Chapter 1

Andy saunters inside the dark apartment and throws his keys off to the side. He takes a deep breath and glances around. His life became quite meaningless since Sharon wasn't with him. He still couldn't believe what had happened.

"Sharon, where are you?" He repeated quietly, the empty room not answering. The one thing he wanted most in the world was to be close to Sharon again, even for a few minutes. But Sharon didn't talk with him outside of work, and she spoke with coldness that made him literally shiver.

Yes, he had made many mistakes, but he thought that this punishment was too drastic. He felt the emptiness inside of him every time he saw Sharon with Fritz. Somehow, Fritz had broke up with Brenda few months ago. Sharon was the first person to hear the news, the end of the beautiful relationship saddening her. To her, Brenda and Fritz had always been the perfect couple. But what Andy couldn't understand was how Sharon and Fritz had fallen into a relationship. It was a deep blow to him. Andy might have already known the answer. Perhaps Sharon wanted to punish him for his mistake - the mistake that he shouldn't have ever allowed.

However, Sharon was right. She'd been through too much with Jack and she couldn't bear the same situation again and again. Andy cursed himself for the mistake he had made. He had slept with another woman and Sharon had realized this.

At this point, his world had fallen apart around him. He still didn't know how he could make the same mistake many other men commit daily - being with a woman that wasn't the one he was in love with. And now, she punished him. She punished him by starting relationship with Fritz.

He never imagined that their relationship would end this way. He didn't talk with anyone except his friend, Louie Provenza. He was the only person to know everything, including how he feels. He was grateful for his care. And now, 15 years later, after being a long-time AA member, the alcohol was his only friend. Provenza was worried about him, but neither he nor anyone else know that Andy had begun to consume alcohol.

It'd all started a few months ago when Andy was a willing party in overnight affair with another woman he had met recently. What surprised him was that he cheated on Sharon. Even for one night, even once, he cheated on her and he felt guilty. He was guilty.

Sharon has always been an independent woman and she was ready to continue her life in the same way. Now that she'd begun relationship with Fritz, she didn't know what she felt anymore. She still loved Andy, but she couldn't accept the bitter truth that because he cheated on her with another woman, he could very well do it again. Sharon also felt uncomfortable, knowing that she has begun relationship with Fritz - a man who loved Brenda. Yes, they had separated a few months ago, but that didn't mean that they couldn't be together again. Most importantly, however, it was that she didn't feel any feelings for Fritz, and he knew it. She was convinced that he knew the truth; that her heart still belongs to Andy.

On the other hand, Rusty was completely against his mother's relationship with Fritz. Yes, he also thought that Andy was guilty, but he didn't want his mother to suffer, starting a relationship with a man whom she doesn't love. Rusty tried to talk to Andy every day, but he refused, claiming that nothing will make sense. But he saw that neither his mother nor Fritz were happy together. Perhaps Fritz also still loves Brenda and his head was full of questions, like Sharon.

Unfortunately, they had to work together and this complicated things more and more. Sharon and Andy behaved coldly with each other and they couldn't even look at each other. Sharon still remembers the moment she'd learned about Andy's cheating.

Andy turned off the lights and went to the kitchen. He felt that he needed alcohol - maybe it was the only way to forget the pain for a little while. He took the cup and poured the contents inside. He felt guilty about drinking again, but he had no choice. The pain in his heart was akin to a heavy bundle of stones.

He looked at his watch. It was 2am. He entered the living room and sat on the couch, leaning back. He took a deep breath and wiped his tears. He didn't know how to hide his pain. He didn't want to see Sharon with another man, but he knew that he was to blame for everything - absolutely everything. A few minutes later, he was drunk enough to doze on the couch. He dropped his glass on the floor.

"Andy! Open the door!" Andy heard a sharp series of knocks on the door. He immediately recognized Provenza's voice. He rubbed his eyes and cautiously opened the door. Provenza's eyes widened, seeing his friend drunk again after 15 years. He quickly grabbed him when Andy felt dizzy. Provenza made him to sit on the couch and closed the door. He sat next to Andy and looked around. He immediately saw glass on the floor and the bottle of alcohol on the table.

"What do you think you're doing?" he shouted angrily. Andy rolled his eyes.

"What do you want at this time old man? Why are you here?"

"Why am I here?! Oh my God, Andy! Look at yourself! Why are you starting to consume alcohol again?" Provenza shouted. Andy took a deep breath and glared at him.

"Do you think I have any reason not to? My life has plummeted so suddenly, and I've lost everything. I lost the woman I love." He confessed. Provenza turned his head and took the bottle of alcohol.

"You can't blame anyone but yourself. It's your fault. You made that mistake, and the girl was right to leave you. You're crazy! You cheated on her. Even if it was for one night. Cheating will always be cheating. " He said angrily and threw the bottle into the trash. Andy gritted his teeth in anger.

"Stop! Enough Provenza! You're the last person who can give me advice. You're the one who has had five different divorces!" Provenza looked at him with anger, but he knew that he was drunk and that is why he talk that way.

