AN: So even though I have two other stories I should be finishing up, this idea got stuck in my head a few weeks ago and just wouldn't leave me alone. I tried to ignore it but then I realised it was probably just easier to get it down and post it as a one-shot since it wouldn't fit in with any of my other stories. Unfortunately, I still can't write short stories (even one-shots) so I decided to split it into two chapters, of which this is the first.

Be warned it is complete and utter fluff, no plot to speak of, just something to get me through season four. And in regards to when it's set, it's sometime in the future whenever Andy and Sam get their act together. I haven't got a specific date in mind but I imagine several years at the very least.

Also I'd just like to say a big thank you to dcj for giving it the once over first.

Disclaimer: I don't own rookie blue but I do like to borrow the characters for my own entertainment

What happened to taking it easy?

Present Day:

The sun was just about giving up for the day when Sam Swarek climbed out of his truck. He stretched a little, trying to relieve some of the tension from huddling over a stack of files all day, before grabbing his bag and slamming the door shut. Sam guessed the noise must have annoyed the overhanging tree since it dropped a few leaves down to greet him, though really it was just another reminder that summer was no longer here.

After brushing the leaves aside and locking the truck, Sam turned to face his house, but instead of walking up the path he found himself glued to the spot. For some reason he had only just noticed the orange swirls in the sky and he couldn't help but stare. He wasn't normally one to appreciate such sights but after the past fifteen hours he was just happy to be outside, or really to be home. Given the way the case had been progressing, he hadn't thought it possible. This morning he'd resigned himself to leaving the station at some god awful hour and crawling into bed just minutes before he had to be up again. But then they'd gotten their breakthrough.

It was actually Nash who had found the lead that took them to their guy, not that Sam really cared where it came from. In all honesty, he was just happy to be able to close the case, again though that was mostly down to Nash. She had led the interview, got the man to confess and then insisted she finish up the paperwork alone. Sam had offered to help, he didn't feel right leaving it all on her, but she had told him to go. Of course he hadn't been easily deterred but after Nash revealed the number of texts Andy had sent her, Sam knew he needed to get home.

Unfortunately the drive back wasn't very quick, since it appeared every red light was still out to get him. Thankfully though it was a hell of a lot less torturous than the one he had taken seven days ago. Sam could still remember every panicked second of that hour in great detail. He had been on a stakeout with Nash when the call came through. He remembered there being other words but the only two he had managed to repeat were Andy and doctors.

Nash had been much more level headed about the situation than he had. After reassuring him that it was probably nothing to worry about, she had put him in a cab and told him to call her as soon as he knew more. Sam didn't think he'd said much to her, possibly he'd just nodded as he dialled Oliver's number. He'd assumed his friend would be able to tell him more about what was going on but Oliver clearly hadn't heard, and so he'd tried Frank and anyone else he thought might know something while his mind forced him to consider the worst outcomes.

Of course it was just his luck that no one seemed to be able to tell him anything more than what he already knew, which meant that he'd resorted to telling the cabbie to speed up every other minute. Sam knew he'd annoyed the man to the point of almost being kicked out of the cab but the not knowing had gotten to him. At that point in time, all he had cared about was seeing with his own two eyes that she was okay.

Something, which thankfully, he didn't have to wait very long to see.

One week ago:

"What? Dov! Why did you call him?"

Sam couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at Andy as he came to a halt by the door of the waiting room. He could feel his heart racing, though he didn't know if it was from shock or relief, or both. Since he had spent the last hour assuming the worst, he had expected to find her lying unconscious on a hospital bed, not reading a magazine and yelling at her friend.

"Uh." Epstein looked as though he wanted to say something similar to what Sam was thinking, but in the end he just shrugged. "I'm gonna get a drink, anyone?"

Sam shook his head but patted Epstein's shoulder as he walked past to thank him for the call. He didn't care what Andy said, he needed to be here.

"I'm fine," she told him as he walked over to her. "Seriously, you didn't need to come."

Sam tried his best not to roll his eyes as he slowed his breathing; he really didn't want to get into another argument about this.

"Look, I've already been given the all clear so it's all fine."

Sam wasn't sure how getting rushed to the hospital in the middle of the day qualified as fine, but before he had a chance to vocalise his thoughts the nurse was calling out Andy's name.

"Mrs. Swarek."

