Another tale comes to an end. Be sure to let me know what you think.

The afternoon shift was going to start soon so when Jerry saw Oliver and Noelle, he decided he'd better take his chance while he could. "Have either of you talked to Sammy today?"

"No, why?" Noelle wanted to know.

"He's still not here yet and I wanted to talk to him. Hey how did you guys make out with him on the weekend?" Jerry wondered.

The two exchanged looks. They had both already decided that they'd said enough to Sam and now it was up to him.

"I think it's time we left it up to Sammy." Oliver recommended.

"What? Are you kidding me? Noelle?" He tried.

"I agree with Oliver. Sam knows what he's doing. I think we need to let it go and see how it plays out."

"Come on…we all know..." Jerry started again.

"No Jerry we don't know." Noelle argued. "And I think that's the problem. We've made a lot of assumptions, but we don't know."

Jerry looked at her quizzically. "Actually I'm beginning to wonder if I'm the only one who doesn't know. What's going on?"

Neither Oliver nor Noelle really knew the story 100%; they both had different halves of the same tale. But Shaw wasn't able to share his half with Noelle or anyone for that matter, so he had simply agreed when she suggested they let it go.

"Fine…I'll just talk to him myself." Jerry said as he moved to start his search again.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Oliver warned.

"Why not?"

"Because Sam is a grown man; he can make his own decisions and he made this one. If you push this any further, you might get more than you bargained for." Noelle advised. "Instead of protecting a friend, you could end up losing one."

"There's no way Sammy would choose her over me." Jerry argued.

"Don't push it, Jerry. Don't put Sam in that position."

Jerry just walked away; he'd do it on his own if he had to. He was supposed to be heading home now, but he was going to hang around for a bit to see if he could catch Sam before he took off for his shift. Jerry turned at the opening of a door to see Sam and Andy hustling in together looking flushed and obviously running late. He just shook his head and muttered under his breath as he walked away.

Sam and Andy split up at the locker rooms, just as Dov and Chris met up with Traci and Gail all coming out to head to parade. The rookies watched Sam and Andy exchange a smile before separating.

Dov's head was flipping back and forth between the two doors. "She looked better; do you think it's because…are she and Swarek…"

The other three just laughed at Dov's antics. Chris and Gail had had a heart to heart after her day with Andy and were on the same page. Gail was just as supportive as Chris now; after her talks with both Andy and Chris and after seeing Andy with Swarek, Gail did not doubt that Andy's feelings were genuine. And with the help of one of her former TO's, she was actually hoping she might cement her position in the group a little more. In fact, she had a plan to show just how much she was a part of the 'team'. The truth shall set you free.

Sam and Andy were the last to join parade; they had rushed in thinking they were going to be late but Best hadn't made it in yet. They looked up to see that he was in his office with Boyko; it appeared that parade was going to be a little late getting started. No one dared leave though because they knew Frank could be out at any time. The only thing that would get them to leave would be a call coming in and so far the radios were quiet.

When Jerry noticed that Best was busy, he joined the parade as well hoping to corner Sam.

Gail glanced over to the TO's who were gathered at the back of the room. She locked eyes with Noelle who flashed her 3 fingers behind her back. Gail promptly turned her radio to the seldom used channel as did Noelle. Gail did a quick check to see that Best was still in his office. After a nod from Noelle, Gail started to move to the other side of the room towards Luke Callahan's office. Just before she opened the door, she 'accidentally' turned her radio on.

Flashback

Noelle and Gail were both in early as they had a couple of things they needed to take care of before shift. Neither woman had changed into her uniform yet. They had each just dropped off their stuff and then met up as they exited the locker room at the same time.

Just as they walked out, Luke Callahan walked by and greeted them. They were both civil to his face, but the minute he was out of range they both muttered 'ass' under their breath.

They looked at each other. "McNally tell you?" Noelle asked.

"Yeah…you too?"

Noelle nodded. "I can't believe she's letting him get away with it though. I mean understand where she's coming from but still."

"I know…I sure wouldn't mind taking him down a few notches…the way he's been strutting around here."

