Hey guys! So this was something I've been toying with…the OC is from four of my other stories, but they don't have to be read in order to understand this one. I also have to disclose that this is AU so if you don't like please don't read; there is no Jack…or Ricky and Emily.

The only thing about this story that is definite is the ending, I've had that in mind from the very beginning (I write my stories backwards J) Please feel free to review and leave constructive criticism…let me know if this is worth continuing.

Disclaimer: The characters and respective shows are not mine, I can only claim the story line and my own OC, everything else I'm just borrowing.

"But Dad…" Avery whined, "I always spend New Years Eve with you."

Andy Flynn rubbed the back of his head, his hand gently gliding across the soft hairs found there. It was true, Avery normally spent Christmas Eve with her mother along with Christmas Day and then came back to help her father welcome in the New Year. It was an agreement they had worked out long ago and it was one that seemed to suit them both, he knew just how important Christmas was to Sharon and he respected that, being married to her all of these years had taught him that much.

Technically they were separated and had been for ten years this February, he wasn't sure why Sharon hadn't filed the divorce papers yet. Andy knew for a fact that they sat in the top desk drawer of her condo, where all her important papers were stored. She had been so adamant that he sign them so long ago and now the situation seemed stagnant, why not just get it over with?

He had been devastated when she said she needed time and space. They had come through so much…his drinking problems and her transfer into Internal Affairs. Neither had been easy on their relationship, but it seemed to strengthen it as well, or so Andy had thought. Then what seemed like residual feelings started following them home from work, something they promised they never would do. They began to butt heads over cases and witnesses and even the evidence on occasion. Sharon began to harden her resolve and pull away out of instinct; the farther she went the more upset and confused Andy became.

Things had spiraled out of control from there, things became heated between them and they agreed for everyone involved that it was just better to separate. Avery had only been six at the time and she took the new living arrangements in stride; getting to choose things for her new room at Dad's house seemed so fun. Spending time alone with each parent was also exciting and new. After a while the novelty wore off and she began to question why Mommy and Daddy no longer slept in the same room…why they no longer lived in the same house.

And now with everything that had happened in the last few years with the Chief and Sharon being reassigned divisions, it was all becoming too much. The ache wasn't so bad when he only had to see Sharon twice a week and at the occasional soccer practice or tournament. They ran into each other sporadically at work and he could almost imagine that his heart had healed. Then the whole fiasco with Phillip Stroh had happened and somehow Sharon landed herself in the Murder Room, head of the Major Crimes Division. Andy felt his world flip upside down and himself becoming increasingly anxious in those first few months.

Then it turned odd. She began to turn to him when she needed help or had questions that needed to be answered. The closeness they once shared wasn't as defined, but he could definitely feel something there, just under the surface. They began to fall back in sync, even having a casual dinner together every once in a while. He began bringing her coffee in the morning, her order had been the same for almost twenty years, his heart warming slightly at the small smile it would put on her lips.

Andy sighed heavily, "I know Sweetheart, but she asked and you agreed…it's only this one time, plus you'll be back Friday."

The girl shouldered her duffel bag as she preceded her Dad down the hallway, the pressure of his hand gently guiding her through the small bungalow. When she reached the living room she pivoted slightly, looking over her shoulder so that her hazel eyes connected with his of brown.

"But that means you'll be all alone," she stated in a small voice.

Before she could walk any further, Andy grabbed her from behind and hugged her tightly. He buried his nose in her hair as he placed a gently kiss on the crown of her head, willing the tears to stay where they were. He squeezed her slightly, reassuringly as his quiet baritone filled the sad quiet of the home.

"Its ok," he paused, "I'll be ok."

With one final squeeze her released the girl and gently nudged her towards the front door as he grabbed his keys and phone off the hall table. He patted his pockets, searching for his wallet and then the holster for his gun to make sure each was firmly in place.

"Now we better get going," his eyes were shining as he teased, "you know your mom hates it when we're late."

As they walked silently out to the car, Andy contemplated why Sharon wanted Avery this evening. They had officially adopted Rusty a few weeks ago and Sharon wanted to make this holiday season special after what had transpired last year. And if he was honest with himself he wanted that for the kid too; this poor kid that had landed in their laps without so much as a warning.

When Sharon had broached him with the subject of Rusty's adoption he didn't hesitate to answer in the affirmative. In fact, his quick response had seemed to leave the woman speechless and staring at him almost dumbfounded. The boy was already traveling back and forth from their homes on Avery's schedule. It may have been rough in the beginning, but watching him open up and bond with his daughter kept Andy pushing forward; eventually Rusty found his way into the Lieutenant's heart.

It was with Andy whom Rusty had stayed during the previous year when things had become too dangerous. He had offered up his home to the boy so he would have somewhere familiar to stay and be allowed some sort of comfort. Andy had grown to love him as much as he loved Avery; the kid deserved a fresh start and that was something both he and Sharon could readily agree on.

Out of the corner of his eye, he watched the girl in the seat next to him as she stared off into space. The reflections of the storefronts and eventually the leftover Christmas lights danced quickly over her face. He knew she was sad about not being with him tonight, but he also knew how much she loved her mother. Rusty had his car and would be on his way home from work; Sharon should already be at the condo having only worked a half-day. She would be sad at first but then as the night progressed and they all indulged in some silly traditions, she would forget about what her dad would be doing.

Several traffic lights and questionable Los Angeles driving tactics later, Andy pulled to a stop in front of Sharon's building. They sat still for a few minutes, contemplating each other silently, both lost in their own world. The spell was broken when Avery reached across her body to unlatch her seatbelt. Andy laid his hand on her arm before she could open the car door, squeezing gently.

"Love you munchkin," he said softly.

Then he smiled softly when a familiar grin looked back at him.

"Love you too, Dad."

Reaching into the back of the car and feeling around on the floorboard, Andy closed his fist around a manila envelope and passed it to Avery wordlessly. When she looked at the folder and then back to him with confusion, he shrugged noncommittally.

"Just some paper work for your Mom, she will know what to do with it."

The girl nodded absently mindedly and shifted her bag as she finally managed to exit the car. The Lieutenant watched silently as she strolled through the glass doors, greeting the security guard pleasantly, smiling from ear to ear. When she rounded the corner to the elevators and was finally out of sight, he slowly pulled away from the curb. He pulled into traffic and headed toward the PCH. He was headed to the coast to spend a few days on the beach and to enjoy the cool, salty air.

Andy hated to lie to his daughter but if he had really told her what was in the envelope she never would have let him leave, let alone given it to Sharon.

Sharon, he thought, that's a whole new can of worms.