Andy let out a sigh before faking a smile and walking over to the nurse. Clearly she thought she was okay, and admittedly she did seem it, but until he heard what the doctor had to say, Sam didn't think he would be able to shake the panicked feeling.

"Sam?"

Andy tilted her head in the direction of the room the nurse was directing her to.

"Uh, yeah." He gave a short nod before following after her.

"Dr. Thomas will just be a minute," the nurse told them once they reached the room.

Andy, clearly wanting to be the model patient, gave the nurse a bright smile as she thanked her for her help before moving over to one of the free seats in the room. Sam on the other hand, found himself hovering in the doorway whilst he tried to wrap his head around what had just occurred.

"Mr. Swarek." The nurse gave him a sympathetic look as she gestured for him to take a seat next to Andy. "There really is no reason to look so worried; Dr. Thomas just wants a quick word before you leave."

Sam muttered a 'yeah' as he moved over to take the seat next to Andy but he still wasn't very convinced. Sure, Andy said she was fine and so did the nurse but he couldn't shake the sinking feeling that they'd missed something. He knew it was irrational, that he should hear the doctor out before jumping to any conclusions, but then he also knew good things never lasted, not for him.

"Won't be a minute," the nurse told them as she retreated from the room.

Again Sam muttered a 'yeah', deciding that he would wait until she was definitely gone before talking to his wife.

"I'm fine," Andy told him as soon as the door clicked shut, her tone of voice indicating that she was getting bored of having to say the words.

Sam nodded. Apparently Andy already knew what he wanted to say and so he decided to keep quiet. He figured he could do with a minute to rid his mind of the images it had conjured up on the ride over, and Andy obviously had something else on her mind. The way she refused to look at him along with the slump of her shoulders told him that much. Sam knew he could ask what it was but given Andy's earlier answers he didn't think he would get anything more helpful. Besides, it wasn't like Andy could keep quiet for long and so waiting seemed like as good an idea as any.

"He's gonna bench me," Andy muttered after a few minutes.

"What?"

"He's gonna make me take time off, tell me the job's too stressful." She sighed as she looked over to him. "Same thing happened to Kelly."

"Kelly?" He didn't think he knew a Kelly.

"Redhead from twenty-seventh."

He shrugged, he couldn't recall the woman.

"It's not fair," Andy moaned, "I mean I'm sitting behind a desk, how stressful does he think that is?"

'You fainted at work."

"I…closed my eyes for a few seconds."

"Three witnesses say you fainted." Or at least that's what he'd been told on one of the many calls he'd made during his trip down here.

"Look, I just forgot to eat and it was hot and-"

"Andy." There may have been a number of reasons for it but the facts were still the same. She had fainted. "Andy. Hey."

"What?"

She moved her eyes to the floor, refusing to look at him.

"You gotta do what he says okay?" He moved his chair a little closer and draped his arm around the back of hers. "I don't want anything to happen to you," he told her as he placed his hand to her stomach. "Either of you."

She didn't respond straight away but Sam knew she agreed when he heard the sigh.

Present Day:

Andy had never been good at taking it easy, and Sam knew for a fact that she had hated every minute of the past week in which she'd been made to stay at home. Hell, he knew particularly well because just before they went to bed last night she had mentioned in great detail every argument she could think of which meant she was ready to go back to work. He'd listened, let her vent, before countering with the one argument that she couldn't say no to; the doctor had told her to take it easy.

And it wasn't like it was just one doctor either. After the trip to the hospital, Andy had wanted, or really demanded, a second opinion from their own doctor. To her dismay, Dr. Kent had told her the exact same thing, and so reluctantly she'd agreed to take the week off before reassessing the situation.

"Andy?" Sam called out as he pushed open the front door. "Andy?"

He listened for a response as he stepped inside but there was no answer. Well, none from Andy. After using his heel to close the door, Sam could suddenly make out the faint hum of 'Won't Get Fooled Again' and couldn't help but smile. Andy had become quite The Who fan recently due to the reactions of a certain someone.

Four days ago:

It was Sam's first day off since Andy had taken, or really been forced to take, some time off work. He knew she was driving herself crazy being stuck in the house all day and had hoped that if he was there to keep her company she would see that it wasn't such a bad thing, but of course that hadn't worked. To her credit, she had actually made it to midday before telling him that as much as she loved him, she needed to do something.

