I'm going to start with an apology – it will likely be at least a week before I get the final chapter up…I know…sorry.

I'm going away for 4 days starting on Thursday and I had planned to have this story complete before I left. But the more I pushed to get this one done so I could work on the last chapter, the harder it got to write – nothing was coming out the way I wanted it. Plus I didn't want to rush the last chapter; I want to make sure it's as good as it can be. I don't want to disappoint anyone who has stuck with it, read it, and/or reviewed it. Thanks!

I hope you enjoy this one and I will do my best to get the last chapter out as soon as I can.

Sam & Andy

December 27th

Sarah and Sam got up and headed for breakfast at a favorite spot he and Andy went to. Their usual waitress was friendly but she kept sending Sam funny looks and he couldn't figure out why. When she came over with their order, she looked at Sam and asked sweetly "where's that pretty partner of yours?"

Sam smiled, realizing that she had picked up on his connection with Andy and had gotten the wrong idea about him and Sarah. "Oh, I'm meeting her at the station later, after I have breakfast with my sister."

She nodded her head and smiled as she walked away. Sarah just laughed.

Sam and Sarah visited over the breakfast and then Sam dropped her off at the bus station with a kiss and hug. He got a lump in his throat as he watched her get on the bus without a care in the world. She had come a long way and it did his heart good.

He headed back to the station and got ready quickly before letting Best know he was back. Andy was at her desk, scheduled to do paperwork until he got there. She was deep in thought and hadn't noticed his arrival. Not one to pass up an opportunity, Sam snuck up behind her and grabbed her just under the ribcage. She jumped out of her chair and screamed, while Sam laughed along with everyone else in the vicinity.

Andy slapped him hard across the shoulder. "That was not nice!" she yelled, but then she started to laugh and leaned in to hug him. Sam's eyes widened and she realized where she was and what she was about to do. To cover up quickly, she simply grasped his shoulders and turned him towards the exit and ordered "let's go!"

With the late start, it was a quick morning. They had only been out for an hour and half when noon came. "Where do you want to go for lunch?" Andy asked.

How soon they forget.

"I know exactly where we're going for lunch" he said as he looked at her hungrily.

She giggled as he accelerated the car and raced to his house. They ran inside as quick as they could and headed straight for the bedroom, discarding their uniforms as they went.

They emerged a half hour later fully satisfied, but still hungry. Sam made them each a sandwich, while Andy poured the coffee into go mugs before they headed back out the door with a smile.

The afternoon passed quickly, and they both headed to the Penny after work, each with their own friends to keep up appearances. Andy spent the evening with Traci and the rest of the rookies. Though her body was at the table with them, her mind and her eyes were continually on Sam.

A couple of times she tried to go talk to him under the pretense of getting another drink. But every time she got up to get one, Oliver or Jerry would intercept her – with a drink for her magically appearing in one of their hands as they escorted her back to her table. Well…at least I'm not paying for drinks.

Sam tried to get to her a few times too, but the guys continued to run interference. Andy looked wistfully at Sam as she finally left at her standard 9pm.

He watched her leave, but the door had barely closed before he got up, threw some money on the counter, and started heading after her. Before he could get away though, Jerry had grabbed him and sat him back down.

Oliver shook his head and said, "Let her go my friend. Let her go." The underlying meaning of his comment was not lost on Sam.

After Andy walked home, she spent the next couple of hours preparing for the party from the to-do list she and Sarah had made. She had finalized the menu with Sarah's help and they already had some appetizers ready and waiting in Tommy's freezer. Andy started with some cleaning and then made out a shopping list for the rest of what she needed, planning to go tomorrow after work and skip the Penny. She had just sat down when she got Sam's text to say that he was on his way.

Sam finally arrived at 11 o'clock having had to sneak out the back way under the pretense of going to the bathroom. He had taken the back exit, jogged to his truck, texted Andy, and then took off for her house.

She was waiting for him at the door with a smile and a kiss that told him exactly what she was waiting for. They were still in the doorway when they came up for air and Sam laughed as he guided them inside and shut the door with his foot. She helped him take off his jacket, and it was obvious that she had no plans to stop there. His shirt was on the floor and she was sliding off his belt when he lifted her up and carried her giggling to the bedroom. It wasn't long before all clothes were discarded.

