A.N. - Thanks for all the reviews so far. They still blow me away. This is a short chapter. Its basically wasn't meant to be the lead up to the date but it just got away from me. So decided to post it. I will post the Double Date chapter in the next day or so. Please review they make my day.
Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to Rookie Blue.
The Double Date - The Lead Up.
Noelle woke in the early hours of the morning and got ready for the day a head. First was a 8hr shift then the double date with John, Sam and Andy later in the day. Once up and out of bed, she started to get the nervous. So she began packing two bags. One for work, the other with things that she needed for the double date. She quickly made and ate her breakfast, prepared a pot of coffee. While the coffee was brewing she placed the two bags in her car and then headed back inside poured the coffee into her travel mug. I am going to need a lot of this to get me through this day. Noelle thought to herself taking a sip of her coffee.
Noelle departed her home and headed to the barn to start this day off of unknowns, from the calls on duty to the double date. She was feeling better after her chat with Sam last night. It helped put her feelings into perspective even though the way Sam did it was unorthodox. Everything he does is unorthodox so why am I surprised.
She entered the barn parking lot and parked up. Then she saw Sam and Andy's truck being parked up in the bay across from her. Sam got out of the passenger side. Those two don't make sense, Sam doesn't allow her to drive the cruiser but he allows her to drive his precious truck.
"Morning, Sam. Morning Andy" Noelle shouted across to both of them.
"Morning, Williams" Andy replied.
"Morning, Noelle." Sam said.
"I can't believe that you allow her to drive your truck but you won't allow her to drive the cruiser, Sam. If she damages the cruiser you wont have to pay for the damages, it's the department that will pay. If she damages your truck you have to pay. So what is worse?" Noelle teased Sam.
"Your right Noelle. I never thought about that. Today honey" Sam looked at Andy " you are driving the cruiser. How are you today, Noelle?"
"I am feeling tired but better than I was last night. You helped me a lot last night. Thanks I owe you." Noelle thanked Sam without having to say the thank you words.
"No problem. Any time." Sam gave Noelle a reassuring smile and a wink.
"So I hear we are going out with you and John after shift?" Andy asked Noelle.
"If that is ok with both of you?" Noelle looked at Sam and Andy who had their arms wrapped around each other.
"Noelle, its okay with both of us, isn't that right honey?" Sam looked at Andy and gave her the dimpled smile that would get him anything.
Andy simply nodded. Those dimples get me every time. If he doesn't turn them off I'll want to have my wicked way with him in the bathroom at the barn before shift.
Noelle, Sam and Andy walked into the Barn. Sam gave Andy a gentle kiss before heading towards the male locker room. Noelle and Andy headed towards the female locker room.
Once in the privacy of the female locker rooms, they were in early enough that it was only Noelle and Andy in there.
Andy spoke to Noelle "Noelle is there anything you think I might need to know about our double date"
"I don't think there is anything you need to know. Has Sam not told you anything?" She asked with a quizzical look.
"No he hasn't told me anything. I asked about what he was at yours for last night. He told me not to ask questions. Also he said the time will come and you will find out about it but not right now. " Andy reassured Noelle. Which allowed Noelle to relax.
"McNally you have a good man in Sam. So do not lose him. He loves you with all his heart. I haven't seen him as happy in the time I have known him. If you hurt him, so help me." Noelle issued the ultimatum to Andy and it was also to change the subject off her and John.
Andy nodded "I love Sam with all my heart and will do everything in my power to keep him. Plus I can promise you I will never hurt him. I know I hurt him in the past with the whole Luke situation but that was before I woke up and smelt the coffee." Andy reassured Noelle that Sam was the man for her.
Traci then came into the locker room to join Andy and Noelle.
"Hey Trace, how are you this morning?" Andy inquired.
"I am fine this morning, how are you Noelle?" Traci said trying to find out how Noelle was after their chat at Sam's without Andy knowing.
"I am good a lot better than I was yesterday morning." Noelle said, to put Traci at ease too.
Andy walked out of the locker room to head to get the equipment bag sorted before parade. Leaving Noelle and Traci in the locker room.
"Are you sure you are ok? I was worried about you yesterday." Traci expressed.
"Yeah, I am ok, I had a great chat with Sam last night and he helped me in his own Swarek way to make my decision."