She had listed off numerous suggestions, all of which he didn't think her doctor would approve of, until he had offered to take her on a drive. It got her out of the house and it wasn't too strenuous since all she had to do was sit there and enjoy the sites. She'd seemed reluctant at first but after he mentioned eating out she happily agreed.

"So where are we going?" Andy asked as she fiddled with the CD player, causing another Mumford and Sons song to come blaring out.

"You'll just have to wait and see," he said before glancing over to see the frown on her face.

"Could just tell me," she muttered as she continued fiddling with the buttons, skipping over song after song. He guessed she was after one in particular. "Please."

"No." The truth was he hadn't actually decided yet, he had a few ideas in mind but it really depended on how far they managed to get before Andy wanted food.

"Hate surprises," she grumbled as she pressed another button causing the CD to change. "Crap. Wait. What is this?"

"The only CD you haven't replaced," he told her as he flicked the indicator on. Sam wasn't completely sure how it had happened but he could still remember the day he'd climbed into his truck and turned on the CD player only to be greeted with a selection of Andy's favourites.

"Oh."

"Yeah. So how about we listen to one song before you torture me with some more of your…music?"

"Uh." He pulled the truck round the corner, waiting for Andy to come out with an excuse as to why that was a bad idea. "Oh. That-"

"Andy?" he glanced at her briefly, noticing the worried look on her face. "You okay?"

"Uh."

Sam checked the mirrors before pulling over to the side of the road. As soon as he'd parked the truck, he turned to see her with her hand on her stomach. For a moment his head was filled with images of everything that could go wrong, but then she spoke.

"Whoa."

"What is it?" he asked as he leant over the console, trying to get a better look at her.

She didn't speak; instead she grabbed his hand and placed it on her stomach. Sam still wasn't sure what was going on, was worried that it was something serious, but then he felt it. He was sure his mouth dropped open as he felt it again, and again. It was insane, the feeling against his hand, the small thump.

"That's-"

"Our baby," Andy said as he looked up to see the biggest smile he had ever seen on her face. "Our baby's kicking."

She looked as though she wanted to cry even with the way she was still grinning at him. A grin Sam couldn't help but match. Their baby was kicking, rather a lot actually, and every kick just left him even more amazed than the one before.

"First uh…first time?"

He was sure she would have told him if it had happened before but he really didn't know what else to say. It appeared the event had left him somewhat speechless.

"Yeah." Andy nodded as she moved her hand over his. "It's-"

But she paused as they felt it again.

Sam couldn't help but move his eyes back to look at their hands. It was just so surreal. He knew it was supposed to happen soon, they had both been told by numerous people, but he had never expected it to feel like this. And it wasn't like he'd never been in this position before, he could still remember Sarah making him do the same thing when she was pregnant, but this was different. This was his child. His and Andy's.

"Wow," Andy said as Sam lifted his eyes to meet hers again.

"Yeah," he agreed before leaning further over the console to kiss her.

He knew he was finding it hard to find the right words, knew even Andy was, but then they had already said everything they needed to.

Present Day:

Sam couldn't keep the smile off his face as he continued through the house and into the living room. He remembered sitting by the side of the road for at least half an hour after they felt it, neither of them saying too much as they processed what had just happened. It was such a small event in the grand scheme of things but it had made such a big impact on both him and Andy, and he had a feeling it was just a warning of what was to come. Even though they had never met, he already knew he was willing to do anything for this kid.

"McNally," Sam tried as the sound of music faded. He waited a few seconds but there was still no response from Andy. For a moment he considered calling her name again, but before he had a chance he heard the start of 'Baba O'Riley' and couldn't help but laugh.

Andy had been less than thrilled when he'd worked out that The Who was the cause of their child's movements, though he had a feeling that was mostly due to his music tastes being picked over hers. A fact which meant that he hadn't been too surprised when he'd come home three days ago to find her surrounded by CDs looking somewhat annoyed. He hadn't needed to but he'd asked her what was wrong anyway, only to be told that their kid was obviously a drummer and he was going to have to spring for music lessons and soundproofing the garage.

As much as he'd wanted to point out that they didn't have a garage to soundproof, he'd realised it wasn't the best time and so he'd just kissed her instead. She'd seemed resistant to start with, still clearly annoyed with what had happened but later that night she had curled up on the couch with him and listened to a greatest hits album whilst pressing her hands against her stomach. Given the effects of it, she didn't seem all that bothered about the actual music anymore. Really, all she cared about now was what it caused their unborn child to do.