"As much as I love my sister, I am so glad there's no chaperone tonight," Sam celebrated as he lowered his body to hers.

December 28th

When the alarm went off the next morning, Andy groaned. She could feel Sam's naked body entangled with hers and she was not ready to let go. Sam pulled her on top of him and ran a hand tenderly up and down her back as he embraced her.

"Now that's what I call a good morning," she said as he started to kiss his way up her neck.

Sam murmured against her skin. "Forget about the party. Let's just tell everyone today…we can find another way to teach Epstein a lesson."

He rolled them gently onto their sides and propped himself up on one elbow. He started to run his other hand softly from her neck down to her breasts, causing her to shiver and bringing a smile to his face. "You know I consider myself to be a pretty good actor; I wouldn't be good at undercover if I wasn't. But as awesome as I am," he grinned; "…this is not easy," he admitted.

"I'm happy and I love you. And now I have the right to grab you in public. But when I finally see you after spending the night without you, all I get to do is scare you." He recalled with a smirk.

"I will get you back for that," she threatened. Before reminding him, "at least you got a nice lunch out of it."

He grinned and nodded. "It's still hard though – and it's going to take a lot of 'nice lunches' to make it up to me when this is done. I'm getting the 'poor Sam' treatment from half the division and Shaw pulls me aside at least twice a day for 'the talk'."

"Last night he and Jerry would not let me leave the Penny…I had to feed them a few drinks and then sneak out the back door after I said I had to go to the bathroom. I'm actually surprised one of them didn't offer to go with me," he complained.

Andy glanced at the clock to see if they had time for a 'nice breakfast', but there wasn't much so Sam had to settle for a quick kiss and a promise to make it up to him later.

The day was fairly uneventful, and they were happy to get off on time. Andy was skipping the Penny to go shopping and Sam wanted to take her. She had already made arrangements with her Dad but Sam had just about worn her down by the time they got to the parking lot…except Jerry had other ideas, like dragging Sam away to the Penny alone.

"Sorry," he mouthed back to her.

Andy just laughed and put her thumb to her ear and her pinky to her mouth. With her best bedroom eyes, she mouthed "Call me," while Jerry's back was turned. Sam grinned and waggled his eyebrows. He would definitely be doing more than calling her.

Sam was actually able to get away a little earlier tonight…thanks to Traci. He had been there just under an hour and had had enough of Jerry's games; the man was relentless. He had pointed out every available woman in the bar to see if he could pique Sam's interest.

Finally, when Jerry went to talk to another detective, Sam cornered Traci begging for her help. She wasn't planning on leaving that early but she had left Leo at her Mom's so she didn't mind bumping up sexy time a little. "I got your back," she assured him.

She sidled up to Jerry as soon as he returned to Sam and spoke softly in his ear as she rubbed her hand slowly up and down his forearm. He looked between Sam and Traci with regret. He was clearly torn, until he saw Shaw walk in.

With a grin, he whispered to Traci, "just give me one minute."

He walked straight over to Shaw, put his hand up and tagged off with him and said, "You're up brother."

Traci could see exactly what was going on and she quickly texted Zoe before Jerry returned with Oliver. As she walked out on Jerry's arm, Sam threw his hands out and gave her a look that clearly said 'Are you kidding me? – You call that having my back.'

Shaw's phone rang just then and when he turned away to answer, Traci mouthed again, "don't worry…I got you covered."

Sam watched in doubt as she exited, until Shaw returned and said, "Sorry, Sammy, but wife trumps friend. Zoe needs me, and I have to head home…whatever baby wants…" And he headed out of the bar.

Sam left as soon as he was sure that Shaw had pulled away. Thank you, Traci.

Sam got to Andy's in time to help her unload the last of the groceries, and then they rearranged some of the furniture in an attempt to make more room in her apartment. When they finally sat down, Andy thanked him for helping her and with a tender kiss, told him how happy she was that he got away earlier tonight.

