A/N: Again, if you're gonna leave a negative comment about Marlo/Nick, don't, I'm not interested in bein' somebody's bitching outlet.
She had just pulled into Sam's driveway when his name flashed on her screen with a text Still awake?
Andy smiled as she killed the engine before she sent back Yep. Just pulled the truck into your driveway.
Andy wasn't surprised when her phone rang a few seconds later.
"Take all their money already?" Andy asked with a laugh.
"Not yet, Jerry's still got next pay. Why aren't you at Nash's?"
"She was out by 10, when I couldn't sleep, I wrote Trac a note and left. I was just droppin' the truck off."
"You are not walkin' home after midnight. Go ahead and let yourself in."
"Sam ..."
"Don't argue with me woman! You gotta be at work before Jerry drops me off so nobody'll even know you were there."
"I can't stay in your house without you Sam ..."
"Why not?"
Andy sighed. "You're gonna think I'm an idiot ..."
"Tell me."
"I, uh, don't do well in strange beds."
"You mean we gotta get a new bed?" Sam teased before commenting, "You never mentioned anything before."
"That's because before you I didn't do sleepovers. I literally left in the middle of the night."
"So what's different?"
Andy didn't hesitate. "You. I feel safe with you. Yeah, I wake up in the middle of the night when I stay with you but then wrap your arms around me and the fear goes away."
"Get your cute little self outta my truck and into my house, McNally."
Andy laughed. "Don't you have to go back to a card game?"
"I'm not hangin' up 'til I know you're inside and ok."
"Fine. I need your alarm code."
Sam gave her the code and listened as she got out of the truck and made her way inside. He smiled as he heard her reset his alarm.
"Happy?" Andy asked as she kicked her sneakers off.
"I'd be happier if I was there with you. Bedroom is upstairs, McNally."
Andy pulled her phone away from her ear and looked at it. How did he ...?
After 3 months riding together Sam could see the quizzical look on her face without even having to see her. His soft chuckle brought the phone back up to Andy's ear.
"The guest room is for my sister, McNally."
"Geez, Sam, have you got cameras?" Andy asked as she stepped back out of Sam's spare bedroom.
"Don't need 'em with you."
"You think you know me so well," she scoffed.
"Well enough for tonight, McNally. You need to get ready for bed."
"Nope. Never changed outta my pjs."
Sam groaned at the mental image before he said, "I thought that was one of my T-shirts, McNally."
Andy giggled. "Only when I stay with you."
"Let's get back to that."
"Sam, it's fine."
"We're gettin' a new bed."
"We? Sam, it's your bed ..."
"Yeah, and you share it so that makes it ours, McNally."
"Are you drunk?" Andy giggled.
"Nope. Not that the guys aren't tryin'."
Sam could hear the rustle of the sheets as she crawled between them.
"Happy?" she asked with a giggle.
"Nope. I'm not there with you."
"In case you forgot, you're supposed to be havin' fun with your friends."
"Yeah, that ain't gonna happen. See I got a rookie to worry about."
Andy laughed. "Not tonight you don't."
"Ask the rest of the Division, woman, I always worry about you."
"Sammy! Seriously? You are not checkin' up on that poor rookie, are you?" Jerry called from the door making Andy laugh.
"Don't growl at Jerry," Andy said before he had a chance to do exactly that.
"Now who thinks they know somebody?" Sam teased.
"Sammy! Leave the girl alone and let her get some sleep."
"These clowns won't leave me alone 'til I go take more of their money. Get some sleep and I'll see ya after your shift."
Andy smiled. "Night Sam."
"Night McNally."
Andy woke the next morning and panicked when she didn't immediately recognize her surroundings. The sound of her phone caught her attention.
"Hello?"
"Breathe, McNally."
"Sam?"
"Yeah, it's me. You're ok."
"Wh ... How?"
"After what you said last night ..."
"Last night?"
Sam chuckled. "Look around, McNally."
Andy took the suggested breath as she looked around. She smelled him. She was at Sam's.
"Sorry," she said shyly.
Sam smiled. "It's ok. Get your cute little self into the shower, see ya after your shift. Be careful."
Andy was smiling as she got outta Sam's bed and padded to the bathroom undressing as she walked. She snapped a picture and captioned it: The only thing missing is you ;-)
Both Jerry and Oliver were passed out. Sam checked his watch, he had time to get home and shower before shift ... grabbing his cell he was about to call a cab when he saw Andy's text. He bit the inside of his cheek as he called first for the cab then Frank to let him know he'd be there.
