36 Seconds.

Of pure.

Unadulterated.

Terror.

"Come on, come on…."

"Flynn…."

Thank God.

"How is everybody? Is Sharon…?"

"Andy…"

When everything in your entire world could cease to exist, using the word 'relieved,' didn't seem to scratch the surface of how he felt.

"I should have shot you." He stared down with strong intent but after a few seconds found himself racing down through City Hall and across the street. He surveyed his way through the debris and took two steps at a time before reaching their floor behind a slew of emergency personnel. His eyes darted as he attempted to catch his breath amidst the dust. "Sharon?!"

She was resting against the wall, while EMS began to triage the scene. The rest of the team, with the exception of Provenza, were still absorbing the shock.

"Hey," he grazed his hand over her forehead. "Thank God…you're alright…. You are alright, right?" He was taking in long deep breaths while he examined her.

"I'm okay," she coughed for a moment and gathered herself long enough to reach for his face in return. "We're okay."

Provenza was ensuring the rest of the team was being taken care of before meeting Flynn. "Told you I should've retired, I'm too old for this sh…"

"Sir," Sanchez interrupted. "It's Buzz."

He reached his friends side before another coughing fit ensued. "Easy son, easy." He waved for an EMT. "Check him out now!"

Sharon came to her feet with Andy's help and made her way over. "What is it?"

"Sure…it's…nothing." Buzz managed.

"They got him," Provenza reassured her. "You go get checked out."

Andy led her away reluctantly. "Come on…"

Within a few hours, each of them had gotten cleared physically, including Buzz. The shock was lingering but it wasn't long before they were back to their own state of normal. Andy arrived back at Major Crimes with the rest of his team to assist in clean up. His eyes locking onto Sharron from time to time. It was nothing short of a miracle they were all alive and well.

"I should've shot the bastard."

Provenza didn't disagree. "Must have been your time away from the field."

"I'll admit, if any of you had…you know…" He couldn't finish.

His friend happily helped him. "Been blown to little bits and pieces?"

Andy smirked. "Yeah, that."

"Then you damn well better have shot the bastard."

"Either that or thrown him off the side of the building, I had options."

Provenza nodded. "You would've missed me the most right?"

"You are my longest and most successful relationship…"

He agreed. "Hard to think how you would have gone on without me."

Flynn had to smile. "Should we hug now?"

"Hell no."

Dinner that evening was a celebration of many things. Becoming Commander. The team's survival. The new direction of Major Crimes.

"It almost doesn't feel real. The last few days have been a blur."

Andy agreed. "Tell me about it. Provenza and I almost hugged earlier."

Sharron was contemplative. "Nothing like almost dying to push us outside of our comfort zones."

"I guess you're right."

"How are you faring? We haven't really had a chance to talk about you seeing the explosion. Been one thing after another…the promotion…I'm sorry for not seeing how you are."

"Oh, me? I'm fine. All that matters is that everyone was okay."

She reached for his hand. "It was scary. Nothing wrong with admitting that."

"Scary? It was the longest 36 seconds of my life."

Sharron was surprised. "You counted the seconds?"

"I'll never forget them."

She leaned in for a soft kiss. "None of us will."