Noelle couldn't have agreed more and so a plan was hatched.

End Flashback

With a quick knock, Gail waltzed right in. "Detective Callahan."

"What is it Peck? I'm kind of busy here." He grumbled, barely looking up from his desk.

"I can see that. I was just wondering…I mean I know Andy broke up with you."

Luke could hear the loud rumblings in the parade room – as soon as everyone heard Peck start talking, they started laughing a little thinking she didn't really know her radio was on. They were all a little confused though as to why it was only coming from Noelle's radio. Noelle shushed everyone quickly as Gail pulled the door closed behind her.

"What's going on out there?" Luke wondered, starting to move towards the door.

"Oh nothing…" Gail assured. "The natives are just getting restless. Best is still talking to Boyko."

"Oh…so what did you want again?" He asked, once more rooting through the papers on his desk.

"So Andy broke up with you?"

Out in the parade room, Andy met Sam's eyes, panic apparent in hers. She wanted to go in and stop Gail, but Sam had figured out what the ladies were up to and he wasn't going to let Luke off that easy. He just shook his head at Andy, silently asking her to trust him once again and let it play out.

When she nodded in return, he winked back to try and assure her that it would all be OK. After receiving a small smile in return, Sam shifted his gaze and chuckled to himself when he saw Jerry standing off to the side with his mouth hanging wide open as he listened to the conversation in the other room.

"Yea…so?" Callahan responded.

"You're not denying it?" Gail challenged.

"Well she obviously told you what happened so it's not going to make much difference what I say."

"Aren't you afraid that she'll tell everyone? You have been making it sound like you broke up with her."

"I never said that." He defended.

"No, but you haven't denied it either." Gail disputed.

"I can't help what everyone assumes."

"No, but don't you think you owe it to Andy to tell the truth."

"I don't owe her anything." Luke argued. "She cancelled on a very important dinner and then walked out on me. I'm not too worried about her feelings."

"Did she have a good reason?"

"What difference does that make?"

Gail couldn't believe he even had to ask. "Seriously?"

"Well, If you call her train wreck of a…"

"Peck!" Luke didn't get a chance to finish before Gail was being called back to parade.

"Gotta run!" She yelped, before darting back out the door, closing it quickly behind her as she shut off her radio.

When she walked out she had a huge smile on her face which only grew when she saw all the ones greeting her; to say the majority were stunned would be an understatement. And the grins on the faces of Sam, Noelle, Traci, and Chris were as big as hers. She looked at Andy who, though blushing, gave her a small smile and mouthed "Thanks."

Gail just winked and took her seat, glancing up to see Boyko walking away from Frank's office.

Once the shock wore off of the other officers, the conversations started all over the room. How could they not see that Callahan was lying? What could Andy have cancelled for? And why would she have walked out on him?

They were about to get their answer from an unlikely source. Boyko stuck his head into the room, which immediately fell silent. "McNally."

She looked up. "Yes, sir."

"Rough week?"

This afternoon was just getting weirder and weirder as the other officers were all astounded once again. Why in the hell would Boyko be asking about her love life…and in front of everyone?

"A little sir." She responded.

"Well I'm glad to hear that your father is out of the hospital. Sounds like things are much better now."

"Yes…they are, sir. Thank you." Andy replied.

"Good!" He looked around wondering why everyone was so hung up on the conversation.

"Carry on." He said as he walked away.

Boyko was barely out of the room when it erupted, and that was what Andy had been afraid of. Now they would all be talking about her dad and wondering why he was sick. She hung her head for a few seconds until she realized that it was not what was on everyone's mind. The only thing they appeared to be talking about was what an ass Luke had been for letting them believe what he did and for being mad at Andy when she cancelled most likely because of her father. They all seemed to be angry at Luke and not at all concerned about why Andy's dad was sick. Huh.

Dov leaned over. "Why didn't you say anything?"

Chris nodded. "We would have helped you know."

"I know, guys and I'm sorry," she said as she took in all of her friends including Gail. "I don't like to talk about my dad much."

"It's ok, Andy. We don't need details." Gail responded. "We just want you to know that we're here."