Sam paid the driver and thanked him as he got out. Inside, he used his spare to get in and reset the alarm before putting it back in its hiding spot. He heard the water running telling him she was still in the shower.
Walking into the bedroom Sam smiled at the trail of clothes that led to the bathroom. Dropping his bag he undressed and made his way to the bathroom.
The sudden feeling of not being alone made Andy pause, then she felt his presence and smiled.
If it was anybody but her Sam would've called out to let them know he was there, but with her he didn't have to, she just knew, like he did with her, when he was there.
"Aren't you supposed to be at Jerry's?" she asked with a giggle as Sam stepped into the shower.
Wrapping his arms around her he pulled her back against him. "Him 'n Shaw are still passed out, since I'm sober enough, I called Frank and told him I could come in. Told him I was picking you up so we'd probably be late or miss Parade. He said it was ok, we'd be partnered together anyway."
Andy turned in his arms wrapping hers around him.
"I woulda been ok without you today, y'know?"
"Who says I woulda been ok without you?"
Andy laughed as she reached up and kissed him.
"Not that I'm complaining, but what're you doin' here?"
Sam laughed as he backed her against the wall. "Let you have the place to yourself for a night and you make yourself at home?"
Andy meant to giggle but it didn't quite come out that way as she gasped and said, "Maybe."
"In that case might have to have poker night more often until you do."
"Not until after evaluations. Too many nights like last night could get us in trouble and I don't want you to get in trouble because of me, Sam."
"McNally, I've had my badge for over a decade, yours is the one I'm worried about if anybody finds out."
"Then I might as well go see Frank."
Sam looked at her.
"Sam, I suck at lying, there's no way I can hide that you're more than just my T.O for 3 months. I'm surprised somebody hasn't figured it out yet."
"We work well together, that's why Frank keeps us together. We're gonna develop a relationship over a 6 month period, they can't hold that against us."
"This kind of relationship?" Andy waved her hand around.
Sam kissed her. "As long as we don't get caught doin' it on the couch in the lounge, it's speculation. Nothin' to lie about."
"We are not havin' sex on the couch in the lounge!" Andy gasped.
"A little too public? There's always an Observation Room ..."
Andy knew by the dimples he was teasing her.
They finished the shower and got ready for shift, Sam promising to brush her hair after their shower after shift.
They stopped at a Tim's on the way so they just had to change and grab the keys and go.
They were 10 minutes from end of shift when the radio came to life. "1504 can you respond to a B 'n E on Front?"
"That's specific," Sam mumbled before telling Andy to cue to the mic.
"Dispatch, this is 1504, mark us en route."
"Copy that 1504."
Sam pulled up just as Nick and Marlo pulled up.
"You gotta be kidding?" Andy mumbled making Sam laugh.
"C'mon, let's get this done so we can stick them with the paperwork and go home."
Andy was laughing as she got out of the car.
"You find this funny, McNally?"
"Do your job, Cruz ..."
"Or do you need a T.O to explain it to you?"
A movement caught Sam's attention, the only chance they had of catching him ...
"McNally ..."
Andy recognized that tone. It was followed by one word - "Go!" Andy took off at a run, leaving Cruz to stare after her.
Sam smiled with pride when Andy came back a few minutes later with the runner.
"I believe you need him," Andy said shoving the guy towards Nick.
Putting her hands on her knees she bent over and tried to catch her breath.
"You alright?" Sam asked as he put a hand on her back.
"Just great," she panted turning her head to smile up at him.
Sam chuckled. "Slow, deep breaths."
"Had to tackle his stupid ass," she huffed, glaring at the guy now sitting in the back of the other car.
"Here, drink some of this." He passed her an open bottle of water.
"Thank you," she said taking the bottle.
"Didn't you tackle Swarek?" Nick asked walking by.
"Go to hell, Nick," she snapped as she stood up.
Nick looked at her a little confused.
"Don't you have somethin' better to do than hassle my partner, Army boy?"
"I thought his name was G.I. Joe?" Andy asked as Nick walked away.
Sam laughed as he put both hands on her shoulders. "Look at me,"
Andy did as he asked.
"You really ok? And don't try and sell me 'fine', you know I don't buy it."
Andy smiled. "Yeah, probably need a shower," she said with a laugh, "but I'm fine."
At Sam's raised eyes she was quick to add, "No, I'm not brushin' you off."
"Good. Get in the car."
