I love how the last chapter ended...and now I'm wondering if I should have just left it there. I almost feel let down after that. But…there is a New Year's Eve Party planned so might as well go ahead with it.

Sorry for the delay in getting this up; I actually had the better part of it written before I changed my idea on the format. It's a transition chapter to get us from Christmas to New Year's Eve. It is snippets of pillow talk/pillow thoughts from our characters at the end of Boxing Day. I hope you don't find it too hard to follow.

It was starting to get pretty long so Sam and Andy's transition time between Christmas and New Year's will be added as a separate chapter. Should only be 1 more after that. Enjoy!

Sarah – December 26th

Sarah was definitely tired, but she just couldn't get her mind to turn off. She was lying in Sam's extra bedroom, thinking about how great the day, in fact the last few days were. It was the best Christmas she could remember in a long time.

She thought back to this morning, grateful that Sam and Andy chose to let her sleep in. Well they did owe me.

When she got up, true to his word, Sam had made her chocolate chip pancakes, and they were as good as she remembered. With no rush, she relaxed for the morning until Tommy called to say he would be picking her up to meet Sam & Andy for lunch. After a quick shower, they met at a little café where they just talked and laughed; it just felt so comfortable and so easy and just…good.

Her afternoon was spent being chauffeured around by Tommy, visiting places she hadn't seen in years and then heading to the mall to buy a dress as she would be coming back for Andy's New Year's Eve party. They made it home in plenty of time for her to get her things packed up before Sam dropped Andy off and picked Sarah up to take her to his place to get ready for the Shaw's party.

She started to chuckle then as she remembered when Sam came to pick her up. It looked like it had been quite a wrestling match with no definitive winner – Sam and Andy had both looked like they had won something. They practically fell through the door when Andy unlocked it, attempting to smile with their still swollen lips, and Sarah was pretty sure that Andy's sweater was on inside out. Sarah had just rolled her eyes and grabbed her brother's arm and said "come on lover boy" before he could get a stronghold on Andy again. Sam had just grinned with pride.

She was happy for him. He was in love and he had found a wonderful girl who she was thankful to call her friend, too. Not that anyone suspected; many of the people at the party still had no idea that she and Andy were friends.

At first they were shocked when she showed up with Sam, but it didn't take them long to discover she was his sister. They had all welcomed her with open arms; her brother had great friends and she was truly thankful that she could call them her friends now too. She couldn't believe how much fun it had been adding Zoe to the mix. When they let her in on the plan, it just got better.

Flashback

The guys had gone downstairs and Andy & Sarah wanted to make sure Noelle and Traci had their parts covered. As they had gotten to know Zoe better, they knew she would enjoy watching her husband squirm a little so they pulled her aside with them and told her everything. Her eyes lit up like a kid in a candy store.

"Oliver has come home for over a month now insisting on giving me a play by play every night:

'Andy broke up with Luke and he looked like he lost his puppy'

'Sam hasn't made his move yet, but it's only a matter of time now'

'Sam was barely at the Penny for a half hour before Andy came over to see him ; I don't even think he remembered we were there after that'

'It only took Andy 20 minutes to get to Sam tonight'

'I don't think Sam even sat down with us before he went to Andy's table'

'Sam drove Andy home again tonight and I heard them talking about having supper together'

'Zoe you'll never believe it; Dov said Andy has a boyfriend and it isn't Sam.'

"He's worse than a teenager." She complained laughing. "I can't wait!"

They all laughed with Zoe at her excitement as Traci confessed that Jerry has been driving her nuts too. "With him it isn't the gossip," she had said. "He's just so angry at Andy for not seeing what she's doing to Sammy." If only he knew what she was really doing to Sammy. Ugh…should've kept that thought out of my head.

Noelle was just happy to be pulling one over on the guys; she had been the brunt of many a practical joke over the years courtesy of each and every one of them. The only thing that would have made it better for her would be if she could get Sam too.

End Flashback

Sarah loved being one of the girls, and was excited at the prospect of the upcoming party and hopefully more in the future.

It felt so good to be included; she hadn't felt that way in a long time.