"Thanks…and thanks, Gail for…"

"Yeah, whatever." Gail interrupted. "He didn't deserve to get away without taking some responsibility."

At the back of the room, Sam strolled over to Jerry. "You might want to close your mouth, Jer." His jaw was still hanging open; he could not believe what had just happened.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Jerry asked, having the decency to be at least a little embarrassed.

"It wasn't my story to tell." Sam explained.

"So you did choose her over me."

How he got to that conclusion, Sam had no idea. "What?"

"You chose McNally over your friends."

"Why does it have to mean one or the other?" Sam asked. "I've kept your secrets before but that doesn't mean I chose you over Ollie and Noelle."

"But this is different."

"Why?"

"Because she's not one of us; we've all been friends forever and frankly, we're still not sure about her."

"You don't have to be sure; I do. You just have to trust me on that. If you make it one over the other, then you're the one that's choosing not me. Because I have no intention of doing that and neither does Andy for that matter. Jerry, you have to accept that she is going to be a part of my life."

"But…you said you were just helping her as a friend."

"I was, but now that my friend duties appear to be over, I'm hoping it'll be something more."

"I knew it."

"I never made a secret of it." Sam reminded him.

"No…you didn't."

"Can you at least admit that it wasn't what it looked like? That she wasn't using me."

"Fine." Jerry conceded.

"Well, it's a start." Sam stated, knowing it was going to take some time for Jerry to come around.

"You're my friend Jerry and as far as I'm concerned this doesn't change that. But I won't give up Andy for you…you're not nearly as cute." Sam added with a grin, trying to lighten the mood.

"Yeah…but I am sexy." Jerry retorted, trying to get back in Sam's good graces at least a little.

"I hate to break it to you buddy, but she is…"

Before Sam could finish, Best entered the room anxious to get everyone on their way. "OK, OK, party's over. Take a seat…Barber, can you grab Callahan? I need him in here for a minute."

Jerry's eyes widened in response as everyone looked around at each other. He watched as each face in the room seemed to harden instantly. Best couldn't help but sense the change in mood though he had no idea why. "Barber?"

"Yeah, yeah." Jerry answered making his way over to Luke's office.

He knocked and entered at the same time. "Care to join us?" He invited knowing full well that Luke was going to wish he hadn't.

When Luke walked in, he was shocked to say the least. Almost every eye in the room was shooting daggers at him and he had no idea why until he locked eyes with Peck. His gaze narrowed as she gave him a wink and waved her radio at him; he knew then that their private conversation had been far from it.

He cleared his throat and walked over to Frank, careful not to look at anyone else though he would have loved to send a glare Andy's way; he had a feeling he wouldn't be living this down for awhile. Luke passed his notes to Best and asked him to give the update himself. He then made a quick excuse to exit leaving Frank bewildered. It wasn't long before they all saw Luke rush past the windows on his way out of the station. Frank's confusion merely grew when the apparent anger in the room completely dissipated only to be replaced by muffled laughter.

Enough time had been wasted though, so he made quick work of the announcements before sending everyone on their way. He made his way back up to his office, but not before he looked to the TO's and raised his eyebrows as if asking 'OK, which one of you is going to tell me what that was all about.'

That would have to be decided later.

Since they were already late getting started, everyone rushed around to gather up what they needed and head out.

Sam and Andy found themselves alone in the back hallway on their way out the door. Since no one seemed to be following them, Sam swung Andy around quickly and pinned her against the wall. She barely had time to gasp in surprise before Sam captured her lips with his.

It didn't take long for Andy to lose all coherent thought. But as quick as Sam had grabbed her he was gone; he had heard everyone else coming and was moving towards the door. Andy was just getting her bearings again and she pushed off the wall just as the rest of the group came around the corner.

"Anytime, McNally!" Sam pretended to grouch, trying to hold in his grin as he held open the door.

All Dov heard was the voice; he couldn't see the twinkle in Sam's eye. "What's with Swarek?"

Me… was Andy's only thought as Sam placed his warm hand on her lower back and led her out the door.