Andy shook her head but did as she was told while Sam went to speak to the others. He came back a few minutes later.
They've got this handed, including the paperwork, let's get you back to the barn to change."
"I'm pretty sure I said I needed a shower."
"You'll get one ... at home. What d'ya wanna eat? Not 100% sure what's in the fridge."
"In my fridge?"
Sam looked at her.
"You said home, so ..."
"As in mine. Y'know the one with the shower you're so fond of ..."
Just as he'd hoped, she blushed.
10 minutes later Sam pulled into the barn. They separated at the lockers.
Andy emerged from the locker room 15 minutes later to see Sam leaning against the wall.
"Need a ride?"
"Andy! Comin' to the Penny?" Dov asked coming down the hall.
"Not tonight. I just wanna go home and curl up on the couch."
"Aw come on, heard you tackled that suspect from the Front St. strip mall."
"Yeah, I did. That's one of the reasons I wanna go home. That pavement was hard."
Her comment didn't faze Dov, but it bothered Sam.
Sam didn't even have the door shut and Andy was climbing the stairs. Laughing he went to find her. Andy was gently pulling her tank top over her head when Sam walked in.
Sam watched her movements. "Thought you said you were ok?"
Andy didn't turn around. "I am."
"Between how you're movin' and what you told Epstein ..."
Andy turned and walked back to Sam, wrapping her arms around his waist she leaned up and kissed him. "Stop worryin', I'm fine. I told Dov so he would leave me alone. As for the way I move, you never complained before."
Sam laughed as he kissed her. "If you're hurt ..."
"Nothin' a warm shower won't heal."
45 minutes later they were curled up on Sam's couch waiting for delivery, as promised, he was brushing her hair.
When Sam told Andy he was done with poker night until after she was cut loose Andy argued that would add fuel to the fire if anyone started wondering about their relationship. Sam agreed on the condition she would stay at the house.
They managed to keep it professional until the day the rookies got assigned to crowd control for a concert at a downtown club.
"Wanna hassle some rookies, brother?" Sam asked as he grabbed a set of keys and headed for the Sally Port.
"You need to ask?" Oliver smiled.
They rolled up and Sam had to slam on the brakes when somebody walked in front of the car. Andy laughed as she walked up to the barrier. "Bad day?"
Sam flashed his dimples. "Quiet."
Andy rolled her eyes as she turned away.
Sam parked the car and they got out to see if they could help.
Sam had just walked away from her when he heard the unmistakable sound of a shot being fired. He looked back in time to see Andy knocked off her feet.
Chaos ensued as people scrambled but Sam's only concern was the beautiful brunette on the ground. She groaned and tried to sit up but he forced her back down, telling her to take slow shallow breaths while he looked for the bullet. He ripped the Velcro of her vest and found that the Kevlar had done its job, though where he found the slug caused his breath to catch - right over her heart.
As much as he wanted to stay with her, someone had to get the crowd back under control.
Andy was taken into one of the on-site vehicles so she could give her statement as well as clothes for evidence. She stepped out in her TPS issued T-shirt with her uniform blouse taken. She had traces of blood spatter on her face. Sam grabbed her by the arm the moment she cleared the step and dragged her behind one of the trailers out of sight of anyone else.
Andy was leaning against the back of it while Sam looked her over for signs of any further injury. When Andy started rambling Sam forgot where they were and kissed her until she relaxed against him wrapping her arms around his waist. She held on like her life depended on it. When Sam pulled back Andy dropped her head so it was against his chest. Sam put his hands on her waist and dropped his chin so it was on her head.
"You ok?"
"Depends on your definition," was her response making Sam smile.
"What d'ya say we go home?" he asked kissing the back of her neck.
Andy raised her head and stared over Sam's shoulder. There was a kid watching them. Andy didn't have her vest, it had been bagged as evidence, so Sam wasn't taking chances. "Get behind the truck."
"Sam ..."
"McNally ..."
She knew better than to argue with his T.O tone. but there was no way she was going to hide, not if this was the guy that put a bullet in her vest.
She watched as Sam cuffed him and gave him a pat down, finding a gun in his back pocket. Sam called it in and removed himself from the situation, not trusting himself not to do something that could cost him his badge.
Sam tried to get her to let him take her home but typical McNally, she was being stubborn. She finally talked him into letting her do something to help.
After Andy's call for help came in and they found her on a roof with the guy who pulled the trigger Sam wouldn't hear any arguments, he was taking her home.
"But Sam ..."