"Well, that is good that you are feeling better. If you need to talk just give me a call. What is the decision you have made?" Traci hoped that Noelle had made the correct decision for her.
"Traci, I don't want to talk about it here and I want John to know before I tell everyone. The only person who knows is Sam but he won't say anything he hasn't even told McNally."
"Okay, I wont ask anymore about it." Traci understood that Noelle was a private individual.
Everyone made his or her way into parade. Best was grumpy as it was day 9 of this stupid heat wave. So he ended the parade role call by Serve, Protect and keep your cool when everyone else is losing theirs.
Noelle was on patrol on her own, which suited her, as she didn't want to have to deal with the questions after the party if she had a partner. The first call of the day was to fight in the street between two women over a guy. The next was to a speeder that had gone through 3 speed cameras, so she issued the ticket. It was getting closer to lunch and Noelle was starting to wonder when John was going to call. Then during that thought her phone rang. It was John.
"Hey John, how are you today?" Noelle opened the conversation with.
"Hey Noelle, I am good. Just closed a I.A. case so just finishing the paperwork so it can go to the prosecutors office tomorrow." John stated.
"Is that the case that you had to leave me yesterday to deal with?" Noelle questioned.
"Yeah, it is. Thank goodness its over with. A bit of down time coming my way." John sighed with relief on the other end of the phone. "I know that you will be out on patrol so I am going to keep this conversation short. I have booked the table for 4 at The Kitchen on King Street. It's a new restaurant that they guys have been raving about it. I hear it British food on the menu. The table is booked for an early dinner so 5.30."
"That sound really nice 5.30 is fine. It means if we are running late with any calls we won't be worrying about it. We will see you later. Before I forget are you calling Sam or will I do it?" Noelle remembered it wasn't only just her and John. I am beginning to wish that it were just John and I tonight.
"Noelle, don't worry about it. I told Sam not to worry about anything I would organize it all. So I will call him once I am off the phone to you. So stay safe in the rest of your shift. I don't want to lose you now that I have got you back into my life." John expressed what he is feeling at the moment towards Noelle.
"I'll try. See you later John."
"See you later, Noelle." With that Noelle snapped her phone shut.
The rest of the shift went by quickly. Going for call-to-call just getting back to the barn in time for shift change over. Quickly she cleaned out the cruiser and finished the paperwork before heading to the locker room. Andy was sitting on the bench in there waiting for Noelle.
"Noelle how was your day?" Andy inquired
"It was good. At least this heat is starting to cool down slightly. So not as many dumbass calls" relief was evident in the way Noelle was talking.
"Noelle, we have a bit of time before we meet John." Andy looked at her watch it was 3.45. "Why don't you come back to Sam and mines to get showered and dressed there? Then carpool to the restaurant" Andy offered.
"Thanks McNally." Noelle was grateful for the offer of not having to shower and change at the barn.
"Well once you are ready make your way to ours" with that Andy stood up and made her way to the door.
"Thanks again McNally. See you in a bit"
"No problem." Andy turned to face Noelle and smiled.
Once Noelle was changed out of her uniform and into her civilian clothing. She put everything into her workbag and headed out of the barn to her car. She made her way to Andy and Sam's. Once she parked up she retrieved her date bag out of the trunk and made her way to the front door.
Sam answered the door looking like he was already dressed. Dark suit and white shirt, which made him, look so different from his normal black t-shirt and jeans. They exchanged pleasantries and Sam showed Noelle into the guest bedroom. Noelle showered in the en suite bathroom and changed into a dark blue beaded top with black pants and a nice pair of black heels. Once her make up was applied she walked out to the living area where Andy and Sam were already sitting waiting for her.
"Sorry, if I have kept you waiting" Noelle apologized.
"Noelle, you haven't kept us waiting. Andy has just joined me." Sam explained and Andy nodded as she had taken a sip of her drink. "Noelle here is a drink to steady your nerves."
"Thanks, Sammy." Noelle was appreciative of the offer of the drink. So she took it and sat down on the sofa.
Once she sat down her mind seemed to go back to when she was last sitting on the sofa. The last time I was sitting on this sofa, John had just come back into my life. I was really angry, confused, grateful he wasn't dead and everything in between. Now I am going out on a double date with Sam and Andy. How things have come full circle in the last 48hrs.