When they got back to Sam's, they were both in a great mood. They talked for about an hour about how proud Sam was of her and about how much they both loved Andy. "She's definitely a keeper Sam" she had said. Sam agreed and hugged her as he told her how happy it made him to see how well his 2 favorite girls got along.

It was about 1 o'clock in the morning when Sarah told Sam it was time for bed. He didn't argue; although she knew he was tired, she also knew he planned to call Andy. Keeping his distance at the party had just about killed him; Sarah had had to slap his hands away from Andy a couple of times before he gave the whole plan away. She knew he wouldn't go to sleep without talking to Andy again.

Sarah didn't mind; Sam had gotten permission to go in late tomorrow so they could go for breakfast and he could drop her at the bus.

She fell asleep with a smile on her face. She had told Tommy this afternoon that he didn't need to worry about her on her bus ride tomorrow; she would be fine on her own. She was sure of that and that made her proud of herself too.

Things were definitely looking up and she was excited to start living life again. New Year's Eve was going to be the start of a great year for her; she could feel it.

Traci & Jerry – December 26th

Traci & Jerry had just settled down into bed when Jerry started. "If you don't talk to Andy, I will. I swear if she doesn't stop…"

"I'll talk to her next week; after her New Year's Eve party," Traci interrupted. "I'm not going to make things awkward before then."

Jerry continued as if he hadn't even heard her. "When Sam came in to the locker room this morning, Ollie asked him how his Christmas was. Do you know what his answer was?" He asked rhetorically.

"He said 'definitely full of surprises'; I don't even know what that means, but I'd bet a hundred bucks that McNally had something to do with it."

Traci was not about to take that bet; she knew that Andy had everything to do with it. And after talking with Andy in the locker room this morning, she was pretty sure that Sam didn't mind Andy's kind of surprises.

Flashback

Knowing Andy's plans, she had worded her questions carefully. "So Andy, did you get some alone time with 'your man' over Christmas?"

"Oh yes." Andy blushed as the head of every woman in the locker room turned at the same time.

Noelle had just chuckled knowingly to herself.

End Flashback

Jerry disrupted Traci's thoughts. "And did you see her face when she saw that Sam brought a woman with him tonight. It's really too bad it was just his sister."

"I mean I couldn't believe it when he introduced her to Andy. She gave him a huge smile and a hug…doesn't she realize she's stringing him along. Then he starts babbling 'Sarah…this is my An…partner, Andy.' After you talk to her, I'm talking to him. He needs to give it up."

The rant continued with barely a breath. "Oliver sees it too you know; I heard him telling Zoe to watch Sam at the party. And sure enough, he was always looking to see where Andy was no matter who he was talking to. I told them both then that I hated seeing him pine for her when she's so obviously moved on. I told them that it drives me crazy that she's always asking for rides and talking to him at the bar; she's just using him. We all need to do something."

"What did they say to that?" Traci asked.

"Well I know Oliver agrees with me." Jerry stated not really answering the question.

Traci just tilted her head and looked at him through her eyelashes.

"Well Zoe walked away and said 'I'll leave you 2 girls alone.' She thought she was hilarious." Traci smiled. Good for Zoe.

"But Oliver and I went over to talk to Sam, and we made sure to turn him away from Andy. He's happy now because Sarah is here, but she's headed home tomorrow. Shaw is wondering if his good mood will last, because as soon as Sarah leaves, he'll have nothing to keep his mind off McNally and we all know where her mind is…I mean did you hear her in the back of the car on the way home…"

"Jerry can we talk about this tomorrow; it's getting late." Traci begged with a yawn.

"I know, but I just can't get past this. Doesn't it bother you when you hear her talk like that when you know how Sam feels? You heard her on the phone with 'her man'? "

Flashback

'I can't do that.'

'I'm not alone right now so I'll tell you later.'

'I'll be home in 15 minutes…do what you need to do and call me when you're ready.'

'That's not what I meant by ready.'

'Do I have to remind you about last night?'

End Flashback

"Someone has to help Sammy out before he gets hurt any more. And as his friend, that someone is me. I'm going to make it my mission to find Sammy a date to bring to that New Year's Eve party – someone is about to be taught a lesson." Jerry swore.