"No! I almost lost you not once today, twice! I'm not about to chance it 3 times, McNally! Now get your ass changed so we can get outta here!"
The entire Division heard the exchange between the duo and all came to the same conclusion - that wasn't a T.O concerned about a rookie.
Frank watched waiting for Andy to step out of the locker room and called out, "Swarek! McNally! My office!"
Andy looked at Sam and sighed, she was beyond tired of going over the shooting. Sam put his hand on her back and guided her up the steps to Frank's office.
"You wanted to see us, boss?"
"Come on in you two, have a seat."
Andy looked at Sam who shrugged and motioned for her to sit down. Frank closed the door before sitting at his desk.
"McNally, you alright?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Swarek?"
"What're you askin', Frank?"
"Sammy,"
Sam saw something in Frank's expression. "McNally, why don't you wait outside?"
Andy looked at Sam, he nodded and she got to her feet.
The second Andy closed the door Sam said, "Spit it out, Frank."
"What the hell are you thinkin', man? Are you thinkin'?"
Sam looked at Frank, eyebrows raised.
"In case you forgot, she hasn't been cut loose yet and you're her T.O."
"Thanks for the reminder, Frank ... not that either of us need it."
"Do you have any idea what're puttin' on the line? What she's puttin' on the line?"
"No Frank, I haven't got a clue ... of course I know! I didn't just get outta the academy yesterday and neither did she! We know exactly what's on the line. You wanna reprimand me, I don't give a damn, but I won't let her suffer for it."
"Not a helluva lot you can do about it if it goes beyond this office, man."
"What're you gonna do?"
"You 'n I been friends for a long time, man ..."
"Yeah, we have."
"I'm not about to lose one of my best officers a few weeks shy of only having him back 6 months and despite her knack for finding trouble, she's one of the best rookies I've seen come up in a long time."
Knocking, Andy opened the door as Sam asked, "What're you gonna do?"
"Sir?"
The blinds were closed so Sam held out his hand. Andy cautiously took it allowing Sam to pull her to his side.
Frank shook his head. "You know everybody that was here heard you right?"
"So what? As her T.O she's my responsibility ..."
"Buddy, there ain't a person here that heard you that's gonna believe the Division tough guy was just a worried T.O ..."
"Ask me if I give a damn, Frank."
Frank laughed, knowing he didn't.
"Sir, tell me the Ice Queen wasn't here to run to Mommy and Daddy so she can split us up."
"Not gonna happen!" Sam growled.
"Easy man, no, Peck wasn't here. We're only a couple weeks away from evaluations, if you 2 can keep it outside the Division, I'll pretend I was otherwise occupied and look the other way ..."
"And after evaluations, Sir?"
"Who you date is your business, McNally."
"What about on duty, Sir?"
"What about it, McNally?"
Sam only spoke one word. "No."
"No what, man?"
"No, I won't give her up, Frank ... as my partner or my girlfriend."
Andy looked at Sam shocked. They hadn't 'labelled' their relationship yet, nobody knew about them so they hadn't got to that bridge yet, but Sam just jumped and torched it by telling their staff sergeant his rookie was his girlfriend.
"McNally?"
Andy smiled."Yes, Sir."
"You sure you wanna ..."
"It's my T.O's call, Sir."
Frank smiled, these 2 were hell bent on staying together ... personally and professionally.
"Considering how good you 2 are together, as long as you can keep your clothes on on duty, I'd be an idiot to split you up."
Sam laughed as Andy blushed. "We'll try our best, man. Now, unless there's somethin' else, I been tryin' to get her home to relax for hours."
Frank smiled. "Get outta here. McNally, if you're sore tomorrow ..."
"I'll call you in the mornin' and let ya know if we'll be in," Sam said as he shook Frank's hand.
The day of evaluations Frank surprised everyone by partnering Andy with Noelle and Sam, much to his displeasure, with Gail.
They all got called to a house party. A girl was dead but nobody saw anything. Andy talked Noelle into following up on the address on the I.D found on the body when they discovered it didn't match the body.
Turned out she was the youngest daughter of a soldier who was a single mom.
After they gave the death notice, Andy found her in the basement, a gun to her head. Andy had no words. It took Noelle to talk her down.
They got back to the barn and did their paperwork before the rookie evaluations.
Andy stood in Frank's office, as he went over her evaluation.
"This is an excellent evaluation, McNally ..."
Andy totally zoned out. She left Frank's office a few minutes later after telling him she wasn't sure she could do the job and getting a little pep talk.
