Hi! This is my first time writing a Shandy fic. I was late to the party, but have fallen head-over-heels for this couple. This little story is for my sweet friend themonkeyspajamas who has been my long-distance partner-in-crime for a few years now. I love you, toots!
This will be either 4-5 chapters in total, 3 of which are completed. I appreciate any kindness you want to send my way, but mostly just hope you enjoy!
And...the disclaimer, of course, these are Duff's. I'm just letting them run loose for a bit.
A half-day was all that was required of the Major Crimes squad to tie up basic paperwork on the two linked cases which had resulted in the murder of four individuals, the arrest of two, in Andy Flynn's words, scumbags, as well as, two D.A.-sanctioned deals which would result in the aforementioned scumbags being isolated from hurting anyone in society ever again. All in all, it was an excellent result for Captain Sharon Raydor and her team, and yet, the leader herself sat in her office dealing with a bout of uncharacteristic nerves as she glanced up from her paperwork every few minutes to look at the back of the silver-haired man sitting only a few feet from one of her her office's inner windows.
It's just not a good time, Andy. I'm not saying never, but I think we should take some more time to think about how this could impact everything, especially our friendship which means so very much to me... She sighed as she rehearsed the words in her head for the thousandth time since she had awoken before dawn that morning.
She returned her attention to the words on the report on the desk in front of her, but her focus was so skewed that she might as well have been looking into a bowl of alphabet soup. Lifting her head and sighing deeply, she then let it fall slightly to the right before turning her neck to look once again at the now swaying Andy who was tapping various objects on his desk with the end of his gold pen, his head gently bobbing.
The evening would be fun. She couldn't deny the fact that she always had a good time with him . The man could make her laugh in a way that Jack never could. Andy's charm was rooted in earnestness and a sense of silliness while her ex-husband had always been far more concerned about being at the center of attention rather than bringing joy to those around him.
Andy was sweet and had such a gentle, kind heart, not to mention she greatly admired the strives he had made in changing his life for the better and his commitment to healing and moving forward in only positive ways for the sake of his children. He was a wonderful man. So why was she so terrified of this? Why had she spent the previous six hours desperately trying to divine the least hurtful way to let him down?
Turning back to face the wall opposite her desk, her eyes went unfocused as she considered the life she currently led with Andy as her friend, and then tried to imagine what a life would be like with him as a true partner, both friend and lover.
Oblivious to the looks he was receiving and the torment currently being experienced by the woman sitting only feet behind him, Andy was all smiles, his heels tapping to a happy song only he could hear in his head as he sent his fingers flying over his keyboard in his haste to tie up his responsibilities in order to prepare for the rest of his day, especially the evening.
"Everything alright, Lieutenant?"
It took Andy a moment to realize that Julio was addressing him. "Sorry, Julio. Yeah. Almost done. Just a few more boxes and blanks..."
"For heaven's sake, Flynn, you're about to bounce out of your chair. Settle down, man!"
Provenza's growl did nothing to dampen Andy's mood, although his cheery demeanor faded a bit, for propriety's sake, as Amy asked, "You have big plans tonight, Lieutenant?"
"Nothing out of the ordinary. Just looking forward to being away from you knuckleheads and spending some time in the beautiful weather we are being treated to this weekend." He didn't relish having to lie given the fact that his plans were not only big, but incredibly ambitious, and there was no way he was going to share the fact that he had asked the Captain out on an actual date with anyone beside Provenza, so in an effort to change the subject, he turned the tables on Amy. "What about you and Coop? You guys doing anything?"
His smile returned to its earlier wattage as Amy's own face lit up as she admitted she and Officer Cooper were planning on a long hike later that day and then had plans to try a new brunch place on Sunday. The others began sharing their plans which involved the Tao family visiting relatives up the coast, while Buzz was having Sanchez and Rusty over for a "Police Academy" film marathon which piqued Provenza's interest and it was determined the trio would become a quartet, as long as Patrice consented.
Computers were soon turned off and paperwork shuffled and straightened among various folders which were placed in a stack on Andy's desk as Provenza designated him delivery boy while the rest of the squad quickly took their leave to start enjoying the time off.
"I still can't believe she said yes." Lingering at the side of Andy's desk, Provenza's voice was low, but it in no way diminished the level of disdain in his tone. "It's not too late to get out of it, you know?"
Andy scowled at his friend's suggestion. "I have no intention of trying to get out of it, thank you very much. As a matter of fact, I can't remember looking forward to anything more."
