"Hello?"
"Andy? It's Sharon," she breathes through her phone, unsure of how happy she is at the joy she feels when he picks up. Curling into her sofa, Sharon takes a throw cushion and huddles it into her stomach.
"I have caller ID," he replies dryly, "What's up, Sharon?"
Chuckling wryly at his first response, Sharon sobers up quite quickly, "Nothing, I – you have to be pissed about the whole Stroh situation!" Although she is technically infuriated with DDA Rios' incapability to understand the situation, Sharon is only half-heartedly enraged by that situation. Her emotions drift closer to concern and anxiety for Rusty, but she feels that it might be more prudent to mask them for the time being.
Sighing imperceptibly, Andy responds, "We all are, Sharon. Why did you actually call me?" he asks perceptively.
"I – do you think I should add more men to Rusty's protection detail?" she murmurs, the words leaving her mouth almost unbidden. Though somewhat shocked by her own openness, Sharon realises that she should have guessed this would happen – Andy has a way of bringing out that which would normally stay hidden in her.
"I'd say that you should go with your gut on this one, Sharon."
"My gut is uncertain – I could use the advice of my top Lieutenant," teases Sharon playfully.
"Well then, as your top Lieutenant," he enunciates mockingly, "I'd say leave him be, for now. Stroh's never really been about revenge – to him Rusty was a loose end, not a target for vengeance. That may have changed since prison," he warns, "but for now, I think Rusty's probably as safe as any college student." Andy's work insofar as reassuring her (somewhat), and the anxiety that prevented her from eating earlier in the evening dissipates somewhat. Loud enough that even Flynn would've heard it over the phone, Sharon's stomach growls emptily and she lets out a mirthless chuckle.
Exhaling slowly, Sharon isn't utterly convinced, and there is a tremor in her voice when she responds, "I guess you're right…"
"Sharon, do you want me to come over?" he asks quietly, thinking that perhaps his presence might reassure her.
"Do you want to?" she replies nervously, uncertain of whether or not she actually wants him because he'd reassure her or because, well, it's him.
"I'm asking you, Sharon. I don't want to make you uncomfortable by inviting myself into your home," he jokes, well aware that she'd probably be uncomfortable with anyone she hadn't actively invited being in her home – especially now.
"Yes," she murmurs quietly.
Hey guys! I thought I might test the waters a bit with a shorter first chapter - see if this is worth continuing :) If you enjoyed reading this, please let me know what you think and leave a review!
