Chapter 1

This was perhaps the most difficult task for them - to pretend to be a married couple. Captain Sharon Raydor and Lieutenant Andy Flynn had to catch a serial killer who has murdered many women with deception. This wasn't just an ordinary killer - he was dangerous, even for them, so they had to take great care that and not reveal that they're actually cops in any way. They had to play a good role to be able to catch Mark Gabriel.

Neither Sharon nor Andy couldn't believe that this difficult and dangerous task was given just to them. They couldn't bear to stay in one place together as they were enemies and had constantly disputes. With this in mind for them was extremely difficult to pretend to be a married couple. Especially for Andy Flynn, who couldn't bear to be with his boss at the same place.

On the other hand, Sharon was trying to keep her cool and focus on her work. She always was excellent cop and she couldn't allow anyone to interfere with her work - even her subordinate, Lieutenant Flynn. She also wasn't very pleased pretending to be his wife, but she was obliged to do so that they can catch this serial killer. Andy was angry, thinking that Lieutenant Provenza and Detective Sykes can do the job perfectly. He just couldn't believe that just he and Raydor must do this. It was pointless, but only for him.

It was a cold December day. The streets were icy and snow was falling outside. Sharon and Andy were in Las Vegas, as Mark Gabriel worked at a nightclub there. Now they were in a hotel, where they can discuss important details of this case and give reports to the rest of the team. The team was ready to intervene in a problem, but so far Sharon and Andy had to cope alone.

The worst thing for both of them was that they should stay in the same room so as not to doubt the others. Fortunately, there were two beds, which was somewhat soothing. Andy Flynn looked out the window. He looked at his watch and sighed wearily. He waited Raydor, who was in the bathroom. A few minutes later, she emerged from the bathroom and stood against him, watching him coldly. Andy looked at her and shook his head.

"Well done, Captain! You're pretty quick. I'm waiting for you for hours here." he said sarcastically, wanting to take his jacket, but Sharon grabbed his hand, saying sternly, "Lieutenant, you can't talk that way to me. Besides, you very well know that we're undercover in order to catch serial killer. I remind you that you should also assist me to has no problem. " Andy looked at her hand which held him and pulled back angrily. He took his jacket and looked at his watch again. Sharon took a deep breath, realizing once again that working with Lieutenant Flynn is a nightmare.

"You know what, the hardest for me is that we have to pretend we're a married couple. It is extremely difficult because you never could be my wife." he said with anger. Sharon closed her eyes for a moment, holding herself so she wouldn't gave him a slap. She stood before him and said, "I also wouldn't want to pretend I'm your wife, I'm not happy, but it's my job and I have to abide by certain rules, and you too. So please try to be a good cop, at least now. "

Andy was filled with more anger, but she was right. He also had to comply with certain rules. On the other hand, Rusty wasn't very calm, knowing that Sharon is in Las Vegas undercover. Well, his relations with her weren't very good, but he was worried about her. He also knew that it was dangerous task for her and he just couldn't find a place of affliction. He decided to go to the department to talk to Lieutenant Provenza. He saw him coming out of the interview room.

"Hey, Lieutenant, is there any news of Sharon and Lieutenant Flynn?" he asked immediately. Provenza sighed and replied, "No, not yet. Yesterday I spoke with the captain and she told me that they'll soon be able to catch the serial killer. Don't worry, everything's fine." He squeezed his shoulder and went to his desk. Rusty sighed with relief and followed him.

"I'm glad. You know that I'm worried about her." he admitted. Provenza nodded and smiled slightly.

"I know kid, but don't worry. Sharon and Andy are excellent cops who can cope with this task. Everything will be fine." he assured him. Suddenly Buzz joined them.

"How are you Rusty?" he asked politely. Rusty nodded with a smile and replied, "Well, thank you. I just came to talk to Lieutenant Provenza for Sharon and Lieutenant Flynn." Buzz nodded slightly. Sharon was sitting in the hotel room while Andy had gone to interrogate where's staying Mark Gabriel as they knew very well that he doesn't live in Las Vegas. Sharon waited for news from the lieutenant, but this long wait was killing her. Andy suddenly entered the room breathlessly and stood before her. Sharon stood up and looked at him closely.

"Lieutenant Flynn, what's wrong? You look pale." she noted immediately. Andy took a deep breath and handed her a folder, saying, "I learned where's staying Mark Gabriel. And guess where. Here, in the same hotel where we are. He's here, Captain." Sharon's eyes widened. She couldn't believe that this serial killer is so close to them. Now they understand that they have to be very careful and to pretend perfectly as hard to be.

"My God, Lieutenant. This means that we must be more careful than ever. We have to pretend perfectly. There must be no mistakes, because if we assume only one we'll have problems. He's very dangerous, even for us. " she said firmly. Andy nodded slightly.

"I also learned that he tonight will be in the same club. It'll not be difficult to get inside. First we must make him believe we're a married couple, the other will be easy. We know that he has an interest in married women, namely he'll do the same to you. " he said thoughtfully. Sharon sighed wearily and sat on the bed. He sat beside her, not very close, wanting to reassure her, but he also had no courage and didn't know how they'll cope with this difficult task. Now they just had to be Sharon and Andy Flynn - a married couple who will catch Mark Gabriel at all costs as dangerous to be.

In the evening, they were ready for the first step of their task - perhaps the most difficult because they had to convince Mark Gabriel that they're a married couple. They knew that this would facilitate their work. Sharon wore a black evening dress and a necklace, which had a hidden camera. They had to record everything. Andy looked at her and he really had to admit that she looks more beautiful than ever. Maybe for him it was an honor to be his partner in this task. She turned to him, looking at him coldly. Andy reached out his hand to took her hand. However, they had to have appearance of a married couple. Sharon took her purse and grabbed his hand. They were hand in hand for the first time and this feeling was somewhat strange.