"It wasn't easy." Sam said. "I had to recruit Nash to help me this time. Jerry was driving me nuts – he kept pointing out different ladies in the bar. He even sent drinks to a couple of them, and then when they came over to say thanks, he'd conveniently disappear and I'd have to find a way to politely let them know that I wasn't interested."

"Then he pulled out his phone and started showing me pictures of women friends of his that he could easily call to get me a date. One time, he even 'accidentally' called one of them. When he had to explain why he was calling, he forced me to get on the phone to confirm it." Sam grumbled and looked up at Andy.

Andy was getting angry….which meant Sam was getting turned on. "Jealous?"

"Should I be?"

"No…but are you?"

"Yes." She admitted reluctantly. "If I didn't have so much invested in this plan, I would show up tomorrow night and have my way with you right in the middle of the Penny."

"Works for me." Sam agreed with a grin. "I'm not sure what I would enjoy more, though – the look on Jerry's face or…"

Andy laughed. "Sam…the plan?"

"Right," he said dejectedly.

"But that doesn't mean we can't have some fun tonight." Andy enticed. "Are you going to let me have my way with you right now Officer Swarek?"

He pretended to think about it – for about a half second – before scooping her up off the couch and carrying her to the bedroom with all thoughts of Jerry forgotten.

December 29th

Sam woke up before the alarm and smiled when he realized they still had a half hour before it rang. A week ago, he would have rolled over with a smile and fell back to sleep.

This morning, he rolled over with a smile, but had no intentions of falling asleep. His wandering hands and lips had Andy awake in no time, and when she looked at the clock, her eyes brightened and she responded to his invitation immediately. She would be denying them of their need for the next 12 hours; she would not deny them now.

She pulled Sam's face to hers and gently rolled her body onto his. She kissed him slowly and sensuously as she slid their bodies together, eliciting a moan from deep in Sam's chest.

Slow was amazing but it was a luxury they couldn't afford…for long. And time was not on their side this morning so Sam soon encouraged Andy with a faster pace.

But time still has a way of getting away from you when you're distracted...and they could definitely distract each other. When they finally broke apart, they realized that they had enjoyed themselves a little longer than they had planned. And skipping a shower was no longer an option so they jumped in together.

Sam was finished before Andy so he moved up flush against her back to put his chin on her shoulder. He put his arms around her and grabbed the soap from her hands to lather his. He began by caressing her stomach and working his way up to massage the suds over her breasts. She indulged him for a few seconds before finally pulling his hands away. "Sam, I think they're clean now."

"Hey, I was just trying to help out." He claimed innocently, before he began 'cleaning' her hips and working his way down her thighs.

Andy was definitely not going to get anywhere with him in there so she kicked him out and told him she'd meet him at the barn.

"No." He protested. "You don't have time to walk or catch the bus. It's fine; we ride together all the time anyway."

"Fine," Andy relented.

"Are you sure you don't want to just tell everyone?" He questioned as he dried off. "I mean Jerry will be pulling out all the stops tonight…there's only 2 days till your party and he's on a mission to find me a woman."

She poked her head out of the shower. "You already have a woman." And don't you forget it.

"I know that but he doesn't." Sam contended.

They headed out the door 15 minutes later, planning to pick up the breakfast they missed this morning.

It was definitely going to be a busier day, and they had already returned to the barn with a robbery suspect before lunch.

Once they got the paperwork done, Andy took a minute to make a call. She pulled out David's card and dialed the number.

When she asked him what he and Michael were doing for New Year's Eve, he let her know that Noelle had already called to invite them and they had just finalized their arrangements to come. She hadn't shared the specifics of the plan though.

"Can you get Michael in there and put me on speaker?" Andy asked. "I'm hoping you'll be willing to help with a little surprise I have planned?"

Andy explained the plan in as much detail as she could and they were definitely in. She knew they would be though; after all the laughs they had in St. Catherines she had no doubt they would be up for it. Michael left the room laughing, looking forward to both the prank and to seeing Noelle again.

Andy was about to hang up when David asked shyly if Sarah was planning to be at the party. Andy smiled to herself as she confirmed that Sarah would be there. He stuttered a little before asking if Andy thought she might need a ride into Toronto that night.