"Hey. Andy," Sam tried once more as he swept his eyes around the living room.

He wasn't surprised to see the blanket she had been curled up in this morning draped across the back of the couch, or the various half opened magazines and books. He guessed she'd lasted about an hour before she had given up lying down on the couch. He wasn't sure what else she would have done but he was almost certain it wouldn't fit in with their doctor's view of rest.

Still, he decided to give her the benefit of the doubt as he continued his journey through their house and into the kitchen. It was then that he was greeted with even more evidence of her attempts and failures of taking it easy. Pots and pans and dozens of other items were strewed about the kitchen. The same kitchen which had been spotless when he'd left for work this morning and now only had one clean surface with a stack of cupcakes and a note on it.

Sam couldn't help but sigh as he took in the kitchen once more before stepping closer to the cupcakes and reading the note.

For Dr. Kent tomorrow. If you take one, you'll be making more until they're as good as these.

Sam just shook his head as he took one. Trust Andy to think she could bribe the doctor to let her go back to work, though he knew he shouldn't be surprised. She had been planning ways to get herself back to the station ever since she had been told to take the week off, which, in all honesty, he did understand. He'd been made to take time off before and had hated every minute of it, though it was a slightly different situation.

"McNally," Sam called out a little louder before taking a bite of the cupcake.

It was good, really good. He guessed Andy's attempt at taking up hobbies was going to benefit them after all. Well, some of her attempts anyway.

Two days ago:

"Andy?" Sam called out as he walked through the door.

He was running late, even later than the belated time he had already told her.

"In here."

Sam closed the door and kicked off his boots before walking into the living room. He had expected her to be mad at him for not making it home sooner but she was just sat in front of the TV wearing one of his academy hoodies.

"I know it's late, it's just-"

"It's fine," she cut him off as he dropped his bag onto the floor.

Sam wasn't sure if she really meant it or if it was one of the times when she actually meant the opposite, and so tentatively he approached her.

"Have a good day?"

She shrugged her shoulders, still not bothering to turn around.

"It was alright, just…dammit."

"You-" he started as he hurried over to her, but then he saw the source of her frustration. "Wow."

"Shut up," she grumbled, throwing a quick glance at him. "You said I should try a new hobby."

"Yeah." He walked a little closer and picked up one of the red pouches from the coffee table. "Didn't see this one coming."

"It's relaxing," she told him before letting out a frustrated groan and chucking the needles down next to her.

"Clearly."

Andy turned to glare at him as she unravelled herself from the wool whilst he pulled the small pouch over his finger.

"What is it exactly?"

He held up his newly covered finger for her to see.

"Put it back."

Sam didn't comply; instead he grabbed another one off the table and put it on another finger.

"You making finger puppets?"

"No."

"Colourful bandages?"

"No."

"Oh, I know-"

"They're socks okay? Socks!"

Sam did his best to keep a neutral expression as he looked back to his covered fingers.

"I may not have been paying much attention in all those classes but uh, I think these might be a bit small."

Andy looked as though she wanted hit him, but thankfully she wasn't as quick as she used to be.

"It's not as easy as it looks."

"Yeah," he muttered as he glanced over to the coffee table. It appeared Andy had gone through several iterations. "How long you been doing this for?"

"Well." She blew out a breath as she pushed herself off the couch. "It was after I finished abseiling down the CN tower and running into burning buildings so-" She stopped for a moment as she contemplated her answer. "I guess noon."

Sam knew he didn't look impressed as he held her gaze. Of course he understood her frustrations at the situation but after the hospital incident, he couldn't help but worry about her. The truth was, he had never really imagined this happening to him. He had always assumed he'd never settle down, that the job would be all he wanted, but now. Now it was different and he didn't want anything to happen to his family.

Still, he knew Andy wasn't being serious and so after unclenching his jaw, he opened his mouth.

"You can't abseil down the CN tower."

Andy looked as impressed as he had a minute ago, though after a few seconds she shook her head and walked over to him, plucking the socks off his fingers.

"Know it all."

"Know I love you." He smiled at her as he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer.

Andy snorted out a laugh before looking up to him.

"That ever work?"

"You tell me," he said as he leaned in to rest his forehead against hers.

"I guess it depends if you stopped by the store on the way home."

"You saying ice cream is more important than your husband?"