They came out from the hotel and got into his car, going to the bar, where was Mark Gabriel now. Andy drove fast and careful, but he looked to Sharon, if he saw her for the first time. Sharon couldn't understand his strange movements. For her, lieutenant Flynn was a strange man. They knew who is Mark Gabriel and therefore wouldn't be difficult to recognize him immediately. Finally, they arrived at the nightclub. Sharon and Andy looked at each other with confusion. Andy put his hand on her waist gently and they went inside. Inside was a bit darker than expected and they couldn't identify who is exactly Mark Gabriel. They looked around and after a few minutes, they saw a man who was sitting at a table with a blonde woman.

"Mr. and Mrs. Flynn?" the same blonde approached them. Sharon and Andy looked at each other with surprise. How she knew who they were?

"Yes, we are. But how do you know us?" Andy asked immediately, curious. The blonde smiled and replied, "Mr. Gabriel is waiting for you. We were informed that you'll join our game of gambling. It'll be a great pleasure to be together tonight." Sharon and Andy smiled softly. They knew that this serial killer likes to gamble, and they were also convinced that he wants to play this with them tonight. They came to the killer, who initially didn't look like that. He was quite an attractive man, who just loves to take someone's life. He congratulated the "married couple" immediately, politely inviting them to his table. Sharon and Andy sat opposite him and Sharon tried to record everything secretly.

"I am glad that you're here tonight. You know that I love a lot of gambling and would love if I have a chance to play with you tonight. They told me you were coming from LA, so you're my special guests. Thank you for this presence . " he said with a grin and winked at Sharon. Andy saw it and somehow he was filled with anger. He knew that this serial killer is interested in married women, but he couldn't stand it happen with his boss. In fact, he wasn't supposed to be angry, because Sharon wasn't his real wife. They just pretended, but for some reason, as if he was jealous of all, even if it is a game.

On the other hand, Sharon immediately sent the latest information to the team who follow them in every step. They had to be calm as they had their support, but knowing that they both have to deal with, it was difficult. But Sharon was accustomed to these gambling games, because of her husband Jack, with whom was still married. He also was in Las Vegas and she didn't think that he can be in this nightclub. A few minutes later, Mark Gabriel went to bring a drink.

"This task will be more difficult than I expect." Sharon admitted and swallowed the lump in her throat, seeing that Jack is also here. Andy looked at her confusedly and questioningly, asking quietly, "Wait a minute, what's going on? I don'tunderstand," Sharon took a deep breath and showed him Jack, who sat at the other table.

"My husband is also here. He can reveal us." she said nervously. Andy's widened and he fell into shock. He hugged her, and said in anger. "Because of you, we'll fail. Your husband will ruin everything. Immediately you have to find a solution." Sharon took a deep breath and bit her lip. She couldn't believe that her husband is here. She immediately decided to tell Mark Gabriel that they have to go somewhere else. Andy agreed with this idea, dissatisfied, but he had no choice. Finally, Mark Gabriel had agreed with their idea, unaware that they are cops. Now they were in a restaurant where they could talk in private. They were far from Jack Raydor, but they couldn't be completely calm. Mark Gabriel's curiosity had gone up and he decided to ask them how they met.

"Well, it's curious. How did you meet?" he asked, grinning. Sharon and Andy looked at each other. They actually know that he'll ask such a question, as Mark pretending to be a businessman to win the women. Sharon cleared her throat.

"Actually, it's a long story. I work as a designer and Andy is a doctor. One day I hurt myself and had to go to the hospital, where I met a charming doctor who helped me and then we continued to see each other. Somehow we fell in love and got married. " she explained lying extremely well and looking at Andy, who was captivated by her beauty and good fictional story.

"Pretty good. What do you think, Andy?" he asked to be sure in this story. Andy took a deep breath and said, "Everything, my wife said is completely true. As a doctor, I can say that I haven't had a relationship with my patient never, but in Sharon, I saw something that made me fall in love for the first time after a long time. I am grateful that she's in my life. " he said with a slight smile and looked at Sharon. Fortunately, the serial killer Mark Gabriel hadn't understood anything.

"Mark, we told part from our happy life. We would like you also share with us something. For example, do you have a wife and children?" Sharon asked with a false smile, hoping to record everything again. Mark Gabriel nodded with a smile. No, he didn't looked like a serial killer. He seemed like a real businessman.

"I've known businessman in Las Vegas, but unfortunately, I have no wife or children. Moreover, I choose very difficult. I'd love to find a beautiful woman like you." he said with a smile and kissed her hand. At this point, Andy was filled with unspeakable anger. He couldn't believe that this serial killer like his boss. Sharon also couldn't tolerate such a thing, but she had to fulfill this. She had to comply with the rules.

Several hours later, Sharon and Andy were in their hotel room. She was immediately sent important information about this case, to Lieutenant Provenza. Andy suddenly emerged from the bathroom and stood in front of her angrily.

"I can't believe that because of you we colud fail!" he almost shouted. Sharon looked at him coldly and said, "I am not guilty and you know that very well." Andy gritted his teeth in anger.

"Your husband, Jack was nearby. You realize what could happen to us if he had revealed us? Especially with you?" he asked anxiously. Yes, he was concerned about her. Sharon took a deep breath and shook her head.

"Enough Lieutenant! I am here to do my job as well as you. We need to focus on our work. Please don't create conflicts. Why you're caring for my life so much?" she shouted heatedly.

"Maybe because I don't pretend? Maybe because it's not pretense, it's love!" Sharon looked at him with surprise. This means that he really loves her? He was a strange man. Even she wasn't sure ...

~~~ TBC ~~~

A/N: Thanks for reading! And please tell me what you think.