needed extra manpower at his trucking company. "Thanks for this opportunity. Not a lot of employers out there can look past my time at Kingston Penn," Sam said, taking a swig of his beer.

"I know how hard it can be after doing time. Just don't let anything interfere with your work and we'll be good," Brennan responded.

Sam couldn't figure this guy out. He'd started poking around the warehouse, talking to some of the other guys and hadn't been able to catch even a whiff of anything illegal. And now, if he read between the lines, this guy was basically telling him to keep any of his dealings away from the warehouse. It didn't make sense.

"So, uh, how'd you turn your life around, get past your old life?" Sam asked.

"Maggie, my wife," he explained, looking over at Sam. "Get a good woman who believes in you and it gives you a reason to go straight."

Sam chuckled, trying to show Brennan he thought the idea was crazy. "Yeah, well, no good woman can get past me being in prison, so don't think that'll happen for me."

"She's out there. But if that's not incentive enough, just make sure to keep the stuff out of my warehouse, got it?" Brennan said.

Sam nodded. He was still confused how Brennan could put on such a good show about being out of the criminal life, but at least he seemed to have a soft spot for women. This was just the opening he needed to bring Andy into this operation without drawing any suspicion.

For the next few days, Sam went to work every day, balancing prying into Brennan's affairs without being noticed and actually doing the job J.D. was hired to do. There was nothing unusual about the shipments coming and going. Brennan didn't seem to have any covert meetings. And no one had a bad word to say about the man. In fact, most seemed to feel sorry for Brennan, not knowing how anyone could deal with losing a wife and daughter in such a tragic way.

Sam wished he had more time to look at the files about Brennan before Boyd pulled him in. He felt like he was missing something, the key piece to the puzzle. Sam supposed he could run his thoughts by Boyd, get his opinion, but quickly shook that thought off. Boyd was a good detective, but didn't play well with others and wasn't someone to bounce ideas off of. He needed Andy, someone who could help him work through what was going on, help him figure out why his gut was telling him something was off.

As Sam loaded crates onto a truck, he decided he'd contact Boyd tonight and tell him it was time for Andy to be sent in. And, well, needing her for the assignment might not be the only reason he wanted to tell Boyd it was time. It had only been a week, but he missed Andy like crazy. The thought of her being in his arms again made him grin like a giddy schoolboy. He pushed through the rest of the day hopeful with what tomorrow might bring.

Six days after Sam left, Frank told Andy to stop by his office after parade, but when she walked in she noticed Frank wasn't there. It was only her and Boyd.

"Tonight's the night. Swarek's ready for you," he said.

Andy was terrified and excited. She couldn't wait to see Sam again, but she was getting more and more nervous about the operation as she researched Brennan. "Okay, what's the plan?"

"You'll take a cab, driven by a member of my team, to the Alpine Inn, where Swarek has arranged a meeting with Brennan for tonight," he stated.

"What? Why is Brennan going to be there when I arrive?" she asked nervously.

"Swarek thinks if you enter the picture with Brennan around, he'll be less suspicious," Boyd continued, annoyed with her questions. "So, you and Swarek will meet up. Follow his lead on how he gets you back to the cover apartment. Your clothes will be dropped off tomorrow by a hotel van to go along with your cover that you're from out of town."

Many hours later, after completing a day of desk duty, Andy sat in the back of a cab. Boyd's guy Mark was driving her through the streets of Toronto, taking the long way to get to the bar where she would be meeting Sam. She was nervous. If she said or did the wrong thing, Brennan could make Sam as a cop, make her as a cop. The photos of the people Brennan tortured haunted her and she wondered if Sam made the right decision asking her to join him. He was experienced with this, but she wasn't.

Mark glanced at Andy in the rearview mirror and her nervousness was written across her face. He wondered what Boyd was thinking sending this rookie in. "Relax," he said, catching her eyes in the mirror.

