Don't forget to check out the Rookie's Choice Awards in The Parade section of the forum. Categories have been posted and nominations are now being accepted.

As always, thanks to SairsJ for her keen eye.

Traci's turn. Enjoy

Doin' the Nash-ty

"Serve, Protect, and Play on Your Own Time!"

Frank was scowling at Dov when he said it, and everyone was well aware of what Dov had done last week, but there were also a few snickers and knowing glances thrown at Sam and Andy when some caught the double meaning.

Andy blushed a deep shade of crimson and busied herself with her notebook till everyone started to file out of the room. She stood up and quickly followed suit, trying to decide if it was worth fueling the fire or not. She really wanted to see Sam before he left, but she wasn't a fan of the knowing looks that were already coming her way. Still he could probably use the pep talk.

She, herself, wasn't jumping for joy about being stuck in booking but she knew Sam had it worse. Manning a speed trap was bad enough, but manning it with Dov, for Sam, that would be a living hell especially on his first day back.

It's not that he didn't like Dov; he did. It's just he preferred him in small doses and his resistance was low after being out of practice for three weeks; it was definitely shaping up to be a long shift for him.

Andy exited the parade room and immediately looked around for Sam, but when she finally spotted him, she could see that Oliver had it all under control. She gave him a small smile, shrugged her shoulders and turned towards booking instead. She spotted Traci up ahead. "Hey Trace, wait up."

They had missed each other this morning when Andy was in with Frank so Traci was happy to steal a little girl time in the locker room before she had to head out. The door had barely closed behind them when Traci practically dragged Andy over to her locker. There were only a few others milling about, but she lowered her voice just to be safe. "Soooo? You skipping the Penny for a little sexy time with Swarek tonight?" Traci teased. "Maybe a little divine inter-vention?"

Andy's face took on the familiar shade of red before she glared at her friend. "Inappropriate."

Traci dropped her chin. "Not when it's the truth; I saw you two walk in this morning. I mean you're together right?"

Andy frowned. "Yes, we're together, jeeze."

"So what's the problem?" Traci wondered, lowering her voice suggestively. "You know you want to."

"Come on, Trace; people are already talking. You saw them this morning and this is just our first day back. I can't even imagine how bad it'll get when we race out of here at the end of shift like we're…"

"What? Two perfectly normal adults who missed each other?"

"You know that's not what they'll be thinking."

"No, but no one says you have to race out of here either." Her eyes started to twinkle. "Unless of course you CAN'T keep your hands off each other."

"Traci!"

"What?" She replied defensively. "Three weeks is a long time."

Andy collapsed onto the bench beside her. "You're telling me."

Traci started to laugh. "I knew it!"

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean the whole station should," Andy answered dejectedly.

"Come on, Andy. Who cares what they think? Just live in the moment; be happy." Traci looked at her sincerely. "You deserve it."

Andy smiled, as a friend Traci was one of the best, "thanks!"

Traci matched her grin before the scheming twinkle made its way back into her eyes. "Besides, whether you leave with him right after work or wait till after the Penny, I'm pretty sure everyone will figure it out tomorrow when the outline of Swarek is permanently etched into your body after your all night sex-a-thon."

"Okay. Completely inappropriate," Andy responded though she couldn't help the giggle that escaped her lips.

Traci laughed along with her. "So when do you think that condo of yours will be rated PG again, we really want to come over and see what you've done with it."

"Yes!" Andy agreed choosing to ignore the not so subtle innuendo. "I feel like I haven't seen Leo in ages."

"I know; he misses you too. He got pretty used to having his Aunt Andy around 24/7 and apparently I'm not as much fun as you are."

Andy grinned. "I miss him too; I could have really used someone to play games with these past few weeks. I unpacked, arranged and rearranged till I couldn't take it anymore and I was still going stir crazy."

"I can't believe I was on nights and evenings for most of your suspension. We really wanted to help you."

"I know you did, but my Dad was great; he even managed to con some of his buddies into helping too. The move went fast and the rest I just picked away at to try and fill the time. You really should bring Leo over to see it."

"What about Sam?"

"Traci."

"What? I'm just wondering if I should bring Jerry too."

Andy huffed out a breath. "I don't think we're quite ready for the double dating thing."

"But you are ready for dating?"

A panicked look came over Andy's face. "Oh God, we haven't even been on a date yet." She flopped back onto the bench, lying with her fingers entwined over her eyes. "No wonder everyone is talking."

Traci laughed again. "Andy, it's fine. Just relax. Everyone will get bored, or Epstein will screw up again and it will all blow over."

"You think?"

"For sure, just try not to look too satisfied when you come in tomorrow."

Andy peeked out from behind her hands. "Not helping."

"No, but it is fun," Traci grinned, and reached out her hand to pull Andy up from the bench. "Come on; let's go."

The girls walked out of the locker room promising to figure out a day soon where they could get together. Turning to the sally port, Traci couldn't help but catch Andy's furtive glance back to the bullpen.

"Just go."

"What?"

"Go. Don't be such a chicken. You know you want to."

"Traci." Andy warned spying Chris at the entrance to the tack room obviously ready for his partner.

Traci saw him too and took a few steps forward before turning back. "What are you going to do? Ignore him every time you're at the barn? That's not going to work either. I'm not telling you to jump the guy; just go talk to him."

"You're right." Andy nodded smiling as she walked away. She could do this. It was just talking.

"Go get your man!" Traci cheered down the hall.

Andy shot her a mock glare but Traci was already concentrating on Chris and didn't see it.

She took a deep breath for an extra bit of courage, but then she saw all the people milling around and lost her nerve. "You coming, Oliver?" She called out.

Andy could hear Traci's laughter echoing off the walls of the garage. She shook her head; it was starting to sound suspiciously like clucking.