I hope you all have enjoyed reading this as much as I've enjoyed writing it. Thank you again for all the support as I wrote my first fanfic. I appreciate it more than I can express.

Still don't own Rookie Blue, unfortunately.

The Next Step

"So where is this going, Andy?" Sam asked as they headed for the barn.

"I suppose that's up to you." She said, without looking at him.

They rode the rest of the way to the barn in silence. Sam had been trying to figure out what to say to Andy all night. Now that he knew she had loved him all along he kind of felt like an idiot. He also really wanted to kick Luke's ass for making him think it was Andy's idea to go to the fishing cabin. Things would have turned out differently if he had just fought for what he wanted rather than trying to be honorable.

Andy snuck a glance at Sam as they drove. What was going on in that head of his? She poured her heart out last night, and this was the result? She wondered if she was going to have the strength to talk to him without getting emotional. She had been on the verge of tears since finding his bed empty in the hospital room. She decided to stay quiet, knowing that he wouldn't be expecting that, and it would give her more time to gain composure.

Andy backed Sam's truck into the parking spot. "Thanks for the ride." Sam said. "Are you coming in? I shouldn't be very long, and then we can go get some lunch and talk?" Andy gave him a half smile "Okay, I'll go in and talk to Traci, she's on the desk today."

"So, how'd it go?" Traci asked, hoping for some juicy details of McSwarek love. "He wasn't in his room when I got there, made me think he left, then was standing by his truck in the parking lot. He hasn't really said anything else. He's torturing me, Trace."

"Sammy, my boy, how's it going?" Jerry asked as Sam went into the locker room to get his bag. "I'm sorry I voted against you, but we had a great time at the Penny last night, celebrating you and McNally." Sam turned the glare at him "Hey now, don't be hating. You should the happiest man on the planet right now, finally having the girl you love."

"Don't mind, Sam, he's still embarrassed that she kissed him in front of us" Oliver said, walking into the room with a burger in his hand. "Oh, and finding out about the bet. Seriously, brother, how are you feeling?"

"Well, it doesn't feel too good to be shot, but you already know that , Oliver. I just stopped in to grab my bag, and then I'm going home and going to sleep. My roommate snored something awful last night."

"McNally's a snorer huh?" Jerry joked.

"No, Monica kicked her out when they gave me a roommate. I still haven't had the chance to talk to her about the kiss yet. I think she's ready to punch me, she was so quiet in the truck on the way over here." Sam smirked. "Yeah, I'm totally torturing her."

"Ouch! Payback for the public kiss and embarassment? Well don't torture her for too long, Sammy. You've both been through enough heartache."

Sam smiled a knowing smile, and headed out to find McNally. He was ready to take the next step.

Jerry looked at Oliver and said "Is it too early to start the betting for their wedding?"

"You ready to go?" Sam asked as he approached Andy. "Yeah, let's go." Sam could tell she was upset. As they walked out of the building Sam reached out and grabbed her hand. She looked at him with her eyes full of question. "McNally" he said, rolling the word like he did outside the Penny long ago "I love you too." He wove his fingers with hers, and smiled as he said "Let me take you home." This time, there was no hesitation,. Andy smiled, said "Okay, but I get to drive" and laughed as they walked the rest of the way to his truck.

Sam figured it was a good thing he was so tired, or he'd be taking Andy straight to his bed, instead of talking about their next step. He looked at her as she drove his truck, and thought about how how she tackled him her first day on the job. He was pissed at her, but he also admired her spunk and determination. He admired her persistence, how she followed him into the locker room, still trying to solve the murder case. Then they were paired together, a lovely joke from Boyko, and she backed him up with Emily and Anton Hill. He knew that night, as they stood outside of the Penny, that he was smitten. Finally now she was really and truly his. He didn't have to hide his feelings anymore. Today was a good day.

Andy looked at Sam as she drove the truck back to his house. He loves me too. He really does. It's probably a good thing that he was injured, or she would jump him they walked in the door. She wasn't hungry for food, she was hungry for Sam. She had wanted him for so long, and now he was finally hers.

They walked into Sam's house, and she headed for the kitchen while he got settled on the couch. Andy brought out his medication and some plates, set them down on the table, and looked at Sam. He reached for her, pulling her into his lap. She was careful not to hit his shoulder as she settled in and stared into his eyes. "So you love me, huh?" she said, and leaned forward to press a light kiss on his lips.

"Yeah, I don't know why, but I do." He laughed when she swatted him, then leaned forward to give her a kiss. "I've loved you since the night you told me you weren't afraid because I was there, after you saved me from Anton Hill. It's been my own personal hell being your partner for the past year, Andy. I've had to smell your scent, to see your beauty, and yet was forced to resist you. It has taken every bit of my power to push you away, to be the honorable man. Every day spent with you was a mix of pleasure and pain. Thank you for finally taking away my misery. "

"So, where are we going from here, Sam?" Andy asked

"Well, I was going to ask, Andy McNally, can I take you on a proper date this Friday night?"

"A date, huh? I thought you'd never ask. Yes, Sam Swarek, I would love for you to take me on a date."

Four months later

"Well, you were practically already living there, so I guess it's about time you gave up your apartment and moved in with Sam." Traci said.

"You know what, Trace? I'm happy. I thought I knew what happiness was, but I didn't. I can't believe I wasted all that time putting Swarek on ice. How are things with you and Jerry?"

"Good, really good. I'm happy too."

"Joining us for Parade, ladies?" Oliver hollered from the doorway.

"Some things never change" Traci laughed and they headed out.

They slid into their seats just as Frank started the morning announcements. He finished the assignments, then said "Oh, wait, I forgot, one more thing. Sam?"

Sam stood up at the front of the room and said "Coppers of 15, I need your help. McNally, can you come up here please?"

Andy looked at Traci with confusion, then walked up to join Sam at the front of the room. She wasn't sure what she was getting herself into.

"A year and a half ago, I was living in a shit hole, dealing drugs, when this beautiful rookie kicked in the door." The fellow cops laughed. "To rub it in her face they assigned me as her training officer"

Andy didn't appear to be finding this funny, at all, but Sam smiled at her before continuing.

"Who knew that the worst day of my career would turn out to the the best thing that could have ever happened to me. "

The crowd let out various "awwww"s and some yelled "A Sappy Swarek, no way"

Sam turned towards Andy

"That rookie became my partner, and now I'm asking her for a favor."

Sam got down on one knee, and beamed at Andy. The room went silent.

"How about we take this patnership to the next level. Andy McNally will you marry me?" He opened the ring box and showed it to her.

"Sam" Andy smiled at him, pulled him to standing, and as she leaned up to kiss him said "I'll always be yours."

"Is that a yes?" He said as her lips grazed his.

"Yes. Now kiss me."

The parade room erupted with cheers and claps.

"Alright Coppers, time to get to work! Serve, Protect, and get engaged!" Best yelled, breaking up the party.

Sam and Andy laughed as they heard "Damn it, Jerry won the bet again!" from Oliver.

-The End -