Shaking his head, Provenza was preparing to offer another plea for Andy to cancel when he glanced up to find a frowning Sharon on the other side of the office window, her gaze squarely on the back of Andy's head. His eyebrow lifting, Louie quickly surmised that it was quite possible that the Captain would be canceling the date herself, so he lifted his hands in surrender and simply said, "Well, good luck, I guess."
"You're support is overwhelming." Andy shot his friend a dirtly look as the older man grabbed his hat and keys from his desk, waving before disappearing down the hall as he began planning how to convince his girlfriend to let him hang out at Buzz's to watch the goofiest series of films ever made.
The sudden vibration of his phone next to him garnered a whispered, triumphant "Yes!" as he read a text saying: "She's ready when you are, buddy. Gassed up and good to go."
"Andy?"
The casual dress code of the day had allowed Sharon's soft-soled steps to go undetected as she apprehensively approached him.
"Oh, sorry! I was just about to bring you the files. We should be good to go. Provenza and the others just headed out."
Andy's warm brown eyes sparkled as he grinned up at her over his shoulder and while she had approached him with every intention of letting him down gently, she suddenly found the words wouldn't come as she couldn't bring herself to be the one that made that lovely smile falling from his lips.
"I think we have all certainly earned some time off." She took a step closer to the side of his desk where the stack of files sat. "I've got these. Why don't you head out, too."
His attention was briefly captivated by the curve of her bum in the dark denim jeans which fit her slim frame beautifully as she leaned forward to pick up the files.
"No, please, let me."
She shook her head as she quickly swept past him on her way back into her office. "Thank you, but I'm good."
A sudden panic hit him as he considered that neither of them had addressed the fact that they had plans later. Logging off his computer, he grabbed his keys and phone from his desk and followed her into her office. "Captain, er, Sharon, are we good? I mean...are you...do you...I mean, we're still on for tonight, aren't we?"
The hopeful look on his handsome face was her undoing, and so with a deep inhale of breath she nodded and softly answered, "Yes. We're still on for tonight."
He had to stop himself from throwing a triumphant fist in the air.
"What time is the reservation so I can meet you?"
Another wave of panic hit him as soon as he heard her question. It was imperative to his plans that he pick her up.
"Oh, no! I'll pick you up. Our reservation is at seven forty-five, so is seven okay?"
"But it's out of your way..."
"No, no! I'll pick you up." His words were rushed, and if he were honest with himself, a bit desperate. "I'm sorry. I just...I just want to do this right. Our date." He held his breath as he studied her intently, trying to gage some sort of reaction.
Watching him struggle, she was struck by how absolutely adorable he was and how very much he wanted the evening to go well, which, in its own right was adorable.
"I'm very much looking forward to it, Andy. Our date."
Unable to hide his pleasure at her response, his cheeks began to ache from the width of the smile he now wore.
"I'll see you at seven, Lieutenant."
Her eyes remained on his back as he practically floated out of her office only to spin on his heel and stick his head back inside, "Oh, by the way...do you know what color you are wearing tonight?"
The question was unexpected and it took her a moment to register what he had actually asked. "The color I'm wearing?"
He nodded, his cheeks warm and turning a shade of pink.
Unable to kerb a burgeoning smile, she decided to lighten the moment by teasing him. "Are you buying me a corsage or something? What color are you wearing? I could get you a boutonniere."
"No boutonniere, no corsage. Nothing like that. Please, just indulge me?"
In truth, she hadn't decided what she would wear given that she had basically talked herself out of going up until only minutes before. Making a quick mental inventory of the contents of her closet, she suddenly remembered the satin cabernet-colored dress she had been saving for a special occasion. "Umm...it's a deep reddish-purple, sort of a wine-colored dress."
"Wine-colored. Got it. Okay. Thanks." His smile once again spreading, he gave a little salute which he instantly regretted. "Until tonight, Captain."
"Until tonight, Andy."
Leaning further and further back in her chair in order to keep her focus on his retreating backside, she suddenly had to grab the edge of her desk not to completely flip backwards out of her seat which resulted in startled, "Shit!" before she burst into a fit of embarrassed laughter.
Andy was relieved to see it was Hector on duty. Of the handful of times he had used the main lobby of Sharon's building to pick her up or drop her off after one of their non-dates, Hector was by far the most friendly and talkative of the lobby attendants with whom he had interacted.
"Hector, my man!"
"Lieutenant Andy! Looking good!"
"Thanks!" Andy beamed back at the portly middle-aged man who he knew Sharon was particularly fond. "Did she tell you I was picking her up tonight?"
"Yes, sir. Head on up."
"You mind keeping an eye on my ride?" Andy gestured towards the circle drive.
Hector took a few steps away from the desk behind which he had been standing to get a better look at the drive, and what he saw earned Andy an appreciative whistle. "Sweet."