That's easy for him to say, Andy thought. She pouted and stared aimlessly out the window. Somehow she had to channel Sam's faith in her. She thought about all the times he encouraged her, all the times he had faith in her when she didn't. It brought a smile to her face and she felt calmer. When the cab slowed down, she noticed they were pulling up outside the Alpine Inn. She took a couple deep breaths and glanced at Mark before getting out of the car. She took one last deep breath before she pulled open the door to the bar.

Sam was playing pool with Brennan when he saw Andy enter the bar. He'd been checking the entrance every few minutes, waiting for her to walk through the door. Even in the dim light of the bar and from across the room, Sam could see the nervousness in Andy's eyes. She walked to the bar and looked around while she waited for her drink. That's when she saw Sam. Her heart started beating faster and she wasn't sure if it was from nervousness or seeing how the black shirt he wore hugged his muscles. She took a gulp of her beer and sauntered over to a table near where the men were playing pool. She recognized Brennan, but had no idea who the other two men were that were playing with Sam.

She looked at Sam and smiled as she sat sipping her beer. She was Candace, from out of town, flirting with a hot guy, she reminded herself. Sam looked her up and down so the other men would notice, before knocking the 9-ball in the pocket and winning the game for him and Brennan. The two guys on the losing end stomped off toward the bar.

Brennan hadn't missed the looks Sam had been throwing Andy. He hadn't seen his new employee give a second glance to any other women on the previous two occasions they had come to the bar, so he walked over to Andy. "Wanna play?" he asked, pointing to the table with his pool stick.

"I'm not really that good," she admitted.

"That's okay. My buddy here can help you. Isn't that right, J.D.?" he asked, looking over to Sam.

"Sure, anything to help a pretty girl out," he said, smiling at Andy.

"Haven't seen you around here before," Brennan said as he racked the balls.

"Oh yeah, I'm, uh, just in town for a conference," Andy replied, trying to fight off her nerves.

"What type of conference?"

"Insurance. Pretty boring, actually, but it's work." Andy was relieved when Brennan seemed to accept her answer.

Sam realized she wasn't lying when she said she was bad. "Here, let me help," he said, leaning over Andy as she held the pool stick and prepared to hit a ball. "You want to grip it this way," he said, placing his hands over hers and guiding them to a better spot. Andy's mind went blank when Sam pressed his whole body flush up against her. Well, they were supposed to flirt in front of Brennan, she thought.

He continued to help her throughout the game, but Brennan still won. "Good game," she said to Brennan, and then looked over to Sam and smiled. "Thanks for the help." She walked over to the bar and sat on a stool trying to wave the bartender down. Sam started to follow, but Brennan pulled him over to the side.

"A woman like that doesn't knock on your door every day. We can catch up later. I wouldn't let that slip through my fingers if I were you," Brennan said, nodding toward Andy. Sam was relieved. Not only did he buy their flirting, Brennan was telling him to take Andy home. This was even better then he hoped.

"Thanks boss. I, uh, didn't want to be rude. But, uh, guess I'll see you tomorrow then," he responded.

"No worries man," Brennan said, patting him on the back.

Sam walked back over to where Andy was sitting. He put a hand on her shoulder and she turned around to face him. "Can I buy you a drink?"

Andy smiled. "I thought you'd never ask."

They had a couple of drinks before Sam figured it was safe for them to leave. He helped Andy put on her coat before leading her out the door.

"Apartment's a few blocks away. You okay walking? You warm enough?" he asked when they got outside.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she said and intertwined her fingers with Sam's.

They walked the few blocks in silence, having so much to say to each other, but not knowing if they were being followed. He unlocked the door to his apartment and walked up the stairs and into the large open room. While Andy glanced around and took her jacket off, Sam looked directly at one of the hidden cameras and waved his hand in Andy's direction, showing the team she made it. When he was satisfied they would know she was safely there, he flipped a switch on the wall into the off position.

"Cameras are off," he said, taking Andy's coat from her and tossing it next to his on a chair.

"This place is nice, beats your last undercover apartment," she said. Sam watched as Andy walked around the apartment, fingers trailing along the backs of chairs, the edge of the bed and the top of the wood stove before she casually sat on the edge of the table. "I like it."