The rookies found her looking at the curio cabin in the lounge that held all their pictures and accomplishments to date. They were surprised to find Andy in her TPS issued T-shirt, her uniform shirt nowhere to be found.
All the rookies but one gathered in the Bullpen.
The rookies looked between themselves Where?
Sam had heard about Andy's evaluation. He slipped out of the Bullpen and went in search of his rookie.
He looked in the lounge. He looked in the gym. He looked everywhere but the locker room and came up empty. He knocked on the locker room door as he opened it. "McNally?" He was answered by silence. He walked in to find her sitting on the bench, tie in hand just staring at it.
It didn't even register when Sam pulled the other bench up so he was sitting in front of her.
Sam put a hand on her knee to get her attention. She raised her head and looked at him with haunted eyes.
"Hey," he whispered softly.
"Why?"
"Why what, McNally?"
"Frank said I had an excellent evaluation ... at least I think that's what he said, I wasn't exactly payin' attention."
"What's goin' on? Why aren't you in the Bullpen with the others?"
"Considerin' the mistakes I've made, why would you say those things ..."
"What?"
"Whatever you put in my evaluation. How many times in the last 6 months have I almost got one or both of us killed, Sam?"
Sam surprised her by smiling as he thought of the last 6 months.
"Not enough to outweigh the people you've helped."
Andy was staring at her tie again.
Sam tipped her chin up so she was looking at him. Andy wouldn't meet his eyes.
"Nice try woman, look at me. You got that evaluation because you deserved it."
Andy shook her head.
"Yes, you did. You're a good cop, Andy."
Sam got to his feet. "Stand up."
Andy got to her feet.
Sam shook his head when he saw her uniform blouse. Never mind her tie, she hadn't even got her shirt done up.
"I'm used to undoin' your, buttons, McNally, not doin' them up," Sam chuckled as he did her shirt up before taking the tie from her and clipping it on. Taking her hand, he led her to the full length mirror.
Putting his hands on her hips, he stood behind her and asked, "What d'ya see?"
Andy just stared at their reflections.
Sam kissed her temple. "You wanna know what I see?"
Andy leaned back against him.
"I see a rookie, fresh outta the academy, who stood up to a senior officer with a bad attitude to get info that would help her with a case."
Andy smiled.
"I see a rookie who went into an abandoned building and rescued abducted little girls. I see a rookie who didn't hesitate to pull the trigger but who mourned a life lost."
Andy closed her eyes at the memory. Sam kissed her temple again.
"I see a rookie who took a bullet to the vest, but put the other victim first."
When she would have objected Sam shook his head and continued. "I see a cop who, when you look at them, sees a person not just a victim."
Andy smiled.
"I see the rookie who took me away from UC ... that became the partner who gave me reason to stay away from UC."
Sam turned her so she was looking at him.
"You've heard me say it before, you got a lion's heart, woman."
Andy blushed and Sam kissed her cheek. "Now, you can either walk to the Bullpen and join the other rookies and officially become a member of this Division or I'll carry you out."
Andy looked at him. There were no telltale signs that he was kidding.
Andy leaned up and kissed him. "Thank you."
They left the locker room and went back to the Bullpen where Andy took her place among the rookies, Sam taking his behind her.
Frank walked in front of the rookies giving a little speech. "You've all been judged, and you've been found," he stopped in front of Traci, "Capable;" Dov, "Resourceful;" Chris, "Loyal;" he looked at Nick and thought crazy, foolish but said aloud, "Brave;" Gail, "Dedicated;" he stopped in front of Andy, "Courageous. So it's with great pleasure that I cut you loose today. And in the great tradition of 15 Division, I say to your Training Officers, Coppers, cut those ties."
The Bullpen erupted in cheers
Noelle cut Traci's and Oliver cut Dov, Nick and Chris' while Sam cut Gail's.
Frank stood in front of Andy. "You sure you wanna be here?"
Andy looked at Sam, who smiled with pride. Turning back to Frank she smiled. "Yes Sir, I am."
Frank turned to Sam, "She's not your rookie anymore, brother," and he handed Sam the scissors.
Sam laughed as he took them, "She'll always be my rookie, brother," before he stepped in front of her. Their eyes met and the rest of the room fell away. Sam smiled and made the ceremonial cut.
Sam handed a smiling Frank both the scissors and Andy's tie before leaning his forehead against hers for a second before surprising everyone in the room when he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her.