He knocks once, rapping his knuckles against the apartment door. He hears steps, knowing instantly they belong to Rusty. Sharon's walk is much softer. He knows this from all the times he has watched her walk away from him. Sometimes he is able to not look at her legs, to follow the long, lean length of them as they smoothly and elegantly move her away from him. Sometimes he is able to look away, but lately, it takes all his strength. He is not sure how much longer he can do this.

"Hey Flynn. Come on in."

"Thanks Rusty. Uh, is Sha-, I mean, the Captain here?"

Rusty laughs. He thinks the way Andy and Sharon try to hide their feelings for each other is laughable at best. Who do they think they are fooling? He often wonders this when he watches them trying not to stand too close together.

"Sharon is outside. She's watching the storm come in. Hey Flynn, can I talk to you for a second before I leave?"

"Yah. Sure kid."

Andy follows Rusty to the kitchen where they grab a few water bottles. Sitting at the dining room table, Rusty looks apprehensively at Andy.

"It's okay, Rusty. Whatever you want to talk about stays between me and you."

"It's just…Sharon is acting weird lately."

"I don't understand. What do you mean?"

"Just…kind of staring off into nothing sometimes. Like she's deep in thought? Or like sometimes I will catch her looking at me, and she looks like she is about to cry. She looks sad. Or like, lonely or something. She won't really open up to me either, so I can't figure out what's going on with her."

Andy stretches back in his chair, tapping his finger on the table.

"Yah, I've noticed the same behavior at work. Hell, that's why I'm here. Something is going on with her. She seems…distracted?"

Rusty leans on the table, coming closer to Andy, taking on a conspiratorial stance.

"Yes! She's totally distracted! Last night, she put our leftovers in the freezer."

"And that's bad because?"

"It was leftover spaghetti."

Andy snickers.

"Yep. That isn't quite right, is it?"

"No! Look I've got a theory. I could be wrong though."

"Alright. Lay it on me."

"I think she's in love" Rusty whispers, as if Sharon might hear him through the closed door.

Andy's heart rate climbs, his palms feel clammy, and he feels an almighty need to loosen his tie.

"Oh? What makes you think that?" Andy shakily replies.

"One, she isn't sleeping. I hear her walking up and down the hallway at all hours of the night. Two, she isn't eating properly. Sometimes she just pushes her dinner around on her plate. Half the time she skips breakfast. Three, she's forgetful, scatter-brained, and distracted, as if concentrating has become a foreign concept to her. Four, she becomes deep in thought as if she's living in her mind or her dreams or whatever. How many more instances do you need?"

"Okay. Okay you make a good case, Rusty. So, if she is in love, then who is she in love with? As far as I know, the divorce was finalized, and she hasn't mentioned dating anyone."

"Oh, she isn't dating anyone. I know that for a fact."

"You do?"

"Well duh"

Andy looks at Rusty, confusion across his face.

"Flynn, why would Sharon date anyone when she's in love with you? I mean come on, do you two really not see what's going on? Get you in a room and…and like everyone should just leave and give you two privacy."

Andy stands up, clearing his throat and pacing behind his chair.

"Rusty, I don't think…Sharon doesn't feel…Jesus your 18! How would you know about this?"

Andy wipes the sweat from his forehead.

"Let's see. I'm observant, I pay attention to details, and I listen to what people say. Should I go on?"

"Wise ass."

"Yes, I am. Thank you. Now, the question is what are you going to do about it?"

"Me? Look Rusty, I can't just go out there and say I love you! It just doesn't work like that."

"So, you do love her?" Rusty leans back in his chair, crossing his arms, a smile about to crack.

"Wait…what? No, I didn't say that" Andy stutters until Rusty raises his arm to silence him.

"And, why can't you tell her? Who says it can't be whatever you want it to be?"

Andy closes his mouth. He stops a moment to consider this new development. Rusty is right. Who does say how this is supposed to go? Who says he can't just go out there and say what his heart feels?

"So…you think I should just walk out there and say…ya know…like what I really feel?"

"Why not? I sorta feel like you two not admitting your feelings is hurting you more than if you just told the truth. I mean look at her! She looks miserable, Flynn. She's lonely and unsure and the only thing that will make her feel better is to know you feel the same as she does."

Andy turns toward Sharon's figure, leaning forlornly against the railing of her balcony. A solitary figure, all in black, right down to her leggings and Ugg boots that adorn her feet.

"Is she really that sad?" Andy quietly asks.

"I believe she is. Look, I think she's hesitating starting a relationship because of me. Maybe she feels that I will feel left out or the third wheel, but I won't, Flynn. I'm going off to college soon. I'm going to be so busy that I won't have any time to feel left out. But, that makes me worry about her. I don't want her to be here, in this apartment, alone. She's been alone enough in her life."

Andy shakes his head in agreement, still staring at her lone figure.

"I mean if she was acting like her normal self, then I wouldn't be encouraging her to date or be with anyone. I don't think Sharon needs to be with someone in order to feel complete. I mean, that's what she is always telling me. You have to be okay with who you are and being on your own before you can be okay with anyone else. I know Sharon would be okay. But, you can't help who you fall in love with, right? When it happens, it just happens."

"You're right, kid. I don't think either of us were asking for this, or wanted it. I mean our lives were fine before these feelings happened. Funny thing is…it just sort of snuck up on us. I don't think either of us realized what was going on until we were already in too deep."

"Well, then you need to do something about it, don't you?"

Andy shakes his head, a decision made inside his heart and mind.

"Yes, I do. And you need to go, right?" He smirks as he extends his hand to Rusty.

"Convenient, I know. But I really am going out somewhere. Tao's for dinner and chess. Tell Sharon I will call her later tonight, and I may decide to spend the night, so not to worry about me?"

"Will do." Andy pats him on the back as they finish their handshake, an agreement firmly cemented between them.

xxooxxooxxooxxooxxoo

Sliding the door open, Andy steps through to the balcony. Sharon doesn't turn around or respond, lost deep in thought. He thinks through a number of things he could say or do to get her attention – clear his throat, say something to her, grab her hand…none of it seems like the right thing to do.

He takes a deep breath, closing his eyes, simply feeling her presence near him. Suddenly, a clear vision of what he wants forms in his mind. He wants to simply surround her with his love, let her perfume and natural scent fill his mind until he can't think anymore.

He moves quietly, slowly, only letting his hands rise when his chest meets her back. He feels her quickly tense. She releases a long breath once she sees the hands that surround her, sitting softly on either side of her hands on the bannister.

"Lieutenant."

"Captain."

She smiles, much like a little girl who has a secret. And oh, what a secret it is that she holds in her heart.