Andy ran her hands up his arms before resting them on his shoulders.

"At this point in time, that's exactly what I'm saying."

She grinned at him before trying to take a step back, but Sam held her firmly against him as he leaned in to kiss her. He had a feeling it would be a chaste kiss, and it certainly seemed to be going in that direction as Andy started to pull away, but then she seemed to change her mind as she planted her lips firmly back against his.

"You look really good," she mumbled against his mouth as she continued to kiss him.

"So do you."

"Liar," she spoke just loud enough for him to hear as she started unbuttoning his shirt.

A few months ago Sam would have tried to slow her down, but given her hormones, he knew it was just best to go with it.

"Not lying," he told her as he ran his hands under her top.

If anything, he found her more attractive now that she was pregnant, though he couldn't say for sure why that was. He'd assumed it was some pheromone she was giving off or the knowledge that they had created a life together, but he had never managed to gather any concrete proof. All he knew for certain was that he had been finding it incredibly hard to keep his hands off her for the past few months.

"We uh…should go…upstairs," Andy breathed in between kisses as she forced his shirt off and moved her hands to his belt.

"Guess the ice cream can wait after all huh?" he said, though he suddenly wished he hadn't.

Andy's hands went from having a very clear mission to stopping in less than a second whilst Sam silently berated himself. Apparently he had finally managed to prove that Andy would indeed pick food over sex. However, after preparing himself to take a cold shower, he suddenly noticed the glint in her eye as she smiled up at him.

"Bring it with us."

Sam coughed out a laugh in surprise before just staring at her. Once he realised that she was deadly serious, he swallowed away the surprise and opened his mouth.

"Okay then."

Present Day:

Sam couldn't help but smile at the memory. He and Andy had done a lot of things before but food was a new one, though it was one he was more than happy to repeat. In fact, he had had a very vivid dream about it last night, one that he was suddenly very curious to try out.

Unfortunately, before he had a chance to figure out exactly what he needed his eyes landed on the counter by the fridge and he was suddenly a lot less curious. It appeared Andy had gone through some of her cravings today if the contents were anything to go by. Foods which Sam would never in his wildest dreams have thought to put together were spread out all over the surface. A bowl with what he could only guess was peanut butter, jelly and pickles was left in the middle.

As much as he tried, Sam couldn't stop himself wrinkling his nose at the substance before taking another bite of the cupcake and hoping that this phase would pass soon. He had been fine with the fries and milkshake, had actually quite enjoyed it if he was honest, and the cake and gravy had been tolerable but peanut butter, jelly and pickles, he found it hard to watch her eat that concoction.

"Sam?"

It took Sam a few seconds to pry his eyes away from the mixing bowl, and another few seconds to finish the mouthful of cupcake.

"Yeah, where are you?" he called out before finishing off the last of his stolen food. He was willing to bet that if he hid the evidence she wouldn't know he had taken one.

"Here."

Sam had to bite his tongue so he wouldn't say anything about how helpful the answer was. In fact, he'd had to bite his tongue quite a lot recently for fear of entering into pointless arguments. They weren't normally that bad, though they had certainly increased in frequency over the last week. Part of him wanted to blame it on the hormones but she'd been reasonably predictable with those, so he was going to put it down to the combination of being stuck at home and being six months pregnant.

For the past week Sam never knew if he was going to be mauled as soon as he came through the door, if he would find her crying at a Disney film or if she was going to be angry at him for some inane reason. Thankfully the former had made up the majority of the days, even the days that started with the inane arguments, though today was new. It never normally took him this long to find her, which probably meant she was up to something.

"Sam?"

"Yeah, coming."

He stepped up his pace as he headed up the stairs. He had to wonder if she was finally taking this resting thing seriously. Images of her lying on their bed or taking a bath flashed through his mind until he reached the top step. That was when he realised the music wasn't coming from their room or the bathroom.

"McNally," he sighed as he headed over to the spare room.

"It's actually Swarek when we're not at work," she told him as she glanced over, offering him a huge grin.

Sam tried his best to look annoyed but he could feel the resistance from his face. It was the splashes of yellow in her hair and on her cheeks that made it so hard to stay angry at her. Not to mention how proud she looked of herself.

"Sam?"

He took a minute as he let out another sigh before opening his mouth.

"What happened to taking it easy?"

AN: So the next chapter is almost done, which means it'll probably be up sometime over the weekend