Andy could tell he was nervous, and was actually wondering why she hadn't thought of that. But she didn't want to rush Sarah and declined on her behalf. "She's actually coming up early to give me a hand with the preparations. I have to work until at least 5 o'clock so Sarah's my lifesaver and I can't give her up. But she will definitely be there." That was good enough for him…he was totally looking forward to seeing her again.

Before she hung up, Andy thought of something. She asked David if she could have his home number and if she could call him tomorrow night to put on a little show at the Penny. He laughed, "of course."

The afternoon was even busier than the morning so Sam and Andy got away late to the Penny. Andy was only planning to stay for 1 drink so she sat with Sam as soon as they came in; she wasn't giving Jerry the chance to keep them apart. Sam snuck his hand under the bar and was rubbing up and down Andy's thigh. He was not making this easy.

She stood up abruptly when his hand had settled into a nice warm spot that was a little too close for polite company. She spoke loudly for anyone else to hear. "Oh…look at the time...I have to get going."

And then she whispered for only Sam to hear, "I'll be in the truck waiting; don't let anyone stop you."

"Oh… yeah sure…good night McNally," he responded loudly. "I have to header myself. See you tomorrow."

Jerry tried to stop Sam as he moved to the other exit, but Sam put his considerable acting skills to good use. When he got out the door, he ran to the truck and Andy was hiding in the back seat. "It's probably not a good idea right here though." Sam grinned as he started climbing back.

She put a hand on his chest and laughed. "I'm just hiding…I'm not asking for a romp in your backseat."

Puzzled, Sam questioned, "What are you asking?"

"I'm asking if I can have a sleepover at your house tonight." She responded innocently.

Sam's eyes widened. He knew from her time with Luke that she had always had trouble spending the entire night in someone else's bed. With them being so new, she had not stayed the night at his house yet.

"Really?" he asked.

"Yes," she reassured him. Sarah had helped her work on getting past some things too. "Besides, I cleaned house last night and I don't want you to mess anything up." She teased.

He pretended to be wounded. "Oh…I see how it is."

Andy smiled. "I do want to, Sam. Please."

"What about tomorrow? You can't go to work in the same clothes."

"I brought extra clothes with me for tomorrow." She insisted.

That's all he needed to hear.

December 30th

Sam woke up with the alarm, and pulled Andy a little closer – not that it was actually possible - it was more like hugging her a little tighter as he gave it one more try. "Andy…"

"No, we don't have time."

"That's not it…"

"No, we can't tell everyone today."

When he didn't respond, she knew she got it right that time. "It's only one more night, Sam. Now don't ruin my fun. If they're going to gossip about my love life, I'm going to make sure I make it worth their while...and make Dov look like a fool in the process, not that he needs any help with that. Now you better let me go before we're late." She said with a grin.

"I don't have a problem being late," he said as he ran his hand down her hips.

She lifted his hand, but rolled her body completely on top of his, pausing for just a second to kiss him, before rolling completely off and moving to get off the bed.

"You can't just rub up against a guy like that and expect to just walk away." He protested grabbing at her.

"Watch me!" She challenged as she slowly twirled her naked body away and strutted off to the bathroom with a quick glance over her shoulder.

Oh, he watched…and enjoyed every minute of it. "Tease!"

After another long day at work, they headed to the Penny late, but Andy wasn't worried because she was not in any rush to leave tonight.

They sat together for over an hour with various officers stopping to join them at different times. It seemed like Jerry had backed off though, because he pretty much left them alone. Andy finally turned to Sam and said "show time."

She looked across the bar and motioned to Traci who then walked over to Jerry and Oliver and offered to buy them a drink. She invited them to sit with her and Dov at a table. Andy excused herself from Sam and got up to make a call. Conveniently, the table Tracy had chosen was right beside the back hall so they could hear Andy's side of the conversation.

Andy took out David's card and dialed his number.

"Right on time," David answered on the second ring.

"I was just calling to make sure you'll be there tomorrow," she responded in her sexiest voice.

"Of course. Can we bring anything besides our drinks?"

"No…everything you need will be there," Andy purred.

David laughed. "I really can't wait."

"I can't wait either."

