Lt. Andy Flynn was sitting in his friend's living room watching whatever they could find on the sports channels. They hit a round of commercials, so he turned to Lt. Louie Provenza and said, "Hey, man, look, I just wanted to say thank you."

Provenza turned to look at him with a confused/annoyed face (it wasn't always easy to tell). "What for?" he asked suspiciously.

"For back at the office, when you acted like me asking out Sharon was no big deal," Andy explained. "You've made it clear that you've been wary and disapproving of my intentions with her, but it sounds like you might be more accepting of it now. Or at least, you maybe don't care quite so much now. Either way, it's a plus, so, uh, thanks." They didn't spend a lot of time talking about their feelings, and Andy quickly found himself regretting bringing it up.

Provenza sighed and pushed the mute button on the TV. "Look, Flynn, it was never that I didn't want you to be happy. I just don't understand why her. I'm still not 100% sure I get it. Dating your boss is a terrible idea in general, and Captain Raydor was never really a name we were excited to hear around Robbery-Homicide or Major Crimes. However, she and I have come to a certain level of understanding now, and while I'm still not sure I get the two of you together," Provenza paused, feeling uncomfortable, but then pressed on, knowing that Andy needed to hear this, "I have never seen you so at peace as you have been lately. You both smile more since you're 'friendship' outside of work started. Hell, the Captain has been downright tolerable. Your friendship is a good thing for everyone involved. If you think you want more out of your relationship, tread carefully, but I say go for it, and good luck."

Andy smiled to himself. "Well, I don't need the good luck anymore," he responded. "I asked her to dinner tomorrow and she accepted."

"You asked her to dinner? You mean like you already do all the time?" Provenza pointed out.

"Well, yeah, but I'm taking her to a romantic restaurant this time," Andy explained.

Provenza was tired of this limbo they seemed to be stuck in and was worried they were going to start going in circles again. He was getting too old for this. "Did you say 'date', Flynn? I think you need to be clear."

"Well, no, not exactly," Andy started as Provenza rolled his eyes. Andy continued quickly, "But, I told her where, and when I said 'romantic', she got really flustered and stammered before answering. She got the difference. It was kinda cute in retrospect, but in the moment, I was convinced she was going to turn me down."

Provenza made a noise of disgust. Cute is not a word he would ever use to describe his captain. But, he could see Andy was happy. As much as Andy and the Captain didn't make sense in his brain, his relationship with Patrice was making him soft. Both Raydor and Flynn had been through a lot. They both deserved a bit of happiness in their life.

"Well, enjoy your 'romantic' dinner together," Provenza said. Andy smiled, but then Provenza continued, "Don't you dare screw this up." Provenza was concerned about his friend's happiness but tried to mask it by tacking on one final statement. "Think of all the headaches it would cause our division if you two have a messy separation. It would be Daniels and Gabriel all over again, only worse since Raydor is in charge."

Andy laughed. "I'll try not to. You know, for the sake of the division."

"Good," Provenza said with a note of finality. He turned back to the TV and unmuted it. Andy tried to turn his attention back to the screen too, but couldn't help thinking about all of the details of tomorrow night. It would be his and Sharon's first real date.

It was about damn time.