Waiting For It To Be Over
Chapter 1
Post Return To Sender Part 1
After Provenza leaves with Rusty Andy is there for Sharon.
Romamance, Hurt/Comfort, Shandy
Sharon heard the door close and the lock turn behind them. She knew they were gone. That her son was gone with them. God, she loved that boy every bit as much as her biological children and she had almost lost him today. She was prepared to die for him but she was not prepared to lose him and she almost had. It was then that all of the emotions of the day, weeks and months caught up with her and she collapsed on Rusty's bed in tears. She was so upset she hadn't heard Andy slip into her apartment as the others had left. She hadn't even heard him call her name.
"Sharon" Andy called out in a regular voice then again becoming more concerned when she didn't answer. He made his way down the hall to the boy's room where he saw the light on and he found her there. She was curled up on the bed holding a pillow crying.
"Oh, Sharon," He said in whisper. He didn't hesitate. He went to her immediately and without a thought he pulled all of her to him. At times he was hesitant with her but right now all he wanted to do was take all of this pain from him. She didn't resist as he pulled them both up against the headboard of Rusty's bed and he held her.
"He's gone, he's gone" she sobbed into his chest
"He's just at Provenza's Sharon. He will be back. He will be home soon. This will all be over."
"You don't understand Andy. I almost lost him. I couldn't protect him. That is my one job and I didn't do it. He could have died today because I didn't protect him and now he's gone. I failed him just like everyone else in his life."
Andy shifted them both slightly so that he could look at her as he spoke,
"Sharon, listen to me the very fact that boy is alive is because of you. You have loved him and protected him a million times over. When everyone is gave up on him, when Rios wanted to send him away. You refused to give up on him. And yes you almost lost him today, but you didn't. You saved him and now because you love him you sent him somewhere to be safe. You have not failed him. You have loved him and he knows that."
His words seemed to help her as she sat up a little and wiped her face with her hands. It was at that point she fully realized she was laying in Andy's arms in her son's bed. She pulled herself free from him and looked down the hallway.
"Thank you for coming over Andy. I'm sorry for all of this." She said
Andy placed a hand on her arm, "Don't apologize. I thought you could use a friend tonight. Why don't you go get changed and I will make you some tea."
Sharon smiled at him, he really was one of the most caring people she knew. That was where the temper came from it was a result of how deeply he felt things at times.
"That sound nice, thank you."
Sharon went to her room and changed into her some yoga pants and a t-shirt and washed her face off. Taking a second to look in the mirror. She was an absolute mess, there was no way around.
When she came out into the living room and was hanging up his phone and a cup of tea was sitting on the table for her.
"Dinner will be here in a little while. I ordered you the Lo Mein and some hot and sour soup." Andy told her.
"Andy, you didn't have to do that. I'm really not hungry." She started to protest
"I've been with you all day and haven't seen you eat anything. In fact I haven't seen you eat much of anything since Rusty started with Cooper and the gang. You need to eat." Andy insisted
Sharon smiled at him, "I didn't realize you pay so much attention to what I eat."
"I pay attention to everything that you do." He answered her before thinking, "I mean someone has to make sure you are taking care of yourself."
Suddenly the room was a little tense and Sharon started to straighten the perfectly clean living room. Andy felt in too.
"Hey, do you mind if I turn the Dodgers game on?"
"No, of course not."
They sat there in comfortable silence until the doorbell rang and Sharon jumped and reached for her gun. Andy put his hand on her shoulder.
"It's just dinner. Sit back down I will get it." He said, but she noticed he kept his hand on his gun as well.
They sat at her table and ate and talked with their normal level of comfort. For a little while it was just like one of their normal dinners together. Andy made her laugh telling her stories of trouble he and Provenza had made. She talked about Ricky and Emily. Her phone rang and she jumped a little.
"Rusty, is everything OK?" Sharon answered quickly
Andy sat up straighter and moved closer to her.
"Good Night, Rusty, I love you. Please call me in the morning." Sharon hung up the phone and smile
"He was just calling to say good night." She told him. When Sharon looked down at her phone she realized what time it was.
"Andy, it's after midnight. You need to go home and get some sleep."
"You obviously didn't notice my bag in the hallway." Andy responded causally pointing to the entryway.
"Why, do you have your overnight bag?" She asked him.
"Because I am not leaving until after this guys is caught and Rusty testifies" Andy answered his voice firm, ready for a fight with her if he needed.
"Andy that is not necessary. I will be fine. I know how to take care of myself."
"Like mother, like son?" Andy said dryly, "God, Sharon, do you not understand that you almost died today too? That lunatic was in your building? That he wrote you death threats too? That he is still out there?" He stopped for a second before saying, "I know that you almost lost Rusty today but I almost lost both of you. I was all the way at the office when you went after that monster and I wasn't here to have your back. No, Sharon, I am not leaving. You can try ordering me as my Captain and I will resign, but until I know that you are safe I am not leaving."
Sharon stood there speechless and stared at him.
"Andy. Think about how this will look."
"I don't give a damn about how this will look." He said, his voice still firm
Sharon sighed, she knew him well enough to know there was going to be no changing his mind and if she was honest with herself she wanted him to stay. The house was too lonely with Rusty gone.
"All right, I will go get some clean sheets for Rusty's bed." she told him
"No, his room is too far from you." He answered
"Andy!" she said alarmed and unsure
"Relax," he laughed, "I am taking the couch, but first I would like to take a shower. You need to go to bed and get some sleep. Good night Captain"
He turned and got his bag and headed for Rusty's bathroom.
Sharon stood in the living room watching him walk down the hall.
"Good night Lieutenant." She answered him and made her way to her bedroom too tired from the day to think about this current situation anymore.
To Be Continued