"You think she'll like it?"
Hector shook with a low chuckle. "If she doesn't, I'll go out with you."
Andy shook his head. "Thanks, and no offense, but I really hope I don't have to take you up on your offer, Hector."
"I don't blame you, Lieutenant. She's much prettier than I am."
Andy chuckled, "I won't disagree with you about that."
The attendant had long-wondered if there was something more than friendship between the nice, funny police lieutenant and his attractive police captain, however, he'd never seen twosome exchange so much as a hug in all of their comings and goings, but if the impressive bouquet in the man's hand and even more impressive wheels sitting in front of the building were any indication, perhaps things had taken a turn- and, hopefully, Hector thought, in a romantic direction.
"She'll like the flowers, too. Nice choice," the doorman nodded at the large bouquet of burgundy peonies, red and pink garden roses, dendrobium orchids, and magnolia foliage in his arms.
"Thanks, pal." Making his way towards the elevator bank, Andy added over his shoulder, "We'll be down shortly."
Having pushed the elevator call button, the buzz of his cell coincided with the bell chiming as the doors opened. Reading the text message which consisted of: "You're good, Flynn. The fire and way will be lit. Enjoy, buddy!" he let out a whoop just as the doors closed.
"Woh."
Sharon's right leg was bent as she leaned her left thigh against the side of her bed, her bottom lip between her teeth as she concentrated on buckling one of her pewter high-heeled sandals as Rusty paused mid-pass of her bedroom door.
Grinning as she turned her head, she said, "I'm taking that as a compliment, so thank you. Lieutenant Provenza is picking you up and bringing you home tomorrow morning?"
"Yup. I should be home by noon. Patrice is making him go with her to visit her aunt at the nursing home tomorrow afternoon in exchange for letting him watch the movies with us."
Sharon laughed at the deal the newly cohabitating couple had made and asked, "Is that the aunt that calls him "Wonder Bread?"
"That's the one."
Turning the other direction, she had an easier time putting on her left sandal as she voiced her dismay at the film selection on the evening's agenda. "I can't believe you guys are going to watch those movies. You know they're terrible, don't you?"
He shrugged. "Yeah, I know they are dumb, but Buzz said there is a guy with a dog who looks just like Provenza in it."
"The dog looks like Provenza?"
Rusty laughed and shot back, "They probably both do."
They exchanged laughter as she added, "I still don't see the appeal, but I hope you have fun."
He leaned against the door frame watching her hold various earrings up to her ear before she settled on a pair of Kendra Scott gold filligree statement earrings and coordinating chain which she doubled so that it rested just above her cleavage. A gold bangle added to her wrist, she then moved on from jewelry to applying a pale lip gloss before spritzing on a luxurious amount of her favorite perfume.
"I thought you were going out tonight with Lieutenant Flynn?"
"I am."
Rusty raised his left eyebrow.
"What?"
"Well, you usually wear jeans or, well, something not so...fancy when it's just him."
"Fancy? I'm just wearing a dress. I wear dresses all the time."
He raised his hands to indicate he meant no offense. "Whatever. I'm just saying that you are awfully dressed up for a non-date. I mean that's what this is, right? One of your multiple-times-a-month-non-dates where just the two of you go eat salads or get weird smoothies made of salads or go see boring movies or whatever else people your age do on dates that really aren't dates?"
She held her tongue for a moment, well-aware that she was about to treated to a gloating "I told you so" from her younger son.
"We're going to a new restaurant downtown and I am sure we will have something more than salad, thank you." Turning back to the mirror, she shifted slightly so she could watch his reaction in the glass before adding, "And I'm not saying that this is what this is for sure, but if Andy and I did go out...you know...as something other than...the what we...you know, how we have...not just as..." She inwardly chastised herself for the incoherent rambling and finally managed, "I'm trying to ask how would you feel about Andy and I going out as more than just friends?"
As she had expected, a smirk immediately found its way onto his face, but he surprised her by exhibiting an impressive amount of maturity as he replied, "I think it doesn't matter how I feel. I think the only thing that matters is how you would feel about it."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Well, thank you. That's very sweet."
He let a few seconds pass before offering the codicil: "I only ask that you don't touch each other or kiss or call each other cutesy names like "babe" or "sweetie" in front of me or I'll probably barf."
She couldn't help but snort at his request, but the levity was short-lived as there was the sound of knocking on the front door.
Rusty bit his lip as he watched a normally calm, cool, and collected Sharon Raydor turn in a haphazard circle, her hands going from her ears to her neck to her wrists as she made a quick inventory of accessories, make-up, and perfume.
