Sharon hesitated for a moment when she saw the name that flashed across her cell phone. She felt guilty for her reaction but she wasn't sure if she was ready for where this conversation could go. Shaking her head, she raised her cell to her ear just after the third ring.

"Hello, Nicole."

"Hi, Sharon. I hope this isn't a bad time?" The voice on the other end was soft, a tad hesitant. Something that Sharon couldn't fault her for, considering where things were with herself and the young woman's father.

"No, of course not. How are things with you? How are the boys?"

"They're good. They miss you!" Nicole paused for a moment, wondering if she should continue with her train of thought. "Honestly, we all miss you. That's why I'm calling. I uh, I was wondering if you might want to join me for lunch this afternoon?"

"Nicole, is there something wrong?"

"No!" Her quick response wasn't any more believable to her own ears than she imagined it would be to the other woman. "Nothing's wrong. I... I'm worried about my dad. He seems really depressed lately and he won't open up about it."

"I..."

Nicole sighed, cutting the other woman off before she could say anything else. "I know the two of you had that big falling out. I know the reason for it. Well, at least as much as dad would share with me. But Sharon, you know my dad better than most people. Sometimes I think you know him better than he knows himself."

Sharon leaned back in her seat and released a sigh of her own. Things had changed a lot in the past few months. First there was their fight and then the series of events that brought them to where they currently found themselves. She didn't honestly think he hated her, but she knew without a shadow of a doubt that she was far from his favorite person. Yet here she was with his daughter reaching out to her because she was desperate to help a man that meant a lot to them both. Maybe she owed him this much. "I can get out of the office in an hour if that works for you?"

"That would be perfect! I know this probably isn't at the top of the list of things you would like to do today. But I really appreciate it."

"It really isn't a problem. I'll see you soon, Nicole."

"Of course, bye."

Placing her cell phone down on her desk, Sharon allowed her gaze to go to the desk positioned outside of her office. The desk that once belonged to Andy but had since been replaced with Detective Sykes. Amy met her captain's gaze and offered her a small smile. She knew how hard the past few months had been on her. Even though the team didn't know the exact reason for the distance that now existed between Sharon and Andy, they were aware of how much things had changed. For awhile they believed that Lieutenant Flynn was going to ask to be sent back to Robbery/Homicide but he seemed determined to stay where he was. Whether or not that was for the best however, was still up for debate.

Nicole took a sip of her coffee as she waited for her lunch companion to arrive. She knew her father would be angry with her if he found out that she had called Sharon, but that was something she could deal with. What she couldn't deal with was the way her father was closing up on himself. If this was considered resorting to desperate measures, then so be it. The sound of heels approaching drew her from her thoughts. She stood as Sharon got closer and didn't hesitate to wrap the other woman up in a hug. She had meant it when she said that Sharon was missed. Pulling back she indicated to the seat opposite of where she had been sitting. "I wasn't sure how much caffeine you're allowing yourself these days so I ordered you a water with lemon. I hope that's okay?"

"It is, thank you." Sharon offered her a soft smile as she took a seat. She took a sip of water before glancing over and meeting Nicole's gaze. "Where did you want to start? I have a feeling you have some questions about what happened?"

"I do. But I'm not sure if it is my place? I should probably admit that I have talked some to Emily. She filled in some of the blanks for me but I think we're both still a little confused. We both thought you and my dad were getting close. Closer than friends, really."

The news that her daughter and Nicole had kept in contact wasn't something she had been aware of but it wasn't exactly surprising. Apparently the few times Emily had helped Nicole out with ballet related questions led to a friendship of sorts between the two of them. "You aren't wrong, Nicole. Your father and I... we were growing closer. It was something that we both wanted, I assure you."

"Then what happened? One week you were coming with him to family dinners and then..." Nicole trailed off as she tried to calm herself down. She had invited Sharon to lunch because she needed her help, yet now she felt like she was attacking the other woman. It wasn't fair.

"And then you find out I am carrying another man's child. I know that was quite the surprise for you. It was a surprise for me, too." Sharon smiled sadly, her hand coming to rest on the swell of her stomach. The 'final straw' that had broken things between her and Andy. "I never expected to be having another child at this stage in my life. Let alone a child with my ex husband as the father. The night that the baby was conceived I was in a bad place. Andy and I had a big blow up..."

Nicole opened her mouth to say something but Sharon shook her head. "I am not going to blame your father for what happened. Yes, the fight did happen because I felt as though he was overstepping things at work. He went after a suspect that only minutes before had a gun aimed at my head. We were both emotional but I couldn't let him think it was all right to go after someone just because he felt the need to protect me. We were friends, yes. But we also needed to remain professional. So we fought and things were said that looking back I realize neither one of us honestly meant. But that's what happens when you let your emotions take control of things. When I left Andy's place, I went home and found Jack at my door. I'll spare you the details. Just know that in a moment of weakness I allowed myself to take comfort from someone who was offering it. I let myself fall back into old habits and now here I am. You would think a woman my age would know better, but apparently not."

Reaching across the table, Nicole placed her hand over one of Sharon's. She could tell the woman still felt a sense of unease over what had happened. "Is that why you and Dad are fighting? You're back with your ex?"

"Oh sweetheart, no. That night with Jack was a mistake and while he knows about the baby, that is not going to be something that brings him into my life in any way other than being the father of my children. But Andy was hurt by my actions and I deeply regret that. In his eyes I threw away things between he and I before they could even start. If that's not bad enough, I did it with the one person he had heard me complain about time and time again. That was never my intention but I can see why he feels the way he does."

"Dad said that he doesn't feel like he can trust you anymore." The look of hurt that flashed across Sharon's face instantly had her regretting her words. She gave her hand a gentle squeeze before continuing. "But I think it's more of him being afraid to put his heart out there. I don't think he realized how much you meant to him before this all happened."

"I don't think I realized how much he meant to me either. That's something I will have to learn to live with." Sharon lifted her glass to her mouth once more. She wasn't thirsty, she just needed something to do in an effort to distract herself from where her emotions wanted to take her.

"I just... I spent so much time with you two and I can't believe that this is it. My dad is one of the most stubborn people in the world and no offense, but Emily says the same about you. I can't picture the two of you giving up before you ever tried."

Sharon opened her mouth to respond but was cut off by the sound of her cell going off. "One second," she turned slightly in her seat and lifted her phone to her ear. "Yes, Lieutenant Provenza?"

"Captain, I need you to get to Cedars right away." Came the gruff reply.

Sharon's face paled instantly at his words. "Is... is it Rusty? Did something happen to him?"

"No, Rusty is fine. Capt... Sharon, it's Flynn. He's been shot."