"You're unbearable when you're drunk. And another thing: Promise me you will not do this anymore! It hurts me to see you this way!" Provenza said furiously.

He helped his friend to go to the bedroom. In fact, Provenza thought to call Nicole, but he didn't want to worry her senseless. But he didn't like that the whole situation had Andy this upset. When Andy fell asleep Provenza took his phone and decided to call Sharon. However, whatever happens, Andy was part of her team and she was still his boss.

Sharon stood by the window and looked out. She couldn't sleep. She constantly was thinking about Andy. To be away from him hurt her, but when she remembered his cheating, she felt even more hurt. Fortunately Rusty slept in his room and Fritz slept in the guest room. Sharon would never allow him to sleep with her nor Fritz would agree. She still didn't know why she started this false relationship with Fritz. Maybe just to get Andy to realize his mistake and punish him.

Suddenly, her phone rang. Seeing Provenza's name, she thought that they have an important case.

"Lieutenant Provenza, how can I help you?" She asked quietly.

"Captain, sorry to bother you, but I'm in Andy's home." Sharon sighed wearily and closed her eyes for a moment.

"What happened lieutenant? Why are you telling me this at midnight?"

"Captain, I understand I would never call you for that, but this time is different. Andy... he is drunk..." Sharon's eyes widened. She knew Andy was a long-time AA member.

"Lieutenant, are you sure?" She asked anxiously, anyway.

"Yes, Captain. When he opened the door, he was drunk and had a bottle of alcohol on the table. At the moment, he is sleeping, but I wanted to let you know if-"

"Lieutenant, you're his friend. You can take care of him. Good night." She hung up abruptly. She wasn't in the mood to talk more. Fritz suddenly approached her.

"Fritz." She smiled slightly.

"I heard the half of your conversation. Is Andy any better?"

"I guess because Provenza is with him. Don't worry, he'll not allow that anymore." Fritz nodded and continued,

"I don't worry Sharon, but about you, yes. Sharon, I don't know why we started this relationship. You love Andy, anyway. And if I have to admit, I- ''

"You love Brenda." she interrupted sharply and sighed. "I know Fritz, and we both suffer now. You know, the only thing I want is to punish Lieutenant Flynn. Nothing more. He made me feel so bad and I still can't understand how it all fell apart and how our relationship ended. The fact that he has relapsed after 15 years... it doesn't really surprise me."

The next day, Rusty was preparing for his exams. Sharon and Andy were on the crime scene. She looked carefully at him. He didn't look drunk, at least now he seemed better. But she was convinced that he can again consume alcohol once he did. But she was determined not to allow this, whatever happens.

Several hours later, Sharon sat pensively in her office. She took off her glasses and looked through the window of her office. She saw Andy, who sat at his desk, looking at some files absently. She took a deep breath and approached him. He didn't notice because he was deep in his thoughts.

"Lieutenant Flynn, can we talk in my office now?" She asked sternly. Andy nodded indifferently and both went into her office and closed the blinds tightly. The whole team was surprised. Provenza turned his head and throwing his files on his desk, he sat in his chair and leaned back, listening to all the comments that made the team.

Sharon and Andy looked at each other in silence. Maybe they didn't know what they are here and what they have to say. Sharon cleared her throat.

"Lieutenant, I-''

"Captain, what do you want to talk about?" He asked very professionally. Sharon swallowed the lump in her throat.

"We need to talk about last night." Andy looked at her, confused.

"About last night?"

"Yes. Lieutenant Provenza told me everything. I can't believe that you began to consume alcohol again after 15 years!" Andy gritted his teeth with anger and put his hands in his pockets.

"I should guess. But I didn't think that you'd be interested in this, Captain." He commented sarcastically.

"Of course I am!" Andy barked out a harsh laugh and walked over to her, causing her to step back.

"You know, I'm guilty and I accept my mistake. But I'll never accept the fact that you started relationship with Fritz when you don't love him." Sharon looked at him angrily.

"You're to blame for everything. You cheated on me with another woman! How do I forgive that? Look, everything between us is over. The only relationship between us is our professional relationship, nothing else.''

"Sharon, I asked for your forgiveness many times. But you won't forgive me. Yes, you're right. I also can't forgive myself for the mistake I made and I'm guilty. But you don't love Fritz nor does he love you. And that's just a false relationship, nothing more. " Andy said firmly and walked towards the door.

"I just wanted to know how you are. You're part of my team and you're still my subordinate." Andy turned to her and nodded with a slight smile.

"Yes, I'd forgotten that I'm just your subordinate. I'm sorry I bothered you, Captain." He said quietly and left.

Sharon sighed wearily and closed her eyes for a moment. She sat at her desk and leaned back thoughtfully. She didn't know what to think but she couldn't forget the fact that he cheats on her with another woman. But had she made the right decision, starting relationship with Fritz - with a man she doesn't love? Her head was full of questions. How long could they pretend?

- TBC -

Thanks for reading. And please tell me what you think. Please review! Also thanks to my beta Adrian Dix!