If he only knew how true that was. Traci thought just before falling asleep.

Dov, Chris & Gail – December 26th

Chris and Gail were dropping Dov off at his house after the party, and he hadn't stopped talking since they'd left the Shaw's house.

"Did you see me corner her over by the TV? I tried everything I could but she gave me nothing. Shaw tried too; he asked her how 'her man' was, and if we were going to meet him on New Year's. She was pretty cryptic but she did say it would be something we wouldn't soon forget. I'm getting there early just in case."

Chris and Gail just looked at each other and rolled their eyes as Dov continued. "I was right beside her when she got that phone call. She moved off to a corner, but I snuck up behind her. She didn't say much, so I couldn't be sure, but with the giggling and world record blush, I'm pretty sure she was having phone sex right there at the party."

Gail piped in then. "The look on Swarek's face was priceless, though, when he came from the bathroom and saw her in the corner all hot and bothered. His face got all red too, but I couldn't tell if it was because he was mad or because seeing her like that was getting him a little bothered himself. When is he going to wise up?"

"Hopefully, never," Dov chirped. "I haven't had this much fun in a long time."

"You need to get a life." Chris and Gail said at the same time before laughing.

As Dov closed the car door and walked away, they could still hear him talking to himself, replaying every move Sam and Andy had made the whole night. He called Chris as soon as he walked in the door.

Chris' phone rang before they even got a block away. He didn't even look at the number; he just put in on speaker phone and answered, "Yeah Dov."

Gail giggled and Dov continued as if he had never even left the car. "By the time that party is over, I will definitely get mine." Epstein predicted. "Nothing stops Dov Epstein when he puts his mind to it - eye of the tiger baby…eye of the tiger. You gotta give the people what they want, and I do not disappoint. I do not give up…This guy's going to be hit hard and he's going to be up against one of Fifteenth's Finest."

As Chris hung up the phone, Gail yelled out "Rock and roll, Epstein. Rock and Roll."

Noelle – December 26th

Noelle drove home with a smile on her face. I gotta hand it to McNally she definitely does not do anything half way.

The plans for New Year's Eve were finalized earlier that night and Noelle was definitely looking forward to it. She couldn't wait to see how Barber and Shaw were going to react when they finally figured everything out.

She was looking forward to Epstein's reaction too, but truth be told, she was much more excited to see the other two on the ass end of a prank. They had pulled way too many on her for her not to be enjoying this. It was just too bad that Sammy wasn't getting some comeuppance too. But she would have to leave that for another time. One thing she knew for sure, though; when she decided on that time...she would be calling a ladies night out with Sarah, Andy, Traci and Zoe. Damn those ladies were good.

The ride home was quick and she settled comfortably into bed thinking about the other great part about Andy's party. She was going to see Michael again. Andy was going to be inviting him to the party and she could only hope he would make it.

She fell asleep thinking that she might just have to make a call to him herself, and knowing that she definitely needed to do some shopping before then. She would make sure he was not disappointed if he came.

Oliver & Zoe – December 26th

"That was great…another successful Boxing Day." Oliver bragged. "What did you think of Sam's sister?"

"I really liked her. She and Andy seemed to get along really well too." Zoe taunted. When she didn't receive the expected response, she turned to find Oliver trying to sneak another piece of cake.

Well, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. "Why don't you dish me up a piece too?" She said.

Happy to oblige, and even more happy that he wasn't in trouble, Ollie grabbed them each a plate and they sat down to eat. Zoe counted down to herself. 10, 9, 8…she had barely reached the 5, when Oliver started his evening recap. Like sands through the hourglass…

When I got to Parade this morning, Andy was even happier than she was before Christmas. I went up to her hoping to get a straight answer so Sam would see that it was time to move on.

"So Andy enjoy your Christmas?" I asked her – and of course, Dov made a beeline over to make sure he could eavesdrop. (Dov was learning from the best, Zoe thought.)

She said "definitely."

"Do anything special?" I tried…"and, oh you'll like this. "More like do anyone special?" Traci said under her breath. Can you believe it? You could see Andy's blush from a mile away, and the glare Sam shot at Traci, I'm surprised she was still standing. He was not happy at all.

