A/N: welshcwtch had another idea for a story, "What if Sharon went on a date with the actor? How would that change things?" So, this is a Season 3 Shandy AU beginning at the end of "Cutting Loose" and then off into its own little world. I know that they are not dating dating on the show until the following summer, but this whole scenario is a look at an altered timeline. Thank you for reading.

Disclaimer: the mistakes are all mine, but sadly the characters are not.

For What It's Worth: Chapter 1

"This has definitely been a special evening," Andy acknowledged as he joined Sharon in the living room to help gather the discarded plates and cups from the coffee table. "Something really nice the kid will always be able to look back on when he thinks about his graduation."

Sharon straightened up from the table and smiled as she reached out to take the trash he had gathered, "Thank you, Andy. I am just glad we were able to wrap everything with the case up in time to make the party memorable. I did not want him to miss out on celebrating the milestone. Even if he didn't think it was that big of a deal." Instead of handing her the plates he was holding Andy silently gestured for her to give him her collection for him to throw away instead. She smiled as she handed everything over, "Oh, thank you."

"My pleasure, Sharon," he gave her a half grin and nodded. "If he isn't already, he will be very thankful for this. I know he has had a tough time with not really having a normal high school experience, but he is one lucky kid. Of course serial killers and crazy letter writers aside." He smiled at her reassuringly before gesturing to his full hands and turning toward the kitchen, "I'll be right back."

Sharon rolled her eyes and swatted his retreating arm at his attempt at a joke, "Too soon, Lieutenant. Probably always, too soon." He smiled sheepishly back at her as he returned to his task. She shook her head, a small smirk settling across her face as she stared after him, following his path with her eyes until he passed Jon Worth who was on his way out of the kitchen. She shifted her gaze to track the actor into the living room.

The two made eye contact and she returned the actor's smile as he approached her. "Thank you again, Mr. Worth for joining us tonight. And of course for being so helpful with the case today. Surely an interesting couple of days for you and your assistant."

"Of course, Captain," he nodded. "This was one of the best experiences - of course poor Zelda not included - I could have ever asked for. I mean real cops, real cases, real criminals... This will add such a-a richness to my character. Man, definitely worth missing that trip to Mexico. It was such a rush to be able to be there on the front lines, helping with interview, making the connections, getting the confession. Mikey may have spoken about it, but there is nothing quite like being there first hand, really in the trenches so to speak, with you all."

Sharon pressed her lips together to suppress a laugh and smirked, "Yes, real police work in all of its glory. I am thrilled we were able to provide such a solid all around experience for you and your character." She bit down her bottom lip to prevent herself from taking her sarcasm any further.

"Definitely," Jon agreed as he took another step forward not noticing any potential teasing to her words. "Say, um, Cap- Sharon, can I call you Sharon?" Sharon was caught a little off guard by the question, so she was not able to answer one way or the other before he continued, "Sharon, I think I would really like to kind of, um what's the word? Debrief, a bit after this experience. Maybe go over some of the finer points of the case, get further into the mindset of the detective, and the process as a whole. I want to really make sure I have 'got it.' You know?" She smiled back at John about to reassure him that he seemed to have a firm grasp on police procedure after helping with the interview. Although, before she could say anything he went on, "I was thinking we could maybe further discuss the workings of the case over dinner? Say tomorrow night? I know a great place, shouldn't be too difficult to get a table."

"Oh," Sharon exhaled, a little unsure of how the conversation had all of the sudden taken a rather unexpected turn. "Dinner? To discuss the case, with, um, together?"

Jon grinned, "Yes, dinner with me, tomorrow. How about we say around 6:30?"

"Okay, um," She stuttered. "I - I guess that wou-."

"Great, I'll have Kiki get us a reservation and give you a call," he interrupted with a bright smile and a gentle wave of his arm. "I'll see you tomorrow then, Sharon." With that he stepped toward the door and said good bye one last time to the rest of the team. As he stepped through the door he looked back and gave her a quick wink as he left.

Andy, who had been standing on the other side of the room trying not to stare at the pair, walked back over to Sharon. He noticed she was a little flustered, but was not entirely sure what the two had discussed. "You all right, Sharon?"

Sharon tossed her head gently from side-to-side to bring herself back to the moment. "Oh yes, Andy," she ran her hand down her side, shifting slightly to straighten herself. "Yes, everything is fine. I think. Well, I mean I think Mr. Worth may have just asked me out to dinner tomorrow night? That's strange isn't it?" She let out a single embarrassed giggle at the thought before looking back to Andy.

He stood motionless by her side, but forced a grin, "Strange? I guess that could be a word for it." He gave an awkward chuckle to try to sound as passive as possible about the news, "So, uh, that is interesting. Are you going to go?"