"I'm anxious to meet the guys that deserve this."

"Yes, you'll be able to meet everyone."

"And Sarah will be there?" He confirmed.

"Oh you won't be disappointed." Andy promised.

David laughed again. "You really are good."

"You have no idea just how good." Andy bragged.

"See you tomorrow Andy."

"I'm looking forward to it…bye."

Sam could see Andy's face from where he sat and he could tell by the look in her eyes and the way she was moving exactly what tone she was using on the phone with David. He knew it was all part of the charade, but that tone was just for him. He wasn't sure he liked her talking like that to another man…even if it was a joke. Frowning, he headed over to the table and met her there just after she hung up.

Andy encouraged him to sit down with the others, and pulled up a chair between him and Traci. Before she sat down, she leaned over his shoulder and he looked up into her eyes to see what she wanted.

Lost in her gaze, his eyes darkened and he moved in for a kiss. Andy continued toward him captivated by the familiar look in his eyes, until Traci bumped her chair effectively breaking her out of her trance. She cleared her throat and told him she would go get them a drink. She saw Jerry and Oliver exchange looks before she headed to the bar.

The second she left, Dov was vibrating, he was so excited he couldn't hold it in any longer. "…Did you hear her on the phone?" he started to ask.

"Shut up, Rook!" Jerry and Shaw said together before they looked over at Sam who was frowning again.

Andy brought Sam his drink and started talking to Traci for a few minutes; she wanted to remind her to bring in a couple of items to work tomorrow. Andy soon stood up to head home to finish the last of the cleaning for the party tomorrow. Sam lifted his drink quickly as if to finish it. "If you wait a couple minutes, I can…"

But Shaw and Barber both stopped him. "Have a nice night, Andy," they interrupted before Sam could finish the offer to drive her home.

As soon as Andy closed the door behind her, Jerry started in on him. "Did you find a date for tomorrow night yet Sammy?"

"Nope…I thought I'd just hang out with Sarah. I know she knows a lot of you guys now, but I wanted to make sure she wasn't alone. Besides I'm sure she and Andy will need some help." Sam replied. "And don't try to find me someone here tonight Jerry; I have no patience for your setup routine again."

Jerry backed off, but a couple of drinks later he was at it again before Sam pleaded. "Just let it be Jer, OK? I appreciate all your concern, but it's unnecessary…I know what I'm doing. And tomorrow, I just want to make sure my sister is happy and that I have my partner's back. But I promise…I will make sure that you don't have to worry about my love life for much longer."

"And how are you going to do that?" Jerry asked. "Do you have a plan for putting that Swarek charm back into action?"

"Maybe you should worry about your own love life buddy."

"What? We're good." Jerry looks over at Traci questioningly. "We're good…right?"

Everyone laughed and Sam got up to leave. "Well….it's been a slice but now…now I have to go home and call Sarah. I want to make sure I have her covered when she comes in early tomorrow."

"Have a good night." He shouted back after a few steps.

"Oh…and Epstein" Sam said as he turned and shot Dov a threatening look. "Don't talk about me …or McNally when I leave."

Dov looked at Sam innocently and shut his already open mouth….just long enough for the door to close behind Sam.

Sam called Sarah on his way over to Andy's; his sister would be arriving late in the morning and Tommy was going to pick her up. Andy was on desk duty tomorrow to make sure she got away on time, so when Sarah got to town she was to call Sam who would deliver a key Andy had given him to let Sarah in. Sarah and Tommy would then go pick up the food from Tommy's house and start prepping as much as they could before Andy got home.

Sam had just hung up when he reached Andy's apartment. He knocked softly on the door, but everything was quiet and dark so he used the key he had for Sarah. He walked quietly into the bedroom and Andy was already asleep. He took off his clothes and cuddled in beside her. He laid his hand on her side and kissed her cheek.

"Sorry." She mumbled in her sleep. "I couldn't wait up."

"That's OK," Sam assured her with another kiss.

"Hold me." She urged as she placed her hand on his and pulled him nearer.

He closed his eyes, and fell asleep with a smile, knowing that by the end of tomorrow night no one would have to worry about his love life for a long time.