"That's good. It'll be your home for the next few weeks or months," Sam replied, fitting his legs between hers as he stood in front of her. It had only been days since they last saw each other, but Sam missed her. Missed her more than he thought he would. He lay awake that morning making the decision that he would not be doing any future deep cover work unless she was with him.

Missing the feel of her, Sam ran his hands along her thighs and up her arms, coming to rest on the sides of her face. Andy ran her hands underneath his shirt and up his chest. "Shit! Your hands are freezing," Sam yelped, jumping at her cold touch.

Andy giggled as she played with the hair on his chest. "I think it's your job to warm me up."

Sam shook his head in amazement, but brought his mouth down to hers.

Later that night, they lay in bed, legs tangled, Andy's head resting on Sam's chest and his fingers drawing circles on her bare back. Andy loved the feeling of being in Sam's protective arms.

"Want something to drink?" Sam asked.

"Mmmhmm," Andy responded, and slid off his chest onto a pillow as he got out of bed. The cool air of the apartment was a stark contrast to the heat radiating off her back, but she was too comfortable to pull the sheets up higher than where they laid at her waist.

Sam quickly brought a glass of water back to bed, trying to hide what his other hand held. Lucky for him, Andy's eyes remained closed. His one hand hovered over her back for a moment before he trailed an ice cube down her spine, leaving it melting on her lower back.

"Sam!" she shrieked, almost knocking the water out of his hand as she sat up.

"That was for the cold hands," he said, flashing his dimples.

"You're evil," she said, shivering as she pulled the sheets up around her.

"Yup. But you love me anyway," he replied.

Andy rolled her eyes. "You're lucky I love you," she said, taking the glass out of his hands and sipping some of the water. She smiled as he took the glass back and put it on the table next to the bed. He laid back down, pulling her close and she rested her head in the crook of his neck. Sam felt the skin on her arm was chilled, so he pulled the heavy comforter up around her shoulders as she snuggled into the warmth of his body.

"We need to go over a few of the important rules about UC work," Sam said.

"Now?" she asked.

"I should've done it the moment you walked in the door, but we were a little preoccupied." He really didn't want to discuss this now, but for their safety he had to. "Are you listening?"

"Mmmhmm," she replied, sleepily.

"McNally." She knew when Sam used that voice, he meant business.

"I'm listening. Go ahead," she said, shifting her head so she could look at Sam's face.

"Okay. When we're in this apartment alone we can be Sam & Andy, but the moment you step out that door you become Candace. Remember that. You're life will depend on it," he said.

"I understand," Andy replied.

"If we're not here, the cameras have to be on. The cover team will notify us if anyone breaks in. If anyone is here with us, cameras have to be on," he explained. "We can shut them off while we're alone, but should keep them on as much as possible. Got it?"

"Yes, got it. Sam?" She waited until he turned his face toward her before continuing. "Thank you for believing in me. I promise I won't screw this up."

Sam kissed her forehead before she shifted her head back onto his chest and they quickly fell asleep.

The next two days passed uneventfully. Sam went to work at the warehouse and Andy stayed in the apartment. They decided that until Brennan knew she had stuck around, it was best she lie low. Sam wanted to make sure he was around when Brennan saw her again, just to protect her in case he suspected something.

She thumbed through magazines, cleaned and reorganized the apartment all in the first day. The second day she looked through the books in the bookcase and found a couple that looked interesting, so she sat down to read one. She was doing everything possible not to be bored. She knew they had to be careful about how they integrated Candace into J.D.'s life, but she was starting to feel useless.

When Sam came home that night, she suggested she get a job as part of her cover. He knew it was a good idea, so he suggested seeing if there was a waitress opening at the Alpine Inn. But that wasn't what Andy had in mind. She was part of this undercover operation, so it was about time she acted like it.

"I was thinking more along the lines of finding a way to work with Brennan," she said as she took dishes out of the cabinet for dinner.