"I think I may have agreed to go, yes. I mean I was so startled I didn't really respond, specifically." She turned her head toward the front door as she replayed the conversation in her mind before turning back to Andy. "Or maybe it isn't anything interesting, I could just be helping him to better understand the motivations of a detective, you know for his character? Like an acting thing? It won't hurt to go though... Regardless of what the dinner is or isn't, I will need to eat at some point."

"Yeah," Andy supplied without knowing what else to say. "Sounds like a special deal. A dinner, or maybe a date, with Jon Worth." He thought back to earlier in the case when Hobbs and Sykes were practically swooning over the man, but tried not to let that thought distract him.

"Oh, no, surely not a date-date. Just some work stuff." Sharon interrupted, but smiled lightheartedly to herself at the indeed strange notion that the actor could have asked her out on a date, and maybe not just a dinner to go back over the case.

After a moment of silence between the two, Andy shuffled his feet, "So, we aren't going by The Grove tomorrow then?"

At his question she remembered their plans. She quickly stepped forward and placed her hand on Andy's forearm, "Oh, I am sorry Andy. We were supposed to go shopping for a gift for your daughter tomorrow, weren't we? I can't believe I forgot."

"It's all right, Sharon," Andy assured her. "We can always go another day. Maybe even the day after tomorrow? You don't have to change your plans around, or cancel on Mr. Worth, just because you had offered to help me shop. I was just hoping for a second opinion on a couple of things, it will keep. I still have a little bit of time. I want to make sure her 30th birthday is special." He chuckled lightly trying to seem more relaxed, "I am not always the best at choosing gifts."

"It will be special, and, I am sure you will choose the right gift, even without my help," Sharon smirked at him reassuringly. "Okay, well, we definitely will go. Just a slight delay, a rain check. I'm sorry, like I said, he kind of caught me by surprise and before I knew it Kiki would be calling me with the reservation details."

"No worries," Andy shrugged before looking down and pulling his phone out of his pocket. "Oh, speaking of Nicole, I need to call and check something with her." He looked around the room, "Everyone seems to be wrapping things up. Do you need any more help putting everything away, or anything like that?"

Sharon followed his eyes and saw the rest of the team slowly gravitating toward the door, "I guess it is coming to an end. I think I can handle everything else. Please if you need to call Nicole you don't have to wait around to help me. Just text me later on about our shopping plans? My schedule is pretty open, other than tomorrow evening, of course."

"Yes, will do. Okay then, uh 'night, Sharon," he nodded. "Really a great little party." Andy turned toward the door and walked away, giving Rusty a fist bump as he passed by the new graduate.

Rusty returned the gesture and strolled over to where Sharon was beginning to gather the few leftover pieces of trash to throw away. "Where is the Lieutenant going in such a hurry?" The boy smirked as he mischievously raised one eyebrow, "I just assumed he would be hanging around. Be the last one to leave and all of that."

Sharon smiled despite herself, "Don't even start with that young man. You know he just likes to help out, he's a good friend. Besides, if you must know he needed to call his daughter." Sharon ignored Rusty's 'oh really face' and wrapped her arm around his shoulders to change the subject, "I know I said it earlier, but I am just so proud of you." Rusty squirmed a little at her words and the embrace, but did not pull away, allowing her to continue, "No matter how uncomfortable you may feel right now, or how much you thought you did not have friends to celebrate with... I wanted to make sure you know how amazing this moment is and how amazing you are, truly."

Rusty rolled his eyes and smiled. "Whatever you say, Sharon. But, um, thanks. Thank you for a lot of things, actually."

The two stood together for another moment before Sharon let go of him to say her goodbyes to the rest of the team. The pair finished clearing the living room as the team filtered out, each making sure to congratulate their witness one last time on having survived high school in more ways than one.

When everyone was gone Sharon sat on her couch thinking back to the excitement of the evening and the success of the party. She was thankful Rusty had been okay with celebrating the occasion, and even more thankful that she was able to show him once again that he had a large group of friends and family who cared deeply for him. A chime from her phone drew her attention back to the present. Sharon frowned down at the screen. She did not immediately recognize the number, having half expected it to be Andy with the weekend shopping ideas. When she unlocked her phone the text message was from Kiki confirming her dinner with Jon the following evening, along with the time and location.

Sharon sighed to herself and considered cancelling now that she had had time to think about the potential awkwardness of the evening, but then curiosity stopped her. She was allowed to go on a date if she had the opportunity. The papers were not yet filed, but they had been served. She did not have any reason to not at least go out, have a nice meal, and an interesting conversation with someone other than her children or colleagues.

TBC