I couldn't let that gem go. "So the rumors are true, huh McNally. Spent some time with someone special this Christmas did you?" She blushed again. All I could think was 'man she's got it bad'…and I realized that Sammy was in for a world of hurt.

"You still coming to the party after work?" I asked her. "Is your friend going to grace us with his presence?"

But she just said she'd be tagging along with Traci and Jerry and that she wasn't quite ready to share. Sam didn't seem very happy about that comment so I decided to help him out by changing the subject. "What about you, Sammy…you're still coming aren't you?"

That's when he dropped the bomb…"but I hope you don't mind if I bring a guest." He was looking right at Andy when he said it, though I think we were all shocked. I mean we know now he meant his sister, but I think he was just trying to get a rise out of Andy. Maybe see if he could make her jealous, too.

I tried again at the end of shift too. "So what does your 'friend' do? I understand he lives out of town; how did you meet?"

Sam gave me the evil eye, but Andy wouldn't give anything away. She said again that she still wasn't ready to share him yet. She did throw out this little nugget though: "But you and Zoe are coming to my house on New Year's right? I promise; you won't be disappointed if you do."

I told her we wouldn't miss it. I have a feeling Miss McNally's party is going to be quite the blow out. I think something's about to happen that we won't soon forget. Zoe just smiled knowingly as she put the plates in the dishwasher.

The put away the rest of the essentials, and headed for bed. Zoe would clean up the rest in the morning after Oliver headed to work.

They had barely settled into bed, when Oliver started up again with a chuckle. "You gotta hand it to Sammy, though; he sure knows how to make an entrance."

Flashback

Oliver and Zoe's eyes both widened as they took in the pretty lady beside Sam, and all eyes couldn't help but flicker to Andy's when the rest of the group noticed too. They all saw a quick flash which she schooled before she looked away. Jerry had elbowed Traci with a knowing look.

"Hi Sam….and who is this pretty lady?" Oliver asked. Dov's head snapped back around so fast he'd probably wake up with whiplash tomorrow. He inched closer to the door.

"Zoe, Oliver… this is Sarah." Sam introduced.

"Sarah…nice to meet you…you know Sam has a sister Sarah too." Oliver remarked.

Sarah smiled just then, and Zoe and Oliver looked at each other and then back and forth between Sam and Sarah until Sam's matching smile came out and confirmed the now obvious. Sam laughed, "I'd like you to meet my sister."

"We're so glad to meet you." Zoe fussed, hugging her "Sam told us you never came to the city; I didn't think we were ever going to meet you."

End Flashback

"He introduced Sarah to all the girls, but did you see when he introduced her to Andy? How she smiled at him when she said Merry Christmas and gave him a big hug? Swarek never gives up though; I saw his hand slide down towards her ass, but Andy was pretty quick to stop that. At least she draws the line somewhere." Oliver conceded grudgingly.

"And then he says 'Sarah…this is my An…partner, Andy.' He was going to say 'My Andy'. The man's got it bad." Oliver stated shaking his head.

"And then Andy spends the next half hour talking to Sarah. What does she think she's going to accomplish by getting friendly with Sarah? She spends half the night practically right next to her, and then did you hear her invite Sarah to come to the New Year's Eve Party too...And what happens, Sarah offers to come early:

'I could come early and help you'

'Oh no, that's not necessary.'

'Please, I insist. I've had so much fun getting to know you; I'd love to help.'

"You know Sarah and I spoke earlier and she told me she could see how much Sam liked Andy and she likes her too. I can't believe it; half a day and Andy's got another Swarek under her spell already. What a mess." Oliver lamented.

Zoe just smiled to herself as she recalled the girls' plan; it was ingenious. And when Zoe had told them about Oliver's obsession with the 'Days of Their Lives', the plan just seemed even better. She couldn't help but chuckle.

Oliver was confused. "What are you laughing at? I don't think this is very funny?"

"Never mind." Zoe placed her hand on his cheek and gave him a quick kiss. "…just a great day, that's all."

"I'm telling you…this can only end badly." Oliver predicted.

Yep….but just not for the people you think.