"What? No. This guy's dangerous, you don't need to be working for him," Sam replied, his over protectiveness taking over.

Andy rolled her eyes, frustrated. She placed the dishes on the table hard, and the noise caused Sam to stop what he was doing and give Andy his full attention. "I get that he's dangerous, but it's not like I can stay away from him since I'm part of this operation," she said. "Plus, it's not too dangerous for you to be working for him."

She had him there. And if she was in the warehouse with him, he'd be able to keep an eye on her. "We can't push too hard. But if we find an opening, we can talk to him about hiring you," he relented.

Andy was happy with that and walked over to Sam, framing his face in her hands as she leaned up to kiss him. Stepping away, she continued to set the table while Sam started to cook dinner.

The next night Brennan suggested meeting at the Alpine Inn for drinks after work and Sam decided this was a good time to put "Candace" on display again. As they walked to the bar, Sam thought about this being a turning point in the operation. If Brennan didn't buy why she was still around, it could blow the whole thing. He didn't want to put any additional pressure on Andy, so he kept his worries to himself and prayed for a good outcome.

Brennan and some other guys Sam worked with were already at a table when they arrived, so they quickly made their way over and sat down. Sam made introductions and Andy recognized the names – Johnny, Joey and Matt – as Sam had told her about the guys he worked with earlier.

"I see Candace is still with us," Brennan said, casting a cautious glance over Andy.

"Yeah, I was supposed to leave, but just couldn't and I missed my plane," Andy responded, smiling and placing a kiss on Sam's cheek.

"Just couldn't let her go, boss. Sometimes you just know and you gotta keep 'em around," Sam said and then chuckled briefly.

"Sure, sure, I get it. Well, welcome to town Candace. First rounds on me," he said, walking over to the bar.

As the rest of the guys started talking about hockey, Andy looked over at Sam. His eyes told her to relax, and the arm around her waist moved so he could rub a hand up her back.

By the time Brennan came back, Johnny had been distracted by a tall blond at the bar and went over to buy her a drink. Sam and Joey soon decided to play a game of pool, and Sam placed a kiss on Andy's cheek before getting up from the table. When Matt excused himself to the bathroom, Andy tried not to feel uncomfortable being left alone with Brennan. That didn't last long.

"So a girl shows up in a bar then shacks up with the first guy she has a connection with. That's the story you're trying to tell me?" Brennan asked.

Andy's eyes shot wide-open and she almost choked on the beer in her mouth. Did he see through the story she and Sam told him to explain why she was still around? "I'm not trying to tell you anything," Andy replied, trying to remain calm.

"C'mon, Candace from Wisconsin," Brennan prompted, the tone of his voice worrying her.

Maybe the real Candace would be pissed that he was questioning her. Maybe she'd be fearful of his aggressive questioning. Andy took a sip of her drink and glanced over at Sam, who flashed a smile her way. It calmed her and she refocused. Keep it real, as truthful as you can, was what Sam was always telling her. Here goes nothing, she thought.

"Fine," she said and sighed for dramatic effect. "Uh, my dad is an alcoholic and my mom left us. So, I choose the route of stability. I moved out and found Mr. Nice Guy, only to realize it was the worst decision of my life. So, after that, decided to get out of town, I end up at a dive bar, I meet J.D. and for the first time in a really long time I was starting to have fun, so I stayed."

Andy tried to read Brennan's face. He seemed to be thinking over what she said, maybe debating whether or not to believe her. She tried to look annoyed that he was questioning her and hoped it was convincing. "I finally found happiness and I don't want to let it slip through my fingers. I know it might sound crazy, but when you know you know," she said.

When Brennan's mouth curved into a smile, the fear tearing through her body eased up. He took a long sip of his beer and followed the glass with his eyes as he set it back on the table. He looked up at Andy and tilted his head to one side. "You remind me a bit of my wife, Maggie," he said. "She brought out the best in me. I think you do that to J.D. and he could use a bit of that right now."

He warmed up to Andy and began telling her more about his wife and daughter. She listened intently, hoping he'd say something that could help the operation.