"You look great, you smell great, and your shoes match. Now, just grab your purse and take a deep breath."
Picking up her clutch from the end of the bed, she took the prescribed deep breath and gave her head a shake. "I am crazy. You live with a crazy woman, you know that?"
"Yes, we're acquainted," he teased as he took her arm and gently led her towards the bedroom door, "but experience tells me that she is only crazy when she is really excited about something. Like the time she started whooping like some crazy bird when I won my first chess tournament."
Bumping his shoulder with her own she shot back, "I can't help it if those other parents had no sense of occasion."
"Yeah, it was the other parents." Stopping as they reached the entry, Rusty gave her arm a quick squeeze before adapting a mock-stern look. "Now, young lady, I expect you home by a decent hour."
"Very funny."
He felt her tense up as they came with in a few feet of the door.
"Have fun, crazy lady!" Rusty gave her arm one last squeeze before heading back down the hall, but when he noticed she still hadn't opened the door, he dashed back and stuck his head around the corner and whispered, "Mom, it's okay. It's just Andy," before slipping back out of sight.
"It's just Andy," she whispered as she took one last look in the mirror next to the door, not moving as she gazed more intently at her reflection and felt a warmth spreading up from her stomach as she grinned and whispered, "It's Andy."
"An-" She began addressing him as she opened the door, but stopped mid-word as her eyes landed on his handsome, smiling face and then drifted down to the open collar of his black shirt which he wore under a black suit coat which contrasted beautifully with his silver hair and dark, shining eyes. The absence of his ever-present tie not only surprised her, but brought a blush to her cheeks as she noticed a small amount of salt and pepper chest hair peeking out which inspired a tingle in her fingertips as she contemplated how very much she would like to reach out and touch it.
Her gaze lingering just below his chin, Andy tilted his head slightly to regain her attention as he brought the bouquet from behind his back. "These are for you."
She gasped as she took in what was possibly the most gorgeous bouquet she had ever seen, much less received. "Andy, goodness! They are exquisite."
Talking to women, complimenting them in particular, was something that had always come very natural to Andy Flynn, but in this moment he found himself speechless as he took in how breathtaking the woman standing in front of him was in her burgundy satin dress which clung to her every curve before stopping two inches above her knee which put her amazing legs on display. Her hair was pulled back on the sides and gathered with a clip at her crown with gentle waves left loose to frame her face. He always loved her hair done up in such a fashion given that it reminded him of fantasies from his youth of Jane Fonda in "Barbarella" or Ursula Andress. His gaze settled momentarily on her decolletage which was enticingly framed by the deep v at her neckline before shifting back to up her face on which she wore a sweet, but nervous smile.
"Andy?"
"Wow." He gave his head a small shake before breaking into his own nervous smile. "Sorry. I just...ummm...here."
She took the flowers from him and buried her nose into the blooms to hide her amusement at having caught him blatantly ogling her. Turning towards the kitchen, she called over her shoulder, "Thank you so much for these. Please come in!"
Mesmerized by the sway of her hips, he took the few steps into the condo which allowed him to continue watching her until she turned the corner into the kitchen.
"I can't get over how beautiful these are, Andy, and they match my dress. It's very sweet of you."
He realized she was referring to his question earlier in the day in regards to the color she was going to wear, which, in truth, was completely unrelated to the flowers, but he went along with her inference. "I'm glad you like them."
She stopped just outside the kitchen and held his gaze for a moment before softly returning, "I love them."
"You look beautiful."
Her vantage point allowed her to take in the full view of his body. Black shirt, black suit, belt, and shoes. He looked incredibly sexy, his posture straight and his warm brown eyes fixed on her with tremendous intensity.
"You look very handsome."
Her knees threaten to buckle as he gave her the smile that she was sure had lured dozens of women into his bed. Adapting a stern tone, she added, "But lose that smile."
His expression shifted to one of puzzlement. "What?"
"That smile. The one you just gave me." She shortened the distance between them with a few steps, her fingertips gently patting the center of his shirt as she softly added, "I'm not ready for that."
He was still confused, but his primary goal was to keep from screwing up their evening in even a tiny way, so he nodded. "Okay. No more smiles." He purposely put an exaggerated frown on his mouth as he leaned in towards her. "Better?"
She twisted her lips in an effort not to grin, but lost the battle, giggling as she gave him a playful shove. "No, not better. Now you look like Lieutenant Provenza."
"Dear God, don't say that!"
And with that short exchange, the awkwardness hat had permeated the beginning of their date disappeared and they both relaxed, at least slightly, as he gestured towards the door, his hand lingering only inches from her lower back as they set out on their first real date.